Author: Caryn

So this is love

On By CarynIn Craft

Knitting black yarn with black needles, oh my. I didn’t start off with this plan. I bought hand dyed eclipse themed yarn because it had my eldest’s favorite colors, then I had to get the smallest Prym needles, which only come in black. I get respite when the yellows and oranges pass over the needles, but the black on black stitches are done mostly by feel. This is my current forever project, because I can only knit during the daylight, and can’t be sleepy or have any alcohol when I’m working on it.

Photo description: black, orange, and yellow yarn knitted on black needles, sock in progress, toe up

There is a persistent meme in the crafting world that you only knit black yarn for those you love because the stuff is so hard to see.

Buddies

On By CarynIn Cats, dog
Photo description: 15 pound gray tabby cat walking next to a 20 pound black dog

I’ve been trying to get a picture of Thor the cat next to Missy the dog for some time. They are buddies, but when they are near each other it is always on the move, so my pictures are blurry. They are opposites in morphology; Thor is sleek and liquid, and Missy is a solid mass under extreme tension. I think it is cute they are nearly the same size. I really get a giggle when Thor ambushes Missy on her way to bed.

Winding pause

On By CarynIn Craft

I was winding my single spun camel fiber from the drop spindle to a nostepinne style ball, using my fishing swivel chain hanging from a wall hook when life interrupted. I put my makeshift nostepinne (rolled up card stock) onto the wall hook.

Photo description: drop spindle hanging from a wall hook with a partially wound ball on a paper tube on the same hook

It may have stayed that way for a week. May is a busy time. I did eventually get back to it and finish winding.

Photo description: wound ball of camel single spun fiber on a scale reading 42g

It is good to know that I can pause my winding in this way. Life interrupts frequently and my hobbies need to be able to be set aside for an unexpected moment.

Throwback Thursday: leather belt

On By CarynIn Craft

Here is a throwback from February 2005. I carved a Celtic knot into a leather belt and dyed and finished the leather. I really enjoy leather carving, nearly as much as pyrography. The photo isn’t spectacular, but at least I moved away from the black velvet backdrop.

Photo description: black leather belt with a Celtic knot carved along the length, sitting on a sandy colored composite counter

Not historical nålbinding

On By CarynIn Craft

My experiments with nålbound bracelets continue. I tried para cord, which I did not like at all because the stitch method puts a twist into the cord, and para cord changes visually when twisted.

Photo description: orange and purple para cord nålbound with the Dalby (UOU/OUOO) stitch, showing changes in texture and width as the cord picks up twist

Although untwisting the para cord for every stitch is possible, I don’t like that the white core of the cord shows through on sharp bends or snagged sections. I do like the Dalby stitch as well as the Telemark stitch for flat interesting single row weaves. I tried some stiff finished leather cord as well, which did not work because the leather couldn’t make the bends required to lay flat. I will try it again with unfinished leather cord so I can soak it into submission.

I went back to my favorite satin cord, also called rat tail or mouse tail depending on who is doing the labeling. It is made of solid color nylon, has a nice drape for this work, and melts readily with a thread zapper.

Photo description: purple satin cord bracelet done with the Dalby stitch and finished with a macrame square knot slide and Celtic button knot end stops.