Cable Madness

But in a good way! This sweater is fun to knit. A couple evenings after this picture was taken ...


... both sleeves were done. And, as long as I had both sizes of needles out, I cast on for the body. The cable chart looks like a football team's secret line of attack, but after the first repeat, it is easy enough that, with the exception of a couple of very busy rows, reading the sweater is almost all you have to do to know what's coming next. Notice that I said "after the first repeat," which is what I had finished, plus about 15 rows more, when I noticed an errant cable. One of the big ones that couldn't be ignored. My reaction? Suffice to say that my dog left the room.

In the interest of setting a good example -- for just who, I don't know -- I decided to dive down and repair it. What did I have to lose? If it didn't work, I'd have to rip back. If I didn't even try, I'd have to rip back.


Technically, the dive-down-and-repair was working, but it looked, well, saggy and nasty. Anyway, the ripout, repair and recovery have disappeared in the rear view,



as has my secret goal of having it finished to take on vacation in a couple of weeks. Yeah, yeah, I know. It wasn't realistic, but man, I wanted to make it happen.

She Likes It. She Really Likes It!*

This book -- its patterns range from fabulous to you-can't-be-serious -- has been keeping me company for maybe a year, stacked next to The Knitting Chair. So, with the Christmas clock ticking and finding myself a gift short, it was time to get crackin'. I'd seen the "Buttoned Up" knit in some Baby Alpaca Grande Handpaint, and who was I to quibble? Imitation being the best form of flattery -- or lazy thinking, take your pick. I'll own it -- I did the same, but at least struck out and used college girl pink. What a yummy way to spend a couple of evenings! It's nice, nice yarn, so wonderful in the hands and around the neck, I'll be making one for myself, in the burgundy/brown colors.

Consumer tip: The pattern called for a 10.5 needle, but I found it a bit loose, especially after blocking. Will definitely try a 10 the next time.

Consumer tip redux: If your local shop does not have the book any more, it is available here. But please ask at your shop first.

It looked a little limp and sorry as she unwrapped it, so it was amusing to watch her put on her game face and a robo-smile. But it looks pretty genuine now!



* apologies to Sally Field -- OK, not really

He's a Sweet Kitty

I found a couple of pictures of BoingBoing in my phone the other day. They were taken in the last few months, I couldn't really say when. But I like them, so here they are.




He can be an imp, but he's the sweetest thing since honey. He purrs and squeaks, but doesn't meow, howl or any other usual cat sounds. His best friend is Henry -- they wrestle and chase and ambush each other, it's pretty funny. I only break things up when the dog drags Kitten by the tail.

Yes, he has an odd name. Nothing really seemed to fit, and we didn't want to keep "Lucy" after we confirmed the boy bits. He was spring-loaded when he was small, which is how we got his name. These days, ballast issues may prompt me to change it -- to Thud.

Time Out for Sheep Cuteness

And, for the curious, this is how they got those sweet lambs to sing ...

Reclaiming my Needles

Its given name is the Jo Sharp wide collar vest, a project that, according to my Ravelry page, I started in ... 2007! Yes, Henry, that was before you were even born. It soon became known as the project with interminable ribbing.


Also known as too tedious for words and the only justification for a knitting machine. And as of last week ...


It's also known as finished! Kvetching aside, I like this vest a lot. It's warm but not bulky and fits nicely whether belted or not. I hope others like it, too, because they will be seeing it alot.

I have indeed reclaimed my size 6 Addis, which I thought were 5s, which I need to start the body portion of this. I thought briefly of taping together all the 16-inch 5s that aren't busy and make do, but sanity quickly returned and I opted instead to fetch some 7s and make the first sleeve:


Berroco refers to it as Blackstone Tweed, shade 2635, but I call it medium teal -- it reminds me of Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran. I've heard one complaint that it breaks, but I have had no issue with it. I am falling in love.

I haven't decided what to do with the two leftover balls of the Felted Tweed, but I should be able to find something here, don't you think?

P.S. If you're Christmas shopping for your favorite knitter, be sure to read the Yarn Harlot's last few posts. She knows what she's talking about. Just sayin' ...

Hip-Hip Hoofbeats

This is not your grandmother's dressage freestyle:

Something is Not Right

I saw this item from the Los Angeles Times. Am I the only one who is disturbed?

Infants and toddlers are spending twice as much time with screen media as they are with books, according to a national study by Common Sense Media.
Forty percent of 2- to 4-year-olds and 52 percent of 5- to 8-year-olds are using smartphones, video iPods, iPads or similar devices, the study found.
Among the study’s other key findings:
• Forty-two percent of children younger than 8 have a television in their bedroom.
• In a typical day, 11 percent of kids up to age 8 use a smartphone, video iPod, iPad or similar device to play games, watch videos or use apps. Those who do such activities spend an average of 43 minutes a day doing so.