Macrame instrument storage

On By CarynIn Craft

I started this large macrame hanging back in October of 2024. This basically qualifies as a throwback Thursday post, except that this project has been in progress suspension for over a year due to indecision. It has been hanging in a hallway and I’ve passed it daily during the last year. Many possibilities have gone through my head, and I’ve done a few knots, but a concrete plan never coalesced. I finally just wanted it done so I could organize my small instruments that have been living in a box in the closet. I decided to just knot a mesh of offset square knots on the right, similar to the two layer open side pockets on the left. As I started the net pattern, I decided that there should be different spacing between row to accommodate different sized instruments. It turned out perfect for my flutes, whistles, and recorders. I’d like to say I planned it for that, but really I was just desperate for it to be done and the knot pattern was the easiest path.

Photo description: large cotton macrame wall hanging with natural cedar rod
Photo description: same macrame hanging filled with small instruments from top to bottom, left to right: maraca, harmonicas in cases, kalimba in a case, pan flute in a case, castanets, steel tongue drum, train whistle, wood whistle, sliding wood whistle, soprano recorder, chanter, alto recorder, bamboo flute, rain stick, and on the top of the piano, a ukulele made from a laser cut kit

I’m glad the hanging is now doing its job and not sitting idle in the hallway. I would absolutely do the macrame mesh again for a different storage project, especially for long stock, such as spoons. Hm.

Happy Thanksgiving. May your projects result in satisfying completion.

Felt wreath project progress

On By CarynIn Cats, Craft

I keep working on the Bucilla felt kit to make a cat themed wreath. So many tiny stitches. I laid it down to take a progress picture and Izzy the cat decided to investigate.

Photo description: in-progress felt wreath with calico cat standing next to it

The stuffed candy cane the cat is holding is the smallest stuffed object I have ever done, so far. The project has many, many tiny stuffed details.

Coconut coir fiber

On By CarynIn Craft

I took my dried coconut husk back outside after soaking it, pulling it apart, rinsing it, and then air drying it on a drying rack inside. The mass of husk was copiously shedding bits whenever the drying rack was disturbed, so outside was the best choice for further processing. I decided to twine the coconut coir, the long, strong fibers from the coconut husk.

Photo description: twined coconut coir in front of a pile of separated coconut husk

Even with the soak and rinsing, there was still a large amount of spongy brown pith on the fibers, which I scraped off with my nails. I separated out the longest fibers, leaving the pith and the short, fine, breakable fibers, which were more difficult to twine.

Photo description: paper bag of cleaned coconut coir fibers
Photo description: bucket of coconut coir pith, I promise there is a bucket under there

I was a little disappointed in how few long fibers I was able to rescue, and I’m not sure that the soaking and rinsing really made my work any easier. I have four more white coconuts (unripe), which I will try getting the fibers straight from the husk as a comparison. The coir pith I put in my compost heap, it has excellent moisture retention so will do well in the mix for future plants.

Plying Teeswater wool

On By CarynIn Craft

I’ve spun up three bobbins of my Teeswater wool, so it is time to ply. I use the built-in bobbin holders on my Ashford Traveller spinning wheel and have two points of control. My right hand holds the three strands apart by putting each strand between different fingers, and my left hand slowly lets in the twist, then feeds it onto the jumbo bobbin. I’ve found that with slow and steady progress I don’t need to put a brake on the bobbins because they don’t spin out of control.

Photo description: looking down at my three bobbins of single spun Teeswater wool
Photo description: three ply Teeswater wool yarn on a jumbo bobbin

I have more Teeswater roving, so I’ll go back to spinning singles. I also have another jumbo bobbin, so I can leave the three ply on this bobbin to rest.

Nearer to you

On By CarynIn Craft, dog

Missy the dog tries to lay right behind my feet when I’m spinning, which makes it hard to treadle. So I put her bed to the side, which was an acceptable offering.

Photo description: Ashford Traveller spinning wheel, Svaha Genetic plants dress, small black dog on a blue round bed

I’m currently spinning Teeswater wool on my Ashford Traveller spinning wheel. Teeswater is listed as a critical in the Livestock Conservancy’s list of Heritage Sheep Breeds. I purchased roving from a rancher in Michigan, and I am enjoying spinning the fiber.