30 min series: knit cord 2

On By CarynIn Craft

To test my theory that knit i-cord has the most options by varying yarn weight and needle size, I knit worsted weight cotton with size two needles, which are much smaller than recommended for the yarn.

Photo description: i-cord knit with worsted weight cotton yarn and a size 2 circular Prym needle

As expected the cord comes out more dense and sturdy than cord knit with bigger needles. I only managed to make 10 inches of cord in 30 minutes. It has 20% stretch, which is 5% less than the i-cord knitted with size 8 needles. I’m a little disappointed that the difference in stretch isn’t more different.

Photo description: 10 inches of densely knit purple i-cord in a small spiral

Hm. Yes, I can vary stitch density by changing needle size, but I think I would choose another method if I needed a dense cord with less stretch.

Throwback Thursday: fabric cat box

On By CarynIn Craft
Photo description: Sophie the dilute calico on a wood framed fabric covered hammock and hide box made from white and gray patterned fabric

In September 2018 I made a second furniture item for the outdoor cat Sophie. This one was much, much more popular than the insulated bench. I started by making a small frame with 2x4s, then painted it.

Photo description: upside down cat box showing the painted frame, photo taken in 2026

I used outdoor fabric with a pretty white and gray pattern and sewed a cover for the frame, with two slits on each side secured with white bias tape. This was all before I started this blog, but I did make a social media cry.

Photo description: “Running of out bobbin thread…” in type and “2” from the END!!” In handwriting, showing the bottom seam of the cover for the cat bench and an empty modern sewing bobbin and a crying emojii

To keep the cover in place I punched my own washers from aluminum blanks. I’m not sure why I couldn’t find premade washers. I probably put them somewhere safe.

Photo description: disc cutter set up to punch a hole in the center of a circular aluminum blank

I used four washers and four screws to secure the bottom edge of the cover on the non-slit sides to the wood legs. This works quite well and has held up for 8 years.

Fempto turtle

On By CarynIn Craft

I have finished my first cop of yarn on my fempto spindle which was 3D printed by Turtle Made on Etsy. The cop of yarn from a Turkish spindle is typically called a turtle, I assume because it looks like a turtle in its shell.

Photo description: full Fempto spindle on green roving dyed by AnnieWhere
Photo description: freed yarn turtle held above the roving, ridged case, and disassembled spindle

This is a particularly slow turtle, as it is in my car as an emergency craft, so the 9 months from start to finish does not reflect at all the actual time spent spinning.

Dry grass on a black dog

On By CarynIn dog
Photo Description: Missy the black dog covered in bits of dry grass and very sad that she was told to wait while I took a picture

Missy the dog loves to roll in the grass. It has been so hot and dry that all the plants are crispy, even where we water, so when she rolls she comes up covered in yellow shards of grass. Then my floor inside becomes covered in grass. Sigh. I’ve started to give her a brush outside before she is allowed in, which she quite likes, and might perpetuate the problem.

Finger loop braiding

On By CarynIn Uncategorized

I have heard of loop braiding, where loops of yarn are placed on the finger tips and given tension, rather than gripping the cut yarn ends, but haven’t tried it before. I found a fantastic website, https://loopbraider.com, with many, many rabbit holes. I started with a simple 5-strand square braid. I wanted to do a thirty minute example, but my arms aren’t long enough. To get the braid tight, you spread your arms to 90 degrees on either side of the new braid. I tried longer lengths, but just couldn’t get the braid tight.

Photo description: five strand finger loop braids with different beat angles, 45 degrees to 90 degrees left to right

So my limiting factor on braid length in this case is my arm span rather than time. For my 5’7” arm span I can make 17.5” of cord with worsted weight cotton yarn. The cord is strong and stiff with 10% stretch.

Photo description: finished five-strand square loop braid made with variegated white and purple worsted weight cotton yarn

I have looked again through the Loop Braider website and found some references to ways to make longer lengths. I will have to try the different beater methods. The finger braiding itself was a remarkably natural movement for me.