The Bath Crafting Cranny

I hate laundry...but...

...this is pretty amazing. Googling for something random threw up this equally random item, which has sucked me right in: eco-balls and dryer-balls. I got mine through the post yesterday...(the whole set is ~£50 from here).

The idea is to use the eco-balls (right) to replace traditional laundry powder. They're good because: they are reuseable for up to 1000 washes which equates to ~3.5p per wash; there are no harsh chemicals and so no pollution; the rinse cycle can be shortened saving water and electricity; and they will not fade bright colours or damage clothing fibres.

The science is really badly explained on most the websites that I've looked at - sigh. But some better websites, and some grappling around for remnants of Physics GCSE, rustles up this: it seems that dirt is positively charged and the carbonate-filled eco-balls create a negative charge in the water, lifting the dirt away from the fibre. I seem to remember that traditional detergent and soaps are also negatively charged as well, which would seem to fit. Anyway, the science is just for fun: do the blighters actually work?!

Last night's experiment seems to suggest that they are well worth the cash. Allotment clothes (wet Glastonbury style) went in and happy, clean clothes came out! All traces of dirt were gone - except some traces of particularly muddy stains where I'd been trying to tie up my Sweet Peas in the monsoons that we've been having. Nothing was ever going to get them out anyway..!

Dryer-balls were harder to test (they reportedly reduce drying time by 25%): I know that my dryer's not that efficient (as it's a combi) and usually takes aggggggggges but last night it seemed to dry the whole load in 50 minutes...

My pack came with a Magno-ball, which claims to soften water and prevent limescale build-up...no idea how to tell if this works but I whacked it in anyway...

A possible drawback is that the eco-balls can't be dried, and the dryer-balls can't be washed, so you have to do a swap between cycles (but I never leave it on when I'm not in anyway after a dryer fault caused a fire a few years back...).

The only odd thing about these things is that the clothes don't smell of detergent but, given that it makes me sneeze, that's got to be a good thing. Line-dried clothes smell of nothing too...

Oh, and, at the beginning of the wash cycle, there is the faint sound of a tombola taking place while all the balls jiggle about...

Calling all women...

I'm taking a little liberty here: but many readers are female so I thought it would be relevant even if it's not knitting-related...

The ‘Institute of Cancer Research’ is recruiting women volunteers for the biggest ever cohort study looking at the causes (environmental, behavioural, hormonal, genetic) of breast cancer in UK women. The study may also provide some insights into ovarian cancer and other diseases and would involve filling out a questionnaire and having a blood test taken by your GP every 5 years.

If you’re interested in participating, or know any UK-based women who might be, please look at their website here: where you can get more information and request an information pack.

Many cancers originate in the breast even if it also manifests itself elsewhere, but let's hope there are plans for futher similar studies into other primary cancers. And let's hope they also start a men-based study soon too. The more inclusive the better...

Twinkie-tastic: food for thought

*excited squeal!* Look at these knits (below)! Wonderful! (Don't ask why I was googling for a cupcake scarf..!) 

I did find something even more perfect: an edible blend of science, sugar and creativity (right).

What could be better? More cupcake beauties can be found here!

Tues knitting cheer

What a knitting throng we were on Tuesday! Lots of good tips and ideas for us all…

Helen was making the most wonderful shawl (Fiber Trends - Shoalwater Shawl pattern: left) out of beautiful aqua coloured wool (Lorna's lace wool (Helen's Lace in Seaside: right).

There’s a knot in the wool that might hinder Helen's speedy progress but she tells me that there’s a way to make square-topped balls from a hank (see below): this might not help future knot-situations but the wacky wool shape will more than make up for it.

Furthermore, Helen's introduced me to the Denise needles. Merits are: (1) a range of sizes between 3.75-10 mm (extra long cords and large mm needles are available separately); (2) makes circular and/or straight needles; (3) variable lengths from 17” to 58” so they’re suitable for small and large projects; (4) stitch holders included; (5) compact 7” x 8.5” case for easy organization; (6) airline safe and travel friendly; (7) guaranteed for life; and (8) you can buy the whole set for ~£25…

Because you can leave your project on the cords, you can attach the needles to a new cord, knit merrily and return to the old work as and when. Wish I’d heard about these earlier – I have about a squillion 4mm needles because I’m always half-way through projects (and so rarely reaching that happy completion point!).

Would you like square balls of wool (left) and a way to have your thumb back to hold your teacup whilst untangling that hank? If, like Helen and me, you like wood-crafted thingimibobs, centre-pull balls and are fed up of having a digit stuck in a ball of wool until the damn thing's fully wound, then this is the gadget of the day: a Nøstepinde (below). You can purchase them here and get the full instructions here! And, the best thing, you can build a wool-wall with these bricks!

Mari was still battling with her hat…and me with my scarf…mine’s a bit of a cheat really…it looks pretty complicated but it’s just 3 stockinette rows and 1 lace-knit row (Lace Scarf pattern from Debbie Bliss Pure Silk).

Betsan suggested Sian try the 'Simply Knitting' magazine's latest tip for her rainbow hat: insert knitting needle under the first loop of the stitches all along the row below the error. Be sure that you're staying in the same row as you work horizontally across. The loop will be the right half of the stitch on a knit side... The row that you've inserted the needle into will be the one you'll start knitting on after you unravel the yarn. To unravel just remove the working needle, take a deep breath, close your eyes and pull. Ingenious!

But the pièce de résistance has to be Peter’s wonderful innovation: tubular knitting on TWO double-pointed needles. And, not only that, it was knitted in intarsia too! Peter was working quite quietly and happily creating what, for all intents and purposes, looked like a thick stockinette square until he turned it inside out and produced: a seamless pouch! With much gasping and clapping from us...wonderful!

Time to get out our diaries...

New June events are planned for Bristol's Get Knitted shop:

'Saturday 2nd June sees our monthly knit and natter from 10am-12 midday. Pop in with your latest knitting project for tea, coffee and cake. Spend the morning chatting and knitting with people who share your knitting passion.

Saturday 9th June is Worldwide knit in public day. Here at Get Knitted we want to make a real statement about the popularity of knitting so please pay us a visit between 10am-3pm. We will have lots of tables and chairs outside where we can all sit, knit and wave our sticks at passing cars. We will also be teaching people to knit too so if you can lend us a hand we'd be grateful. Plenty of tea, coffee and biscuits too.

Saturday 16th June is 'Sock Saturday'. Running between 10am and 2pm we will be gathering with our sock knitting and swapping hints and tips. If you are new to sock knitting you are welcome to pop in and someone will get you started on your first sock….you'll be hooked! Tea, coffee and biscuits too.

Saturday 23rd June is our Needle Felting Demo day from 10am to 5pm. This type of felting is becoming increasingly popular and it is amazing the things you can create using this technique. We will be showing how to do it as well as showing finished pieces as inspiration. You can even have a go yourself too if you fancy.

Saturday June 30th welcomes Pam who will be demonstrating the Bag Smith bags and how to add a novelty or textured yarn to completely change the way the finished bag looks. This will be between 11am-12 midday.'

Hurray! I'm definitely going to the Needle Felting day so hopefully see some of you there!