One to Unravel...

Now that the fine weather is here - it's time to get back to reclaiming some yarn.

Not that you can't do it in the winter months... it's just that I much prefer to do it when the nicer weather is here...



Why?

Two reasons really.

Number One is that I can work outside. In fact it's the perfect job to take to the park. I can fiddle about with my unraveling while the kids play. The beauty of doing it outdoors is that you don't end up with all the mess in your home. Because it IS messy work. Not just all the little bits of yarn from unseaming... the main problem is all the fibres which fly around the room. Some jumpers are better behaved than others - but some shed like crazy - and it's much nicer to keep that kind of mess outdoors!

The other reason involves the drying time for skeins. Once the yarn is unraveled, I skein it and wash it thoroughly. Then of course it needs to DRY... And it's much nicer to hang it outside on the line in the sunshine, than to have it lingering around indoors for a week or so. Because we all know how bad wet wool smells, don't we?

Anyway.

I have a Craft Group meeting at my place today... and I'm hoping to get most of this jumper frogged. Will share some more photos when I'm done.

I'll do it anyway...

You can tell me not to, but I'll do it anyway...

I should probably have that tattooed on my forehead, it seems to be my motto in life!

Anyway... ages ago I started on this crochet ripple blanket.

The plan was to make it for my bed, but plans have changed (as they do) and now I'll be making it for my daughter. Which means that it now only needs to fit a single bed, and not a queen size.

But it's wide enough for a queen, and I've worked about a third of the lenghth...

I could turn it sideways, and have the ripples running lengthways down the bed... but I didn't like it like that

So I thought I might literally cut it in half, and secure the ends.. then add the top to the bottom.

Only I decided it wasn't worth the effort, because I don't like the two rows of each colour...

So I'm GOING TO FROG IT!

Yes... unravel ALL of it... and START AGAIN.

I know that an awful lot of work has already gone into it - but if I don't like it now, it's going to drive me mad forever... and FOREVER is a very very long time!

yeah... yeah... yeah...

I know I made certain promises... to myself and to others... about not purchasing any more garments for recycling...

but I couldn't help myself...

hello... my name is laughing purple goldfish... and I'm an addict


these ones are for felting... to be made into bags or baskets...


and these ones are for frogging...

of course, you understand why I couldn't say no

curious...

Anyone curious about how I went with my personal challenge for July?

Details here if you want to refresh your memory about my plans.

I'm embarrassed to admit that I didn't do terribly well with it. Not making excuses... but I think that it was a bit of a silly challenge to set myself in winter. Frogging jumpers is a task which I would much rather work on outdoors. It is quite messy and also very dusty work. Last summer I frogged lots of jumpers at the local park, while watching the kids play. So I'm thinking that I will not worry about minimising the frog pond until the spring weather rolls around.

So... I did manage to frog three jumpers, but my 'frog pond' is still overflowing.



As for my August personal challenge... I'm aiming to repair and complete this blanket.

Fingers crossed.

july challenge

I've been inspired by the fact that I managed to finish so many outstanding projects last month. I challenged myself to complete ten items, and I did! So I've decided that each month I need to issue myself with a personal challenge. It won't always be about 'finishing' things. In fact, this month I need to deal with something I fondly refer to as the 'frog pond'.



This basket (laundry hamper, actually) lives in my family room. As you can see... it is piled high with jumpers and other knitted garments. They are all waiting to be recycled. Which is why I call it the 'frog pond'. Frogging is a term used by knitters to describe the unravelling process. Because you RIP IT... sounds like RIBBIT... a little bit like the sound you would expect to hear from a frog. I know, it's a stretch... but I didn't make up the term... okay!

Obviously there is oodles of work to be done. I won't get them all reclaimed this month. But I can make a dent in the pile. In fact... my goal is that the basket no longer overflows. In fact, I'd like to be able to put the lid on it! That's not too much to ask, is it???



So here is the overview... and I hate to admit it, but I found another three jumpers and a giant poncho AFTER I took the photo, which also need to be included in the task. Look at all that yarn... just waiting to be reclaimed, and start a new life. It's exciting! There are probably a few garments in there which I will felt, but most will be frogged.

Time to cheer me on guys!

second sails

Found a fabulous little op shop during my family holiday at Apollo Bay... called Second Sails. Of course, I couldn't help but 'pop' in just for a little look see. There were bargains galore! So I convinced myself that it was okay to buy just a few more jumpers to unravel... and my enabling husband was happy to carry the bags for me! I love that man!!



I scored 14 garments... for the grand total of $30

Some I will felt, and the others I will unravel... either way, it will keep me busy for a little while.

Then my sister brought me a couple of bags of goodies. Stuff she was taking to the op shop, but she's a good sister and lets me sort through the items first. Lots of sheets and other assorted items which will be turned into fab-yarn. And six more jumpers!!! What a treasure my sister is. I love her too!



Handling yarn relaxes me, calms me... and really settles my nerves. It doesn't seem to matter whether I am constructing or de-constructing... it all has the same effect on me.

Yes, I'm obsessed... but it's a fairly cheap hobby, and it keeps me out of trouble!