I finished my update yesterday and it includes the Flying Cables pattern:

Knit kit: Flying Cables Sizes: S(M, L, XL,)
Measurements: 34(42, 46, 54)
Yarn: Spunky Eclectic Big Ball Chunky 3(3, 4, 4)
Gauge: 4 sts=1 inch, 5 rows=1 inch in pattern (Remember to wash and block your swatch. Using this yarn, it does make a difference.)
Needles: US8 (5mm) circular 24 or 29 inches in length; US10 (6mm) circular 24 or 29 inches in length. (Or needle that is 2 sizes larger than the one you need to obtain gauge. This second needle is for the neck bind off.)
Tools: darning needle for seaming and thinner yarn in the same color. (If you have purchased a kit, this yarn has been included.)

I never showed off a finished photo here. It’s been displayed in the shop for a while. I tried to wear it to Rhinebeck but it was incredibly hot that weekend. I have the sweater up as a kit or a pattern in The Store. I fiddled with the store a bit last night. For some reason the “new products” feature isn’t showing all the new items. There is a bunch of new handpaint fibers and a few new handpaint yarns that just aren’t showing up.

I have more to talk about but I’m seriously lacking in time. I hope you all have a great weekend.

I don’t know if I mentioned I was working on these. I started them last month when I realized Miss 7 going on 20 needed some new ones. I set them aside because I needed her to try them on to see if they were long enough and then I promptly forgot about them until this weekend. The temperature had dropped and she needed something. I finished them over the weekend.

Pattern: Mitered Mittens form Zimmerman’s Knitter’s Almanac.
Yarn: Noro Kureyon
Needles: US4
Changes: There weren’t really many changes to the original idea. Though I did have to make changes because of the size. I cast on about 12 less stitches to start with, then every 2nd patterning row I decreased 4 sts for 3 times total. Then I started to increase 4sts every 2nd even row for a total of 3 times. This made the cuff cinch in at the wrist and helped keep me occupied enough to have a long cuff. I like this idea and might do it more on future mittens. It makes them really snug (better than ribbing)

Other than that I followed the pattern as it was written. I even chose to do the thumb as she described by cutting and letting it unravel the right amount. It worked well with this sticky yarn but might not be as good on a slippery yarn. Though I probably wouldn’t be making mittens using a slippery yarn. My girls are tough and are ok with a slightly less soft wool just so long as it looks good.

The owner is happy with them and that’s what really counts

I want a pair of these now. But first I need to make a new winter bonnet for the Boogie Baby.

Ladybug wheel
made by Schacht Spindle company

Cost $525

Features it comes with:
Ratios on the medium whorls 7:1 & 9:1- Ratios on the fast whorl 10-1/2:1 & 12-1/2:1
Scotch tension or double drive

Has three handles for picking it up and carrying. It really is light and easy to move

I found it was easiest to pick up with the front handle.
Uses all the same parts as the Schacht Matchless.
Double treadle
More specifics can be found HERE

Available Options:

A lazy Kate - You can get one that integrates right with the ladybug or a tensioned Matchless one.

Slow whorl and High speed whorl

It’s double drive or scotch tension. Though it took some fiddling to get it to be happy as a double drive. It runs as smooth as the Matchless. Which is good. It uses the parts from the Matchless.

I’m not sure you’d NEED both the lady bug AND the Matchless. I can see why you’d WANT both though. I can always justify wanting a new wheel.

There is a tensioner thingy on it. They say it can be used in scotch or double drive mode. If you use a double drive you already know why you need it. In scotch tension they say it’s good to use when you are using the fast whorls or as your band stretches.

I show it there in use in the double drive mode. You can also put both strings into that wheely thing. I just found that it worked better with one in and one out. If you go to my flickr account (click onto the photo) you will see a more detailed close up of this tensioner as well.

I’ve only tried it out with the medium whorl. I’m so used to the big production wheels that I felt this one moved slowly. Well, it was on the medium whorl and the drive wheel isn’t some huge 30 inch thing. These days I use the castle wheels for plying only. I spun some singles on the Hyacinth yesterday so I can ply today.

Like the matchless, if you like to spin bulkies and novelties, this is not the wheel I’d recommend. For occasional bulkies and novelties it’s fine. If the majority of your spinning is bulkies and novelties then another wheel would be better. I’m not talking about how we all start out with funky yarn. I know people that they only like to spin the unusual and interesting novelty style yarns. If Schacht ever comes out with a bulky set then I’ll change my opinon on this.

I have to say overall I like the Ladybug, but not much more than I like the Fricke or the Louet. I think it’s way cuter than either of those and it is lighter/easier to move. The price point is good and it is usable as a double drive. All a plus in my book. I need to spend a little more time with it to see if it’s the right fit for me but I do have recommendations as to who I think it would be good for (and it’s just my opinion so take it for what it’s worth).

1.You want to upgrade - I think it’s a decent upgrade because it’s got the double drive. Though it’s not a huge step up. I think if you have the available funds or the patience then the Matchless is a better option. I like how the Matchless operates a little better in double drive mode.

2. It’s your first wheel - This is an excellent choice. It’s got a good price point and it’s got all the options for you to get a good start in spinning. I believe beginners is what Schacht had in mind when they designed this wheel. They hit ahome run in that category. It may just be the best beginner’s spinning wheel in it’s price range.

3. You want something more portable but not a tiny wheel. For this I might recommend the Fricke folding. I’m going to place this wheel right along side my usual recommendation of the Fricke. The Fricke folds so it’s smaller but the Ladybug has cuteness and it’s double drive.

4. You have an excellent wheel you like to spin singles on but you want something with a larger bobbin to ply. This is a good option for that.

When I find the time I’m going to test it out a little bit more and I’ll let you know anymore opinons I have.

I love cereal. There is just something about it. I love it any time of the day. I really could eat cereal for 3 meals each day plus snacks. Have you looked at boxes of cereal and made it down to the ingredients only to be discouraged with all the crap that is in it. Caramel color? Tocopherols? Calcium Carbonate? Not to mention all the sugars. Making your own cereal may seem time consuming and it is a bit. But the cereal you make is healthier and in my opinion it tastes better. For those of you that can’t eat wheat, you can have cereal again.

Granola
3 cups of oats (You can get gluten free ones)
.5 cup of local Honey
1 cup of nuts of your choosing (I like walnuts, pecans, and almonds)
1 tsp Cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 200F. I mix the dry ingredients in one bowl. I warm the honey in a cup (it distributes easier when warm and thin), then add it to the dry ingredients and mix it up well. I lightly grease a baking sheet and then spread this mix out on it. If you are on the raw food diet you can dehydrate this. It won’t have the same roasty taste but it’s still good. In either method I stir up the granola once every 30-45 minutes. After about 3 hours, it’s all done. Do a taste test, you will know when it’s all done.

I add in the raisins later, or not. You don’t want to bake raisins, they burn in granola.

Cashew milk
1 cup of cashews
4 cups of filtered water
1 tsp honey
Optional - 1/2 tsp salt

In the jar you see above, I place my cashews and milk. Let it sit in the fridge overnight. In the morning I strain off all but one cup of the water. I blend what’s left with the cashews. I blend it for a long long time until there is no bits of cashews left. I think this is something you will learn about. You’ll know when it’s smooth. Then I add the rest of the water back in with the honey (I don’t add in salt, I don’t think it needs it) and blend it just a bit to mix it all together.

This is what I also use for making my Kefir. I love cashew milk. Once the little kefir grains are trained to the cashew milk, they thrive really well. I know there are some reports that they don’t do well in non mamalian milk but mine have been doing very well, making kefir and growing. They don’t grow much but they are growing.

Fiber goodness….
I’m working on a review for the Ladybug. I even got it working in double drive. I’ll post that later today or tomorrow. For now I need to get my day going so I can be at the shop on time.

The ladybugs have landed.

After a week of eye straining, back breaking, finger cramping work- this is really just reward. I’ve not been this excited to see a wheel that isn’t mine in a long time. Yes, this wheel belongs to the shop. If it ever works in double drive though….

Each one comes wtih a ladybug - somewhere on it

I’ll tell you more on Monday. If I can keep it in that long.