Bad Blogger!

Oops! I did it again! I went on a 2+ week hiatus! This was purely unintentional. There were two factors. First, I've been in a winter funk. Why? Because we really haven't had a "real" winter. It's been bone-chilling cold, but there's been no snow other than the two days of wintery mix we had which caused schools to be closed 2 days due to ice. The mercury has gone up then down then up then down. It's been insane. It needs to pick a place and stay there for a while! The second reason I haven't blogged is that I've just been busy with school, DAR, knitting group etc. etc. So let me catch you up on what's been going on.

I don't remember if I mentioned this. Bird came home for the Inauguration--not for the Inauguration itself, but to get a beer. Not just any beer, mind you, but a special limited edition beer. This beer was a special brew that was only getting tapped on inauguration day in NY, Philly and DC. Here's a photo of the keg handle.

The beer is called Obamagang. The keg handle is highly collectible and the bar was guarding it carefully! Bird went to Frisco to enjoy his brew while watching the swearing in.

I finally finished my Silken Scabbard. Here are some photos:



I love the way the braided cables morph into the horseshoe cables:

This sweater is incredibly soft on the skin. Here are the details:
Pattern: Silken Scabbard by Stitch Diva Studios
Yarn: Malabrigo Silken Merino in Topaz, 50% silk, 50% merino--6 skeins
Needles: Addi turbo size 4 and 5

I learned two new techniques with this sweater: The tubular bind off and how to correct a cable boo boo. I discovered that i had crossed one of my cables the wrong way on the sleeve 8 rows after the mistake. I did not want to frog back 8 rows so I just dropped the 6 stitches involved down to the row where they cross, corrected the twist and the picked them back up to the row I was on. It took a while, but I'm glad I did it. I tend not to frog things. I find it just too painful!

This sweater took way longer than it should have. It hibernated for short periods. I want to do another for the SKC knit along. We are making wearables with cables. I have two things on the needles for this. First, I have started the Opulent Raglan:

Mine is in a darker brown yarn called King George by Bristol Yarn Gallery. Boy is this yarn soft! It is a worsted weight blend of 45% baby alpaca, 45% merino wool, 10% cashmere. It feels like a cloud! I think this sweater will be a fairly quick knit if I work on it some every day. I'm hoping it will fit okay. My stitch gauge is right on but my row gauge is off. I always have that problem!

The second item I have started is the Chunky Cabled Tam:

This tam is made out of 2 strands of Manos. I got the same yarn but in a light orange. It is a flattering color and I think it will look good with my winter jackets.

The other project I have underway is a sewing one. I am setting up at the Homespun Yarn Party with my friend Sheila from Wullenstudio. Sheila dyes gorgeous sock yarns. I am selling project bags, mini rolls --little rolls that hold cable needles, stitch counters etc.--and needle rolls for double pointed needles. Most of my designs have cat prints. Here's a photo of some of the project bags which I am using:

The mini rolls fit into the pocket. I can actually cram a sweater in progress in one of these bags but they are really perfect for smaller projects. I will be making a bunch and I have gotten a lot of kitty prints plus a few others.

I decorated the house for my DAR luncheon on Saturday. I always have flowers in the house, but I was delighted that Trader Joes had bouquets of 2 dozen roses on sale. I managed to use one bouquet in the powder room:

On the mantel:

And on the dining room table:


It's the end of high school hockey season, so I am busy with playoffs and all star games. At least I can bring my knitting to the rink!

I leave you with the Kitty Cam:
The two big lugs, Mike on the love seat and Greg on the floor, love to bask in the sun.