Having read Wil Wheaton’s post about making things, and, um, really needing something for my Xmas present that I cannot afford to buy, I decided to write up a step-by-step account of my latest project. Right now, it’s simmering on the stove. But before that, here’s what has happened so far:

• Realize that you really, really need a carry-on bag to properly take advantage of your Xmas present.
• Realize that you really really cannot afford one now.
• Come up with an insane plan to make one yourself.
• Set out on the Epic Voyage to your favorite yarn store.
• Wait patiently in the parking lot until it opens.
• Find out that, sadly, they don’t have nearly enough black yarn to complete the project. But the owner has an idea…
• Come out of the store with 3 skeins of dark gray yarn, 1 skein of variegated scarlet, and 3 packs of dye. Head home.
• Soak yarn in warm water and dish soap. Eat lunch.
• Finish lunch, discourage dog from eating the table and chairs, and dissolve dye packs into boiling water.
• Fill up rest of pot with cool water, put in skeins of yarn, fire up the stove hood and open the door to the garage, turn up the stove very slightly, and wait.
• And wait.
• And wait some more.

And well, that’s where we are right now. I’m hoping that the dye will exhaust someday; and when that someday happens, I can rinse it and hang it up to dry. Then I can get started on this.