Wood

I woke up yesterday and decided to devote my day to learning to turn wood. My dad offered to each me several years ago, but I just never got around to it. Mondays are my days off and since my dad was also free yesterday it seemed like the perfect opportunity.

Before I started, I went to Woodcraft to look at different woods. I quickly decided to start on scraps in my dad's shop instead of spending money on a beautiful piece of wood that I might ruin. After looking around a bit, we found a piece of Mahogany that could be cut down and turned into a nostepinne. For those who don't know, a nostepinne is a tool that is used to wind yarn into a center-pull ball. I have always loved the simplicity of this tool, it requires no clamp or set-up and can pulled out of your knitting bag anywhere. Plus it makes balls that are far more aesthetically pleasing than the yarn cakes put out by a mechanical winder (thus making it the ideal choice for handspun or handdyed yarns.)


Here are my first attempts. The two outer nostepinnes are mahogany and the one in the center is oak. They are all finished with oil and wax which really enhances the wood. The one on the far right is my very first attempt. All of these (and probably a few more) will be available in the shop in the next few days.

What I learned so far...

• Woodturning is very messy. In addition to safety glasses and a shop coat you should make sure the shop air filter is turned on before you start.
• The tools will burn you. The tips of the tools heat up pretty fast when in use so it is best to keep your hand a few inches away from the tip or you will get burned.
• Oak is evil. While I think oak is a beautiful wood and it smells amazing when it is turned, it requires really sharp tools to turn and sanding it down to a smooth surface is a huge pain. In the end, I had to use extra wax to get the oak nostepinne nice and smooth.
• There are a lot of different tools to choose from. Every tool gives you a different kind of cut and keeping them straight is quite a task.
  
• It is best to go into the project with a plan. After the first attempt, I drew out plans for what I wanted the nostepinnes to look like (i.e. where I wanted to do the shaping) and that made it way easier.
• It is easier to finish the project on the lathe. My first nostepinne broke off the lathe and had to be finished by hand which takes about ten times as long as finishing it on the lathe, plus it is much harder to get a nice shine from the wax without the heat of the spinning friction.
• Though louder and scarier, a lathe works like a spinning wheel. The turn of the lathe is controlled by the same drive band ratio system that a spinning wheel uses.
• According to my dad, all wood is female. Throughout the lesson, my dad constantly referred to the wood in the feminine.
• Wood working is a skill that is passed down from generation to generation in my family. My dad learned to turn wood from his dad and was pretty excited that I was taking an interest in it. He told me stories of working in his dad's shop and about how his dad would slap his head when he messed up. I was pretty relieved that my dad decided not to carry on that part of the tradition.

My new 40 before 40

I have been thinking about my life goals lately now that my life is taking a very different path. A couple of years ago I made a 40 before 40 list that included my goals, both large and small, that I want to achieve before turning 40. I don't feel that the entire list represents my goals so I here is the amended list in no particular order including the things that I have achieved (the original list can be found in three parts here, here, and here.) Not a lot of change, but enough to justify republishing. Green entries are new, crossed out entries are things I have done, and red entries are the things that I am actively pursuing right now.

1. Pay off the shop loan
2. Work for myself
3. Finish school (I started working 2 classes shy of finishing my degree and I still haven't gotten around to finishing it off. Just because I won't use it doesn't mean I shouldn't get it.)
4. Buy a house
5. Take a proper Pacific Northwest vacation including Seattle, Portland, Crater Lake, and the redwoods
6. Go to Hawaii
7. Attend SXSW
8. Get one of my patterns published in a knitting book
9. Learn to spin on a wheel and create art yarns
10. Get a pattern published in Knitty and Interweave
11. Visit Vermont in the Fall
12. Visit 5 of the 10 states I have left to see (two of which are worked into this list)
13. Publish my Southern Vegan's Guide to Domesticity (even if just through a vanity press)
14. Start and maintain a vermicompost pile
15. Get a book deal for a ReBelle knitting book
16. Design and plant a successful garden
17. Learn to like brussel sprouts (they are so healthy, but I can't stand to eat them)
18. Become a master knitter
19. Learn to keep my house clean
20. Run a significant distance
21. Start a travel savings account and contribute $200/month
22. Learn about stocks, bonds, cds and other alternative savings plans
23. Set up a solid retirement plan above and beyond the 401K
24. Learn to cook elaborate things that don't cost more than a dinner out (It seems like anytime I try to fix a really fancy meal at home I spend $40 on groceries just for the meal)
25. Start or join a dinner club
26. Learn to play Mahjong
27. Learn poi spinning
28. Knit an afghan
29. Create a family tradition
30. Dance in Thriller
31. See the Death Race 2000 car
32. Bowl a turkey (3 strikes in a row)
33. Meet John Waters
34. Knit a wedding ring shawl (a 6ft lace shawl so fine it can be passed through a ring)
35. Knit a sweater that I designed
36. Learn to turn wood (I specifically want to make Nostepinnes)
37. Learn to make lampwork beads (if you offered to let me use your torch, please email me)
38. Watch 1000 movies (specifically these)
39. Reduce my coffee and takeout waste to zero
40. Take at least 4 Americana vacations (including Cave City)

Hoot Water Bottle Cozy

I came up with this cozy idea a few weeks ago when the cold weather really started to set in. I love the idea of portable heat sources that use little energy and allow me to roam freely around my cold house (I generally keep the thermostat at 60 degrees all winter.) The owl cable came from an old Leisure Arts vest pattern I was given a few years ago. This cozy will dress up any standard 2 liter hot water bottle and it will keep it warmer longer.

Hoot Water Bottle Cozy

Gauge: 14 stitches/ 18 rows = 4" in Stockinette stitch with two strands held together

Finished Measurements: 7.5" wide x 14" tall (will fit a standard 2 liter hot water bottle)

Materials:
Needles: Set of US10.5 dpns or size needed to obtain gauge and crochet hook size J

Yarn: 1 ball Cascade Ecological Wool in color 8061 (project uses approximately 140g.) or two hanks of Blue Sky Organic cotton, about 2 yds of darker colored natural fiber yarn for the eyes.

Notions: tapestry needle for weaving in the ends and embroidering the eyes.

Pattern Notes:
Project is worked using 2 strands of yarn held together throughout.

Definitions:
c4f: Sl 2 sts to cable needle and hold in front, k2, k2 from cable needle.
c4b: Sl 2 sts to cable needle and hold in back, k2, k2 from cable needle.

Pattern:
Using the figure 8 cast-on method*, Co 52 stitches on two dpns (26 stitches on each needle).
Rnd 1: Knit first rnd onto two needles and redistribute onto 4 needles at end of rnd. Place marker to mark the beginning of the rnd.
Rnd 2-16: knit
Rnd 17-18: *p4, (k8, p3) x2, rep from * to end
Rnd 19: *p4, (c4b, c4f, p3) x2, rep from * to end
Rnd 20-26: *p4, (k8, p3) x2, rep from * to end
Rnd 27: *p4, (c4b, c4f, p3) x2, rep from * to end
Rnd 28: *p4, (k8, p3) x2, rep from * to end
Rnd 29-30: *p4, (k1, p2, k2, p2, k1, p3) x2, rep from * to end
Rnd 31-32: *p4, (k8, p3) x2, rep from * to end
Rnd 33: *p4, (c4b, c4f, p3) x2, rep from * to end
Rnd 34: *p4, (k8, p3) x2, rep from * to end
Rnds 35-45: knit

Decreases
Rnd 46: *k1, ssk, k21, k2tog, rep from * to end
Rnds 47 and all odd rnds through 55: knit
Rnd 48: *k1, ssk, k19, k2tog, rep from * to end
Rnd 50: *k1, ssk, k17, k2tog, rep from * to end
Rnd 52: *k1, ssk, k15, k2tog, rep from * to end
Rnd 54: *k1, ssk, k13, k2tog, rep from * to end

Neck
Rnd 56: *(k2tog) twice, yo, rep from * to end
Rnd 57-70: work in k1, p1 ribbing
Bind off loosely and weave in ends.

Tie
Using the crochet hook, create a 21" crochet chain and weave it through the eyelets at the base of the neck.

Eyes
With the darker yarn and the tapestry needle, embroider over the purl stitches that make up each owl's eyes using the satin stitch.

*While the figure 8 cast-on is ideal for this project, if you feel uncomfortable using it you can CO 52 stitches onto 4 dpns and join for knitting in the round. Then, at the end of your
project you can simply seam the bottom of your cozy.

To use- Slide water bottle into cozy, secure with tie, and fill with hot water.

Silly stuff

Last weekend Zabet introduced me to FBN Plastics, makers of custom spinning wheel cup holders. Their etsy store contains cup holders made to fit several makes and models of spinning wheels with no drilling. Never again will you have to decide between your drink and your fiber.

Big News

There are some big changes taking place in my life right now and instead of telling the tale over and over, I am posting it here for my friends and family to see. For those of you who just read my blog for crafty stuff, I will have a new free pattern up by Saturday so just come back in a few days.

Philip and I have decided to get a divorce. We have been struggling for the last two years to hold the marriage together which has caused more pain and suffering than either of us really deserved. This entry is just my thoughts and feelings on the events of the last few days.

Philip has been having an affair off and on during this time with a co-worker named Charley and he fell head-over-heels in love with her. I have known about the affair from the beginning and I tried to leave, but Philip kept pulling me back insisting that we could make our marriage work. I love Philip, he is my best friend and I would do anything in the world for him, but the fact is, I haven't been in love with Philip for quite some time. I stayed in the relationship because I couldn't bare to see him hurt and I couldn't bare the thought of losing his family who have been a big part of my life for the last 13 years, but that ended up hurting both of us (and her) more than we ever could have imagined.

On Monday morning I finally decided that I couldn't take any more of this pain and I asked Philip to leave (this is actually a pretty funny story, but I am not sure Philip wants me to share it.) Later that evening, he came back to the apartment and we started to fall into the angry fighting cycle again and somewhere in the middle of the crying and yelling there was a moment of clarity. Suddenly, we realized that we need each other's friendship and we started working out a plan to dissolve the marriage and keep the friendship. From that moment on, everything was easier.

Philip had originally planned to continue paying for the bills and the rent so that I could stay at the apartment until the lease is up while he moved into Charley's tiny place. I refused this offer because I don't like the idea of being that dependent, plus that would cause a lot of financial stress on the two of them which is something that they really don't need when they are just starting out. I convinced him that it would be best for all parties involve if I moved out and they move into our apartment. He finally agreed to call her and talk to her about the idea and within minutes I was on the phone telling her how great our neighborhood is and inviting her over to see the place. The night was a surreal cyclone of events. Philip and I went to pick up Charley so that she could see the apartment and decide if it was a feasable plan. On the drive over I told Philip that I really wanted to stay friends, but if seeing them together was too hard, I might have to stay back for while. We picked her up and drove back to the apartment and I showed her around. While the situation was a little weird, it felt natural and seeing Philip happy again gave me hope that I could be happy again. I didn't feel anger or jealousy or any of those other feelings that I was supposed to feel, only love- my heart was completely swollen with love for the two of them.

The most difficult part of all of this has been telling the family. Telling my family was scary, but at least I knew that they would be there for me through all of this, the idea of loosing the love and support of Philip's parents absolutely tore me up inside. For half of my life they have embraced me as one of their own and I love them like I love my parents. Last night Philip and I went over to his parents' house to break the news. It was horrible and wonderful. Everyone was in tears, but in the end Sally said that I will always be a part of their family which meant so much to me. After it was over I felt like a giant weight had been lifted. I dropped Philip off at Charley's and ended up hanging out with the two of them for a little while. On my drive home I felt the happiest I have felt in months and I know that this is the best decision for all parties involved.

I have a freedom now that I haven't felt since Philip and I lived apart. At the beginning of all of this Philip and I went into couples councelling and I made a lot of changes to my lifestyle that were supposed to make our marriage better. I gave up a lot of the things that make me who I am. I lost my independence and gave up a lot of my social activities. I started to feel really tied down to a situation that wasn't making me happy and I couldn't seem to get out.

I know that the circumstances of the situation are not ideal, but none of that can be changed now. Philip knows that the way he handled this situation is wrong and he is very ashamed. I have always said that you can't help who you fall in love with or when it happens and I still believe that. Charley is a better match for Philip than I ever was and he is lucky to have found her and very lucky that she stuck with him through all of this mess. I have forgiven Philip and plan to keep him in my life as my best friend and though you might be angry with him for the lies and deciet, don't be angry at him for finding love.

Finally, please don't feel sorry for me or pity me. I am making some big changes and the future is scary, but it's also exciting. I need your love and support and I need you to know that this is the best thing that could have happened to me. I am so tired of hearing "oh no" and "I am so sorry," I would much rather hear "good for you" and "congratulations."

The Hemlock Flower Tam

Ever since I knit my first Hemlock Ring afghan, I have wanted to turn the center flower into the top of a tam. Last week I was at an unexpected stopping point in my current project so I used that as an opportunity to make the Hemlock tam.

Yarn: 2 balls Dale of Norway Falk (sport weight)
Needles: US4 dpns, 16" US4 circulars or whatever size gets gauge
Gauge: 23 st/30 rows = 4" in Stockinette stitch
Finished measurements- 10.5" diameter, will fit a 21-24" head.

Pattern:
The center flower is from the Hemlock Ring pattern which can be found here. You will work the pattern through round 43 and then switch to the directions below.

Knit plain for 2.5"
Decrease Rnd: *k1, k2tog, rep from * until 1 stitch remaining, k1
Knit plain for 7 rnds.
Bind-off rnd: To set up the bind-off, knit 1 stitch. *slide stitch from right needle to left needle, k2tog, rep from * to end of rnd. Cut yarn and weave in ends.

To block- Soak in hot water for 30 minutes, remove as much water from the knitted hat as possible (either by squeezing in a towel or in your washer's spin cycle for 30 seconds,) and for hat around a large dinner plate or a cut cardboard circle with a 10.5" diameter.

Three-in-one

Here is my neck warmer hat from the new Interweave Knitted Gifts. The yarn is a handyed/ handspun worsted by SpinneMann that I bought over two years ago at the Naked Sheep in Portland, Oregon. I love this yarn so finding the perfect project for it was a must. The pattern was written to be knitted with a dk weight yarn on US7 needles so I adjusted it to match my gauge of 4st/in on US8 needles by only casting on 96 stitches. I love this hat because it can be worn three ways- as an open hair sack, as a neck warmer, and as a hat so it should match just about any mood.