Touch this

Okay, let's start by taking a trip way back to August of 2006. I went to my first Knitter's Night Out at Have You Any Wool, having met the Detroit Area Knitters a few weeks prior when the Yarn Harlot came to town. Two things happened that night-- I met my now good friend Sonya and bought some Touch Me.

After some thought (and getting 2 more balls from Jae), I started on the Vintage Velvet scarf from Scarf Style. I got about a foot of it done, then for some reason (maybe because I didn't love knitting it, even though I love the feel of the yarn) it sat. And sat. And sat.

Fast forward about a year and a half later. I decided (since I'm in a designing holding pattern waiting for yarn to arrive) to make myself finish it. A group of us met to knit the afternoon away yesterday (including Sonya, of course) and I got within 3 inches of finishing the thing. When I got home I was compelled to get to the end of the last ball, and I did. It took me until this morning to work up the nerve to put it through the washer and dryer though!

Exhibit A: Done knitting, not yet felted

Helpful hint: Weave in the ends very well BEFORE washing-- the fuzz will come off the yarn leaving little black threads to weave in otherwise. Luckily I got this tip before I found out the hard way.

Chuck it in the washer with a load of laundry.

When it comes out, try not to cry.

Exhibit B: Out of the washer

Pop it in the dryer until it's about 90% dry, then lay it out to dry the rest of the way (to avoid setting any creases in it). Check the woven-in ends to make sure none have come loose, fix if they have.

Exhibit C: All done, nice and pretty!

So the saga is over and I have a nice new cozy scarf, just in time for spring (oh well!)