More Puppy Pictures!

Little Obi has been settling in nicely here.  We've gotten a strong start to the potty training (knock on wood).  He's learned how the backdoor works - you have to stand on the right side of it, not in front of the window part of it in the middle.  We've gotten a start with Sit, Wait*, and Settle; and we're working on crate training. He's gone on some very tiny walks and seen some of the neighborhood as well.  

Of course we're also working on being nice to our kitty!  Noodle and Obi continue to work on their relationship.  Noodle is coming closer and closer, allowing himself to be touched by Obi, and they've sniffed noses many times - with Noodle reaching forward with his nose to meet Obi halfway.  Unfortunately, Obi tends to find this all just a bit overwhelming and then gets pushy or crazy, so Noodle leaves.  I realized last night that this might be Noodle's way of training Obi - if he isn't calm, he doesn't get the kitty time!  Noodle hasn't used the Paw of Justice yet, and he hasn't hissed or growled.  I think he realizes that Obi is friendly, just over enthusiastic.

*We're using Wait as a loose, informal Stay.  I use it when we come inside from a potty session so I can lock the door and take off my shoes, we use it when we put down his food bowl, and when we're loading the dishwasher.  It basically means to give us a little space and a minute while we do human stuff.  I don't care if he stands, sits, or lies down as long as he gives us a bit of space and doesn't wander off.  Since we're not teaching a proper Stay yet, I don't want to use that word because we'll just have to retrain for it.

We Interrupt This Regularly Scheduled Fiber Blog With...

...Puppy breath!!!

Yes, it's finally time for Pink Lemon Twist to have a new puppy!  This is Shinobi, who is being called Obi.  He's a nine week old Silver Labrador Retriever.  We've never had a Lab here, only Goldens, but years ago my brother in law had a wonderful Black Lab so it wasn't a hard choice to make.

Mr. Noodle isn't sure about this whole idea, but yesterday he got his butt sniffed and somehow survived.  He doesn't seem to realize that height is is friend here and he can just jump up to avoid this silly little brother.  We're being very careful how we allow Obi to interact with Noodle - especially since when he's full grown he'll be 80-100 pounds.  Things that work just fine at 13 pounds aren't safe when you're big. Of course, Mr. Noodle could take a swing with those claws and explain how things will be too.  So far he hasn't laid down the law with little Obi.  Noodle is slowly starting to relax, so I think things will be okay soon around here

The knitting and spinning and crochet will slow way down around here.  There are important things like training - potty and everything else - that we'll be focusing on for a bit.  I did get the colorwork yoke section of my Sagittarii finished before we picked up Obi, and once I get some short rows done, it should just be knitting in circles for a while.  I should be able to work on this in the little bits of time while he naps.  There are also socks!

I'll pop in periodically with fur baby photos and any fiber things I happen to make progress on when I have a chance.  Have a great weekend! 

Almost There

I'm now three rounds away from being finished with the colorwork on the yoke of this sweater!  I know it's been all colorwork all the time around here, but I'm really trying to get this part finished today because things are going to get very busy later this week.  Once I get to the solid charcoal lower body I should be able to pick up and put down my knitting easily.  The colorwork takes actual concentration and focus.

The socks have been waiting patiently while I try to work on this more complicated knitting, but I should be able to get them back into the knitting rotation soon!

Slowly, But Surely

I'm plugging away at my Sagittarii pullover.  I'm more than halfway through the yoke by rounds, but I'm still increasing.  Each round takes some time, but I'm really enjoying watching the pattern emerge!  I can watch TV while I knit this, but I have to be careful.  I think my tension on the floats is doing ok, it looks neither too tight or too loose at this point. Fingers crossed!

Not A Sock

I have actually started a stranded colorwork pullover instead of yet another sock!  I feel like it's been all about socks around here lately so this is a nice change.  On the other hand, I did use socks to work on my stranded knitting skills, so they have been important in getting here.

This is the Sagittarii pullover knit in Sweet Georgia Yarns Tough Love Sock in Charcoal and Lady Dye Yarns Sock Yarn in Benedict.  The colorwork design in this pattern reminds me of vintage Christmas ornaments, but since my color choice doesn't scream "CHRISTMAS" I figure I can wear it longer in the cold season.  Living in Texas, the cold season is short anyway and I don't want to limit my wearing window with a color scheme.  Particularly for this first colorwork yoke sweater.  There might be more in my future though!

Have a great weekend!  I'll be counting my stitches carefully.

Shadow Box Socks

I have started a new pair of socks.  These are the Shadow Box Socks, the first design from the Handmade Sock Society 5.  I've never done any of the Handmade Sock Society collections before, but I when I saw this one I thought it sounded like fun.  You get one sock pattern a month for six months.  I'm knitting this first pair in Dream in Color Smooshy in Mermaid Shoes. (Really, I think if you actually had a pair of mermaid shoes, they should probably be in a shadow box anyway.  At least if they were shoes for actual mermaids, not just shoes with mermaids on them.)

As you can see, Mr. Noodle was also curious about these socks so he pounced on the sock knitting bag a couple of times, just to let the yarn know he was watching it.  I appreciate all he does around here to keep the yarn in line, as long as he doesn't eat it.

Unicorn House Socks

I made a pair of socks!  These are the Cider House Socks, which are a fun combination of stripes and simple cables.  The cables didn't photograph well, but in real life they show up much better - you can see them clearly in the pattern link because the designer used solid colored yarns instead of magical unicorn yarn like I did.  I used Malabrigo Ultimate Sock in Natural, Sweet Georgia Yarns Tough Love Sock in Peony, and Lady Dye Yarns Sock Yarn in Whistledown's Watchful Eye for these socks.  

There's something very classic about these socks and they remind me of the vintage photos of football teams, back when they played with no padding and helmets.  I think the design is unisex and I could see these being a great gift for your favorite sports fan.  I could also see them in the house colors of any of the Hogwarts houses.  

Have a great weekend!