Shed Diaries: Speed bumps
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Last week I told you about our plans for my new shed office. Well, I’m excited to say that we have an ALMOST completed new building in our back yard. Now that it’s there, I’m getting crazy excited about being able to walk out the back door with my morning coffee and getting my words in. I’m ready to put my desk in there now. But there are a few things left to do on the inside. And unfortunately the building isn’t quite done.
Speed bump #1: It seems that the builder’s supply company that was supposed to get the windows, let the order for my windows sit on a desk unsent for a couple of days. So I currently have roofing paper covering the windows, and am waiting. They are telling me that it will be done by the weekend.
Speedbump #2": Our house is almost thirty-five years old, and with that comes older wiring. As I learned researching my last book, electrical wiring should last for decades and thirty-something isn’t that old. However, breaker panels have evolved in the last last thirty-odd years and the one that we have doesn’t fit the brand new breaker that Eric bought at Home Depot. Our electrical guy says that we’re going to have to go to an electrical supply store to find out vintage style breaker. So, that’s on my to do list today. Hopefully, we won’t have to order it.
Fortunately, all the wiring in the shed is done, which means that I can go ahead and put in the insulation. That is next on our shed finishing to do list. Sensitive skin and sinuses run in my family, so I’ll be donning mask, gloves and long sleeves to install the insulation that is currently sitting in the garage. After that We’ll be tackling wall covering. But that’s a conversation for another day.
In the meantime, I am also working on some Sophie Digard inspired crocheted valances for the windows. I chose the colors to match a wing-back chair that I bought to go in the office and to evoke flowers which I hope to plant around the shed once it’s done. The yarn is DK weight, but I’m using a smaller needle (2mm) than is recommended for tighter stitches. That is A LOT of stitches. I think my hands would absolutely be cramped up and hurting if I wasn’t using an ergonomic hook.
Back in November, my mom very generously signed me up for a workshop with Arne & Carlos to learn how to make their ridiculously adorable knitted birds. And they recommended Prym Ergonomic knitting needles. Since wee Fergus had chewed my bamboo needles in the size that I needed for the workshop, I bought a set. I LOVE them. The barrels of the needles are sort triangular in shape, and even have minor indentations where you would usually hold them. They really do feel good in your hand are a bit easier to handle than steel or bamboo needles and they don’t tend to slip.
As for crochet needles, I picked up a Yarniss ergonomic hook It has a thicker handle and comfort grip, along with latex, non-slip coating. It is really making a difference. I expect that over time I will be converting all of my needle and hook collection to ergonomics. Yeah, they’re a bit more expensive, but they’re less expensive than carpal tunnel surgery.
I can’t wait to show you the finished valances and the next steps on the shed. Come back next week for an update.
