Cats & socks

This will have to be a project photo-less post, as L is travelling to exotic destinations and took the camera with him. But if camera was here, there would be 2 finished socks - of different sizes.

One would be the colleague's baby's lace sock. I had to cast on 36 stiches and do a picot edge on a tiny size cuff, something that turned out quite difficult if you try to pick up the cast-on stiches. I have never tried it on an adult sock, but I believe it would work. So I did a provisional cast-on, and am hoping that joining the two ends will be faster. Although the entire process would require only (5+1+6r) x 36st = 432 stitches in all, I didn't manage to do it all in one go. Kitties got hungry and I had to serve the princesses, so I am still curious which way will work better for me.

The second sock is what was on the needles for my subway knitting, which hasn't been progressing as fast because most mornings I ride standing, and it's not always easy to knit under such conditions. In fact, whenever I did it, I got some nasty looks from other standing riders nearby - as if it bothers them that I have something to do that makes my standing commute less uncomfortable than theirs... Or they might just be afraid I 'll poke them if the train stops suddenly...

This pair of socks will be thereafter known as "Whisky's socks" due to the fact that most of my time while knitting it has been during my agonising attempts to find a home for Whisky, a kitty my neighbours decided to abandon upon moving out. In fact, I knit much of the final parts on the way to and from the vet, and while waiting for her to be taken in (tests, spaying, shots... poor thing!). The yarn is a kind of pumpkin-colour, and Whisky is ginger, so it fits perfectly. I think I will have enough yarn to make another pair of the same colour, which I am planning to give to one of L's colleagues, who has been an amazing help throughout the whole ordeal. She had absolutely no reason to spend any time and effort for a cat she has never met, and I am grateful for her incredibly generous help and support. And as I can think of no better way to offer tangible thanks to people than a pair of hand-made socks, there will soon be 2 pairs of Whisky's socks. Go Team Whisky!

Whisky

For the time being Whisky is recovering in a private room right next to my study room. She looks like she 'll be fine, but quite out of it for the time being. We also have a good lead on finding a good shelter for her (no-kill, clean, with plenty of volunteers to play with her, space and play area, and good record of finding homes for cats). Our 3-week attempts to find her a home through our connections and their connections have failed, and I had no other option unless I wanted to serve 4 princesses. Which I couldn't, as I already have trouble to find time to devote to my 3 spoiled ones. Whisky is extremely adorable, though, so I have high hopes for her.

Isn't she worth it?

Last days' progress report

Some small pieces were completed before the last weekend, but due to camera cable difficulties they have been hiding in my memory card and refusing to come out. Don't know why, as they are cute and should be proud of themselves.


Item no. 1

nano iPod case

I made it with Sugar&Cream cotton yarn, and although I like the colors, I regret making the hole in the center. It isn't really useful or necessary, as I need the case more for protection inside my bag (things are moving a lot in there. It's a dangerous place for nano-things). But I like a feature I added after these photos were taken: little pocket at the back for the headphones.

Item no. 2

Cake and Cream

The cake was sooo good that I didn't manage to take a picture before it was all but finished! I used blackberries I hand-picked at a nursery, the process itself was so much fun! The cream is my usual home-made face cream, but this batch was rather unsuccessful. It took three tries to make it actually creamy. As usual, though, it smells great! This one has Neroli and Chamomile essential oils, a rather too flowery combination for me, but it's cheerful and satisfying.

Item no. 3

Dishcloth

From Mason-Dixon Knitting, of course, which I bought only recently. The book has lots of fun projects, and I am already planning the next projects. But not before I finish what's on the needles. I 've ended up with 3 projects lately, which is too much for my habits. I usually have a portable and a non-portable project and that's it. More than that and it's certain to leave things undone. Problem is, I haven't been feeling like doing the math for the red sweater, and so I keep coming up with short-term home projects to keep me going in front of the tv. Which brings us to

Item no. 4

Chevron lace socks

The picture is not very good at all, but the light in the appartment was terrible. All these clouds make it quite dark in here. It is a baby sock I am planning to inflict on a co-worker who is soon coming back from maternity leave. The yarn is Dalegarn Baby Ull in the middle of the three skeins I dyed last Easter after the eggs :-) I hope the socks fit. The baby will be about six months old, and I have a very vague idea of how big (or should I say small) baby feet are at that age. I only know they 're cute - why are baby feet so adorable?!!!

Cats

It's been busy, and the knitting was erratic. Made some progress on the sock, but most days I couldn't find a seat on the subway, and I didn't feel like knitting while standing.

So here 's where the kitties come to my rescue. I was wrapping a present for a friend the other day, and Skid decided to help me tie the (yarn) ribbon.

Then Seven joined the team...

Yes, it's a knitting book.

Success!