Here is my submission for the “cats are liquid” hypothesis. The ability to form to their containers starts in kittenhood.
Cats are liquid
Month: June 2023
Woven hat band
For my Dad, I took an end section of my Inkle woven band (post from yesterday) and made it into an adjustable hat band.
I sewed where I wanted to put the end before cutting it, then sewed it over again to catch all the ends inside the seam. For the pin, I used a shanked button from my button stash. I believe this one is vintage, but sometimes my buttons get mixed. To make a button into a pin, I use a spiral wire with the end sharpened.
I brushed out the fringe on the woven band and shaped it to mimic a feather. The weaving is doubled back so won’t unravel, and I think the spray of yarn adds a bit of flare to the band (although it will probably have to be combed out straight occasionally). To set the band size, the pin holds the ends of the band together.
Weaving handspun
After spinning all my merino wool roving, I used it to warp my inkle loom. This is my first time weaving with my own hand-spun yarn.
I did learn to review instructions before starting, I thought I could warp the loom, then put on the heddles, but I forgot the warp path for non-heddled yarn is different. I had to go back and untie and retie many warp threads. Lesson learned.
I used strips of plastic cut from an empty laundry container to start the weaving and keep it straight. This also saves some unwoven warp to keep as fringe in the finished weaving.
Weaving went slowly because I couldn’t progress while the kitten was awake. He wanted to help.
Another challenge was the halo on my wool. The little fibers that stray out of the spun yarn like to stick together, especially when passing other little fibers on other threads. Oy. I found if I went slower and took time to separate the warp threads when I changed the shed, things went smoother. The felted wads on heddle strings are a testament to how much wool likes to felt.
I gave the band a light felting, just by taking it back and forth from hot water to cold water. I then laid it out to dry.
Happy Father’s Day to all those that give stability and guidance. Tomorrow I’ll share what I made for my Dad.
Chew this
So the chewing squirrel has continued to break sections off the bungee cord holding down the lid of the metal can where I store the squirrel food.
Time for a new tactic. I went to the hardware store and bought a length of chain. I replaced the chewable bungee material with metal.
I over estimated the amount of chain I needed, but that’s ok, because the chewer is also working on the knot in the rope that holds up the squirrel feeder.
Arm saver
Uh oh, I left you without kitten pictures for two days. Let’s rectify that.
Today I present a DIY arm saver. A rolled terry cloth hand towel, secured with an elastic hairband, makes a good kitten kick and bite toy. Thor the kitten likes to wrestle and bite. For the most part he keeps his claws in for this play, but he is losing his kitten teeth and needs to bite. I would prefer he not lacerate my arm. When he jumps on my lap and gets feisty, I substitute the rolled towel. Everyone is happy.
As a bonus, it also makes a good nap pillow.
Critters and Craft 