knitabit

New on the Needles

Two years ago ago, I made attempts at a couple of Elsebeth Lavold's patterns (namely, Ljod and Tordis). For reasons that are no longer clear, neither appealed to me once they got on the needles and I abandoned them. However, the lovely Silky Wool yarn has remained in my stash.

So now I'm making a third run at it; this time it's Liv:

So far so good - I'm about a third of the way up the back. My gauge is spot on and the drape of the fabric is very nice. Photos soon.

I got the latest issue of Interweave Knits on Friday. There are many tempting patterns in this issue! What really caught my eye was one of the ads:

So far, I have not been able to locate the pattern book on any online sources. Too new, I guess.

sockiness

I finished my pair of green Sockotta socks which had been on the needles for quite some time:

The yarn has a bit of cotton in it which I swear I can feel when I put them on. I've become a sock snob, I'm afraid - I only like wool socks now. Even in the summer - I wear only SmartWool socks for hikes and walking and stuff.

Next on the needles is some Trekking stripey yarn. I'm using a pattern from the "Sensational Socks" book - a great resource for sock inspiration.

A GtD update follows if you care to click on the link.

What a difference this has made in my life. For once, I feel organized and in control. Not that I've got everything done - but I know what needs to be done today and am confident it will all get completed.

The GtD method promises that your mind will be "like water" once you're into the method. Oh, that is so true. This morning I woke up without a hint of stress. That I actually had time to choose to take pictures of my socks and post them on my blog without feeling like something else was being ignored in the meantime is a testament to how well this philosophy works for me.

I am finding it very helpful to cruise sites like Lifehacker and 43 Folders. The other day I came across a recommendation for Handy Shopper which looks to be a really great tool. Over the past couple of days, I've loaded up a complete shopping list and yesterday I took note of all the aisle numbers at the grocery store. Now I've got a grocery list that's sorted according to where the items are located in the store. WAY COOL!

Meet Willie

Hey, everybody! I've got a new victim for quick-knit projects! Introducing Willie and his prototype dog sweater:

Willie is a Rat Terrier and has been a member of our household for 10 days now. He's four months old and is adjusting to our home and family just beautifully.

With such a thin coat, of course he needs sweaters for the colder months of the year. I started with an online pattern as a prototype and made a few of my own modifications. For this test version, I discovered that the chest piece was too wide, making the armholes too far down from the neck.

Of course the sweater could be a lot longer (I deliberately quit before it was long enough because I was more interested in troubleshooting the chest and armnoles) and his long neck could easily accommodate a wider neckband.

Now to get going on the real thing. I'll post a pattern once I've got it perfected.

The process of finding and acquiring a dog was rather interesting...

I was willing to adopt an older dog and I spent quite a bit of time scouting out local humane societies and various rescue organizations. Our local humane society is very busy and the minute a small dog is offered, swarms of people attempt to adopt. Maintaining vigilance of their web site and making repeated visits to the facility didn't seem like a wise use of my time.

The rescue organizations are a real joke. I have to single out a few for special condemnation: the Evergreen Animal Protective League and the Sunrise Foundation. Just know that before you attempt to adopt a pet from these type outfits that they have incredibly invasive application forms (they want to know how you're going to provide for the animal in your will!) and they look for any reason to declare you as an unfit owner. In the case of EAPL, I didn't make it through their screening process because we keep our two farm dogs outside. Never mind that Kelly and Bart have fantastic shelter from inclement weather; somehow these Animal-Police-wackos have decided that it's unnatural for canines to live outside. Someone go rescue those wolves up in Yellowstone! They'll freeze to death!

Frankly, it seems clear to me that they're all into animal-hording and their fragile self-esteem would be lost if they actually gave the animals away.

I threw in the towel and decided to just pay cash and be done with it. I found Willie at North Washington Street Kennels, a place that I'm sure would not meet any of the Animal Police standards. However, when I took Willie to my own vet, she said he had the most complete vaccination records she'd ever seen and was in perfect health. He seems well-socialized to both people and other dogs.

By the way, Willie (unlike our other dogs) will be a house-dog but will be stylishly dressed for cold-weather excursions. Stay tuned as his wardrobe develops!