Throwback Thursday: wood cup

On By CarynIn Craft, throwback

Here is a throwback from 2003 of a wooden cup I made by stacking rings of cut wood. I didn’t have a lathe, but did have a scroll saw, so made a solid circle for the base, and matching rings for the sides. I glued the stack together and clamped it, then hand sanded it before sealing the wood (I was very into urethane finish at the time, so that is probably what I used).

Photo description: Wood cup made in 2003 on a black velvet background.

I was also fond of photographing items on black velvet, which makes me cringe a bit now. I do like the way the wood growth rings line up to make a wave. It was intended as a pencil holder, which I believe it does admirably.

Hard to resist

On By CarynIn Cats, Craft
Photo description: spindle spinning on the floor with the line of yarn going up, white cat paw reaching toward the spindle.

Thor the cat is really fascinated with spinning yarn. He is a good boy in that I tell him it isn’t his and he backs off, but he does try to get as close as he can. He is particularly tempted when I am spinning a drop spindle while seated.

Signs of Spring

On By CarynIn Flora, Garden

We are full on Spring here in Texas. It was quite a mild winter, and I was afraid the grape hyacinths were not going to bloom since they started growing their greenery at the end of last year, but they not only are in bloom, they are putting on a spectacular showing.

Photo description: uncultivated grape hyacinths with multiple blooms coming from one leaf clump.

We have oxalis in the front bed, also volunteering, that started off as a dense carpet and with recent rains has become quite lush. I like oxalis because of the leaf shape and delicate yellow flowers that come later in the year. I think it makes quite a nice ground cover or border and does a fair job choking out other weeds.

Photo description: Oxalis leaves so dense I was able to get an entire picture filled with only oxalis.

We also have Gregg’s mist flower emerging from the area where we planted it last year. No photos yet, but very excited that it does well there.

Blocking magic

On By CarynIn Craft

Blocking a knit item really can work wonders. My Helix scarf increased in length about a third, making it a nice size. I’m glad I didn’t add on.

Photo description: Helix scarf knitted from hand spun blended wool and silk yarn, then soaked with water and laid out to dry in a semicircle shape
Photo description: nearly dry Helix scarf hanging from the drying rack showing off the lovely undulations created by short rows.

This could be my favorite piece of spinning and knitting that I’ve done. I started spinning the yarn about a year ago, and knitting it took me about a month. That being said, this was not my only project during that time. I call myself a serial crafter, but really I should consider the title parallel crafter. A parallel serial crafter. A craft dispatcher. Hm. This train derailed, but I’m glad the scarf made it to the station.

Helix Scarf progress

On By CarynIn Craft

I finished knitting my Helix scarf! It has lovely ripples when laid out, but is a bit short. I used all my hand spun blended wool and silk yarn, so if I need to add on, it would have to be a different color. Hm. I think I will block it (get it wet and lay it out) before making rash decisions.

Photo description: Helix scarf made with hand spun fingering weight 2-ply yarn, showing opposing ripples along a central spine.
Photo description: same scarf, but folded in half and laid out in a circle.

I really love this pattern, and the way they do the short rows. It really is a wonderful way to show off hand spun yarn, and I like the subtle variation in color that the blended fiber produced.