Happen I'll make a yoked cardi...

At last, cast on, on the Knitmaste, for the Hap Yoke Cardi. Did the back yesterday, and the two fronts today. The row number is a bit odd, a mish-mash for two previous jumpers and mis-reading sleeve length for body length! I expect it will all fit together okay, they usually do when I trust my own patterns. Have also scanned all the pages of the Harrison V-bed manual and made the discovery that the first entries in the handwritten notebook are 1890. This is quite a find - 138 years old, wow! The machine is now moving, but have not tried any yarn again yet. Plan now is to write up more about it, make a new "manual" of ring binder with scanned pages as the original is so fragile, and do comparisons with modern flatbed/double bed knitting. Will keep the machine here all winter then is can go to museum via Sock Machine Event at Kegworth in March The original practice sock pattern given is for an e-wrap start, no welt, shapings along back seam, heel flap and gusset (bit of a surprise, that). Toes finished down to 6 or so stitches then latched off from one bed to the other, not k2tog fashion. May try this method out on the Knitmaster.

Bagging it up

All Christmas presents now knitted. I am particularly pleased with the coat hangers, but definitely need to get the stitch count down from 41 start. Inevitably made more diamonds, as they are too easy, but blankets are proliferating. Thought I might make a tote bag along the lines of the cushion. Initial plan was 3x3. Needed to do a straight edge for the top, but sides and based can be folded round. In the search for straps came across pyjama girdles in Rowells (along with nice spotted fabric for lining). This would be better as single strap. Note that Rowells also have curtain rings and D rings sold singly. As shop is up for sale and will most probably close down, must get back there quick if idea works out.

The prophetic mouse

The day after finishing Noelle Mouse, went into the attic to get items for show on Sunday. We've got mice! First time in this house, and we've been here 35 years. Bait and trap put down, but will have to do major overhaul of all woolly items up thee. Plus they have nibbled away at a couple of polystyrene Christmas ornaments. Perhaps I ought to knit a cat next.

Mouse with gout

Donlt ask about the V-bed. Have finished knitting gloves, just to sew lasst pair up in company now. Made a mouse from a small kit found in charity shop, but no pattern. Not easy to reverse engineer on this small scale! Feet too big and why they are sticking out sideways, goodness knows. But know E will love it for the tree when I take it down next week. Going to a show this weekend. Battered the organiser to let the musem have a stand and they have responded by letting us have a free one AND allowing us to sell. So have made 20 pairs of handwarmers, 20 pairs of socks and have got 8 of Helen's delightful rabbits. Matt taking his Griswold to demonstrate. Stall layout has shown that fewer than half the exhibitors from last year are coming back after the debacle of loading and security, one whole area of the venue is not being used. Crickey - I just hope everbody does not compare it unfavourably with last time, we are still lucky to have something like this in Nottingham and accessible by bus for me.

Marking Time

The only progress on the V-bed has been to buy a bottle of white spirit to clean it. It is presently mounted on the B&D workbench, (thanks David R!) but one of the horizontal pieces of the work bench is preventing the arm from turning fully. I will have to do some careful measuring to see if I can a) pull the worktop in the utility room froward a bit and (b) if the opening area of the clamps is enough to go over this. In other news ... the museum has been offered a stand at Nottingham Yarn Expo on Sunday 11th November. I am going to see if I can find some information about socks and WWI suitable to put on a display board. Also working like mad to produce minimum of 20 pairs handwarmers and 20 pairs socks for the stand. As I will be going by bus, have to see if it will all fit in a case to wheel up (bearing in mind all uphill from the bus stop! Christmas present making going well, two out of main three totally completed.

Still haven't a clue

Lots of other things have got in the way of sorting the V-bed. For a start, all the needles are seized and WD40 isn't helping. Watch this space (there may be a lot of space)

Excitement!

Today I took delivery of an antique Harrison Vbed machine to play with before selling it on to help museum funds. Not a clue how it works!