I finished the first sock of Xmas socks 2017. I got really excited about making some tracks this past weekend, despite all the busy I had going on, alas. I hit a snag.
Literally.
I think bouncing around in my bag things happened to my ball of yarn. I spent TWO night at TWO hours each untangling.
I am now down to this:
Here is a close-up.
I'm irritated.
I sent the image to my friend, Clare. See that's her when she rescued me from another rough day last week where my wallet was misplaced on my day off (fell out of my pocket in a co-worker's car). I had found it at this point so we went to lunch and did our best to feel like all is right in the world.
Anyways, Clare is one of those knitters that loves a good knot. It makes perfect sense. She goes full obsessive over puzzles. I like puzzles and I like yarn, but not like that. We had one knit club meeting where she spent half of it sorting out a ball for me.
Anyhow, I texted her and said, "Tell me the truth Dr. am I going to have to cut it out to resume knitting?" She recommended a little tapestry needle action, maybe dampening the bit if that fails before I cut my losses. (See what I did there?)
How do you feel about the tangle? Do you go beserk? Get Zen? Do you seek out other people's knotted yarn because it brings you such joy to work on it?
Oof. I hate detangling. Luckily Tim loves it (well, he knows he is good at it so he does it while we're watching a movie) and there you go.
ReplyDeleteI'm somewhere in between. I can get into it, but I'm often just upset at the amount of time it means I'm losing of actual knitting! I wish one of my "roommates" was good at detangling!
DeleteWhat a cutie she is! I love her fun sweater. What a true friend to sort that mess for you. I hate when a ball does that. I've been starting from the outside yarn lately because I hate all that yarn barf that gets tangled up. And oh, I cuss a lot.
ReplyDeleteShe is such a sweet and fun person! Cat lady is putting it mildly. She's a regular volunteer with her daughter at multiple animal charities/shelters and a dr. doolittle. I hope when things calm down a bit, we can knit together over some soccer soon.
DeleteStefanie, you have NO idea how much "sailor" I speak. And yes, it does help. heh.
Life is short-cut out the knot and knit on! lol
ReplyDeleteI don't mind undoing a tangle but a knotted area cuz the yarn is fuzzy, it gets cut out!
I'm definitely leaning towards cutting it. I'm not worrying about it now as I'm in the throes of other projects, but I'll return, just to be rid of the mess!
DeleteI often use tapestry needles or blunt cross-stitch needles to work on knots.
ReplyDeleteI recommend using netting to keep yarn from tangling and "barfing" here's the post I did on he netting: https://wyomingbreezes.blogspot.com/search?q=Yarn+bra
I don't know what to do when a ball has already fallen apart. But yes, I will use a yarn bra beginning of the next project.
DeleteI'm going to definitely try the old needle as a detangling tool before I just CUT IT OUT!
I had that happen this summer and no matter how hard I tried to get the knot out it just got worse. I usually can tame them but some are just darn nasty. I love the finished sock. Those colors are pretty. If it makes you feel any better I lost my driver's license this week. I went to pull it out for an ID to buy some booze and....no license. No booze. Not happy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Araignee, I know this is petty because I need to not feel alone, but yes, it does make me feel better to know someone I admire misplaces things too. I would've bought you the booze and then shared mine with you.
DeleteIn a previous city I am known as the Dee-tangler! LOL I was known to work magic with knotted gold chains (hint, baby oil or baby powder really works --- but NOT both together --- that would make a MESS) ....I also can un-knot yarn, but I hate untangling those crazy messed up skeins.
ReplyDeleteYour Christmas-y sock looks very festive and soon it will have a lovely mate.
May all your yarn now stay tangle free.
baby powder?!? I had not known this. I wonder if I have some ... thanks!
DeleteI give mine to my daughter....who LOVES to untangle yarn. I find this aways so strange, because she HATES puzzles and has the attention span of a gnat. Go figure.
ReplyDeleteThat is strange, but she's an extremely valuable asset! Keep her close!
DeleteOh They ruin my mood. They make me mad. I hate tangles. I often have the yarn shop even, online, wind it for me.
ReplyDeleteI am tangling things all the time. Why am I surprised by this turn of events? It makes me cranky, but mainly because I feel like I'm losing time. The act of working out a knot isn't the worst ... as long as you have time ... maybe a glass of wine too.
DeleteSo sorry to read of your tangle; those make me crazy when I'm trying to wind a ball. It doesn't happen too often, but it does ruin my day.
ReplyDeleteI changed my mind Judy, you are right! This is the worst, when you have a brand new spanking hank and you're ready to wind it up to cast on something new and there are knots in it. ugh!
DeleteI love a good knot too, in our knitting group I'll detangle anybody's mess for them willingly. I do hate when my balls of yarn get all wonky like that from traveling.
ReplyDeleteI feel like this might need a paid position. All knit clubs and knitters should be able to contract a free-lance knot manager if their circle doesn't already contain one. hehe.
DeleteI like to fix someone elses tangle but go berserk over my own. Am I a freak or what? I love Clare, she looks very zen. Can she be my friend too? I need zen.
ReplyDeleteClare is super zen, super compassionate. She's just super and brings out positive feelings in me. You would like each other. HUGE animal lover. HUGE supporter of things like libraries and animals and marginalized folk. Puts her actual body and effort behind her feelings and thought.
DeleteYikes! Get yee a ball sack stat!
ReplyDeletehttps://www.etsy.com/listing/556869644/star-wars-merry-force-be-with-you?ref=shop_home_active_3
Tangled yarn ranks up there with burned cookies and static electricity. Hate’em. But there is a certain satisfaction with coming out of the other side of the battle with a neat ball of yarn.