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.

I am the Eggplant koo-koo-cachoo

Don't know why a bastah-dized Beatles song would pop into my head when I saw the yarn for these socks, but it did and the rest is history.

Project specs: Zitron Trekking XXL in color 76 (purple/navy/moss brown/orange). Pattern ribbing based on Nicole's "9-to-5" sock pattern with my standard heel and foot. Needles: #2 Brittany DPNs.

And then I immediately cast on for the Autumn Wisp. It's what got me through 18 minutes of GW and the Democratic response last night.

Burning it up

Summer gave us (hopefully) one last heatwave this week. (If I wanted to live in 95 degree weather, I would have stayed south of the Mason-Dixon.) So, I kept things light on the knitting front.

Luckily, all that was left was the felting of the One Skein's Felted Striped Tote (quarter is for size reference)-Project specs: odds and ends of feltable wool on #10 Addis.

Project mods: I made I-cord handles which I then criss-crossed across the tote body to add some reinforcement.

Here's a closeup of the first Eggplant sock. I tried to get some detail of the faux ribbing, but it's hard with the yarn. I'm using the stitch pattern from here, but the rest of the sock is my usual suspect.

And this? She is a secret. But I can tell you she is made of Suede.

Yesterday, we attended the annual corn roast/bonfire. We cooled down to the lovely breeze blowing through the Underhill valley. This is the bonfire pile: see the teeny-tiny pallets on top of the pile? That's because I am standing in the first row of chairs very far away. Why?

Because this was hot enough to melt anything closer!

So long Summer 2007!

Labor Day is a day of rest!

Because this is done -

You really can't appreciate the softness of the yellow, but trust me all 17 wall surfaces of the CattyAbode's 3rd floor positively glow sunlight. While in Vermit's few weeks of 95 degree temps, this may not be our first color choice, the remaining 49+ weeks of the year need happy, sunny yellow.

These are also done!

Size 14 Sasquatch Socks knit with Lion Brand WoolEase in Grey Heather and Seaspray on #7 Brittany DPNs. That would be one of my size 9.5 Tiger Socks for scale.


And this (almost!)

Felted Stripe Tote from Leigh Radford's One Skein.

And in case you were wondering about the new button on the side bar, you can go here to read the rest of the story. I'm freeing myself from the labor of sweater-making. At least for now.

The price of productivity

The past few days (and the coming week) is high gear time here in the land of Gathering Wool. Between work (remember, it's EOM time), some company come callin', and trying to finish a few self-imposed deadlines (the bastardly painting and those socks for the boy formerly known as my niece's boyfriend now hereby dubbed Sasquatch), I got a hurtie.

Thanks be to Otter Creek for the medicinal skills....um, it's like holding an ice pack...yeah, that's it.

And now back to our regularly scheduled knitting...

This just in: it wasn't all clean-up and painting this weekend (why yes, there was actual painting...er, priming!)

I finished the Crazy Anklets.


Project specs: this standard sock pattern on #2 Brittanys using leftover Regia Crazy Colors with a stash skein of Koigu KPM, dye code 2160/103.


Also finished was a stealth project which I can show, but can't tell you who it's for just yet (unless you check out my Ravelry page).


Project specs: Persnickety Knitter's Arrowhead Lace Headband pattern using stash remnant wool on #7 Addis. This project was instant gratification and I really hope the giftee loves them as much as I loved making them.

There was some knitting on the Size 14 socks (I really want these off the needles by the weekend.) And because I just picked up this book, I felt compelled to start the Felted Striped Tote using up my autumn-hued wool remnants.

Next on the needles is another pair of socks using a new Trekking colorway and (gasp!) a new sock pattern. Stay tuned!

Thanks, Mother Nature!

Last night, I was all set to have a nice dinner, watch a DVD, and knit.

Mother Nature had other plans: (this is outside our bedroom window)

The Weather Service is hesitant to call it a "tornado", but whatever the little weather/microburst/storm cell was labeled, it still spelled trouble. The farm was very fortunate. We had some tree damage, a few small structural issues, and a mess of the flowers - but everyone is ok.

(Neighbor cats Bart and Lexie are glad the excitment is over for now!)

Do you like our topiaries?
And the old pumphouse still stands -

At least something's getting finished around here!

Exhibit 1: Scarlet
Project specs: Oat Couture's Tropical Tee knit in Classic Elite's Classic Silk (a cotton/silk blend), Colorway 6953 on Size 10 circs (bias neckline done on #6 dpns.) I used just under 7 skeins. Pattern mods: Horseshoe lace hem, knitted bias neckline. (And yes, that is a primed wall you see behind me.)

Exhibit 2: 2008 Red Scarf #1
Project specs: Pretty much the same as #2. I used Lambs Pride in "Khaki" for the main colorway, with the remnants on the ends. Finished length is about 63". (I still have a little steam blocking to do.)

I've decided to backburner MS3 for a variety of reasons. Even if I decide to frog it, I've learned some good lessons: I can bead and I like lace on a smaller scale. In fact, I've got a project mulling over in the back of my mind even now.

And speaking of unfinished stuff - Mr. Cat loves me enough not to care if he has to nap on the taped-off floor.

Way too much

There's just too much stuff going on in the Catty household for the likes of a relaxing summer. (Who am I kidding? I think I had a relaxing summer back in 1980. Maybe.)

I've got 4 WIPs, 3 on the launch pad, and a couple with due dates in the fall. The only project I'm on the fence about is MS3. After Clue 5 was posted yesterday, I knew I wasn't going to knit it as designed, but go with a straight stole (as someone in the forums noted "Like a table runner.") My fence-sitting arises from the fact this is a 'knit-at-home-only-doing-nothing-else-including -watch-TV' project. Hmmm. I've just started Clue 2 and from what the discussion boards have been saying, things get easier from here on out. Hmmmm. I'm going to let this mull around a bit while I try to clean off my other needles.

Red Scarf 2 is done. Project Specs Cascade 220 remnants on #10 needles. Pattern: Stephanie's One-Row Handspun Scarf. Finished dimensions are 6.5" wide by 65" long.

Red Scarf 1 is about 65%:

These size 14 socks? Might be done by Christmas. They are for my neice's boyfriend - she got stuck in the process and I told her I would finish them. Before I heard he had size 14 feet. (And btw, Norma and Cookie rock the sock information! Thanks, girlies!)

Scarlet is progressing: I've just got to seam her up, finish the sleeve ribbing and tack on the neckline. I decided to do a bias neckline as described here. I think I will like it very much!

And to top it all off, I've been setting up housekeeping over here:

Now, if I could just get the upstairs painted, the housework done, and find time for a nap....

We have a winner!

It's Ms Alotta.Knittin! I had fully planned to get an action photo of Jack picking the winner out of the sap bucket, but he decided after reconning the paper, he was going to play chase with it (and me.) I would love to send each of you a giftie, but I'm pretty sure The CatMan would think 27 packages a bit excessive! Thank you all for the shout outs and emails!

(BTW, I'm not going to reveal Ms Lotta's giftie here and spoil the surprise. You'll just have to check her blog out in a few days.)

Meanwhile, back at the knitting. In just a few days, it's the next Project Spectrum combo and I'm a bit excited! My plan is to have Scarlet and the two Red Scarves finito by next Saturday. That should leave plenty of time for some socks and the dastardly Mystery Stole 3 (why yes, I'm still at clue #1 ...why do you ask?)

It's a party (and a contest!!)

Next Saturday I celebrate my third year here at Gathering Wool. Since I'm all about the party and the subsequent cake, I'm having a little contest! All you have to do is show up by leaving a shout out in the comments OR dropping me an email** anytime from today through Saturday, July 28. On Sunday July 29, all your names will go into the prize patrol (read: sap bucket) and one name will be randomly drawn (read: recon'd out by Jack the Cat) to win a lovely little giftie as my way of saying "Thanks for reading/lurking/commenting/just being you."

**Send the emails to: the muse medusa AT yahoo DOT com (delete the spaces and change the caps to the appropriate symbols) - enter "PARTYCAKE" in the subject line.

The only knitter still on clue 1.

The week after vacation can really be a bear. As in big, hungry, cranky grizzly. So not much was done in the way of Scarlet (and she's sooooo close to being done!) But I did frog and reknit my Mystery Stole. This pic is up to row 56 - and there is a lifeline.

I took the pattern's multiple 8.5 x 11 pages and messed with them until I got Clues 1 & 2 onto one 11 x 17 piece of paper. It's making for a much tidier knitting bag. I've also finally figured out that black just ain't gonna photograph well. I'm quick that way.

Well, at least I can read about it...

Can I get a Woo?

(That would be the car's antenna bisecting the pic. The CatMan is not Herb Ritts)

Or more like a 'whew'. There was some broilin' (floppy brim hats only work when you remember to take them to the beach), some drankin' (though there weren't many Southern accents where we were), some knittin', and a lot of laughter. The trip was looooooooooong, but luckily we had satellite radio to keep us occupied. Funniest satellite moment? Listening to Spinal Tap during Live Earth: "'ello Wimbledon!"

Part of the joy of unpacking is making up to the cats for leaving them alone in the care of their friend Judy who spoils them to no end. Izzy is not amused that I took my knitting, but not her.

Project specs: Opal Silk/Wool sock yarn, color #1120 (Tiger...rawr!). Knit on Brittany #2s using the tried and true pattern.

I yam what I yam

My tote and I share some similar qualities: structured, uniform exterior, slightly wild interior, and a little girlie girl icing.


Project specs: 12 mitered squares using hemp twine on #8 Brittanys. I made a plastic mesh frame for reinforcement which I placed between the lining and the tote. After lining, I used this scarf which I knotted on the side after I tacked it in place.

And here's Miss Bizzybellie sacked out for the count. I have no idea why she is choosing to sleep on the CatMan's stiff Carharts when there are two soft t-shirts right next to her. But then again, I have no idea why she does what she does anyway.

So we are off later today for the Chicken Vacation. The car is packed and I've just got some cleaning to do around the house. But it appears they've turned the water off. This could prove interesting. See you all next week!