I’m still plugging away on the shawl, though I had hoped it would be closer to being finished by now.  I had a brilliant idea…ahem…  The execution of said idea was, however, less than brilliant and will have to be frogged and re-attempted in a modified fashion.  Good thing this yarn is sturdy because I keep having to rip an re-knit it!

I did indulge in a bit of toy-making :)

I used this pattern, which is excellently designed.  I did not do a very good job though because I had neither the right kind of eyes (and the crocheted jobs just don’t work for me - ugh!) nor enough stuffing.  The ears are too far apart and there’s no tail because I didn’t have enough of the right color yarn either :)  Enough excuses?  Heh…

As I said though, the pattern is very good and I will be trying this again.  This critter comes from an older Hayao Miyazaki film, My Neighbor Totoro.  This is one of my favorites :)  We have a sub-titled Japanese version and, having heard clips from the dubbed English piece, I recommend the Japanese.  It is utterly charming and great fun.

By the way, these “safety eyes” that are often suggested for stuffed toys - are they available in the craft shops - Michael’s, A. C. Moore, etc.?  I can’t seem to locate them and it seems like they should be easy to find.  No doubt it’s a matter of just being blind in one eye and not being able to see out of the other :)

The animals all seem to be managing the warmer weather well.

Cocoa is busily chewing up a bit of cardboard here - her equivalent of a morning constitutional.

Jade is having her morning lie-in - resting up for her afternoon nap, no doubt.  This cat “tower” is getting shabbier and shabbier by the minute, but she loves it and I don’t know if replacing it (it is structurally sound despite it’s disreputable appearance) would make her happy.

Dad came home yesterday and is doing reasonably well.  As to what was really wrong and how it happened, who knows?  If he does, he isn’t telling.

We’ll try for Chatters again tomorrow night.  I think we’ve gotten things straightened out.

See the “Knitting Chatter” button on the side bar for more information.

Hope to see you there - and have a wonderful weekend!