Author: denisemor

If you’re a longer-term reader of the blog, you might remember back in 2014 when I modified my lateral treadle spinning wheel by fixing a knitting needle in the orifice of the flyer to make it operate as a spindle wheel.

Since The Man built Moto, my electric spinner, to use the same flyer the lateral treadle wheel hasn’t been seeing as much use as it required swapping the flyer out from one machine to the other.

I’d been thinking for a while that it might be nice to have the lateral treadle wheel be a dedicated spindle spinner. Not having to drive the whole flyer would mean less resistance/easier treadling, and potentially higher ratios if we used a smaller whorl. I recently brought the idea to The Man that we might design a permanent spindle attachment for the wheel.

And so, I give you Spindle Wheel mod V2!

With the new assembly in place, I think that it’s working at about a 25:1 ratio. It’s quite comfortable for long draw. Been practicing with some random carded fleece bits and trying to get my Rio Grande Flip technique back, but so far, I’ve had the best luck spinning and then winding on like you would with a walking wheel.

Here’s a closer look at the new spinning head

and here is the sample yarn chain plied up (on Moto). Soft and squishy woolen-spun goodness 🙂

In knitting news, progress continues on Marjolaine, despite a brief setback earlier in the week.

After completing and blocking the yoke, things looked good, so I just continued on according to the pattern, casting on underarm stitches and knitting the body. But it kind of felt like maybe there was too much fabric.

A quick try on about 3 in inches down confirmed my suspicions. Seemed like it was kind of flaring out, when I needed it to be slightly tapering. Thankfully, I’d left in a lifeline at the last charted row. So I ripped back and started again with a new plan. This time I cast on only 10 new stitches under each arm (rather than 18) and decreased 1 stitch per pattern repeat around the yoke twice, three rows apart (-22 stitches). Once that was complete I started waist shaping, decreasing 4 stitches every 6 rows.

Just did another try-on, and it looks like I’m on the right track. So glad I ripped back when I did. 🙂

For a quick try-on, now that the yoke is complete!

And we appear to be on-track! woot!

While I was at it I thought I should probably do a quick blocking of the yoke to yet a true sense of the gauge in the colorwork. That way I can see if I need to change needles to keep things consistent in the rest of the body and arms, as those will be plain stockinette stitch in Dottie’s silvery gray.

After a nice relaxing soak, sweater is basking in the late summer (officially Fall now, I know, but it’s in the low 80’s here today) sun.

Hopefully it will dry quickly and I can get it right back on the needles without losing my momentum!

And in garden news- the pears are in! Our funny ancient little pear tree really outdid itself this year, and we’ve been working hard to get as much processed as possible before they start going to mush. Such a short window with pears!

The Man just made that pear cake this afternoon, and the whole house smells amazing. 🙂

And I’m pleased to report that Survivor Chig is out of her bandages, and on the verge of going back to the pasture.

Here she is hiding in the rhody forest, trying to avoid being fussed with

She’s not thrilled about the chicken saddle (the model with shoulder protectors) I’ve got on her right now, as it’s got an elastic strap that goes around her neck. I might have to change it out for a less restrictive model before she goes back to the pasture gang. But I’m really relieved that she’s healed so well. Here’s hoping she transitions back without incident.

Did my last Alger Sunday market of the regular season today, and managed to get a fair bit of knitting done as well while minding the booth. This photo was taken yesterday, while I had it off the needles for a quick try-on and tension check on the stranded colorwork. I’m about 8 or 10 rows further along now.

I think there are only about 14 rows of the chart left, then this should really start going quickly. It’s exciting to see it come together- and use up some yarn from my substantial stash. This Dottie yarn has been hanging out for a couple/few years, waiting to become a sweater.

Otherwise, not a lot of news this week. Garden is starting to slow down, but still providing a fair bit of tomatoes, peppers and squash. Dug some of the first potatoes this week- and keeping an eye on the pumpkins and winter squashes

Rouge  D’Etampes

Jarrahdale

Delicata

Also, The Man made great use of our garden produce the other night and made this Eggplant Masala

I didn’t think to take a picture of the finished dish, but it was super tasty. Highly recommend.

That’s all I got for now. Have a good week folks-

We’ve been getting quite a bit of smoke for fires in Canada and also south and east of here in WA. It’s somewhat better today, but yesterday looked about like this

The smoke is keeping it cooler than forecasted, but it is kind of tough on the eyes, nose & throat.

Hoping we’ll get some rain soon to clear the air and bring the fire danger down.

I’ve been making good progress so far on Marjolaine- been nice to have a sweater project going

Also spun and plied another skein of yarn from the reclaimed fleece–

I learned last week that this sheep’s name is Alice. Always nice to have a name to go with a fleece 🙂

And in the garden, we’re starting to get more peps

and melons!

Not so many melons this year as last, but they are mighty sweet and tasty.