I did forget to bring a spindle when I went on my trip north. Horrifying, I know. I rallied by finding a smooth stick and screwed in a cup hook at the end.
Using a stick with a hook is actually my preferred method to teach people spinning. It slows down the twist, making it easier to see and control.
Shockingly I have started a new project. I wanted something small and modular to travel with, and found a crochet book about making lace squares. Granny Square Flair by Shelley Husband includes patterns for 50 different crocheted squares, and if you use the same hook and yarn, she designed them all to block to the same size. My plan is to make them all. Not only will I learn about how lace squares are constructed, I will use gifted alpaca yarn to make myself… something. It depends on how many squares I can make with the amount of yarn I have.
It is an exciting project, but not a great one for travel or distraction. The patterns are given both in text and chart form, which I love, but I have to pay close attention to each round, which is not conducive to chatting or watching scenery. I was only able to make four on my week long trip.
The photos of these squares are all taken fresh off the hook, before blocking, so they aren’t yet square. Also, teal is a difficult color to photograph, so none of the photos are true to actual color. Hm.
It might be easier to secure the elements of my Spring crochet wreath if I had a solid foundation to sew to, so I crocheted a cover onto a wire wreath frame. I started with a single crochet all along the outer edge.
I added rows of double crochet around the frame, using decreases every fifth or sixth stitch to adjust the fit. To finish, I did another row of single crochet to the inside wire. Here is a video short demonstrating the technique.
Now I will have more options when securing my botanical elements to the frame.
Izzy the cat was quite miffed when I got a new chair and got rid of the hollow she has been carefully cultivating for years. She started the process over with the new chair and decided to add in claw sharpening, much to my dismay. To hide the damage I made a chair back cover with materials from around the house. It worked OK, but kept sliding, so I bought some nice heavy custom-print fabric from Spoonflower to make a new cover.
The first decision I had to make was how to construct the back cover. I decided to do a long strip up the sides and top, and a panel for the front and back. I tore the fabric to get straight lines (yes, light denim will tear like cotton plain weave, just make sure to tear at least an inch away from the seam line because the threads distort at the tear.) I then used the treadle sewing machine to sew up a new cover. I did a fit once the side seams were done, adjusted the length, then sewed a hem.
I do like the Art Nouveau look with squirrels on the fabric. Izzy has already started to reclaim the new cover. It’s a good thing I like cats more than furniture.
In March of 2017 I hand carved and painted a fishing lure for my Dad.
I did coat the lure in a water proof gloss finish, but didn’t take a picture at the time. Below is a picture of the lure in 2026.
Critters and Craft 