Cotton crepe yarn

On By CarynIn Craft

I found out about crepe yarn, which is a three ply yarn with a different construction. A single is spun in the S direction, then two plied in the Z direction. Then another single is spun with a Z twist, the plied with the two ply in an S direction. The resulting yarn has an interesting texture. I decided to try this method with the natural cotton I am spinning on the Ashford Traveller wheel.

Photo description: two bobbins full of spun cotton, the top is a Z twist two ply, then bottom a Z twist single
Photo description: three ply crepe yarn on a jumbo bobbin on the left, and leftover Z twist single on a regular bobbin on the right

I grossly misjudged the amount of Z twist single and ended up with way more than I needed to ply the three ply. Sigh.

It will be interesting to see how the yarn knits up. It does have more texture than a standard three ply, but because my cotton was spun from raw bolls that had not been carded, the yarn already had a variations in the spin.

Photo description: four hand-spun cotton yarn samples, from the top down: Z twist single, S twist 2-ply, S twist single, crepe three ply

It’s cold

On By CarynIn Cats, dog

What’s the test that it is actually cold in Texas? You find a dog and cat sharing the fuzzy blanket.

Photo description: dilute calico cat and small black dog sharing a blanket, photo credit to my eldest

Missy the dog has always needed a couch buddy, and Sophie the cat is the most laid back, so I’m not surprised that it is these two we caught sharing warmth. Missy runs very warm, but has a large personal space, so doesn’t usually let the other cats near.

Update on rock painting durability

On By CarynIn Craft

In August 2023 I painted several rocks using a line painting tool, then finished them with a clear UV spray coat. One of the rocks I put out in the garden with a collection of other painted rocks. A year and a half later, this is the only rock that looks as good as new. The others’ designs cracked and flaked off since they had layers of paint, sometimes quite thick.

Photo description: dark rock painted with thin white lines with floral designs and the words “Find joy and meaning where you can.”

My takeaway for this is that if you make or find a rock completely covered in paint, keep it inside. If you want to be super clever and hide your rock in a place it might take someone years to find, apply the paint sparingly. I think some of my planted painted rocks may have returned to their natural color waiting to be found. Those freeze thaw cycles and UV rays are hard on paint.

Splash of yellow

On By CarynIn Garden

Winter has actually made its way to Texas. Tree leaves are down, the temperature has dropped (mostly), and we’ve seen ice. So I was surprised to see a splash of yellow in the front yard in the form of a dandelion head.

Photo description: dandelion bloom in January amongst fallen leaves

I leave the dandelions, I admit. The thistles I remove, but the common dandelion and lawn daisies get to stay.