Awhile ago, the center weight of my grandfather’s clock slipped off the chain, and the chain slipped off its sprocket wheel.

The “how” isn’t important. I’m grateful no one was hurt — and there’s no permanent damage to the clock.

If you’ve ever wound a grandfather’s clock, you know there are three chains with weights. The ones on the ends are for the chimes and striking mechanism. The center one runs the clock. And of course it’s the most difficult to reposition! Hard to impossible to reach with your fingers, and very limited room inside the cabinet to manipulate any tool.

This woodcut gives you an idea of how challenging this task can be:

Image via Wikipedia of woodcut of side view of grandfather clock mechanism

You need to be working in a space less than 6 inches wide, over a side sprocket wheel, and between horizontal posts to get  to the center .

I looked online for instructions to reposition the chain. While it’s a fairly simple procedure to replace one of the side chains through the cabinet side doors, the center chain is more challenging. The online suggestions involved taking the clock mechanism out of the case, replacing the chain, then replacing the mechanism in the cabinet.

Yeah, right!

I’m not sure I could reach the screws or bolts to remove the mechanism even if I wanted to. Certainly there must be another way. I couldn’t find one, so took a last long look at the chain off its wheel, and decided to do something else. Of course I ended up knitting.

Knitting truly does sooth the soul. Plus, as I was working it occurred to me that the knitting stitches are not unlike the links in a chain.

Then, I had an aha moment!

Grabbing my pair of number 3 straight needles, I realized I could reach the chain! With manipulations involving a combination of knitting and eating with chopsticks, I balanced the chain between the needles. After some practice, it fell right into place. I could wind the clock, and it started running. PHEW!

I think the clockmaker, a child of The Great Depression who knew about making do with what you have on hand, would approve. Some knitting gurus know how to improvise:

“A #6 aluminum needle has been known to furnish an excellent emergency shear pin for an outboard motor.” – Elizabeth Zimmermann

How about you? Share your unusual uses for knitting needles or crafting tools in the comments. You never know, you might just help someone else find a solution to a tricky problem.

Earlier this year, I knit a bag.

It’s made of hand spun wool, which I dyed with Kool-Aid.  Two packages of black cherry, and one of orange. The original color was grayish brown. Or was it brownish gray?

The bag is knit on circular needles, because I decided to minimize the number of seams.  It has one seam at the bottom.  And even that one I closed without sewing.

How?

Well, more on that later.

The pattern is actually fairly simple. I used a combination of garter stitch and stockinette stitch. Stockinette because, well it’s easy on circular needles.  You just knit every stitch.  And garter, because I wanted a flat not rolled top and a thicker bottom.

The bag ends when it does because, well I was tired of knitting garter stitch on circular needles. Hey, I thought it’s as good an excuse as any!

Garter stitch makes a nice sturdy bottom, don’t you agree?

When I made the bag, I wasn’t sure if I’d use it for a purse or a bag.  I decided to line it because, well pens and knitting needles tend to poke through the knitted fabric.  And after I finished it, I decided I like it for my knitting.

So, now I have a knitted knitting bag.

The instructions, including how I closed the bottom and my suggestions for places you could customize it are all in the pattern.

The pattern is free. You can download it here.

Here’s another view:

Or two …

May in South Carolina.

The weather here is turning warm. Good news for those eager to plant crops or just end what seemed like an unusually long winter. At least for here. After all, we did get snow twice!

And spring is running behind normal.  At least that’s what the farmers tell me.

For knitters the changes in seasons bring new challenges. For one thing, it’s time to consider changing fibers and maybe patterns. Like considering fibers other than wool. Even in air conditioning, somehow wool yarn and the Southern heat just don’t mix … at least I don’t think so … at least not today!

So, I’m looking at my yarn stash to see what’s next. Cotton seems interesting just now. I’m working on some free dishcloth patterns I hope to have up shortly. And I’ve decided to experiment with crochet cotton thread. While knitting with one strand may produce a lovely lace, two strands can increase the color options.

Right now, I’m looking at black and navy blue. One strand of each should make an interesting fabric. Stockinette stitch knit in the round seems like an easy way to start. So far, it certainly seems lightweight.

First few rows

I think I’ll make a small purse.  At least, that’s the plan for now!

In the meantime, it’s time to get back to knitting …

My Danish tie shawl is taking shape:

As you can see, it’s a crescent shape now.

The first time I used this yarn, I made a “Coming Home” Poncho which I described on this post.  When I knit the poncho, I thought the Homespun^® yarn hard to use.  It kept splitting as I knit, and seemed to cling to the needles.  I found forming new stitches difficult.  The needles were some I’ve had for years.  Jumper needles, which are often difficult to find.  I like them for knitting large projects, like an afghan.

Or I did until I discovered Denise Knitting Needles.  These interchangeable needles will work as straight needles, jumper needles, circular needles, and even stitch holders.  They work great with this yarn.  Now there’s no noticeable “stickiness” of the yarn, and no splitting.  I have ripped out (a.k.a. frogged) and re-knit a couple of rows, and — Ta-da! —no knotting or splitting!  So it must have been the needles, not the yarn.

Homespun^® yarn is 98% acrylic, 2% polyester and has a thread holding the fibers together.  Its rippled texture knits up thick and soft.  And the subtle — and sometimes not so subtle — striping is, well, cool.

This picture shows the subtle striping.  Hopefully the next one will show more definite stripes…

We’re having a few days of unusually warm weaher.  Tomorrow’s afternoon high may even be close to a record high, according to the weather report.

My Bradford pear’s blooms are coming out.  Since we’ve had a colder than usual winter, it’s about a month late.  That’s okay, it’s always welcome!

Earlier this week, I heard the tree frogs.  For those of you not from the South, it’s the first sign of spring!

The original Danish shawl pattern appeared in Spin-Off Magazine in 2008. 

September 2011 UPDATE: The Spring 2008 issue of Spin-Off Magazine with the Traditional Danish Shawl pattern is not available in print.  You can still get the pattern when you -

Click here right now to get the digital download for 2008.

Full Disclaimer and Disclosure.

Do you know what a knitting emergency is?

To me, it’s when I need to knit something fast.  You know, drop other projects, and knit! Preferably to finish the project the same day, or at most the next day.

We get lots of wind in this area.  This weekend it turned blustery and cold, with lows in the high 20s.  I go out every morning for chores.  Yesterday the cold wind whipped through my acrylic watch caps.  I hate cold ears!

I needed a warm cap fast.

Time to put other projects on hold, grab some yarn and my trusty Denise needles.  I like them because more than circular needles, they’re interchangeable.  They can be straight needles, jumper needles, or circular.  They even work nicely as stitch holders when necessary!

I used small skeins of hand spun wool on size 13 needles to make a quick watch cap.

The result is …

Usually I use smaller needles, and more stitches.  Using circular needles, I custom fit it.  As I knit, I made adjustments as needed.  And the circular knitting means no seams to sew!

My new hat did fine this morning, even in the cold wind!

When I ran out of green yarn, I finished it with copper.  It’s not fancy, but very functional.  And I’ve never been a fashion plate — or afraid of the fashion police!

Sock update

I’m still working on the second sock.

I’ve started the gusset:

Order update

My order from Alpaca Direct arrived yesterday.  Delivery from California in only 4 shipping days via the US Postal Service.

Here’s some of the teal roving made into a double:

Already there have been a few changes as this blog grows.

With this post, I’m announcing a new affiliation.  You may have noticed the Alpaca Direct button in the sidebar.

I’m now one of their affiliates! If you click through my button, I get paid a commission on your purchase.  Yes, it’s a form of advertising.  And it helps support this blog. So, thank you if you choose to click through my link.

This week I placed my second order with them, and I plan to post about it next week. My first order was last summer. I was pleased with the price, free shipping offer, and the speed of the delivery. I’d expected a delay since they’re on the West Coast (California), and I’m on the East Coast.

Nope. I’m delighted to report my order was shipped promptly, and arrived in only a few days.

And, yes, I plan to elaborate in a future post.

I’m also starting a list of blogs I read. You’ll find the list in the side bar. It may change from time to time as I update it. Some may be related to knitting, and some not.

Double nickel farm is one I enjoy. I live in rural South Carolina. Although my acreage is small, my goal is to become more self-sufficient. And Jennifer is giving me inspiration.

If you or anyone you know needs a free Bible, Double Nickel Farm is giving them away. The information is here.  In these times, I can’t think of a nicer gift … or a more timely offer.

As always, I welcome your comments.

Happy knitting!