Crochet One Skein Wonders

If you're like me, you probably get lots of "junk" email.  For example, I get at least one email from Amazon a day.  The email I got today was because of things I've looked at/bought in the past.  So it was a "we thought you might like this" email.

They were certainly right.  I have a pattern that was published in this book.  What a funny way to find out it was released!

See!  There's my name right there!  I love how they styled the shrug on the model.  The pattern uses one skein (as the title of the book suggests) of Blue Heron Rayon Metallic (Worsted: 88% Rayon, 12% Metallic, 550 yards). 

It's a perfect project to show off the beauty of this yarn.  It's a reasonable project for an adventurous advanced beginner and a quick crochet project for an intermediate crocheter. So what are you waiting for?  Go get a copy and work one for yourself! In fairness to Amazon, here is the link to the book. There are 100 more terrific patterns in the book for all different weights of yarn.

Ain't no counter high enough

The puppies reach has exceeded the depth of my counter space.  I caught him reach up and take my cashmere cowl off the top of my purse while it was resting on the counter.

Last night he managed to topple a glass vase filled with water and flowers. Somehow just spilling the water and flowers onto the floor, not shattering the glass.  Damn Houdini dog.

 

This morning he nipped a skein of yarn off the counter.  I set a trap to see what his reach was. 

It is clear that Harry is coaxing him. 

Harry is the "dog behind the curtain" pulling the strings. He's instigating to get Tucker in trouble.  You know, hazing the new guy.

This is an action shot, he's going in for the jump.

 Sadly, Tucker finally messed with something before I could get to him. He pulled strands out of my Stria Slouch Hat. I knit it with two skeins of Artyarns Ultrabulky, 110 yards of 100% merino bulky weight yarn in colors black (246) and purple multi (904).  This is my own design and was published in Iris Schreier's recent book One + One Hats.  It was fun to knit up for myself.  I love the color-play between the black and the multi.  It looks like stained glass. This is going to be a class at Westport Yarns in January.

I think I can pull the strands through to the wrong side and position the hat so that bit is under the slouch.  Maybe if I put a bell on him I'll be able to get to him before he wreaks more havoc.  Or better yet, a doggie-cam.

I was able to mend the hat and it blocked out nicely.

Even Thursday Next Needs Portable Knitting

Last week I went to Boston for a book signing by Jasper Fforde. He writes one of my favorite series, Thursday Next. This is the same book shop that hosted the Jenny Lawson book signing my sister and I went to earlier this summer.  It was crucial that I had some portable, "purse" worthy knitting to bring along. I made a trip to my stash and came up with Prism Symphony.

Prism Symphony is a worsted weight yarn that is 80% Merino, 10% Cashmere, and 10% Nylon.  It is lovely.  I decided to knit up the Honey Cowl.I knit one up last year as a gift and it is a worthy do-over.

Before the book signing, there was a reading at the Coolidge Theater in Brookline.  (The event was sponsored by the Brookline Booksmith.  Jasper Fforde was funny and had some interesting commentary on the book writing/publishing process.

I was delighted to see a woman knitting in the row in front of us. I (not so surreptitiously) took her picture and then looked away to "act natural".  My sister said that she caught me.  Thankfully she was amused and not annoyed.  She was knitting with mohair, I could see the fuzziness. 

After the signing we went to dinner at a great place Nancy found a block down from the booksmith.  Since I can't remember the real name, I'll call it "The Regal Beagle".

Nancy's plan was to eat dinner while the line for the book signing wound down.  It was brilliant.  We only waited about 20 minutes.  We didn't torture Jasper Fforde with our usual antics.  We figured he had been through enough smiling and signing for an hour.

I'm looking forward to reading his new book, "The Woman Who Died Too Much." Word to the wise, don't google this book title unless you include Jasper Fforde's name.  You get some funky hits.  I know having written that, that most of you are going to google it JUST that way too.  I warned you.

 

Honey Cowl in progress.