30 min series: knitting dolly

On By CarynIn Craft

I’m starting a study on how much cord I can make in 30 minutes using various techniques. The idea started with my acquisition of the Prym knitting dolly, which feels like a sophisticated version of the “spool with nails” French knitter. It has a carved crystal-like body and loops instead of pegs at the top, and comes with a needle that locks inside the body of the knitting dolly for safe keeping. Why did I acquire it? Because I don’t have one. I thought I did, a kid’s version, but it isn’t in the knitting bin or the cord bin. Hm.

Photo description: Prym knitting dolly (aka French Knitter, Knitting Spool) with blue cotton yarn

I did have a bit of trouble remembering how to use a knitting dolly, I kept doing the initial twist round as I built the cord and it took a a few minutes of puzzling to figure out why my loops were twisted. It was good data, at least.

Photo description: two cotton cords, the left one made with twisted loops (each stitch the yarn was wrapped around the post), and the right one with untwisted loops (the yarn taken across the front of the post)

I started my timing once my technique was settled. In 30 minutes I made 17” of cord with the knitting dolly. This number is for my skill set at the time of knitting (I’m sure I could improve the length per time with practice), and the 4-peg knitting dolly with commercial worsted weight cotton yarn.

Photo description: 17 inches of knitted cord created with a Prym knitting dolly with blue worsted weight cotton yarn

The resulting cord is smooth and soft, with mostly regular stitches, and 24% stretch. I calculated stretch by measuring the cord stretched, subtracting the unstretched length, then dividing by the unstretched length. In this case (21-17)/17*100. This technique can be used to make very long cords.

I plan to make 30 minute samples of other cord making methods and do a comparison of both length produced and quality.

Throwback Thursday: cat box bench

On By CarynIn Cats, Craft

In August of 2018 I built a bench with an insulated section and a non-insulated section inside. The idea was to provide Sophie the cat a hiding place, since she was working on being part of our family.

Photo description: hand made wood bench painted gray
Photo description: same bench with the lid lifted to show the insulated section on the left, and cat door on the right

This was one of the largest flops. No cat ever used it for more than a casual inspection, and after a few years on the front porch, I moved it back behind the coop for the meadow cats, who also eschewed it. I tried cutting a secondary hole so there was an escape route, but still it was not an acceptable hide-y hole. Now, after eight years of being outside, the lid has broken, the legs are rotting, and the bugs have taken it over. Time for a something different.

Clover square

On By CarynIn Craft

Here is the next square from the book Granny Square Flair, called Clover.

Photo description: crocheted square from the book Granny Square Flair made with olive green fingering weight alpaca yarn, not blocked

It is interesting how the pattern develops with each round. While working it I did not see any lines or sharp corners, I only noticed them looking at the photo. It still needs to be blocked, but I’m working on a set up.

Bye bye path

On By CarynIn Garden

I haven’t been redirecting the pumpkin vines away from my path because it has been too hot outside. Now they have engulfed it.

Photo description: pumpkin vines covering a stone step path

I have yet to see a pumpkin produced from the vines. Maybe they’ll find enough sunlight on their journey.

Make it fit

On By CarynIn Craft, Life Hack

I had the idea to install an under mount sliding keyboard to a buffet table. This poor table has undergone many modifications as its purpose has changed over the years, and not once was it a buffet table. We purchased it new to be a TV stand, then it became a standing desk, then an electronics table, and now it is going back to being a desk. I purchased a clamp-on keyboard tray as there wasn’t much wood under the drawer to mount anything. Unfortunately the clamps wouldn’t fit under the drawer, and there is a gentle curve to the underside support that makes the right side thicker than the left. Hm. So I chiseled out space.

Photo description: dado cut into the frame of a drawer slot

I used a small pull saw to cut across the grain at the ends of the dado, then used a chisel and mallet to remove the wood between the cuts.

Photo description: clamp for a sliding keyboard in the newly cut dado
Photo description: installed keyboard tray with drawer back in place (tools and sawdust still need to be cleaned up)

I’m pleased with the modification (which is good because there is no going back now). I can sit and use the keyboard at a comfortable height, or move the keyboard up and stand at the desk if I wish, depending on what I’m doing.