Moment of Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzen...

Yay! At least SOMEBODY likes Kitty Pi

I only put catnip in it the ONE TIME, officer. I swear! Sibbie is laying in KP of her own accord. I know that because she doesn't really like catnip. She'll eat it, but it doesn't make her crazy like the other cat.

I have not got a lot of knitting content, as I cleaned out closets last night. I do not know why. I had a burning desire to do so, and, in fact, I felt so compelled, that I didn't really have a choice. The closet under the stairs looks SO nice now. And it smells good too, since I found the baggie of lavender I'd picked from my garden last fall and put in there to dry. I poked around in the bag and suddenly the heavenly scent of lavender was everywhere. I know not everyone likes lavender. I have a friend who has always hated it, but now has made so many lavender scented items for others... because she's the type of good friend that will make you a lavender so and so even though she hates the smell... that she admitted to me that it's growing on her. And I have to admit that eucalyptus (her fave) is starting to grow on me as well. Huh.

I planted 2 lavender plants 2 seasons ago. I really want to plant more, even though the current ones are huge. (Well, not now, as they're covered with 18" of snow...) I kinda had in mind a big row of them in front of the deck. The plants are fairly expensive though, so it'd be a long term project. Hey! Spring must be springing in my heart! If I'm thinking about PLANTING THINGS! Yay! I don't know what people do in places that don't really have SEASONS. I'm talking about the dramatic seasonal changes in the Great Lakes area. Even though Winter is hard and long and dark, the joy of coming out of the gloom almost makes up for the previous hibernation period.

What does a SNOW DAY mean to a knitter?

WOO WOO! YIPPEE! YAY!
It's so nice to be home and knit and knit and knit. I worked on a sock... trying out short rows for the heel... wish me luck. If it happens to bear a remarkable resemblance to Kitty Pi... it's just a coincidence. I'm finally using the yarn from this project.... using it doubled on #2's I like it so far. I'm working the heel now... not sure if I'm doing it right. We'll see if I get little holes when I start knitting the stitch/wraps.


Also, here's a pic of Kitty Pi being used (ish). It took catnip to get them interested. Sigh... Ungrateful wretches. Guess my lap is still better than Kitty Pi. Also, the sides collapsed on KP, so it's looking pretty deflated.

Unclear on the Concept

Kitty Pi is done. It took 4 (!) skeins of Lamb's Pride worsted. I did it with 2 strands, #10.5 needles. Here is a pre-felted look at it... I set Sibbie in it and she settled right in.

A word about felting in a front load washer. (Remind me to get a top load washer next time, although I didn't choose this washer... it came with the house.) Anyway, there is no way to check the progress of the felting, and there just is not as much agitation. That's great for clothes, but not so much for felting. Sooo... Kitty Pi got 2 washes, then the sides stood by themselves. I did the i-cord bindoff rather tight so that the sides would bulge a bit, and they do. Love it when a plan works the way I pictured, rather than the opposite of what I pictured, which has happened.

Here's the felted version which Sibbie would not step in. Ok, granted, it was wet at this point, but there had better be some major kittie useage once it's dry. I'm not above sprinkling catnip on it. I know they will love it if they would use it. Also here's a pic sans cat.

Lee and I TRIED to watch Black Dahlia... booooooooring. Maybe the book was better. We turned it off after 20 minutes, which felt like and hour and a half. So, we popped in Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, season 2, and I worked on these:

Yes, I'm still in love with dishcloths. I hope I can part with them when the time comes, cuz I'm pretty much in love with them and their cheerful colors.

Behind the Times

"Real" life is SERIOUSLY cutting in on my knitting time. Here's my latest project:

As usual, I am 2, 3... 5, 6 years behind the trends. I didn't realize when I started, that everybody has already made one of these... I used a different pattern though... based on the Nantasket Basket, so the bottom is flat and not bowl shaped.

I know, I know... it looks like a rastafarian hat. My 24" circulars are a bit overcrowded.

I think Murray already likes it.... or maybe he just likes my warm lap. He's a big help as you can see.

Also, take note: That awesomely cabled sweater is one my mom made me years ago. I think it's time for another... hint, hint...