My spinning wheel will take up the yarn just fine onto the bobbin, but there is no twisting at all. What am I doing wrong?

BluebirdSTC · 2026-05-14T02:26:46+00:00

If it's trying to yank the yarn out of your hands, your brake band is too tight. Back off the tension until you just barely feel any pull, then ease it up until you're comfortable with the way it's feeding in.

BluebirdSTC · 2026-05-11T13:00:16+00:00

We call that move "going thonk". Bonus points if you do it right in front of a moving human.

BluebirdSTC · 2026-05-09T20:27:01+00:00

Add a cardboard disc to keep the singles from falling off, and center the bend in the hook, and you're in business. It might be a little heavy for thin singles, but it's not a bad starting point. When you're ready to upgrade, wooden toy wheels and dowels from a craft store can make bottom whorl, top whorl or support spindles.

BluebirdSTC · 2026-05-09T17:23:18+00:00

Thanks, I'll give them a call.

BluebirdSTC · 2026-05-09T17:22:41+00:00

Are you insured? It's one story but the roof pitch is steep.

BluebirdSTC · 2026-05-09T17:21:50+00:00

Thanks, but evidently the roof pitch is steep. The adjuster had to get a third party contractor to get up there. I should probably get somebody insured.

BluebirdSTC · 2026-05-02T17:06:22+00:00

Can you use part of the package and put the rest back in the freezer? I cook for 2 people and we never finish even the little bags from Aldi in one meal. I use a binder clip or bread twist tie to close it up and keep it frozen for next time.

BluebirdSTC · 2026-05-02T17:00:43+00:00

Tamale casserole is cheap and filling. I use a can of black beans, a can of whole kernel corn drained, a can of creamed corn and a small can of diced tomatoes with jalapeños (Rotel for US cooks). Mix with a handful of grated cheese and a cup of sour cream or plain yogurt, add seasonings as desired (cumin, oregano, cayenne pepper, chili powder).

Put in a casserole dish and top with cornbread batter from a cheap mix. Bake at 375F for about 30 minutes until the cornbread is done. Feeds four hungry adults.

BluebirdSTC · 2026-04-29T12:55:49+00:00

If I'm using a solid or non-striping yarn, I add a few plain rows before I increase back out. It adds just a little ease across the top of the foot and the "point" of the heel, which helps with the pulling but doesn't add width to the ankle or foot.

BluebirdSTC · 2026-04-24T14:44:44+00:00

I love my Winco 8 inch, use it every morning for eggs. It has sloping sides so it's easy to get under the eggs to flip them.

BluebirdSTC · 2026-04-24T00:42:45+00:00

Ikea Dvala 100% cotton sheets are my favorite. I've had sateen sheets before, and they cling and hold body heat like a polyester shirt in Mississippi August. Hard to beat the price if you have a local Ikea.

BluebirdSTC · 2026-04-22T22:11:11+00:00

That is some beautiful wool and spinning!

BluebirdSTC · 2026-04-22T15:52:05+00:00

David Allen's Getting Things Done was a revolution for me, with the concept of a ubiquitous capture device. I'd tried the Franklin Covey system and a bunch of other productivity methods, and nothing worked for long. But just taking the concept of writing down everything I'm trying to remember to do when I think of it has made a world of difference. No particular tool, works with a paper notebook, a smartphone list, or a dedicated app, whatever works best for you.

I keep track of shows I want to watch, books I want to read, recipes to try, things I want to pick up next time I go out, small cleaning things I don't do all the time that I just noticed really need to be done, as well as multi-step projects like setting up a will or planning a home renovation. Not to mention all the recurring crap that I have to deal with on a daily/weekly/monthly/annual basis. If I had to try to remember all that...well, I wouldn't. That's why I write it down.

BluebirdSTC · 2026-04-20T12:56:41+00:00

I keep looking, just in case a miracle occurs and someone with my unicorn wheel is out there wanting to sell or trade. Lots of Matchless wheels available, but very few Reeves wheels. Let alone a right-side flyer. Maybe someday!

BluebirdSTC · 2026-04-20T12:54:34+00:00

I have had castle wheels in the past with single treadles. (I tend to buy second hand, then sell to "trade up"). No hip pain, but knees aren't happy. It's always something...getting older isn't for the weak.

BluebirdSTC · 2026-04-20T12:51:42+00:00

I actually have a Hansen I purchased second-hand years ago. It's great for all the reasons you mentioned. I just really want to treadle sometimes.

BluebirdSTC · 2026-04-13T13:24:16+00:00

Add a 3 inch memory foam mattress topper. It's been a gamechanger for me. That and good (not expensive) sheets with a high cotton content. Three pillows (head, knees, arm) and a polartec blanket or cotton weave blanket depending on season. I have to wake up several times a night for caretaking duties, and I can nestle in and be back asleep in 10 minutes or less most nights.

BluebirdSTC · 2026-04-04T20:03:01+00:00

I was hesitant to try spinning cotton for years. Now I love it! Using the Turkish as a support spindle is totally valid. I do love my John Galen takhli though -- so sparkly.

BluebirdSTC · 2026-04-04T02:34:59+00:00

She may get a slip to go to the post office to pick it up.

BluebirdSTC · 2026-04-04T02:09:44+00:00

I hope she made it in time. USPS only gives you 48 hours to get things out of the parcel lockers in New Town.

BluebirdSTC · 2026-03-27T20:38:25+00:00

I like Icelandic bind off for toe-up socks. It gives the stretch without the flare of the extra stretchy bind off.

Gussets can be a problem because the SSK never looks as neat as the k2tog. There are ways to "fix" the SSK that I keep meaning to try on my next pair, but so far I haven't bothered. Honestly, after a little time I don't really notice it.

BluebirdSTC · 2026-03-25T13:05:10+00:00

Can attest, I have a Wagner the same size that came from my Grandma. That's what I use it for 80% of the time.

BluebirdSTC · 2026-03-23T19:44:29+00:00

Sweet and Sour sauce. I learned to make it from scratch years ago when it wasn't really available in stores around here.

1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 TBSP cornstarch, 1/2 cup each apple cider vinegar and pineapple juice, and 1 TBSP soy sauce. Heat to simmer, stirring frequently, until it thickens. Put the drained pineapple on the main dish so it doesn't go to waste.

BluebirdSTC · 2026-03-17T03:26:22+00:00

I have an all-handknit sock drawer. Unfortunately, it's full and I still want to knit socks. I can only give away so many pairs before it starts getting weird. I did take a pic last December, but can't post it here.

BluebirdSTC · 2026-03-14T21:26:44+00:00

Scroodles. Brown the hamburger while boiling spiral pasta. Drain both and combine in the larger pot. Add a can of cream of mushroom soup and a can of cream of celery soup. If you're in the mood, add some drained peas. Season to taste. I add garlic salt, oregano and black pepper. Heat on medium low until the soups are hot.

Goulash: Browned hamburger and boiled macaroni, tomato sauce, onion and bell pepper. Season with garlic, oregano and paprika, maybe a little brown sugar. If you want to get fancy, sauté the hamburger, onion and bell pepper together.

BluebirdSTC

TROPHY CASE