A series of weights

On By CarynIn Craft

I’m spinning Southdown wool on a 3D printed Turkish style spindle. I decided to weigh my yarn turtles so I can match them (as much as possible) to make plying easier. I started with the weight of the spindle and the single spun yarn.

Photo description: Ozeri digital scale reading 51 grams with a spindle full of yarn on the plate

Then I removed the yarn and weighed the spindle for reference.

Photo description: Ozeri digital scale reading 23 grams with a broken down Turkish style spindle

Then I weighed the yarn turtle.

Photo description: Ozeri digital scale reading 28 grams with a ball of yarn on the plate

I forgot that if you stop winding part way through a layer on a yarn turtle, the layer peels up. It really needs a full wrap to stay neatly in place while in storage, so I removed the unruly layer, used it to start a new turtle, and weighed again.

Photo description: Ozeri digital scale reading 27 grams with a turtle of yarn on the plate

I have about 113 grams of Southdown roving, so I should get four turtles, if I track it carefully. It will take me awhile, I’m spinning during my walks, so only spin a bit at a time.

Squirrel go round

On By CarynIn Wildlife

Our dried corn cob holder for the squirrels broke, so I found a replacement. It has screw eyes to hold five cobs on a rotating hub.

Photo description: squirrel obstacles with tire swing, rope ladder, and corn cobs on a spin able wheel

The lightest corn cob is the easiest for the squirrels to strip off kernels, as it is right at the top of the wheel. Then it gets more challenging to get at the kernels on the other cobs. The squirrels figured it out, though, and cleaned off every cob. They did shoot me annoyed looks.

Happy Mother’s Day to all that get the eye roll from those you nurture.

Double-walled basket

On By CarynIn Craft

I attended a double-walled basket class taught by my wonderful weaving neighbor. I spent a morning winding #2 reed round and round, happily seeing how to turn at the top, and finish off the bottom. It is my first double walled basket, but I have ideas on how I would do different shaping. One of the other students had a beautiful curve to the sides of her basket!

Photo description: the side of a double walled basket with accent stripe
Photo description: same basket viewed from a top angle
Photo description: same basket, bottom view, showing the two walls

I’m obsessed.

Cord wallet

On By CarynIn Craft, Life Hack

I tried a few different ways to organize my headphone and charging cords in my purse, but they all ended up in a tangled snarl. I thought what I might need is more pockets. (Pockets!) I exercise my antique Singer treadle machine by sewing together scraps of quilting fabric, making larger bits of scrap. I took two of those pieces and made a three pocket strip by sewing the right sides together, turning it right side out, folding it in half, and stitching the sides and pocket dividers.

Photo description: three connected pockets sewn from scraps of quilting fabric on a model 66 Singer Sewing machine
Photo description: other side of the pockets shown with headphones, charging battery, and charging cords sticking out of the pockets.
Photo description: view of the top of the filled and folded three pockets
Photo description: view of the side of the three pockets when they are accordion folded into a wallet

I did not put a zipper or closure on the pockets, because folding the wallet does a good job of keeping the cords in place, and the wallet goes in my purse upright, so there is a low possibility of getting turned upside down. So far the wallet works well because I have not reached into my purse and encountered a tangled mess.

Throwback Thursday: tree ornament

On By CarynIn Craft, throwback

I love trees. I have made many wire trees, and I feel I have a flare for them. In December of 2013 I made an ornament with copper wire and a brass loop with “2013” done in wire along a branch of the tree.

Photo description: copper wire tree in a circle ornament with “2013” on a lower branch

I like this style of tree. Larger versions do well as wall hangings, which, for me, is preferable to sculptures that take up horizontal space. The market for wire trees fluctuates, for while every craft fair and mall had a wire tree booth. So anymore I mostly make these when I want one, rather than to sell.