Monthly Archives: September 2011

DRT Update: Tell Them What They’ve Won

I’ve done something a little different with the Dish Rag Tag Prizes this year. Once I had the idea, I just couldn’t stop myself!

purple red blue

Tote Bags!

The first place team gets to pick their color first (red, purple or blue). Second place can decide between the two colors remaining and third place has the decision made for them. The bags are designed and printed by Erin of KitchTowels.

don't try this at home

Please don’t really run with needles.

Prizes this year were sponsored by a four year Dish Rag Tag Veteran, Wen (slowknitter). I often say that life gets in the way of knitting, but she still found a way to participate for the fifth year of the race. Many thanks to Wen for the support, and to all of you for making Dish Rag Tag special every time.

Oh. NO.

This is what happens when you start feeling confident of the pattern, certain that you will finish a project in time and so good about yourself that you stop counting stitches.

argh!

ARGH

It’s either ladder back through eight or so rounds or pull out eight or so rounds of a couple hundred stitches each. I laddered. Here’s how to do it.

You’ll need two double pointed needles and nerves of steel. This is much much MUCH worse with a complicated lace pattern, but it still makes me want to vomit.

Sort your stitches out to isolate the chunk that needs fixing. Mark the mistake threading one double pointed through the ‘bad’ stitches, picking them up to secure them. Leave the good stitches on the main needles to either side of the contaminated ones. Let the isolated group leave the needle and then gently unravel (so you don’t mess up the tension of the surrounding stitches) those stitches row by row to meet the DPN.

eeek

I had to take out a big chunk because the YOs advance on a slope.

If you are smart (I wasn’t, I was panicked), put needle stoppers on the ends of the needles holding the ‘good’ stitches to prevent those from getting away from you.

Sort out the stitches on the DPN so that they slope the right way and carefully reknit each of the rows one at a time.

urgh

I find it easier to hold the ‘working’ yarn in my left hand and pick up the stitches through the loops so I can see what I’m doing.

If you get the stitches on the needle so they slope backwards (like I was doing above – panicked again), just be sure to turn them around before you continue with the next row. Persevere until everything is all sorted out and back where it belongs.

whew

I have a couple rough spots, but they should smooth out with blocking.

Sigh with relief, reward yourself with chocolate and knit carefully for the rest of your project.

DRT Update: Halfway Mark

I was counting tags just now, and it looks like both Eight’s Great and the A-Nine-ilators have made their sixth tag!

And before the prizes are even here! I expect them in the mail today but I just couldn’t wait to say GO TEAMS!

Does anyone have any Dish Rag Tag V stories or posts to share in the comments?

D is for Dog

At long last.

D is for Dog is ready for purchase in my Etsy Shop and on Ravelry.

I usually encourage folks to shop Ravelry for patterns, but if you don’t have a preference, please shop Etsy this time. The Etsy for Animals Charity of the Month is the Urban Animal Alliance, a non-profit that is working to eradicate dogfighting. In September, a buck from every dog pattern sale on Etsy goes toward their education programs.

With Relish

We’ve got a rainy rainy rainy Labor Day Weekend* happening here. So I made Black Eyed Pea Relish while listening to the weather radio tell me all about the various watches and warnings. Want some?

eat your veggies

Also known as: Alabama Caviar, Black Eyed Pea Salad, Black Eyed Pea Dip

For the dressing you’ll need:
6 T. balsamic vinegar
1/4 c. olive oil
2 T. sugar
1 t. salt
1/2 t. black pepper

Whisk all that together in a 12 cup (ish) container with a lid until the sugar is dissolved.

Add:
2 cans (or four cups) of prepared black eyed peas, rinsed and drained
1.5 cups of chopped bell pepper, I’ve got red, yellow and green pictured, but I tend to use all green since that’s what I grow
half a purple onion, diced – about 1/2 c.
half a pint of cherry tomatoes, halved

Toss the veggies and dressing together, put on the top and refrigerate it overnight. Don’t bother tasting until it’s been in there at least four hours. Serve with saltines.

I’ve seen this with corn. As much as I like corn, it’s better without. I’ve also seen it served with tortilla chips. That’s just wrong.

*Lee is a Depression but it’s still going to rain forever.