Matts

On March 2, 2024February 28, 2024 By CarynIn Cats

Long haired cats really need daily brushing. I have not been able to brush Mr Tom daily (yes, he’s my neighbor’s cat, but he lets me brush him, so I do), so over the winter he had matts build up under his legs. When I first noticed them they were tight to the skin, making cutting them out a risky business. As his fur grew, the matts came away from the skin and I was able to slip a small pair of scissors in to clip it off while he was lying on his side. He only allows me to get one off before he lets me know he’s had enough, though, so there is still some work to do. Spring time shedding should help, and will be a good time to get him matt free again.

Photo description: fingers holding a large white matt of cat fur with a brush visible on the ground and a long haired white cat with flame points looking up with blue eyes.

I brush Shadow less, but Shadow keeps himself groomed better than Mr Tom.

Knitting row counter

On March 1, 2024February 27, 2024 By CarynIn Craft

I saw the idea of using a numbered chain to count knitting rows. A simple sequence of 1-10, with a melody clip to mark the tens, will allow counting up to 110. I did not want to buy plastic beads, but I did have copper circles and chain in my stash.

Photo description: clockwise – metal hole punch, antique ball peen hammer, bent nose pliers, copper circle, copper chain, metal number stamp

I started by punching two holes in the sides of the copper circles, then I stamped a number between the circles and planished the back flat. I connected the number links with links of chain.

Photo description: copper circles linked with oval copper chain surrounded by the tools mentioned above. My “10” link is a 0 because there wasn’t room for a 1.

I made a small melody clip out of 20 gauge copper wire. The size of the copper links means this will only work on knitting needles that are size 2 or smaller, which is perfect for sock making.

Photo description: toes of two socks with the row counter on the needle between stitches. The melody clip is on the first link, and the needle is through the eighth link.

To use the row counter, every time you knit to it, you move it one link. For the start of the sock toes, I’m really just using it to keep track of odds or evens, an increase row or no increase row. This is because I had to rip out these socks already because I forgot the no increase rows. I do like the row counter!

Meditative

On February 29, 2024February 26, 2024 By CarynIn Cats

Photo description: gray tabby cat with his head in a brass singing bowl which is sitting on a felt ring on a side table.

Thor the cat is obsessed with my brass singing bowl. He really likes to try to chew the wooden mallet, and stick his head in the bowl. I recently figured out how to make the bowl sing, loud, and I see why it is a good meditative process, if you get distracted, you lose the ring sound. It takes some concentration and focus, but not intensity, to get a clear loud tone.

I think Thor could smell the felted wool ring that came with the bowl and was looking for it. Once he found it, I had to put the bowl away lest I loose the ring to becoming a cat toy. The boy really likes wool.

Helix scarf update

On February 28, 2024February 25, 2024 By CarynIn Craft

Ah, so that is why it is called a helix scarf.

Photo description: garter knit scarf held up vertically showing a helix twist.

The pictures that accompanied the scarf pattern showed a lovely wide double-sided ruffle, but the title was helix scarf, which caused me to wonder, until I had knit awhile. So cool that the short rows on each side make this twisted effect. I really like short rows, and I like this pattern because it is a three-row repeat, which is easy to remember.

Flashback: chicken bench

On February 27, 2024February 24, 2024 By CarynIn chickens, Coop, Craft

The fold down benches that I installed in the chicken coop are still high on my recommended list. I used 2x4s, heavy duty hinges, two lengths of chain with lockable links, screw eyes, and a hook and eye to keep it in the upright position. It folds up so the chickens can’t poop on the surface, but is easy to fold down. It makes a great work bench for filling water, and is fantastic when I need to sit when I’m not feeling well but still need to tend the chickens.