Last week, I sent an email to Jared Flood, detailing my difficulties in blocking the Hemlock Ring Throw (http://thestraightmaleknitter.blogspot.com/2009/08/blocking-slouching-octopus.html). This weekend, I got a very nice response from Jared. Frankly, simply getting a response from Jared was exciting, as he's a bit of a Jedi-Master in the knitting world (and he's coming to teach a class at my LYS in the fall - very exciting as well). Master Jared suggested that I should be fairly heavy handed with the throw during the blocking process. In fact, he mentioned blocking it into submission.
Thinking back on my earlier attempts at blocking The Octopus, and considering his advice in the email, I think I was indeed far too tentative with my blocking. I'm used to blocking lightweight lace projects (and typically use blocking wires for those pieces) but The Octopus isn't exactly made with lightweight wool.
So, I decided to attack again. I drowned The Octopus in warm water, making sure that it completely soaked the piece. After pressing out the water (Master Jared actually used the word "wring" although that made me a bit nervous), I set The Octopus onto what would become the site of its comeuppance - a 4X8 sheet of plywood. Armed with a large quantity of nails and a small hammer, I advanced upon the beast. It put up quite a fight, but after the better part of an hour, and 143 nails, I finally got the upper hand.
That was Saturday morning. This morning, The Octopus is still fighting back. It is still damp and refusing to dry fully. Master Jared said I mustn't release it from the blocking until it is "bone dry". At The Octopus' current rate of dessication, that may take a few more days. Hopefully, not too much longer, however, as the plywood-bound Octopus is sitting on Mrs. TSMK's dining room table. - TSMK
The Octopus - shortly after nailing:
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous.... and ambitious! I haven't tried anything quite so complicated, yet. I can't even remember what led me to your blog in the first place, but I had to comment on 1) the humor of your posts, and 2) how much I enjoy knowing about men who knit (whether they are gay or straight... it kind of evokes the same response in me as watching my son-in-law paint my two-year-old granddaughter's nails, and then letting her paint HIS nails!).
ReplyDeleteI have made gentle suggestions to my husband that he may like to knit (the whatever it is he is saying would be cool for me to knit) himself. He made great strides by choosing his own sock yarn when I was ready to start his socks (Berrocco Ultra Alpaca Fine in Prune Mix), and he is COMPLETELY supportive of my knitting, so much so that he bought me a set of Harmony Options needles for Valentine's Day.
Anyway, he will enjoy reading your blog, and will probably wish there were some photos of Italian Motorcycles... he prefers older bikes whether European or American and is a diehard rider, even braving our normal Western WA weather in the Olympia area as long as he thinks he won't get TOO wet.
Thanks for 'going public' with your knitting! BTW, Mrs. TSMK... I'm really glad you bought the seascape stole!
fknit on ravelry
Whoa, that is gorgeous!
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