Nearing the end of the rainbow

On May 11, 2023May 8, 2023 By CarynIn Craft

I’ve been slowly progressing on my brioche rainbow scarf project. I’ve made it down to where the colored yarns need to be rewound because as I pulled from the center, the yarn was getting tangled. Since this is a waiting-in-the-car project, I rolled up a park map to use as a nostepinne to rewind each color then pop it back in the split pool noodle (which really works well to hold all the colors). I still have many hours of work left, but the end is nearing. It is funny how I used to consider scarves quick and easy projects.

Meadow walk

On May 10, 2023 By CarynIn Flora, Garden

I took a bunch of photos of flowers as I toured the meadow. The one that cracks me up is the purple thistle growing through the deer statue’s haunch. I really like the look of the purple thistles, reminds me of Scotland.

Purple thistle growing through a deer statue

Cut-leaf daisies and Indian Blanket flowers in the meadow

I didn’t realize that bluebonnets form seed pods like peas. Hm.

Potential peppers

On May 9, 2023May 6, 2023 By CarynIn Garden

Precipitously, the pepper plants may produce plentiful peppers from peeking pea-like protuberances. I hope pesky pests don’t purloin the precious produce preemptively. Perhaps precaution proclaims protection for the pretty potential peppers.

P.S. I couldn’t help myself, but will attempt not to recite the verse where popping “p”s or flying spittle can reach anyone. I am particularly pleased with this post.

Spinning flax roving

On May 8, 2023May 5, 2023 By CarynIn Craft

I have finally finished spinning the flax singles from my flax roving. Flax prepared as a roving is not the traditional form, but I didn’t know this when I made the purchase. It has been a challenge to spin, but I’ve learned new techniques and have produced a yarn.

I wound off my singles nostepinne style into two center pull balls.

I plied the two balls together to even out the thickness differences. Despite weighing out the roving, the balls were different weights, but I solved the excess issue by doubling up the leftover. I plied using my spinning wheel. Flax when spun is called linen. I suppose I should use that term for my yarn!

Two-ply linen on a spinning wheel bobbin

I wound off the two-ply yarn onto a niddy noddy, to make a skein.

My book tells me that the next step is to boil the skein. I’m going to have to work up my courage for that, so I will share in a future post.

Be careful what you wish for

On May 7, 2023 By CarynIn Cats

I thought it tragic that the long haired outside cats didn’t get brushed, all those stickers and burrs caught in their fur couldn’t be comfortable! I slowly convinced Mr Tom that brushing was a good thing. I started with a little brushing before treats, now he would rather be brushed than get treats. His Shadow was harder to convince, after all, Mr Tom had already provided payment (letting me brush him) and he collected the treats. It took longer to convince Shadow that brushes were good. At first he would only accept because he thought the sensation was coming from Mr Tom as the cats rubbed greeting. Then he figured out it was me, then he figured out it was OK. Now he also demands brushings, so I am grooming two long haired outside cats who are not technically mine. Be careful what you wish for.

Shadow rubbing Mr Tom in greeting at my feet

Critters and Craft

Month: May 2023