Blocking "Ixidor" Slouch hat

 
I have no idea how many hats I have made in my life.  Given the fact that is more than 50, I can tell you something about hats.  You can make hats take shape.  If I only blocked this hat flat it will be a head hugging hat.  If I block this hat on a Stainless Steel bowl, it becomes a slouch, if I blocke it on a dinner plate, you better believe it will be a Tam.  Sounds simple,doesn't it?  Nevertheless youhave to take into consideration the materials you make your hat with.  Stretching hats is an art and not all materials stretch the same, or not all materials can become what you want. 

This hat is made with 37 grams of Knit Picks gloss ,Fingering , 4 ply,70% Merino, 30% Silk.This is part of my show and tell at the MFKR 2013, thanks for stopping by!

Make your own DPN project Holder

You know me, I am always looking for fun things to do .  I have seen those very expensive dpn project holders and I decided to make my own . This is a very simple project and I hope you enjoy it.  Thanks for stopping by

Fortunate Spinning Kromski Sonata

Sometimes I don't remember that things get old and worn out.  What am I talking about? You know the brake cord for the Scotch Tension on the Kromski?  Well mine was looking sad, but I really did not think it had anything to do with the uptake of the yarn or the way the bobbin moved.  I can tell you that from the beginning I did not like the cord  or the spring that the Kromski Sonata came with.  Some times you have to be careful with the changes you make, because these two elements, the spring and the brake cord are essential to the mechanism of spinning. Changing both may have been troublesome if I had a problem.  Why?  I changed two things and any of the two could have been the problem or both.   I took a chance and got some Hemp cord.  I believe almost any kind of #20 or #10 thread will do, as long as it does not slip.

In the picture above , you can clearly see the different spring which the Sonata has and the one dangling was the old one.  The new spring is very strong, so very tiny increments are needed for adjusting the tension .  I really like that.  The new Hemp Cord is working fantastically, I can not believe how easier it is to spin now than before. I am big when it comes to changing stuff.  I did not know if this was going to work 100%, but I was pretty sure. The test was to spin some mohair, and to Navajo ply some silk.  There were no problems, I am actually having to make less effort with my foot treadles,

I am still in the testing mode, and I am waiting for the upright post that I am getting as a replacement.  New Voyager has responded well and I have had a good attitude.  Sometimes I forget that being assertive is OK if done with kindness and class.  There is no need for being unkind or giving them a bad attitude , things happen, I am glad I am going to get this issue taken care for good.  The yarn that you are looking at is a single of mohair that I am planning to ply with some Alpaca.  It is going to give it a nice halo. Thanks for stopping by.