TGIFO

Another FO report already!?  Haven’t you noticed that my FOs seem to come in clusters? 

But first, Happy Birthday Kathy!

Sissy is modeling Abby’s fall ’08 sweater, because you know that in our house, it’s all about Sissy.  Just like a human kid, when I WANT a photo of her, she won’t cooperate, but when I’m trying to take a photo without her help, no such luck!

Pattern:  Dandy Dog Coats in the mock cable variation.  This is the third time I’ve done this version (always for Abby), and the fourth time I’ve used this pattern.  It’s basic and quick, and easy to adapt to the wearer’s needs.  (And yes folks, I’ve requested a shot of Abby sporting her new coat!)

Yarn:  Simply Caron in a nice “woodland heather” shade.   It’s a great yarn for a dog coat, but the more I knit with wool and wool blends, the more I miss that wool “sproinginess”.  Acrylic stretches, but that’s just not the same. 

Needles:  #6 bamboo straights and #5 bamboo dpns.

Verdict:  I’m tired of this pattern.  It sounds like I might have another LITTLE girl to knit for soon, so all those doggy sweater books I have will get a workout! 

(And yes, that’s all I’m saying.  I’ve spoken with the owner of a young lady we’re going to see tomorrow, so stay tuned…)

I also owe you a Wednesday afternoon update.  Bec (blogless) found me in Pins ‘n Needles, the new LYS, *MY* new LYS.  I should have asked if I could take photos for you.  It’s bright and cheerful, and when you walk in, there’s a big, comfy sofa just begging to be flopped in for some leisurely knitting and chatting, but I bet it would also host a patient knitter’s knight with his own book or PDA or…

In the back, there’s a nice table for a small class or just for those who like to knit at a table.  In between is a nice selection of yarn, some of which are new to me.   The owner and sole employee right now is just the personality I desire in a yarn shop.  Kathy greets you pleasantly, offers help, and then leaves you alone until you do ask for help.  It’s also a great sign when the other customers are friendly, I’ve learned, and you’ll see one of my purchases that was motivated by a sweet lady who shared her mitts in progress in said yarn with me…

She also carries just about all the Bryspun needles.  Now, if you think Bryspun is nothing but resin, think again.  The new lace needle love of my life is also by Bryspun, in a rosewood that has a sharp point, a pretty blunt end, and sticky, grippy prettiness in between.

The yarns I couldn’t leave behind?  This incredible red actually does some subtle stripes.  It’s what the mitts were being done in, and it’s soft as puppy fluff-fur.  It’s Berroco Jasper, and see THIS Ravelry photo for the most accurate color.  (It’s a bit richer, deeper…)  Any non-mitt ideas?  I just got two skeins.  I was thinking hat for me at the store, but??

This and the matching siblings will become my Cables & Spice vest, or maybe the Back to School U-neck vest…??  It’s Tahki Yarn’s Sedona, which speaks to me on so many levels.  Sissy and the Knight made me love purple (or maybe it was Anita, Jessi and Mary?), the Knight and I honeymooned in Sedona, AZ, and this stuff is soft…

She’s going to offer fixed, alwaysthesameday, beginner classes, but she has some specialty classes planned too.  There’s an entrelac on November 22nd, as I recall.  She’s also having a great Grand Opening Sale, but that ends today.

I hope each of you has a friend like my Bec.  We stood up for each other at our weddings, we buried each of our fathers too soon, we did countless band trips together from seventh grade on…  I’ve seen her Walk Like an Egyptian, and we have a special You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feeling memory shared with another dear friend too.  There are countless road trip songs and laughs from the 1990s…  Sometimes, I think she knows me better than I know myself.  Time and distance don’t really impact our bond; we always pick back up as though we still live one street apart and spend 8-10 hours each day together.  I’ll leave you with a self-portrait of the two of us.  

Tell me what your weekend holds too.  Any new dogs or yarn coming your way?