To the lovely crazymonkeycreates, I actually do have an electric skeinwinder. However, I've found that for optimal (tangle-free) operation, as well as quality control purposes, it functions best when I let the yarn feed from the swift through my fingers onto the arms of the winder. Which requires me to hold up my left arm at a weird angle. I'm currently looking around for a second model; the one I have is several years old and I'm hoping that there will be some newer options that have come to the market since I purchased it. (At the time, it was the only affordable one out there.)
To darling Ted and adorable subliminalrabbit, I wholeheartedly agree. In fact, a massage would make a perfect Mother's Day gift, wouldn't it, Tom?
To my sweet hyphenated Carol, one of the many fun things about taking a class at Loop is that there are some gorgeous, gorgeous quilts hung on the wall. In fact, I took some photos before class started of some of them:
Seeing all these wonderful fabrics and quilts has made me very, very tempted to try a small quilting project of my own (a small wall hanging, maybe?). It's all Liza's fault. And Spool's, too.
In the meantime, now that my big deadlines are over, I'm going to challenge myself: can I knit myself a short-sleeved sweater and have it finished to wear at TNNA in June? We shall see...
The siren song of quilts. One day I will delve into them- my batting will be a mohair blend, of course...
ReplyDeleteYes, you must do a short sleeved sweater by TNNA (just to drive yourself nuts)(I think I may abandon my spring sweater, though, and just jumpt straight to fall...)
ugh; that sucks having to run the yarn through your fingers, defeats the purpose of having a skeinwinder! benny's got a couple of what I call 'winder helpers' -- little blocks with yarn guides on them that clamp to a table. they're to help yarn going over the edge of a table or to keep yarn in line from a swift to a skeinwinder. (Since I'm always the guinea pig, I've used the triple angled one for winding off cones on the floor, and I liked them rather well.)
ReplyDeleteHe calls them Yarn Guides and it could be a quick (and relatively cheap) fix to that current winder issue.
Thank you! That middle quilt has me swooning. The orange and pinks! Ack! Too gorgeous. One of these days I will descend on Philly and make you introduce me to Liza. And if you're going to start quilting, you don't have to limit yourself to small. (I don't tell new knitters to make hats or scarves either. Want a sweater? Make one. Want a quilt? Make one.) Oh, and your summer sweater? I can highly recommend anything from Norah Gaughan Vol. 2. They work up super quick.
ReplyDeleteif you're going to TNNA, then you can stop by booth #953 - NATURE BUTTONS!
ReplyDeleteregina and you and I can do the "air kissy" thing!
oooh, yes you can knit a short-sleeve sweater by june! now... which one? inquiring minds...
ReplyDeleteI love Carol's advice...could you POSSIBLY limit yourself to a small quilt? You KNOW you'll want a king-size quilt to put over your bed.
ReplyDeleteI have to tell you...the quilt I made with lots of help from Liza (design, fabric purchase and sewing advice help) sits on my bed in Glorious splendor three seasons out of the year...I will never regret having done that.
Running yarn through your fingers... my buddy unvented a nifty little thing. Get a wee clamp. Attach a fishing leader the right length, and a swivel (also fishing gear) Clamp the clamp to a cupboard door or something above your winder. Run the yarn through the swivel ... the swivel now does the work of your arm. (This is also wonder stuff for winding yarn off your spindle)
ReplyDeleteIce yes, on 15 min. off 15 min.
Quilting. Will you stop that please? I am avoiding the lovely quilting shop on Cold Lake's main street, and you are pushing me in the damn door.
Knitted tampons ... just say "no" and back away.