That's apparently what I'm creating.  I've been practicing using double pointed needles with beer cozies for awhile now.  I tried every trick I could think of to get rid of the bloody ladders - switching stitches between needles, using four instead of three, keeping the working needle on top, etc - and it's made no difference.  Fortunately you can't see the the ladders well in this photo!  One of the four (the best one, actually) was done on just regular needles, then I sewed the ends together.  Now I'm working on perfecting the mattress stitch, another challenge unto itself.  Plus I'm working on another block of tofu, which means more mattress stitch.  You'd think with all this practice I'd be better at this ...

Beer Cozy Park

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Saturday my friend Hope, her Mike, my Mike and I went to Upper Tantallon to check out Basket of Yarn.  I had heard about this LYS when it was announced they were going out of business.  Much to their customers' delight, Susan & Patrick have decided to keep the shop open.  I won't tell you how much I've spent there over the past two Saturdays.

Then we took the scenic route to Have a Yarn in Mahone Bay.  This is the first time I've been to this LYS.  They have quite a selection as well as books and a few videos.  I won't tell you how much Hope spent in there in one Saturday. 

I managed to pick up all the yarn I need for a multi-strand afghan, as well as a double-knitted scarf.  So I'm good to go for the summer.  So far I haven't been very good at buying yarn for the sake of buying yarn; my stash doesn't contain anything non-spoken-for.  I'll have to work on that ...

And a gratuitous picture of Tubbs, wanting in off the balcony but not before Mummy takes a picture with her camera phone:

Tubbs Balcony

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So here is my first attempt at this tofu: 

My Tofu

Yes, it's pretty lumpy.  And yes, I forgot to add the facial features before sewing it up.  And you can't see it, but I sewed one of the side ends on wrong side out.  Ahem.  But I did it, and it was fun!  I'll be trying it again with a better yarn (did I mention Vanna's Choice sucks?).  I'll also be modifying the pattern a bit, 'cause I can't help myself.

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Voila!

Beer Cozy

I'm not showing you the worst parts.  ;-)  DPNs are indeed the devil.  I have some serious ladders going on behind the can, but I've learned a new trick that will hopefully help with Attempt #2.

I've also learned I do not like Vanna's Choice, or "cheap" acrylic - it squeaks on my needles and is inflexible.  (Moda Dea Fashionista is good though.)

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Whale

So I'm working on a pattern for a whale.  As you can see, this one has no tail.  I could say he lost it in a bar fight ... anyhoo, I've decided to try my hand at designing my own patterns to make (and sell) catnip toys.  Fortunately I have my two catnip-lovin' kittehs, who will happily volunteer as test subjects.  As soon as I come up with a decent whale and a few other shapes, buy some loose catnip, and figure out this whole selling-stuff thing ...

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Halifax's World Wide Knit in Public Day (WWKIPD) is taking place on June 14 on the lawn of the Spring Garden Public Library, and they will be collecting donations for Bryony House, which is a shelter for abused women and their children.  Since they also accept non-monetary donations, I'm making some cotton face cloths for them.  However, the pattern I've chosen calls for knitting the first and last two stitches on either side (the rest are K1 P1), and I don't know if it's the pattern or my knitting, but the side edges are stiff and not nearly as flexible as the rest of the cloths.  So I've blocked and pinned them to my ironing board.  I've managed to make them, well, more square and less curved, so we'll see how they dry.  Cross fingers ...

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Squares

So I'm on my way with making this afghan.  I'm not even close to following the pattern; it's more of a guideline.  Yeah, that's it. ;-)

And a picture of Buddy I took this morning.  The groomers came yesterday to brush him out, clip his claws and shave the hair around his bum.  He puts up a huge fuss, but I think he ultimately appreciates it.  I know I do, since he won't let me come anywhere near his claws with the clippers.

Buddy

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... and a squinting cat.  I woke her up and she wasn't too happy about it.

Tubbs and Fish

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This little fish is the first of many for the Ecology Action Centre's Stitchin' Fish project.  It didn't take too long to make:  here is the pattern I'm using (without the mobile, obviously).  I plan on making as many as possible and then handing them all over.  Also considering picking up some polyfill and making little stuffed fishies.  I messed up this one's other eye, but that's our little secret.

Also, below is the first item I have made without a pattern.  I've never been very good at following directions, including knitting patterns, so this is a big deal to me.  This was supposed to be a dishcloth, but due to a bad yarn recommendation, it's not really anything.  It's a cotton-acrylic blend that would be great for doll clothes ... Still, nice colours, eh?

Look Ma No Pattern

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Scarf

Scarf Too

It's about 64 inches long with only a couple of small errors. For those interested, the yarn is Misti Alpaca chunky 2-ply, and the colour is wine melange.  Yaaaay, it's finally complete!  It took about two weeks.  Still haven't decided what to do with it (give it away or keep it); at any rate it's too heavy to wear until next winter.  Next up is a throw made on circular needles.  I'll be practicing with beer bottle cozies first (for Mike, ahem), to get used to using circulars. 

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