After working diligently for over an hour, battling with my browser quitting, the second time I returned to Typepad, it tantalizingly claimed to have autoarchived my (lengthy at that point) post only to refuse to open it. I had to leave the computer for a good cry... I really had written all those brilliant things I mean to say. I really had, finally, enough time to slog through putting a post together using my tediously slow dial-up. There's a new rumor floating around my town that we can finally get high speed internet through Digital Path, but only if you have a clear line-of-sight to Oregon Peak, the high point where the new tower is located. There's also a good chance that if I call first thing tomorrow and they say I can't get it, I will hang up my blogging shoes (guess it should really be thumbs?). The level of frustration I go through is just too hard... I realized when creating posts at a few other locations in the past several months that the rest of you sit down and breezily whip something out while I could have knitted a washcloth (believe me, I have!) in the time it takes to write one post. I can't even be content with 'just reading' other peoples' blogs as it takes so long to load each and every one that I really only circulate through my dearest blog-friends in a week and miss out on finding new friends. I do apologize for whining... I am feeling disconnected from the knit blogging community I used to be such an active part of, and maybe the technology fix will allow me to get back on board the community train.
One of the things I had told you about is that I finished my Mouse and His Cookie last night... here he is in all his cuteness. He was a lot of fun to make. He took a bit longer than the other crocheted animals I have made to date... needed to make a lot of parts, including overalls with embroidered straps, and line his little ears with felt, which add to their ability to stand up. He also got a sweet little chocolate chip cookie, with embroidered 'chips', to complete the picture of the mouse in the story, "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie" (link to Lafayette Bookstore, where my SIL manages the brick and mortar store; maybe you would like to use them for online ordering instead of the big box ones).
He is standing in an antique faucet handle, which makes a good stand for a soft toy, which is meant to be held rather than stiffly stand at attention.... right now he is living on the mantle next to an antique 'Happy Buddha" statue. I am not sure where these amigurumi critters will end up, but there are a few more on the list waiting to be brought to life. Crochet is a bit harder on my hands than knitting, but I have been enjoying it and also finished a gift hat last night... no photos until the recipient has gotten it. I decided to join the Potholder Swap I read about in Margene's Friday post, sponsored by Adrian and Maritza. I love to pick up these vintage treasures at thrift and antique stores and think it will be fun making several with the patterns they have compiled on the swap blog.
While working on this post (and having Firefox crash again, leading me to save and restart the computer), I decided to eat lunch and try and forge ahead.... I do have knitting content to share. I got inspired reading about Knitnana joining Rainy's Basket O' Shame KAL, and decided to take stock of my own basket. There are three four (let's be honest here) long-languishing items in there... the one that has waited the longest to be finished is DH's vest-to-be-felted(Rav link). I started this project four years ago, worked at in seasonally and finally finished the knitting a year ago... next steps were to use cotton yarn to knit temporary edgings, felt it in the washer, remove those temporary edgings and finish with nice rolled wool ones. Sounds tedious, eh? That's what I thought, which is partly why it languishes still... I also can't find the Felted Knits book with instructions, or remember who I lent it to! Of course, I could check it out from the library, which may be the only way the thing will get done.
The next project, equally close to the finish line is my Haori Vest, which has been knitted, fabric lining sewn together, and even partly hand-sewn in place... so what's the problem?
If you look closely at this not-so-great photo, you will notice that there is a gap in the lining, just below the padded hanger (made by my granny, long ago!). I used the knitted vest as my pattern, but somehow still ended up short on the back neck, and will need to 'sister' a piece of fabric in there... could happen today since I am inside while it snows, or I could go on to an easier project instead. I really DO need to finish this up, though.
Third is my Circle Vest (another Rav link), which still needs about two ounces of yarn spun, then dyed, in order to finish. I have thought of this as a long-term project all along, so it might not count as part of the 'basket o' shame', but then I am only an unofficial participant! I have a self-imposed deadline to finish this project by summer in order to enter it into the county fair. Our fiber guild volunteers to keep the fiber building going, and I do feel an obligation to help by providing an entry. I just haven't felt like spinning the past few months and am waiting for my spinning mojo to return with spring. At least that's what I hope.
Fourth is my Flutter Scarf, which has been a carry-along from the beginning, is only half-done, and has been shoved aside by pushier carry-alongs since before Christmas. Many got completed, and hopefully it will once again be Flutter's turn. One such item, that I haven't yet posted a photo of, are these mitts made last month for a gift.
They are a pair of Chevron mitts (Rav link), using STR, which was so lovely to work with. A second pair, for me, are in progress with the first hand done except the thumb... that has been this month's carry-along. Must have been to less meetings, as there has been slower progress than on the first pair, made while attending a conference in Berkeley for three days.
Unfortunately, the odds are against Flutter today, as there is clamoring to make another little animal, work on my Mendocino vest, finish the second of my Chevron wristwarmers, make a quick crocheted mohair scarf for spring, or start a pair of socks. Yes, odd as that sounds coming from me, sock mojo has been knocking on the door here, asking to be let in... Brigid is one of the patterns under consideration, as I have some lovely Grace's yarn in my stash that has been patiently waiting its turn.
