The Machine comments: 237

I wasn't sure if it would work. We had forty-six cones of floss (in fourteen different colors), and I wanted to be able to unwind them into 18" lengths, all at the same time. We bought three 6-foot-long 2"-x-4"s, pounded enormous nails (each about 6" long) equally spaced down the length of each board, then placed the cones on the nails. We had another little board with a big eye bolt twisted into it, to act as a big needle. Then we clamped everything to the table, and threaded all of the ends of the floss through the eye bolt, and pulled. You have to pull hard. All forty-six cones turn at the same time. It's loud. And really cool. You pull enough out so that you can measure an 18" length (indicated by two pieces of blue tape on the table), and then cut all of the strands of floss at the same time. Then you fold them all neatly and put them in a little bag. Over and over and over again. We've been taking turns at it. I've heard a few people mention that this concept is like a Lazy Kate, which I think is generally used (on a much smaller scale) to ply yarn? It's actually really fun. It's gotten easier to pull as the cones have gotten smaller. I was pretty dang excited that it all worked!!! And it looks so pretty, too.

Comments

Ohmygoodness, this is fantastic!

What a great solution. Your invention brings the words, "cottage industry" come to mind.

I love it! Can't wait to order and get started! Thanks for all the inspiration.

Wow!!!!! So Cool!

Well done with the ingenuity.

Love the palette of colours that your spools create.

Fleur xx

That looks amazing ~ beautiful and super useful!

Genius.

Are you hiring? I think being your floss-puller would be an awesome job. Especially with that sweet overseer under the table :)

Love it!!

How cool! :-)

Clever!!! :)

Very awesome!

A-Mazing!

That. Is. Awesome.

Is that Yarnia yarn I see?

Brilliant, girlfriend, just brills.

Wow, so pretty!

Brilliant, indeed!

Oh my goodness, I am getting so excited! What a great concept... I just love it! Cant wait to get my hands on that sampler ;)

that is so clever. love the colors.

Haha, this reminds me of seeing fabric factories built during the Industrial Revolution. So cool!

The words 'patent it' come to mind!! Clever Mr Posie, he is indeed......

cool! and pretty, too. It does look like a quaint and pretty little factory. I'd work there!

I cannot wait to order this kit. I'm dreaming of it as my summer project, sitting on my front porch on my glider...sigh.

Impressive!

Very very cool! Even if it didn't work, it would be fun to take photos of, right?!