Author: Caryn

Singer model 66

On By CarynIn repair

Here is my big news to start off the year: I have another treadle sewing machine! This one is a family heirloom. It was my husband’s great-grandmother’s, a Singer model 66 from 1916 with the “red eye” or “red scroll” decals. The decoration on this machine is in much better condition than my model 27, which is only 9 years older than the model 66, but saw considerable barn time. The 66 only saw some garage time and was mostly in normal household conditions.

Photo description: Singer model 66 “Red Eye” sewing machine head, sitting on cardboard on my work bench.

Ironically, the treadle base is almost identical to the other base, except it hasn’t been painted over (thank goodness).

Photo description: Singer treadle base cabinet, the four drawers are on the table just off camera. I had just scrubbed down the cast iron parts with PB Blaster and a wire brush. I have not started on the wood parts, but have taken some broken laminate from the back to use on the surface chips.

My goal is to get it back to working condition. It is pretty, but seized. The model 27 I’ve almost completely disassembled except for the main shaft, but with this model 66 I’m going to only take apart what I need to.

Tension

On By CarynIn Craft

There are many ways of doing most things. Finding what works best for you is usually a series of trials and errors. I have been knitting with fingering weight yarn the same way I knit with thicker yarn, but have been having trouble keeping even tension because the thinner yarn slips through my fingers more. I tried wrapping it three times around my pinkie, but it had more tendency to bind. I recently tried a new finger wrapping method, going clockwise around my pinkie, the counterclockwise around my ring finger. Bingo. I have more control of the yarn without binding or excessive yarn drop.

Photo description: In process knitting photo showing the working yarn wrapped around the fingers of my left hand.
Photo description: view of yarn wrapping from the top of my hand.

This little change helped increase my knitting speed as well as reduced frustration with what seemed to be uncooperative yarn.

Honored

On By CarynIn Craft

I follow an Inkle band weaving group on Facebook that is under new administration, who are trying to clean up the site and get it back to Inkle weaving (and not a repository for spam). They asked for submissions for a new banner image, and my rainbow tablet weave won by popular vote!

Photo description: Private Inkle Band Weaving group on FB with my rainbow band as the banner image.

They said they would change the image frequently, which is also good. I’m excited that mine was the first picked!

This band went on to become the strap for my ukulele.

Cactus correction

On By CarynIn Flora

Did you know that there are Thanksgiving cactus and Christmas cactus? I did not until a reader kindly sent me a link. I thought I had a Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) blooming for the last few years in my house, but it is actually a close relative, the Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata). The easiest way to tell, for me, is the spikes on the edge of the leaves, characteristic of trucata, where bridgesii has rounded edges on the leaves. Care for both is the same, but truncata is a sturdier plant, which is good in my house. I did go back and update my previous posts with the correct information. I post often on this cactus, apparently!

Photo description: Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) showing leaves, blooms, and twin buds

It is good to start the New Year with some updated information!

Negotiation

On By CarynIn Cats, dog

Missy the dog’s favorite blue ball rolled too close to the cat. She brought him the red ball as a negotiation tactic. Thor the cat was unsure of the offer and was unwilling to throw the blue ball. Eventually Missy was able to obtain her blue ball through stealth and bravery.

Photo description: Gray tabby with a red holey roller ball and a blue one in front of him. Small black dog looking at the blue ball in supplication.

Good-bye 2023. May 2024 bring you all successful negotiations.