Woolybuns

Back To Balls

The Hufflepuff sock progressed all the way through the leg.  I was about to start the heel flap and decided to try it on.  Tension issues were bugging me.  For good reason.  On the needles, the knit looked ... well - ok.  Not great.  With a deadline, slow knitting can convince you the knitting is going along well.  But, there was no denying how awful it looked on.  I ripped.  Today, I start over with smaller needles and more attention to float tension, especially at the first and last stitches of each needle change.  Gryffindor sock is still in time out, having generously donated it's needle to Hufflepuff.

Knit Does Still Happen Here

Even though lately it seems Dogs Rule.  That ribbon over there?  Yeah, Molly won it Saturday.  But don't get too excited for us.  Molly's track record is intact.  She won first place in her class with - again - no competition.  This time, the judge's reaction to her was - ahem - a bit different.  Previous judges have said some variation of "she's a very good puppy keep showing her."  This judge, a very good person with the dogs, took Molly's anxious and excited antics in stride (behave?  Molly??  hahahahaha), had me run her before attempting to stack her, talked with her gently as she ran her hands over the contained explosion begging to be set loose.  Later, when we went into the winner's class (where she has no chance of winning at the moment cause she's in a very awkward gawky stage), this kind judge went through the other winners then came to Molly, and kind of giggled and shook her head.  Heh.

But you're looking for knitting content.  I finally decided on a pattern for one of my Hogwarts sock knitting projects.  I won't be showing this as a completed sock here until the recipient has it in her hands.  But here it is in progress.  I wanted a two-color pattern that wouldn't end up as a bee stripe.  Yellow is not my favorite color.  In fact, it tends to make me cringe.  But this sock pal is a Hufflepuff and that means black and yellow.  I opted for more muted versions of both, which vanCalcar Acres Sheep Farm offers.  The pattern I am using as a guide calls for sport weight yarn.  The yarn I am using is more of a fingering, so I am making some modifications.  These socks are a slow going project for me.  Handling the two colors in Magic Loop on very slippery Addi Turbo circs - well.  The experience is a bit like handling Molly was.  Good thing I enjoy a good laugh at my own expense!

And speaking of being able to laugh at myself, this is another Hogwarts sock stalled in progress.  I was sailing away with it, enjoying a sweet quick knit so much that when I finished the heel flap, I jumped straight to gusset before realizing I skipped that little thing called turning the heel.  Fortunately, that dawned on me just as I finished picking up gusset stitches.  I carefully tinked back, then set it down for some time out.  When I came back for it, the dang sock proved who's in charge.  Sitting there in the corner by itself, it threw a few more stitches off the needles and now I have a bit of a mess to sort out.   As punishment, it can just sit there while I finish the Hufflepuff socks.

And of course there is baby knitting going on.  On the baby sweater, I have the back done to the shoulders and I've started the first front side.  I intended to knit both fronts at the same time, but I'd have to cut yarn to do that and I don't wanna.  So I'll do them separately.  I also have a pair of baby tube socks on the needles but they are in the car for when I find myself sitting in traffic or waiting for whatever other reason.  I don't do wait very well (I fully understand and sympathize with Molly's frustration in the show ring!) and simple quick knit keeps me sane when I have to wait.

I Thought About Scattering Dog Toys on the Deck

But I didn't do it this morning.  So the dogs did their own scattering.

They are quite pleased with themselves.  Can you guess what's scattered?  Yep.  About 3 pounds of angora.

Oh, and the reason the ex pen is around the picnic table?

Things That Got My Giggle Going

Well, would you go to Wine Country under the influence of some enthusiastic drinkers and four wine tastings and come home with anything less?  Compared to the folks I was with, those nine bottles are a mere drop in the bucket.  And I was thinking of Rhinebeck while I was buying.  For those of you serious connoisseurs, my choices may not  tickle your palates.  I'm a mere babe in the woods when it comes to imbibing and I confess.  Dry wines make me cringe.  And I don't do reds.  Reds = migraine.  I do enjoy a good laugh, though.  Hence this apron came home with me.   As we were skipping like rocks over water from one winery to the next, we passed a sign that reduced us mature adults all to gales of school girlish giggles.  Damn camera battery failed me so I cannot show you the sign.  The store was closed so we don't even know what the sign refers to. I tried a google but, while there are more than a few hits, the right one has yet to surface. The sign?  Just two words, no hints to what those words describe.  Peckerhead Red.  Being in Wine Country, most of us guessed that's a red wine.  But one more observant among us noted that the store is an Amish complex and she wonders if perhaps the reference is to something chicken.  Anyone know?  And then there was a car at the dog show, license plate ALFA BCH , sporting a bumper sticker that goaded my giggle.  Again, that camera issue.  So I'll try to recreate it.

                                                    

                              Winner's Bitch

                                                  But not as much as losers.

 

Rainbow Surprise

In between cloud bursts this weekend, the weather goddess was generous.  Not a great photo, but this was at the end of the third stop on a 4 winery wine tasting spree.  Heh - Giggle.   I've not done a wine tasting before.  The vintners were a generous lot.  Kind of goes to the head, ya know?   Earlier this week, some friends invited me to join them in beautiful Finger Lakes Wine Country for very big dog show weekend.  Wine Country is over 5 hours from me and I hadn't planned on going.  But sometimes circumstances bring a change of plans.   Molly went with me but she was not entered.  Her breeder was there and she's a miracle worker when it comes to Irish Setter grooming.  Even in her jammies.  And I need to learn to groom.   Because, you know at the end of the rainbow is a leprechaun's pot o' gold and this weekend the pot was for me.  Inside that pot: a cuddly 11 week old bundle of squiggly cuteness.  Here she is, Molly's new little sister.    I admit, I'm feeling a bit gun shy about this.  Before this little cutie, I have loved deeply 4 Irish Setters.    Two of them - 50% - have not had a good outcome.  We all know taking a chance on love when it's kicked you hard in the heart is not quite as easy as it was back when we were still emotional virgins.  Her vet visit is scheduled for Tuesday at 3 pm.   If that goes well, I'll relax a little.  The theme for this litter's puppy names  is Irish drinking songs, so this little girl will be registered as Raggle Taggle Gypsy, her call name Gypsy. 

There was fibering this weekend, though the camera battery died so I didn't get a photo.  But, turns out Gypsy's breeder, Carol, hears the Siren when I spin.  She watched me for a couple minutes and then said "that looks so relaxing."  To which I replied "wanna try it?"  Oh, did her face light up!  Could you resist that invitation?  Yeah, me neither.  Within seconds I had her seated at the wheel, some Tranquility in her hands.  We only got a couple minutes before some dog friends showed up to look over the puppies, but it was long enough to know Carol's hooked, just needs reeling in.  You can bet I'll be bringing my wheel whenever Carol and I happen to be at the same dog shows.