Happy colors

My thesis pretty much imploded on Friday. I had a reader tear it apart at the very last minute and of course, instead of being productive, I've wallowed in depression this weekend. And a little bit of anger too. I've worked on my thesis yes, just not on her corrections, yet. So on Saturday when I noticed that the grocery store had a big stand with all sorts of Kool Aid flavors (previous weeks it had only 4, yes kids, 4 flavors), I knew it was time to scratch the Kool Aid dying itch.


First I washed the Knit Picks Bare Superwash merino/nylon yarn in gentle shampoo and left it soaking in water.












Then I mixed the Kool Aid packets (black cherry, orange, grape) into cups of water and "painted" the yarn. I found out that my brand new baster does not have a seal (grrr) and had to spoon the dye onto the yarn. Also, I used waaayyy too much liquid and had to sponge it up repeatedly.














But the end result was a beautiful skein of happy colored yummy smelling (and still a bit sticky) yarn. Red and orange are not my usual colors but I just adore this yarn. It produced the desired result and has indeed given me happiness.

Sure, there are some white spots, but I actually dont mind, I think it gives the yarn character. And it reminds me that it's "hand-painted."


I named it ChOrG. Ugly name for a beautiful yarn.





















In fact, I just started knitting with the yarn and I adore the colorway even more! None of the pictures really
captures the brightness and saturation of the yarn. It's very pretty and complex and somehow manages to self-stripe very nicely, without much pooling.



Happiness all around.


Well, except for the fact that I still have the never-ending stole of gray to finish in TWO WEEKS. Ugh. Cross your fingers! (I'm halfway done).

In other news - the BRUINS swept the Canadiens to make it to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs!!!!

non crafty post

So I know i decided to make this a knit / craft blog (and I did that mostly to prevent myself from excess squabbling and bitching -- all things no one wants to hear)(unless you are really really funny -- then bitching is like a joke. but i'm not that funny), BUT I'm busy with a giant baby blanket (yes still) and some secret projects, so no knitting for you! All will be revealed after the summer solstice (;{
Anyhow....
The last game of Sir Stanley's Cup was played last night, thanks to the Anaheim Ducks. It was the dreaded Ottawa Sens against the Ducks, and I have to say, I was so more than happy that the Ducks wiped the floor with the Sens. I just hate the Senators. They are such dirty bastard players (except for their goalie, Ray Emery) that they did not deserve to win. When things started to look bad for them during the regular season, instead of gritting their teeth and getting better, they resorted to dirty hits on good players to take them out even if they didnt have the puck.... Dirty. Dont get me wrong, I Love the fighting in the NHL, but there are things that are just Too far. And the Sens do them too much. So, ok, neither the Bruins or Buffalo won, but, the Neidermeyer brothers are wonderful to watch (now can we just get the Pandolfo's on the same team? that would rock) and the Ducks really had it this season. So go them. Also, the last game was really a blowout, and I hope the Sens are smart enough to not use Emery as a scapegoat, he did the best he could.
*Tangent* flashes hands
While on commercial breaks during the game, I read the last of The World According to Garp. And, damn you John Irving! I haven't cried since Summer Sisters, and at least then, I knew why I was crying. You made me cry during the Stanley Cup!?? And I'm not even sure why since I have a bad habit of reading the afterward of a book in the middle of the book (esp if I actually like the book) and so I knew what was going to happen, I just didn't think it would have Such a profound effect.... And I'm still not sure why.....
Another tangent *flashes hands*
Today our wonderful leader said "I said to Vladimir, I call him Vladimir, there's no reason to be afraid of our missile defense program." Ok, so Captain Disaster has decided to start Another war? One that has already decidedly ended? Seriously? Thats it, I'm moving to Canada! At least in Canada they properly appreciate good hockey! I hope they appreciate good knitting too....

Ok, thats all my rants and raves for a while now. back to secret knitting and essay writing.

Sports etc

So Ive been avoiding talking about the two hockey seasons that just ended due to the depressing end they both had.
First, I'm glad that the Bruins GM decided to keep Coach Lewis. Too much change is just too much. After the rebuilding last year and this year I think the team could use some calm. In the middle of the season after the players got to know each other they had a great run of wins, it gelled. But then GM changed it up some more and they began to lose again. In any event I'm looking forward to see what they do next season. I have hope. (of course I do, I was raised a Cubs and a Bears fan).
For the Stanley Cup though I'm hoping its Buffalo. I love the new guys in the sport like Malkin, Ovechkin, and of course Crosby, but i think the older guys like Chris Drury have so much more to show us. The man is just Clutch. (of course, he went to BU, so I'm conditioned to love him, they fed it to us in the water at Walter Brown Arena). And it helps that the Sabres are The Complete Team. They have it all together. If I had to pick an alternate for rhe cup it would be the Devils. Love Brodeur and Pandolfo is amazing too.
Moving on to college hockey. Well, as expected, most of the teams in the NCAA tourney behaved as per usual. BU had an awesome season then folded in the tourney. Same with UNH. Maine and BC had fair to middling seasons then pulled it all out for the tournement, both making the Frozen Four. Minnesota had an amazing season but lost to North Dakota, again, as usual. The only surprise was Michegan. Usually I'd be all about surprises, and also all about BC losing. BUT a Hockey East champion would be so nice. SO BC losing to Michegan St was very not kewl and dissapointing at the very least. Sigh. Maybe next year.
Allright enough hockey banter for now. Back to the hated laundry. Hopefully back to knitting soon as well.