Unusual Heirloom

This is not what you might expect a cherished heirloom to look like.

Of the things left to me by relatives, my mother's waffle iron is one of the most cherished. It may not sparkle like the crystal collection, or be of great monetary value, but it carries the most memories and has earned the space it takes in my kitchen. 

When I was a child mom always made either waffles, pancakes, or french toast for Sunday breakfast. This "Sunbeam Radiant Control Waffle Baker & Grill", with interchangeable cooking surfaces, did them all. It has continued to receive regular use for over 60 years! The manual/recipe pamphlet has accompanied it and has a copyright dating 1954.  

When mom gave it to me a few decades ago I was thrilled. I wish appliances were still made to be such good performers and so reliable. The thermostat and "easy to see signal light" still work for goodness sakes! 

Modern appliances with their built in obsolescence just can't compare to these old timers that keep on going and going and going. If you ask me, a great deal of the trash in the world is the direct result of things not being made like they used to should be. 

Saori Christmas Stocking

On New Years Eve I warped my loom in red and white as part of a guild year end challenge to make something in the colours of the flag of our origin.

I'm Canadian as were my parents and 3 of my grandparents, so red and white for the Canada Flag was my choice.

I found working with such a limited colour palette was quite challenging!

But red and white does make a great colour scheme for Christmas stockings!

This stocking, and hopefully two more, will all be for sale at the guild's booth at the Christmas Craft Market in November. 

They will all be fully lined with red broadcloth. 

Buttons Can Wait

Since the pandemic has closed all stores in this area that sell a good variety of buttons, and my huge button jar has produced nothing acceptable, the baby cardigan I just finished will have to remain buttonless for at least a while yet. That's okay since the baby it was made for isn't scheduled to make an appearance until May and the cardigan is a one year size anyway.

The little hat I made to coordinate with it is finished too.

I based the hat on the "Tiny Tot" hat pattern by Kristen Rettig, but made changes to accomodate my yarn choice, gauge, and preferred size. 

I'm particularly proud of my seaming efforts.







And since I don't know the gender of the expected baby ---

--- I also made a set in blue, but on that one I accidentally sewed the striped sleeve to the striped front. Ah well, I don't think it really matters.

The little fellow I made a set for last June has now grown into it.

Colour Comparison

Since it has been remarked that the colour of the natural green cotton is subtle I thought I'd show a photo of it side by side with natural Sarepta brown and Acada white, though the white is in a skein since I have no unspun sliver left.

Apparently both the brown and the green will darken and intensify with use and laundering, or after being boiled for awhile. 

Natural Green Up the Nose

A pound of natural green cotton arrived early this morning.

Of course I had to get spinning it right away! I must say it's a little different than spinning the Acada White or the Sarepta Brown cotton. I had more trouble getting started and my results, at least so far, are a little less consistent. I'm sure that will improve with practice and experience.

I also noticed that I'm getting a lot more airborne fluff flying about clinging to my face and getting up my nose. I think it would be wise to wear a facemask while spinning this. 

Of course with all this CoronaVirus hysteria going on the chances of being able to buy a facemask right now are practically nil. I guess I'll be looking up the home sewn variety before I continue.

Wee Walnut Windhaven

This beautifully handcrafted Inkle loom arrived yesterday. Isn't it a cute little thing? It's petite size means it can be used in one's lap and will make a convenient portable loom for away from home use.

It was made of beautiful walnut wood by Miss Maggie of Windhaven Looms.

The loom comes with a narrow stick shuttle, a laminated quick reference card showing the warp path, and a well laid out instruction booklet with several pretty patterns to start you off.

I was up and weaving the same day and I'm very happy with the results.

And Now the Reverse

Another table runner, this time with the colours reversed. 

2 ply handspun Sarepta Brown cotton for the main weaving, 2 ply handspun Acala White cotton for the stripes. A small portion at each end done with singles to make hemming less bulky. 

Weaving Handspun Cotton

I've spun and I've spun over the past few months, spinning up at least 2 pounds of cotton now, but this is the first time I've actually used my cotton. Now that I've tried weaving handspun cotton I'm definitely hooked. I really love the way it looks and feels.

This is the beginning of my first weaving. I cut it from the loom to use as a wet finishing sample when I spotted a mistake in the threading. It's marked on the right there with a pin. Two threads were in the same heddle. I've since rethreaded and have continued weaving.

I've already woven enough to complete quite a long table runner but I have plenty more warp to work with. This prewound Saori warp was a Christmas gift from a very generous friend.

The warp is organic cotton in varying thicknesses in natural undyed brown, green, and white. The weft is all my own handspun! Such a pleasure to weave with it. The first runner is predominately handspun Acala white with three stripes of Sarepta Brown at each end. I think I'll weave a second runner with the opposite combination.