Month: March 2024

Blocking magic

On By CarynIn Craft

Blocking a knit item really can work wonders. My Helix scarf increased in length about a third, making it a nice size. I’m glad I didn’t add on.

Photo description: Helix scarf knitted from hand spun blended wool and silk yarn, then soaked with water and laid out to dry in a semicircle shape
Photo description: nearly dry Helix scarf hanging from the drying rack showing off the lovely undulations created by short rows.

This could be my favorite piece of spinning and knitting that I’ve done. I started spinning the yarn about a year ago, and knitting it took me about a month. That being said, this was not my only project during that time. I call myself a serial crafter, but really I should consider the title parallel crafter. A parallel serial crafter. A craft dispatcher. Hm. This train derailed, but I’m glad the scarf made it to the station.

Helix Scarf progress

On By CarynIn Craft

I finished knitting my Helix scarf! It has lovely ripples when laid out, but is a bit short. I used all my hand spun blended wool and silk yarn, so if I need to add on, it would have to be a different color. Hm. I think I will block it (get it wet and lay it out) before making rash decisions.

Photo description: Helix scarf made with hand spun fingering weight 2-ply yarn, showing opposing ripples along a central spine.
Photo description: same scarf, but folded in half and laid out in a circle.

I really love this pattern, and the way they do the short rows. It really is a wonderful way to show off hand spun yarn, and I like the subtle variation in color that the blended fiber produced.

Egg!

On By CarynIn chickens, eggs

A few days ago I noticed one of the hens exhibiting squat behavior, which usually means they are getting ready to lay eggs. Sure enough, I found our first egg of Spring! It is a month later than last year, which was a month later than the year before. The hens are nearly 5 years old, so not terribly surprising. Spring tends to have a higher mortality rate as their reproductive track kicks back into gear, so I’ll need to keep a closer eye on them. We are down to five hens at the moment. They all weathered the Winter just fine, although I’d hesitate to call the last three months “winter” here in TX. It was more of a long wet fall.

Garlic

On By CarynIn Tools

This garlic press came with my youngest’s latest Raddish Kids crate, and I’m quite impressed. It is a simple design, easy to use and easy to clean. The white silicone tube in the back of the picture came with a garlic plate I ordered years ago. It is my favorite way to crack garlic: put a clove of garlic in the sleeve, roll the sleeve under the palm of your hand, presto deskinned garlic.

Photo description: green rocker style garlic press on a green cutting board with a white silicone tube in the background.

Throwback Thursday: crocheted helmet

On By CarynIn Craft, throwback

I’ve been thinking about doing some throwbacks to projects I did before I started this blog. Here is a crocheted and embroidered Roman style helmet that I made for my sister in 2016. Yes, I’ve always been a serial crafter.

Photo description: yellow crocheted helmet with red yarn crest and gold embroidery. Visor is secured with buttons and is able to lower over the mouth.