No dryer summer challenge

In an attempt to reclaim a piece of my childhood, we've installed a retractable clothesline. Growing up in the country, hanging your clothes outside was mandatory. Using the dryer in the summer was unheard of. Despite your clothes drying like a stiff board, I love the smell of clothes that have been dried by Mother Nature.

However, the retractable clothesline has its draw backs. It doesn't take much for it to start sagging. I'm really unsure if I could hang bedding on it without the bedding falling to the ground. But I was pleasantly surprised that I could hang wet jeans on it without it sagging too much (or breaking for that matter).

The retractable clothesline is what it is: it's cheap and it works for what I want it for. And when you are done with it, it easily retracts into storage container. I liked it so much that husband bought and installed a second one.

I've set myself a no dryer summer challenge: unless it is absolutely necessary, don't use the electric clothes dryer.  We got the first clothes line on Saturday. We've used it at least three times. I'm hopefully that we can use the dryer sparingly this summer.

Post Race Crash

Today, I feel like I have a hangover. I forgot what my yearly post race crash feels like.

Yesterday, I ran the 10K in Ottawa's Race Weekend. Despite the less than humid weather conditions, I did not get the time I was hoping for. I could blame it on the crowded race route, but in reality I wasn't motivated to run it, nor did I fully commit training for the race.

This is my third time participating in Race Weekend, and my second time running the 10K. Last year's race went quickly. This year, it dragged on. I eventually limped over the finish line with my battered ego in tow. See, slacking off doesn't pay, kids.

So two things are about to happen: a break from running and attempt to train with the Running Room when the time is right. Running no longer inspires me. It has become a chore. I was passionate and committed when I first started running. I want to get that feeling back. Also, I'm not that keen on running in humidity for a third summer in a row. I rather use my gym membership and exercise in the confines of air conditioned comfort. So a break is needed.

Once fall arrives, I will resume running again. Once Race Weekend approaches, I need to sign up for a 10K training program with the Running Room. I need to focus and improve my time. Although I've done great on my own for the last two years, I need help and guidance.

Congratulations to everyone who participated in this year's Race Weekend. Despite my whining that I'll only be running the 2K next year, I will likely see you all out on the 10K course.

Rain boot planters

Earlier this spring, a friend of mine was telling me of her plans of creating a rain boot garden. Interested, I asked for more details and she directed me to Pinterest. Luckily, I asked the question in the right place at the right time as I was able to scoop up these four pairs of rain boots for my own rain boot garden. (At the time we were at a charity kids clothes sale).

Today, I finally got around to asking my husband to drill holes through the soles and nail them onto the fence. I added some stones for drainage before filling the boots with soil and planting impatiens. They do make for cute planters.

Sock Mojo Reclaimed

I've reclaimed my mojo and it feels good. I finished these socks earlier this month. They were a yarn test knit for my friend, L, who will be launching her own yarn line soon. I'm excited for her. And I'm excited for me as it looks like she'll be specializing in self-striping yarn. And that means I'll have a local source for self-striping yarn that is gorgeous and fun, unlike bland commercial yarns I've come across in big box stores.

The pattern is Roundabout Socks by Ruth Greenwald and it's a free pattern on Ravelry. It was the perfect pattern to get my sock knitting mojo back as it consists of one pattern round followed by a knit round. Simple and easy!

I'm in the midst of another pair of socks for the Sock Knitters Anonymous challenge. This month's challenge is lace and I've settled on Cookie A's Monkey sock pattern. There are more than 15,500 projects related to this sock pattern in the Ravelry database, which is astounding. That almost rivals Elizabeth Zimmermann's Baby Surprise Jacket, which has more than 17,500 projects.

I'm hoping to get my latest sock project done soon as I'm trying to combat second sock syndrome from setting in. I find this a problem when knitting socks one at a time. Only plugging away and knitting steadily will ensure I will have two completed socks on my feet instead of one.

Double Whammy

It was a double whammy in the mail department today. And it was a much needed yarny goodness and pattern book boost.

My books from Chapters arrived today as well as a package from Acme Fibres. From Acme, I bought two skeins of Merino superwash sock and another two skeins of Blue-Faced Leicester superwash sock. I also bought five ounces of Shetland roving for spinning.

I borrowed Sock Knitting Master Class from a friend last month. I soon discovered that I wanted (must) knit most of the patterns. I had two choices (a) not give the book back in hopes my friend forgets she owns a copy or (b) buy a copy for myself. I bought the book.

I bought Repect the Spindle by Abby Franquemont. Although it has been a long time coming, I think I want to learn how to spin. Last fall I went to the New York Sheep and Wool Festival (known as Rhinebeck in spinning, knitting and crochet circles) with two spinners. I regret not buying a drop spindle from Journey Wheel. My friend, M, generously lent me her favourite Bosworth, so now I've not no excuses as to why I can't spin. I tried my hand at spinning last weekend with some Fleece Artist Merino roving but it was a disaster. My friend recommended I should try spinning Shetland first. Since she's an avid spinner, I did what she suggested.

With the new books, yarn and fibre, I have no excuses to be bored. Now I just have to find the time to fit in dyeing, spinning and sock knitting.

An atomic jellybean green mess

When my acid dyes arrived in the mail last week I decided I needed to get right to work.

I'm partial to green. I've always though blue was my favorite color, but since knitting socks I've been finding myself leaning towards green colorways. So it wasn't surprising that I went directly to the brilliant Kelly green dye bottle when prepping the dye pot.

Although I was pleased with my initial results, I decided the yarn needed to go back into the yarn pot to be over dyed. The results were certainly retina burning and bright (and very pleasing). However, the results were messy as my skein looked like this:

Unravelling this mess consumed three hours of my Saturday morning. I painstakingly unwound and untangled this mass of green yarn that I have dubbed atomic jellybean green. I am proud to say that not once did I want to grab my scissors and start hacking myself out of this situation. Perhaps it was due to my persistence. Or it could have been the fact that I would have shed tears. Lot of tears.

Finally I unravelled the last tangled and caked my yarn. It now looks like this:

Although this skein of yarn has a happy ending, I've learned an important lesson that I need to secure my ties better during the dyeing process. If not, I'll be giving up more future Saturday mornings to unravel tangled messes.