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Casey’s website is kcknits.com.
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Other things we talk about:
Blog about travel bags
Madder Root bag
Nancy’s Knit Knacks notions case
To fix the magic loop first stitch problem, instead of having the first half of the stitches on the needle and the second half on the cord, I use two magic loops. I count about 1/4 of the stitches, pull a loop of cord, count about 1/2 the stitches, then pull another loop. That leaves the last 1/4 of stitches on the other needle, and you can join quite easily. Once you’ve joined you can change where you’re magic loop is at any time. I like to move it from time to so that I don’t wind up one row of loose stitches.
Instead of charcoal, what about the product sold as a fridge odor remover – baking soda? Put an open box in a plastic tub with the yarn.
As for the yarn knots from the center pull, that’s unbalanced yarn – overtwisted. I’ve learned recently that ball winders add twist. I think the reason they tell you which way to spin the crank is to err on the side of overtwisting the yarn, rather than unplying it. You can actually keep feeding two yarns through a ball winder from the center over and over to ply them. I did a few passes to check, and they were more twisted with each pass. Now, when I need to wind up the yarn more than once, like when you (Staci) do it twice, once from the hank, and once from the cake for more even tension, I’ll do the first winding turning the crank the wrong way, and the second one the right way, and the yarn seems to stay more relaxed.
Sometimes I have to take a messed up partial cake off the winder mid-wind, rewind that messed up mini cake, and continue on to pull in the rest of the larger cake, which that one was wound from. Superwash merino and some really drapey bamboo yarns are a pain to wind, so I’ll end up winding them over and over to finally get them to stop falling all over the place, and I’ll switch winding directions each pass.
Sorry Kitten With a Whiplash – I was replying to you, and decided to reply about something else to the page, refreshed, and filled out the comment box at the bottom, but it still threaded under your comment for some reason.
Two magic loops is pretty brilliant.
Stinky yarn…. I have an issue with scents and store the yarn in a box with coffee beans in a bowl. Just make sure the beans don’t touch the yarn. Always works.
In regards to the smelly yarn, you need to make sure you use ACTIVATED charcoal. It is more porous, enabling it to absorb more odors than other types of charcoal.
On the stinky yarn, activated charcoal for sure….but try storing it in a sealed tupperware rather than a plastic bag. I think the bag may be too porous. Also try leaving it in the container for up to 2 weeks, I did this with some vintage clothes and it took a while but the smell finally came out.
Another favorite product of mine is Smells Begone: https://www.smellsbegone.com/product-page/fragrance-free-spray-12oz I like this unscented spray, it works for rooms, might want to do a test if spraying directly on fabric or yarn. They also make other products, just check out their shop page. Bed Bath & Beyond and Amazon tend to carry this product line as well.
I’ve been using a lot of Baggu nylon bags to organize my knitting. They weigh next to nothing, are affordable (3 for about $30), and have super cute patterns, so you can tell your projects apart. The 3D zip pouches are great for smaller/medium-sized projects. I also use their packable totes for larger projects like baby blankets — they’re roomy and open wide, and you can tie the handles loosely together to keep everything safe and sound when you’re not knitting.