The SWOP (Specifications for Web Offset Publications) indeed recommends a total ink coverage limit, often cited around 240-300% for coated paper, which refers to the combined percentage of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks used in color printing. This limit is suggested to prevent issues like ink smudging, overly long drying times, and paper distortion, ensuring high-quality print results. It's important for designers to adhere to these guidelines when preparing files for printing, especially in commercial applications, to achieve optimal outcomes. Adjustments can be made through color management tools and techniques to meet these specifications.

Catching yarn floats, an essential technique in colorwork knitting, prevents long loops of unused yarn on the wrong side of the fabric, which can snag or create uneven tension. To catch a float: 1. Work to the point where the float would be too long (typically after 3-5 stitches of the same color). 2. With the yarn you're knitting with (the "active" yarn), continue to hold it as usual, but also lay the yarn to be caught (the "inactive" yarn) over the right needle before knitting the next stitch. 3. Knit the next stitch as normal with the active yarn, ensuring the inactive yarn is caught in the stitch but not knitted into the pattern. 4. Continue with your pattern, catching the float at regular intervals to keep the back of the work neat and to maintain fabric consistency. Regularly catching floats not only creates a cleaner, more professional look on the finished piece but also enhances the fabric's strength and durability. Practice with swatches before applying to larger projects to get comfortable with the technique.

Dyeing yarn black with Kool-Aid is challenging because Kool-Aid's color spectrum does not include a true black. To achieve a dark, saturated color, mix the darkest Kool-Aid colors available, like grape, cherry, and blue raspberry, in significant quantities. Start by soaking your yarn in warm water mixed with vinegar—the acidity helps the dye to adhere. Prepare your Kool-Aid dye by dissolving several packets of each color in hot water, creating a concentrated dye bath. Remember, achieving a uniform black shade is difficult with Kool-Aid due to its translucent and varied color properties. Submerge the yarn in the dye bath, ensuring it's fully saturated, then heat the yarn in the dye bath to help set the color. This can be done in a microwave, a crockpot, or on the stove. Keep in mind, results can vary, and you might end up with a very dark purple or brown rather than a true black. After achieving the desired shade, rinse the yarn in cool water until the water runs clear and let it dry. This method requires experimentation for best results.