Second Trailer Light

Remember the reading lamp I built for over the bed in my trailer? I needed to build a mate for it for over the desk. Where the wiring is installed above the shelving unit is not really optimal for a desk lamp. With both 12 volt and standard outlets on the desk, I really don't need a wall mounted desk lamp anyway. Instead I have built another copper-shaded light, this time more for ambiance lighting.

I found a sheet of embossing copper at Nevada Fine Arts. This was way easier to work with than the copper-leafing over foil that I used for the first light. This time I built the shade's hardware cloth frame in a simple retro-ish half column. I covered the hardware cloth with the copper, pushing it into the grid for texture. Between the two coats of metal sealer, I used a pushpin to poke holes in each of the hardware cloth squares.

From a functional point of view, it is a totally unnecessary light. Doesn't matter - I think it is cool. I especially like the sun pattern the light casts in the ceiling. And since the LED panel came from inside a boat light, I can even switch the light to red for a nightlight.

Now I only need to find the perfect flooring and she will be complete!

Tadah!

Here is a grainy shot of my finished project! I will take better pictures tomorrow when I have some natural light. The before shot is here.

Removing the ugly turquoise paint (complete with brown paste wax) was a bit painful. My finishing job purposefully left the scratches and dents of age and use. The brushy paint job lets the wood grain (and leftover old paint in dents) show through. I used only 2 coats of varnish to protect it without giving it a plastic look. After painting I put back the original hand-cast brass hardware, using the original old screws.

Perhaps some future owner will be pleased to remove my paint job as ugly and inappropriate. Me - I like it very much.

Still in progress...

Here's another detail shot of the work in progress. Not much knitting is getting done while I work on this. I do have a pair of socks that are almost done, though....

Work in Progress

Here's a sneak peek of a work in progress. It is a pretty ambitious project, so stay tuned for more detail views as I work through it.

Lighting Project

It has been a bit since I have done any work on the little trailer. All that snow and frigid weather has kept my focus indoors. One of the remaining projects after her renovation was to install a reading light above the bed. Much searching failed to find a 12volt light fixture that both ran on low voltage LEDs and didn't look too modern and/or plastic. I particularly wanted to have some textured copper to balance the beaten copper backsplash in the trailer's tiny kitchen area.

So I decided to build my own artsy fixture.

I purchased an inexpensive 12volt LED dome light from a boat supply store. The LED circuit board inside was the right size to fit neatly in one of the picture frames I had already wood-burned and painted. I used a piece of MDF the size of the frame as a base. I drilled a hole for the wires, then painted the edges orange and the face with iridescent gold paint. The iridescent paint is to help reflect the light out from under the shade. (Why gold? Because I had it on hand.) I varnished the board, then attached the frame to it with screws from the back. The inset in the frame meant to hold the glass made a neat slot to fit in the shade. I attached the LED board with its original screws and glued down the switch.

To achieve a textured copper shade, I built a frame out of hardware cloth. I covered the frame with heavy-duty recycled aluminum foil, being careful to cover the inside with the shiny side out to reflect light. I pressed the aluminum into the hardware cloth for maximum texture. At this point it looked pretty disappointing, but I pressed on anyway. I brushed sizing all over the outside of the shade, then applied copper leaf. It took about 3 applications since the texture made leafing difficult. When I reached the point of good enough, I coated the shade with copper sealant, and left it to dry overnight.

Here it is, screwed securely to the trailer wall. Having little experience with electrical things, it was indescribably satisfying to flip the switch and see the light come on!

Michelin Man Mitts

Gauge: 18 stitches per 4 inches (4.5 ss/in)
Needles: U.S. size 7 double-points or size to meet gauge. (Either 4 or 5 needles, whichever is most comfortable), stitch holder or scrap yarn to hold thumb stitches

Yarn: I used softly handspun alpaca at 11 wpi. Any soft, fuzzy yarn that is pleasantly squishy at the gauge should work.

Size: One size fits most, since the mitts are very stretchy. Unstretched, mitts measure 8 inches in length and approximately 8 inches around palm. Adjustments can be made by casting on fewer or more stitches for a child's or man's hands, and adjusting the number of pattern repeats for length. I was able to try on the mitts for size as I knit them.

Abbreviation: LI = Lifted Increase: pick up the strand between stitches in the row below with the tip of the left needle (front to back) and knit through the back to twist the new stitch.

8-Round Stitch pattern:
Rounds 1-4: Knit
Rounds 5-8: Purl

CUFF:
- Cast on 32 stitches (loosely) and join in round, distributing stitches evenly between needles.
- complete 4 repeats of the 8-round stitch pattern (resulting in 4 purl welts)

INCREASE FOR THUMB GUSSET:
- Knit 2 rounds
- K1, LI, knit to last stitch, LI, K1
- Knit 1 round
- Purl 4 rounds
- knit 1 round
- k2, LI, knit to last 2 stitches, LI, k2
- Knit 1 round
- k3, LI, knit to last 3 stitches, LI, k3
- purl 4 rounds
- knit 4 rounds
- purl 4 rounds
- knit 1 round
- knit to last 5 stitches, put 5 stitches on holder, cast on 2 stitches to tip of right needle (I used 2 backward loops)
- add first 5 stitches to holder (total 10 stitches on holder), knit to end

PALM:
- Purl 4 rounds
- repeat 8-round pattern 4 times (total of 12 purl welts from very beginning of mitt)
- Knit 4 rounds
- bind off loosely

THUMB:
- put the 10 stitches from the holder onto 3 needles
- leaving a 5-inch yarn tail, knit 1 round picking up 3 more stitches from the gap at inside of thumb
- knit 1 round
- purl 4 rounds
- knit 4 rounds
- purl 4 rounds
- knit 4 rounds
- bind off loosely
- use the 5-inch tail to sew closed any gaps that remain around the base of the thumb.
- weave in remaining yarn tails.

NOW MAKE ANOTHER ONE.

Enjoy!

Michelin Man Mitts

I had 2 balls of yarn leftover from knitting the Ridged Lace Cowl. These mitts are squishy, cuddly, hand-spun alpaca. They are very warm and the accordion pleats allow you to stretch them down over chilly fingers as needed. Pattern coming soon.

Good words

I saw this sign above a display of mugs for sale at my local Starbucks. Although I knew it was a carefully calculated bit of corporate spin, I couldn't help thinking how aptly the words describe how serious spinners, quilters, knitters, weavers, woodworkers, potters, and other craftspeople approach their craft.

New year = New projects

Here's a "before" picture of my next furniture-sized project. I found this cabinet at a cool shop in Tucson, AZ that specializes in large Mexican colonial pieces, antique and otherwise. As we wandered between 10-foot high old wooden doors, huge terracotta urns, and giant heavy wooden sideboards, I remarked that, although I loved everything I saw, I wouldn't be tempted since nothing would fit in my tiny house. No sooner than I uttered the words, we turned a corner and found this well-loved little cabinet. It is solid, very heavy (many thanks to Mim and Sharon who helped struggle it up my steps), and the perfect piece to hold up my TV. First I need to remove the faux-finish turquoise paint. Sharon and Mim were both insistent that I should keep the turquoise, but to me it is way too "southwest" cute. Plus, why faux-finish a piece that is already honestly old? Seems like a crime to me.




While I am considering the options, the cabinet is forming an impromptu kitchen island. Just another in-progress project, sitting on the in-progress kitchen floor, next to the in-progress kitchen table, surrounded by the cabinets needing sanding and wallpaper needing stripping. I sort of have a theme going.

Sabino Creek

Sabino Creek
Originally uploaded by Purple Fuzzy Mittens

Spent a glorious golden afternoon in Sabino Canyon Recreation Area near Tucson, AZ. Rode the shuttle, walked a bit, stopped at picnic tables to play games of Power Flinch, soaked in the 70 degree weather, and enjoyed time with family. Back to the frozen north soon.

Post-Christmas Reveal

First, someone has asked the status of my modular shawl, so I have decided to start each post (until it is complete) with the tally: 21 squares completed out of 45 so far.

The teaser pictures of work in progress were of a series of boxes I decorated to give to family members for Christmas. The presents have all been opened, so I can now share more pictures with you. These are cigar boxes that I "upcycled" by sanding, woodburning, painting and varnishing. You can see a gallery of close up images, along with a few shots of my work area, HERE. These boxes took more hours than you might expect, but I think the results are worth it. I like them, anyway. I was not able to make enough for my numerous family, so those who didn't receive hand-made gifts can look forward to something special next year.

A final note to wrap up the Name-the-Bear issue: Despite the many suggestions (both online and off) inspired by his flight jacket, I do plan a change of attire and Laura's suggestion of Seamus has won. Winston was a close second. I will be sure to post a new picture when I get around to knitting him the sweater.

A sneek peek at work in progress....

This bear needs a name

I have been absent from the blog world because I have been busy working on Christmas secrets. Tonight I zipped by Nevada Fine Arts for supplies, then took a brief frivolous meander through the "antique" mall next door. Among the tattered issues of Life, chipped ashtrays touting tourist destinations, and other dubious collectibles, sat this bear looking clearly depressed. I looked a bit closer and saw that his aviator jacket declared him to be a Bialosky Bear. I already have a treasured Bialosky Bear that my mother brought out every Christmas to sit among the garlands on top of the bookcases. Today's bear was exceedingly thriftily priced, and without intervention faced a grim future as a "collectible". I still almost passed him by, until I read the small print on his jacket: "100% Loyal and True". And such an earnest expression. He came home with me.

First job was to clean up a few stiff spiky patches. Seems this bear had a close encounter with peanut butter. What peanut butter eater would give up such a loyal bear?

Since I already have a Bialosky, this bear needs his own name. So please help out by suggesting a name.

Snow day!

Campus is closed today due to weather. It is a sudden windfall of time. Sure, there is plenty of work I can do from home, and the snow means plenty of shoveling to come, but somehow a snow day makes one feel like a kid released from school. I think I will start by crawling back into bed to a bit....

Much mulch

Much mulch
Originally uploaded by Purple Fuzzy Mittens

This is what I am doing during the holiday weekend. Hint: Don't buy mulch the day after a rain storm - the cedar absorbs the rain and the bags get really heavy.

Shhhh... Don't tell!

I had a very successful shopping trip to the local smoke shop today. No, I have not taken up the evil habit. The Tinder Box, down by Borders, sells its empty cigar boxes and gives 100% of the proceeds to the local Food Bank. Since this store sells upscale cigars, a little sorting through the pile finds nicely made wooden boxes, most with metal hinges and catches. As you can see, I scored quite a nice stack. Some are even lined with velvet. The wood they are made of varies, but is usually fairly soft, making the boxes easy to sand and woodburn. I picked up a couple to experiment with on an earlier trip and have completed the first of the boxes. It will be a Christmas present for a family member. I'm not saying which...!

Back to fiberish pursuits

Time for an update on my various fiber projects. Despite many distractions, I have progressed a little. I have completed square 18 of the 45-square modular shawl. The slow progress would be discouraging if it weren't for how wonderful the merino/silk yarn feels.

I completed a pair of socks. I knit them toe up using Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock yarn (Gone Fishin' colorway) Mockery Socks stitch pattern.
It was hard to see the stitch definition past the stripyness of the yarn, so after I passed the heels I stopped twisting the yarnovers closed by knitting in the back of the stitch above. I like the result better than the basic Mockery pattern, but do not think I will use it again. One note to consider if you use the Mockery stitch pattern: the pattern skews the fabric so a flat toe doesn't line up with the heel. Using a round toe will take care of the problem.

About a month ago I finished spinning up some hand-painted alpaca in soft spring greens. The three loosely-spun fluffy skeins have been sitting on the coffee table, calling to me with an insidious siren song. For some reason they want to become a lacy, squishy, snuggly neckwarmer/cowl. I looked through scarf and mitten patterns, but no, they resisted any attempt to be diverted from a cowl future. I gave in and a cowl they will make. I am using the Ridged Lace Cowl pattern I found on Ravelry. The pattern calls for worsted-weight angora and results in a 15 inch deep tube that is scrunched down around the neck. The designer must live in the arctic! My yarn is 100% alpaca and I will be eliminating a pattern repeat or two, in order to avoid heat prostration. After knitting mostly with 1s and 2s, worsted weight on size 8 needles goes incredibly fast!

The only other fiber news is that I am spinning up some slightly hairy suri alpaca to make a new purse, and as soon as I finish the cowl I plan to get back to the purple hoodie. Oh! and I need to cast on another pair of socks.

That's all for now!

Relaxing weekend

View from my camp chair, Davis Creek Park
Originally uploaded by Purple Fuzzy Mittens

This picture was Saturday. Sunday turned windy, so picture it without the awning.

More Trailer details

In addition to attending a very enjoyable spinning guild meeting, I was able to spend much of the weekend working on some finishing touches for the trailer. The rebuild provided additional storage cabinets, but wouldn't you know it Home Depot has discontinued the existing cabinet hardware?! I took this as an opportunity and bought unfinished wood knobs to decorate. I like the results so much that I think I'll do some for my bedroom, too. I also burned and painted some outlet plates. The new mattress is in place, along with featherbed and new purple sheets. I installed some new latches on the under bed storage door to keep it from flying open in transit and I added a baby-lock to the rear hatch so that it can be propped open just enough for electrical plug-in. Still need to find flooring and two 12-volt reading lights.

She is looking so cozy that I can't wait to take her on the road!

A peek at the inside

Trailer Interior
Originally uploaded by Purple Fuzzy Mittens

The little 1953 trailer is home. I have just started to fill her up with all the bits and pieces of camping. She still needs a mattress, flooring, 2 light fixtures, and a few other things. Here is a picture taken through the back window.