A little break

The messy parts of the renovations are supposed to be done today. So the Catman and I are going to treat ourselves to an overnight vacation tomorrow. There will be some of this -

and a little of this -

and definitely some of this!

This old house

Note to self - it's very hard to knit when there is drywall dust floating around. Ayep, the CattyAbode is getting a not-so-extreme makeover. The CatMan and I have lived in this apartment for 10 years and we are finally getting some new flooring. Woot! And drywall in the kitchen and upstairs! Rootie toot woot! I've picked out my paint colors: Serengeti Plain for the upstairs and Tropical Mango for the kitchen. (Pics forthcoming once I feel safe in uncovering the computer.)

Maybe I've had a little too much Vermit winter, eh?

On the knitting front , I'm almost done with Pink Piggie sock #2; my coworker is just about to start the heel flap on #1. The baby knitting is flying along - I've got 8 hats, 2 pairs of baby socks, and a serious dent in the baby yarn stash.

Not just rain showers!

It's time!

However, April has other plans for me. Besides the fact I haven't finished Ed or Eyre, I've got some charity knitting due this month. The Women for Missions at my church are throwing a baby shower for a newborn hospital in Mali and have asked if I can organize some knitting projects. Hmmmm...let me think about that....use up stash yarn...small, instant gratification projects....enjoy pretty spring colors? Oh yeah, baby! (pun intended)

I do have some other little projects on the April May PS docket: a pair of pink bedsocks for me and this cardi set for a friend who is due at the end of the month.

If you are local to the Burlington area, come on down for the baby knitting - April 17 from 6:30 - 8PM at the Essex Community Center. You can email me at themusemedusa AT yahoo DOT com for patterns, info, and directions.

Signs of spring

Here in Vermit there are several signs of spring:

1. Mud season (caused by melting snow and ground)

2. Taking down the snow fences

3. Sap buckets on maple trees

4. The annual ice thaw at Joe's Pond

For me a sure sign of spring is the return of the ospreys to the Sandbar (the strip of land that connects 'mainland' Vermit with the Islands). Today was the day. There was much Catty rejoicing when I drove past the nest stands and saw an osprey perched on one of them.

Spring is here - time to get Edward finished!

Bringin' em into the fold

Image from www.interestingideas.com saved to my server.

So a co-worker/friend wants to learn how to make socks. As I posted earlier this month, I'm finding this pattern a quick and easy knit. It shows the basics of sock-knitting - using DPNS, creating heel flaps, turning, picking up stitches, and grafting the toe - using bigger needles, thicker yarn, and fewer stitches. After the very necessary trip to pick up yarn and her first set of DPNs, we spent a lunch hour casting on (I showed her the 'cheater' method of using a straight needle and then knitting onto the DPNs) and manuevering around the DPN setup. I sent her home with the mission to knit a 6" cuff.

My evil plan to increase our knitting numbers continues...

This post brought to you by the letter A

This would be my latest addiction. I don't want to share with you the quantity of boxes consumed this week (less than 5, but more than 1). If you live in the northwestern corner of Vermit, do not buy these. They're icky and distasteful. Really. I'm not just saying that so there will be more for me.

Here's a little closeup of the Edward's side detail; I'm starting the third waist shaping section. Last night, I pulled him off the needles to verify I'm on track with the sizing. He looks a little big, but shrinkage is always an option with the cotton yarn.

I'm motivated to finish Ed and Eyre, because in two weeks its...

and I've got skeins at the ready!

Reality check

This week has been a frigid one in Vermit - my neighbor measured -59 degrees (including wind chill) on Tuesday. My car agreed with that forecast and decided it was too cold to go anywhere. So I took the opportunity to stay at home with a pot of tea, the cats, and knit on some Dulaan projects.

This week's weather was a reality check on just what kind of conditions the people in Mongolia deal with on a daily basis. And it's just wrong to sit on lovely wool without creating something that will make another person a little more comfortable. I've been on a hat kick, but I'm definitely going to work up some more of the socks. This pattern is perfect for heavier yarn plus it's written for 3 different sizes. I did the pair of kids' socks in less than 2 hours.

If you have access to rent "Long Way Round" with Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman, do it! When you see the smiling, genuinely kind faces of the people of Mongolia and understand there are children living in the sewers of the cities, you'll want to do more than knit.

Click the Dulaan button on the sidebar for more information and this year's deadlines.

Make up your mind already

Yeah I'm talking to you, Vermont weather! Blizzardy conditions Friday (Ice! Snow!), almost 45 degrees yesterday, and today windy and cold. Evidently the whole March Lion/Lamb image is taking itself seriously. In the same weekend.

Luckily, Eyre remains constant and steady.

I was going to show you a picture of Edward but the progress is so sad, I'm going to wait a bit.

And here's what is motivating me to finish Edward and move onto the next project. I love this book! There are so many good basic designs with enough options to keep me happy for a looong time. Thank you Ms. Harding.

Perfect...for now

My perfect scarf.

Project specs: 4 skeins of Blue Sky Alpaca's Alpaca and Silk Sportweight knit in lace ribbing on #6 Inox needles. The color is a medium rust/brown/orange which exactly matches the color that rims my pupils. Weird huh? I took it as a sign - I'm easy that way.

Progress continues on Eyre, but has stalled on Edward. While I love the concept of knitting sweaters, I find they are home projects. Unfortunately the way my work schedule has been lately, by the time I get home I'm not so much in the mood to pick up a sweater. Right now, lacy knitting seems to be fitting the bill.

Questions and Answers

In reply to some emails I received:

First off - the funk is moving on. Bastardly hormones!

Secondly, allow me to present the item that is keeping me from Edward the tank. I settled on a simple lace rib pattern (from my handy Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Needlework) for the Blue Sky Alpaca & Silk Perfect Scarf.

With the time off this week, I'm almost through my third skein. This is so going to be off the needles (and around my neck) within the week.

And thirdly - no I don't dislike Ciaran Hinds. In fact, as you can see by my Netflix queue, I like him very much. I just didn't like his characterization as Rochester. Timothy Dalton has always been my favorite (I enjoyed how his Welsh accent strengthened during the more emotional scenes), but I think Toby Stephens wonderfully portrayed a true to the period English gentleman with a devasting secret. And yes, I thought the most recent adaptation was very good (physical contact and all). I just wish either one of these versions had shown the lightning-struck tree. I mean really? *sigh*

Heard it's supposed to snow...

What could this be?

Oh right...it's a car!

Of Snow and Sadness

Really I should be happy - I've taken a snow day. But I'm not - for several reasons:

1. Wine last night

2. Inability to sleep until 1:30 AM (and awake for the day at 6-ish)

3. Romantic sappy movie during said late night awake time

4. Monthly girlie time, complete with nausea and headache, arrived this morning

So really, I'm a rollicking ball of hormonal emotions right now - perhaps a good thing I'm not spreading the joy at work.

My knitting mojo-vation is nil, I'm forcing myself to be domestic.

The Happy Place

It's been a long week here at the CattyAbode. Between my commute and time at work, I've logged in 63 hours so far and I'm working tomorrow. Bleah. So I treated myself to the Happy Place today. I'm so fortunate it's just 'spittin distance' from my office.


I've been musing on making a simple stole for myself. After watching the most recent remake of Jane Eyre (my most favorite book ever!)I had narrowed down my options to a simple lace pattern in a soft grey yarn. Ta Da!

Meet "Eyre" currently in the form of Frog Tree Alpaca color #009 and their pattern for the Cape Cod Shell scarf. I'm going to double the width of the scarf to 110 stitches which should be perfect based on the sample KYarns had knit up in the store. Unfortunately, this project is backburner'd until I free up my #6s, but still on target for this round of Project Spectrum.


As for past incarnations of 'Jane Eyre' on video, we must not ever speak of the George C. Scott, William Hurt, or Ciaran Hinds versions. Ever. *shudder*

Now if they prove prophetic!

Spring Thaw Socks
Project Specs: Leftover skein of Schachenmayr Regia in colorway 5443 with one skein of Koigu KPM in color 1005 on #2 Brittany DPNs using take a wild guess.

Woodchuck Days

I'm torn. Yesterday was Woodchuck Day here in Vermont and Groundhog Day in Pennsylvania. Born in PA and now a resident of VT, which do I celebrate? I finally opted for "Woodchuck Day" since there was only the parading of people, not non-domesticated animals. Really, I'm surprised ol' Phil hasn't just hauled off and chewed off a few human fingers in protest.

There was also celebration since 3rd Time was finally dry and available for her close-up, Mr. DeMille. Project specs: Fantasy Yarn's Cashmere Luxury Chunky (45% Merino, 49% Microfiber, 6% Cashmere) in color 03 Olive. The pattern was modified from the Ribbed Pullover featured in the 2/1/96 issue of Woman's Day (wow, 11 years hanging out in my "someday" folder!) Mods include: elbow-length stockinette sleeves, a drapey cowl-like neck and a shortened overall length.

Don't ask me what the weird bumpage is on the front of the sweater. I checked - I don't appear to be sporting odd growths off my stomach.

January is a FO!

"Finish what you started" month was a great success. Lots of little odds and ends as well as the Lullaby rework and last year's Project Spectrum "3rd time" are fini! I still don't have a pic of 3rd Time (reblocking issues), but it's done!

I've started the Spring Thaw socks and have swatched (got gauge!) for Edward. I'm jump-starting this year's PS tonight.

Midwinter night's dreaming

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Antici...

...pation for next month's Project Spectrum!
Here are the projects in raw form: 1) a pair of socks using up the extra skein of Regia from Nita's 'Nucklewarmers paired with the soft blue Koigu and 2) the Edward Tank using Wildflowers DK in a soft grey. An added highlight is that both these projects are stash-busting!

But I haven't forgotten all needles must be cleared first, so to that end I present Mom's dishcloths and the Alluring scarf.

Project Specs: Lily Sugar'n Cream cotton yarn in Creamsicle in the Chinese Waves Pattern (top), Cool Breeze Ombre in the Garter Stitch Lace pattern (middle), and Mocha Swirls in the Kitchen Cotton pattern (bottom) on #6 Inox needles. The Mocha Swirls especially made me hungry for Neopolitan ice cream.

3rd Time is finished and blocking - stay tuned for a weekend photo!

I hab a colub.

Thanks to the CatMan (who was banished to sleep on the futon for a few nights) and the monthly cyclical depression, I am infected with the creeping crud. The upside: I'm tired but don't feel heinously crappy. The downside: well, I have a cold.

I've been knitting along, finishing the Alluring scarf (no pic right now: just imagine a big puffy ball of blackness) and whittling away on 3rd Time. I actually 'might could' finish it tonight. If the Nyquil holds out. After all,it IS the right shade of green...ewwwwwwww.

Keeping resolutions

My NY resolutions are as follows:

1. Leave work by 5:30 PM every day

2. Drink more water

3. Finish WIP I started in 2006

So far I've been relatively successful. I've been leaving work close to 5:30 PM (give or take 5 minutes, and we won't mention getting to work early or working 5 hours last Saturday). The water consumption is definitely better than pre-NYears, but I want to up it by at least one more glass a day.

"Finish what you started" month is progressing quite nicely. It's amazing what you can do when you set your mind to it: 3rd time is just lacking her sleeves and the Lullaby rework needs a few more knitted rows, then some edging on her neck and armholes. The Kidsilk Feather and Fan scarf is done.

Project specs: Over 2/3rds of one skein of cream Kidsilk Haze done on #8 Brittanys. I had originally used the yarn for edging on another scarf, hence the large amount of remnant skein.

Since both sweaters are no longer at the car knitting stage, I've cast on for the black Allure scarf for my PA relative. But that's it. Nothing more until I'm done finishing what I started. All needles must be free for this.

Look what the wise guys brought!

Here are the completed Red Scarves set to go in the mail this week. I will definitely do this KAL again. Go to the blog and check out the stories.

Scarves from top layer to bottom layer-
1. Patons Allure in Sapphire straight garter stitch on 10.5 needles
2. Cascade 220 in red/soft orange/soft yellow using Stephanie's rib pattern on 10.5 needles
3. Red Heart Aztec in green multi using Stephanie's rib pattern on 10.5 needles
4. Koigu and burgundy fingering alpaca held together, garter-knit lengthwise on #3 needles

And because it's Epiphany and because I loved this creche set literally to pieces and da boys are the only remaining figures found intact at my mom's, I present the 3 Wise Guys and their trusty, faceless steed.

"Finish What You Started" Month

I hereby declare January "Finish What You Started" Month. No button, no rules, no KAL. Just giving you all the freedom to step up to the needles and take it on for yourself. Set your own rules and guidelines. Just leave me a comment if you finish something so I can come over and sis-boom-ba(a) and pick up your mojo-vation!

Here's what I have planned to finish for January:

1. Kidsilk Fan and Feather Scarf
2. Red Scarf #4 (from the leftover Aztec)
3. 3rd Time's Mock T-neck
4. Re-knit the neckline for the Lullaby Tank
5. Make a decision on what to do with the OCD squares.

My last 2006 FO is McGinny's socks for one of my girlie friends here in Vermit.

Project Specs: My favorite sock pattern (surprised?) done in Lana Grossa Colortweed, color 1004 (turquoise blues and greens), on #2 Brittanys.

The best-laid plans

Plan #1 - My own pair of Urban Rustics. The yarn I originally picked (some light green homespun from VT Sheep and Wool) wasn't enough. Barely. Grrr. So I changed the plan by picking up some Red Heart Aztec (78% acrylic/13% mohair/9% poly). I thought "I'll make sure I have enough" and bought 3 skeins. I used just over 1. So the rest is going to be Red Scarf #4.

Here's a closeup of the buttons. I love the buttons (A JoAnn's find).

Plan #2 - Knit myself the perfect scarf. After 5 frogs, I gave up. The pattern just didn't work. Actually the pattern worked, it was the person knitting that had the problem. I needed a no-thought project. One of the people we visited during our time in PA asked for a black scarf. So while at AC Moore (home of the Aztec), I snagged some Patons Allure in Sapphire. It seemed to be a very dark blue with black. However in the bright sunlight, the blue appeared lighter. I loved the coloring, but I had a feeling the person who requested the scarf would not. So I finished the scarf for the 2007 Red Scarf project.

Project specs: 3 skeins of Patons Allure, color 04110 Sapphire on 10.5 Brittanys. Cast on 20 stitches and knit in garter until all gone.

Plan #3 - Finish the McGinny's socks. Well I'm about ready to start the heel flap on the second sock. Maybe by New Year's Day?

And I'm done..kinda

Crazy Landlady Socks using 2 skeins of Regia Crazy Color in #5404 on #2 Brittanys. Jude's tried them on with her Crocs - they fit and look very funkadelic. We have a winner! With the purple Koigu from the stash, I have enough to make my own pair with striped cuffs. But I don't know about the Crocs part...

The knitting bag is packed for the trip home tomorrow. I've got another pair of socks on the needles (a New Year's giftie for someone), the green VT Sheep and Wool yarn for my own pair of Rustics (wait til you see the cool buttons I've got!), and some rust brown silk alpaca I've been saving until the right pattern came along.

I'll see you all next weekend. Until then, have a wonderful Christmas! I hope Santa brings you all something for the stash!

Here on the West Coast of New England

Vermont is the only New England state without ocean-front property. I'm not complaining - I see enough flatlanders just by living on Lake Champlain. But in the scheme of things, I'm an ocean girl. The CatMan is all about the mountains; he did a preternaturally good job of locating a living arrangement for us on VT's largest body of water WITH amazing views of the Green Mountains AND the Adirondacks.

By The Shore is my new 2007 calendar which will hang by my desk space here at home (replacing my 2006 Tropical Islands.) The scarf is an 'off-the-radar' project; I saw the yarn last weekend and immediately thought of blue sky, bluer water, sand, and wet rock.

Project Specs: 4 skeins of JoAnn's Sensations Confetti, a wool boucle blend in color #601 (I hereby dub thee "Beachcomber"). Using #10 1/2 needles, cast on 10 stitches and garter stitch until it's all gone (over 6' worth, thankyouverymuch).

Happy Birthday!

My sister is a Christmas Baby - born a few days before the holiday, she came home on Christmas Day 40 years ago. My mother tells us that I was more than happy to play with her until she started crying, then I calmly informed my parents that I was done playing with my baby sister and could I have the real doll I'd asked Santa for? I never got the doll, but I still have the sister. We've had our share of ups and downs (I'm finally over finding my black angora sweater, stained and stuffed between the mattress and box spring. Really I am.) Sister expressed an interest in the Urban Rustics I knit for my niece (who I am convinced is probably the sister I should have had, but that's another story) so here's her pair.

Specs: Lion Brand Landscapes (50/50 wool/acrylic) in "Summer Fields". It took a smidge over 2 skeins (the remainder of the third skein made its way into the charity knit box) on 10 1/2 Brittanys. I think I like the look of the Rustics with this yarn moreover the Foliage I used for my niece's gloves.

I still have one more pair of Rustics to make (for me!) using some homespun from the VT Sheep and Wool. But that's going to have to wait until I'm done with rest of my holiday knitting!

1 FCO - hohoho!

That would be "Finished Christmas Object" in case the hohoho didn't give it away. Here's a pair of (k)Nucklewarmers for my workplace Secret Santa exchange. I think Nita will like them. Or maybe she'll just like the Ghiradelli chocolate wrapped up in the box with them.

Project specs: less than one skein of Regia Crazy Color yarn in a peach/blue/creamy toasty colorway done on #2 Brittanys, 2 x 2 rib.

And no, you aren't seeing things - this colorway is very similiar to this one. What can I say - it's my new favorite color combo!

Grammie

Irene Nell Holcomb Cryder
April 22, 1912 - December 5, 2006

The CatMan and I are headed to PA for my Grammie's funeral this weekend. Grammie Cryder was the woman I wanted to be when I grew up (still is!) so there is sadness in the Catty world right now.

I have packed the knitting bag with small, relatively brainless projects - the second CrazyLandLady sock, wristwarmers for my work's Secret Santa giftie, my sister's Urban Rustics. Hotels booked, Xanax consumed, litter changed, catsitter prepped.


I finished Mom's Koigu scarf just in time to take home.
Project specs: 2 skeins Koigu KPPPM dye code P210 on a #3 32" Addi.

I also whipped up some little beaded stitch markers for a co-worker's girlie friend who has just taken up knitting.

Ninjas and the face of a Sock

The helmet liners for Kimberly. The CatMan and I were going to model them, but really? Do you need to see two middle-aged pasty white Vermiters doing that? I think not. I'm writing up a little note to go with each of them, defuzzing them of white Persian Cinco hair, and mailing them off on Monday. I highly recommend this project if you are interested in a charity knit. The pattern was supa'easy and fast. Regardless of your political opinions (of which I have many), it is a lovely way to nuture the people who have signed on to represent this country. As I was knitting, I also thought the pattern would make a great Dulaan project.


Details: Helmet liners knit on #6 and #8 Brittany DPNS (with the facial ribbing picked up and knit on #6 Inox circular). Yarn: Encore (wool/acrylic blend)

And Christmas knitting has started. I love these socks! I love the random surprise of the striping. I love the colors. I love the vertical ribbing with the horizontal striping. I love the fact they will be perfect for my crazy (in a very good way) landlady and will go with many of her 50-bazilliony pairs of Crocs (seriously - a least one pair IN EVERY COLOR.) And you thought I was making up the crazy part.

Hi! I'm the sock face. Notice my great kitchener smile.