The Beginning

This is the first dog sweater I ever made, for my first dog, Yoda. Fourteen years ago I went to some animal shelters with some friends who were looking for a dog. I had no intention of getting a pet. When I saw Yoda, she was in the lobby of the shelter in a little crate. A tiny, 6 pound Pekingese. I asked if I could hold her, and was told I could only do so after filling out adoption papers. She ended up leaving with me. I was told later by a pet psychic that Yoda chose me, and I believe it. I started knitting for her shortly after that. This sweater was a loose interpretation of one that was in Vogue Knitting in 1991. The color work is a design in Kaffe Fassett's book Family Album. The yarn is Manos, and wool from a Perry Ellis sweater that I frogged. This is from back in the day when Perry Ellis was alive and actively designing, not just a name like it is now. I can't believe now that I could have done such a thing to a designer sweater. I have another, that unfortunately doesn't fit any longer. I may list it on eBay or give it to my 21 year old niece, who it would look adorable on. Other thoughts on the dog sweater, looking at it now, is how little shaping it has. It was worn lots and now is all stretched out--can you spot the little hole in it? It was also the beginning of playing with color, and I still like this combination. I also used a rib where I knit into the back loop on the right side of the work, which I still use now. I got nostalgic for Yoda and her sweater today, as I was driving down Belmont Avenue, past what used to be antique malls. On gloomy autumn days, carrying Yoda in one hand, I would browse the antique shops that proliferated on Belmont. People in the shops knew me as Yoda's mom. The shops are gone now, mostly replaced by new condo developments. The antique shops either went away, or scattered to other neighborhoods with cheaper rents. My little Yoda dog died ten years ago, but her memory lives on when I touch the sweater. She taught me how to love little creatures unconditionally, and led me to my passion, the marriage between my love of craft and love of pets.

My Name is Corinne, and I'm a Caffeine Addict

I bought some new Starbuck's coffee a few days ago. Some exotic blend, one of those limited edition things. It's vile. I tried on two different mornings. I normally have one tiny pot of coffee, and skim milk for latte. This weekend I didn't finish my full "dose". I went on a quest for good coffee. The Starbucks coffee went in the trash. Seriously, it's the worst coffee I've ever had. I would never consider serving it, so in the garbage it went. Replaced it with French Roast from Costco, which is superb. That and the rotesserie chickens are worth the standing in long lines and then bagging your own loose items. I also bought a pound of Dunkin Donuts coffee beans, when I stopped in on my way to Costco for shopping. The coffee there was not very good either, which is usually not the case. I've had a nagging little headache pretty much all weekend from caffeine withdrawal. I had a meeting today where we inventoried the items for the Silent Auction at my fiber event in two weeks. I made some good coffee when I got home! The shawl, pictured right off the needles, is from Wrap Style, the Shetland Triangle by Evelyn Clark. It's a ten stitch repeat, with the yarn overs and decreases stacking on each other, so it's pretty easy to spot a mistake. I'm attempting a Flower Basket, but haven't had as much success. The yarn is Dzined wool/mohair/hemp sportweight, some purchased at Stitches and the yellow from Cathy Montoya. I like this pattern so much I'm doing another in black Blackberry Ridge laceweight. More Morticia Addams.

I'll Take the Gray One

I'm starting work tonight on a custom piece. I had my sweaters displayed on an antique drying rack in my back yard, and part of my yarn stash arranged by color on the deck. The customers chose a grey marl for the sweater body, and a green-grey for the bands. And wanted to stop there. I talked them into a pink for the trim to add some interest. I guess I see color differently than some or most people. I had some great colors available. Even my neutrals were the Noro Kureyon shades #55, and #149, so still with some interest. Now, before I go further, I will say that as I write this I'm wearing mostly black. But, these colors are for dogs! Bright colors are happy! In the Lucky Penny world, dogs wear bright, beautiful, saturated color. In the Lucky Penny world, different handpainted colors are used together. Chartreuse is my "go to" color for trim, because it pretty much always makes the other two colors pop. I also think that a bright color would be an advantage safety-wise for a little dog outside. My current obsession is Noro Kureyon for dog sweaters, and mixing the shades. I've mixed Noro colors for some of my personal garments as well. The owner of the shop that I'm consigning in, Wigglyville, told me that the customers commented that they like the solid colors over the stripes. I thought, are they nuts? Why don't they see how great these colors are? My friend Sandy, who owns a pet boutique, says that the fear of bright color is a Chicago thing. The little dog who came for her fitting today was wearing a black polarfleece coat. Back to the yarn stash--two things hit me today. One was the amount of yarn that I have on hand. I seriously need a Lucky Penny yarn diet. I also have a serious stash of yarn for personal use. The second was how inspired I was by seeing all the colors together, and how many really great dog sweaters I could make. I have a few for Piccolo in mind right now.

Little Bundle O' Love

I adopted Piccolo in March of 2003, about a month after Penny died. Gidget, riding shotgun, and I drove to Lake Orion, Michigan. I arranged the adoption before I looked at a map to find out where it was. What I thought would be a short drive ended up being near Detroit. We met at the foster mother's house, and both agreed that I take her home. The door to the house closed behind us, and Piccolo did not want to get in the car. I eventually coaxed her in and after we got home, she spent the first night hiding under the sofa. I was told when I adopted her that she didn't like men. But clearly, from the photo, you can see that she is In Love with the Man. Piccolo spends lots of time snuggling up next to us. She's usually at my side when I'm working on a project, and has been a source of inspiration. Her coloring is just beautiful, white with shades of tan, brown and black. I love knitting for her. I think she appreciates it more than the Man. I made a sweater for him once, eight years ago, for our first Christmas together. I think he was mortified that I spent so much time on it. It gets worn on holidays only. The man works in construction, and doesn't want to ruin it. I made him one pair of socks a few years ago, that he has never worn. He says they're too nice. I made him a dickey one Christmas, thinking that for work it would be more practical than a scarf, but he said, "I'm not wearing a dickey!" I put it in a knitting bag, and now I can't find it. He's changed his mind about wearing it, I think.

Wooly Goodness

The pictured socks are the ones I wrote about in Sunday's post. Beautiful Mountain Colors Weaver's Wool. In the photo, it looks like one sock is bigger, but it's not the case. I have two other pairs that I made a few years ago, and still love to wear. I've worn out two pairs of socks in Cherry Tree Hill. One of my knitting goals was to have a pair of socks in every color made by Cherry Tree Hill (I know it's nuts), but I think I've given that up. There are so many other projects to occupy myself with. I have a pile of finished sweaters to be assembled, for one. The dog sweater that I started for Piccolo is done, and has been worn outside a few times. I started another one, with a fluffy mohair collar. Dog sweaters are still my favorite thing to knit.

Saved $132.30

Today I'm in a (far) Western suburb for work. To make the experience more palatable, I plan a visit to a nearby yarn shop for the way home. I've never been there before, and from what I've read on line, they carry lots of things I like. It's their customer knit night, and one person, who I think was an owner, was working the store. She spoke to me briefly, then moved on as I browsed. I spotted some of my favorite cashmere in the sale room, and took seven hanks. I waited by the register to pay. Waited some more while the owner gushed in the lounge area about one of her favorite books. Started to get embarrassed after I waited nearly ten minutes. There was a table full of knitters next to me. No one spoke to me. Like I was an interloper that didn't belong there. I don't think any one noticed when I left without making a purchase. Now as Chicago yarns shops can tell you, when Corinne walks into a yarn shop, usually some transaction takes place. Often for more than originally intended (this may need to be curtailed if my work situation changes). But I like to be chatted up. I like to be made to feel welcome. I waited in that shop tonight long enough to realize that I didn't need More Yarn. I won't be going back to that store again. As Arcadia, Knitting Workshop, Montoya Fiber Studio, and Knit One can attest, they made a mistake.

Wooly Socks

Today I was doing a Halloween event with my sweaters, outside on the sidewalk (cold I can deal with, you can always bundle up, but you can't get less hot!). I potentially looked like a total crafty dork. What I wore: 1. A sweater, hand knit by me, in Jaeger Shetland Aran. 2. A poncho, knit by me, in various shades of Noro Kureyon. 3. Wool lace gloves, knit by an Estonian lady, purchased from Nancy Bush after she taught a workshop here. It may be some time before I get around to knitting gloves, so this covers it for now. 4. My feet! The maiden wearing of new Mountain Colors Weavers Wool socks, color name forgotten, they're red with purple and blue. (pictures to follow, we're having some technical difficulties in the Lucky Penny studio) This is my all time favorite sock yarn. I love that it is sportweight, so socks are done faster, they wear like iron, and so cushy and comfy. I like the Three Trails designs for this yarn. I should try the Friday Harbor socks in one of the three hanks I have waiting. The socks have to be hand washed, but I consider that to be a small sacrifice. Of course the socks I wore today were stuffed into my Dansko shoes/clogs. Total comfort.
I'm knitting a sweater for Piccolo on the sly, having realized that I sent a large part of her wardrobe to San Francisco for test shooting. I'm using beautiful deep purple Cash Iroha for the bands, and the body hand knit (!) in some Noro Kureyon in a color I've never seen before--it must be discontinued. The yarn was a surprise "gift with purchase" from my knitting friend Rachel when I bought some Mountain Colors--color Ruby River from her stash.

Hyper-sensitive

The Man says that my senses of hearing and smell are super sensitive. I think that the Man has some hearing loss, and that mine is relatively normal. Except that some sounds really set my teeth on edge. Like gum snapping (that's the worst!), key or change jangling, other people's loud media. Like when my upstairs neighbors play their t.v. (which is right over my bed) loud. This can happen at two or three in the morning sometimes. The smell thing--is not a blessing. As a child, I could identify what my mother was cooking for dinner from the other end of the house. In the basement. This often means I smell things that I don't really want to. Like the man who stood in front of me on line in the Cook County Building when I was paying the family's property taxes. If I got less than ten feet away from him I could smell that he really needed a good scrub. I'm sure the people behind me in line thought I was nuts. I'm thinking about this because right now someone in this family is having a spell of irritable bowel that I can smell from the other end of the apartment. Funny thing is, one time I was blaming the Man for this, and it was really Piccolo. I can't stand to be anywhere near second hand smoke. It now makes me physically ill. I very rarely go to bars because of this, and have avoided going to parties. If I go somewhere where I know there will be smoke--I delay showering until after I return home, and wear clothes out of the dirty clothes hamper. When the Man comes home from a place that I refer to as The Stinky Bar, I make him strip off all his clothes, which I then douse in Febreze, and then air out on the back porch. After he's had a few beers, he is not always so cooperative with this. Other weird things--I can't stand the tags sewn into the back neck of garments, and how they feel on my neck. I always cut mine out. I also don't like when those tags flip over and hang outside of the top. I always have to go home and shower, and sometimes wash my hair again immediately after getting it cut and styled because those little sharp hairs just make me itch like crazy. I had heard somewhere that some of this, like the tag thing, is a form of autism. I'm sure my life would be much easier if I wasn't bothered by all this stuff.
The socks are Step Ladder, a Three Trails design. Done in Cherry Tree Hill Super Glitz, a sportweight wool. I believe the color is Quarry Hill, or Quarry something. I used to know all the colors, but this has slipped my mind. I modify the toe shaping to my favorite, which means I just have four stitches to graft at the end.

Flight 1557 to San Francisco leaves Without Lucky Penny

I spoke to my editor on Tuesday after sending some test shots, in preparation for the shoot this weekend. We have to take a different approach to the photography, and we couldn't book studio space, line up the models, etc., to make my trip out to San Francisco productive. So it's on hold. I now will finish all my designs before we do any photography, and hopefully I can get my work situation repaired before I go. If I had gone this weekend, the make up time at work would have been brutal. So the situation is not all bad. This is my little Gidget in 2001, before all hell broke loose in our lives. The expression on her face is about how I feel now. I got my hair cut tonight, and just wanted to fall asleep when I hung my head back in the sink for the shampoo and scalp massage.
Back to Gidget. I don't know if I have the words to describe how adorable and special she was. I did not get to spend her whole life with her--only a few years, but I should have always been her mommy. I keep her memory alive by keeping her on the Lucky Penny site.

Step Away from the Knitting

I'm leaving Thursday for my photo shoot. I am so. tired. I have lots to do before I go, and today I worked really hard. On work I don't like.
For Tuesday:
1. work
2. buy treats for Guild meeting
3. pack up knitting machine and samples for Guild presentation. I'm presenting with Bonne Marie. We both started to be interested in machine knitting at the same time, for different reasons. Hopefully this will go well--it's going to be really extemporaneous. I need to bring the raffle items for the Fine Art of Fiber to this meeting--I have no idea when the gift baskets will be assembled, but I don't want the stuff at home where nobody has access to them.
4. make pie crust. I promised David a pie when I came out.
5. pack samples for carry on bag. I need to sew snap tape to one of the samples, and made a mistake tonight when I basted the tape on. It's proof that I'm too tired to do any more work.
For Wednesday:
1. work. Get an early start because I have to drive to Harvey. Remember that I need to aggressively look for another job when I get back from my trip so I don't have to do this much longer. Try to get to another location to finish additional work.
2. get hair cut, colored, and eyebrows waxed.
3. do laundry, and pack clothes and tote bag for trip. Need to print out e-ticket.
For Thursday:
1. work. At my old, and much missed job. Get an even earlier start because I need to get out of there by 1-2 pm.
2. get home, and tidy up before I leave at around 4 pm.
3. get to airport at 5.
4. pass out on the plane. Do they still serve cocktails?
I could have made things a little easier by staying home this weekend, but it was a last chance for us to get away. We went to Madison again, and ended up in Fontana on Sunday. Piccolo went with, and traveled well. It was easier than I thought to find a non-smoking room that would accept a pet. The photo is a birdhouse in my mom's garden. For Christmas I'm planning on knitting a Fiber Trends felted birdhouse for her indoor collection. A consolation prize because I probably won't finish the sweater I started for her.

Into the Woods

The Man and I are discussing another trip up North. To Wisconsin again. He mentioned buying a home there, and I love the idea. Of course, now he says it won't happen. But I refuse to let the idea die. I really like it up there, and if things ever fall apart here, maybe that's where I'll pick up the pieces. Or in SanFrancisco. I'm excited about going, but apprehensive regarding the work situation I'm leaving behind. I have an interview for a new job on November 3rd. I've never had a job for so short a time. But I think it's foolish to prolong the misery, and discussing how my employer has disappointed me will only make the situation worse.
The pictures are my Mom's house in Wisconsin. She lives in a town on Lake Geneva, in the forest. The house is charming. The other picture is a giant wild mushroom in the woods near her house. You could see the mushroom glowing in the dark from my mom's porch. Maybe we'll end up at my Mom's, but we have no real plans as of yet. I really want to take Piccolo this time. I hate the idea of boarding her right before I leave for five days. When I get back on Sunday, I'll have to pack. I have some finishing left on the samples, and hopefully will finish some more after I arrive. I'm working almost to the minute I leave. I'm taking the ruffles scarf on board to knit. I think I can get a lot done in 4+ hours.

Only I Think This is Funny

Piccolo's beginnings were in the house of a hoarder. An elderly man with more than ten pets, who stopped taking care of anything. Including himself. From what I understand, the house was in such a state it could not be saved. Because of her upbringing, Piccolo sometimes has lapses in her housebreaking. I stay up late, and take her out before I go to bed. Last night I took her out a few hours earlier, and thought it was good enough. While I slept, the Man got up in the middle of the night, and Piccolo followed him. While he was using the facilities, she peed on the bathroom rug. I've heard her open the door, to go in the bathroom to use the rug. The other morning, not fully awake, I stepped in a present in the same spot. What cracks me up about this--is that my little dog understands what the bathroom is for!

Estrogen Enhanced Meltdown

I was hyper-emotional last night, overwhelmed over my work situation. The poor man had to live through it. I left a job that I was not unhappy at, for one that is not shaping up as expected. For either party. They have a perception of me that I think will not be erased. The fact that they know I'm involved with my book project can't be helping. I can't go back to the old job (would love to go back) because the position has already been filled. So my next task will be to find employment elsewhere. As soon as possible. And keep to myself as much as possible who I really am. I say this now in a more rational frame of mind. I got my period today after over a week of being late. As uncomfortable as it can be, it was a relief. All that pent up hormone released. Being closer to 50 then 40, the M word looms. Not the subject of musicals. I don't get it--"Menopause--the Musical." I wouldn't see that! I also saw about two minutes of the Vagina Monologues on HBO. That was all I could stand. Not too much entertainment in either topic, I think. Just keep from getting more facial hair, that's all I ask.
Pictured here is Klaralund, fusion knitting using Noro Silk Garden #86. I have since made another in #203. The body is done in the round, because I wanted the stripes to match on the sides. The stockinette portion of the sleeves was knit using my machine, and the live stitches were used to complete the sleeves on either side in garter stitch. Also in the shot is a sweater from Vogue Knitting, fall 1998, in Rowan Calmer. This sweater has an interesting traveling rib. I will make this pattern again. The other piece is a dog sweater from Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton, book 2.

Should Have Stayed Here

In bed with Piccolo. After a not so pleasant business meeting this morning, I'm thinking that I made a mistake changing jobs. That's probably all I should say about it. Probably doesn't help that I'm feeling particularly hormonal today. Soothed myself on the way back in with fiber therapy. I drove back in using a route that would take me past Mosaic Yarn Studio in Des Plaines. I bought the new Interweave magazine Knitscene, needles for the plane, a cool pattern for a top down lace poncho that's feather and fan! I think I'll use some more wool/hemp for it.
Tonight on the way home from work, a stop at Arcadia found a Denise needle set and the new Adrienne Vittadini book in my shopping bag. I've got lots of yarn in my "resource center" that would be good for the sweaters in that book.

Piccolo vs. Carmen Ave.

My little Piccolo is not the most obedient of dogs. Tonight, coming home, I parked across the street from our house. The street links two very busy Chicago streets, and often cars come racing across to get to the other street. Some of the smarter areas of this neighborhood have speed bumps. The Man crossed the street to help with the grocery bags, and I just knew that Piccolo, who was on the front steps, would run out behind him. Tonight she took a few steps into the street. Two commands I would like Piccolo to learn are to stop, and to come when called. Coming when called is something that Piccolo does only at her own discretion. This is the reason that I only want her off leash in the fenced back yard, and then, only with supervision, because she could scoot out under the back gate and into the alley. Little dogs, in my opinion, do not understand how small they are in relation to the world, and most specifically, to cars. I need to keep reminding the Man to be careful with her.

The Man Might Try Something New

The Man is a creature of eccentricity and habit. He loves one restaurant on Clark St., called Calo. He always orders the same thing--a slab of ribs, baked potato, and salad with garlic dressing on the side. With a glass of Merlot that he has to sample first. If he doesn't like it, I have to drink it and he orders another, different wine. Last time we went, he said that he was sorry he ordered the ribs again! We found a Mexican restaurant down the street, Angel's, that we have gone to a few times when the lure of Calo is not too strong. Tonight we passed by a French restaurant around the corner from both of the others, and he paused to read the menu on the window, and said he might like to try it. Could the Man be turning into someone who is adventurous with food? At home it is always pretty much the same fare. Carry out pizza, or mostaccioli when I cook (using a jarred sauce the I add meat, onions, and garlic to). I have cooking skills, and used to use them when work was not so busy. I thought I could resurrect my homemaking skills, but it seems I'm months away from that. The socks are Denmark from Nancy Bush's Knitting on the Road. Yarn used was Cherry Tree Hill Supersport, color Country Garden. The Supersport does not have enough yardage in one hank to finish a pair of socks. So, to keep from making a $50 pair of socks, I supplemented by using Australian Merinos for the heels and toes. I finished one sock last year, and the mate just recently. That's my old lady hand in the shot.

Playing Hooky

So much for sweater weather. It was over 85 degrees today. In October. I ran the air today, after shooing the man off the premises this morning. I stayed home today to work on the book projects. It's 16 days until I leave, so I'm getting somewhat panicky. Still knitting the modular pieces, and starting a larger size in the design for pug bodies. This photo is from a diner in some small town in Wisconsin during one of our weekend getaways this past summer. The Man wanted to see "small town America," and this definitely was a part of it.

Awestruck

I lurk on Petfinder often (www.petfinder.com), and months ago found this little one at Iowa City Animal Care and Control. I had not actively been seeking a second dog, but when I saw Tinkerbell, I was in love. Look at that face. So much like my tiny Gidget Alice. She was very quickly adopted, by someone else. I found Piccolo on Petfinder, and drove to Detroit and back in one day to get her. That was almost three years ago. Every day she gets more delightful. She is, what my friend Sandy says, "a spirited little dog."
Today I was at a lace knitting workshop with Myrna Stahman. The project was variations of the feather and fan pattern. It was an amazing peek into her next to be released book, expected at the end of 2006. She is working with other lace designers, and one was in the workshop today. Her name is Karen Raz, she's a member of my guild, and OMG. Her designs are just breathtaking. A top with 3800+ beads, a lace negligee, and a lace curtain, among other lovelies. This book is really going to be something to look forward to.

Welcome to Sweater Weather

The first frost hit last night, and we had the furnace on! So, the sweater wardrobe is out of storage. This is one I knit for Penny a few years ago, and now fits Piccolo. The body is Cherry Tree Hill 10 ply, color Peacock, the bands are a discontinued Annabel Fox Aran (one of my favorites!), color Amber, and trimmed in Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride. One little band is lime green. I had designated green as Penny's signature color, so all her sweaters had green in some form.
My work schedule is changing, and now will include additional travel. One of the reasons I changed jobs was to reduce my commute. So I'm not really thrilled about this development. I will know more in a week. The timing of this, with my upcoming trip, is really pretty stinky.
This weekend is a Myrna Stahman workshop sponsored by my Guild, and the lecture tonight really sparked an idea for a new dog sweater shape. I'm working tomorrow, and charting a dog sweater for the book, but on Sunday will take an all day lace workshop. I'm working on a few lace projects for my down time.