Wednesday, November 09, 2005

A Slight Change of Pace

This is a bit late today, my apologies.  I had a morning appointment and that delayed posting.

I still have to finish the other baby sock, but I decided to give myself a bit if a break because, honestly, I’m getting a little sick of baby socks :) So I started a couple of other things. Just to keep myself from using my knitting needles as tinker toys!


Fir cone pattern

Fir cones




You may remember this yarn combination from previous experiments.  It’s a strand of KnitPicks’ Shadows merino lace weight combined with a strand of Blue Heron rayon flake thread.  I thought I’d try one of my favorite lace patterns with this.  This bit will probably get frogged for two reasons.  First, I’m working it on size 6 needles but I’m not getting as lacey a look as I’d hoped.  Size 8 needles might be better.  Second, The edges look horrid!  I should have thought of adding some stitches to either side but it never occurred to me.  I don’t think I could even block this to look the way I want.

But - the yarn works nicely and the fir cone pattern is beautiful and that’s worth knowing.

As the weather continues to chill, I have remembered that I promised dad that I’d make him some fingerless mitts that he could wear around the house to keep his hands warm and that - most importantly - wouldn’t interfere with his practicing his clarinet.


Fingerless mitts

Fingerless Mitt




I think I’m going to try a thumb gusset in this as I believe it would provide greater flexibility and it will also keep the cables straight.  I want to try and get these done by Friday which is when I see Dad again.  I want him to have them as soon as possible.

And while we’re here, a question?  The yarn is Classic Elite Follies - 40% rayon, 35% alpaca and 20% wool.  I know it’s nice and warm because I made my own mitts from this yarn last year and they are wonderful (I’ve just now broken them out again and have even used them a couple of times!).  However, this yarn spit splices better than any yarn I’ve ever used - despite the hefty rayon content.  The stuff fulls if you breathe on it.  If any of you have ever knit with Follies, can you tell me how you washed it - besides very carefully?  I’m terrified that I’ll get these completed and dunk them in the sink only to find that they’ll only be fit for chipmunks!  No, I haven’t washed my own yet - I’ve been afraid to - but that’s probably what I should do first, eh? They could use a little cleaning up anyway.


Goldie and Crackle

The observation booth :)




Caught his nibs on top of the Gerbil tank twice today!  He got his little bum booted (gently) both times.  This interest has been sudden and we’re kind of wondering what’s going on in his head.  The tank now sports a couple of irregular 5lb weights on its lid which will make it more difficult for him to perch up there.  The little bugger :)
Babbled by Robbyn on 11/09 at 03:51 PM
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  1. the little bugger indeed! are you planning anything in particular for that lace?

    Posted by nat  on  11/09  at  04:38 PM
    Location : drowning in washing and housework

  2. no, no, no- not for chipmunks- for the wee rodents- think how adorable they will be in their own little fingerless mitts-

    goldie resembles me leaning over the live lobster tank at the fish market- does he have a similar greedy expression on his catly face?

    stay happy-

    Posted by  on  11/09  at  04:54 PM
    Location : waaay behind and trying to catch up...

  3. Nat - I’m not sure yet, but I have a vague idea of a scarf - though I’d like it to be a bit slimmer than this - to go with a velvet suit.

    Posted by Robbyn  on  11/09  at  10:21 PM
    Location : Up a tree and under the weather...

  4. Barb - You know I thought about that after I had posted :) FIngerless mitts for gerbils...think the Gumps catalogue would be interested in carrying that item?

    Actully, Goldie always has this bland “Who, me?” expression on his face - typical cat.  Whatever they want is perfectly normal and what’s my problem anyway?

    Posted by Robbyn  on  11/09  at  10:26 PM
    Location : Up a tree and under the weather...

  5. We have two cats and two “observation booths”. A chicken wire top helped keep our kitties from the unwanted perches. Also helps keep the gerbil from escaping should he ever chew thru the top! =}

    Posted by Nannette  on  11/10  at  01:14 AM
    Location :

  6. Nanette - Well, as of this morning we also have two observations booths - one for each cat, as it were :) The tank lids are sturdy enough - they’re wire so neither the cats nor the little ones can get through them - we just don’t want the cats perching atop them making the little one nervous.  Not that gerbils seem to be nervous about anything except sometimes another gerbil :)

    Posted by Robbyn  on  11/10  at  01:23 PM
    Location : Up a tree and under the weather...

  7. I like the cables on your dad’s mitts! Have you tried searching on Knitter’s Review Forums to see if someone has written about Follies?

    Posted by toni  on  11/10  at  08:10 PM
    Location :

  8. Toni - No, I never thought of that - thanks for the suggestion :)

    Posted by Robbyn  on  11/10  at  10:33 PM
    Location :

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