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Yesterday, I was reading that clever Geane's entry on machine-stitching the shaping into her latest WIP, and it sounded like such a great idea to me that I'm going to borrow it, and machine-stitch out the bit of extra material I've created in the Giant Latvian Mitten Cardigan remaining sleeve. From yesterday's entry, you can see that the motif enlargement isn't significantly visual, so I'm gonna finish that sleeve up and correct it via Geane's method. Plan B, of course, was to rip the thing out and restart it, but I feel ready to move on. I want to finish the whole thing over the long weekend, and since, after the sleeve, all that's left to do is crochet the front steek and then work a round of EZ-applied I-cord around the whole thing, I expect I'll be able to. Yeah!

Isn't the knitting blog-ring wonderful? I love it that knit-bloggers are so generous with their information. I'm sure knitters on e-knitting lists are too, but I seem to find what I need much more readily from knit-bloggers. Thank you, Geane!

Bug News

Elizabeth identified the creature from my backyard (and now in my nightmares) as an Assassin Bug. Ewww. Thanks, Elizabeth, for your research.

Pup News

The pups are still adorable! While Mike and Jack have been as tentative as I about our new surroundings, Della is thriving on it. She has most definitely elected herself Queen of Texas Backyards. Here she is, talking very sassy after an afternoon romp:

Do you have a long weekend in store? We do, and we intend to make the most of it. We'll be wishing you a wonderful one! See you next week!

Unbelievable

It's the Sleeve That Refused To Be Finished. Despite my best efforts, we are still working on that final sleeve from the Giant Latvian Mitten Cardigan (from WoolGathering #67). I noticed yesterday evening that my gauge had inexplicably and noticeably changed: can I have gone from being an uptight East-Coaster to a laid-back Texan so quickly? No. I have knitted the top of the sleeve with a full size larger needle. That accursed plastic purple Susan Bates needle. I'm going to have to think about this. In the meantime, you can admire the Mysterious Uninterrupted Motif that runs across the body of the sweater down to the needles. Lovely, isn't it!

Warning! Not for the Squeamish!!

The following contains a graphic image of a Horrible Monster Science Fiction-Sized Bug. Lock your cow!

Yesterday, without warning, a Texas-sized Bug appeared on my computer screen, right at the same moment as I was dealing with some email. I think I might have preferred a virus-type bug. What would your choice be?

Gack!!! Did you ever??? I never!!! Luckily, I was able to seal the room off from the rest of the house until Sister could come over and escort it outside. Do you have a sister who would do such an heroic and herculean task? My sister is the Best.

EEEK! I'm overcome just by showing you the photo she took of the bug. Heebie-Jeebies!!! See you tomorrow! Have a bug-free Thursday!

Is It Finished Yet?

Mikey has just about given up hope that the remaining sleeve to the Giant Latvian Mitten Cardigan (from WoolGathering #67) will ever be finished.

I myself have been curious about what is taking so long on this sleeve. I've put all other projects aside, including mice, socks, and unpacking, just to finish, and yet it still seems as if it is un-knitting itself at night while we sleep.

Could this be the culprit?

This is an ancient Susan Bates plastic circular needle; resurrected from my knitting basket when I broke the Susanne's ebony I was using (moving van casualty). I didn't think I was a needle snob, but it does seem to have a lot of drag. I'm going to have to search out an Addi Turbo today, I think, and I'm rather vexed about that, since I still tend to get lost while running errands and each errand turns into a two-hour driving marathon. Yes. I do have a poor sense of direction.

Oh. Well.

While we wait to see the finished cardigan, Della would like to share her impression of a squirrel with you.

Have a lovely Wednesday, all! See you tomorrow!

Moving Right Along

Why are the normal rules of time and space suspended when you are working on the final sleeve of a cardigan? The more I knit on the remaining sleeve of the Giant Latvian Mitten Cardigan (WoolGathering #67), the shorter the sleeve seems to remain. Time-warps notwithstanding, I am determined to finish the cardigan this week, because I have a number of projects that I want to start. Oh! Unexpected synchronicity tidbit: Turns out my GLMC colors are the same as the University of Texas' colors . . . in particular, the rusty orange. Cool! If it is ever cool enough to wear this here, I'll look tres Longhorn-ish.

Signs of Life as We Knew It

Yesterday, Sister took me to an excellent place: Austin's Central Market. This place is the most similar to my favorite store in the NE, and so I am happy at last in my new city. When we arrived, fresh Hatch chile peppers from New Mexico were roasting, and the smell was divine! I splurged on Hatch Scones, tender savory delicious scones full of tiny Hatch pepper bits.
Luscious, simply luscious.

Blathering

Hmm. Lots of blathering in today's entry. Look for a photo update on the Giant Latvian Mitten Cardigan tomorrow. I think I'll go stuff some mice now, while I wait for Central Market to open.

Wishing you a very good Tuesday! Mike, Jack, and Della say, Have a Puppy Party Today!

Busy!

The pups and I had a satisfyingly busy weekend; how was yours? Perfect in every way, we hope. After taking five hours to run errands on Saturday, owing to much getting lost driving around while trying to figure out access roads, I decided I was too frazzled-looking to meet local knitters at the LYS. I hope to appear, in a more presentable manner, next weekend. Need some knitter contact! It is taking me awhile to get the lay of the land here. Luckily, with an entire roomful of stash yarn, there have been no yarn-emergencies.

So. I worked on the sock:

I worked on the Giant Latvian Mitten Cardigan (from WoolGathering #67):

And I worked on a heap of mousies:

That plus walking the pups around the new neighborhood in the heat left me pretty exhausted . . . can it be that I was too old to make a major move like this? My transition seems to be taking longer than I expected. For instance, where I lived before, in the NE, I could go to the market, drop off cleaning, do my banking, visit the post office, and have coffee at the diner, all in one city block. Here, well, not only is everything bigger, it's farther apart, too. Much farther apart.

Luckily, the pups have been very resilient. Here's Della supervising Everything this weekend:

and Mike looking Goofy from the heat:

Actually, I went around with this same expression of Mike's most of the weekend . . . too much heat. Nevertheless, we are wishing you a wonderful and not-too-exciting Monday. see you tomorrow!