Red Scarf #2 World AIDS Day

 I figured I might as well post scarf #2 right after scarf #1. 

This is trying to show the alternate rib cast on compared to the sewn cast off. Both techniques are in Montse Stanley's "Knitter's Handbook". This is a fantastic book. I had originally got it out from my library, but then I was able to find a copy at a thrift store, a LONG time ago, judging by the scribbles one of my kids did on the front. First published in Britain in 1986.

It's a very simple rib, one strand Bernat "Super Value" from the lot I bought off Marketplace a while ago, and one strand Patons "Astra" that was left over from custom Christmas stocking orders. I used 8mm needles, and 21 stitches. However, it's actually only about 4.25" wide. It feels wider. I was thinking I might need to steam block it, but the thought of doing that...

It was super squishy and cushy before I washed it. I just did it in with a load of clothes. I took it out of the dryer after 15 minutes, and it felt terrible.  I had kept it in the mesh bag, in the dryer, so I took a risk and took it out of the bag and threw it in. I was hoping that getting properly tumbled would help soften. And it did!  Back to being soft and squishy!  145gr.   

My red stash is getting very low. I went to two thrift shops, hoping to find some yarn or sweater to unravel. I did find a very soft red sweater at one that would be a good candidate. It was $6.99, so $7.90 with tax. I washed it, dried it in the machine, and unpicked the seams. 

I set up to unravel and wind into balls with my new electric winder. More on the winder saga later. I quickly found out that two of the pieces had been knit alternating rows from two balls. What a pain. So odd on a commercial sweater! The yarn broke quite a few times too. However, I now have 300gr of a super soft, slightly boucle yarn. 

In other news, I found out I had two YouTube channels under my TracyKM Designs name! One had no subscribers and 1 video. I deleted that one. The other one had 122 subscribers and a bunch of videos! One video, on how to fold the Baby Surprise Jacket, had over 14K views!! It even had comments from 8 years ago, that I didn't know about! 

I decided to resurrect that channel. A bit scary. I made a video, and I hope you'll go watch it, and maybe subscribe. https://www.youtube.com/@tracykmdesigns1684

Yarn In: 300gr

Yarn Out:  145gr + 1819gr = 1964gr

Balance:  1664 gr more OUT than in

Costs:  $7.90