PippiKneeSocks.com

it lives!

i’m so very excited. it is as finished as it is going to get. (for now)
although, there isn’t a way to ply without hassle, moving the motor and the motor mount
matt suggested that we get another motor, that would probably be the easiest thing.

this thing is so amazingly fast!
but, steady and not unruly.
i was really afraid that i was going to wind up with some horribly over twisted junk that i wouldn’t be able to use. BUT no! a quick measure of the twist angle put it at about 20 degrees. i’d like to do a more accurate TPI count when it is off the flyer (if i could find the magnifying glass that is…) i’ll make this long story short and declare “it works!” and works well.

some downsides:
it does feel odd not treadling.
it is a daytime activity, for sure.
i’ll also have to find a place for it to dwell, where it is now, i can’t see the other goings on in the house while i spin… and because of the motor, i can’t hear the goings on either…
and of course we need to figure out how to make plying not such a hassle.

the biggest plus, i can spin the same amount of yarn in an hour that it would take me three hours on my traddy. that means i can make my 2 ply worsteds (and below!!!) worth my while to make.

boogie, you seriously need to make one!

now! my queendom for a drum carder!

♥

it has taken a few weeks for the idea of our home made espinner to come to a 3 dimensional object.

we used the motor out of my old cast iron Morse sewing machine, and the jumbo flyer that i picked up used.

it goes sooooooooo fast.
i won’t be able to spin anything bigger than sport weight on it, or ply.
but that was why i wanted it in the first place.
i haven’t tested it out yet, we are still working on the brake/tension aspects.

the downside to all of this, i haven’t gotten anything done today because my flyer is in use. i guess i could always switch over to one of the normal sized ones… but, right now i’m that lazy.
all i feel like doing is brewing up some iced tea and eating the pound of hummus i made.

♥

i updated my customer creations page today.
it is making me jones some knitting!
so, of course i cast on a pair of socks, this time instead of using some of my handspun yarn, i am using some of my old handpaints.
(i’m trying very hard to use up some of my stash yarns latley, since, eventually we will move and i’m going to have to make room for new yarn…..)
still remaining in my brain is the whole wonderful world of shawl knitting.
i’m going to do some digging for some nice simple lace charts and some swatching today… (that is if we make it outside before it becomes too hot & gross.)

speaking of hot and gross, what happend to spring?
i wonder this every year.
it is supposed to be 80 again today.
one would think that with having to suffer 8 month long winters, the other months would be delightful. no so. hot and humid… i am not built for the humidity, i wither.
and the bugs. misquitos. eewww. did you know that the state bird of vermont is the black fly? yes!

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Woot! i woke up 3 hours before the children this morning!
i was able to take all of my photos without interruption… simply unheard of!

my pippi update this week has a theme.
hint: beets

bingo pajama

Tibetan Peach pie

Pricilla

(if you are really stumped, there is another clue here)

one day when i have my dream home, my kitchen will indeed be these colors

so far today has been wonderfully excellent.
so many fab birthday wishes
and i did mention that i was up well before everyone else, & had my coffee in peace.
and found this card, made by matt and izabella………

i guess i look kind of like an alien to my grrl.
hehe.

& on the inside

she drew our family, complete with the boy next door.
but, wait, she drew 6 of us!
when she was telling me who everyone was, the only explination for the littlest one was “baby”………. um, i guess she is trying to tell me something, but i’m NOT hearing that one!
ha.

happy day all!

the seconday function of a bathroom mirror is to measure murmurs in mental mud

♥