Knitting!

While my life right now is mostly "grr, grrr, bark, bark, BARK!" I have been getting in some knitting time. I finally finished the last stupid hat from this stupid giant skein of yarn. Hat knitting is definitely my zen. I ended up knitting for much longer than I should have without resting and my thumbs have been kind of sore. But I started some new things.

Erin and I are having a very casual knitalong for the Celtic Bunny Hat from Toots Le Blanc for our podcast listeners. You just need to cast on by the end of the month to be entered in a prize drawing. I finally got around to starting mine this weekend. The merino/angora yarn, also from Toots Le Blanc is delicious.



I also wanted a project that didn't have a chart. So I finally cast on for the Mondo Cable Cardi in Dream in Color Classy, Black Parade.



It feels like it's been forever since I started a sweater.

IK Preview, Summer 2010

It's up. I am underwhelmed. You?

Rufus

We got a new dog today. Meet Rufus T. Firefly. The kids named him after the Groucho Marx character in Duck Soup. He's a black lab mix from the Seattle Animal Shelter. He's fully grown and about 60 lbs. He and Isabella seem to be getting along pretty well. There's been a lot of running around and playing so far today. He's a bit of a barker so we're going to need to work on that.

Welcome to the family, Rufus!

Girasole

Pattern: Girasole by Jared Flood
Yarn: Rowanspun Aran, 800 grams
Needles: US10.5 Addi Turbos
Notes: I didn't make any changes on this pattern. It was a very fun and fast knit until I hurt myself. Then the edging took forever. It's about 65" across. The sofa it's pictured on is 70". I blocked it minimally by spreading it out on a queen size bed and putting in a few pins. I could have stretched it out quite a bit more but I didn't see the need.

Doubleknit #36

It's up.

Thursdays are for What the Hell is This?

Well, darn. Back in June of '08 I said I wasn't going to buy the pattern for a dissected rat because I was holding out for the fetal pig.





Thankfully the pattern isn't available yet. You can buy a completed fetal pig, or get the patterns for the rat, frog or the Easter bunny.

This is a Big One

Today I turned 40. I wish I was one of those thoughtful, eloquent bloggers who can philosophically reflect on the meaning of such an event with touching insight. But instead all I can think is, "Holy shit, I'm 40!"

In other very big news, I finished Girasole last night.



Here is Wes holding it up for me. He's 5'9" so you can make your best guesstimate how big the blanket is. This is pre-blocking. I have it soaking now but couldn't wait to show you all.

Peanut the Third, Earthtones Edition

Pattern: Peanut the wee elephant from Last-Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts
Notes: Back in 2008 when I made the first version of Peanut Denise asked for one in earthtones. I immediately went out and got the batik to make this elephant for her. I cut out the pattern. And then I let it sit for well over a year because...I can't say. I am lame. I finally put the poor fellow together in January during my sewing bee. And then it sat forever around the house because...I don't know. I am lame. Anyway I finally got the poor little fellow to the post office and off to Denise. Or more importantly to Kira. And I'm so glad I did.

Til the Cows Come Home

After over two and a half years I'm trying to finish the free motion quilting on my cow quilt. I'm terrible at it and slow to boot. But I don't care. I want it done.

In Cinemaphonic Quadrovision!

Wes and I saw this amazing trailer for a spoof of Blaxploitation films on the District 9* DVD. I'm sure it's funnier as a trailer than an entire feature but I thought I'd share.



*District 9 is a pretty incredible movie. A little more gooey than I care for. Great characters, story and storytelling. Really worth seeing.

Crepes!

Older son is home sick today. He asked if we could make crepes for lunch. Sure, why not? The batter is so simple he could easily have made it himself. It took a few until I got better at spreading the batter out on the griddle without making bald spots or leaving really thick spots. Very yummy.

Soaker for Abby

Pattern: Frantic Mama Knitted Soaker Pattern
Yarn: Cascade 220 in Granny Smith (50 grams)
Needles: Addi Lace Clicks in US4 and 7
Notes: Abby, a knitter from Purlygirls, asked for help knitting soakers from this pattern for her baby boy due in June. It's a completely easy pattern to knit. I didn't do the greatest job on my kitchener across the crotch so there's a bit of a line there. I don't think the baby will notice.