5 And A Beagle

Thanks to all of you for your kind comments on the mittens.

The first test run I did on the Squirrel mitten came out a little snug to say the least. I asked Kate for some suggestions for success. I was thinking a few bottles glasses of wine to loosen up my overly tight grip on the yarn - she suggested a larger needle size. Pragmatic woman.

The larger needles definitely made the difference, but the mitts needed something more. A little soak in Eucalan and blocking over the shaped hangers really loosened and softened up the taut stitches.





Isn't it amazing what a soak in a warm bath, a little stretch, and some time spent hanging upside down can do? I'm thinking I could benefit from the same treatment -- well, maybe not the hanging upside down bit. But definitely a soak and stretch to help work out the knots and tightness.

I guess even though one might think the worst of a bad thing is over, it never really is. You just have to learn the coping skills to deal with it. And if finding a little time to do something you love is part of coping, that's what you do. I've been torn in the last few months about whether it's a good thing to keep this blog going. It seemed inconsequential to the bigger issues our family has been dealing with, but after some time I've come to the conclusion that it, and the things blogged about, provide some much needed balance.

The Gothic Leaf scarf is blocking on #3's bed. I'm not sure about this lace blocking. I'm never sure if I've stretched it enough and if I tug on one spot, I find I have to tug on another spot. I can't imagine blocking something more involved than a rectangle.

4" squares that didn't all seem to measure up to 4" squares without a little blocking. For Michaela's blanket project.

The baby kimona from Mason Dixon for a cousin's little daughter.

And last but not least, the squirrel.
A pair of mitts for #4's friend. I was hoping to have them finished for her to wear on their big Gr 12 boat cruise this past weekend, but I wasn't fast enough. Because, just like her socks, nothing says I'm cool like a pair of homemade (squirrel & oak) mittens! Gotta maintain my "crazy mom" image... and really, it doesn't take much!

I live with a bunch of eternal optimists. How do I know? I look at the wastebasket under the kitchen sink and think "...couldn't hold another thing-must be taken down to the garbage can!" The rest of this house's inhabitants look at the same wastebasket and think "...full?? No, it can always hold more!"

Eternal optimists or eternally lazy sods - you be the judge.

Last week it was the socks for Sock Wars, this week it's a scarf for ISE 5. Thank you Laurie for the beautiful scarf and all of the goodies! These past few mail deliveries have netted some wonderful things. I was knocked out of Sock Wars with a great pair of socks in Cherry Tree Hill-Champlain Sunset. I was looking on the yarn band and saw that CTH had a colourway called Fall Foliage and with all of the beautiful fall colours around us right now, I had to get that colourway.



Well today's delivery was a special treat - Laurie knit the peaks and valleys scarf in the Fall Foliage colourway. I love the colours and the pattern. As if the scarf weren't enough, I've been spoiled with a skein of CTH in Northern Lights and Cat Bordhi's new book that is sure to seal my addiction to sock knitting.



Miles is obviously not as excited as I am. But as #4 recently read in a book on Beagles, they are the ultimate beggar pooch and are completely ruled by their stomach. No kidding! The only yarn that could excite him would be yarn wrapped around Ukranian sausage

Well, I'm officially out of Sock Wars. It actually happened on Thursday but I have only now just picked myself up from my candy/chocolate induced state of uselessness.

All the ghosts and goblins and Harry Potters came knocking on my door Wednesday night to scare some treats from me, but on Thursday there was one more knock. Miles tore down the stairs to the front door and I cautiously followed. Lo and behold there was the a big kid dressed up as postman. Unfortunately he wasn't there to collect candy treats, he was there to give me a 'killer' package.

Fellow Canadian, Deirdre sent the most lovely pair of Cherry Tree Hill socks to knock me off my feet (and simultaneously keep them warm) as well as a skein of sock yarn (which I can never truly have enough of) and some chocolate treats.....just for me!

I didn't realize until just looking at the label now, but the sock yarn Deirdre sent is in the Canadian colourway-perfect!

Thank you Deirdre and good luck on your next round.