the backstep tango
Having one REALLY easy project to soothe the weary mind is always a good idea…
I look at my WIP list and see two complicated projects and one sort of easy project. MISSING: that REALLY easy mind fulffer-nutter! So I started a little slotted scarf like the one Theresa made. Mine is out of some WILD Noro Kureyon that jumped out of the stash to beat any SADD that might be hanging around (it ALWAYS cheers me up to see COLORFUL accessories on other folks necks and heads, so I though I’d return the karmic dues). BUT, I wasn’t really happy with the way the mid-section was turning out using this yarn, so I RIPPED it.
NOT in the mood to wash the kinkiDEEkoo’s out of the used yarn, I tried something completely different.
Using my old faithful ball winder, I made a medium-loose center pull ball as I frogged. Every inch or so of the new ball, I would spray it with water. Then I would frog some more until the ball was about an inch bigger and spray with water. When the scarf was completely frogged, I wrapped the ball in a terry kitchen towel and MICROWAVED it on low for about 10 sec. (I read this microwave hint earlier this year where someone MICd a skein of yarn but I can’t find it – anyone?) I microwaved more in small time increments until the ball was completely saturated with steam.
I let it cool to room temp and VOILA! Kink Free!
May your Holidays be so LUCKY!
BEFORE: the slot is too skinny
AFTER: a combination of the Bow-Knot & the Try This Slotted Scarf Pattern gives a little wider slot area…
Hey Bonne Marie…..great color. I have become sort of Noro obsessed, against my will. That microwave idea is amazing!!!! Hmmmm, did it smell like wet sheep in your kitchen?
It never would have occurred to me to microwave my yarn to remove the kinks. Did you have any issues with dye bleeding?
No color bleeding noticed. I’ve felted Kureyon in the washing machine in very HOT water and it has never bled there either…
SMELL? A little sheepy but I love it!
You have so many frickin’ amazing tips! Mwah!! I used the conditioner/Infusium one the other night on a scarf from handspun (spun too tight and therefore a little scratchy and stiff) and whadya know? Softness! Mwah again.
You’re so brave with the microwave trick. I’d be afraid that the yarn would pick up some strange odor. That’s probably more of a reflection of the condition of my microwave’s interior….
You are the mother of invention! Great idea.
I unkinked some sock yarn the other night by tying a few strands of yarn to hold the skein together. I boiled water in a pot and held the yarn over the pot with long tongs. It took about 3 minutes. Then when it was steamy, I pulled on it a couple of times and it was unkinked.
Hi — had a similar idea when I was frogging..I misted the sweater lightly and then I wound it up. Worked great! I think laziness is the mother of inventions! Love your blog!
I love the colours of your scarf. I am not usually that into variegated yarn but every now and then I get really really tempted. This would be one of those times. As for the microwave thing – I would never have been so brave…. one question though, if it is steamy all through does that mean you really need to knit the whole thing fairly swiftly to make sure the inside of the ball doesn’t start getting mouldy? Surely it wouln’t dry well if you left it unused in a ball, I imagine bad things would start to happen fairly swiftly?
I think I am becoming a Noro color savant. That’s #126, isn’t it?
OMG, that is such a pretty scarf. I want one too! :)
For all you Noro Kureyon Cravers out there: Color #126!
Corinne you ARE a Color Savant! In general, too… :)
Whoo-hoo! I love the microwave goodness! That’s BRILLIANT!!
Look upon the microwave and fear, you eight year old UFOs!
;-P
Gorgeous colours! I love Noro. Looking forward to seeing a shot of the finished product!