On Strike

 The washing machine went on strike today. At least I am mostly caught up on laundry.  I can still go to the laundromat or do a few loads of hand washing as necessary.  This is my personal experience. I don’t believe that LG is a reliable brand like Whirlpool.  The LG seems to break down every 2 years or so.  I think they need to work on reliability instead of how often can we make this washing machine break so people will buy more of them.  I even bet they don’t have a plan to recycle old parts or machines.

In other news 7 books are leaving the house on Monday.  I listed 6 inches of magazines and store bought patterns today.  I have 6 more inches of magazines to list.  I also found 2 more boxes of magazines to go through. That currently leaves over 40 books and magazines to browse through on my Ravelry book destash page.  I also have a bit of yarn listed on my yarn destash page.  After that I think it’s time to go through all of Eric’s CD’s.  If Bookman’s will not take them they will go to Goodwill.  

The more that is leaving the house the neater everything is getting.  

I also mentioned that our little free neighborhood library was nearly empty. So I like a bunch of other neighbors dropped off a few books.  

Busy

 I was on a roll this afternoon.  I managed to free up a lot of shelf space. I am dropping a few books off at our little free library this weekend. I listed more books on my Ravelry library destash page.  I have about a foot stacked of magazines and books to list tomorrow. I am also organizing by craft and author. This has lead to finding a few duplicates in my collection.  Not a good thing.  I know after this wild first cut that I will be able to winnow my collection down some more.  I also have sock knitting DVDs that I will try to list somewhere, as my hands no longer like smaller knitting needles. 

I will be going through all my cd’s this weekend. If Bookman’s no longer takes them they will be going to Goodwill.  

I think all this extra energy is coming from losing a bunch of weight.  

A Free Shawl Pattern.

 I actually started a simple shawl for my self today.  It’s a bit modified from a wash cloth pattern. I am knitting it on U.S. size 11 knitting needles. Using some Eco Cloud by Cascade Yarns.  Yes, this was the problem yarn of a few weeks ago.  I spent about an hour doing sewn together European joins formally called Russian joins.  I have not finished the joins, however I did join most of the smaller pieces.  

This is meant to be a very relaxing knit.

Sheri’s Simple Shawl

4 skeins of Eco Cloud by Cascade or any yarn from your stash that is 164 yards per 3.5 ounces or 150 meters per 100 grams.

U.S. Size 11 knitting needles with at least a 36 inch cable.

A darning needle to weave in the ends  

Cast on 20 stitches in your preferred method.  

Rows 1 and 2. Knit Across.

Row 3 and all rows except the bind off row. Knit unit you have 1 stitch remaining, yarn over, knit 1.  

When you have 4 times the last knit row do a loose bind off.

This will give you a nice subtle edge.  

Pictures to follow.  Please share the link to my pattern with your friends rather than photocopying the pattern. You many not give this pattern away with a yarn purchase, you must give the link.  I will give you the total number of rows later as I just started this today.  

I Figured It Out

 I figured out why I was in pain and cranky. A lovely little tendonitis flare up in both hands and one ankle. The solution was simple. Both hand braces and an ankle brace.  A lot of sleep. And I feel a little bit better. I will brace my hand’s again tonight.  

I listed a whole bunch of weaving books on my Ravelry books for sale page.  I might have just sold a few this evening.  Wish me luck.  Also more shelves of books to go through.  

TTFN

I made it through the day.

 The arthritis won today.  

Progress

 This is progress at a snail’s pace.  I started spinning this beautiful Masham dyed by Indigodragonfly before COVID19 when I was still teaching drop spinning.  I found it during the organizing of spinning baskets.  I decided it must be finished.  I spun it on 5 different drop spindles of the same weight by 3 different spindle makers.  Today I finally finished the first spin.  

Now to get it off the spindles to ply the 5 skeins.   

The spindles from left to right: 2 Foresters, 1 made by a midwestern maker, 2 Kurdants

Fly on the Wall

 This afternoon we went to a “juried” art show.  It was interesting to see what was actually acceptable to the group.  Since it was billed as a “Fine Arts Show” I personally expected something a little more upscale.  About 50 percent were truly artistic and had really nice work. Really one of a kind pieces with thoughtful consideration in to what and how the items were made.  

Then there was the “artist” who went to sip and paint workshops.  I say this because they all have a certain style to them.  A customer was trying to get his motivation behind the paintings.  They reply of it just came to me did not quite cut it with the potential buyer. The potential buyer started asking more in depth questions.  The “artist” was out of his depth and could only come up with it came to me.  In my humble opinion this did not reflect well on anyone.  There is always a plan for a project.  A note on a scrap of paper. A crude drawing. A photograph. A note on the phone.  Colors that are calling to you.  Unless of course you just like throwing buckets of paint on a very large canvas and call it modern art.  

Then there were the jewelry “designers” who bought partially pre made beads and added an earring fish hook.  I find it amazing that someone can do so little work and call it original.  Spend maybe fifty cents on parts and sell it for $45.00 or more.  I guess it’s what the market will bare. This takes away from the actual jewelry artist who hand craft each piece..often working for less per hour, but making beautiful one of a kind pieces.  

On the way out I over heard a buyer telling her shopping companion that she did not particularly need more jewelry.  Was not that fond of the piece. Here comes the, But the artist was nice and needed the money.  I will just give it away later.  No one has to know.  Really.  I just don’t know what to say   

I find it amazing what a group will do to fill its coffers. To string people along both the artists and the buyers.   They have to do better.  

On the bright side it was a nice day to walk around an outdoor mall.