Car Knitting-Progress Report

I hope you enjoyed your Mothers Day weekend I certainly did.  We drove 1300 miles over the weekend so I had plenty of time for car knitting.  Here's my progress report!

What's on My Needles #1
Pattern: Thank You Hat from PurlBee.com (Free)
Yarn: Plymouth Worsted
Colorway: Basil
Needles: Knit Picks Harmony US 6 4mm 16 cable

I have begun the decreases yay!  Uh Oh!  Wait. FAIL.  TOO BIG!  URGH!!!!!!!!!  I could put this hat over a watermelon....sigh.  I am not going to finish it but I want to use this pattern again. Its too fresh to rip it out so I am going to ignore it...and order a differnt yarn.  I am feeling tardis blue!

See notes on my Ravelry Project Page HERE.

 What's on My Needles #2

Basic Ribbed Socks by Kate Atherly

Main Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock Lightweight

Colorway: Thraven Fledge

H&T Yarn: Cascade Heritage

Colorway Charcoal

Needles: DPN US 0 2.00MM

Cast on: 48 Stitches-wish me luck :)

Via Ravelry

I had a ton of car knitting over Mothers Day Weekend.  I was able to complete both cuffs on sock.  What's up wit the left one you ask?

When I finished the first one I decided to start the second as I work my socks in tandem so I don't get second sock syndrome.  I didn't bring my extra needles but I did have some needles with me so I put the socks on whatever I had to hold the stitches so I could use the needles for the other sock.

Now I want to add a contrasting color to the heels and toes! yay These look like the are definitely going to fit..crossing fingers!  I am ready to start the heel flap!

My socks are hanging out in my Piddleloop Bag

What's On My Wheel:

Wheel: HoneyBee

Etsy Seller: WCMercantile

Fiber: Wensleydale Wool Top 4oz

Colorway: Natural

I took my wheel to my moms for Mothers Day weekend so I could practice.  That's the benefit of having a wheel that folds :).  I am enjoying my wheel and creating all kinds of twisty mess!  lol but its how you learn right.  I kept losing the yarn, severely over spinning it and just having fun.  Here's a teenise bit on the bobbin:

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!

Toodles!

Emoniedezigns(Ravelry)

BlueBonnets HoneyBee Spinning Wheel Part 2 -Finishing the Wheel

Hello Crafters!

Welcome to Part 2 Finishing the HoneyBee Spinning wheel.  

Finishing My wheel
Since I purchased my Honeybee unfinished  noticed on the site that it was an upcharge of $75 to have the Danish Oil Finish applied.  I priced out the oil and for less than $10 I had some Watco Danish Oil sent my way.

Before I began I reached out to Bluebonnet and asked a few questions :

HI, 

My wheel arrived today.(Gushing!!!!)  Happy Dance!!  Thank you for the crazy fast shipping!  I purchased the unfinished wheel.  I purchased my Danish oil and I almost ready to go.  I have a few questions:

What type of cloth should  use?

Do I need to do it outside?

How long should I wait for it to dry?

THANK YOU!!!

Jerry replied the same day...yay!
Hi,
We use foam brushes and do it in a well ventilated area.  My best advice would be to read and follow the directions on the container carefully.  
Jerry

SIDENOTE: My husband wanted homemade pizza that day.  I got up ran to the store grabbed my ingredients and hurried home.  MORAL OF STORY do what you need to so you can take your time and finish your wheel properly.

 Supplies

Watco Danish Oil-Natural Finish
Latex Gloves
Lent free Cotton T-shirt Scrap
News Paper to cover/protect surface
*not pictured my ninja Mask:)*

It was too chilly for me to stain the wheel outside so I opened the windows and tied a rag on my face like a Ninja!
Note: that darn top on the Danish Oil was a NIGHTMARE to remove.......IJS.  I turned on the CloneWars :) and applied the finish.  I completed 3-4 coats in about 2 hours.  It was really easy and relaxing.  When you apply the stain the grain is just amplified.  As my coworker warned me to be sure to get the raw edges as that is where moisture seeps in.

Once I finished staining all parts I took the pieces outside and took a few pictures to show you.

The finish is Beautiful.  This is just an example of my finish choice as a DIY-er I love the fact that you can turn this wheel into an thing you want.....even as a beginner.

Stay tuned for Part 3 Reassemble and Lets Practice!

*DISCLAIMER: I am not affiliated with BlueBonnet Spinning Wheels, I purchased my wheel myself and this is my honest opinion.

Toodles!

Emonie

Bluebonnet's Honeybee Spinning Wheel- First Impression

Hello,
I was a busy Bee this weekend oh the puns have begin! I ran some errands ...as quick as I could so I could get to put the finish on my new BlueBonnet HoneyBee Spinning wheel.  I would like to share my first impression with you. I HAVE NEVER OWNED OR PRACTICED ON A SPINNING WHEEL.

Source: Etsy

Why buy a wheel?
I wanted one.
I love to create things.
When I learned to knit I watched podcasts where knitting and spinning were discussed.  I thought wow I could create my own yarn and then finish a project...COOL. That was about 2 years ago.  I owned fiber already as I had had a few drop spindles from a fiber club I was apart of in 2011-2012.

Why a wheel Bluebonnet Spinning Wheel?
I was scouring the internet looking for a used wheel.  I heart used goods.  I first checked craigslist.  I found a Louet S15 for $275 but I couldn't find any information on it.  So I looked for brands I knew and had heard of Ladybug, Matchless....hmm I don't want to spend that much I thought.  I went to my favorite site, ETSY.  If you are not familiar its a site for all handmade goods, products, supplies and vintage items....I saw Bumblebee Spinning Wheel for $199.  Whoa! I thought I read the description and remembered from experience.....never buy the base model as soon as your skill level increases you'll want more features.  I am a crafter with an Etsy Shop and I try to support the indie crafter first, that's why I chose Bluebonnet.

Why the Bumble Bee Wheel?
-Price Point
-Support Indie Crafter
-Real Wood-Red Oak
-Foldable/Portable
-customizable whorls
-Quiet
-Sealed Bearings
-Double Treadle

For features such as: 2 Built In Lazy Kate,
Here are features that some of the more prominent Wheel provide on/with their models:
3 Bobbins
2 Whorls-6:1 8:1
Delta Orafice
Quick Change Flyer


Ready to Purchase
I spend ALL DAY watching wheel videos.  I was ready to purchase.  After seeing the wheel on Etsy I began scouring the internet for more shopping choices mainly to see if I could find free shipping.  The Woolery had the wheel and Free Shipping....No Hassle Return Policy ......Ching!  I purchased the *unfinished"Honeybee Wheel and Spinning Oil.  I ordered from the Woolery on Sunday.  I was notified that the wheel would come from the builder in Texas.  The wheel arrived on Thursday....Hello FedEx!

The wheel was packaged carefully to ensure no damage.

Since I have never even seen a wheel up close I decided to assemble the wheel just to get the mechanics.  I recommend doing this so you can understand how it works.  Inspect your pieces for an tiny splinters I learned form my coworker that Red Oak is a dry wood and its just the nature of the wook.  So he recommended an emory board to solve that issue. This took about 30 minutes.

Here is my wheel assembled in the unfinished.  I wanted to share some close up pictures of the quality of the wheel before staining.  I think a wheel is an investment and I found very few videos showing the wheel.  

18 x 18 Base

Latch for folding

Engraved  logo's

How the Treadles are attached leather and screws

Felt Sliders underneath the base

Joins-is that what you call it?

Raw Edges

Sideview of Drive Wheel

Frontview of Drive Wheel with engraving

BackView of Drive Wheel

Side view of Scotch Tension

Front View of Scotch Tension

The Regular Flier-arrived with fiber on it as the builder tests the wheel before shipping, that's a plus!

Assemble Instructions, bobbins, footmen, bits and pieces

I am very pleased with the quality and craftsmanship of my new wheel.  Oh I must name her but that will come later.  Next adventure finishing the wheel...stay tuned.

Toodles!

Emonie

Everything is better with Blue Bonnet on it!

LOL..back to the 80's right!  Nope but Ohhh so much better no hammer pants involved!

Greetings peeps!  I wanted to share with you what I got ...ahem...received....bestowed upon me.

Say hello to my Bluebonnet Spinning Wheel.....ugh StockPhoto via Etsy, lol!

I adore supporting the Independent Entrepreneur so when  saw this wheel was made in the Cleveland Texas I said go for it! I purchased the *unfinished* Honeybee Model.  I ordered my wheel from the Woolery due to free shipping. The Woolery didn't have it in stock so I received a notice Monday that it would we dropped shipped from Bluebonnet.  I received the wheel THURSDAY!!!  The wheel arrivd before the fiber did! I am going to finish it today..... I am soooo excited!! I  can smell the wood in the living room.  This is my first wheel and I have never spun on  a wheel just  a top whorl drop spindle.  Here are all the specs on the wheel go HERE.  I am about to burst....off to finish wheel!

Happy Saturday!!

Emonie

* I have been stalking  browsing the fiber shops :)

What's On Your Hooks and Needles

Hi Friends, 
I have been simply Yarny and fiber giddy.  I wanted to stop in and share what I have been up too!

 What's on My Needles #1
Pattern: Thank You Hat from PurlBee.com (Free)
Yarn: Berroco Vintage
Colorway: Basil
Needles: Knit Picks Harmony US 6 4mm 16 cable

Photo via Purlbee.com

I was a good knitter and did a gauge swatch!  In the Round!  Yay!  The hat is working up nicely but I fear it still may be too big!    

The yarn has really great stitch definition but it is not wound tightly.  I am going to keep going and lets see what happens .....fingers-crossed!

 What's on My Needles #2

Basic Ribbed Socks by Kate Atherly

Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock Lightweight
Colorway: Thraven Fledge
Needles: DPN US0 2.00MM

Photo courtesy of Ravelry

I hope these fit....desperate voice.  What will I do differently to ensure these socks fit....I try a ribbed down sock with different tension.  I also cast on 48 stitches on a 0. This is beyond crossing Fingers I an going to wear the ANYWAY if they don't fit......darnit!
The are in the we stages as I want to try and finish the hat first!

Hook
Pattern: Ally Scarf by Sincerely Pam (Paid for Pattern)
Yarn: Red Heart Boutique
Colorway
Hook: H8

Photo Via Ravelry

I only completed two rounds so its not big enough to show you but here's the yarn. I think its going to be really pretty I better look a some buttons too.

What's on your Hooks and Needles?

Toodles!

Emonie