Libby's Granny Sweater

I made this sweater for my neices and nephew's dog...Libby a couple of days before Christmas. I made it out of some squares that I already had done, just stitched them together and I think it came out nicely. Libby seems to like it and didn't protest at all. The Christmas Eve party was a huge sucess, both from the adults and the children. I actually picked up my knitting needles today (so glad to get a day to just relax). I'm not sure what I'm making yet, just cast on about 25 stitches.

Late night success!

After sitting up until about 2:00 a.m., I completed putting together the squares me and a co-worker made for one of the attorneys I work for. We made a blanket out of Bernat Boucle for her when she was expecting their first child and she told us that her husband is always under that blanket, so we made a binky for him too.

Me & Ms. Ordra

This is me and Ordra on the day I gave her the Kaya Kimono (which she loved). She later told me that she wore it in the video, I can't wait to check it out. I also gave her a shrug (which I failed to photograph), which basically is like a pullover sweater, but very short. She said she wore that also in the video.

So who isn't making scarves?

I know that everyone is probably making scarves for the holidays right now, they are the perfect gift, they work up quickly and you can use just about any yarn you want. Here are a few of mine that I am hoping to sell next week at work.

Camille's purse

I finally found the brown ribbon to put on this purse for my friend Camille. It's similar to the smaller one I made earlier, but I used a cable-like stitch and love the way it turned out. I also like it with the flower pin.

PATTERN

Ch. 48 (multiple of 7 plus 6)

1. Right Side Row. Hdc in third ch from hook and in each remaining ch. Ch.1, turn.
2. And ALL Wrong Side Rows. Sc in each stitch across. Ch.2, turn.
3. *Work hdc in 4 sc, work post dc as follows: yo, insert hook right to left under post of hdc below next sc, draw up loop, (yo and draw through 2 loops) twice to complete dc. Skp sc behind post dc, work hdc in next sc, work post dc in hdc below next sc*, skip sc behind post dc; repeat from * to * across, ending with hdc in last 4 sc. Ch 1, turn.
4. Wrong side row, repeat row 2.
5. *Hdc in 4 sc, skip firt post dc, and work post dc on second post dc. Ch. 1, now work post dc around the skipped post dc (crossover made, skip the 3 sc behind crossover *; repeat from *to* across, ending with hdc in last 4 sc.
6. Wrong side row, repeat row 2.
7. * Hdc in 4 sc, work post dc in post dc below next sc (always skip sc behind each post dc), hdc in next sc, post dc in post dc below next sc*. Repeat from * to * ending with hdc in last 4 sc. Ch 1, turn. Repeat Rows 2 through 7 for pattern.

KAYA COMPLETED

Yes, I actually completed another design, and I am quite pleased with this one. I really want to keep her, but I made it for a friend who will be in town this week. I used three strands of fine yarn all in different textures (boucle, acrylic and mohair), all of which I thought were too thin to work with, so I wound them all three together and I was very pleased with the texture, color and drape of the yarns together. What do you think?

She can still crochet?????

This is a purse that I made for my friend Camille. It is not completed yet, it will have a wide satin ribbon weaved through with a big bow in front. So, just to prove to all that thought I have given up the hooks, I do still crochet.

ITCH 2 STITCH

I can't wait to get home tonight, I have a project that I am hoping I can get done fairly quickly. Someone is wanting a purse, so I don't think that will take too long to complete. So hopefully, I will be able to post some crochet pics to this site soon.

The love life is going better than I expected. I think I have found my soulmate. He's only seen me crocheting once...he calls it "yarning", but don't worry, I quickly corrected him. I will have to get him accustomed to the amount of crocheting that I am used to doing. We've been having a wonderful time together though, but I am definately feeling the urge to create something original. I see inspiration everywhere, and now is definately the season. I've started wearing my scarves and have gotten comments on them. I'd like to design a cowl neck sweater or v-neck sweater using some sort of yummy textured yarn, so stay tuned.

Magda Crochet Jacket

This is inspired by the Anthropologie Maisie Crochet Jacket.

New Stitch Markers

I must have just been lucky to have gotten the best stitch marker swap partners.  I ended up with some of the coolest stitch markers...now all I need is something cool to keep them in.  The top 4 are from Montana Mommy.  I didn't realize how hard it is for me to get a really good closeup of how pretty these are.  I want to wear them as earrings.

 

These are from Brandee....I just love how practical these are.  I usually use safety pins as stitch markers and now I will have some cool ones.  I have also used them to hold my seams together when making a garment.  These are great.

 

THANKS!

Orange you jealous?

My secret sistah sent me this great package a few days ago...with some of the nicest orange yarn I've ever seen.  I can NEVER find any good orange yarn.  2 skeins of Sensations Bellezza Collection Stellina yarn (I know only one is photographed here, but I just had to try some), 4 skeins of Fuzzy Fur in orange tones.  I guess my secret sistah was inspired by all the orange and just did a cool orange theme, including orange crush lipsmaker, a nice orange spiral notebook that snaps shut and a lamb tape measure (I can never have too many of these, I always misplace mine).  Thank you secret sistah.

I've been tagged!

I'm not sure how it works, but I was reading Deneen's blog and realized she tagged me, so here goes:

Five things meme....

10 years ago: I had just moved out of my mother's house into my first apartment and was in a relationship with "Lou" who I was absolutely crazy about and had no reason to be

5 years ago: I decided to finally give William a chance and we started dating. I wish I'd know then what I know now

1 year ago: I was excited about buying my first home and had been in the house for 4 months and had no idea how many leaves were about to fall in the yard! I'm dreading it and this is my favorite season, maybe not anymore.

5 snacks: Yogurt & granola, poppycock, animal crackers, peanut m&ms and trail mix.

5 songs I know all the words to: Rollercoaster (everything but the girl), Life & Soul (Sundays), Stronger than Pride, Haunt Me (Sade), Buddy (De La Soul).

5 things I'd do with $100 million: I'd pay off my house and build onto it, buy my mother a nice house (not too close to mine); buy my sister a house; open a yarn shop; travel.

5 places to run away to: Paris, Hawaii, Jamaica, Amsterdam & New York

5 favorite tv shows: Everybody loves Raymond, Sex & the City, Knitty Gritty, Sensible Chic and The Real World.

5 biggest joys: This one will be tough, being creative, selling something I make, finishing something I started, Fridays, and thunderstorms.

5 Favorite toys: Yarn winder, crochet hooks, paint brushes, computer, digital camera

She's done!

I'm nearly done tweaking the pattern...I need a few more photos and to review it again, but I think it came out incredibly close to the original design. I decided to keep this one too and that my new thing was that if I designed something, I was keeping the originals. I might wear her tomorrow.

Bolero emerging

This is the shell stitch pattern I'm using on the latest sweater I'm working on. I am hoping to have it done before Monday.

Ophelia Bolero

I'm finally completed another bolero. Lately I have been too occupied or too lazy to try to come up with something. I am seeing so much crochet in the stores for fall and winter and I think it's great! However, I'm not seeing many ponchos...I think they have been replaced by shrugs and boleros this season. I still plan on wearing mine though along with my shawls. What do you think of this one?

Forgive me blogger, for I have strayed. It has been a while since my last post. But since things aren't all peaches and cream in my world, I haven't wanted to have a bunch of mopey, melancholy posts. However, me and William are in negotiations. As of this morning, I'm not feeling that optomistic about it and every time we talk my mood changes about the situation.

Anyways....my little baby (Baloo) has been released back into society (upstairs) for a little over a week now and he hasn't repeated the crime. I had to go back to the vet and get more antibiotics and he seems fine now. It was first a 10 day dose, and then they gave me another 20 day dose. We haven't finished this dose and hasn't had a pill in about 3 days...I should probably give him one tonight and just finish the bottle. I can actually tell how glad he is to be able to have full access to the house. I also purchased some defuser thing that looks like a plug-in to keep him from using it in the same room. So far so good. Thanks to everyone who helped me through this, I hope it's resolved.

I am crocheting a bolero that I'm hoping to have finished tonight. I just have to make the sleeves and trim the whole thing. Then comes the hard part....writing out the pattern. I must have ADD because while sitting here at work, I am writing notes to myself on yet another pattern (large slouchy shrug like the Ya Ya shrug). In my head, I have it figured out....we'll see if I can get the yarn to do what I am envisioning.

I mailed out a package to my secret sistah recently, I dont' want to say too much about that here in case she may read my blog. But I think she will really like it. I have another package ready and working on a third and final one as soon as a few things arrive in the mail I ordered for her.

My Idiosyncrasies

id•i•o•syn•cra•sy - a structural or behavioral characteristic peculiar to an individual or group. Write down 5 of your own idiosyncrasies, then if you wish, tag 5 people.1)

Okay, I must admit, I have no idea how to tag or be tagged, so I just copied this and blocked it.

1) When I go to bed, my sliding closet doors HAVE to be closed....all the way.

2) When my cds are replaced in their cases, the actual cd has to be turned straight in the case.

3) I have to be dressed (out of PJs) by noon, even if I'm terribly sick (I usually wear sweats if this ithe case of something comfy....just NOT pjs).

4) I WILL NOT share dairy products (so if you're dieing of thirt and I have a tall glass of milk....you're either out of luck...or you can just have it all) and I do not particulary care for anyone to come into direct contact with milk that I might injest...and I will throw away dairy if the date is approaching within a few days, can't risk it.

5) When I'm alone in an elevator....I cant fight the urge to dance.

First Knit Project Completed

It's been a few days since I've posted, or wanted to do much of anything. I am nursing a broken heart. I've lost an additional 4 pounds in the last couple of days, but I see that as a good thing since I'm going to be dating again (yikes). I am not going to go into this, I'm at work and I am going to try to get through today without a personal pity party or tears, the last couple days of it really sinking in has been horrible enough.

I did it, I actually finished a knit project. I am keeping this scarf "Ms. Purl" for myself since it's my first completed project that is actually functional. I can't wait to wear it. It curls in, but as I read further, stockinette stitch is supposed to do that, so it wasn't a mistake. This was a great project for me, not only did I learn to purl, I learned to frog, to tell which side of the project was knit and purled, and there were some relaxing moments where I felt like I was getting into a knitting groove.

The secret sistah's swap seems to be off to a great start. I got an ecard and some additional questions from my secret sistah. I am bidding on something on Ebay for my secret sistah and I am hoping the bidding doesn't go to high, I am still poor, but I think this will be worth the extra $$$.

Hello Ms. Purl

Last night, after 2 failed attempts to complete a couple more squares, I decided to REALLY frustrate myself and try knitting again. Funny, I am actually doing pretty well. I tried stockinette stitch again, and this time, I did it! I am using a fuzzy boucle yarn in Fawn (the color I want to make the shrug out of) and I have decided that I am going to make a nice scarf for myself...with no fringe.

Baloo is taking his medication with food very well, I'm so proud of my baby. He's been downstairs ever since his last "accident" and I'm a little leery about letting him back upstairs for fear he will return to the scene of the crime and become a repeat offender. Although, I am a little more optomistic about having to find him a new home. I think he really LOVES it downstairs! Especially since I organized the closet below the stairs and put a nice cushion at the very very far end behind some boxes. He took right to it and loves going back there. I make it a point to go down and watch a movie with him each day, he'll climb up into my lap and I'll talk to him and pet him. I think we're still alright with each other. I know he misses going upstairs and I'm hoping we can work that out soon. He has only one pill left, I need to call the vet and get the last replacement pill. He has not done any inappropriate peeing downstairs, I will replace the cushions from the first accident and see if he does this again. If not, I think we're in good shape and the emotional healing can begin.

More Squares for the swap

I found about 7 deep cranberry colored squares that I worked up at least a couple of years ago. I remember wanting to make a sweater and started making squares, but then changed my mind or either just got distracted and started on another project. This puts my total squares at about 18 squares completed. I made # 19 last night, but it is a little too big, so I gave up on the squares and actually picked up my knitting needles. Here are some photos of the squares.

Happy Birthday Zuri !

Isn't she lovely?  Zuri (my Goddaughter) celebrated her 3rd birthday.  Since she lives in Florida, I could only imagine how the day went....but judging from the photo, she settled for nothing less that being treated like Queen for the day.  Sort of reminiscent of that scene from Alice in Wonderland, everyone having to respond by saying....YYYYYYESS, Your Majesty!....YOUR way.... always it's MY way!!!! 

First Four Squares

Here are the first 4 squares for the Random Squares Swap.

I'm so glad tomorrow is Friday, in spite of the fact that I know I have to work late tomorrow. Hopefully my new Rosalia de Souza cd will come in and I can listen to it all day, I'm sure it'll put me in a much better mood about working late on a Friday.

It seems that just about everything I try to crochet isn't working out for me. I have some really nice boucle yarn in a color called Fawn, which is sort of like a cornmeal/dijon type of color, and I thought, maybe design a nice scarf with it. I frogged it 3 times using 3 different stitch patterns. I gave up, I couldn't take anymore frustration...crocheting usually has a relaxing affect on my, not usually frustration. I think the yarn really wants to be a long sleeved bolero for fall...maybe with a collar?

I signed up for the Random Squares Swap on Crochetville. When I got home today I watched one of the dvds from the Unsolved Mysteries - Ghosts box set I got. I got 4 squares dones in boucle yarns. Baloo came and sat in my lap for a while. I think he still loves me. He has been taking his medication in his food wonderfully for 3 days straight! I'm so glad, I know at least he is getting better. I've left the cushion one of the seats downstairs and the last time I checked, he was curled up in it. I don't think he'll pee on it. I'm going to treat the cushion for the loveseat in that odor remover recipe I tried. It worked wonders for the upstairs....completed eliminated the smell. If he doesn't pee on it, I will see how he does upstairs some over the weekend. But in the meantime....I organized the closet beneath the stairs that I store my art supplies, Xmas stuff, etc. so he would have a huge closet to hide in. He usually likes mine, so I decided to make that one another great hiding place for him. I put a cushion in the very back in case he wanted to take a nap in there.

Rocky Road so far...

The road to recovery has been a rocky one so far. When I got home today, the futon was dry. Then after only about a half hour, I heard rustling (newspaper I left on the futon to deter Baloo)...I caught him in the act. I clapped my hands and said "No, Baloo!" and he scampered away. I ended up putting him back downstairs. At least this time I am fairly certain he knows why he's down there.

He won't eat the food or yogurt with antibiotics. I left some soft food and crushed the hell out of that pill and mixed it in good last night. When I got home from work it was untouched. He hasn't eaten all day. I mixed another pill in with some yogurt, I don't think he's buying that either. He can't get better if he won't take the medicine. I'm hoping he'll eat tonight. I'm at my wits end and I'm feeling depressed about it. Now he's downstairs all alone and I feel like I'm being punished too with all this guilt and worrying. I need a "drank" or sumthin' . I'm going to try not to worry too much about it and try to think positive. I think he needs to stay downstairs until he's completed with the antibiotics...or at the very least, has a few days of it.

9:49
I went downstairs...poor Baloo is just sitting down there in the same spot. But at least he ate a little food, so I know he's getting at least a little antibiotics. I picked him up and held him for a little while. The yogurt is still there. I brought his bed downstairs so he'll at least have a nice cushy place to sleep tonight....if, of course, he doesn't pee on it!

Road to Recovery

I got the results from the sample I dropped off at the vet, and poor Baloo has an UTI. That sweet kitty was only trying to let me know he wasn't feeling good. It's funny, I let him out from "lockdown" yesterday afternoon and just kept sort of watching him everytime he approached the scene of the crimes and kept sort of snapping and saying "No Baloo". I think he understands why he was basement bound over the weekend. It really broke my heart to have him to sleep down there and not be able to come upstairs and look out the windows, and hearing his little "Meow" at the bottom of the door. At least now I have an explanation of why he suddenly began behaving this way. I picked up his antibiotics and crushed one and put it in some soft cat food. He will have 10 days of antibiotics. I worked late tonight and wondered if I would find another surprise when I got home. Nothing. I know he doesn't want to go back downstairs and I just want him to feel better and be healthy. It's somewhat of a relief...but I just feel bad for him if he's uncomfortable. The vet said he should be feeling better in just a couple of days though. Thanks for all your support and advice.

Sophia Shrug

Productive day today... I got up and took Baloo's sample to the vet. I thought they would call me today with the results, but I didn't get a call. I chilled downstairs with Baloo today in the basement den. He laid across my lap most of the time that I was crocheting this shrug. It worked up pretty quickly. I was watching Knitty Gritty recently and they had a fur collared shrug on there and I loved the simple pattern, so I adapted it to crochet.

FUTON HIT !!!

Just when I was feeling a little better about the situation, Baloo had a good night, when I woke up, nothing was "hit".... all was dry. I went on Ebay last night searching for "OUT" and came up with someone selling a formula, I decided to try it. It's still soaked right now and my fingers are crossed, I hope that stuff works. When I got home, I noticed Baloo was acting....a bit strange. I can't put my finger on it, but something like he knew he'd done something and was waiting on my reaction or something. That sounds really weird to me, but I sort of sensed it from him while I was treating the red chair. I sort of thought he was just curious about what was going on in there, but now I think he was waiting on me to discover his 3rd upstairs location. I am DEVASTATED. I don't understand why this behavior. Believe me, I love Baloo and he is doted on, I can't imagine it being a behaviorial thing, he is the sweetest cat. It's about 10:15 now and I've relocated to the bedroom for the night. I'll sit up and watch t.v. for a while since William is working tonight.

On the positive side, I went downstairs to pet on Baloo a little, I feel so bad about casting out my baby and banishing him to the basement, and the fact that I took the cushions out of the seats, so I'm sure he feels a little unwelcomed down there...I also put some slightly crumbled newspaper on them to keep him off. He does have a top of the line cat condo down there which he loves. Wait.....I've gotten off track, this is supposed to be "on the positive side". I GOT A URINE SAMPLE! He used the disposable little box with the scattering of clay litter, so I got a clean catch. I'm taking it to the vet first thing in the morning. I am hoping if it's anything physical, we can begin treatment and healing (of the cat and our bond...I feel like the "you crossed the line...I feel like I don't even know you" feeling is mutual).

I haven't felt much like crocheting for the last couple of days, I am feeling a little down about this situation and what to do to about it. I am really feeling relieved that I got the sample though...I never thought I'd get excited about getting a urine sample from a cat, I guess I never really thought about it at all.

PAROLE FOR BALOO

I felt horrible for keeping Baloo downstairs all day, but what could I do?  He seemed a little upset with me when I came home.  I got a disposable litter box and put a little clay litter in it as the vet told me, I'm going to try to get a urine sample and drop it off in the morning.  I did sweet talk Baloo and pick him up and cuddle with him for a while and went upstairs and called him.  He eventually came upstairs.  I sprayed down the furniture with some cat repel stuff....it also repels me, I guess that's the price I'll have to pay for now, it's still better than the repugnant cat piss smell.  I also ordered something on Ebay that is supposed to completely eliminate that smell...I have some stuff here, and it's alright, maybe I'm a bit anal, but I can still faintly smell it, so I'll try anything guaranteed to completely take it out.

Baloo eventually decided to stop giving me the cold shoulder and joined me on the bed and seemed to really relax finally.  Does he still look mad to you?

Why Baloo...WHY ?!?!?

I am fretting! Baloo has starting "tinkling" upstairs now and I don't know why. Don't I dote on him enough? Is the fact that he is spoiled rotten a factor?

We had a bad storm yesterday and my satellite signal died on the tv so I went into my guest room to turn on the tv with the rabbit ears and see if I needed to take cover. I kept smelling something and found that Baloo took a leak on the pillow, it was still wet. I was furious! But I know you are not supposed to try to discipline a cat in the same way you would a dog, so I had to let it go. I threw out the pillow and sprayed down the sham and washed it. I can still faintly smell it, and I'll try to wash it once more.

Anyhoo....I closed the door to that room so he no longer has access to it. This morning before heading out to work, I just happened to check my office/upstairs den to make sure he hadn't tinkled on the futon. Nothing there. But when I checked the cool red elephant print arm chair, that's where I discovered his new location. It was wet too! I sprayed it down and decided I needed to banish him to the basement den. I am hoping he doesn't use it on one of the two chairs down there. I have already removed the cushions from a little loveseat I had down there when I discovered his first mistake over the weekend.

What am I going to do with this cat. I can't have him urinating all over the house. I'm going to try to get a urine sample tonight and take it to the vet tomorrow to make sure he doesn't have an infection or something....otherwise, I'm afraid I might have to get rid of my baby.

Million Dollar Baby

Well, maybe not a million dollars, but more than I've ever sold an item for before, and it's my original pattern!  This is my Bianca pattern and I worked it in a boucle yarn in neutral tones.  She loved it and INSISTED on paying me $125.

LOVE THE SPIRAL SCARF!!!

Ever since I was reading the threads and came across a fabulous photo of the spiral scarf, I knew I had to make one. I changed the pattern a little on the Magenta (Red Hear Symphony) yarn and did 3 dcs in each stitch rather than two. I came our really curly, much fuller than the original pattern (Bernat Galaxy). I still think I will add fur trim to both.

Happy Birthday Baloo !

Baloo turned 3 this past weekend!  I've only had him about 1 1/2 years and he has really grown on me and transformed this lifetime dog person into a CAT PERSON!  He is so loveable and sweet tempered. 

BIANCA SHRUG & CARDIGAN

It has been a productive weekend for me.  Me and William spent the whole weekend hanging out.  He had a test to study for, so I took the opportunity to do some crocheting and writing out my pattern for Ebay.  I hope this one does well also.  I really like this pattern, it was quick to work up and is very versatile.  I liked using different textures for the striped one, it has 5 different yarns, and it is so soft and light.  I am debating on keeping this one.

ELLA BOLERO CARDIGAN

I am in the process of typing up this pattern and adding all of my photos.  I am hoping to have this one done by tonight...this pattern will include a bonus TUNIC pattern, I only have the last 7 rows of the back of the tunic to complete.

Look at what I found!

Something told me to go in the thrift store yesterday.  I found 2 bags of this Geisha mohair blend yarn, each bag has 9 skeins of this yarn from Germany, they only wanted $2.98 per bag, so you know I couldn't leave it there.

A Real Shrug

I decided to make a real shrug, this is such an easy concept.  It looked so great on Jennifer, I gave it to her, she already had one on that day in yellow, so I knew she'd love it.  She had bought so many custom scarves from me that I was happy to give this to her.

Tami's "Claudia" Bolero completed!

Tami, one of my pattern testers, sent photos that she said I could post to my blog.  I think her bolero looks fabulous, wouldn't you agree?  She used Caron Simply Soft Brites in Watermelon...good choice.  Thanks for testing this pattern Tami...you look so cute in it! 

ADINA BOLERO

I just finished writing out my pattern for this bolero.  It still needs a little editing, but the hard part is done, writing the patter, actually crocheting it was quite simple.    I wonder how this pattern will do on Ebay. 

CLAUDIA BOLERO

This is the same Bolero pattern I used that Michelle liked. I needed one for a wedding and went shopping for one, I ended up making my own.  It took a little over 7 hours, but it was well worth it and I love the way it looked on me.