Merry Christmas!

Making lists, checking twice

But not the kind of lists you're thinking for this time of year. It's the "time to pack up for vacation" list-making extravaganza, such as -
"Don't forget to take" list (digital camera, batteries, hotel itineraries)
"Errands to run on the way out of town" list (pick up hemmed skirt, bank, drugstore)
"Personal" list (trim bangs, manicure)
"Clothes to pack" list (cause if I don't make a list, I won't remember this skirt needs this slip or these shoes)
"House stuff to do before we leave" list (empty trash, take out recycling, leave contact numbers for Judy!)
And then of course, the Misc. list - the catchall for the other things that don't fit the above lists.

But in the midst of lists, I am doing a little knitting. This is the Imagiknits Scarf in the Dorchester Farms yarn I picked up in October. The pattern is easy, but I'm finding I have to pay attention during the knit row, or I forget a step and end up short a stitch. Rassinfrassinmumblemumble.

And one list (Christmas Trip Projects) was done weeks ago (I know my priorities!)

To all my virtual knitting friends and acquaintances, have a most blessed Christmas and party-filled New Year. I'll catch you on the flip side!

Elves!

Here's a pair of Koigu handwarmers for a coworker who's always cold. These were so fast and fun to knit: #2 Brittany DPNs, cast on of 44 stitches, knit in 2 x 2 ribbing with a 6-st buttonhole for the thumb. Hmmm...looks like I need a little hand lotion.

These are my Bernat Boa scarves for my landlady and her sister. I'm a yarn snob - stems from the days of huge skeins of acrylic. But the Boa is kissing cousin to my favorite Splash, and these colors were absolutely delicious. The yellow (Tweety Bird, according to the label) was more like Citrus Punch to me; it was a mix of lemon yellow, soft orange, and a pink grapefruit. Perfectly suited to my landlady's sunny personality. The purple (Parrot [?!?!] says the label) is a blend of wine colors: merlot, cabernet, shiraz. It made me thirsty just knitting it up!

Judy, the sunny scarf is 2 skeins long - fun and extravagant. Rita, the purple scarf is one skein with a button to wear closer to the neck. Here's a pic of Rita with button:

Both scarves are garter stitch done on 1) #9 and 1) #13 Brittany needle. This elf thinks she got the yarn/pattern/personality match just right.

Knitting Festivus

2 gifties down, winding the Koigu for the 3rd. Thanks Kaity for reminding me that although I don't have mini-skeins of Koigu, I can still enjoy the hand-dyed goodness!

I'll post some pics this weekend. C'mon Friday!!

Happy Nappies

Witness Jack. Since he's black, it's kinda hard to see his little face, especially since it's buried in the fleece throw he pulled down off the back of the chair. He's face-first in the blanket - I'm not sure how he keeps from suffocating himself.

In other news: trip plans are finalized, gifts are wrapped, knitting bag is packed.

Knitting for fun and relaxation

Yeah, it sounds good. Wish it was happening in the Catty house. Actually, I've been knitting as decompression before bed. Usually I read, but since life has been a bit chaotic the past few weeks, I'm finding the knitting is allowing thoughts to unravel and empty before sleep. I've finished the KYarns Charity projects and am 1/3rd through some quick holiday knitting.

I've decided in addition to the CatMan Aran, I'll be taking along the Java Socks and the Leaves Shawl pattern for the Christmas trip projects. I was seriously debating the shawl since it's lace, but I'm thinking focus might do me well. What's particularly funny is the yarn I'm using is the Koigu from the ill-attempted Oli-vest from last Christmas. Freaky, huh?

High Anxiety

I love Christmas Eve. I love my family. I love Pennsylvania. I do not love the whirlwind tour that happens every time we go home for the holidays. In the words of some dear friends, I celebrate the holidays with St. Xanax and Zoloft, the Advent Angel.

When I was in counseling a few years ago to deal with some depression issues and panic attacks, my therapist suggested I create some coping techniques. Since the panic attacks occur at points when I'm relaxed (panic attack = unprocessed excess adrenaline), I needed to create a structure to work through it. Knitting has been that Godsend (Thank you, God!) I can be perfectly at rest in a group of people, needles clicking away, focused on the task at hand but still part of the group...whooosh...can you hear that adrenaline being processed?

So, here we are. A little over 2 weeks away from the Christmas "vacation". I could either look at it as 9 days of anxiety or 9 full days of knitting! Which would you pick? I've decided the CatMan Aran is best suited to being a car project (I'm thinking with a 16 hour round trip to PA and back, I should be able to accomplish completion!) I need to sit down and look through the stash for other potential projects. Nothing too complicated (since there will no doubt be lots of picking up and putting down), or bulky (do I want to heft a sweater all over the place?). The Java Socks will definitely be one project. Maybe this scarf in the Dorchester Farms yarn I picked up at the Vermont Wool and Sheep Fest in October. I'm open for suggestions! Got any?

All good things...

must end. And so, the weekend comes to a close. Everything on the list was accomplished (+ some!), except for... c'mon you know you wanna guess... first two don't count... that's right... CatMan Aran never saw the light of day. But I did get one Bubby knit, and the second is at the point of needing the arms sewn on and the face embroidered.

Here's the first Bubby (or Bubbette, since it's going to a little girl baby)

I bet if I had another 4 days off, I'd get to the CatMan Aran. Uh-huh, ayep I would.

Some more ways to procrastinate

The Yarn Harlot
Wendy Knits
Stella Knits
Punk Rock Knitter

Knit TogetherCoffee Crazy Knitters

Or get inspired!

Progression

I'm making some progress - at least in the KYarn Charity knitting. The knit on the needles is a ski hat using some acrylic yarn left by another tenant (who also left a pair of #10 Susan Bates scratchy aluminum needles. No wonder the poor thing didn't take it with her.) You gotta have the right tools for the job!

Presenting the legless Bubby (and its companions, still in the embryonic stage)

And finally, Jack checking out the non-progress on the CatMan Aran.

Of Yarn and the 4-Day Weekend

I'm thankful. I'm thankful I have a four-day weekend of grand, glorious, fun-filled nothingness stretching ahead of me.

I've got a to-do list, cause that's the kind of girl I am. But I'm not compulsed about it. It's just a guideline/course correction for when I get to the point of 3 days in the same pair of jammies.

1. Finish the CatMan Aran (stop cackling now)

2. Finish another Bubby (ok, really? Finish Bubby 1 and hopefully Bubby 2)

3. Knit a hat for the KYarn Charity Knit (2 scarves done already, baby!)

4. Update the blog with some links (and hopefully some pictures if I can find where the CatMan put the camera)

5. Pay bills (Verily, 'tis better to pay bills by the due date rather than incurring the charges of the finance)

6. Clean out my desk's inbox (this will make me very happy!)

7. Watch the AKC Dog Show tomorrow (while in my jammies, knitting)

8. Start thinking about Christmas (I said "think", this implies no other action verb)

9. Go see Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (mmm...popcorn)

10. Make a yummy T-giving dinner for just the CatMan and me

This is just a list. If this had been an actual take-action list, you would have been instructed where to reach the nearest exit. Happy long weekend, everyone!

Giving of the best kind

My LYS is hosting a holiday knitting bash for some local VT charities. Here's why it's a "good thing":

1. Use up the stash (sh-yeah...like that could really happen!)

2. Quick knits - hats, scarves, mittens

3. For every item you knit, you are entered in one of two drawings for $75.00 KYarns gift certificates. (and no, two mittens are not two entries BUT a pair of mittens and a hat are!)

4. Out-of-state? No worries - one drawing is just for the internets peoples!

5. Your lovely knitted items benefit someone who needs them terribly during the very long, cold winters here in the Green Mountains.

So go check it out! I raided the stash last night and I think I'm gonna have a great long Thanksgiving weekend of knittin'.

Nicknames

We've got a lot of cats. But we've got even more nicknames for them. I will probably be the crazy old cat lady who can't get any of their names right. The nicknames evolve on a regular basis as witnessed below:

1. Cashew = The Big Fat Shew or (insert Ed Sullivan voice here) The Really Big Shew.
2. Cinco = Senor El Cinco, Fluffy White Cat (usually sung to the Foreigner tune "Dirty White Boy"), and because he has two annoying habits, Chewbooka and ChewbookaPeeBoy (he has a little Alpha Male issue with the CatMan)
3. Jack = Jackalope, then JackaBlope, now just Blope.
4. Pip = Pipperdoodles, Doodles, sometimes Dudes (usually sung to the Aerosmith tune "Dude Looks like a Lady" Dudu, dudu, Dudes looks like he's crazy)
5. Meepus = Meepy, Meepy-deepy-dooze
6. Muffy = Duffy, Duff, Duffydooze (they're sisters - what do you expect?)
7. Isabelle = Bizzy, IzzyBellie, Belle, Bellie, and when she's spoiling for a fight? Belli Cose and Belli Gerent.

And our parents wonder why we don't have children...

Back to our regularly scheduled programming

Finished!! Grammie's Hearts knitted with 1 strand Antique Rose and Burgundy Alpaca from Peru held together, using #8 Addis. There is a 5 row seed stitch border all the way around, with alternating rows of stockinette and drop stitch (note: the part of Vanna White is being played by Bizzy Izzy Bellie).

And here's a quick knit - Nights can get a bit chilly up here in the North Country and with electric heat, we tend to keep it cool in the apartment. Ta-da! A Oranginee Beanie! This was made from a skein of Paton's Divine I picked up last Christmas at an AC Moore in PA. I love the fluffy orangey color flecked with yellow. I did not love the texture as it slid across the Addis. I used #4s, dropping down to my Brittany DPNs for the crown. The design is my own.

For those keeping up, there will be no snakes knitted onto this beanie.

And now a word from our sponsor

Actually, I'm sponsoring her and it's very well deserved. Please check out my friend Fan's stamping website to see some of the gorgeous work she does. She's finally put up a site - with a contact link to purchase! Click this here button to take you away (but be sure to come back and visit me!)

And I hate to tell you Fan...but I made out on the barter.

Not a whole lot of knitting goin' on the past few days. I did finish Grammie's Hearts - all that's left to do is block and take a pic. Worked a little on the CatMan Aran last night. And then ripped it out. Grrr (note to self - insert a lifeline. Stat!)

I spent tonight catching up on my blog reading. Girls - you are inspiration! You might be picking up old projects, you may be starting new projects, some of you are planning adventures, and others could be struggling with the current WIP but yea verily, are not being defeated.

I salute you! Oh, wait. I need a cocktail to do that properly, right? *toddles off to the kitchen to rustle up a gin and tonic and some of those loverly little garlic stuffed olives*

The Barter System

The Barter System works, people. Look at these loverly cards my friend Fan made in trade for 3 Bubbies. She does gorgeous work, and I'm encouraging her to sell them (whether on the Internet or locally).

In knitting news, I'm on the Grammie's Hearts home stretch and rounding the bend on the CatMan Aran.

A Confession and Confection

First the confession - I am not a cable girl. Nosireebobcattail. I'm enjoying the CatMan Aran, but it's not a mindless car project. It requires some focus and attention. So I'm thinking cabled projects larger than a breadbox are not for my needles. Sometimes, it's good to do a project that confirms these things.

The confection is this:

My nickname is "Dusa", short for Medusa so how funny would it be to knit this in a big person size? Of course I don't wear hats, and I would be even harder pressed to wear a hat with knitted snakes, but dang. This just made me laugh out loud.

On a clear day

You can see the Autumn Sky (sorry, Babs!) It feels so nice to take an item off the WIP list! It will feel even better to add one. I'm 31" into Grammie's Hearts and hope to have it done by next weekend. I'm thinking the Leaves Shawl is next onto the needles since I want to wear it over my winter coat (and it is that time of year!) I've also had a request for a Bubby or three, but those don't get started until the CatMan's Aran is out of the small project bag.

I'm not in the market to start a knitalong right now but if you are, be sure to check this one out! It's already promising to be fun.

Halloween's a'coming

Scary isn't it? I'm thinking either a "Norwegian FisherWitch" or a "Trend gone sadly wrong". And could those diamonds be placed in a more inappropriate spot? Wait, don't answer that.

It is indeed frightful!

The weather, that is. Cold, blustery (ok, downright windy!), and it's slushing from the sky. And me without my snow tires on yet! Grrrrr...and brrrrrr.

So as soon as I pay bills and catch up on emails, it's back to Grammie's Hearts armed with a cup of Stash's Lemon-Ginger Tea (a close second behind coffee in my book) and Pride and Prejudice in the DVD player. And probably a cat or three curled up with me for good measure.

But before I go, I must share a yarn story. Went to my LYS to pick up a top-down swing coat pattern posted in their online newsletter as well as a fill-in skein of Colorlash (yep, you guess it - not enough to finish Autumn Sky). *sigh* Pattern sold out, Colorlash discontinued (for them). I did pet some Cherry Tree Baby Loop boucle (1000 yds for $36.00 oo-la-la!), but you know how it is when your mind is focused on something else? I did find the Colorlash on sale here, which I promptly ordered. I'll keep you posted on service and delivery.

In the meantime, any thoughts what to do with this? I mean, my mind might have been focused on something else at the time, but now with the immediate crisis resolved, I'm thinking this is too good a deal to pass up!

Once a scarf knitter...

Always a scarf knitter it seems. Lethargy had set in while working on Grammie's Hearts, so I thought a little cure may be something quick from the stash. Witness Autumn Sky:

This little scarf is 10 stitches across, knit on one #9 and one #13 needle. I think alternating the needle size gives a neat stitch pattern, not too tight, not too open. The yarns are Fonty Serpentine in a cloud-like blue/grey (hence the name of the scarf - it perfectly matched today's sky) and Color Lash in medium blue. The scarf looks a little wiggly, since Bizzy Izzy decided to walk across it right before I snapped the pic.

And here's one pattern repeat of the CatMan's Aran - I can't wait to finish and block this. I think the cable will really pop and the seed stitch edges will be nice and straight!

The CatMan went to Oregon

And all I got was this lousy picture.

Ok, so it's not a lousy picture. It's actually a very very nice picture of Multnomah Falls. In fact I like it better than this one you can purchase online from a website.

The Catman took the color photo with our camera which explains why you haven't been seeing much in the way of Catty knitted stuff for the past few days. (Well that, and the fact that I haven't made a ton of progress, but there is knitting in short, controlled bursts.)

He had a wonderful time and resisted the urge to bring wildlife home (specifically the bat which he nicknamed Otis Myotis, the two snakes, and the 4+" slug he found in his various climbs and travels).

Thanks honey. The picture is enough. Really.

In the words of Henrietta Pussycat

meow meow meow meow me-OW. purrrrrr. (And I ain't talking about no stinkin' scarf, y'all.)

http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall05/PATTyorick.html

Notice how I restrained myself from saying I wish "I knew HIM well", accompanied by a nudgenudgewinkwinkknowwhatI mean.

Knitting Happy

I've calculated just how long I want Grammie's Hearts to be = ~40". So imagine my joy when I realized that I'm halfway through (insert Kermit-arm-waving dance here). Since the day was rainy and glum here, I cheered myself up by doing a little work on the CatMan Aran. The fall/winter stuff is out of storage, the bed is made up with fresh sheets and the down comforter, and the cats are curled into assorted balls throughout the house.

It's a good night to knit.

A new addition to the Blog world!

Now you all can see my LYS up close and personal. Stop by and say "hey". And I'm loving this sweet thing. I'm seeing a visit in the very near future.

Dear Mr. Thompson

This particular "creative jacket" may cause the Sweet Baby Jesus to cry. And he's a much stronger soul than I.

Sincerely,

Catty

I gotta stop!

...taking these tests. First Merino Wool, now white hair? A girl could get a complex.

Your Hair Should Be White

Classy, stylish, and eloquent.You've got a way about you that floors everyone you meet.

What's Your Funky Inner Hair Color?

Now this one makes a little more sense -

Your Power Color Is Lime Green

At Your Highest: You are adventurous, witty, and a visionary. At Your Lowest: You feel misunderstood, like you don't fit in. In Love: You have a tough exterior, but can be very dedicated. How You're Attractive: Your self-awareness and confidence lights up a room. Your Eternal Question: "What else do I need in my life?"

What's Your Power Color?

Who opened the can of Whupass?

Hello? Bueller?... Bueller?

I'm just now recovering from the week that was. And when I find the culprit, it's gonna be whupass right back at ya.

Amount of knitting this week? 3 rows of the CatMan Aran and about 6 rows on Grammie's Hearts. At this rate, they should be receiving their knitted items in about a year.

The weather is turning along with the leaves. At some point this week, I have to enter the Black Hole Cubby to bring out the fall/winter clothes, the down comforter, and the flannel sheets. I'm already tired just thinking about it.

So maybe I'll just veg out with a cup of tea and the new In Style. Tomorrow is Another Day.

Goodies

The pretty sock yarn is from Dorchester Farms in MA (purchased at the Sheep and Wool Fest) and the T-shirt and Suede ($4.00, baby!!) is from my LYS's annual tent sale. I really tried to restrain myself since there are so many items on the to-make list and stash space is limited. (No I'm not putting skeins in my planters/oven/microwave!)

"Leggo" says Lego

Somehow Lego wasn't bonding with me like she was with the CatMan. Maybe she knew I was eyeing up her coat.

Can I bring him home?

At the Sheep and Wool Fest, there was a "Llama Walk" where llamas were led through a series of obstacles. After the kids did their thing with the llamas, it was our turn to "Lead a Llama". Here's the CatMan bringing Lego out of the trailer.

This was for DRINKING?

Here's Joe after his runabout. He decided he wasn't thirsty, but still needed to cool off.

Penning

Belle is penning the sheep. Right after this picture, it turned out the attempt was unsuccessful.

Herding

At the Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival, the CatMan and I enjoyed watching the herding demonstration. This is Belle moving the herd.

Photo Extravaganza

Lookee! The camera's back and do we have pictures. First up: Completed Bubby.

And here's progress on CatMan's Aran.

(Note to self: remember to flip page to verify continuation of pattern repeats. Just saying.)

And a close-up of Grammie's Hearts.

Insert picture here

As you can see by the sidebar, Bubby is done. He's received many oohs, ahhs and offers of women sleeping with him. [This would be where I'd show you a picture, but the CatMan is holding the camera hostage.]

I also started an Aran scarf for the CatMan - hey! maybe we can have a hostage trade! I'm using a cable pattern from Debbie Bliss' Cathay book. [ayep, another picture goes here]

Driving into work today, I was mentally listing knitting to-dos: a black, 3/4 sleeved alpaca sweater, the Leaves shawl, Java socks, Lucy Lu, Oat Couture T-sweater... *sigh* Just not enough hours in the day.

I'm not procrastinating!

Really. I'm just updating you all before I clean my house. See how kind I am, thinking of you and your needs? Work progresses on Bubby and Grammie's Hearts. For the lap throw, I decided to go with a design pattern of 2 garter rows/yarn over - dropped stitch combo rows/2 garter rows interspersed with stockinette panels, edged with a seed stitch border, thus eliminating the need for a bazillion stitch markers.

Bubby's head is done, stuffed and the ears are on. But before the ears, he bore a strange, kinda creepy resemblance to this:

To allow the rest of Bubby knitting to go smoothly, I purchased some birch Brittanys doublepoints. Let's not make this harder than it has to be, eh?

And on a sad note - remember the Yard Crows? Seems someone stole 4 of them! Bastahs! So the Crow lady has hidden them away until she can figure out a way to keep them safe while on display. Why do some people insist on ruining other people's fun??

Bubby's Bod

Why do I always forget this? Chinchilla and metal needles = bad. Not like the devastating effects of Katrina or a death in the family. More like someone pulling out in front of you at the last minute or your husband drinking your last bottle of tonic and all the nearby stores are closed. I sucked up the first few rows (which are always the hardest on doublepoints) and I'm this far into it (about 2 hours). I'm sure if I had used a different needle material or different yarn, I'd be close to finished.

This lovely skein is one of two from my friend Annie's own sheep. I'm debating whether to leave it natural (and do a fisherman scarf for the CatMan while also fulfilling my desire to do more cabling) or to Kool-Aid dye it . Annie has no idea how much is in each skein, so I'll be measuring as I wind.