Author: Caryn

Upcycling

On By CarynIn Craft

My mini stationary bike’s tensioning system was no longer working, so I took it apart to see what was going on and to see if I could harness the turning power. Rather than spin with a drop spindle as I turned the pedals, I wondered if I could drive a spindle, essentially making a pedal driven spinning wheel. The short answer is yes, yes I can.

Mini stationary bicycle converted into a spinning wheel

Once all the extraneous bits were removed from the mini bike (like the cover, tensioner, and monitor) I was left with a pedal driven wheel. I used an old metal baluster to hold a spindle above knee height and ran a piece of waxed woven cord (this worked better than string or chain) around the wheel and up to the spindle. Some silicone grip strip on the wheel and the custom wood hub on the spindle gave enough friction so the cord didn’t slide (it is pink because that is what I had on hand). I’m still adjusting the design as I go. Initially I had the spindle resting in slots at the top of the baluster, but it wobbled too much. My husband suggested using a sleeve and offsetting the spindle hub, so I drilled a hole to fit the spindle shaft, which works much better. A metal bead and a cork keep the spindle from flying out. I’m sure as I use it more, I will find other aspects to adjust.

Spindle set up with cork, metal bead, baluster, wooden hub, old button, and spun yarn (left to right)

The style of spinning wheel is not a typical English wheel, but more like a vertical charkha spinning wheel. There is no flyer assembly to automatically take up the yarn, Instead it is an adjustment of the angle of my arm to go from adding twist to loading spun yarn onto the spindle. I believe Great Wheels use similar mechanics, but the wheel is driven by hand in a standing position.

The best part of the spinning wheel? (Ok, the second best part, because spinning wheel!!) The only thing I bought was the cork. Everything else was repurposed. The baluster was left over when my husband built a new closet upstairs, the spindle was an old glass bead mandrel, the wooden hub was a bit of dowel that I drilled and shaped and glued, the silicone wrap was left over from wrapping kayak handles, the cord, wax and the metal bead came from my stash, the whorl on the spindle is an old shanked button that I drilled a hole through.

Chicken sardines

On By CarynIn chickens, eggs

Seriously, there are five other nests, girls. I know this is typical hen behavior, and I have seen two of my hens trying to lay in the same nest box before, but three? Chaos. After the picture they all were lifted out to get some air and treats. Later, my eldest found three eggs in the box, so they managed to all eventually lay there.

Three hens in one nest box

This year’s garden

On By CarynIn Garden

We’ve upped our container gardening this year, and bought a water tank to use as a raised bed. It goes with the “modern farmhouse” theme of our property, and is easier to reach and tend. My husband set it up, and I’ve planted aspire melons and basil seed (because that is what I grow best) and set up the watering system. I poked some onion seeds in, but I don’t have high hopes for those (because they aren’t basil). The green in the middle is a basil plant I picked up at the hardware store, since I had a late start putting in the seeds.

Water tank as a raised garden bed

The strawberries are trying to put out fruit. I put up a gate around some of the patch, with hopes that I will get to the ripe berries before other critters.

Strawberry plant with growing fruit

I relocated the fancy pots to the front porch, and thought I would put in some pretty flowers, then a lavender plant caught my eye, and I remembered that my rosemary plant didn’t survive the freeze, so they turned into herb pots rather than flower pots. The big pot I left empty because it sprouts cat.

Lavender and rosemary in pots on the porch

Nesting

On By CarynIn chickens

A couple of the hens have decided the corner of the coop needs a nest. The pine shavings pile up there, and they made a nice indent in the top and laid their eggs. I only have six other nest boxes. At least it is an easy place to check for eggs.

Eggs laid in the corner of the coop

Making clouds

On By CarynIn Craft

I felt the need to card my washed cream alpaca fiber. All of it. I don’t usually do it all at once, but go as needed because the rolags are the most airy and open right after carding, which makes spinning easier.

Washed alpaca fiber (left) and carded alpaca fiber (right)

It is therapeutic to turn the chaotic mass into fluffy white clouds. Even though I washed the fiber, it still has a significant amount of dirt and vegetable matter, most of which comes out as I card it.

Carded alpaca fiber in a laundry hamper

Carding also increases the volume of the fiber because the clumps and locks are opened up. The mass of fiber about tripled in size with carding.

Now to figure out a good way to get to spinning all these lovely little clouds. Although I can’t go for spinning walks yet, I do get some reprieve from the boot, as long as I’m walking on smooth even surfaces. Standing for long periods is also still problematic. Hm.