A Bundle of Joy

No, we're not going to be parents! ToolMan and I have LONG passed that stage of life! But we do have a "new baby." I found the listing on Craigslist locally last week and contacted the seller by email. Then we drove over to Gresham on Friday to see her.



She was made by the seller's grandfather, Fred McCown, in about 1960. Although Fred passed away a number of years ago, they tell me Fred was from Lebanon, Oregon, and was quite a craftsman. He built a spinning wheel for each of his children, but apparently no one in the family was a spinner. This one is solid bird's eye maple; even the table which is about 2 1/2 inches thick! She's only 38" tall, but she's solid and hefty.



Without questions, Fred was one heck of a woodworker; ToolMan was mightily impressed with the turnings; it's quite a feat to have made the flywheel and all those turnings in wood that hard. After a good cleaning (she's been in an attic for the last 20 years) and a rubdown with mineral spirits, she gleamed like Fred had just finished her yesterday. Fred put on such a beautiful finish, that even after years of neglect there were no cracks or fissures in the wood.



We think Fred might have made these as a personal challenge of his skills, because there were a few things that would have been done differently if he'd known someone who intended to spin. Notice he has used two separate drive bands, rather than a single, crossed one. And those drive bands are rawhide, rather than cotton twine. And, of course, she only has one bobbin. We gave her a proper driveband, polished up the copper and brass fittings, and oiled that long silent wheel axle. ToolMan had to take some burrs off the orifice and make an orifice hook for her.



Then I sat down and took her for what appears to be her very first spin. She has only one ratio, which I haven't measured yet; but she treadles like a dream! Fred may not have known everything about building a spinning wheel, but he sure knew how to make a wheel spin! Even with the drive band on, one push on the treadle and the wheel will spin at least 7 or 8 times 'round! And no dead spot on the treadle!



She a little slow in adding twist and even slower in takeup, which gives the spinner great control. There it is; a laceweight single on her very first time out. And so quiet, the only thing you hear is the air movement caused by that beautiful wheel and flyer turning.



Fred should be proud.

Hi, my name is Bobbie, and I'm a spinner . . . .

and I have never actually knit with my handspun yarn.

That's right. I have never knit with yarn that I actually made.

I have spun all these skeins since September:



























That's right, I've spun over two POUNDS of fiber since I decided to learn to spin in mid-September. So, I'm a little obsessed with this spinning thing.

I've made yards and yards and yards of handspun in purple, blue, turquoise, magenta, pink, white, brown, red, yellow, green, and combinations thereof.

I've made over-twisted and under-twisted singles and then proceeded to make the same mistakes when plying. Eventually, I got balanced yarns.

I've tried Navajo ply, unsuccessfully; but I can make two-ply, three-ply, and four-ply.

I've learned how to set twist, and how NOT to set twist.

I've made bulky weight singles, worsted weight, sport weight, sock weight, lace weight, and some very eccentric novelty yarns. And some of them were even made on purpose.

I've shown my homespun to damn near anybody who stood still long enough for me to thrust a skein into their hands and say, "Look I MADE this!"

I've traded my homespun in a yarn swap and was thrilled that somebody, anybody took it home to love. Last week, I even gave some handspun away.

And yet, I have not actually knit anything with my own handspun.

Keep in mind that one of the things I bought at OFFF last month was 1 1/2 pounds of alpaca with which to spin and knit a sweater for ToolMan.

So tonight, I decided that I had to take the plunge and actually make an item with my own yarn. So I decided on a pattern, picked out the skeins I wanted to use and wound them into a single ball in the order I want to use them, got out my needles, copied the pattern so I don't have to carry around a book, and decided I'll even use those markers I got from MonicaPDX last weekend. Tomorrow morning, I'll cast on during my commute downtown.



Cover my back; I'm goin' in.

Odd balls from the bottom of the knitting bag . . . .

First, I'll fill in the blanks from what I posted, er, didn't post last week about the Blue Moon De-Stashing. ToolMan and I were looking forward to this S.E.X. (Stash Enhancement eXcursion), so we arrived early, even before the Hawaiian Restaurant at Scappoose Creek Inn was open for breakfast. If you haven't seen their website, go do that now; the pictures of the rooms are great and get a load of those quilts on the beds!. While we waited for the restaurant to open, and friends to arrive, I petted the llamas and discovered that despite all the planning I'd done for knitting in the car, knitting that I couldn't possible arse up if we stayed for the knit-in, extra bag for newly acquired treasures, charging the camera and the phone, printing directions from Google Earth, etc.; I had, in fact, left the camera, complete with a fully charged and an empty memory chip, laying on the kitchen counter.

No matter, because soon enough we were joined by a whole bunch of people for breakfast. Although ToolMan and Cindy declined anything containing SPAM (the meat, not the emails), we all knew we needed sustenance for the upcoming shopping. Go see the pictures and details by Monica, or Judy, or Duffy.



Duffy and I both bought a skein of the Laci in "burnt sugar"; mine is slightly darker than hers, but hers has a greater variation of colors. I want to make a Faroese shawl from mine and I think Duffy had a similar plan for hers. It'll be interesting to see what we come up with, using the same yarn.

The group that had breakfast together dallied over our coffee and tea, so we were about 15 minutes late getting to the barn for the sale and it was pretty well picked-over by then! This wasn't a normal "open the doors" for a sale; oh, no, this was more like a plague of wool-starved locusts descending a poor, lone sheep. I was looking for roving and came up empty-handed when Melissa walked by and said, "Hey, want this Sheep to Shoe kit?" Of course, I protested that I really didn't need more roving (but not too much) and agreed to take it off her hands.

I did get the cable hat finished, although I'm not too happy with it; the crown looks a little "pouffy". I'm hoping it comes out in blocking. I think it and the Fetching mitts might be Christmas presents for somebody.

I did get some spinning done last week, too. Here are three skeins I spun and plied last week.



My singles are getting thinner and thinner as well as more consistent. That turquoise skein is 210 yards of 2-ply. Since I Andean plied these, it means I've gone from getting about 100 yards of single on a bobbin in October to getting over 400 yards of single on a bobbin last week!

I also spun these two skeins which haven't been measured yet.



That's one skein of white and one skein of cotton candy colors barber-poled with white, both in lace weight, 20 WPI. I think these might get used together for a pair of mitts (or socks, if there's enough) for a Christmas present. The multi-colored one reminds me of the ribbon candy we used to get at Christmas time. If they become socks, maybe they'll get blocked on ToolMan's sock blockers.



These are 3/4 inch thick cedar with nicely rounded edges so you don't have that ridge like thinner sock blockers sometimes make. And, of course, these have been approved by Inspector 37.

Yesterday, the PDX Knit Bloggers got together for their Holiday Knit-A-Thon. I think we should definitely make this a yearly event, and maybe we should consider other holidays to have Knit-A-Thons for.

We met at Gino's Restaurant in the Sellwood neighborhood, which is owned by Deb and her husband; actually, they live upstairs. There's nothing like a big whack of knitters to get the ol' mojo going.



It was really interesting to see what everybody was working on; from kitty nests to be felted to socks to sweaters.



Speaking of sweaters, would you just look at the fair isle Kathleen is working on for her son? It's in a bulky weight and totally cute; the little guy will love it. And she's working on a purple silk scarf in a candle flame pattern.



Duffy and I parked our wheels in the back and spent most of our time spinning. She's working on some alpaca that is such a dark brown, it's almost black. I was working on a gold and brown alpaca marl; it's the last of the Dragon Waste from OFFF.



There were knitters I knew and knitters I didn't know, and knitters who I didn't really get to know nearly well enough. ToolMan picked up a couple "Honey Do" requests from Melissa for extra bobbins and from Duffy for a lazy kate. He was already busy cooking up designs for both last night.



Since this was an all-day affair, we decided on pot-luck brunch. I made a breakfast casserole with bacon, caramelized onions, mushrooms and cheddar cheese. There was bread and hummus, bagels and cream cheese with fantastic sliced ham, fruit salad, raisin cookies, pastries, a fruit tray, a basket of little muffins, and assorted other goodies. And Kathleen brought a bottle of Almond Creek sparkling wine which was perfect! Needless to say, if anyone went home hungry, it was their own fault.

We also did a yarn swap and I think everybody came away with something they were thrilled to get. I took some small skeins of my homespun which were snapped up by Cindy and Chrispy. I managed to snag some BEEYOOTIFUL stitch markers hand-made by The Famous MonicaPDX.

Aren't they gorgeous? They're burgundy cultured pearls and lapis lazuli with sterling silver wire and a sterling necklace to keep them on. These are definitely staying home; I don't want to take a chance of dropping one of these babies on the MAX and having it roll away from me. I think there's already a trail of cheap plastic ones that runs from our front door, to the MAX station, on multiple MAX trains, and from Pioneer Courthouse Square to my office. Which is precisely why I keep buying cheap plastic ones and have never sprung for really nice ones like these.

And lastly, I ran across this. I know it's a website for an insurance company, but if you live in the Northwest, or know somebody who does, or have visited here, go look; it's a hoot! I think ToolMan is a hybrid of #56. #34, and #8. I'm not sure what I am, maybe a cross of #88 and #99?

Loose change . . . .

My last post had my answers to a meme, which included the question: "Where do you keep your change?" My answer was that I keep my change in my wallet and poked fun at ToolMan because he keeps spare change all over the house. I won't tell you what he calls his spare change; you'll have to ask him yourself.

At the time, I was working on a shawl I was calling "cable and coin lace". It's now done, ends woven in, washed, blocked, and ready to go to the office with me tomorrow.



Here are the stats: Pattern of my own making, using six-stitch cables (2 left-twist and 2 right- twist) separated by 2 stitchs of coin lace, on a background of reverse stockinette and bordered by garter stitch; unknown amount of yarn of an unknown parentage (salvaged from a Goodwill man's sweater whose tag said it was an alpaca and silk mix; knitted on US 4 needles.

So, as I was blocking "cable and coin lace", I noticed these:



See them; both those places where I have "large coins"? Two places where I forgot to "make change."

Which turned out okay, because I also found this:



Yep, three places where I made too many "small coins." Apparently, I wasn't paying enough attention to my "spare change."

I am convinced by the location of the "large coins" and "small coins" in my finished shawl, that all of these occurred when I was at Monday Knit Night. Apparently, I am capable of deciding what I want to knit, inventing a pattern in my head, working the entire thing without writing down instructions or charting it out, and doing a great deal of it on MAX while commuting. I am not, however, capable of not arsing up my knitting while in the presence of other knitters.

So, "cable and coin lace" has now been re-named. It shall heretofore be known as "Loose Change." I still haven't written down or charted the pattern. If you want one like it, feel free to steal from the pictures. Or ask me to chart it for you. I can do that without arsing it up because I'll do it at home. Alone.

I also finished a pair of Fetching mitts and started a hat from the DROPS website which is so charming named "66-15". I mean, really, doesn't that just perfectly describe this hat?



Andy, is totally unimpressed by cables worked in worsted on US 4 needles. Actually, I think he's just hoping he doesn't have to wear it. The cable section is worked side-to-side and the ends stitched together, then stitches are picked up on one side to knit the crown.

Did I mention that after Monday Knit Night, I discovered a mistake and had to frog off 4 rows and reknit them while on the MAX?

I was tagged . . .

Judy over at Persistent Illusion tagged me for this meme, so here goes:

1. Name one person who made you laugh last night? ToolMan; after all these years, he still makes me laugh and we still haven't run out of conversation.

2. What were you doing at 0800? Knitting in the car while ToolMan drove us to Scappoose for breakfast before the Blue Moon de-stashing sale.

3. What were you doing 30 minutes ago? Eating a lovely dinner of tossed salad and giant pasta shells stuffed with 5 cheeses and topped with a marinara sauce, made entirely by ToolMan.

4. What happened to you in 2006? Oh, last year was a tough one! ToolMan and I both had health issues, we spent a ton of money on the dog who had his own health issue, and I dealt with a major issue in my old law firm that eventually led to the permanent closure. One of my best friends, Carolyn, says at the end of a bad period, she always asks herself if she'd do it again; for last year my answer would have to be a resounding "YES", because even as bad as it got at times, I had great people around to help me through it all.

5. What was the last thing you said out loud? "Thank you for bringing me ice cream." That ToolMan has me spoiled rotten.

6. How many beverages did you have today? Hmmm, big glass of water when I wake up, hot tea at home, hot tea with breakfast, at least 5 glasses of iced tea since we got home around noon. That makes me sound over-caffeinated doesn't it? But I drink it straight (no sugar or cream), so at least it's calorie free.

7. What color is your hairbrush? Black and stainless steel with red bristles.

8. What was the last thing you paid for? A skein of burnt honey colored laceweight and a Sheep to Shoes kit at the Blue Moon de-stashing sale. If you weren't there, eat your heart out!

9. Where were you last night? At home, as usual, unless it Monday knit night at Bella Espresso.

10. What color is your front door? Right now, it's white primer, but soon it will be high gloss black.

11. Where do you keep your change? In a zipper compartment in my wallet. I usually don't have much change because I spend it. Unlike ToolMan who saves his. In ziploc bags. In the pantry. And in a kitchen drawer. And in a vanity drawer in the master bath. And in his nightstand. And in the car. And in the garage. Next time you see him, ask him about his spare change. I promise it's worth the risk to ask him!

12. What’s the weather like today? It was pretty nice today: crisp air, mostly blue skies, and just enough chill to need a sweater.

13. What’s the best ice-cream flavor? A butterfinger concrete from Andy's Frozen Custard. I'm lactose intolerant and that stuff is DEFINITELY worth the agony. If you haven't ever had frozen custard, I'm sorry.

14. What excites you? Anything fiberly, ToolMan (sorry, too much information there), traveling, learning something new, going new places, and doing new things.

15. Do you want to cut your hair? Yes, but I'll leave that to Joseph, my hairdresser. I keep telling him it could be shorter.

16. Are you over the age of 25? Pfffft! There's twice that many years in my rear view mirror!

17. Do you talk a lot? Sometimes, yes. But when it comes to revealing myself, then it's not nearly enough.

18. Do you watch the O.C.? Nope. The ads and teasers strike me as being soap-operaish and those don't appeal to me. Heck, I never even got excited about who shot J.R.!

19. Do you know anyone named Steven? Yeah, a couple actually.

20. Do you make up your own words? Yupper. And sometimes on purpose.

21. Are you a jealous person? Nope.

22. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter ‘A’. Amy.

23. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter ‘K’. Karen.

24. Who’s the first person on your received call list? ToolMan. I call him every day at noon from work, then again after work while I'm walking to MAX, and then when I'm 2 stops from home.

25. What does the last text message you received say? Gollywhompers, I've never gotten a text message!

26. Do you chew on your straw? Um, no.

27. Do you have curly hair? Only if I have it permed within an inch of it's life. Even then, it doesn't last very long.

28. Where’s the next place you’re going to? Bed.

29. Who’s the rudest person in your life? I can't really think of anyone in my life who's rude. If there were, they wouldn't be in my life for long.

30. What was the last thing you ate? Vanilla ice cream. But I had to share with Andy Rooney.

31. Will you get married in the future? No thanks. I had one mulligan before I got it right. Besides, there's no way I'd ever find a better mate for me than ToolMan.

32. What’s the best movie you’ve seen in the past 2 weeks? Memoirs of a Geisha. Great story and beautiful cinematography.

33. Is there anyone you like right now? I like lots of people, so the list would be too long to post here.

34. When was the last time you did the dishes? I don't do dishes because I have a dishwasher. I don't do windows because they don't fit in the dishwasher.

35. Are you currently depressed? No.

36. Did you cry today? No.

37. Why did you answer and post this? 'Cuz Judy tagged me. And it's all about me, Me, ME!

38. Tag 5 people who would do this survey. Duffy, Amy, Ellen and/or Sarah, Mims and/or Peggy, and Terissa.

Holiday Knitting?

I finished the cable and coin lace shawl, but it hasn't been blocked yet.

I also finished a pair of mitts for moi last night at Bella Espresso.

And I've been spinning; since I knit every weekday on the train, on Monday knit night, and evenings at home, I decided to spin on weekends. Then I woke up in the middle of Saturday night with cramps in the top of my right foot from too much spinning!

I started a knit hat for myself (DROPS pattern) until I realized the key to the chart doesn't use English standard thingamajigs and the key is printed in Finnish, or Swedish, or whatever; it's now been scanned and emailed to a linquist friend who is trying to deciper for me.

Knitting for Christmas gifts? HA! It's all about ME!