Knitting Musings

When The Inmates Take Over...

Since Kristine is busy taking London by storm, I've been moonlighting at the Shop ...

Last Wednesday, Phyl-Phyl and Wendy stopped by. In this picture, everything looks normal. Until you realize that Phyl-Phyl is attempting to cut her hair with BLADELESS SCISSORS. But, despite being completely useless, the scissors were ORANGE.

The descent into madness continued as Phyl-Phyl worked on a bulky alpaca hat - and realized that she could try it on as she went. The honkin' huge bamboo needles made a nice accessory.

With the hat completed, out came the aforementioned orange scissors for another trial run. Maybe their orange-ness had overcome the lack of any sharp cutting surface?

Even Wendy couldn't resist taking pictures of Phyl-Phyl in action. Who needs TV when you have Phyl-Phyl and Her Useless Orange Scissors?

But it wasn't until Wendy showed Phyl-Phyl how to make a pompom that things got out of control. To properly appreciate THIS moment, you have to think back to those old horror movies. Remember the stock character of the Mad Scientist, who laughed insanely whenever one of his creations lived?

Think about the sound of that insane laughter.

Yeah. Exactly.

For the grand finale, Phyl-Phyl put together a little number we like to call "crazy woman wearing a Quivit scarf, alpaca-silk bucket hat, and bulky hat with pompom."

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And now for something completely different!
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I had a LOVELY Christmas with the family - I was doggy sitting as well, so Abby came with me for all the festivities. And don't tell Mom, but she had some ham!

First, there was football. Abby is learning to become a Redskins fan, although she was quite overwhelmed by the excitement of the game.

Then Christmas morning came. We're not sure if Abby ever had a Christmas with a family before, but she seemed to get the hang of it. She wasn't entirely sure what was going on, so she decided to hang out with Grandma and see what everyone was doing.

Then, after a BIG breakfast (don't tell Mom - she had some smoked salmon!), it was time for the traditional Christmas nap.

Next up on the list - making a festive fire. Abby helped by taking a nap.

And it hasn't been all napping around here - I finally figured out what my Brook's Farm Four Play yarn from Sheep & Wool wanted to be when it grew up -

I'll write up more details later, but I am VERY pleased with how this is turning out. See? I even finished the collar! Just two more sleeves, some minor finishing work, and I'll have another sweater - I'm aiming for the end of the week.

Really, I shouldn't post this picture - Cricket may never forgive me. But when a cat FALLS ASLEEP in mid-bath, it's pretty funny, and that's the type of thing one should share with one's blog-readers, non? She did eventually wake up and finish her bath. Sometimes that sun is too much to resist!

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Baby Snuggles

Finals - well, they're over. So that's good. And immediately afterwards, I headed to the airport to fly off to Southern California.

And for some reason, I felt like knitting lace. So here is what the lace looked like at Dulles Airport at 530 in the morning when I left.

And here is what the lace looked like when I got there. Someone thought that the lace was a kitty toy, and was very sad to hear that he was mistaken.

Luckily, the other kitty figured out that knitting is a SEDENTARY activity, and took full advantage of having someone in the house who didn't have to jump up every time that little small one made noise.

But that little small one? SO cute. Meet Lindsay - she's almost 10 weeks old, and is such a little sweetie. Here she is having a nice stretch after waking up from her nap -

and here she is hanging out with her Auntie Maevie. Look at that bright red hair!

And what does she do when she sees Mommy taking the picture? BIG GRIN!

But alas, I could only get 4 days of baby-snuggles in before I had to take the lace to Long Beach Airport, where I risked the wrath of the TSA in order to get a picture. (the things one does for one's blog!)

When I got home, I got to work on finishing the last of the Christmas knitting - my dad's vest. I finally finished knitting it in, oh May. And then finished the armbands and neckband a week ago. Right before I left, I blocked the *#@#$ out of it:

But I think it turned out well!

I still have to tack down the steeks, but then it'll be done, and ready to wrap and stick under the tree for Sunday.

And the lace? It's getting bigger! Of course, being lace, it looks rather like a crumpled piece of crap. But I have faith, and the committee seems to support my efforts, so we'll see how it turns out.

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Exams Still Suck

Last one tomorrow morning, but I think my brain is broken.

There's been knitting, and on Friday, there will be travelling to Southern California for baby-snuggles (and delivery of cute handknits).

I'll be back on Tuesday, and in the Shop on Wednesday!

:)

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Exams Suck

Still studying like crazy, but thought I'd distract you with a cat and a finished pair of socks. (hey, i'm scraping the barrel here...)

This was what my lap looked like last night while I watched the ugly and embarrassing Phili performance on MNF. I was all for the Seahawks winning, mind you, but 42-0 makes for a very boring study-break.

But since I couldn't move (see the black fuzzy ball, above), I went ahead and finished my latest socks. See?

Very Modified Leila Socks
Pattern - based on the Leila Socks from Nancy Bush's Folk Knitting in Estonia, but I didn't have the book with me, so I pretty much winged it from memory
Yarn - Rowan CashSoft 4 ply (OMG - this yarn is SO AMAZINGLY SOFT.) I'm sure these socks will wear out in no time, but it'll so be worth it because they feel amazing.
Notes - basic sock pattern, some random mods because my gauge was a bit tight, but nothing spectacular. Nancy Bush's stitch pattern is beautiful, and really goes fast.

And now for the distraction - I call this

Sunbeam - the Feline Kryptonite?

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