Do a little dance...

Stuff is just zipping off the needles now that the wrap is done.

First, socks for a relative:

Project specs - 1 skein of Bernat Satin Sport (DK weight) in the Meadow colorway, using an improvised pattern on #5 DPNs.

Then a Tudora for me. I love the Tudora. Abnormally. It ain't right I tell ya. I think it's the perfectness of the yarn and the pattern.

Project specs - less than 1 skein of Malabrigo Worsted in the Amoroso colorway on #8 needles. Turning the work before the last stitch is knitted on the bind-off edge is brilliant!

And then there are the dishcloths for my very patient friend Jacques.

Project specs: the Crested Wave and Bamboo cloth patterns from Dishcloth Boutique done in Saucy cotton, color 125 on #7 Addis.

Now I'm on a pair of socks for me using Plymouth's Happy Feet. 'Cause you know my feet are doing the "Happy FO" dance.

Free at last!

The Wrap with Sleeves is finally done! And by "done", I mean "all but blocking". I think I really love it - enough to make another one, maybe out of alpaca, using big needles and the trinity stitch. Maybe to look something like this (click on 'more views' to see all the different ways to wear it!)

And totally non-knitting related....

Yesterday, I was domestic goddessing around the CattyAbode and realized just how much I like my home right now. There are still projects to finish (stripping the hall wallpaper and painting the trim, repainting the bathroom, and totally revamping the CatMan office - aka The Black Hole of Despair). But in this past year, I've made some changes - subtle and not-so-subtle - that took me from 'eh' to 'I like to be home now!'

Now if I could just find the perfect purse...

Look! Bright Shiny Object!

That's how I feel right now about knitting. I'm determined to finishing at least ONE of these *&^#) WIPs. *sigh* So things like the new Patternworks catalog are very distracting.

Case in point: (and I'm not even a sweater knitter!!)

Or perhaps something like ziss? (Right. Like I'd abandon my favorite - and memorized - pattern.)

I'm even thinking about painting our postage stamp-sized bathroom. It's between these two -
lime granita (it's a bit brighter and greener than this swatch) or open air .

And finally, here's a pic of the Christmas amaryllis bulb we gave the CatMan's Mom. I didn't know it would have so many blooms!

Plugging away

I'm spending the rest of this month (all 6 days of it) trying to finish at least one of the WIPs hanging around on the needles for a couple of months. The wrap with sleeves is a few inches past the second armhole - I want to finish the body this weekend before I move onto the sleeves. The felted table runner is worked on during the week - with felting during the weekend as I do the Cattylaundry. So it's a bunch of knitting with not a lot to show for it right now.

I did knit up a few preemie hats.

TheReallyBigShew is oh-so-happy to model one for me.

I'm limiting the preemie knitting to when I accomplish one of the WIP goals I set for myself. And I'm pointedly ignoring the siren call of the stash. Lalalalala...

In the bleak midwinter

There's a need for a golden glow -

Project specs: the perfect scarf pattern using Patons' Brillant in Marvelous Mocha (chocolate brown with bronze flecks.) 2 skeins on #10.5 Brittanys.

Since my other WIPs are taking some time and I don't really have a transportable project, I'm knitting up a few things for here to fulfill my instant gratification requirement. The CatMan and I only have a psychofeline brood, so this is my chance to enjoy knitting wee things for wee ones. And we all know there's enough sock yarn floating around the CattyAbode.

And because it's playing in the background right now, and I love the images:

"And the price of a memory

Is the memory of the sorrow it brings

There is always on last light to turn out and one last bell to ring

And the last one out of the circus has to lock up everything

Or the elephants will get out

And forget to remember what you said

And the ghosts of the tilt-a-whirl

Will linger inside of your head

And the ferris wheel junkies will spin them forever instead

When I see you a blanket of stars covers me in my bed."

Mrs. Potter's Lullaby by the Counting Crows.

First FO of 2008

And here it is courtesy of Cinco, aka "Mr. Mom's-sitting-down-so-I-must-be-in-her-lap"!

So I tried again -

Project specs: Lang Jawool Superwash (color 764) and Color Superwash (color 549/65). The green is the leftovers from my Hooray for Me glovelets. The black was rolling around in the stash. The pattern is the tried and true sock pattern on #2 Brittanys, casting on 64 stitches.

And before it is out of my brain forever, here is a closeup of the secret Christmas project - a scarf I knit for my MIL in its unblocked state.

Project specs: My coned burgundy alpaca using Frog Tree's Cape Cod Shell Scarf pattern (the same one I used for Eyre) on #6 Inox needles.

Sparkly bits

Time to play "2 week catch-up". The PA trip was great fun - we saw everyone we had planned to and brought home the necessary case of Yuengling Black and Tan. I did try my hand at Wii bowling but not DDR (Dance Dance Revolution). I also failed miserably at Guitar Hero 3 (but the song choice rocked!) and 80's version of SingStar (karaoke melded with the actual videos and bands). In between all that video activity, I did find time to knit.

A cap and booties for a co-worker's new little granddaughter. Project specs (cap): 1 skein of Artful Yarns' Candy working the simple pattern on the skein label. Project specs (booties): Saartjes's pattern using up a partial skein of red Classic Elite Silk on #2 needles. I modified the pattern to do a 'mary jane' strap.

Lady MacWisp. Project specs: 1 skein of KidSilk Night in "Macbeth" (a deep purply color with silver thread) done on #8 Addis. I modified the pattern to do all the lace stitch without the interspersed garter bands. Oooo, sparkly - just not in this picture!

And what would the new year be without a pair of socks on the needles? Sad, I tell you! Ever the Scotswoman, this pair is using up 2 odd stash skeins.

2008 may turn into the year of MORE SPARKLE!

AND SOCKS!

Stop the insanity!

Happy Horrordays

That's what my co-worker and I have been saying to each other the past few weeks. And now the days are upon us. Bags are packed, presents wrapped and packed, apartment cleaned, laundry done, emails caught up, hotels and rental car confirmed, and cat needs taken care of.

I had a little set back with the meds/panic thing this week, so absolute zero knitting has been done since last Sunday. However, I was able to finish these beforehand.

Project specs: Jack Frost Ladies Mittens #5619 in pink Manos wool, done on #6 needles. I used scap yarn for a combination of lazy daisy and duplicate stitches.

Since we will be spending at least 25 hours in the car (most of it in daylight), my trip's knitting bag consists of:
The wrap with sleeves
LadyMacWisp
My first socks for 2008
A baby cap and Sarjaate's booties for a co-worker's new granddaughter due on 12/26.

The CatMan is duly impressed with my Christmas gifting: the Tychus hat (which he wanted felted a bit), the Bourne Trilogy DVD set and these (don't ask, I couldn't tell you. It's a boy thing, I think.)

Happy Horrordays and may you all get good gifts!

And we're back

I'm finally feeling back to myself again. Yippeedoo! To celebrate, I went a little crazy with the needle action this week.

CatDaddy indicated he would REALLY like a hat for Christmas. How can I deny a man I still call Daddy?

Project specs: about 1.25 skeins of Lang Mille Colori in color 839 - olives/greys/neutrals on #8 Brittany DPNS. The pattern is a 1 x 3 rib available when you purchase the yarn at KYarns.

I also finished the Tootie Tweedie socks. Knitting these just plain ol' made me happy.

Project specs: Regia 6-ply Tweed in color 53 on #2 Brittanys DPNs using the formula.

I also started a cool Wisp for myself using KidSilk Night in the "MacBeth" colorway and a pair of mittens in pink Manos.

And you know how socks go missing? Well, I 'lost' one of the Crazy Anklets a week or two ago - I figured it got caught up in the laundry folding and was statically stuck to something. Couldn't find it. Until today. When I changed the sheets on the bed.

It makes me laugh EVERY time

photo courtesy of southflorida.com/scared of santa

Because you know the older sister is grinning at the torment.

Crappy week saved by knitting

I've been crappy sick this week - long story shortened to "chemical imbalance/panic attacks/take these meds now". Still not feeling great and probably won't for another few weeks (I've put my request in for "by Christmas"). But I did get some knitting done - actually it was the saving grace of the week.

Here's the CatMan's Tychus. Project specs: Cascade 220 in black and charcoal grey done on #9 Brittanys. The yarn is held doubled which I found to be a pain in the patootie, but it finished nicely. If I was knitting it again, I would cast on a few more stitches to make it a bit longer when the brim is rolled up. Of course the CatMan is wearing it now (I think 'cause he likes it and not just because I knit him something.) When I finished the hat, I immediately cast on an easy, no-thinking project. The Regia 6-ply is nice and wooly with a bit more heft than most of my other socks, so I'm looking forward to finishing these and getting them on my toodies!

Hope all your holiday knits are going well. Maybe my next post will be more dynamic!

Blame the bird!

For obviously losing my memory- it's the only plausible reason.

Examples:

• Directions and phone number for the mutual acquaintance we were picking up on our way out of town? still on the kitchen table.
• The first annual post-Tdinner dip in Lake George in which The CatMan participated? no camera.
• Forgetting a pack any type of hair grooming implement? check.
• Forgetting my purse at the Hampton Inn and backtracking 20 minutes to retrieve it? check.
• The picture of the giant bald eagle sitting in a tree south of Shoreham? oh right, no camera.

See what I mean?

But I was able to do a little knitting. Progress was made on Santa's surprise and I also took the blankie (made up of the O-C(ee)-D fun squares from the side bar). Yeah, I know the squares aren't facing the same direction. This would be my 'not planning, just making' project.

I've also got some remnant projects on the needles. A few weeks ago, I was blog-surfing and saw a pic of a man walking down a city street wearing an Eros scarf. Of course I can't remember whose blog (bastardly turkey again!), but the pic inspired me to knit my own Eros scarf. Screw the fact that Eros is so 3 years ago and that I don't have a complete skein of any one color. This is gonna be my Joseph's coat (you know, if he had worn a scarf and Eros has even been a concept at that time). Y'all are gonna be so jealous. Really.

Glove Love

Beannie's Glovelets are finished. I modified the pattern to rib the fingers, which I think gives a better fit and look. The Beannie's fingers are longer and narrower, so I think the ribbing will be just right (vs. the chubbette look of my fingers in the glove).

Project specs: Hooray for Me Glovelets using Regia 4-ply Tweed in a blue denim colorway (#52) on #2 Brittanys. This pair also took less than one skein - go figure.I put the festive something for me on hold for right now as I'm working on the Christmas Surprise. Since the receiver of said gift knows about this blog, no pics for now. However, if you are a member of Ravelry, you can check out the progress and pics there. Hooray for a short work week - here's to my Ravelry shirts and Webs order getting here before our day trip to Lake George!

Two down, one to go

Christmas Wisp

Project Specs: 1 skein of Knit One Crochet Two's Douceur et Soie (70% mohair/30% silk) in color 8633 (referenced as "Cornflower" on the Kyarns website) on #8 Addis. I really liked this yarn, more so than the Kid Seta. I know it's the same fiber content, but it was just different in a good way. I seriously think I need to knit one Wisp for me in a solid color.

Edited to add - looks like I've got another project before the 'me festiveness'.

Why you are supposed to make your bed

When it's chilly out, the puffy comforter is fair game.

I love how Pip made his own little tube!

A Christmas gift is off the needles.

Project Specs: Mountain Colors' 4/8's Wool in Steelhead knit on #7 Addis. Pattern is the Double Eyelet Scarf from The Little Book of Scarves. This scarf blocked out to about 5' long and I used approximately 1 1/2 skeins of wool. (Side note: looks like my cactus is more of the Halloween blooming variety.)

It was EOM work time this week, so not a whole lot of knitting got done. I did however sneak in a little project that has to be done by Wednesday, so I'm off to knit for bears.

Cleaning up the corners.

This rainy weekend appears to be perfect for cleaning up the corners and tying up loose ends. The Double Eyelet scarf is blocking (note to Santa - blocking wires. I've been very very good). My glovelets are done and the Christmas Pair have been cast on. A Christmas Wisp is also making headway on the needles, and I even found some time to work on the Suede Surprise. The surprise may be that I will actually finish it.

Hooray for Me Gloves

Project specs - Lang's Jawoll Color Superwash 549-65 colorway (olive green with copper and blue shadings. Done on Brittany #2 DPNS. I knit one size up from the pattern (an addition of 4 stitches) and still used less than one skein of yarn.

I've cleaned off my desk and weeded out my desk drawers (where magazines, catalogs and FOs go to hide from the roving TerrorCat band.) I've got a few phone calls to make, emails to send, one last strip of doorway trim to paint, and stair painting to work on. The Netflix queue needs to be refreshed (it turns out the video store near my office where I get fill-in movies is ridding themselves of their VHS selection and not replenishing them with DVDs.)

The rain is also aiding and abetting my sinus headache, so I foresee a curl-up on the couch with a few cats and some knitting. The weekly domestic goddessing can wait.

And this was my birthday card from the CatMan (see - I really did have to clean off my desk!)

Genie: "...And for your third wish?" Cat: *happily dazed with 2 shiny bright balls of yarn at her feet*
Dog: "Seriously, you might want to stop and give this a little more thought."
But the best part is the inside of the card- the kitty, wearing a party hat, snoozily wrapped around a third ball of yarn.

Field Trip

The CatMan and I went for a little trip to Middlebury yesterday to meet up with some friends. Of course, what good is a field trip without scoping out the local sites of (my) interest? So while the CatMan checked out the bookstore next door, I perused Vermont Beads and Fibers and found a taste of honey.

Laughing Tree Farm's 2 ply light worsted in Honey.

Don't forget the Christmas project yarn.

The Regia above is destined to become a pair of these. However, I've got to finish my test pair first. A couple hours in the car speeded that process up a bit.

And speaking of Christmas, look who's two months early (ahem!)

The slate tile underneath the cactus is a recent purchase from VT Structural Slate. One item on my ongoing house projects list is removal of this little table's original small mosaic tile and replacing it with a piece of slate (this would be Black Lace Rust). VT Slate was amazing to deal with and didn't seem to have a problem AT ALL with a small request like mine. So now MoMA and the CattyAbode have something in common (other than housing real pieces of work!)

A beautiful fall day

Knitting at the CattyAbode continues to be WIPs. I did finish the Vineyard socks just in time to mail off to PA - and by 'just in time', I mean 'weaving in ends in the post office parking lot' - hence no picture. So instead, I give you some views from the farm on this Columbus Day weekend.

The girls, sunbathing.
Jerusalem Artichokes

(I love the contrast of the almost spring green grass and the red barn.)

Lake Champlain (does this blue come in a yarn?)
And a very confused iris (that's one regal purple!)

Boyfriend

I've got an exotic Persian boyfriend with gorgeous blue eyes. Yeah, The CatMan knows (they have their issues.) Last Monday my boyfriend had an accident, so I've been spending the past few days taking care of his needs, which basically consist of being held/caressed every possible second when I'm home.

(That's the booboo on his back haunch)

How cute is that freakin' tail? And no, he does NOT like to be compared to Mr. Bigglesworth, so don't even go there.

So what have I been ignoring to give my boyfriend his sweet lovin'?

This is Vineyard Sock #1 - these must be in the mail no later than Thursday, the 6th to be on time for my girlfriend's birthday.

The Confetti baby sweater - the baby shower is the 14th. You do the math.

This the Double Eyelet Scarf in Mountain Colors "Steelhead". This has been my car/take along project during the week, but I think it's gonna be backburnered until items 1 and 2 are done.

It's all in the planning

Autumn Wisp is done - I enjoyed knitting it, though I chose to make just a scarf sans buttons. I definitely will knit this again, either as a gift or for myself.

Project specs: Wisp from Knitty, using Madil Kid Seta (70% kid mohair, 30% silk) in Shade on #7 Inox circ needles. I used just one skein and blocked the scarf to just shy of 48" long x 10" wide.

So while the CatMan is doing manly guy things with his friends this weekend, I'm enjoying homemade bean soup, clean laundry, watching DVDs, and planning some upcoming knit projects. On the docket for October:
A pair of socks for a girlfriend with an October birthday (in this colorway).
Some baby shower knitting for a co-worker including these booties and this top-down cardi

And this pullover

Best part of the whole she-bang? I'm knitting from stash. Unless, in typical Gathering Wool fashion, I run out with a row to go.