Knitting monogamy

There hasn't been a lot of knitting the past few days, but what knitting I have done has been on the new cardi design

As a result, I'm an inch or past the underarm, and almost through the first skein of yarn. I've got quite a few inches to go, but I'm going to keep at it.

I need to free up that 4mm needle so I can finish up the lace tunic!

Monday questions on Tuesday

I was stuck for something to blog about today, but KathyB came to the rescue with her Monday questions!

*Have you ever petted an angora bunny?  

Yes! And I want one of my very own. But we can’t really entertain the idea until Peno is gone. I couldn’t trust her with a house bun.

 

*Do you have any novelty yarn in your stash?  

Yep! It comes in handy for toys, but it’s also nice to knit up a furry scarf every once in a while. 


* Is there something  you simply can’t give on with your food life?

Coca Cola… I managed to mostly give it up for about a month. But it seems to be the only thing that helps with my migraines, so I can never give it up completely. And this last month, I’ve totally fallen off the wagon with it. 

*Do you swim during the winter months?

No.. but I want to. There’s an indoor pool not too far from the house – I keep meaning to get a membership.


*What are you having for dinner tonight?

I have no idea. Dave’s out doing more work on my car, so I guess I better make him something special. Maybe a nice moose roast (thank you hunter Dad!)

* Friends are putting up their Christmas decor  are you?

Nope. I didn’t decorate at all last year. I will this year, but not until December 1^st. 


*Are you a Black Friday Cyber Monday shopper?  

Nope. It’s not really a thing here in Canada (though the retailers are trying to make it happen). I know a few people who like to cross the border for it, but with the exchange rate, it’s not really worth it right now. 


*Did you cast on this weekend?  

Nope. I was a good girl and worked mostly on my lace cardigan. I need to at least get the body done so I can use the needle for the lace tunic!

*Did you see the Supermoon yet?

Saw it Sunday night on the way home from Mom’s. Driving along country roads, I almost didn’t need headlights. 

*Would you like to recommend a movie?  

Haven’t watched any light, fun movies lately… but Dave and I have been working our way through Murdoch Mysteries.

Little toadie

November always makes me a little sad. In Canada, we don't have Thanksgiving to look forward to (ours is a month earlier), the days are noticeably darker, and colder. It's almost as bleak and drear as February.  It's especially sad for me, because everything in the garden has stopped blooming.

This November has been a touch warmer than usual, and a few blooms are hanging in there - namely the snapdragons and the milkweed. But we've had a few evenings of frost, and all the greenery is starting to die off now.

So imagine my surprise when I walked out the door yesterday, and something in the front garden caught my eye...

One of my Toad Lilies bloomed! On November 13th!!! These were newly planted this spring, and while they seemed to grow well - they didn't bloom. That's not unusual with plants in the first year, so I wasn't concerned. They were a mixed bag, and I wasn't sure what colours I would get. I was content to wait until next year to find out.

But I guess I don't have to!  I may have other colours in the other plants, but I know I at least have this pretty little purple spotted thing.

As you can see - it's a wee little flower. Not much bigger than a quarter.

I'm not sure how long it will last in this weather, but I'm going to treasure it for as long as it does. And look forward to seeing more next year!

FO: Corvin - take two

It's done  - all blocked with ends sewn in, and buttons sewn on.

I let Dave have final say on the buttons, and I think the ones he chose up the "grandpa" vibe nicely.

I'm not a huge fan of knitting cables, but I do so love how they look when they are done.

This version helped me work out some of the kinks from the first one.  I fixed the proportions, and as a result, this one used two skeins of Stray Cat instead of one (though just barely). The colourway is "Little Boy Blue" and it's nice and bright and cheerful.

I'm so pleased with the final result, and I should be able to get this pattern released by the end of next weekend. I promise, you'll be the first to know when I do!

If the sock fits....

With Corvin off the needles in blocking, I was all revved up for finishing. I picked up the messed up tunic sleeve. I was already to rip it back, but I had to find my needle first. I couldn't  remember what size, I was using. But that's what Ravelry is for!

I checked my project page... 4mm... no problem!

Wait... 4mm... that's what I was using for my new lace design...

Shoot. Double shoot! I have doubles in quite a few needles, but oddly enough, 4mm (one of my most used needles) is not one of them! So the tunic will have to wait until I can get another, or until I finish the lace design (my best on the former happening first.)

Disappointed, I wasn't in the mood to work on any other lace, so I picked up my Jaywalker sock. Stella's starter crapped out on me this week, so I've been working from home while it was rebuilt (let's note my thankfulness for a job where I can do that, and that handsome guy who lives with me and is not just a pretty face, but handy with a wrench, saving me several hundred dollars in labour), so I haven't had lunch hours to work on it.

I made up for that with a quiet evening of knitting

I'm through the gusset, and as you can see, at a point where I'm able to try it on. The designer admits that the stitch pattern doesn't allow for much stretch, and offers several sizes, the smallest having a 76 stitch cast on. Most Ravellers have still found that too small. I have very narrow feet, so I figured I'd be safe.

I got a little worried once I was a few rows in. It was looking like it'd be way too large. I was happy to find that wasn't the case. It's a touch on the loose size, but I'm betting it will tighten up after the first wash (especially if I give it a trip through the dryer).

A note about the yarn

As mentioned in a previous post, it's Berocco Sox. Love the colours, love the stripes.... not loving the texture. It is scratchy and rough. Admittedly, I'm spoiled with all our lovely yarns that are oh so soft.
In the end - both types make great socks. I'm sure these ones will soften up with a good soak - and they will probably wear like iron!

Friday Felines

There's nothing prettier than a Peno Cat in the sun

Say hello to my little friend

Corvin is done and blocking. I'll share pics once it has buttons. Then it will be packed up and sent off with Dave. The little guy made his entrance Monday night, so the timing is perfect.

In the meantime....

I give you Squirrley McSquirrelpants and his fabulous, fluffalicious tail.

The feeder's been empty of seed all summer (partially to help the grocery budget, partially because I hadn't decided on a new home for it) and I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed watching the squirrels.

Oh they'd come and steal a raspberry or two... but now with the feeder, they hang out a lot more.

This guy is really bold, and I think he enjoys teasing Rupert by getting really close.

I know some people think they are pests (and when they chew on houses, etc,  I don't disagree), but mine seem to be pretty well mannered...

 And I find it hard to resist that floof!