Unexpected result

On By CarynIn Craft

I wet down my recently nålbound hat with soap and water to do light fulling (locking wool fibers together in fabric) and was quite surprised when the stitches relaxed and the hat lengthened.

Photo description: nålbound hat before fulling and blocking
Photo description: same hat after lightly fulling and blocking

I intentionally made the hat larger because I know that wool hats shrink with wearing because of the natural fulling process from moisture and movement. I agitated the hat in the gentle soap and water to deliberately start the felting process, not expecting that much change with the Oslo stitch I used. I wanted the hat to be a slouch hat with folded brim, so really it came out remarkably well, serendipitously.

Pose

On By CarynIn Cats

Today I present Thor the gray tabby as he posed on a bench.

Photo description: large gray tabby with white face, chest, and legs laying on a storage bench with one leg hanging down

He’s a pretty boy, scared of everything, except mice and bugs, which he brings in from the catio, sometimes still alive.

Grape hyacinth bed

On By CarynIn Garden

The grape hyacinths Dad and I planted in the new flower bed appear to be happy. We have growth both from the transplanted bulbs and the newly purchased bulbs.

Photo description: small clusters of green leaves coming up out of mulchy dirt

It always makes me nervous when the grape hyacinths start growing in Fall, but for the last few years the cold doesn’t seem to bother them, and in spring they bloom.

National Bison Day

On By CarynIn Wildlife

Happy National Bison Day! As you are coming off the sugar high from yesterday, gear up for winter with some bison, because no one does winter better than our national mammal.

Photo description: white bison coming head on (not to butt, but to get treats) on the Buena Vista Wildlife Safari

Here is more about today from the National Bison Association.

https://nationalbison.org/celebrate-national-bison-day-honoring-americas-national-mammal-and-its-regenerative-legacy/

Here are some great products made of bison: https://thebuffalowoolco.com (not an affiliate link, I just love what they do and that they are local!)

So have some bison burgers, warm your fingers and toes with some buffalo wool knits, or treat your skin to some American made products today. Support local. Support the continuation of an American icon.

Happy Halloween

On By CarynIn Insects, Wildlife

Here is a collection of spiders from around the house in celebration of Halloween.

Photo description: Garden Spider closeup. This girl is set up at the back of the house by the catio.
Photo description: the chunkiest high-eyelash jumping spider I have ever seen, hanging out on a metal gate.
Photo description: a different high-eyelash jumping spider hanging out on a different gate with a pretty abdomen pattern
Photo description: Orb Weaver Spider silhouette against a clear blue sky. She set up in the meadow and I was able to get under her high web for the photo.
Photo description: Scarlet Jumping Spider. This one is new to me, and he was hanging out on the metal gate. I love the way they look at me, calculating risk. I took many, many photos of him, trying to get the focus right. I didn’t quite get it sharp, but he was quite small.