« Happy this. Happy that. | Main | hot dates »
July 07, 2005
Alpaca tube of cortisone when I move
I had gone back to posting somewhat regularly and here we are, Thursday, and not a peep out of me for nearly a week. So here's the news:
I finished some projects that had to be done last week, for which I am very happy with myself, but as usual, I can't share them. And as I often do after a deadline, I went into a knitting funk when they were done and didn't feel like working on anything. Plus, my hand is kind of gross again, but I've figured it out. The cause of all of my problems, specifically contact dermatitis, is alpaca. I like alpaca. I like the feel. I like the look. I like it because it makes me think of "me and my llama going to the dentist today" and the llama on the packaging of this yarn kind of looks like my dog would have if he had been much bigger and had a really long neck... and small ears... and forget it - it doesn't look like him at all. Anyhow, after finishing the Union Square Market Sweater and sending that off, my right hand turned into a ball of itchy, flaky, bleeding cuts and I was forced to disguise myself as Michael Jackson circa 1984 in order to knit three stitches. And now, after finishing project number two out of the same yarn, it's happening again. Thankfully, this project was much smaller so it's not so bad, but it's still pretty nasty. So now, alpaca is no longer my friend and as soft as it is and as cute as rabbits are, angora isn't either since I ended up with a respiratory infection after using it last summer. I'm eliminating about one fiber a year. At this rate, I'll be knitting invisible clothing come 2010.
The only knitting I've done lately:
Oh! What a feelin'! When there's koigu on the ceilin'!
And yes, my leg really is that white
Posted by kate at July 7, 2005 10:21 AM
Comments
I love the sweater on the mag cover. And congratulations on the move back to the North American land mass.
Posted by: susan at July 12, 2005 09:12 PM
Kate, just heard the podcast and you do NOT sound like a dork at all. Very well-spoken. Don't worry. :-) Best wishes with the baby.
Posted by: Stasia at July 12, 2005 04:15 AM
I only read the title 5 times before I "got it". Alpaca. Hee hee. I was doing the same with aquatic animal names last night, "Frankly my dear Scallop, I don't give a clam!"
Posted by: Stephanie VW at July 11, 2005 04:45 PM
Hi, Kate!
Very much impressed by your Clapotis and the Union Square Market Sweater that i saw on the internet and the cover of Interweave Knits magazine, this was drawn to my attention after listening to your Podcast interview on iTunes, wow, you are a very talented knitter! Good luck! And I wish you to become friends with alpaca again some time!
Posted by: Olga at July 10, 2005 08:20 PM
Hey Kate! Nice footlet! :-)
Was the alpaca yarn a commercial variety? Were the two projects made of the same brand? Because, speaking as a handspinner... what you may be allergic to is a) the processing chemicals used, b) the dyes used, c) something the yarn shop used for storage, or d) something you inadvertently used for storage.
Try getting some natural alpaca from a spinner (not me, my spinning is far behind my knitting lately!) who uses an organic product when giving it a final wash and rinse, or a less-processed commercial type, before you rule it out.
Angora? That's probably the rabbit dander. Can't help you there.
If you buy commercial yarns and consistently have the dermatitis issue, try skeining the balls and rinsing them well, then re-balling to knit. It is more likely the chemicals than the natural fibers that are giving you trouble, if you're not allergic to "regular" animals... otherwise, check e-Bay for artisan handspun products. HTH!
Posted by: Stasia at July 10, 2005 06:22 AM
You know, my devious brain put your "Koigu on the ceilin'" lyrics to some really inane music, and now I can't get it out of my head. Congratulations on working everything out to make the move! We'll welcome you warmly back to North America.
Posted by: Sarah at July 9, 2005 03:51 PM
owie! so sorry to hear about the allergies...hmmm, have you ever tried buffalo? it has a very similar feel to alpaca. hmmmm, an alabaster reveal - yep, i could definately be in on that one :)
Posted by: rebecca at July 8, 2005 03:34 PM
Wow, I'm sorry about the allergies. That must be so frusterating! Hope it all clears up soon...
Posted by: Faith at July 8, 2005 05:20 AM
Dear Kate,
I just finished making one of your Samantha dresses, and boy did it turn out cute! It's the only pattern that I've used that I haven't changed drastically, and still loved it. The new Momma who got the little Samantha just wrote me a lovely thank you note and says it will be a family heirloom for her. I used Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in pink and made a matching Miss Dashwood to go with it. Thanks for such a great pattern!
Posted by: Nina at July 8, 2005 03:40 AM
Sorry that your allergies are back. I still have my excema.
The socks are looking amazing! And if you think your legs look white you should see mine!:-)
Posted by: Marie at July 7, 2005 11:44 PM
Oh yes...Sanford...the little man.
Posted by: Jen at July 7, 2005 08:20 PM
I came here as a friend of friend of and just wanted to express my sympathies re: your allergies. What a very sad realization.
My legs are really white, too. I like it when I go to the beach and match the sand.
Posted by: amandamonkey at July 7, 2005 06:35 PM
Hooray!!!! Someone else knows the llama/dentist segment from Sesame Street! For years, I've sung this song and told my husband about it and he just puts up with me and gives me that blank stare.
So sorry about the alergic reaction.
Posted by: Tisra at July 7, 2005 06:12 PM
maybe we should all choose a "reveal" day and show our lovely white legs (or alabaster as dh likes to call them). sorry to hear about the alpaca allergy--at least now you know and can take precautionary measures by stocking up on a hefty supply of medical gloves.
Posted by: amanda at July 7, 2005 05:27 PM
Have no fear, my legs are equally white (and somewhat stubbly, which surely doesn't make them any more attractive).
And I think you should really explain the llama dentist thing, because I so have no clue what you're talking about.
Posted by: kim at July 7, 2005 05:08 PM
Ahh - the sisterhood of the glaringly white legs. Welcome! I like to refer to us as moon goddesses and I claim to have a moontan.
Posted by: stephanie at July 7, 2005 04:52 PM
Ahh - the sisterhood of the glaringly white legs. Welcome! I like to refer to us as moon goddesses and I claim to have a moontan.
Posted by: stephanie at July 7, 2005 04:52 PM
Love that sock... Its coming along pretty quickly! I need to try some toe-ups :)
Posted by: Dani at July 7, 2005 03:23 PM
Angora gives me an asthma attack - but I never had problems with Alpaca. Aren't allergies frustrating? I keep getting rashes from something I eat and I haven't figured out yet what it is so I can avoid it.
Yay for cortisone - yes, I know it's not good for you in the long run, but, hey, when it helps healing what you have described, I am all for it!
Please extend my best wishes to the hand, tell it to get well soon!
Posted by: Mona at July 7, 2005 02:58 PM
Poor Kate. I feel your pain. I cannot use angora either. It makes me itch like I have been rolling in...well, something that really makes you itch ;-P
Thankfully I don't have any problem (so far) with alpaca. Here's hoping your hand makes a speedy recovery, and no other fibers decide to turn against you.
Posted by: Leah at July 7, 2005 01:45 PM
Well, if you're going to wear Michael Jackson gloves, you may as well be as white as he is too... (Sorry - I couldn't help myself!)
Posted by: Leslie at July 7, 2005 11:38 AM
