Keeping Busy

 I tried to stay busy this past weekend doing various projects.  There was this crocheted puppy.  It's suppose to be a yellow lab...does it look like one?  Anyway, I think it's cute and I like it.  In fact, I think I'll do more...
I started a red one (remember Clifford??) this morning and will probably do a brown one if I can find a shade of brown I can handle.

    The 2nd project this weekend was this 
tree ornament.  It's for the shop's entry in the annual Adorn-a-Door Wreath raffle.  I usually knit something mini but this year I decided it was time to go back to the lace angels.  This one is less than 4" tall so it should fit nicely on our wreath. (The angels I made years ago were 7-9" tall and very fancy but too big for a wreath.)  I had thought of getting some beads and making her a halo but this silver cord was a simpler and cheaper way to go...and I think it looks fine, too.

     In between my crocheting, I've been knitting winter hats.  It's finally been difficult to keep my hat display full!  Both of these are with self-patterning yarn.  The one in front with the green trim is with Robin Paintbox, a dk weight yarn from Great Britian that I
got in a Yarn Pal package. (I've got another Paintbox color combo that just needs the pompom.  And, hey, the neat pompom makers came in a Yarn Pal package, too!)The other hat in the photo is done with Red Heart worsted in a self-patterning called 'Derby Fair Isle.'  I think of it more as a 'cut and paste' pattern because to make the pattern work out even in the row with the number of stitches you have you must cut and a add yarn as you go.  It leaves a lot of ends but the results are worth it.  Today I got a skein Red Heart 'Calm Fair Isle'...also a self-patterning worsted that I'll use for another hat.  (And I'm pretty sure it will end up being a 'cut and paste' job, too.)
   And I even found time to knit an adult beanie to send to my cousins in Colorado.  They're collecting hats, gloves and socks for the homeless and will deliver them with breakfast on Christmas Day.  I told Michaela I'd so some hats and mail them to her.  I've got 1 done!  I'd like to finish 3 or 4 more.  Michaela's grandmother was my cousin and one of my greatest friends.  I miss her so much.  She meant so much to my mom and me.
   And on that somber note, it's time to get back to work!!  It's suppose to snow tonight and tomorrow and I've got the clean the woodstove's firebox so I can have a decent fire!!
   This hat's going to the shop, too. 

It will fit a 1-3yr old and is knit with Mary Maxim Baby Blankie, an acrylic self-patterning yarn.  I 'cut and paste'  the results a little to get the Fair Isle pattern more to my liking.  I think all the ends that have to be worked in are worth it!

Hello November!

October ended up being a very good month for me in Cooperstown. Sweaters and hats sold...like pumpkins! I could barely keep up and other things got pushed aside. Zoey the Beagle was due for a rabies booster but we never seemed to find the time to go to the vet's. And then the ladies at Olivia's Happy Tails (where the girls get their nails and ears done) suggested a Public Health Rabies Clinic. The last one of the season was scheduled for this morning at the E Herkimer Fire House and we decided to go there.   They suggested we get there a little early and we managed to make it there by 9:45 for the 10am start.  Of course, it was raining and the parking lot was starting to fill up but we stood outside talking to some nice people (and getting soaked) while we waited for the door to open...but we made it in close to the front of the line!  In fact, we were back in the car by 10:15!  And it only cost Jeff $5.  (Now that was a nice difference from what it would have costed at the vet's!)  Our next stop was suppose to be Lowe's but I was headed the wrong way on the Main Rd and couldn't make a left turn when we got to Rte 5 so Jeff suggested going to the Greek Diner on N Main St in Herkimer before heading back to Lowe's and then home.  Disappointment...it was closed!  But I noticed Gus in the restaurant next door so I went there and asked where Teddy was...and got directions to new place of business!!  Teddy has bought Cavarina's on Rte 5 in Schuyler. I remember when that building was renovated but don't remember it opening. Seems it did during the summer but only for a short time. I often wonder what it looked like inside and today I found out...it's beautiful! The walls in the dining room have original murals of Venice! The bathrooms are beautiful!! The ladies room is bigger than the bathroom in my house!! We enjoyed our lunch and plan on going back for dinner. Both Jeff and I hope Teddy and his partner...his waitress...are successful with this restaurant. I spent the afternoon working on a Black Sheep Sweater. It's a size 4 and I've got it almost finished. Just the ribbing at the bottom and the buttons are left to do. Earlier this week I finished another size 4 Polar Express Hoodie...also a size 4. The ones I had finished in October both sold just before Halloween. I replaced them with a size 6

months yellow cardigan & hat set and a size 6 months white hoodie. Those size 6months sweaters are a lot easier and quicker to knit than the size 4's.

I'm also doing some children's legwarmers. More photos when they're finished.