Kureopatora's Snake and the Skeining Frame

Kureopatora's Snake is the real name of this pattern, but considering, I didn't use that yarn, nor can I spell it, or pronounce it, I call my rendition Snake Trumpets.



Project Specs:

Pattern: that K-word Snake can be found here.
It calls for that K-word kind of yarn that is a) discontinued, and b) has loooong color grades
I didn't have either of those in my stash so I dyed my own.
Finished measurements: 5.5 inches wide 98 inches long. I followed Kim's suggestions and worked the scarf in the style of a seaman's scarf. The center ribbing is 14 inches and each end is 42 inches long (7 pattern repeats). I used approx 360 yards.


The yarn I used is reclaimed lambswool. I used McCormick food colorings both regular and neon. To get the long color grades I began with a 54 foot long skein. Making a 54 foot long skein can be a challenge sometimes when you have too much help the likes of which I have around here. IdaMae and Ben are of the four legged variety and running around a few chairs, in circles, with yarn trailing behind me looks too much like play time, so I don't wind my long skeins that way. I do my long skeins with this:



No tools required. It's the slate frame from a needlework floor stand. Sorry I don't have link for you, but I have found they have since changed the design of these. Not surprising really cuz this was an estate sale find, but I have seen this style regularly in thrift stores and such. There really is no reason why the newer style couldn't be used and it would be a snap to make these pieces on your own.

The drilled sides measure 30.75 inches, the shorter sides with the slides measure 24.5 inches. The rest of the stuff laying there are the 4 blots with wing nuts and washers, a handful of ten-penny nails, and a roll of masking tape.

Assemble the frame as if you were going to use it for a piece of needlework. (technically speak that would be turned so the holes are on the side but you get the drift)

Here I made it as big as the pieces allow. Turn it over, wing nuts up, then just start dropping your nails through the holes. I chose to use all the holes this time because I wanted a really long skein (54 ft. remember) When all the nails the are placed run a strip of masking tape over the nailheads.





Note that there is a nail also in the top right corner, bottom right, and bottom left slides. Now just skein your yarn.



Here I began at the bottom left by tying a knot around the nail in the first hole, went up around the first nail on the top and then zig zagged my way across. When I reached the nail in the furthermost upper right I took the yarn around the nail that it in the upper slide, down around the nail in the lower slide, across the bottom to the nail in the lower left slide. (one round completed) The next step would be to continue up to the first nail on the top.

After winding the skein, I tied it off at the center and at both nail heads. Then I dyed it.
pale green is approx 2 yds 6 inches
grass green approx 3 yds
sky blue approx 2 yds 20 inches
red 1 yd 14 inches
yellow green 3 yds
turquoise 2 yds 20 inches
yellow 1 yd 13 inches
purple 2 yds 25 inches

I dyed a total of about 800 yards so I've got some left....maybe some fingerless gloves or a hat.

I'm not totally thrilled with the colors this time, but they are OK. It's too "United Colors of Benetton" for me. The red really bothers me, I wanted pink, but I grabbed the wrong bottle of food coloring...those caps looks so much alike to these old eyes.

I'm clean out of dyestuff right now, dang it. I want to dye another with fewer colors, even longer repeats and much more in my comfort color palette.

Recycled Summer Cardi

The summer cardi is done. After it sat a few days in the bucket then I decided that I was NOT going to rip out the completed sleeve and just forged ahead.

I found a zipper from my stash (another thrifted thing) I'm pretty sure the zipper was another of the fabulous finds from the The Mouse. The Mouse sells zippers for five cents each. Every time I find a separating zip or a nifty colored one I grab it. At some point I'm going to have to make one of those bags made entirely out of zippers. Oh and I have the coolest zip that is 96 inches long I savaged from a vintage slip cover I can't wait until I finalize THAT design....but I digress.....So without further ado here is a pic of the sweater:




Info for inquiring minds:

Materials used: Recycled ramie from Thrift Store sweater (dark olive) used throughout entire sweater. Egyptian cotton (light sage) bought in UK for 50p (a little less than $1 at the time) used in bodice and one sleeve. One thrifted separating zip.

Construction: Bodice made with 2 strands of sage and 1 strand of olive. One sleeve made with 2 strands of olive and 1 strand sage, other sleeve made with 3 strands of olive. I had to make the bodice longer so the zip would fit so I added some length to sleeves in the olive as well. Neck and fronts are edged in olive also. I have approximately 15 yards of the olive, and absolutely no sage left. (last three stitches on the olive/olive/sage sleeve are olive/olive/olive.) Um, about that.....I'm calling it a diligent use of ones materials. :-)

I started out using a Drops Garnstudio pattern but it never really dictated much about this sweater other than gauge and bodice shaping (which is completely lost now that I added length to the bodice) The sleeves were from another DG pattern that never really followed that pattern as well. And the zipper? well that wasn't called for in either pattern! LOL

Love the sweater in all it's cottony goodness. No sunshine today, 60 degrees, and 12 mph wind....I've been wearing it all day.....ahhhhhh

Furniture Refashion

Yesterday Joe and tackled another project that has been on the back burner for quite a while.

As you know, I'm an Estate sale junkie. One day I brought home a piece that defied all explanation in the eyes of all who saw it. I bought a gun cabinet. No, I do NOT have any guns that would facilitate the need for a cabinet, but I bought it nonetheless. I bought it for two reasons, I liked it, and it had potential. Ok, I guess you could throw in the fact that it cost less than $10 to the reasons I bought it also, but if it hadn't had the other two reason going for it I would have passed it up....honest.

This gun cabinet intrigued me. Nothing fancy, and very obviously handmade. I wish I knew the story behind it. I bought it from an estate, was this gun cabinet the first piece of furniture some newly retired aspiring woodworker made? Was it crafted by a grandson earning his Eagle Scout? I guess I'll never know the true history, but I do know that this piece of handcrafted Americana has found a new life in my home as a bookcase.

A Tank for the Pond and a Cardi Musings

There has been some knitting I haven't been deforesting my yard all week! :-)

Wednesday I finished this tank, an UFO from last summer:




It originally was that red keyhole tank with the ribbon bow in the back, (it's in Knit1 don't remember what issue.) Now I know why I didn't finish it last summer! YUCK Gauge is perfect and I made the smallest size and it's HUGE. I'm not going to bother with "fixing" it.....soooo glad I didn't take the time to weave in the ends it's going for a swim in the pond ASAP!

Last Friday I started a cardi. I sort of used another Garnstudio pattern, but then sort of didn't. I changed the stitch from moss to plain old stockinette, and I'm using a different sleeve. So basically the only thing that resembles the original pattern is the gauge and the bodice shaping.

I'm using recycled ramie from a thrift store sweater held together with some Egyptian cotton I picked up in England two years ago. I wanted something soft and casual to throw on this summer. This will be our second summer in this house and we still have not gotten central air....we don't need it....um, we don't need it often. Last year there was a total of 4 days when AC would have been appreciated. It's not that the temps don't get high, they do, just like all other places here in the Midwest. But 90+ degrees with 90% humidity isn't uncomfortable here. I know that sounds crazy but it isn't.....here at the hermitage we have a constant breeze. Actually most of the time you classify it as a wind! Thus I wear sweat shirts all summer, and I wanted a soft cottony cardi this summer.

I spent the entire day Saturday just knitting in the sun, it was heaven. I finished the back and almost got both fronts done.....yes I spent the ENTIRE day knitting in the sun. yes, I fried, my legs. :-)

I finished the first sleeve Monday night....ooops I had been using two strands of the cotton with one strand of the ramie for the back and fronts. I realized I was running short of the cotton so I figured I could squeeze out the two sleeves using two ramie strands and one cotton strand.....nope...I couldn't have been more wrong, not enough for the second sleeve. DAMN
Wednesday I forged ahead and made the second sleeve with only the ramie and then let the thing sit. Now I have before me a sweater in pieces that has matching fronts and back and "coordinating" sleeves that don't match each other. :-o I've been thinking about ripping the sleeve that has the cotton in it, but the thought of ripping out a sleeve made with this makes me shudder:



So I steam blocked it today, I'm seaming and searching for a zipper. Oh yeah the zipper, yet another thing that doesn't follow the Garnstudio pattern LOL

Dressing a pot

Yesterday was moving day. I have approximately 4 moving days a year. No, I don't change my address, but I do change my residence. I move furniture from room to room, upstairs, downstairs, re-hang pictures and swap out tables and lamps. I change things around to such an extent that a room may end up having a totally new purpose. Living room might become the dinning room, dinning room might become a family room. Consequently, I'm usually inspired to make something new. The something new usually entails sewing and generally I paint something too. Tomorrow will be new curtains for the sitting room and a new slip cover for a chair, but today I finally took care of an ugly plastic pot that's been bugging me since I got the plant.

Here is the before shot. Yeah I know, I have to water that poor tree, but it gets so dang heavy when it's been watered and I knew a moving day was looming, I could feel it.



And now it looks like this:




It was a quickie refashion of the this blouse.



I picked up this '80's blouse at the GW eons ago. The colors in the this photo are almost right, but they are deeper and richer. I tried to get the details of its construction but as you can see they don't show too well. The major points of interest are the hidden button closure up the front, it is collarless, and has an elastic waistband. Perfect, the elastic band snugs nicely around the bottom of the pot, I buttoned it up the back, pulled the sleeves inside, stuffed it with plastic bags and made some gigantic running stitches around the top to cinch it in. Stuffing it took the most time. LOL So aside from the huge running stitches, I didn't do anything else to this blouse so I will in the future still be able use it as a lining for a bag which is why I bought it in the first place. Ooops, yes I did, I removed the ginormous shoulder pads. :-)

Leather Coat Project Top and Bag part 7

Finally got this top done after it hung on Vivian for days and days. Remember my fear of the eyelets? I just couldn't bring myself to do them. Even contemplated taking the top to a shoe repair guy and have him do the eyelets. In the end I opted not to do that and made the loops that are now on the back.

I like the top...not a fav top, and well, it just isn't me (at least not "appropriately" me..it's so hard when you feel 28 and in reality are dang near 48!) so Silly if you're reading and like this top, give me a call it's yours! (Silly is my baby that is soon to be 20...egads)

After the book, wallet, top, and some pieces set aside for another top in progress this is what I have left to work with.

So I made this bag.

I'm really pleased with this bag. I lined it with some fabric I got at the Mouse for 25 cents (that's 2 yards for 25 cents! Love the Mouse) There is an interior pocket and I like the versatility of the strap. The strap btw is rattail, a few row of crochet (slip stitch) then roll back on to itself. I personally hate drawstring bags generally, but I modified this. You can sort of see in the first pic how the back side along the opening is straight and not gathered. I put a piece of wood dowel in there. Now I can easily get into the bag for a quick grab and don't have to hassle with the whole drawstring thing. When and if I do need to open the bag wide like in the 2nd pic, then that dowel in there is a nice place to hold on to when manipulating the drawstring. (no digging you fingers into the tiny hole) :-) I also think it gives the bag a bit more shape than just a drawstring bag.

I've got another bag done too but the batteries on my camera died before I could get a picture.....sigh

Score at the Mouse

Joe and I went thriftin' the other day. Dang if I didn't score BIG time! It's not surprising though, I've got the BEST Thrift Store ever. It's named, The Church Mouse, just the "Mouse" to us. I can only count on one hand the number of times I've gone in there and not found something that I needed/wanted/desired but I've always had a great time!

The Mouse is a cute little shop, or at least it tries to be. It's ran by a local church and staffed by volunteers. Not all, but most of them are well beyond 65, and they work real hard at organizing their wares in boutique fashion. Some of the more spry of ladies put in whole 6 hour shifts, others, well, 2 hours is about all they can manage. They are such a friendly bunch and of course you just HAVE to chat a bit. Consequently a trip to the Mouse is an event, because it takes much longer to shop there. Generally speaking I'm a "power thrifter". I know the terrain of the various stores and head directly to the sections of the things I'm interested in. A quick walk through, glancing here and there and I'm outta there, 6 minutes, tops. I don't shop in those places I "thrift", at the Mouse I shop.

The Mouse has a completely different environment. You walk in, you greet a few of the ladies, you look through a section, you greet a few more ladies, if you picked something up, you might have a chat about it, you move on to another section, you greet someone else, you chat about what's in your hand again, and it goes on and on, section, by section, item by item. At the check out a gaggle of women assembles and they ooh and ahh over your purchases. "What are you going to do with this yarn...I use to knit/crochet before my hands got so bad" "Oh that fabric is lovely, what's it going to be...I use to sew before my eyes got so bad" "Oh honey that sweater will never fit you". I love my Ladies.

After all has been discussed and stories of what's was made in the past have been shared, then it's time add up the sale. Some days it goes smoothly and others well, we have fun. Some of the items in the shop are priced individually, some are just listed on a price sheet (books, magazines, purses and such). It can be difficult to read for some of the ladies. Sometimes the little ladies behind the checkout area will have to trot out to the other side of the counter to get far enough away so they can read it. (Just to be clear, the aforementioned price sheet is a poster board hanging on the wall with 3 inch lettering.) The lucky ones just stand there bobbing their heads valiantly trying to locate the appropriate level of their multi-focal eyeglasses. The usual procedure for check out is to have the bagger call out the prices (from the price sheet on the wall), to the lady who is manning the cash register, who confirms the price (from the price sheet on the wall.) Um, yeah, see where I'm going here? Remember what I just said regarding the readability of this price sheet? Multiple the appropriate reaction to said price sheet by two. On any given day, depending who is punching the register and who is bagging other types of mayhem can occur. More times than not a "discussion" regarding the size of the magazine will develop, the difference, price-wise, being a nickle. (how dreadful it would be if the customer got overcharged an entire nickel!!!) Often times the two will get mixed up and have to begin the tally again. (with all that head bobbing and climbing over each other who could blame them?) And on occasion, to be sure, an accusation of mumbling will be issued and be countered with a remark about someones lack of hearing and a lively "discussion" will ensue. You know the kind of "discussion" I'm talking about. The same kind you had as a kid with your sister or your best friend....my Dad called it squabbling.......Joe calls it knicker knacking. I love my Ladies!

So now you know why I said going to the Mouse was an event. I love the Mouse and the Ladies who work there. I plan my Mouse trips.....gotta give them at least an hour. :-)

Last week shopping at the Mouse scored this:






I can't read German, but I thought the picture looked interesting. Inside was this:








It's a pattern drafting program!!! Over 280 patterns! From the simple straight forward classics to...um....."specialty clothing" (?) Yeah, I don't think I'll be making a riding outfit anytime soon, but that just kinda sums up the scope of patterns in this kit/program/book.








There are woman's clothes, obviously, and children's, teen's, men and boys, swimwear and lingerie, to bridal fashions, and winter coats. I'm soooo pleased with this. Oh and btw, it is in English. The translation is a bit shaky regarding grammar, but then why the hell would that bother me right? :-) Every now and then there are words that aren't translated, mostly the names of the patterns (I think). The directions are just fine. If I run into trouble I'll be asking Monika. I'll drop her a line and say, 'Hey Monika, what's a "snitt"?'



As a matter of fact no time like the present....Hey Monika, what's a snitt?

Leather Coat part 1 The Book

I joined the Wardrobe Refashion group. I took the pledge for 4months. It's certainly no hardship for me, it's a way of life that always has been a part of me. I only took the 4 month pledge cuz, well, if you've been TRYING to read this blog with any regularity, you'll know that regular it ain't. I just didn't think I could or would want to commit to anything for longer than 4 months, and if it means that I have to upload posts in a timely fashion, well, that's just not me either! So 4 months it is, and already into the 2nd month, I haven't posted anything yet...go figure!


Anyway, I decided to step this wardrobe refashion thing up a notch and make it the driving force of a special project. That special project being this:





I bought this coat at an estate sale for $7.00. Yep, $7.00 for this fox collared, butter soft leather coat. And when I say butter soft, OMG, do I mean butter soft. It's incredible. I want to touch it.......I want to touch it ALL the time!!!!!


Aside from being a coat that it is just not my style, it does have a major flaw. The right shoulder and sleeve have been bleached out by the sun.



Yeah, doesn't that bite!


So first things first......off with the collar!

Then off with the sleeves!



I used the sleeve that was not sun bleached to make this:





Waaaay tooo cooool. 600 pages!!! LOVE IT!!!

I know there are tutorials out there on how to make a books, but I didn't use them. Perhaps I'll check them out next time, but I'm pretty pleased with how I did it and how it turned out.


I used 3 pads of 4 x 4 grid paper. Folded 6 sheets of paper in half and ran them through my sewing machine that was threaded with a heavy Perle cotton. The machine was set at six stitches to the inch with a fairly loose tension. After all the paper was folded and stitched I stacked them together making sure their bottom edges and "spines" were flush. Using a much thinner but stronger nylon thread I sewed the spines together by hand running my stitches through the spine stitches of each folded group of papers.


To help make a sturdy cover I glued pieces of the cardboard cut to size onto the the first and last page. (cardboard came from the original pad of paper)


To reinforce the spine, I cut a 6 x 6 inch piece of silk (from and old scarf) and glued it to the front cardboard, around the spine and to the back piece of cardboard. I also glued in my ribbon book markers at this point.


Next I cut a piece of leather from the sleeve that was approximately 1/4 inch bigger than the front + spine + back. I cut two other pieces that were 1/4 inch bigger than the front only. I sandwiched the leather pieces around the front and back and sewed them in place by hand using the same Perle cotton that I stitched the pages with.

Ta da!

Oh BTW, in the pic of the book you can see that open edge of the book has some unruliness to it. That's cuz my stitching on the machine was off here and there. No problem though. I clamped the pages together good and tight and use my dremel with a sanding stone and one of those sponge sanding blocks to even them up nice and neat. I think with the next book, I'll make a gig for the sewing machine to get that stitching arrow straight.

Leather Coat part 2 ........ Contemplating the details.