Sunday, July 02, 2006

Happy Things
















It's a lovely, lazy Sunday here in Toronto! How are things where you are? The Little Dudes have this lazy thing down pat. Atticus - a squishy pose just for you Lorraine - looking a little too well-fed, wouldn't you say?! He's about 18lbs, and could stand to lose a couple, but he's still a big cat. Baby Mae, equally squishy, but in a squish-me-I'm-so-soft-and-cute way, is much more restrained when it comes to food. That message their stomachs send their brains saying - I'm full, thank you very much? Pretty much lost on Atticus.

I'm Ready For My Closeup, Mr. DeMille...

What's this?! Well, hello there Ophelia neckline!

She requested to be photographed lounging in my wee deck garden in the early morning light, before the sun became a bit too toasty for her. Her shoulders are grafted, stitches picked up, and her neckband knitted up! Yay me! Am I being too anal Virgo, or does the neckband look a bit loose?

I am very pleased at how she is turning out. Next up - she gets arms! From what I'm reading, I seem to be in the minority when it comes to using DPN's for the neckband and arms. I actually prefer using DPN's over a short circular. Something about the crappy joins driving me batty. I've never had a problem adjusting my tension when going from circular to DPN's...and I find I can "grip" the piece better. It feels more secure in my hands. Or maybe I'm just weird...

So, I think I will pay some much deserved attention on Amphora today, and finish up HF's Diva. Yes, you heard it - finish up. I have a small portion of the right side shawl collar and one arm remaining to knit. Then. Complete. Sweet mother of purl.

It was a quiet Canada Day here yesterday. A BBQ, and mojitos and beer (can't do this drinking thing anymore), and natural fireworks courtesy of Mother Nature! I love me a good thunderstorm! Atticus? Not so much. He tends to find a corner and scrunch himself up in a ball. Mae? Couldn't care less. She'll sit next to the open window, and take it all in. When it comes to the vacuum cleaner - all I need to do is take it out of the closet and she's gone. Doesn't bother Atticus in the least. Oh, but he's afraid of the Swiffer. Mae just laughs at him... She is very sweet towards him when he tenses up when it rains or storms - she'll cuddle up next to him and clean his face.

Anyone who thinks that animals do not have feelings or personalities...don't want to know you. The Little Dudes have more personality than, well, than some people.

From the Whoa File!

Hey, how's this for impressive?! Go check out Cynthia's blog! Not only is she putting together a fabulous Fair Isle, but she is knitting up a sweater from yarn she is spinning from a DROP SPINDLE. Dude. I salute you! And it looks GREAT! Now that's an example of stocking stitch I could handle. Just knitting away on my own handspun...so cool.

And our Hammy is putting out yet another beautiful design - Delphine. I'm sold. I love the colours, and the motifs are so clean. Wow!

Right - how is it I never knew about this? Garnstudio (the site seems to be down now though), that most generous of Norwegian companies, have a bazillion of their patterns posted. For. Free. What makes it so cool is that they have a lot of Fair Isle / Norwegian stranded patterns - and NICE ones - up there too. So, if you go to the "Women's Patterns", and sort by tension, you'll get the good stuff first. Some of them are worked in cotton/silk tweed, but, oh well. They can easily be converted to Shetland, I'm sure. I barely scratched the surface before their server imploded (or maybe they just cut me off!)... Unfortunately, I can't read Norwegian (duh), so I can't tell what the server error message is.

I will never be able to knit everything I want...but dammit I can try!

In a couple of days, it's July 4, so Happy 4th of July to all my American friends from myself and the Little Dudes!!

4 comments:

Marina said...

I don't too well with dpns ... ladders since I don't pull tight enough, puckering since I didn't keep the floats long enough! It's 40 cm and then down to 30cm for me.

Hey, I paid for Book #63 and the English translation :-(

Chris said...

Aw, the Little Dudes look so pattable. *pat pat pat*

Love that Ophelia neckline - corrugated ribbing is always so cool...

Cynthia said...

Thanks for the sweet comments! I usually can't stand miles of plain stockinette, but since I'm only doing it in dribs and drabs (as I finish the yarn) I'm able to keep my interest. And you're right, it's pretty cool to realize that you've personally spun every little inch of the stuff.

Love your snuggly kitties! Used to have an 18-pounder - not fat, just big - but poor old Frog became diabetic, went through kidney failure and finally had heart problems (I still miss my big fluffy guy). Emy just doesn't do the same kind of snuggles although she is a little sweetie.

DeeAnn said...

Awww, your little dudes are so sweet :) Ophelia is looking mighty fine - you are another prolific one aren't you!

I'm still a bit aways from the sleeve challenge myself.