MarthaJeanne - 2022 other stuff

This is a continuation of the nonbook parts of https://www.librarything.com/topic/338163#7780242

It's Monday again, and I have 15 Zoom squares for wet finishing. Good, I need them.

I have a few skeins of spun wool ready as well. Some I have just plied whatever was on the spindle to keep moving forward. This is important to keep making the squares I need.

I need to go to Dieroff tomorrow for white yarn and red wool to blend and spin.

>1 MarthaJeanne: my son assisted me in cleaning and organizing the living room/den this past weekend. I found my stash of yarn from when I was knitting, in a wicker basket.

I plan to pick up the needles again once I retire.

My wool arrived today. My friend even included a sample skein of a new wool she is now using. The merino is softer than the wool she was using before, and the colour shift is also really great. It will fit in with the other wools I am using in this vest.

The pattern is "Amber" from Crochet for Every Day. Today I am alternating crocheting with winding balls from skeins.

>3 MarthaJeanne: This is my palette, and the centre back.



The wool is all hand dyed with plant dyes.

>4 MarthaJeanne: ooh, pretty!

Of course, just because I have started this project doesn't mean I should neglect the others. I did one thread length on the Assisi bell pull. The bird is beginning to take shape.

I also finished another zoom square and did some sewing on that. I now have a piece with 21 squares sewn together. Yes, the finished blanket is 300, but you have to start somewhere.

>3 MarthaJeanne: I'm using the merino now, and it really does feel good in my fingers. The rounds are getting much bigger as I move on. I'm on round 12, which is 156 stitches. (The final round is 49, which is 616 stitches, so I've got a ways to go yet.)

I'm going to leave the crochet now, because I need to blend rolags to spin. I bought red wool to base them on on Tuesday. If I don't spin this week, I can't weave the zoom squares next week, and then have nothing to sew onto the blanket the week after that.

I missed the Wordle this morning. This takes my win percentage down to 97%. Devastating.

Got a lot of needlework done today.

On the Zoom blanket I finished two squares. I also finished spinning and plying one of the rolags. It needs to be wound into a skein.

I did two thread lengths on the bellpull. The design is beginning to show.

I'm on round 15 of the crochet vest. I like crocheting. I forget how relaxing it is. Not, of course, if I make a stupid mistake and have to undo a big bit, but the current rounds are just dc with occasional increases. Not a lot of chance to really muck it up.

A friend's daughter just got married. I've known the bride all her life. She and her sister often played with my older boys when they all were small. I've pulled out the green shawl I wove last summer. It still needs loose threads trimmed and the fringe evenly cut, but that will only take a few minutes tomorrow. I can't think what else to give her. She still lives with her parents, and he has moved in with them, so they do not need all the household stuff I was glad to get. I'm actually quite pleased with the shawl, as I was playing around with lots of yarns from my stash, and somehow it all sort of pulled together. But it's not as if I didn't have several others that I actually wear a lot. (I'm fairly sure it's the one from early September that I never described.)

Come to think of it, it's actually rather scary how many wedding presents get used on a regular basis around here after over 40 years. Admittedly, the markings on the Pyrex measuring cups are getting hard to read, the cake slice got too close to a gas burner sometime, ... The Nigerian batik is on the livingroom wall.

The bride seemed delighted to get a handwoven shawl, and even more so when she had opened it out. Her new husband seems to be a nice chap with the right kind of intentions. Also constantly jumping up to do things his MIL can't deal with for health reasons.

>10 MarthaJeanne: That’s an excellent sign of a good man. It’s sometimes obvious at occasions like that just how the marriage will turn out. I was at one celebration where the bride snapped her fingers to summon her new husband. And another where the groom complained there were fewer pictures of his boyhood in the slideshow.

I got a good amount of progress made on the crocheted vest today while listening to three organists play around on organs. One was the salesman, the other two my husband and a friend who came along to advise us, although by the end of the session he sounded like he might also be buying. We need a better organ than the one we have. But the new one will need a place in the living room. It's much too nice to hide away in the basement. So I'll be moving furniture and sorting out junk. There is time, though. We haven't actually ordered yet, and delivery times are 3-4 months, baring major catastrophies.

I have made visible progress on all four big projects today.

I also planted out 18 of the leek starts I was given on Saturday. The sun has come out after a very dark day. Drat, we could use rain.

I'm glad we live on the outskirts of Vienna, and not in the centre. Last night all the bells in the cathedral started to ring at about 2am. The cathedral pastor had to get up, go into the cathedral, and figure out how to turn them off. Apparently a hacker got into their app.

>12 MarthaJeanne: Well, we ordered the organ yesterday. The friend's wife was along this time, as she also needs to be comfortable playing it. In the end we ordered two identical organs, and it was all lots of fun. The two men succumbed to the temptation of a third manual. The salesman pointed out that the rolling cover adds yet more height, making the music stand very high, so they decided to do without that. So we will need a cloth cover. I'm not going to worry about it until the organ is here, but that will be another project. Unless I just finish the Chinese dragon for there.

However, the five of us spent over 1 1/2 hours together in a small room, and the friend has since tested positive. We'll see what happens. The good news is that the newest oral Covid medication will be available here from Wednesday, and I know the doctor will prescribe it for Jerry if he tests positive next week sometime.

We got tested yesterday, and the results have come. I have a very bad cold, but not Covid. Jerry seems healthy, but he is positive for Covid.

As far as the cold goes, I'm pretty miserable, but I didn't think it was Covid. Jerry interacted a lot more with the friend, so that's not surprising either. It's just aggravating. He had already said he might not be playing in church Sunday, and a backup has been organized.

Oh, sympathy! I just spent my first night in two weeks without medication. With head colds, I disagree with the body’s fighting method and would rather breathe than flush out germs. Do see if you can get xyzal (Levocetirizine). It’s my new miracle drug.

I'm working with my normal nose spray (after all, one does have to breathe) and sage from the garden mixed with various herbal teas said to work. Wait a minute. While searching for something else I saw some of my magic apple thyme jelly. I need to get that out. Thyme is good for the whole breathing apparatus, and has such a clean flavour.

Woke up this morning and thought that (except for using a lot of tissues) I was feeling almost human again. Mistake to try to judge that before getting up.

BTW Our internet disappeared for several hours yesterday. I am in high hopes that whatever they did out at the street will make short outages a lot less common. Shhh! I didn't say that.

No, really not quite human yet. My blood pressure is in the cellar, and I'm still coughing up a lot of that post nasal drip. Yuck!

However, I did go out and admire the daffodils that are opening up, and fed the hedgehog or whatever has decided to eat the hedgehog food. Last time I put some out, the mealworms disappeared fast, but the hedgehog pellets didn't until last night.

I also did a bit on the Zoom blanket, and will try to do some crocheting as well.

>20 MarthaJeanne: sorry you're still not quite human. ;)

I recently had allergy issues, stuffy nose, and I tried using a little mentholated ointment (generic version of Vicks Vaporub) under my nose...it worked well to reduce the stuffiness. I've been trying to not use antihistamines unless necessary.

It makes everything more complicated that we are in quarantine because of Jerry's Covid test. Theoretically, I could go shopping, but I don't drive any more. If I were desperate I would call the friend whose husband got us into this, but I really would prefer not to give her my cold.

He has now caught my cold. Mine is getting better. My blood pressure got up above 100 today. I even got a load into the washer. Since it includes all the jogging trousers I own that have working elastic, that is really good. We can test again on Sunday. With any luck we will both be negative, and life can more or less resume.

The hedgehog food all disappeared last night.

I spent half an hour or so on the purple blanket this afternoon. Not much more weaving to do.

I thought you’d enjoy this knitwork:
https://youtu.be/fREnazhS3p0

I am not going to knit, weave, crochet, or embroider animated anything.

It wasn’t a challenge; I just thought it was fun.

I got a little more weaving done this afternoon. I also made scones for supper, did a load of laundry, and still have to finish changing my bed before I can get into it. I'm hoping to have more energy tomorrow. It would also be nice if Jerry felt well enough to drive to the testing site. We really need to go shopping soon.

I actually have made real progress on the crocheting. I'm now on round 24. After 12 rounds of solid dc, this is back to chain arches that will be covered with triple crochet. It's nice to have a change of pace.

Jerry asked whether this is something new. I reminded him that I worked on it both times at the organ store. It's gotten a lot bigger!

And now I'm on round 25.

We went out yesterday to get tested so we can go shopping again. Guess what! Both now positive. This could explain why I have absolutely no energy.

So sorry! I hope it remains just an inconvenience. Will include you in prayers.

Just got a delivery from the wife of the Covid contact. I have lemons and tissues again.

I am on the final few centimeters of my purple blanket. But I don't have the energy to take it off the loom today.

I finished round 27. I even had enough in the ball to get all the way around. The next round has the armholes to fiddle with, plus there are a few obvious misprints over the next few rounds. Will my brain cooperate?

Jerry had also tried ordering groceries online on Thursday. They said it would be delivered on Saturday (today). Since nobody showed up he checked, and is now scheduled for Monday. He has cancelled.

There's little white stuff coming down. At 2° it won't stick.

>34 MarthaJeanne: Let us be generous and say that I misunderstood the directions. Most of the round had to be pulled out. At least that went easily and the redo worked.

I'm still weak, but almost human again. I even did some real cooking for supper - Jerry made a lot of extra noodles last night, so I made a sauce combining things from freezer and refrigerator that needed to be used up, and baked the result. It was actually very good. If you really want to know - cevapcici (Balkan sausages) and grilled eggplant from the freezer, both quite old. Mozzarella and ricotta from the fridge, not as old, but past their use by dates. Bay leaf from the greenhouse and a can of tomatoes. Useful meal.

I would so like to be able to shop again. Even sending Jerry is not the same. Of course I haven't been physically in shape for it, even if I weren't in quarantine, but that's another matter.

I'm up to round 32 now.

When I ordered a copy of the book I was told that it would take time, and I promised not to pester them until I had to renew the library copy again. That was yesterday, and yesterday I also got the email that my copy has arrived. Would be good timing, except that I can't pick it up until next week. Still, I'm glad it's here. Well, there. Available.

I have been able to check size, now that the armholes are done. It is somewhat bigger than intended, but doesn't seem much too big when I try it on. I can also let it full a bit once it's done if I want it a bit smaller. I am certainly glad I didn't use a smaller hook. I like my crochet fairly loose. I'm also quite happy with my colour choices so far.

I think tomorrow I'll be ready to spin and weave again.

>37 MarthaJeanne: Wow. It really knocked you down for a while. I’m so glad you seem to be on the recovering side of the game.

A day or two ago we watched a retired musician on television talking about missing a Ukraine benefit concert because of Covid. He talked about the terrible lack of energy. He said how much he regretted not participating. Of course, he couldn't while he was Covid positive, but he said as he watched on television he asked himself whether, if he didn't need to protect the other participants, he could get up there on stage like he wanted to. No. He could not have done it. He just did not have the energy. I'm nodding through all this. Not all that sick, really. But just totally wiped out.

So if you have a choice, don't get Covid. Even the very 'mild' version after being vaccinated. It's no fun at all.

I’m considering getting a second booster, now available to certain groups. But the first booster knocked me down for a week or so. I’d better wait until my obligations are done.

The shots didn't seem to affect me much.

We went for testing today. Whether I am really up for shopping etc. yet, it would be nice to have it be an option. Supper was the frozen Burek we have discussed before.

I am now over half way around round 33. This is the fourth dc round, and includes increases. I'm counting the stitches between the increases (37) and marking them with an earring. I have also just run out of that ball and can start a new ball. There are 6 rounds of dc, and then 2 more rounds less dense before the next colour change. We'll see if the second ball is enough.

I'm still positive.

Wait a minute. The value is 38.19, so I can go out.

>43 MarthaJeanne: There’s a value on the test result? I’d not heard of that.

Our positive PCR results include a line
COV Ct-wert N1/N2 38.19

The number is apparently something about how often they had to multiply the DNA to find the virus. Anything above 30 is considered to probably not be infectious.

https://www.science.org/content/article/one-number-could-help-reveal-how-infecti...

(Article from Sept 2020)

I've got a bandage wrapped around my left index finger where the yarn had made an irritated dent. Now the dent is in the bandage. But I can continue crocheting.

You might think of making a leather cuff for the finger, much like archers wear on their wrists.

I'm now on round 36, so out of the dc rounds. I have also finished that ball and switched to a partial ball which should be enough until the next colour change. I'll have to pull a new skein out tomorrow and wind the balls.

>48 MarthaJeanne: Nope, I still have 1/3 of the last round to go, and I've had to start using the second skein.

These rounds now have over 600 dc, so I'm having to try to see if I have enough of the colours I want to use. And if not, what my best alternatives are. I'm going to run out of the merino before I want to. I think I'll use the dark onion. That should work.

Found another obvious mistake. 608 + increase 4 in each of 4 rounds does not equal 616. However, 608 to 152 loops works out to 624 to 156 loops, so 624 is right. Not that I was planning on counting stitches, but getting the right, or at least an number of loops divisible by 4 for the edging matters.

The edging will be in the yarns I have plenty of, it's getting to that point that is making problems.

I've now finished the main body of the vest. I did one less round than the directions called for, putting double the increases in my final round. It's plenty big enough, and I did not want another colour change. The ones I have work well, but I used up most of the last few colours. If I've counted right, I came out right on the stitches.

I'm now on the second round of the border. It's going well, and unless I really counted wrong or made some other foolish mistake, I will soon have a new vest to wear. This will be clear at the end of this round - call it tomorrow.

I've tried to get back to the zoom squares, but I find the weaving takes a lot more concentration and fine motor control than I really have quite yet. I'll keep at it, but this is frustrating.

The good news is that round two of the edging came out right. The bad news is that it shouldn't have, as I have found at least two places where I miscounted. Therefore, there ought to be two more places with the same mistake to make it come out or two places with the opposite mistake. I'm hoping it's the same mistake, as I have figured out how to adjust for it so that the next round is straightforward.

I finally finished a zoom square, started another one and did some sewing on the blanket. Maybe next Monday I will have a batch of squares to finish. I also did a very small amount of spinning before having problems. Still it felt good while it was working.

Got around that round. It wasn't two more small mistakes, but one big mistake. If I could count on getting the whole thing right if I did it again ... I just hope what I did will work out alright when I get to it.

I have a funny feeling that the current round will take as much wool as the last two together. Not a problem. I have switched balls after changing rounds, and even if this ball isn't enough I have another skein. I will almost certainly need to start it, as there are still armhole edgings to crochet.

Still, getting there.

This round is taking so long. It's also using a lot of yarn, but I think the current ball is big enough.

I bought an Australian hat at the garden centre on Friday. I like it, but it was a bit loose, so I have hemmed a loop of elastic in under the band. Now it doesn't feel as though it will blow off in the next breeze.

I've also started working on zoom squares again. Slowly, but that project is moving forward again. I still won't have a batch to finish tomorrow, but probably next Monday.

Last round! I was wondering if I really want a final slip stitch round from the wrong side. Well, after doing a good piece of it, yes, I do. It looks lovely.

When I wrote on Sunday, I was still using the variable yarn. That ball probably will see me through the armhole finishing. If not, I still have another skein. These final two rounds are the dark indigo, and make a lovely border.

I should finish the woven blanket now that I am doing better. I have enough yarn left from the vest to weave a good piece of cloth, mostly in the various onion skin tones. I'm not quite sure I'm up to warping the big loom, but it's warm enough that it would be feasible.

Finished the last round! Also the first armhole. That just leaves sewing in lots of ends, and then whatever finishing is called for. Certainly blocking, maybe fulling first.

Just tried it on. I love it, and the size is good. I think a gentle wash before blocking is good, but I won't be trying to reduce the size.

There is a coffee chain here which is mostly known for carrying a wide range of special offers. Often useful, hard to find items, but buy them this week if you want them, as next week they'll be selling something else. One of the current choices is a set of 10 elastic cords suitable for sewing - in ten different colours - 2 metres each. How I wish they had had this two years ago when elastic was so hard to find, and one could have matched the elastic to the cloth used for the mask. I still bought it, of course.

>56 MarthaJeanne: Looking forward to the grand show. I know you won’t model it. Would Jerry?

I'll do a picture after it's done. Not long now.

>59 MarthaJeanne: Actually, maybe I won't. Like Ruth, I don't see any way to add a picture.

>56 MarthaJeanne: I think I have all the ends sewn in. Lots of ends. Lots and lots of ends, but I think I have them all now. Tomorrow I will wash it and block it. It has a diameter of 140 cm, so finding a suitable space is a challenge.

I can also wash a bunch of Zoom squares, for the first time in several weeks. The piece that is sewn together is seven squares in each direction - measured 65 cm. I don't think 140 wide is a problem, but if I want the blanket to be a full 2 metres, I will need 21 or 22 rows.

I am getting better, but very slowly. I even made muffins today, and a more complicated dinner. We won't talk about how it tired me out. They tasted very good.

All blocked at radius 68 cm. I found another end to sew in.

I've got a picture of it all pinned out.

Still stopping by, enjoying your thread. :)

Wow! That’s beautiful! Stunning!

I'll try and get a picture of it on.

I have started an easy (if large) cross stitch that I want to use on the manual cover for the new organ when it comes. I could, of course also use the Chinese dragon. We'll see. This is on fairly coarse evenweave, and shows a family of blue tits on a clothesline.

At the start I had a couple of miscounts that required large amounts of frogging (Rip it! Rip it!), but now I have enough reference points that it should be better.

Anyway, it's a cute picture, and should go quickly.

I really need to get the purple blanket done. As it gets warmer I'm going to need to sleep in the basement, and I can't open the bed with the weaving things in the way.

I can't do it, I can't do it, I can't do it. I'm just making too many mistakes.

>68 MarthaJeanne: what? The cross stitch? Are you coming to it after a full day of other work?

No, it's mostly been first thing in the morning. I have now taken the work out back to the mistake, and restitched as far as the thread went. It wasn't actually as much as I had feared. Tomorrow I can try again.

It's just so frustrating, because I am feeling a lot better. I can even imagine doing things that I would really enjoy. In most cases I am reasonable enough to know that neither my body or my brain are really up to it yet. Now and again I push too far, and pay for it with a day of not coping with anything. I'm getting very bored. I am really looking forward to reading The Old Testament in the New, which was in my last Amazon package, but I think I'd better hold off, at least until I can get through my current nonfiction books. I am enjoying both of them when I can concentrate long enough to actually get through a reasonable number of pages. (i.e. 20, not 3.) I would like to finish the weaving that is on the loom. I even know what I want to weave next. Is it reasonable to think that I can warp the loom right now? No. No chance. I can't afford to try it. It's frustrating. But I should be able to do the cross stitch. I should be able to stitch 8 stitches, and not 7.

At least the garden is really beautiful right now. It's fun watching the birds, although there is one who insists on repeating his challenge over and over, very loud. Maybe he could get just a bit of a sore throat?

In the process of trying to convince myself that I am still capable of various textile crafts, Katie got a new net vest. Please notice the butterfly.



The pattern used a solid yarn. I thought this patterned sock yarn would be more interesting. Besides, I had it.

Anyway. No mistakes!

>71 MarthaJeanne: Shoulder to the left? She’s a cutie

I've had her for years, and every now and then I make her some new clothes. I hoped that at some point I would be able to pass her and her wardrobe on to a granddaughter. Doesn't look like that will ever happen.

Here are a couple of pictures of me in the vest in front of our new rose arch.

Why, hello MarthaJeanne! It’s nice to finally see your face, you shy thing.
That vest is magnificent! You will have to plan a momentous outing to compliment it.

Those roses look happy too. What a job getting them up there!

Well, yes it was, but now we can walk beneath them.

For the record, I borrowed the book Crochet for every day from the library and read it early February. It took a month to really decide to make it and organize the wool.

I started working from the library book, but also ordered a copy of my own. Partly because I was afraid that I would have to return the book before I finished, partly to be able to add corrections and other notes to the pattern. Also, that seems fair to the designer if I'm going to make the pattern, and not just read the book. My copy took a month to arrive. (I just realized that I didn't update my entry when I bought it. Fixed.)

And a month later, by now early May, I was able to block the finished vest.

Total cost for yarn, book, new hook when I lost the first one came to under €200. However I seem to have about half of the yarn left, and I want to weave a piece that will be more 'onion' based.

I have edited the pictures and reuploaded them.

The wash machine is getting a real workout today. I had two loads to do, because I hadn't done any for a few days. Then my husband was all dressed up for a fairly important meeting, when I pointed out that his trousers were filthy. So he dutifully, if somewhat to my surprise, took them off and added both those and another pair, both washable wool, to the laundry basket.

First load was the trousers. While I was downstairs getting the second load going, I decided to go to the loom. Doing the last little bit is never fun, as the warp misbehaves when it gets too short. There are always a few fiddles done earlier that need to be adjusted. I also ran out of wool on the shuttle. I found another wound shuttle, and am glad to have been able to use most of it up, but it was shorter than ideal. Not the wool on it, the shuttle. It's just a bit fiddlier when the shuttle is shorter than the width of the warp. I did find several small lengths of the yarn that will be useful for zoom squares, but would not have done to finish this.

However that was all minor hassles, and I have finished the piece. I have even tied it off from the warp beam. When I go back down I can tie it off the cloth beam, and then it goes in the washer for wet finishing. Then I get to sew the three lengths together, and add a binding to one end. At the end of that, we will have a new blanket. It's really useful that the washer has a good wool cycle, isn't it?

The only question left open is whether the whites will get washed today. Tomorrow is another day.

A few weeks ago I heard a concerto by Domenico Dragonetti on Classic FM, and decided I needed it on CD. Well, in the meantime I have two CDs of his work, and hardly listen to anything else. He was a Venetian musician playing double bass, and apparently decided that if he was to have interesting music to play he would have to write it himself. If you like 18-19th century music, do listen to a few of his pieces.

>79 MarthaJeanne: That sounds exciting. I will certainly check him out.

Last week I basically did not work on the Zoom blanket. This week I seem to be back on task, including spinning. This was really beginning to worry me, but I was messing up when I tried. Next Monday I should have both yarn and squares for finishing.

I thought I needed to buy more of the cream yarn, but first checked part of my stash. Aha! two more balls, so I have enough for a while.

Anyway, I'm quite pleased with how the blanket is growing:



The central rectangle will be 5x10 squares. Lower left in the picture. Obviously it needs to be blocked, but only once it's all done.

Cream and dark brown are 'Preber 3fach' by Ferner Wolle, an Austrian company. The colours are my own hand spun, mostly also blended by me.

>81 MarthaJeanne: I particularly like the solid color squares. Great colors. I’d love to be able to feel the fabric.

>74 MarthaJeanne: nice photo!

And I like the arch, too.

>81 MarthaJeanne: love the blanket. It reminds me of the pot holders we used to weave as children, and I mean that as a compliment.

>82 2wonderY: When you come visit Vienna.

>84 fuzzi: Same basic technique - wrapping the yarn around pegs on a square base, except a continual yarn instead of loops. This gives you a lot more variety of possible textures, by using different yarns, but if you want to do something other than plain weave it gets a lot more complicated. I have directions, but have not managed to convince myself that it is worth the hassle. On the other hand, there are also hexagon little looms, that I try not to covet.

For the basic square you wrap the yarn first every other spot, then turn 90° and do the same. The next 90° does the threads between the first one. Note: so far you have just wrapped the yarn, and not done any weaving. For the fourth set, you measure out the yarn and use a long needle to weave the rest of the weft between the second wrapping. It always feels a bit like magic that it all works out woven.

Here is my current half-finished square. The yarn was partly blue, then purple.



You can see how the needle picks up the blue yarn from the first wrap.

Humpf. The dehumidifier was striking. I had emptied it, but it still acted full. I took the water holder off again, reached in to the switch, couldn't make it work. So I asked Jerry to look at it. He took the water holder out and replaced it, and now the thing is running again.

Obviously this is better than having to go buy a new one, but couldn't it have at least made a little trouble for him after refusing to work for me?

>85 MarthaJeanne: Oh, that is so pretty!

>86 MarthaJeanne: I hate it when something that doesn't work for me acts normal when someone tries to help...

I just assume they have a magic touch and it then becomes their job.

I guess we just spent a useful half hour. The last time I went down to iron, the whole extension cord that hold the iron and the TV/DVD player was pulled down in back because the rear wall of the cupboard I use for sheets had come off. Well, OK, had finished coming off. It had taken the cables with it, and I was convinced that the zapper for the TV and the box for the DVD that was in the machine had to be back there, too.

We cleared out the area behind there, saving a few really 'nice' rags, like old undershirts, and throwing our sons' pillowcases (Harry Potter, etc.) and other useless bits away. Sheets that we no longer use, but that are still good were added to the charity pile. The rag pile is still too high, but reducing it more is for another day.

There were a few other things back there to recover, but not the things I was looking for. Jerry found them quite quickly, though. We've had workmen down there a few times recently, and things got shifted around. Good. I hate zappers, but it's the only way to change the volume. And Mikado ought to be in a box.

Of course, if I'd known where the box and zapper were, I would have just ignored the situation. I guess this was good to do, though. There really was a good deal of tension on those cables.

>89 MarthaJeanne: Sounds like a very productive session. I’m spending the day deep cleaning the living room, which starts with dealing with piles of paperwork and piles of book; and exploring cabinet drawers (3 of them) which got filled and forgotten soon after the move. I hope to get to the dusting and vacuuming by the end of the day.

Well, I was naughty today.

The friend whose yarn I used in the crocheted vest is taking part in a wool market here in Vienna this weekend. I had to go didn't I? Wearing the vest of course. I wanted a few other tones to go into the cloth I want to weave. She also had spindles along. Even she was of the opinion that I probably had enough spindles at home. 'But I want them.' Then I got involved in a discussion of what warp to use with one of the indigo yarns. Ooops, a skein of that plus one of my favoured choices ended up in my bag.

At the other stands I was better. One stand had an interesting wool/silk/linen blend to spin which I was rather interested in, but only in yellow or bright green. She said she had had a blue, which I probably would have bought, but somebody else beat me to it.

I have a perfectly functional, but rather ugly, plastic ball winder. Somebody had nice wooden ones, but they need a lot more space. Rather than trying to sell me on a new one, she said that if my space is limited and the other one works for me I probably should stick with that one.

There was a lot more spun wool than wool for spinning. That is easier to resist, and projects didn't come to mind, so I was only a little naughty.

The two extra skeins are already on my smaller loom. I divided the warp into four, and alternated the two yarns. I will also alternate in the weft, making squares. So far I have done two rows of squares, and yes, the yarns are lovely together. It is muted - dark blue and a lighter green, both with a fair amount of variation, but I like it.

I am very pleased that I was able to get the loom warped. It took about 1 1/2 hours, and pushed me near my limit, so I can't do the other loom yet, but it still feels good.

Well, not that naughty considering how much cash I had in my wallet that did not get spent.

>91 MarthaJeanne: Since you put it right to work, you are not merely buying to hoard. Kudos!

I did want a project for the sampler loom, but didn't have any ideas. This is also good preparation for the project on the bigger loom, because I now know that the 30/10 heddle works with this yarn. That's actually quite valuable before the big warping.

Note that I had had the yarns for the vest in view for a long time, but did not buy them until I knew what I was going to do with them.

But I am trying to use up stash.

I have moved down into the basement for the summer. I sleep a lot better at 22 than at over 25.

We had a set of three really cheap folding tables that connect(ed) up for pasting wallpaper. One was down there with 'stuff' above and below. Jerry decided to 'help' by pulling it away from the sofa bed. Umm. Not a good idea, as the legs collapsed out, when they are supposed to fold in. Luckily there is enough stuff underneath that it couldn't collapse far. If I could clear the sewing stuff on top, I think there is a partially worked puzzle on it. That was a few years ago, and the puzzle was too hard for me, as I recall.

-----

I've read about a new book about spinning newspaper, and what I've seen looks interesting. My bookstore has it, and they should be getting the Tom Wright book for me in the next day or two. I go there once a week anyway. The library also has it, but it's out right now. In theory I should borrow it before deciding whether to buy. I'm not really sure newspaper yarn is my thing. ... Ruth, you are responsible for my moral dilemma because I saw it on Amazon when checking out Wright's book.

>94 MarthaJeanne: Amazon’s algorithm knows you too well. I’d wait for the library copy. That’s going to be either yes or no; no in between.

Of course, I can always just look at it at the bookstore. Just because I find it and pick it up doesn't mean I have to buy it.

Papiergarn aus alten Zeitungen, No, no touchstone yet. It was apparently published in March. Marita vonDrees, not for the author either.

I made bread today. First time in months.

>96 MarthaJeanne: Looked at the book, but did not buy. Don't think I'll bother borrowing it either.

I put a warp on my big loom. This isn't the long warp with the natural dyed wool that will use up the yarns from my vest, well, OK with a few more that I bought at the little fair. This is a shorter warp using up stuff from my stash and clearing wool from the shuttles. It's not tied onto the cloth beam yet. Getting it onto the warp beam took 2 1/2 hours. One difficulty is that some of the yarn has been in my stash for quite a while, and even if parts of the balls are OK, other parts aren't. Still, I'm happy with the warp, and look forward to starting weaving. It is a mixture of dark yarns, with just a few light accents. The weft will have more light yarns it as I clear my collection of shuttles.

I should be able to get a shawl about 2m long from this warp. It will be a bit over 50cm wide. (60cm heddle)

Two positive things from the warping:

The new table we bought, mostly to be the second end while warping, does what it's supposed to it stays stable even with the full warp pulling at it.

I was actually sweating this afternoon. I've been having trouble with my salt intake, and must have gotten above the threshold. I really prefer less salt, but in summer I have to force it. (BTW my blood pressure is also low.)

I've done two half hour sessions at the loom this morning and it is ready for weaving. However it is already 27° out there, and I won't be able to actually weave today. I know many of you have temps now well above the 30s predicted here this week, but while 25 or 26 still works for me, by 27 I just want to hide out with the air conditioner.

I've wanted to wear sandals lately but apparently last summer I finally decided that my old ones were too beat up even for me to keep wearing. So last week I visited a few shoe stores. the problem is, I want to be able to walk in them. They need to be flat. They need a footbed. They need to attach to my foot, properly adjusted to fit. This is obviously rather unreasonable. Besides, there were no sales people around who weren't already trying to serve three or four customers.

We were at the mall this morning, and I decided to try again. I was greeted, asked what I wanted, and when I said I wanted sandals I can walk in, she said, "I think you want the Brand so-and-so that I have in the back of the shop." Yes! That's the brand I trust. Admittedly, some of them had a bit of a heel (1-2 cm, not 11-12), and some of them were silver sparkly, but there was also a nice solid sandal in either beige or navy blue. I left the beige ones on, and we walked the whole mall. Yes, I bought both pairs.

We also got the new grill pan Jerry wanted, his tea, sandwiches for supper, and basic groceries. I call that a successful trip.

Outside temps are going high all week, so I won't be going downtown. By going fairly early the mall was reasonable. Warm, but not hot, and with space to move around. In fact I saw several other walkers, probably mostly there for the exercise.

We are noticing more and more school groups out on excursions. It's actually rather nice to see the kids again after so many restrictions for so long.

>101 MarthaJeanne: I can't find good sandals anymore, everything is tight, uncomfortable, too high. I want a slide, one band across the ball of the foot, nothing between the toes.

Where are the Dr. Scholls of my childhood?

I got up 'early' and spent some time outside weaving. Not early enough, as it is hot and muggy today. But at least at that time only 26-27°. There was building noise going on somewhere near. The only songbirds were the crows. Not really nice. However, I did get a good piece done, and I'm fairly pleased with the result so far. But about when I should have wound the cloth on I started feeling very sweaty, so I put it away.

>102 fuzzi: Ah, the sandals of my childhood. That means India, and for many decades I lived in chupals in the summer. Straps from between the toes back to either side - like flip flops, but leather. I can't wear them any more. I wear cheap sandals like you describe in the garden, because I can get in and out of them quickly, and if they get wet or dirty, I don't care. However, I do not feel safe in them for serious use - like going up and down stairs. These sandals feel safe. I'm going to try to take it slowly and see if I can avoid blisters. Leather on bare skin in places that aren't used to pressure ... got to get my feet hardened up.

>104 MarthaJeanne: I went online and looked for Dr. Scholls. They still make them with wooden soles, but I can't justify spending $150 for a pair of sandals.

We had a lot of wind last night and eventually it rained, so it is much cooler today. I did another good piece of weaving. I emptied one shuttle and have refilled it with one of my stash yarns. Next one I empty will get put aside for the next piece.

I realized that the animal pictures in Pin Loom Weaving are the right size for t-shirts, and am considering putting the giraffes on a yellow shirt just waiting for embroidery. With brown thread on the yellow, it should work well. These pictures are really for a child's blanket, so the are all parent and child. (The lion is a father, not a mother.)

I had a morning weaving session, but not terribly satisfactory. I had to mend two warp threads. One had only lost one ply, so I was ablle to get it working again with a bunch of massaging to get the lump that formed past the heddle. The other one the whole yarn had broken which involved finding a new bit of the yarn, and then 'Where the **** did I put the yarn weights?' So it is actually only half mended, and eventually I will have to connect the original warp thread back in. I do now have an empty shuttle sitting on the wool for my next project.

Still, I did move a section onto the cloth beam, so there is progress.

I have brought the smaller loom back into the house. Now to create a space for it.

Morning weave report. Another warp broke. Same yarn as the other one, also a hole. They get worked harder than the slots. So I finished fixing the first one, and moved the warp weight to the new one. I emptied two shuttles and rewound one of them with another old yarn. I needed a brown shuttle. I moved two sections onto the cloth beam today. I did a little on the smaller loom last night, but not much.

Monday zoom blanket report. I have squares to finish and plied yarn to finish. I might have a second skein ready by evening. I have over a hundred squares sewn together, so there is still a long way to go. I need more squares for the brown border. The coloured border is now U shaped.

We tried to get the next booster today, but were told it was too early, because we were sick March/April. Of course that was only three months after my last shot.

Just in from my second session of weaving today. It's only 21° out there, amazing. Right now it's pretending that it wants to rain, but I'm not sure I believe it. Still, I was beginning to make silly mistakes. Time to quit, and put things away. Then it doesn't matter if it really does rain.

I saw a CD yesterday called Plucked Bach on which Alon Sariel plays Bach's cello Suites on a variety of plucked string instruments. It sounded interesting, so I bought it. Very nice. He's an Israeli lautist and conductor.

Finished the brown shawl.



There is still some finishing work to do, but basically, this is it.

>111 MarthaJeanne: Ooooh! Pretty!! I love the size, the weight, the colors. And your covered workspace!

https://www.jerrybarton.eu/Miscellaneous/DailyPicks/i-H5drRPH was resting on the table when I was setting up this morning.

>112 2wonderY: yes, the pavilion works well for us. We take the fabric down in winter, and after a few summers it is showing signs of arguments it has had with the climbing roses. But it is very nice to be protected from sun or light rain when I work outside.

As I mentioned above (>98 MarthaJeanne:) most of the yarn is old stuff from my stash, and often on the shuttles. I was just wondering how much more I could do before the warp wouldn't work any more, when I realized that a third warp yarn - same yarn, also hole - had given out several centimetres back. OK that does it. I mended the yarn, but not to keep weaving. I have washed it, it is now drying, and then I need to trim ends and the fringe.

It just so happens that I'm planning on going to a medieval market tomorrow, and they are predicting only 22°. I think I need to wear a shawl over my gown! Entrance is free for people wearing 'historical' costumes. They aren't very picky. My 'medieval' gown is very comfortable in warm weather, but I think I'll be glad of warm wool tomorrow. No, why do you think I just want to show off my new shawl?

After washing it's 52 cm wide and almost exactly 200 long, without the fringe, so I do not need to feel any guilt about the last few centimetres I theoretically could have woven. This is a loom with a 60 cm heddle, so once you figure in that the weaving is always narrower than the heddle, and that it shrinks again in finishing, that's the width you end up with. I have considered getting an 80 cm loom, but

1) the 60 cm fits my reach fairly well.
2) you actually need 3x the heddle working space for the shuttle to come out each side.
3) I have various heddles, shuttles, and other bits and pieces for the 25 cm and 60 cm looms. To acquire and store another set of even bigger ones isn't very attractive.
4) narrower cloth can always be sewn together if you need more width.

Ashford even makes a 120 cm rigid heddle loom, but just the idea of working with that is scary.

>111 MarthaJeanne: pretty!

My old medieval gown didn't really fit. I've lost a lot of weight since I bought it, and some of that since the last medieval market I was able to visit. Today's market was disappointing, really not up to earlier standards, but of course, making and/or buying in wares for markets that get cancelled for COVID reasons is not good business. There were two stands with clothing, so I bought a long blue linen skirt that probably won't be kept for medieval costuming, a brown and white gown very like my old one, and then the cap to match, a fibel to hold my shawl closed, and a length of band to decorate the new gown.

My old medieval gown didn't really fit. I've lost a lot of weight since I bought it, and some of that since the last medieval market I was able to visit. Today's market was disappointing, really not up to earlier standards, but of course, making and/or buying in wares for markets that get cancelled for COVID reasons is not good business. There were two stands with clothing, so I bought a long blue linen skirt that probably won't be kept for medieval costuming, a brown and white gown very like my old one, and then the cap to match, a fibel to hold the shawl closed.

Nice pin! I was hoping to see the entire outfit….

I'm trying to warp the loom again. Got the first step done.New table is not quite heavy enough for a long warp on the big loom, but I noticed in time and grabbed the bricks I have handy.

I am just about out of the onion skin wool that I want to predominate. Guess I need to buy more.

Right now I'm lying outside listening to the birds. Soon I need to get up and wind the warp onto the warp beam. This is where a second set of hands would be very helpful.

OK, done that, but next time I'm getting the table out. We have another piece of furniture out here that I thought would work. It did for the first step, but it is a fair amount lower, so I've been bending over more, and my back is not at all happy.

Next step is to put the loom back in its stand and tie the warp onto the cloth beam.

The warp is tied in. Now, as soon as I have paid for the wool, and it has been shipped, and arrives, I can start seriously weaving on this warp.

Temperatures are going up again. Last night was really too warm upstairs, so I'm retreating into my basement again. We decided to buy the new dehumidifier I've been talking about. It's smaller, seems to give off less heat, and is a lot quieter. Of course, if it's giving off less heat, the air conditioner will be used less. Even more energy saved and even less noise.

I'm working on the scarf in the meantime. Yes, these two yarns are lovely together. (>91 MarthaJeanne:)

Just finished weaving the green scarf. Fresh off the loom it measures 21 x 235 cm. I ran out of the lighter green on its shuttle, and decided not to try to do another square. I was close enough to the end that it was getting harder to weave and this way both ends are in the darker green. I won't miss the extra length.

This can go in the same wet finishing load as this week's zoom squares.

I bought some turquoise spray paint last week, so in the next few days I will take both loom stands apart and paint the bases. We both keep tripping over them in the house. Plain wood bases on wood floors are not easy to see.

Got the painting done. Due to impatience, I now have turquoise fingertips. I also got a bit in the grass, but none on my clothes, as far as I know. Both stands put back together, and the looms back on them.

I need to work on the laundry.

It's 32° outside, so I won't try to warp the small loom today.

>123 MarthaJeanne: Finished dimensions are 19 x 220 cm.

I am in the process of warping the smaller loom. Not really sure I'm up to it today, but I'm not going to get better weather for it. So far I have put the warp on and wound it onto the warp beam. I have started tying it onto the cloth beam, but got interrupted. My wool for the other loom has arrived. Martina has had COVID, and got it off yesterday, as soon as her quarantine was over. It looks lovely, but I really must finish with warping before I get the other loom out.

Well, I got that done with just one longer break. However it is now getting too warm for me to be comfortable working outside, so back into the house. I need to wind shuttles for both looms, and can continue the scarf on the smaller loom. Besides, of course, zoom squares, ironing, deciding what to make for dinner, reading... I guess I have enough to do without weaving on the big loom.

I'm proud of me. Not only did I get several shuttles wound, I even did most of the ironing.

The scarf is looking good.

>128 MarthaJeanne: Ironing? What is that?

I do keep my board open now, because I have room to do so in the basement. But it would need cleared.

The important thing today was the linen shirt I embroidered an elephant on. I also like pillowcases and kitchen towels to at least start out ironed.

I have a lot of cotton clothes that need ironing. They spend a long time in the ironing basket, then once ironed get worn again quickly.

Jerry convinced me to get up and dressed earlier than usual to go out and weave in the morning cool. I did so, and am really happy with the results so far. I would be tempted to call this project 'Shades of Gold' if I weren't afraid people would think I was referencing a popular series that I have not read, and do not intend to.

Anyway, I had done a good piece, and was ready to put it away when -

A group of jays flew to the feeder, not 10 meters from where I was sitting. One was on the ring of balls, the other on the ground below picking at fallen bits. They fed there quietly for a while. One flew off, then the other, and then a third one hopped down onto the ring and fed for quite a while before also flying off.

I've mentioned before that these are European jays, very handsome birds, and only like American blue jays in two ways: Size and a tendency to nasty personalities. They are much bigger than most of the birds that eat the balls - most of the bigger birds can't use the feeder. This group didn't display any bullying except that the third bird didn't even try to feed until the others had left.

Once the third bird had left I packed my weaving away. I need to work on the scarf today, to free up another few shuttles.

England won!

I've taken the scarf off the loom. The last bit has been one hassle after another. I've been running out of the various yarns. Yes, that was the whole idea, but it still makes life harder. Then a warp thread broke. OK, I have the same yarn handy. Fix it! Although this is probably long enough already. Then I found another broken warp thread, this time broken a ways back. OK fix that one, too. And then the warp beam blocked. Still not sure why. I should have been able to weave at least 10-15 cm more, but not if I can't advance the warp.

OK. Then not. I've tied it off. It looks lovely, and is over 200 cm, so not too short. I'll throw it in the machine later.

From Loom 20x216 Washed 19x208

>134 MarthaJeanne: Am I waiting in vain for a picture to load?

I'll take a picture in the morning when it's dry and the light is better.

Snuggly and elegant!

My air conditioner died this morning. It made lots of noise, heated things up, then stopped blowing at all. We have replaced it, but the new one is supposed to settle for 24 hours before you turn it on.

I think I have figured out what I want to do next on the narrower loom. It will be mostly the undyed yarn from Martina, but with stripes of the two colours in the earlier scarf (>122 MarthaJeanne:) in both directions. Only problem is that I have already wound one of them onto a long shuttle. This will be something of a pain while weaving, but a major pain while warping. Oh, well. I think it will look good.

>137 MarthaJeanne: love the colors.

Winter here tends to be dark clothes. Everyone just disappears in the fog and early dusk. Well this is dark enough to be respectable, but still has enough light bits and colours to be fairly visible and cheery.

The one I remember was the man all in black walking his black dog. Well, luckily he had a reflective leash. I couldn't see anything either end, but could guess from the leash that they were there. It reminded me of Suess's pale green pants with nobody inside them, in Sneetches

Anyway, it's taken. Jerry has claimed it.

I managed to get both squares and yarn ready for finishing yesterday.

The weather would have permitted warping today, but I'm feeling delicate, so I passed on going to the mall and on warping. I just got 1/2 hour's work done on the larger loom, but much of that was spent undoing a mistake. Still there is progress, and I am happy with how it is coming along. It's not that hot today, but I'm still glad of the few degrees cooler here in the house.

I did some more on the big loom yesterday. Very enjoyable.

We went out last night, and a couple of toddlers were running about enjoying each other. They were just at the age where doing something sort of with another kid begins to be interesting. The big thing was that there a couple of large potted plants with fringy leaves. The plants (including pots) were about twice the height of the kids, with some of the leaves hanging down where they could reach up and touch them. This was a big deal apparently. Big city toddlers don't often get to handle plants, I guess. They would run off somewhere else, then come back to touch again. They did not grab the leaves or damage them at all, just reach up and get the feel of them.

>144 MarthaJeanne: Glad their parents let them explore. I miss toddlers! It may be my favorite age.

>144 MarthaJeanne: love it. The wonder of the world from a toddler's viewpoint is good to see.

This is the scarf on the smaller loom, but now I've really used up all the white. Compare with >122 MarthaJeanne:.

I used a lot more than I expected on the warp, so I badly need to get together with her to buy more.

>147 MarthaJeanne: Pretty!

>147 MarthaJeanne: I love the colors you used.

>149 fuzzi: If you go back to >91 MarthaJeanne: you will see that I fell in love with these colours to go with other. I will end up with two related scarfs.

I have not been able to reach the wool dyer this week. Frustrating. Still I have getting on well with spinning and zoom squares, so I am accomplishing something.

The temperature outside is at 21°. It was sort of pretending that it might think about raining a little. I've been out weaving while I can. I really love this piece, or at least the pieces that I see as I go along. It will be fun seeing the whole thing. I'm thinking that I could easily make a skirt of it.

Good weather for weaving today. I've done a bit, and left it set up.

It's getting quite warm out there, and although the loom is in the shade, I'm not.

Jerry helped me set up outside before setting off on a photoexpedition. I lasted 25 minutes before I had to give up. I'll try again later.

The zoom blanket now has 12 x 12 squares sewn together. Almost half. I've actually wrapped myself up in it a few times now.

I lasted 45 minutes this afternoon. Really helped when he came out and saw that the sun was in my eyes. He found one of the side flaps and put it up.

I then managed to chip the hedgehog dish afterwards. Too tired, I guess. I'll replace it next week. This week the car is getting repainted.

45 minutes this noon. Coming along nicely. I've left things out in case I decide to try again later.

Another half hour at the loom, including emptying one of the shuttles. I had more of the wool, so I came in to rewind the shuttle. Enough for now.

Over an hour on the gold weaving if you include another shuttle that had to be wound. I'm noticing that the warp beam isn't so full any more.

Also two more half hours. With a nice lie down on the outside sofa in between.

Bleh! I missed the Wordl today. And I had my streak up over 70.

Well, today was library day, and I took 4 books back and picked up 2 on hold, and then found 6 more to borrow. Nearly back at the limit. Not good.

Then I asked Jerry to take me to the quilting store. Note that I really ought to finish quilting the tops I already have, but I saw this really nice pattern... I spent a goodly sum on the charm packs for it. There was nobody else in the store so the owner and I had a nice long chat. PoorJerry was stuck in the car in the sun the whole time, but OH! it felt so good to actually have a real conversation with a real person!

We came home and I said I was really going to make the tandoori chicken I've been promising. I had everything I need, so I got to work. Until I went to grate the ginger, and my ginger was totally rotten inside. It looked fine until you picked it up. So more shopping. (You don't think we came out with only ginger do you?)

Anyway, it's now marinating and I can start entering the library books. And if I get bored, start drawing diagonals on white charm squares for making Half square triangles.

I'm not sure I really need a new project right now, but I made the first squares. Then played until I like the result:

But sewing it together is for another time.

The organ is going to be delivered on Wednesday. Big excitement! We're going to have to take delivery of ours, then of our friend's at his house. He had a surgery rescheduled after the delivery had been agreed on. At least he has something to look forward to when the doctors let him out.

See >12 MarthaJeanne:, >15 MarthaJeanne:.

>159 MarthaJeanne: I see a touch of blue. I can’t tell if you’re working with black and white or navy and white. Either way, it looks really good!

It's navy (think dark indigo, although it isn't really indigo). I don't think this is one of the arrangements in the original pattern, but it feels right for these squares. I've now got most of it sewn together, but when you start to make mistakes or at least think you might, it's time to quit.

BTW, The picture was to keep track of the arrangement. It's a big help. *

There will be six big squares in varying colours and arrangements. Then ten half size rectangles on the sides, and four corners. Sashing between the blocks. This is also a departure from the original, as that is about 60" square, but I want a longer quilt than that.

* Did not help enough and/or I should have quit earlier. Tomorrow.

Drat. Just worked it through, and I need at least 96 white squares. Actually 97 as I have already used one to check sewing machine settings. And that's without mistakes, or only using one of the resulting squares... I bought two packages of 42 each. I've sent an email to reserve another one.

Hmm. Does not want me to edit the message again.

I finished the first block yesterday, and it looks good.

I have picked out 10 each of orange and green squares to make the next blocks. That gives a few extras for the outer and corner blocks.

Two blocks finished now.



It's really fun how different the blocks can be, starting always with 16 HSTs. I've got a couple in my head, and if need be, I can fall back on the ones in the pattern from the magazine.

Oh, yes, it's Monday, and yes, I have more zoom squares and skeins of spun yarn for wet finishing.

I report the sad demise of two squares. Somehow they got into sock bags, and were therefore washed on cotton settings. They were found felted into weird clumps.

I finished another block this evening. I'll take the machine in for service tomorrow.

More progress on zoom squares and spun skeins.

Yes, the machine is at service now.

Good news. I was pretty sure that 100 g of the natural wool should be enough for the scarf I wanted to weave. (>147 MarthaJeanne:) I was much more upset than I sound here that the warp used up all the yarn I had. My supplier was out of it, so I've been sitting with that loom rather useless. Somewhere, in the process of cleaning up for the new organ, another skein of it has appeared. So, yes, 100 g of wool in total will be enough. It's just that I had 2 50 g skeins, but had misplaced one. I am doubly delighted. First, of course, that I can continue the weaving. Second, that my calculation was right, and not so horribly off as it seemed. One begins to doubt one's sanity. I could not make my calculation match what I saw on the loom. If I used 50 grams for the warp, it makes perfect sense.

>169 MarthaJeanne: That’s good news! Happy for your validation and able to progress.

I'm glad to be working on this scarf again, but it is the worst of both worlds. Set pattern, so no creative decisions to make, on the other hand, frequent colour changes, so you don't get into the place where it just flows. Still, itis going to be very pretty, and will make a nice pair with the other one.

Time to go. We have a training session on the new organ this morning.

A few nights ago I heated up some beef stew from the freezer for supper. It seemed fairly thin right up to the final stir before serving. At that point all the potatoes fell apart, and we ended up with mashed potatoes with stuff in them.

My guitar is broken. Probably easy to repair if we can find the right person. Basically, the tuning peg(s) are thirty years old, which doesn't matter much for the metal parts, but in the middle of changing the first string, suddenly the plastic bit you actually turn stopped turning the screw bit that turns the gear... So I need just a new set of those plastic bits. This may be as easy as visiting the store where I bought it way back when. Or may be a longer journey, but they ought to be able to tell us where else to try.

I'm upset. More than I should be probably. But I bought the second set of new strings today, and a bunch of new music, and I really wanted to play my guitar again. It doesn't help that my sewing machine has been off for repair for over a week.

Turns out I need the metal bits, too, but I should have the guitar back on Tuesday. I also bought a new guitar tuner that clips onto the guitar. The other guitar was at least a half tone low since I last checked it with the organ. Back up where it belongs. I played enough to help develop my callouses and remind the strings what they are for.

Maybe I can get the sewing machine back at the same time?

Worried about how you kept from going crazy this weekend. Hope you get your sewing machine back soon!

And, of course it is cold and wet and nasty outside. At least I have the zoom squares to work on. The sewn together bit is now 13 x15 squares. I need to get the next 10 squares out of the wash machine, ready to work two more sides. One of those will be mostly brown squares.

But yes, I want my sewing machine and MY guitar. From Wednesday we are supposed to be partly sunny and temps up above 20°. Granted, 21, 22 isn't really what would call warm, but the little bit of raking I did this afternoon was at 17°, it was pretending to rain, and while the apples stayed where I raked them, the leaves didn't really.

23° and sunny. I've been outside weaving.

I bought more music today - Bob Dylan, Beatles, ABBA. I can pretend to sing them. Not very long. I really need to develop my callouses.

I would really like to work up a few classical pieces, but chords are easier.

Gremlins in the night. I woke up at 5:00 this morning to hear a loud machine noise downstairs. Only half awake, no glasses, I stumbled down to investigate. The air conditioner was on. Not effectively, of course, as the hose had long since been taken out of the window. In fact the loudness was because air can't really go through the way it's lying right now. I turned it off. I assume that some bug landed on the wrong spot. It has the kind of switch that you can just sort of brush over.

Anyway, tasks for today include cleaning the filters and unplugging the thing. We certainly don't want to we wasting energy with the concerns over how energy supplies will last this winter.

I had two sessions outside on the bigger loom. getting very near the end of the warp.

I was not ready yesterday for the wet finishing on the zoom project. I'll do it tonight once I have the wash machine empty. (Yeah, I know, but sometimes it get used for washing clothes.)

Yesterday and today I've been working on the scarf. I have emptied the white shuttle and refilled it. I hope I've put on enough to finish without leaving a lot wound. I had found a shorter wound shuttle of the darker green, which is also almost gone. Then it's back to the shuttle that is much too long.

I think there will be almost 5 meters after finishing. (Actually 4 1/2)

Next weekend is the Wollfest. I really hope I'll find something there for a new project, and a good day to warp the loom for the winter.

I also made a good sized pot of gulasch today. It's 40% venison and 60% beef. Most of it will go into the freezer.

The supermarket also had a special on venison gulasch. We almost bought some, but luckily Jerry read the ingredients besides the meat it was mostly sugar syrup. Must have had some spices, but no onions. That's why when we saw some affordable venison, I bought it.

>182 MarthaJeanne: Oh, that is lovely!! And so precise, it looks professional.

They used the green Halleluia frontal at the Methodist church for harvest festival yesterday.



This was a commission to include the green African cloth.

(Picture without harvest at https://www.librarything.com/topic/308920)

Finished the scarf. Towards the end I was really watching the shuttle of light green. Would I run out of yarn on the shuttle first, or of warp? Well it was really close. Quite honestly, if I had had more on that shuttle I would probably have stopped a bit earlier. It was getting quite hard to get a decent shed. As it was there was enough yarn left that I could actually -just- have done one more stripe.

I finally sent a message off saying, "It will be a month tomorrow that I gave you my sewing machine for service. When will I be able to pick it up?"

Reply: "I can't respond to you at the moment because I am very ill. I'll get back to you as soon as I am able."

I want my sewing machine back! This weekend is the Wollfest, and at least one stand will have sewing machines. Maybe I need to shop there a bit. There might have been improvements in the past 25 years. Except I really want to explore wool and yarn. And Frau Kiss was sure there was still lots of life in my old machine. I know it, and it does what I want fairly well. It just hadn't had a service in years.

I put a new warp on the smaller loom. I wish I had started earlier, as the wind came up and the sun went down below the surrounding buildings, and my fingers are sooo cold. Anyway, I got the warp on, wound on, and I can tie it on later, or even tomorrow.

I knew sort of vaguely what I wanted, with the intention of really using up the yarns from Martina. Vaguely was good, as I used up a few shuttles in the course of warping. Then had to decide what to use next. No, shuttles are not an efficient way of warping, but the big shuttles are a real pain when weaving on the narrow loom, so getting the yarn off them is good.

I got the warp tied in and worked the first few centimeters. This is going to look good.

I can get my sewing machine on Monday.

Well, I managed to spend some money. This was not the place to look for sewing machines, and many of the stands did not have the quality I was looking for.

The grey yarn at the left is one I spun myself. (Merino wool/silk) I want to weave it, but don't have enough, so I wanted something that would harmonize with it. One stall had Noro yarn at half price. 45% silk, 43%wool, 12%mohair, and like all Noro yarns, beautiful. I bought 4 skeins of the dark red for this project. Then decided I wanted 4 of the green as well. And two skeins of orange were hiding below that. Couldn't just leave them there. Not at half price.

Later I found the other set of yarns. The saleswoman convinced me that I can weave with them. They are merino singles. She had also had matching orange, but it was sold out. Fine. Orange is good for accents, but not for large areas.

They had promised good accessability, but the route was not marked. They were finally getting around to that as I left. I don't think I'll go next year if it is still at this venue. Let's face it, wool and yarn are even harder to store than books, and I bought too much.

>191 MarthaJeanne: I have seen a room full of yarn - my aunt was an obsessive knitter after she gave up sewing because of mobility problems. But yarn is so compactable if necessary while still being light. And you do have excellent taste in colors and blends!

I was wearing my tunic (https://www.librarything.com/topic/335680#7655474) and several people commented on it.

This is why we are encouraged to do a sample before starting a large piece. The red Noro that I had intended using just sort of disappears, but the green is still interesting when used across the dark yarn.

But I think maybe I want something much lighter. Drat.

The sewing machine is working very nicely. Which is more than I can say about the person trying to operate it.

>195 MarthaJeanne: So glad you got it back and in working order. You must be out of practice.

>196 2wonderY: Blood pressure 92/65 doesn't help either.

I did not succeed in finding alternate yarns yesterday, but asked Jerry to take me this afternoon to my closest yarn shop, and found things I am happy with both to go with my home spun yarn and to separate blocks of the Noro. Now if the weather really is halfway decent Sunday or Monday, I just have to decide which project I am going to put on the loom.

The sewing machine works well. Until I get tired and start making stupid mistakes. One more seam to have the next block done. It looks lovely, and I will do that seam another day.

The new one:


And laid out on the fabric that will frame them:

Today is sunny at 17°C. Mostly still. A perfect day to warp. Except if one is having a bad day healthwise. On the other hand, it is highly unlikely that we will see another day anywhere near this good again this year. Jerry offered to help, and he did, very much, except when this critter distracted him.



It was flying around all day, and then towards the end of the warping, decided to sit on the warping peg just as I was having trouble with my next yarn, so Jerry went and got his camera. Once we had enough shots, we disturbed it and finished the job.

I've wound the shuttles. I used a whole skein of the green and a bit more in the warp. The other two I have used the rest of the ball/skein on a shuttle, and suspect that that may be enough. The orange shuttle is a bit fuller than I like, but there wasn't much left in the skein, and within reason that is self correcting.

The warp still needs to be tied onto the front beam - tomorrow. I can do that inside.

Oh, this is going to be lovely!

>204 MarthaJeanne: Yes, it is! Is that the loom you are moving outside to inside?

Yes, it's back inside now. The yarns are the green and orange ones from Noro (>191 MarthaJeanne:). The White is made in Peru and is 50% alpaca, 25% silk and 25% linen. It's really nice, and I would consider going back to see if she still has more in other colours, except that it was really a mess - very loosely wound, and ended up in horrific knots. I've now got the rest of the first ball on a shuttle, so it's under control. Maybe it was only the one ball that was bad?

Outside it is raining at 10°. Probably no more really nice days for working outside this year.

This is the sixth full block. Now I need 10 half blocks (and then 4 quarter blocks).

Well, I wondered as we were warping whether it was really wise to use such a knobbely yarn as warp. Answer comes back to a discussion I had at the Wollfest.

Me: If a warp thread breaks now and then, it's not really that much trouble to repair it.

Saleswoman: You're right. If you are just weaving by yourself, repairing a warp thread now and then isn't really a problem. But you can't afford to let it happen if you are supervising a group of school chlidren.

I can't say I enjoy the repairs, but I love the cloth that is growing under my hands, so I guess I just keep repairing it.

Zoom blanket update

I'm up to 17x14 sewn together (238 of 330). I could still get the main work done this year, but there will also need to be a crocheted border. Anyway, it's coming, even if I am not getting enough done to do finishing every week,

Richard Fuller is an American Fortepiano player living near us in Vienna. He gave a lovely concert tonight in a church on the other side of Vienna. But I should know better. I don't regret it, but I do hurt.

I have several of his CDs, and also enjoy his U Tube videos.

We got our Covid boosters this morning. It went so smoothly that my body didn't think to start panicking until it was all over and we were in the waiting room for the 10 minute safety wait.

I did spend some time on the bigger loom last week.

Today I got the zoom loom blanket up to 18 x 15 squares. There will be four more rows, but it feels like I'm getting close. (It will also get a crocheted border to protect the edges.)

Jerry has passed his cold virus on to me. I'm not talking much.

Doing the laundry is a bit of a hassle these days. Austria uses a lot of renewable energy for electricity, but when it isn't enough to meet demand, the gas power stations are fired up. We have been asked to avoid using major electrical appliances from 7:00 - 12:00 and 17:00 - 20:00. Since my wash machine is a European one that takes close to 2 hours, and I like to split the load for the dryer, and I'm not always efficient about moving things quite as soon as I could, it's difficult.

I include using the oven for baking in the restrictions, but If I need the oven for dinner, well, that's the way it goes. Dish washer isn't a problem, because Jerry usually starts it on his way to bed.

We are assured that there is enough gas to get us through this winter, but nobody knows whether the supply can be filled up again next summer. We use gas for the stove, hot water, and for heating. It's in out personal interest to have gas next winter. So I try to be good.

I feel that today has been fairly successful.

I was at the library, returning 7 books and borrowing another 7.

The broth I made yesterday was sieved off, and the material given a second helping of water. I used some of the second pot to make chicken stew for supper. In the process of finding space to freeze the broth I found a bag of goose broth cubes! I added a couple to the combined chicken broths (yes, noticeably better) before ladling the broth into my forms, and putting it in the freezer.

I got the white laundry done, AND started a light load. I can easily finish that tomorrow afternoon, and can start a dark load soon.

I also finished two zoom squares and sewed four more onto the blanket. In the process of sewing I managed to knock my glasses down between things. Normally that would not be something to be pleased about, but in the process of recovering them I found the DVD I have out from the library. Never would have looked there otherwise.

Quite a bit accomplished.

I've just counted it out. I have enough squares for the blanket without this week's batch. These will help choosing what goes where, though, so I'm glad I've worked them.

Two jobs now:

Finishing the sewing. There are already a few places where I am not happy with my current choices. For now I still have places where I like my possibilities.

Crocheting around the outside. I have started a row of single crochet, which looks quite nice. I'm not sure whether I want more than that.

I'm going to need something to fill the gap. I have been working on this for so long that I'm not sure what life looks like without it. First message was on February 15. https://www.librarything.com/topic/338163#7761271

All 330 squares are sewn together now, and I'm over half way round the first row of crochet.

I thought I had a few choices for tomorrow.

Either go to the library - several books are due, and also visit the Indian grocer for zchai tea bags.

Or go downtown in spite of the crowds because not only do I have books waiting for me, but also the Christmas CD I ordered weeks ago has finally come in.

Or just stay home and hide from the crowds and traffic which have been awful all week.

Now it appears that we may be buying new tyres, as Jerry just called that he went over a curb, and there is a bit of hope that the auto club might be able to make it at least barely drivable. He is playing for services Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, so having a drivable car would be useful. Simplest might be to rent a car for the weekend. (And no, he can't get out of playing, the others who might play are already unavailabe.)

Good news. We're getting the car back this afternoon.

I'm now half way round the second row of crochet. This is (dc, ch) repeat. The third row will be (2sc in each ch). I just weighed the ball of yarn, and I have 58g left of a 100g ball, so plenty to finish.

>218 MarthaJeanne: Glad your transportation woes are fixed. I had to splurge for tires this month, and Ouch! But I got a year more service from the old ones than expected. Replaced with the same brand.

Yes, if the last ones worked, you want them again. The time we wore out a set of tires in one winter we never bought that brand again. Even if the other brand available cost twice as much.

I did go downtown, so I'm now listening to The John Rutter Christmas Album. Things were still busy, but much less frenetic than on Tuesday. Not sure why, could be that people have finished the main Christmas shopping. Could also simply be 5° and calm and not -5° with wind.

BTW, I had waited a long time for these books. I ordered them from Amazon on Nov. 17. According to their tracker, they actually arrived in Vienna, but a few days later they said they had lost them. So then I ordered them through my local bookstore. One arrived very soon, but the other two took their time.

>218 MarthaJeanne: I didn't really know why I chose this border, until I suddenly saw that it reflects the squares themselves, but also the colour grid in the squares. I'm now on the third (and final) row, and very happy with it.

I'm on the third (and final) row of the border. Yes, this is the right border as it reflects the squares and the grid in the squares. Can't believe I chose the right thing without knowing why.

Done. Too dark outside for photos tonight.

Hmm! Looks like we need to do more raking.

Jerry is putting his version up on Facebook. Our D-i-L expressed an interest in seeing it. Besides which, another of his contacts was showing off her weaving recently.

Ruth, your square is one of the ones that didn't make it in, but you can tell more or less the warmth this will have.

I decided to make crackers. I read a few cookbooks on the subject and took the most basic recipe as a guide.

I used 'Twister' for the flour - a mixture of Waldstaude (early rye) and spelt (which, of corse is an early wheat). Wholegrain. I added a pinch of baking powder.

For the fat I used the goose fat from yesterday, and for the milk I used the broth boiled up from the bones and other debfis.

The results are very tasty. We're having goose liver tonight, and I think it will be very good on these.

I did bread baking today. From part of the starter (spelt and waldstaude) I first added other flours - maize and oat as well as a bit of buttermilk and baking soda, the rolled it thin for crackers. They rose and are rather thicker than most crackers, but taste very nice.

The rest of the starter got split into one section that got made up with the spelt/waldstaude mixture, and a second section made up with spelt. They both got water, salt, oil, gluten. I'm not sure if I mixed the waldstaude one drier, or if it just got that way while rising. I needed more kneading and several splashes of water before it would form a nice loaf. I did the rises in the oven on its lowest setting. The loaves are in the oven now, and I know the spelt loaf is going to be a lot lighter than the other one, but I guess that is to be expected.

Of course, after having my own bread again, I may have to push myself to bake more. I just have never gotten my energy levels back after COVID.

Apparently my blanket has over 50 likes on Facebook.

The bangs have started.

>229 MarthaJeanne: Happy New Year to both you and Jerry!

Now you can go to bed. But not sleep😆

It's only 17:09. At least 8 hours before sleep. I really don't like New Year's Eve. BTW any sort of fireworks are strictly illegal within the city.limits.