Have a Happy Halloween, everybody! It's my favorite holiday, not that this comes as too big of a surprise. Mr. Batty brought home a pretty bouquet of orange, purple and green-ish flowers last night, complete with black and orange paper and little fiber light things that blink orange. So pretty, I couldn't stop looking at it.
This being trick or treat time, people coming here should not have to leave entirely empty-handed. So, without further ado, here's a little something for everybody. Enjoy!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Halloween goodies!
Some days are just better than others. Friday night, I got back from work, and a package full of Halloween goodies was waiting for me. Look at the spoilage! Two of my favorite kinds of chocolate, some orange tape with bats, stitch markers, a sheep pad and sheep soap that has a wonderful vanilla smell.
And then there is this scarf/belt/headband/all-purpose fabulous item. Such pretty colors, and the sheen is simply incredible. Because it all came in a cardless package from DeKalb, IL, I'm guessing that my benefactor is none other than CelticCoyote from the knitty board. Thank you so much for all the great stuff, it really made my day. And the chocolate... well, most of it is gone.
Yum.
Several people have asked about my cat and the consequences of his encounter with my knitting. Here he is, the sock shredder, having fun in a laundry basket. It's one of his favorite toys.
He's lucky he is cute -- and that the sock damage was hideable. With wear and stretching, it will probably even back out. I haven't tried yet, but I will as soon as the second sock is done.
And then there is this scarf/belt/headband/all-purpose fabulous item. Such pretty colors, and the sheen is simply incredible. Because it all came in a cardless package from DeKalb, IL, I'm guessing that my benefactor is none other than CelticCoyote from the knitty board. Thank you so much for all the great stuff, it really made my day. And the chocolate... well, most of it is gone.
Yum.
Several people have asked about my cat and the consequences of his encounter with my knitting. Here he is, the sock shredder, having fun in a laundry basket. It's one of his favorite toys.
He's lucky he is cute -- and that the sock damage was hideable. With wear and stretching, it will probably even back out. I haven't tried yet, but I will as soon as the second sock is done.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
The Incident
So, about the Incident. Let's first start with a little bit of background story. I've been having a fairly bad time lately, knitting-wise. Seams that don't look right, projects that leave me uninspired, or set-in sleeves that don't fit into the armholes on my Tangerine Twist because I decided to try seaming without blocking. See where my finger is peering out of a hole? That hole is created by extra sleeve fabric. Block before you seam, people. It'll avoid this unfortunate scenario.
But I digress. The Incident started out pretty harmlessly. I had finally knit something I really liked, something that made me feel better about my knitting. I was happy. Here it is, a shot of my I Love Gansey sock for the Six Socks Knitalong. You can't see the heart pattern or intricate cables very well in this picture, but you get the idea.
This will be important in a little while. I left the house for a trip to Jo-Ann's because I had a coupon. I love coupons, particularly when they make knitting books affordable. I was very happy when I came home and talked about knitting. To this, Mr. Batty said something along the lines of, "Oh, the cat did something with your knitting bag." My heart stopped for a second. "It had something to do with that gray sock you were making."
Gray sock. Gray sock. Gray sock. There's only one gray sock in my knitting bag, and this is it.
I lunge for my knitting bag as Mr. Batty tells the story. "I came up the stairs and saw the funniest thing. Merlin was on the landing. He was standing on his hind lags and he had your sock clutched between his front paws with the claws dug in. He was spinning in circles like a hammer thrower at an athletic event. It was so funny!"
These may not have been his exact words, because the entire time, I'm frantically digging through my knitting bag thinking, oh no, my sock, my sock!
I found it. The damage was not as extensive as it could have been. Once I calmed down enough, I noticed that most of the stitches he had pulled out of my beautifully even stockinette and my pretty cables were not entire stitches but single plies. I pushed them into the inside of the sock, and even though the yarn is superwash, I'm hoping that wear and blocking will do its work and pull the damaged plies back into place.
There is always hope.
But I digress. The Incident started out pretty harmlessly. I had finally knit something I really liked, something that made me feel better about my knitting. I was happy. Here it is, a shot of my I Love Gansey sock for the Six Socks Knitalong. You can't see the heart pattern or intricate cables very well in this picture, but you get the idea.
This will be important in a little while. I left the house for a trip to Jo-Ann's because I had a coupon. I love coupons, particularly when they make knitting books affordable. I was very happy when I came home and talked about knitting. To this, Mr. Batty said something along the lines of, "Oh, the cat did something with your knitting bag." My heart stopped for a second. "It had something to do with that gray sock you were making."
Gray sock. Gray sock. Gray sock. There's only one gray sock in my knitting bag, and this is it.
I lunge for my knitting bag as Mr. Batty tells the story. "I came up the stairs and saw the funniest thing. Merlin was on the landing. He was standing on his hind lags and he had your sock clutched between his front paws with the claws dug in. He was spinning in circles like a hammer thrower at an athletic event. It was so funny!"
These may not have been his exact words, because the entire time, I'm frantically digging through my knitting bag thinking, oh no, my sock, my sock!
I found it. The damage was not as extensive as it could have been. Once I calmed down enough, I noticed that most of the stitches he had pulled out of my beautifully even stockinette and my pretty cables were not entire stitches but single plies. I pushed them into the inside of the sock, and even though the yarn is superwash, I'm hoping that wear and blocking will do its work and pull the damaged plies back into place.
There is always hope.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Generosity, bats and an Incident
The generosity of knitters never ceases to surprise me. I was having a crappy day, the kind that starts out with the train being late, continues with the computer at work crashing, and ends with dinner not turning out quite the way it's supposed to. I was less than happy when I noticed a padded envelope I hadn't been expecting. When I opened it, I found this sign and a great Halloween card from Sue. It made me smile. Thank you, Sue, for turning a sucky day into great one.
The next day, as if one person caring enough to think of me during my favorite holiday season, I received a package full of Halloween stuff -- most of it bats. And we all know how I feel about bats! And in case you're wondering what the little spider web bag contains...
... take a look at this. Sock yarn hand-dyed by the fabulous Ms. Pixie Riot herself, in my favorite colors, named Spooky Girlfriend. I'm swooning. I'm groping. I feel truly blessed to have such generous people in my life.
Thank you, Pixie. I'm serious, you and Sue made me feel all warm and fuzzy. there is just something special in knowing that there are people who care enough to think of me for no other reason except that they're nice, thoughtful people who care.
Speaking of bats, I bought one of Momma Monkey's sock knitting bags (another one... I think I'm addicted). This one I couldn't resist. I mean, bats! And it matches my bat dress.
And finally, the Incident. Right now, I'm just a little too upset to write about it. Let's just say that this picture is a clue to what happened. Yes, this is my cat Merlin, and he is about to stick his face into the bag I use to lug my knitting to work.
But more of that when the impulse to turn him into a gray and white pair of fuzzy slippers has passed. Not that I'd actually do that, but right now, the thought is not entirely unappealing.
The next day, as if one person caring enough to think of me during my favorite holiday season, I received a package full of Halloween stuff -- most of it bats. And we all know how I feel about bats! And in case you're wondering what the little spider web bag contains...
... take a look at this. Sock yarn hand-dyed by the fabulous Ms. Pixie Riot herself, in my favorite colors, named Spooky Girlfriend. I'm swooning. I'm groping. I feel truly blessed to have such generous people in my life.
Thank you, Pixie. I'm serious, you and Sue made me feel all warm and fuzzy. there is just something special in knowing that there are people who care enough to think of me for no other reason except that they're nice, thoughtful people who care.
Speaking of bats, I bought one of Momma Monkey's sock knitting bags (another one... I think I'm addicted). This one I couldn't resist. I mean, bats! And it matches my bat dress.
And finally, the Incident. Right now, I'm just a little too upset to write about it. Let's just say that this picture is a clue to what happened. Yes, this is my cat Merlin, and he is about to stick his face into the bag I use to lug my knitting to work.
But more of that when the impulse to turn him into a gray and white pair of fuzzy slippers has passed. Not that I'd actually do that, but right now, the thought is not entirely unappealing.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Enough Boring!
Enough is enough. Back to blogging!
Plenty of news and no pictures, though there will be lots of those soon. We have been very busy at Casa Batty! Merlin got neutered and Morgana got spayed. The paperwork the vet's office gave us said to keep them from running or jumping for 7 days. Ummm.... yeah, right. They're kittens! We've been doing the best we can, and the cats are feeling better, it seems.
We have put our house on the market and are looking for a more urban abode, and I have applied for jobs in our probable future neighborood-ish. And I've been knitting. Slowly, but I've been knitting.
I'll get caught up reading/stalking people's blogs soon. Now, I'm off to make sure there is no illicit cat wrestling!
Plenty of news and no pictures, though there will be lots of those soon. We have been very busy at Casa Batty! Merlin got neutered and Morgana got spayed. The paperwork the vet's office gave us said to keep them from running or jumping for 7 days. Ummm.... yeah, right. They're kittens! We've been doing the best we can, and the cats are feeling better, it seems.
We have put our house on the market and are looking for a more urban abode, and I have applied for jobs in our probable future neighborood-ish. And I've been knitting. Slowly, but I've been knitting.
I'll get caught up reading/stalking people's blogs soon. Now, I'm off to make sure there is no illicit cat wrestling!
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