Quick Questions on ANYTHING part 2. Please read first post for links to other threads

Diflower

It's nothing to do with the quality, in fact the better-quality chickens are often much denser than cheap ones and therefore take longer to cook. I find chickens often take a good 15-20 mins longer than they 'should'.
The legs do take longer, it's the thickest part of the thigh you need to test.
I use the 'official' timings as a guide only. I always untruss chickens, the string holds the legs very tightly against the body. Also, rather than stick a skewer into the flesh, if you use a kife and gently cut just through the skin, where the leg joins the body, the colour of the juice inside there is a good guide. It's also quite easy then to pierce a bit of drumstick or thigh to have a look if you're not sure.
Hope that helps:)

Linda32

Thanks all,

Yes that does help. I shall still buy a chicken again, as its so much cheaper than buying portions, just make sure its in for a further 20 mins ontop.

Doberwoman

I'm no laundry or knitting expert by any stretch of the imagination... and I seem to have done something very stupid, but not sure what, so hoping some far more experienced domesticated peeps can help....

People have given/made us lovely knitted cardis/jumpers for our baby. Most of them survive my washing. Some however come out all stretched, mishapen and saggy. At first I thought it was bad acrylicy-type yarn, then I thought the washing machine had inadvertently overheated, but finally I conclude it is me.

I wash with fairy non bio, add a tiny dash of dilute white vinegar to the fabric conditioner drawer (mainly to combat our hard water area) and wash at 30 degrees.

What am I doing wrong (my suspicions reside with the vinegar, but I thought that was OS enough to be reliable?) and ultimately is it salvagable before hubby notices??!!!

elf06

Doberwoman wrote: »

I'm no laundry or knitting expert by any stretch of the imagination... and I seem to have done something very stupid, but not sure what, so hoping some far more experienced domesticated peeps can help....

People have given/made us lovely knitted cardis/jumpers for our baby. Most of them survive my washing. Some however come out all stretched, mishapen and saggy. At first I thought it was bad acrylicy-type yarn, then I thought the washing machine had inadvertently overheated, but finally I conclude it is me.

I wash with fairy non bio, add a tiny dash of dilute white vinegar to the fabric conditioner drawer (mainly to combat our hard water area) and wash at 30 degrees.

What am I doing wrong (my suspicions reside with the vinegar, but I thought that was OS enough to be reliable?) and ultimately is it salvagable before hubby notices??!!!

I'm sorry that I cant be of much more help but I never machine washed any of my sons hand knitted stuff. I always stuck to hand washing........

Doberwoman

Hi Elf- thanks for the prompt response!

When she was newborn, some of the items were absolutely exquisite and I shuddered at the thought of anything but handwashing. As time went on and I was more tired and zombielike in my adjustment to parenting, I gave up and put them in the washing machine- and they survived perfectly- yay! I suppose the good results made me more slack in my laundry and now I am paying the consequences with shoving her bigger items in to the machine

I am still intrigued why some survive and some don't know- considering my washing parameters never change (fairy, dash of dilute white vinegar, and 30 degrees).

Ah, I shall slap my wrists and admit I should've stuck to handwashing.

elf06

Aw I hope you didnt think I was being cheeky in my response. I completely understand the getting a little lax in the washing dept - its just me and my son and always has been so I have to admit to cutting corners wherever possible to make life easier .
I wonder whether its the repeated machine washing that has caused the problem?? Have some items been worn/washed less than others??

Doberwoman

Hi Elf,
Not at all! Was perplexed as some items did it first wash, and some- as you suggest- took many washes.
I promise to always handwash baby knits now though, as I was completely gutted to see the sorry state they ended up in!
Must take up knitting too as I now have very few cardis for her- oops!!!

notjustlaura

I'm a novice knitter and have had some fairly spectacular disasters in the laundry department!

Some yarns can be washed, some can't. Some felt, some stretch. It's really hard to tell what will hold up to the WM and what won't.

If you're gifted any more hand knits, I'd suggest that you ask for the ball band (ie the label that came with the yarn) so you have the washing instructions and fewer disasters.

Olliebeak

I think it's all that tumbling around in the water and being 'heavy with water' that makes them go out of shape. Happened with everything that I've knitted for DD's children - I've stopped hand-knitting for them now as it's not worth all my time/effort - one particular Aran cardigan fitted dgd1 from age 4 to age 10 :eek:.

I can recommend those 'laundry bags' made of nylon mesh - items don't get battered around the drum quite as much - but really the full answer is to hand-wash only, gentle squeeze NOT WRING and then roll in a towel to absorb as much moisture as possible before drying FLAT when possible.

hotcookie101

Just as the title really-I want to make Nigella's chicken, chorizo and potato bake but realised I don't have an orange. Can I zest a couple of clementines over it instead?