I have noticed our renovation activity hibernating, for lack of a better word, during deep winter. We've got kids in the house, stuff going on (besides an unfinished dining room), it's "seal your house like a ziploc" weather and that means no painting, no powertools, no sanding.
It's frustrating. The most we have been able to do is decrapulate the living areas of the house, and I'm going nuts. Well, okay, I did put up drapes and make a lampshade, but that's girly stuff and I need to wield power tools, sand something, or whip out the paint.
Imagine my relief that we had some false spring today. I crawled out of my cave, scratched my back on a tree, and got to work on the sun porch (the office-to-be). I got to use a Very Small Power Tool - Dremel tools make a satisfying motor-noise, even if it is in the soprano section of the power tool choir. I've now altered all the fake mullions on the modern Andersen casements to look at least sort-of Arts & Crafts. They are now divided into four small square "panes" over one big "pane," and I cannot express how much better it already looks from the road.
I also removed the last two interior storm windows (put up before the porch was enclosed), so we can use the windows to move air through the house from the sunporch. I feel vindicated.
Back to the cave.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Threadwrap
or How to Do a Thread Wrapped Reinforcement
Useful for fixing diagonally broken or cracked cylindrical objects, and also for creating a gripping area where needed (say, on wooden crochet hooks, cooking utensils, tools, etc).
Cut a length of cord or buttonhole thread, say about 2 -3 feet long, to give you plenty of working thread. If you will be wrapping a large cylinder, or a long area, don't cut the thread off the spool. At one end, make a loop longer than the length of the intended wrap.
Lay the loop lengthwise on the shaft, then wrap a few rounds tightly around over the dangling thread end, leaving enough to grab later. You work from the cut end and the first wrap, toward the loop.
Continue to wrap the rest of the thread tightly around the shaft, over the loop, until you've covered the area you want with closely, tightly wrapped thread. If you are repairing an item and the crack is longer than you thought, use a longer thread and keep wrapping until it's covered, but don't cover that loop up!
To finish, take the tail end of the thread and thread it through the loop, then pull the first end thread until the tail is down under the tightly wrapped threads. Trim any extra thread off, and secure with a few drops of superglue.
This can be done with twine, rope, wire, thread, yarn - just adjust the material to the intended purpose.
Useful for fixing diagonally broken or cracked cylindrical objects, and also for creating a gripping area where needed (say, on wooden crochet hooks, cooking utensils, tools, etc).
Cut a length of cord or buttonhole thread, say about 2 -3 feet long, to give you plenty of working thread. If you will be wrapping a large cylinder, or a long area, don't cut the thread off the spool. At one end, make a loop longer than the length of the intended wrap.
Lay the loop lengthwise on the shaft, then wrap a few rounds tightly around over the dangling thread end, leaving enough to grab later. You work from the cut end and the first wrap, toward the loop.
Continue to wrap the rest of the thread tightly around the shaft, over the loop, until you've covered the area you want with closely, tightly wrapped thread. If you are repairing an item and the crack is longer than you thought, use a longer thread and keep wrapping until it's covered, but don't cover that loop up!
To finish, take the tail end of the thread and thread it through the loop, then pull the first end thread until the tail is down under the tightly wrapped threads. Trim any extra thread off, and secure with a few drops of superglue.
This can be done with twine, rope, wire, thread, yarn - just adjust the material to the intended purpose.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Subtle geekery
I have been thinking, this evening, about how my geekiness is kind of ... subtle. Delicate, gentle, even sneaky.
I'm making a Gryffindor scarf for my older son. That's only geeky if you know that's what I'm doing.
I painted our living room in grey, greenish blue, and steel blue. My husband collects Jango Fett, and keeps his collection ... in the living room.
Hmmm. Maybe it isn't so weird that I keep a glass jar named "Herbert" in my kitchen.
I'm making a Gryffindor scarf for my older son. That's only geeky if you know that's what I'm doing.
I painted our living room in grey, greenish blue, and steel blue. My husband collects Jango Fett, and keeps his collection ... in the living room.
Hmmm. Maybe it isn't so weird that I keep a glass jar named "Herbert" in my kitchen.
Many Things
First of all, you can tell my husband is from Texas. He deep fries ... fried things. As in things already fried. The mind boggles. And yet, he's not fat. I am. How is that fair?
Now that I've got that off my chest, on to subjects more appropriate:
UFO found!
The Red and Yellow Gryffindor Scarf has been found and is being slowly continued. I'm lazy about this one, because it's such a boring knit, so I only work on it when I don't feel up to making other things. I need to get it done before winter is over. Really.
It's actually less mindless than I make it out to be, since it's been an exercise in joining new yarns. I've done a doubled yarn join (1, and it's ugly, but sturdy), spit splices (1, yick, decided to use other ways), tied in joins (3), split plied joins (1, maybe 2..), the Russian Join (3), plied joins (2). I think that's all of them. I never intended to write about this, so I didn't take any notes. The last three are all similar, in that they are looped together and secured. Structurally, the split plied and Russian joins are closest, but the plied join is quickest (and fairly secure if you are knitting a wool yarn on smallish needles). I'll do a separate post later comparing the three, since doing so requires my Lovely Texan Assistant, who is out doing our recycling.
Ooo! Shiny!
Now, everyone knows about Knitty, and nearly everyone knows about MagKnits, and there's also the Garter Belt, but I just saw Yarnival for the first time and I'm in love.
I'm already writing patterns (see any references to Super Sekrit anything in earlier entries), but I really need to get off - or is that on - my butt and write something worthwhile. Inspiring and humbling.
Of Bugs and Stash Bondage.
I am very happy that I'm a packrat, er, I mean, compulsive repurposing fanatic. That doesn't sound much better, but what it means is that I save plastic packages from "white goods" - clothing, blankets, sheets - to keep my stash and projects in. The zip closures are especially nice, but the snap closures are good too (and can be kept closed to keep yarn from escaping while you work).
My Old Pattern Redaction Project.
My Stash! And I can ogle it without opening the container. I love this.
Why? I just discovered that there were vermin of some kind eating away at a spindle of spun yarn (ouch - had to pull the shreds off the spindle and toss them) and an old felting project. Dismaying. I dunked Old Felting Project (a pair of winter insoles) into boiling water, and did likewise with anything it had been near - mostly a basket of tools and a roll of prepared roving that I wasn't terribly fond of. If it felts, it's no loss - I'd have to toss it if I didn't boil it. The basket's getting misted with essential oils after washing. And probably not used for fiber again (needs repair anyway, and I really only had room in it for the tools).
Everything in plastic? That's all fine. Best way to avoid bugs is to keep them out.
Even Knitpicks shipping bags help. Keep'en twist-tied, and watch for holes.
And finally, when it snows, our car is Eeeeevil:
See? Evil.
Now that I've got that off my chest, on to subjects more appropriate:
UFO found!
The Red and Yellow Gryffindor Scarf has been found and is being slowly continued. I'm lazy about this one, because it's such a boring knit, so I only work on it when I don't feel up to making other things. I need to get it done before winter is over. Really.
It's actually less mindless than I make it out to be, since it's been an exercise in joining new yarns. I've done a doubled yarn join (1, and it's ugly, but sturdy), spit splices (1, yick, decided to use other ways), tied in joins (3), split plied joins (1, maybe 2..), the Russian Join (3), plied joins (2). I think that's all of them. I never intended to write about this, so I didn't take any notes. The last three are all similar, in that they are looped together and secured. Structurally, the split plied and Russian joins are closest, but the plied join is quickest (and fairly secure if you are knitting a wool yarn on smallish needles). I'll do a separate post later comparing the three, since doing so requires my Lovely Texan Assistant, who is out doing our recycling.
Ooo! Shiny!
Now, everyone knows about Knitty, and nearly everyone knows about MagKnits, and there's also the Garter Belt, but I just saw Yarnival for the first time and I'm in love.
I'm already writing patterns (see any references to Super Sekrit anything in earlier entries), but I really need to get off - or is that on - my butt and write something worthwhile. Inspiring and humbling.
Of Bugs and Stash Bondage.
I am very happy that I'm a packrat, er, I mean, compulsive repurposing fanatic. That doesn't sound much better, but what it means is that I save plastic packages from "white goods" - clothing, blankets, sheets - to keep my stash and projects in. The zip closures are especially nice, but the snap closures are good too (and can be kept closed to keep yarn from escaping while you work).
My Old Pattern Redaction Project.
My Stash! And I can ogle it without opening the container. I love this.
Why? I just discovered that there were vermin of some kind eating away at a spindle of spun yarn (ouch - had to pull the shreds off the spindle and toss them) and an old felting project. Dismaying. I dunked Old Felting Project (a pair of winter insoles) into boiling water, and did likewise with anything it had been near - mostly a basket of tools and a roll of prepared roving that I wasn't terribly fond of. If it felts, it's no loss - I'd have to toss it if I didn't boil it. The basket's getting misted with essential oils after washing. And probably not used for fiber again (needs repair anyway, and I really only had room in it for the tools).
Everything in plastic? That's all fine. Best way to avoid bugs is to keep them out.
Even Knitpicks shipping bags help. Keep'en twist-tied, and watch for holes.
And finally, when it snows, our car is Eeeeevil:
See? Evil.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Back from the Land of No Updates
Well, honestly, we moved, I've mostly been worrying about Life Stuff, and The House, and what little energy and time has been available for handcrafting has gone into My Super Sekrit Pattern Projects.
Except for FX's harry Potter scarf, which is pretty mindless 3x3 rib on slightly-too-large needles, is 1/3 done, and. which went missing at his birthday party last week. Argh - so no pics of that UFO, and no mindless spare time knitting for me
Super Sekrit Pattern Project #1 is being tested as I type, by several brave volunteers. It's really neat, and I've been hard put to keep my mouth shut about it this long, but I've got to keep it shut that much longer. I'll post a happydance if it gets accepted for publishing.
Super Sekrit Pattern project #2 is still being edited. My notes are fairly complete, but not comprehensible, and are probably out of order. Must get to work..
In a non-knitting vein, I fed Herbert the Sourdough tonight in prep for baking tomorrow, and, you know, sourdoughs talk when they're happy. I swear he (they?) burbled, "thank you."
Except for FX's harry Potter scarf, which is pretty mindless 3x3 rib on slightly-too-large needles, is 1/3 done, and. which went missing at his birthday party last week. Argh - so no pics of that UFO, and no mindless spare time knitting for me
Super Sekrit Pattern Project #1 is being tested as I type, by several brave volunteers. It's really neat, and I've been hard put to keep my mouth shut about it this long, but I've got to keep it shut that much longer. I'll post a happydance if it gets accepted for publishing.
Super Sekrit Pattern project #2 is still being edited. My notes are fairly complete, but not comprehensible, and are probably out of order. Must get to work..
In a non-knitting vein, I fed Herbert the Sourdough tonight in prep for baking tomorrow, and, you know, sourdoughs talk when they're happy. I swear he (they?) burbled, "thank you."
Monday, February 05, 2007
Books!
Ah, a box of research materials arrived today. The other should arrive tomorrow. So far, no love, but I'm sure I'll be popular with the local historical societies if I share these.
I'm going to go roll in my books now. Detailed reviews once I've pawed them all - I'll let you know what they tell me about this place.
I'm going to go roll in my books now. Detailed reviews once I've pawed them all - I'll let you know what they tell me about this place.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
What a difference a latch makes!
We posted a couple weeks ago about ordering a new latch for FX's room, so we didn't need to use bungee cords to keep his door closed anymore. We received it Tuesday and installed it Wednesday. What was the delay? Since I didn't post about this before - we had our Very First Houseguests (waves to C and C all the way in California) and have spent the last couple of days recovering- I'm posting now. Please forgive me, dust covered and paint spotted readers.
A little bit of related news before getting to the mechanical focus of the day: We also ordered a can of Craftsman Furniture Polish and a roll of low-friction tape. The furniture polish is nice, but most of our wood is so very far past only needing polish that it's not a cure-all. We really need to suck it up and refinish our furniture. Works great on the moldings, though. The low-friction tape, however, has made our old and battered bombe front chest of drawers work like a dream, which it never did before. Getting clothes in the morning was like an episode of Ultimate Fighting Championships, and now it's not.
I also made some drapes for the living room, and made a kid-kitchen in our corner cabinet, but the batteries in the camera are dead, so that's another day's news.
Now to the main event:
The latch works great. It makes FX's door actually function as a door should. It even came with all the hardware we might need, though we didn't need anything except the latch and the screws (we also got 2 spare strikeplates and their screws). That said, there are few caveats for anyone else looking to replace a 1910's latch-only assembly. They are:
All in all, the job took about 3x as long, but that's maybe half an hour, considering that a direct parts swap would have taken 10 minutes. I should not neglect to mention that I put the latch in backwards after I'd gotten everything set, and had to pull the knob, the spindle, and the latch and put it all back the right way. And, really, I was prepared for potential difficulties, since repro parts rarely fit exactly like the originals. But, oh, that would have been nice...
The end of the story is that our 4 year old now has a door that works, for his birthday. That would be the other reason for a delay in reporting - we threw a birthday party for him. At Pizza Hut. No, the dining room really isn't ready for six four year olds to be throwing cake in it. It may never be, even if we do eventually get it painted.
A little bit of related news before getting to the mechanical focus of the day: We also ordered a can of Craftsman Furniture Polish and a roll of low-friction tape. The furniture polish is nice, but most of our wood is so very far past only needing polish that it's not a cure-all. We really need to suck it up and refinish our furniture. Works great on the moldings, though. The low-friction tape, however, has made our old and battered bombe front chest of drawers work like a dream, which it never did before. Getting clothes in the morning was like an episode of Ultimate Fighting Championships, and now it's not.
I also made some drapes for the living room, and made a kid-kitchen in our corner cabinet, but the batteries in the camera are dead, so that's another day's news.
Now to the main event:
The latch works great. It makes FX's door actually function as a door should. It even came with all the hardware we might need, though we didn't need anything except the latch and the screws (we also got 2 spare strikeplates and their screws). That said, there are few caveats for anyone else looking to replace a 1910's latch-only assembly. They are:
- It's a little bit smaller. Lengthwise. Just enough (perhaps a sixteenth of an inch?) to make the spindle not line up with its original hole.
- This causes power tools to come out during an install. When one has to enlarge a hole to allow the spindle to move (we could get it through, once the faceplates were off the door, but it didn't move), it's time for Mr. drill.
- This also causes the faceplates to need moving over, so they line up with the new hole. Another job for Mr. Drill.
All in all, the job took about 3x as long, but that's maybe half an hour, considering that a direct parts swap would have taken 10 minutes. I should not neglect to mention that I put the latch in backwards after I'd gotten everything set, and had to pull the knob, the spindle, and the latch and put it all back the right way. And, really, I was prepared for potential difficulties, since repro parts rarely fit exactly like the originals. But, oh, that would have been nice...
The end of the story is that our 4 year old now has a door that works, for his birthday. That would be the other reason for a delay in reporting - we threw a birthday party for him. At Pizza Hut. No, the dining room really isn't ready for six four year olds to be throwing cake in it. It may never be, even if we do eventually get it painted.
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