head sitting

head sitting
Originally uploaded by hairycarrot

Jacques did get a new buddy. They are just getting used to each other, but it's working out. Jacques now endures many or the bizarre behaviors that he did to Arcanus. To begin with, Parsley sits on his head.
Parsley also destroys boxes even more intently than Jacques does. He demolishes each edge.

zelda hemline

zelda hemline
Originally uploaded by hairycarrot

I started zelda, from Naughty Needles. It seems like the perfect thing to use my SWTC Bamboo for. I completed the first pattern repeat. It goes fairly quickly, but I already know I'll be working on it in bunches at a time because I only have metal needles in that size.
I'm probably going to use a pattern from here for a bathing suit, also. The patterns are written the way I like to read them, so it's really satisfactory. An added bonus, all her finishing example photos are in a yarn that I have, but don't have the ball band for, so I might finally find out what it is.

Arcanus

Arcanus
Originally uploaded by hairycarrot

Arcanus went to the vet today. He had his surgery, and then died when they brought him out of anesthesia. He was sweet.

Now Jacques is alone. He needs other rats to live a real ratty life. I don't know exactly where I would get him a new friend. I can't tell if he notices that Arcanus is not here.

Plying on my Drop Spindle

I made this short video to show how I ply yarn on my spindle. There is no sound, but that was better than the video game music that was there before.
I have my two singles posted in a box resting on an old spinning wheel. They are pointed downward so that gravity holds the needles in the box. When I'm not spinning, the spindle fits through the slats on the uprights for the wheel.
I ply the two singles together, and then check the twist. If it's over or under twisted, I correct before winding it up. Then there is less to set later.
My cardboard box lazy kate.

yarn construction

I've spent this past week's evenings creating this self-striping yarn. It doesn't have a purpose, yet, but who cares? Eventually I'll come up with something to do with it. It's made from many varieties of wool and fiber from a http://luxe.etsy.com spinning kit. This one was named higgledy piggledy bits n' pieces.
Being the second one I made, the balance of the two plies was much closer than the last time. I'm also more satisfied with the coils. I haven't uploaded any pics of the finished yarn, but I'll do that today. There's still a pile of stuff left over from this kit, which I couldn't quite fit into this yarn. I'm going to combine it with the last kit's leftovers and make a third - probably a wrapped single.