29 September 2006

Socks galore...


Well, the sock bug is here and with Socktoberfest 2006 starting soon, the sock wars going on..things are getting interesting.

Here's my latest oevre in that regard, a pair of Hedera's from knitty.com. The yarn is from a lovely lady called TricotTreat @ etsy. It's 100% Merino, perfectly handpainted, no pooling, no striping, just lovely variations of green and blues with a hint of yellow here and there.

So, off to other things....unless an unfinished pair of "Socks of Doom" shows up in the post, then I have to get cracking to "sockinate" my next target in Sock Wars.

24 September 2006

We have a winner....

Well, great news!

Aragon du Grand Fresnoy, my lovely boy, is new Gibraltar Junior Champion. He won both his classes, on Saturday and today, and has his first Champion Title (ok, only the junior one, but still!!).

I am so proud.

Andalousie was very good, but has a lot of growing up to do. I knew that and was happy to hear the encouraging words of the judges. She needs the experience of going to the shows, so that she is less nervous and more relaxed. So, on we go to Malaga at the end of October.

Oh...on the knitting front we have a winner too!!! The sock of doom for sock wars is finished and packaged to go out in the post to my target!! Assassination by sock for cozy feet...LOL!

22 September 2006

Big weekend ahead....

Well, on the knitting front there have been few changes, I've completed one sock of a pair of Baudelaire's, started on a pair of Hedera's (knitty.com) with yarn from the lovely TricotTreat (etsy) and frogged my SKB and started anew with smaller size needles and different gauge. It just was too loose and didn't look right. I am using the instructions for one size larger than I'd normally need and it works like a charm now!

But the weekend.....the dogs and I have a big one coming up. They are both entered in the Gibraltar Dog Show and are competing for the title of Gibraltar Junior Champion. I have high hopes for Aragon, but I think Andalousie will need to grow up a bit more. But then, you never know what the judges think.

So tonight the preparations begin. Pack the bag, make sure I have all their papers, including passports and pedigrees and then the dogs themselves... need to be brushed, bathed, dried and brushed again!

No big deal with Ari, he loves water and fussing and will be easy. I have to make sure he stays out of the bathtub any other time, so he won't be a problem though. Lulu though ... well, let's say she's a different kettle of fish! Doesn't like water, will have to be carried or dragged into the bathroom and then tied to the rail in the tub, otherwise she'll try to jump out. So... who to start with, the easy one or the one who'll give me fits? I'll let you know tomorrow how it turned out, together with the Saturday results.

Wish us luck!!!!

16 September 2006

Pomatomus Socks


Well, as mentioned in my earlier post, the Pomatomus Socks are now officially an FO. It's nice to see things finished.

On the other hand, I have cast on for the SKB, in Lana Grossa Tusshena, 45% Kid Mohair, 55% Tussah Silk, in a bronzy brown. I love that yarn and am seriously considering odering more. There is one online shop still carrying remnants (this yarn has been discontinued ages ago, but hey, I'm glad they still have it!).

Dogs are asleep, so time to get some more knitting in!!!

12 September 2006

Faroese Shawl...

Well, I have finished the Faroese Shawl, including weaving in ends. It just needs blocking, but first I need to find the space to do so... Ok, I have space, but currently not one that is dog/cat free, and since I don't want either to sleep on it while it blocks, I have to figure out something.

The pomatomus socks and the baudelaire's are growing, which is good, since sock wars are upon us soon. I'll also start with the scarf for the ISE3 as soon as the yarn arrives. So the more FO's until then, the better. So, better get back to my knitting and less blogging, LOL.

07 September 2006

It´s been a while

Well, it has been a while since I have posted, so here comes an update.

One item has recently been added to the finished pile and the Ultimate Gift is almost there as well.

On the other hand, I have cast on for some Baudelaire´s as a gift and started knitting the Faroese Shawl from "A Gathering of Lace".

And then there are the SKB (which will be a stashbusting exercise) as well as a scarf for the ISE3. Neither of these has been started, but they are definitely waiting in the wings. And the scarf, because of the deadline on the knit along, may end up taking precedence over a couple of other things. So... this weekend will be: Finish the Ultimate Gift, work hard on the Baudelaire's and start finishing either my stepdad's cardi or my mom's Christmas Gift. That way, I should have at least three more things out of the way by the time the yarn for the scarf arrives.

As to the dogs, they are enjoying themselves now that it is a bit cooler and are having a blast on our walks through the pine forests. Both are enjoying their latest "free" toys, i.e. pine cones. Lulu loves chasing them when I throw them for her, and then Ari chases Lulu and takes it away from her to chew it to bits. To each his own. On the other hand, it means I cover more territory on these excursions, since I need to hike off the path occasionally in search of new ones! Works well for all of us, since exercise is good for you (and helped me loose a little over 20 pounds in the last year).

Also, I have registered my two at the Gibraltar Dog Show, in the Junior Class. Cross your fingers so that I come home with two new Gibraltar Junior Champions on 24 September. The show runs over two days, and if they both win their class and are awarded the Junior CAC each day, they will get the title. I can't wait. If only Lulu's fur would grow a bit more by then.. she still looks a bit spare after her yearly shed fest earlier in the summer. Ari on the other hand should do well.. he is as curly as could be and has such a wonderful calm and majestic presence.

On the job front, things are going well, I am learning a lot about my new company and am enjoying working with new people and getting to know them.

So.... that's it for this time... I'll try not to let it go this long again!