Monday, May 29, 2006

Time warp

I'ld like to dedicate this posting to Pat. Pat is so generous and kind... although I've only met her a couple of times I sense that we've evolved out of the same swamp..(so to speak) Thanks to Pat I am the proud current owner of this beautiful old Drum Carding Machine...I say current owner as this ol' carder has been hand made and is of such quality I'm sure it will out-live me and a few more owners as well!! It sure is a wonderful and treasured gift, Pat, and to think you have given it to me the very first time we met! I am absolutely delighted!! Those who know me well realise I'm in a bit of a time warp. I enjoy old things...but what I think is really important is to experience old things and old ways and to make sure you enable your children to enjoy this as well. Everybody loves expensive antiques...but this isn't really what I'm on about. I'm talking about old equipment....turn of the century music and domestic / home history. Even old language...when was the last time you called someone a 'Mug'? hehe These days is more likely to be 'Dude'! (one of my proudest moments is when my son complained to his teacher that he'd bopped his 'scone'...hehe) I've had a wonderful evening...It's quiet..children all asleep. The fire is just smouldering and I'm using my Mum's campfire oven to cook some Pea and Ham soup for Sasa. (dunno what those black spots are....but like I said..it's for Sasa..) I have some of Tyes raw Merino which she has given up on...'cos it's soooo smelly. Strangely, I don't hate the smell. I ran some fleece though the Carding Machine after learning how to on http://www.worldknit.com/howto/howtospin/sfiberprep/card.html I enjoyed using the carder...and I am really happy with the results. Wow! I made a batt!! I will spin it and then scour it. I will also try scouring, then carding.....bit of Sheepychic research coming up!! Again, thankyou Pat. Your generousity is really appreciated...I'm off now to add the Carder to the "things to save if the house is on fire" list...hehe. All the best to all who've popped into Sheepychic bloggings...bye for now. Ruth xx

6 comments:

Kerry said...

What is the purpose of a drum carding machine? Please explain, or does the photo speak for itself lol.
I love your photo of the pea&ham soup. Our latest campfire oven meal was "Yorkshire Pudding" with gravy, the pom coming out of me. Delicious side dish to Roast Beef...yummmm
Kids love the old marshmallows toasted over the fire too.

Ruth.... said...

Hi Kerry..A drum carding machine aligns the staples of the fleece and fluffs it out removing a lot of the prickles and stuff as it goes. When a sheep is shorn the fleece sort of groups into natural clumps..these are staples. The length of the fleece is the 'Staple length'. The longer the staples, the easier and neater the finished yarn will be. You can spin happily without a drum carder...you usually have to card by hand with carding combs. (This is pretty time consuming) P.S. Feel free to come over for a bowl of soup!! Ruth xx (buaca - beautiful unhindered access 2 carded alpaca) hehe

roseys madhouse said...

wow darl you are going to save so much time now with the carding machine and it will not be as bad on your hands I know that is one thing Mum cant handle is the combing of the wool before spinning
.....(gkdrvgah)gee kids dont really veg good after hours?????
pmsl

Ruth.... said...

Kathie..most of the stuff Tye and I spin is using rovings we buy...it has all been prepared by great big industrial carding machines and is perfect. Maybe Kaye should consider buying some. You spin it hassle free as all the work has been done as far as fleece preparation. I can't spin as nicely with fleece I prepare myself...it definately looks more rustic. I'm just curious and interested in preparing some of my own.

Merry Munchkin Designs said...

Ruth ya Mug! You figured it out! I knew you would,looks very cool.. I hope you saved some of that soup for me, minus the black bits of course....... Godd on you sweetie, now you know what your doing Im going to buy all my rovings from you! Scoured of course.....
vmclp cant vaguely 'member left peas?

Kerry said...

Thanks for explaining Ruth...I now understand.
I will take you up on your offer and come over for a visit soon.
I am interested to see how you & Tye dye/spin those gorgeous hanks.

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