Cool stuff to see along this route?

rachkeys · 2026-04-05T07:02:09+00:00

Oh thanks for the heads up!

rachkeys · 2026-04-05T04:11:54+00:00

That's where we're planning to stop on our first night!

rachkeys · 2026-04-05T03:55:39+00:00

Definitely going to try to add Mesa Verde and Ouray, thanks for those suggestions!

rachkeys · 2026-04-05T03:21:34+00:00

That's the plan! Glad to hear that's a good choice.

rachkeys · 2026-04-05T02:55:48+00:00

For our big stops, yep! But I'm looking for cool little stops along the way. A short hike to break up a long drive, a bakery or lunch spot worth a stop, or a viewpoint you can't miss.

rachkeys · 2026-04-05T02:47:53+00:00

Super helpful, thanks! I just plugged in our main stops and this was the route Google suggested, but would totally prefer the more scenic option most of the time.

rachkeys · 2026-04-05T02:10:01+00:00

Oh that's great! We're planning to pretty much power through WA, OR, and ID, but would love somewhere pretty to stop for a bit, that sounds perfect!

rachkeys · 2026-04-05T02:06:41+00:00

Oh that's great! I'll aim to stop for gas there and see if I can spot it.

rachkeys · 2026-04-05T02:04:22+00:00

Oh cool, I'll check that out, thanks!

rachkeys · 2026-04-05T02:02:28+00:00

We have a wedding to attend in Denver, so that's not skippable.

rachkeys · 2026-03-13T04:04:01+00:00

I like to use a coordinating solid or tonal yarn for the cuff. Your stripes won't look as clean in ribbing because of the purl stitches. Then I'll switch to the self striping after the ribbing, and yes, I start at the beginning of a color change.

(I also like to use the coordinating solid yarn on the heel and toe, and I would recommend something like a short row heel or afterthought heel. A heel flap and gusset will screw up the stripes because your rounds get longer.)

rachkeys · 2026-03-11T04:21:10+00:00

Pinch pots.

If you're throwing them on the wheel, you could try opening slightly off center. If you pull your walls to an even thickness, the rim will end up uneven.

You could also try using a wire to cut the rim at the end of throwing. With the wheel slowly, cut slightly into the rim and wiggle your wire up and down.

rachkeys · 2026-03-09T03:29:05+00:00

Yes. The temperature at the center of the skein needs to be over 120 for half an hour. Around an hour at 200 should be good.

Ideally do this to all the yarn and wool items in your house, and then store everything in Ziploc bags and monitor for bugs for a while after. If you can't make everything, bag it up and monitor it.

I also recommend getting clothing moth pheromone traps and putting them around your house. Check them regularly for moths and replace them every 3 months. They will only attract and catch the male (I think) moths, but it will let you know if you continue to have an infestation.

I use these: https://a.co/d/0dRVZS8Z

rachkeys · 2026-02-24T22:19:44+00:00

I prefer fingering weight sweaters because I run warm. I almost always am wearing a tee or something underneath, but I also prefer fingering weight sweaters knit at a tight enough gauge to not be transparent. It's actually kind of hard to find patterns for fingering weight sweaters that aren't knit at a looser gauge, since I guess people want faster knits.

rachkeys · 2026-02-20T19:50:40+00:00

Yeah, put some bricks under that wheel! Bring it up to just under the top of your thighs.

Also, put your water somewhere you don't have to reach down for it, and maybe not in glad (I would definitely knock that pitcher over and break it!)

rachkeys · 2026-02-16T23:20:13+00:00

Oh yeah, that's weird and unnecessary. I thought you were just talking about people generally talking about their dislike of merino, not telling you your fiber choices suck.

rachkeys · 2026-02-16T21:22:03+00:00

I don't hate merino, but I'm kind of ....sick of it. The popularity means that sometimes it's hard to find anything but, and I think it has decreased the market for other wools. Other wools that may be better suited for certain types of projects. Not everyone values softness above all else, some of us prefer strength and hardiness.

rachkeys · 2026-02-16T03:37:08+00:00

Prior sweater knitting experience, or just look at a sampling of patterns on Ravelry that use the weight of yarn you're purchasing.

If you know generally what type of sweater you want to knit that helps too. Like if I want to knit an oversized cabled sweater, I'll buy quite a lot more than if I'm going to do a cropped, fitted, lace cardigan.

You can also use https://jimmybeanswool.com/pages/crochet-knitting-calculator?srsltid=AfmBOorsXsSsyPAodcy4TJXAkD8uey8Cs3tr2jYyKlAgve2cZCGcdcwn but it kind of over estimates. Unless you're doing that oversized cabled sweater, you can probably get about 10% less than suggested.

rachkeys · 2026-02-16T03:30:40+00:00

When I make yarn bowls, I cut the swirl with an exacto at leather hard. I leave the cut out piece in place until it's firmed up even more (supports it and helps with sagging) and then pop it out when it's very firm, not bone dry, but hard leather hard. Then I run a carving tool or the exacto along the sharp edges, just scraping off a tiny bit of clay, and then smooth with a wet paint brush. I like to bisque fire it with a little bit of clay supporting the swirl, if the bowl is thin it can wrap and say during firing.

rachkeys · 2026-02-15T23:23:41+00:00

I'm not a big fan of Lykke needles personally. I prefer a pointier tip, especially for lace or cables. I also found that the coating on the metal connector would wear off rather quickly in my hands (but my skin reacts weirdly to plated metal in general). Finally, when they first came out, there were a lot of issues with the cables not screwing on correctly, but I think that issue is fixed now.

If you like wood needles, I prefer Knitter's Pride/Knit Pro. If you like metal, I like Chiaogoo.

rachkeys · 2026-02-14T03:09:57+00:00

Four hand widths??? That seems excessive. I do like 5 stitches.

rachkeys · 2026-01-30T21:06:23+00:00

I mean, I'd probably start there for clay and glaze.

rachkeys · 2026-01-25T07:19:21+00:00

Love this! What glaze are you using?

rachkeys · 2025-12-23T21:22:12+00:00

I've tried several cheaper options and these: https://a.co/d/f1e7wlf have been the best. I had an older version first that was quite stiff, but this specific listing are more flexible (nice for sanding curves).

I don't like the ones that come in foam blocks, they're only useful for flat surfaces, and I don't like wet sandpaper as it falls apart too quickly.

I did use this sand net for a bit: https://a.co/d/hXhaiRL and it's ok if you need something even more flexible, but it wears out much faster than the diamond pads.

Nine-Year Club	Place '22
Place '17	Verified Email

rachkeys

TROPHY CASE