I have a new tool in the studio! A warping mill or warping reel. It has a two yard diameter and can hold up to 20 yards. I suspect that would be rather fine stuff! The yarn in the pictures is eight yards of 8/2 cotton for a future plaid project. It was a bit awkward at first and by the end of two full bouts of my four to be done, I was a whirling blur and landing the sweet spots on each corner!
My desk is a bit too high for the mill and keeping it on the floor was too low. So it was very handy to score the large carton you see in the first picture as its the right height now. That box had Bruce's recent birthday gift of a new skookum Sunbeam table top mixer. He wants to make his own bread and I think that's a marvelous idea. { 'skookum' is a Canadian term for something that is wonderful!}
What's on the loom now? Well here's a sneak peak.... yup, more 8/2 cotton. Approximately eight yards of it for seven towels. Half dozen for the Etsy shop and one for us, plus some samples (or a bread cloth if there is enough warp.... fingers crossed!). Weaving is under way now and of course, the knee sets the pace. My right side feels fine now and its like nothing was done three months ago! Just a wee bit of swelling late in the day but it doesn't hurt.
So this was my last warp wound on the warping board for some time. It was peculiar and long time getting it done. The 600 +/- ends were done in short sprints where I would stand and wind like crazy and then sit to take a break and rest my knee. It took many days to get done. I ordered the warping mill on day one when I saw the difficulties. May I also add that the warping mill is on sale at Woolhouse Tools so that was a nice surprise!
Nana bought a new frame for the latest picture of our favourite grandson, Ethan. He will be three in mid April. Where has the time gone? I actually bought two new frames.... as our new grand daughter and Ethan's sister will be born tomorrow by Cesarean section. Her spot is there next to her brother already... Yes, you can expect baby pictures next post! Her new blanket is wrapped and waiting for her arrival.
Speaking of time, here's another picture. (click to enlarge) That's my son Chris (who is Ethan's Dad) and my recently newly engaged daughter Carrie, with Bruce and I back in approximately 1987. Yes, I'm wearing a pair of 'high' high heels and so not normally that tall next to Bruce. We were at a family member's wedding.
Yesterday, Calli went and got her spring haircut and came home with a girly floral bandana. She had 100% more energy and raced around the house. She's coming up to being five years old this spring.
Our weather has been unseasonably warm and so she had to get all the long hair off. (Sorry if you still are surrounded by snow banks, or heading into winter down under). Our part of Canada has enjoyed a mild winter with only one or three small snow falls and only one serious cold snap.
