First 2009 Finish

Irish Fisherman Sweater ... doggie version
There it is!! My first knitting finish of 2009...and I am on a roll.

Doggie is wearing it now. First, you have to understand that my dog is very mellow. So mellow, people think he is on Prozac. lol. He is not scared of anything, lets you give him a manicure and brush him silly. Only thing that he is not crazy about is getting his teeth brushed and taking a bath. So, when I fitted the sweater for armholes and neck closure, he took it all in. After I finished it and put it on him, he is kind of wondering why his skin is blue .... lol..... He won't move in it..... lol. Once is he more comfortable in it, I will take a pic of him modeling his first sweater.

I love it, the cables are perfect. The back length is perfect, but the chest came out a bit long. It is also roomy, but great for when he runs around. One of the arm holes is a tad bigger than the other, but it is not very visible since the holes are toward the underside.

Bottom line is that I think I did a great job and everyone who sees him thinks he looks cute and very handsome.

Going to stitch the night away.......

HAPPY NEW YEAR

I wish everyone a wonderful 2009 filled with only the best things that life has to offer.

Soon, we will start the New Year's Eve festivities and I will be content sitting, knitting and cross stitching. Aren't I such fun to be around????? Just a regular partier lol.

As for today, I went to the doctor for the dreaded sinus infection saga. Me thinks it is a tradition now as for the past 3 New Years I have had them. Always starting on the same day and on the 31st I go to doc. Told him I will make advance reservations for next year lol.

Other than that my doggie is close to receiving a sweater in the next few hours. I could have knitted the whole thing while waiting for the doc. lol. A little bit of the front is left and then the armholes and the sewing. Will post pics soon.

Happy 2009 Stitching.........

Chick with Four Sticks

That is probably what I will have to rename my blog if I continue keeping company with my knitting needles, cable needle and crochet hook. So far this afternoon moving those sticks is all I have done.

Without further ado, here is a picture of my newest knitting project .... Doggie Sweater .... Although the yarn looks purple like my capelet, it is really an old country blue. I think that the lighting for the photo is bad and that is why the color is off.

As you can tell, I have a penchant for cables. Okay..... I am addicted to cables. I really enjoy creating cables and I find this sweater a wonderful process piece where I am able to sharpen my basic cable skills. My hope is to have the sweater finished by Wednesday so my handsome doggie can model it on New Year's Eve. Once it is finished I will steam press myself as it is a small clothing item.

Happy stitches...........

Ramblings From This Morning

Got a few things done this morning which were very worthwhile.

• I mailed off my exchange piece to my partner. This proved to be a challenge, especially with the Priority Flat Rate International Mailer. Although I managed to stuff the envelope silly with all the rearranging I did one of the small packages still didn't fit. At that point, the pretty wrapping was practically destroyed. I went and mailed that one off while holding on to the smaller, lighter gift. Then I went to a shop, purchased a padded envelope, tissue wrap and proceeded to stuff that one too and mailed it.
  
  My rant is that there is no way 4 pounds is going to fit into that Priority envelope. No way no how, because I don't believe that envelope can hold 4 pounds. My envelope barely held a pound and the side-seams were bursting! Thankfully the exchange piece made it, but I was scared it would pop off the side seams off the envelope. I guess that I was extremely lucky because the clerk put clear tape on the lid and the sides.
  
  My final thought is that Priority Mailer may not be all it is cracked up to be. Sure it is great for magazines, and heavy flat items, but I think that if I send "fluffy" stuff, I may be better off sending a padded envelope filled with light stuff.

• Finally purchased an ornament tree holder. Remember the shop where I purchased the padded envelope? Well, they must have known I was coming because near the office supply section was an area where they had racks and displays. On the floor was a beautiful silver-wire ornament holder in the shape of a Christmas Tree. There is space for 12 ornaments, but I will add a few on the branches as well. This tree will display my 2009 Christmas Ornaments. Will post picture soon.

• Then it was coat shopping and I think I did well, althought the item I selected was not on sale. How does that happen, when there is an 80% off sale going on at the coat shoppe? Beats me. I still got it because it was a "need item" for my little one. It was the perfect size and still affordable.

Today, I will start knitting my dog's sweater. The yarn was in my stash from long ago so it is a sign. The pattern is a Fisherman's cable. I really like cables so it will be another experience piece for me. Will post picture as soon as I can.

All in all, it was a great day. Got alot of things done and have learned a few shipping tricks for my next go around.

Warm stitches................