Winding Station

I finally got the winding station made this morning (the cone rack on the bottom shelf was purchased several years ago.) It took all of 20 minutes. I threaded 380/760 threads on the purple baby blanket. If I don't poop out tonight, I'll using this to wind bobbins tomorrow. I may add a brace about half way up if it seems wobbly. I lightly sanded it - a better finish will have to wait. The garden calls.

Winding Station

I finally got the winding station made this morning (the cone rack on the bottom shelf was purchased several years ago.) It took all of 20 minutes. I threaded 380/760 threads on the purple baby blanket. If I don't poop out tonight, I'll using this to wind bobbins tomorrow. I may add a brace about half way up if it seems wobbly. I lightly sanded it - a better finish will have to wait. The garden calls.

Sleying Away

I moved the loom into the corner next to the patio doors. I had originally though I'd like looking straight out the window, but I ended up closing the curtains in the morning due to the intense sun. Now I can look up and see the garden between the two decks and the birds feeding. I've got to get the birdbath/fountain set up again. It's so much fun watching them play in the water. Unfortunately I've ignoried the big bed in the back and am now paying for it (especially my lower back), by trying to unearth beauties like this daylily - Little Business. The weeds are taller than some of the flowers and it's slow going now that the perennials have grown so much. I'd like to say I'll be more preemptive next year, but don't hold your breath.

I had to stop sleying about 12:30 last night, not making my self-imposed deadline. My brain just wasn't cooperating and I found myself making too many errors. Friday night as I sat playing with colors, setts, and patterns, I realized how much I like this process. As Carolyn detailed, it involves quite a lot of planning. I like to do this with my trusty calculator and mechanical pencil, but I also run the figures through a little calc file I have just to give me another chance to catch any errors before I start winding.

Despite this planning, I discovered last night that in an effort to get as wide a blanket as I can on this 40" loom I don't have a symmetrical layout. I almost stopped, but I really don't think it will affect the look. Plus, I can't add 40 ends and to take out 48 ends will reduce the width by about 2.5".

Sleying Away

I moved the loom into the corner next to the patio doors. I had originally though I'd like looking straight out the window, but I ended up closing the curtains in the morning due to the intense sun. Now I can look up and see the garden between the two decks and the birds feeding. I've got to get the birdbath/fountain set up again. It's so much fun watching them play in the water. Unfortunately I've ignoried the big bed in the back and am now paying for it (especially my lower back), by trying to unearth beauties like this daylily - Little Business. The weeds are taller than some of the flowers and it's slow going now that the perennials have grown so much. I'd like to say I'll be more preemptive next year, but don't hold your breath.

I had to stop sleying about 12:30 last night, not making my self-imposed deadline. My brain just wasn't cooperating and I found myself making too many errors. Friday night as I sat playing with colors, setts, and patterns, I realized how much I like this process. As Carolyn detailed, it involves quite a lot of planning. I like to do this with my trusty calculator and mechanical pencil, but I also run the figures through a little calc file I have just to give me another chance to catch any errors before I start winding.

Despite this planning, I discovered last night that in an effort to get as wide a blanket as I can on this 40" loom I don't have a symmetrical layout. I almost stopped, but I really don't think it will affect the look. Plus, I can't add 40 ends and to take out 48 ends will reduce the width by about 2.5".

Twisted Chains

Sounds like a heavy metal group, doesn't it? I'm getting ready to start a new baby blanket for my nephew's new daughter. I had been noticing that my chains had a distinct twist to them that was causing some tangles. Last week, while I was shopping Interweave's Hurt Book Sale, I ended up at their articles and projects page. In one of their warping articles there was a reminder to chain using both hands. They said that when you chain with only one hand grabbing and pulling through you put a 1/2 twist with each motion. Now why hadn't I heard that before? So, as I chain off these three bouts I will be keeping that in mind.

Whoppee! The new dryer came today. AND (just like Wendy) I've got a light in the cavernous 6.5 cubic foot drum. You never realize how much you'd miss an applicance until you live a week without one.

Twisted Chains

Sounds like a heavy metal group, doesn't it? I'm getting ready to start a new baby blanket for my nephew's new daughter. I had been noticing that my chains had a distinct twist to them that was causing some tangles. Last week, while I was shopping Interweave's Hurt Book Sale, I ended up at their articles and projects page. In one of their warping articles there was a reminder to chain using both hands. They said that when you chain with only one hand grabbing and pulling through you put a 1/2 twist with each motion. Now why hadn't I heard that before? So, as I chain off these three bouts I will be keeping that in mind.

Whoppee! The new dryer came today. AND (just like Wendy) I've got a light in the cavernous 6.5 cubic foot drum. You never realize how much you'd miss an applicance until you live a week without one.

Plain Vanilla Done

Here's the vanilla romney to go with Kate's chocoromney! This started out as a 4# fleece and ended up 2 lbs. 13 oz. of two ply (12 wpi) yarn. Once I find my McMorran I'll have a good idea whether I have enough for a blanket.

I also finished the Huck-a-Back towels this morning and gave them a hot wash. Now to hem and once more through the wash.

Plain Vanilla Done

Here's the vanilla romney to go with Kate's chocoromney! This started out as a 4# fleece and ended up 2 lbs. 13 oz. of two ply (12 wpi) yarn. Once I find my McMorran I'll have a good idea whether I have enough for a blanket.

I also finished the Huck-a-Back towels this morning and gave them a hot wash. Now to hem and once more through the wash.

What to Do?

I get this way every year. The first week or so of vacation is full of starting things and then going on to something else. I think I feel adrift after following such a strict schedule for the last 10 months. I have accomplished a few things, however.

I am half a bobbin away from finishing the white romney. I'd show you a picture, but after all, it's all white! I finished the fourth towel from the Huck-a-Back warp. I love the white on natural. It reminds me of the false damask towels I did a couple of years ago.

I want to do some more dyeing, but I've finished most of my dye stocks. I'm moving up from 20 oz. water bottles to 1/2 gal. milk jugs and I ordered a new scale that measures 1/10 gram so I can be a little more accurate measuring the dye powders. I'm not really that anal, but I like the idea of being able to recreate a color that works!

What to Do?

I get this way every year. The first week or so of vacation is full of starting things and then going on to something else. I think I feel adrift after following such a strict schedule for the last 10 months. I have accomplished a few things, however.

I am half a bobbin away from finishing the white romney. I'd show you a picture, but after all, it's all white! I finished the fourth towel from the Huck-a-Back warp. I love the white on natural. It reminds me of the false damask towels I did a couple of years ago.

I want to do some more dyeing, but I've finished most of my dye stocks. I'm moving up from 20 oz. water bottles to 1/2 gal. milk jugs and I ordered a new scale that measures 1/10 gram so I can be a little more accurate measuring the dye powders. I'm not really that anal, but I like the idea of being able to recreate a color that works!

It Won't Be In House Beautiful

but it's doing the job for me! This is the table I made yesterday. I had the feed in tray on the left, but I thought I could get closer to the wall if I turned it this way. It only took me one run through to realize it won't work. Besides feeling awkward, I had to reach over the drum to get to the switch. I could just imagine me tearing my arm up. So I thought I could turn it around myself. WRONG! Good thing I can yell loud.

For those days when it won't be used - and I know I'll eventually run out of things to card - I made this. Now I remember why this heavy vinyl was sitting around for so long. It's an absolute pain to sew. Luckily the seams in the four corners were done right sides together so the flocked underlining would feed through. I did a pretty poor job sewing a 17" wide strip on the underside (to keep the carder teeth from catching on the underlining). I can always glue it if it needs more reinforcing.

Next I'm going to make myself a winding station, like this one by Schacht. I want one, but not enough to pay $225.00.

One the weaving front, I'm on the third Huck-a-Back towel. This one has space-dyed red 6/2 for the weft. Once again, great minds think alike. Caroline in NH is making the same towels! This would be a great draft for someone ready to go beyond plain weave. You really can't lose your place.

I'm almost finished spinning the plain vanilla Romney. Spinning from the roving I made yesterday was delightful. Yes, June, I just went in a spiral. I started with about 1" on the left side of the drum and just kept working my way around. I used a pretty wooden diz from The Woodchuck, but I was worried that I would scratch it. Next time I'll use my PVC diz. They are easy to make. Cut a 1" piece of pvc, then cut through the middle. Drill a hole in the center of each piece and sand smooth. Voilá! You know have to dizs - dizzes - well, you know what I'm trying to say.

It Won't Be In House Beautiful

but it's doing the job for me! This is the table I made yesterday. I had the feed in tray on the left, but I thought I could get closer to the wall if I turned it this way. It only took me one run through to realize it won't work. Besides feeling awkward, I had to reach over the drum to get to the switch. I could just imagine me tearing my arm up. So I thought I could turn it around myself. WRONG! Good thing I can yell loud.

For those days when it won't be used - and I know I'll eventually run out of things to card - I made this. Now I remember why this heavy vinyl was sitting around for so long. It's an absolute pain to sew. Luckily the seams in the four corners were done right sides together so the flocked underlining would feed through. I did a pretty poor job sewing a 17" wide strip on the underside (to keep the carder teeth from catching on the underlining). I can always glue it if it needs more reinforcing.

Next I'm going to make myself a winding station, like this one by Schacht. I want one, but not enough to pay $225.00.

One the weaving front, I'm on the third Huck-a-Back towel. This one has space-dyed red 6/2 for the weft. Once again, great minds think alike. Caroline in NH is making the same towels! This would be a great draft for someone ready to go beyond plain weave. You really can't lose your place.

I'm almost finished spinning the plain vanilla Romney. Spinning from the roving I made yesterday was delightful. Yes, June, I just went in a spiral. I started with about 1" on the left side of the drum and just kept working my way around. I used a pretty wooden diz from The Woodchuck, but I was worried that I would scratch it. Next time I'll use my PVC diz. They are easy to make. Cut a 1" piece of pvc, then cut through the middle. Drill a hole in the center of each piece and sand smooth. Voilá! You know have to dizs - dizzes - well, you know what I'm trying to say.

It's a Bump!

Pretty nifty, huh? I've been meaning to try taking the carded fiber off with a diz, but each time I'd dig right in with the doffer. Last evening I finally remembered. It's a little time consuming, but with a little practice I'll cut my time. This one weighs 103 grams.

I made the table for my carder today. Never let it be said that the lack of equipment kept me from tackling a job. Can't find the sawhorses, try this.

It's a Bump!

Pretty nifty, huh? I've been meaning to try taking the carded fiber off with a diz, but each time I'd dig right in with the doffer. Last evening I finally remembered. It's a little time consuming, but with a little practice I'll cut my time. This one weighs 103 grams.

I made the table for my carder today. Never let it be said that the lack of equipment kept me from tackling a job. Can't find the sawhorses, try this.

Band Aid?

I guess I didn't heed the "keep fingers away from moving drum" part of the instructions. As enamored as I am with my new carder, my main concern was how to keep the blood off the pretty white fleece. I don't need no stinkin' band aid!

Band Aid?

I guess I didn't heed the "keep fingers away from moving drum" part of the instructions. As enamored as I am with my new carder, my main concern was how to keep the blood off the pretty white fleece. I don't need no stinkin' band aid!

Pretty Cloud

I got the Duncan set up this afternoon and here's Nancy after her first run through. I probably could have put a little more on, but I was anxious to see what it looked like. It weighs up at 95-100g. (I've got to get a bigger scale) You could have spun it as is, but I stripped off a bit for a sample and put the rest through one more time. I may run some through once, dye, then put through for a final run. This should keep me busy for the summer!

Pretty Cloud

I got the Duncan set up this afternoon and here's Nancy after her first run through. I probably could have put a little more on, but I was anxious to see what it looked like. It weighs up at 95-100g. (I've got to get a bigger scale) You could have spun it as is, but I stripped off a bit for a sample and put the rest through one more time. I may run some through once, dye, then put through for a final run. This should keep me busy for the summer!

It's Here, but I'm Not

I just called home and my new carder is sitting on the front porch. Unfortunately, I'm at school, and will be until 3:30. Then I have to go home (not play with my new toy) pick up a cake, and go to a retirement cook-out. You can be sure that I'll leave as soon as I can (without looking like a social misfit!)

It's Here, but I'm Not

I just called home and my new carder is sitting on the front porch. Unfortunately, I'm at school, and will be until 3:30. Then I have to go home (not play with my new toy) pick up a cake, and go to a retirement cook-out. You can be sure that I'll leave as soon as I can (without looking like a social misfit!)

Weekend Fun

Look what's coming to our house! Josh has been busy clearing the weeds and bramble from the side of our lower deck. He already had this done when I got home from school Friday. Yesterday he and his friend brought in a load of gravel and poured the foundation.

I got the Huck-a-Back towels on the loom and am almost finished the first one.

addendum: The pattern is in Design Collection No. 18.

Weekend Fun

Look what's coming to our house! Josh has been busy clearing the weeds and bramble from the side of our lower deck. He already had this done when I got home from school Friday. Yesterday he and his friend brought in a load of gravel and poured the foundation.

I got the Huck-a-Back towels on the loom and am almost finished the first one.

addendum: The pattern is in Design Collection No. 18.

It's Not Easy Being Green

Here's Carl after a little stay in the turkey roaster. The next batch I dye up I'll use 2 or 3% DOS. Although this does look better in person, it could have a little more saturation.

It's Not Easy Being Green

Here's Carl after a little stay in the turkey roaster. The next batch I dye up I'll use 2 or 3% DOS. Although this does look better in person, it could have a little more saturation.

Meet Carl

from Cummington. He weighed in at a whopping 8.5 lbs. I washed half last night and just left it in the washer until this morning. I put it out before I left (thanks, Claudia, again you give me the kick in the pants I need) for school and with the heat we've been having, he was dry by the time I got home at 5. The other half is soaking right now.

I put 600 grams in the roaster with 300 ml yellow, 200 ml mustard, 100 ml navy and we'll see what happens. There's a lot of light grey in him that should dye up nicely.

Graduation is tomorrow. Thursday is the last day of exams for 9-11th. 5 more days for me. Ahhhh!

Meet Carl

from Cummington. He weighed in at a whopping 8.5 lbs. I washed half last night and just left it in the washer until this morning. I put it out before I left (thanks, Claudia, again you give me the kick in the pants I need) for school and with the heat we've been having, he was dry by the time I got home at 5. The other half is soaking right now.

I put 600 grams in the roaster with 300 ml yellow, 200 ml mustard, 100 ml navy and we'll see what happens. There's a lot of light grey in him that should dye up nicely.

Graduation is tomorrow. Thursday is the last day of exams for 9-11th. 5 more days for me. Ahhhh!

Turkey Roasters Everywhere

Carolyn and Kate have said it all, but I always like to stick my $.02 in. First, if you don't have a brew store nearby try Leeners. They have citric acid for $3.20/lb. Shipping is reasonable - I got 5 lbs. for a total of 22.37. Second, as Kate mentioned, the rack is great for steaming. I steamed all the freezer bags I used for my sampling. There you go - my $.02!

I got a call from Dick Duncan today. My new 16" motorized carder will be leaving Oregon tomorrow. ETA is Monday, 6/14. The 15th is my last day of school, which gives me two days to play with it before I'm off to Peters Valley for a twill class.

The basement is starting to come together, after Josh's reentry. I got a 7 yard warp wound for towels. The loom has been naked too long.

Turkey Roasters Everywhere

Carolyn and Kate have said it all, but I always like to stick my $.02 in. First, if you don't have a brew store nearby try Leeners. They have citric acid for $3.20/lb. Shipping is reasonable - I got 5 lbs. for a total of 22.37. Second, as Kate mentioned, the rack is great for steaming. I steamed all the freezer bags I used for my sampling. There you go - my $.02!

I got a call from Dick Duncan today. My new 16" motorized carder will be leaving Oregon tomorrow. ETA is Monday, 6/14. The 15th is my last day of school, which gives me two days to play with it before I'm off to Peters Valley for a twill class.

The basement is starting to come together, after Josh's reentry. I got a 7 yard warp wound for towels. The loom has been naked too long.

Second Batch

Another 400 grams of corrie. This was 75% magenta, 25% bright blue, with a dribble of the blue on one side and some navy on the other. I'll probably card it with the previous batch as that was rather monochromatic. As you can see, the pool table was MINE today. (and all the crap in the background is NOT MINE)

It was too cloudy and damp to do any drying outside this weekend, but the weather is supposed to be much sunnier and warmer this week. Would a washed fleece suffer from being kept overnight in a laundry basket? I could put it out before I leave for school and hopefully it would be dry by the time I got home. It shouldn't felt if it's just sitting there, not being agitated, right? One more question, why am I still up?

Dyeing to Know

I am not an anal person (take a look at my house, my classroom, etc) but I spend way too much time repeating things that I've done before, or trying to replicate something I liked, but can't remember how I did it. My task for the summer is to get down on paper (actually, into the computer) my tried-and-true formulas. For instance, somewhere in this house is a steno book with diagrams for the making bias binding out of a rectangle. Now I can find 8 - 10 similar instructions on the internet but none are the same, or should we say, none are the same as I remember. (just yesterday I found the red notebook I've been looking for for more than a year - it's green and I've just pushed it out of my way all that time!) Speaking of looking for things, this is not what I expected to find in my bag of romney that's been through the carder once! Reminds me of the time I shook out my newly finished Wallaby, put it on, stuck my hands in the pocket and pulled out a Jack Daniel's Cactus Kicker bottle cap. Now that Josh is home the pool table is being used for its intended purposes (not my intentions - I thought it was perfect for drying fleece) so I can expect a few more surprises.

Back to the point. Since I've been doing mostly acid dyes that last few months, I'm starting with those. In researching formulas I've read books/articles by Linda Knudson, Deb Menz, Sara Lamb, and Blumenthal and everyone has something different. For comparison, let's just say were talking 28% acid. One source says 8% WOF, another 10%. In addition, some references say to base acid on DOS also. I'm starting to think that you might need more acid if you are doing a slow simmer method, such as the turkey roaster or crock pot. Any thoughts on this?

Although many of the turkey roaster dyers have been using Cushings, I'm working on coming up with dye formulas from a core set of Sabraset dyes. This is 65% magenta, 10% scarlet, 25% bright blue. I used href="http://www.yarnhead.com/yarnheadblog/" target=blank>Kate's dry fleece method with this one, but I had trouble stuffing only 400 grams of corrie into the roaster. I know Kate and Carolyn routinely dye 2 lbs. I used vinegar at 56% WOF (224ml)and the water was so clear you could drink it. For the next batch (rinsing now) I wetted it first and using that method I could see that I could get 800 grams in. I also used less vinegar and found that I had some unexhausted dye left. I found a source for 98% acetic acid and my husband was going to pick it up on his next trip to Fairless Hills. Luckily someone reminded this chemistry-challenged person that I would probably kill myself. Last night I ordered 5 lbs of citic acid from some beer making distributor. I should be able to handle that!

A Calming View

Cummington was great, WEBS was awesome, our visit with Claudia was a blast - but I am swamped with end of the year stuff so I'm leaving you with the view from Marie's steps.