You'll Still Never know the secret!!

This post is being written on an emergency basis to answer the comment entered by an entity known as "package ninja". Please be aware that just because you know the main ingredients used in the experiment, does not mean you will ever be able to figure out how the listed items were used, or in what order. Take note, dear "package ninja", you have not the capacity to ever truely understand the real meaning of the felting mystery.
Note to normal readers:
I'm searching for the camera because the saga is not yet over, and I really think it would be best to "photo document", especially to avoid too many explanations for the above reasons...related to the sneakiness of "package ninja" lurking around my blog. I have no idea what said "package ninja" might be capable of or how he might use "felting technology" should the secret ever fall into his hands....

Felting: Episode One "The Experiment"

In the last post, I mentioned making a felted hat. So I experimented with some very old inherited "Red Heart" 100% wool yarn. (This yarn belonged to my MIL who had great stashes of yarn and fabric which were culled as she downsized into assisted living.) This yarn is so old that the label gives no hint as to how it will behave. I was tripped up a bit by the words "washable colors". I wasn't sure if that meant "superwash" or "colorfast" or what. I think the yarn is old enough that it preceeded the days of superwash wool, though. But I didn't want to spend the time knitting something intended for felting that wouldn't felt. BTW, the 2 skeins were packaged in a plastic bag--original second-hand store packaging which had not been opened--and marked $2. I imagine it was purchased on a 50% off sale day, though. Nice.
So I knit a swatch.
Then the experiment began.
Ingredients included a bowl, very hot water, a potato masher and rubber gloves.
Nice. The swatch felted beautifully.
I can't find my camera, but the experiment was successful enough to cast on for the hat....
To be continued.

Saturday Update

Summer seems to be winding down in Alaska. In the air, you can detect the shift, the changing angle of the sun--the feel in the air. And since it's August, there is the rain. And the clouds. This is the time of year we know it's almost over.
Today was Knit Guild. I'll put a link to the Knitters of the North in the sidebar, once I figure out how to make those categories line up properly. I need tech support, but those people long ago left home. Lots of new guild stuff going on: a new challenge for the fall that I am heading up along with attempting to infuse new life and excitement in the group by starting some local "swaps". I'll be working to get some files and notices posted in the next week. The upcoming Saturday Seminar next weekend is on felting techniques. I've decided to knit a hat that I can felt.
Now, knitting a hat is not difficult, but the problem is that all I have been knitting over the summer is socks. I'm not sure I know how to knit anything else at this point. Socks have become my automatic "default" and de-stressing aid. So, I'll be working outside my comfort zone this week...
I did find stash yarn to use for the hat. It's so cool to dig into the stash!
But there have been a few purchase episodes this week. Of course for sock yarn! But also some cool and different dishcloth yarns!
Yes, I received notification of my dishcloth swap recipient's details....and I am excited! She likes bright colors, and today's "find" defines the term "bright". I'll be knitting this one with my sunglasses on....which is very appropriate since the recipient resides "down under".
Think I'll check the needle bin and cast-on for the "hat" tonight. Maybe I'll get some pictures posted before too long....It's gonna take a bit to post all the sock fotos. Which I haven't taken yet....

Am I back??

The last months (I guess that means the entire winter and now summer) have been a troubled and "funky" time. I have been too depressed to write positive items in this space. I'm still in that "place" but decided to start posting again. At least I'll post today. I'll try to keep up and just write it as I see it.
I wanted to join a "dishcloth swap"...and for this I needed to list my URL. I didn't want to enter a blog site that hadn't been updated in months. So here I am. Maybe joining another blog based knitting swap will help me get back in the blogging mode.
I won't have pictures for a bit. Or maybe I will. It's just that everything seems to take too much energy. You know, anything "extra".
So here's the link to the dishcloth site; I think the entry deadline is August 9th. Dishcloth Swap .
I do have some sock stories to discuss...and even a sweater in progress story. And some quilt projects. I guess there is content to report! For those who care about such things, stay tuned.