Tag Archives: dog

Poor Pupper

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And poor us!

I’m sorry guys, but I just don’t have the energy to write out the post I had planned.  I was going to finish planning out my Papaya Sweater, it was going to be a beautiful design, and the post was going to be funny and insightful and well-written.

But, my dog had other plans.He might be cute, but he’s a weapon of mass insomnia under all that fuzz.

I don’t know what he got into this weekend, but the poor guy was up all night with, lets just say, “gastrointestinal distress.”  He got us up every hour to go outside (or to not quite make it outside).  So gross and frustrating!!

And he did the same thing on Saturday night, too!  Of course, during the day, he’s been acting perfectly fine- no GI issues, acting normally, eating his normal dinner, and happy to bark at passers-by and go on walks. So who knows what’s going on!

Maybe he picked up a bug, or maybe he ate something he shouldn’t have (that’s probably it- he’s got a bad habit of that, but then again he’s a dog).  If he doesn’t recover soon (or goes off his food/gets lethargic) we’ll head over to the vet, but fingers crossed, we won’t have to!

He’s ridiculous, and I need a nap!

… Or Not…

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Well, it was fun.  Spinning is great.  My wool is lovely.

But, someone in my household had different plans.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERALook at that dumb face… he doesn’t even know he did anything wrong.

I got home from work on Monday, and Ollie was happily chewing on his new chew toy.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOh, wait.  That’s not  a chew toy.  That’s one of my spinning wheel bobbins.  Ollie, how did you get that?  It was attached to my Lazy Kate, which has been in the living room for months and you’ve never looked at twice.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOh, I see.  You destroyed my Lazy Kate.  Fun.  Actually, it’s kind of impressive… Ollie fully chewed through a 1/2″ dowel rod in less than three hours.  If I wasn’t so pissed, it would be funny.

So, I guess my spinning will have to wait for a bit, at least until I can get my hands on a couple new bobbins and a new Lazy Kate.  At least he didn’t chew up my lovely wool.

Thanks, dog!  You’re the best!

Inspiration: Dogs!

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Did you watch the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show yesterday?  Because I sure did!

I realize it’s super silly, but I just love seeing all the breeds.  Isn’t it amazing how different they all are?  And the pups just look so happy out there running around with their heads held high putting on a show.  Delightful!

I think my favorite aspect of the show (other than when a dogs jump on their handlers, which makes me feel less guilty about our dog jumping on us when we get home from work) is how each breed seems like they have a totally different personality.

A personality that I can interpret through the medium of knitting patterns.  Because I’m me.

Best in Show this year was a German Shorthaired Pointer named CJ.   Pointers are hunting dogs, and can’t you just see him running around a little pond lined with cat tails, and retrieving a duck for his owner?   2016_bis_winner[1] And, in this scene, I imagine his owner would be wearing a cream-colored sweater with leather buttons and a shawl collar.  Something with a lot of cables.  It would be preppy, yet functional.  Warm, yet stylish.

Something like this:

Snoqualmie by Michele Wang Snoqualmie_04_medium2[1] The Best in Show Runner-up was as Borzoi named Sassy Girl.  I feel like Sassy Girl would not like getting her paws dirty.  I could see her accompanying her owner on a trip to Saks Fifth Avenue to get a new rhinestone collar and a silk pouf for her to lie on in front of the fire.2016_bis_runnerup_winner[1]I think this pretty girl would appreciate a beautiful square shawl of Orenburg lace, as they both hail from Russia.

Gaïa by Marie Adeline Boyer14023700106_f5601136ef_z[1]My favorite breed, though has to be the Tibetan Terriers (not that I’m biased or anything, but my dog, Ollie, is a Tibetan).  They’re such happy little dogs, and when they’re shown, they have such dumb little haircuts.  (How can they see!?)

Little Diamond Hunter won his breed (and of course he did- look at that shiny coat!), but was sadly beat out by a bulldog for Best in Group.

NP29619004[1]Ollie was devastated.WP_20160216_005But he consoled himself by burrowing further into the couch and tangling himself in a blanket.  Because that’s what Tibetan Terriers do- they’re champion couch hanger-outers.

In fact, if Ollie (and probably Diamond Hunter) could pick a knitting pattern, I bet they’d pick this gorgeous blanket- it’s the perfect combo  of comfortable and fancy,  just like Tibetans.

Ribbon Weed by Kate BostwickThrow_Hero_2_medium2[1]

What was your favorite dog?  What pattern would you pick for them?

Thank You!

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Hi everybody, I thought I’d take a moment to do the cheesy-yet-well-intentioned Thanksgiving tradition.  You know,  the one where we all go around the dinner table (or in this case, the knitting website) and tell everyone what we’re thankful for.

CornucopiaThanksgiving[1]I know it’s dorky, but I’m in a thankful mood (but maybe that’s just my endorphins building up in preparation for tomorrow’s feast), so let’s do this thing.

I am thankful for knitting!  It’s both therapy and entertainment.  It keeps me busy and keeps me warm.  There’s something almost alchemical about turning yarn into something as complex as a lace shawl or as practical as a thick wool socks.  It warms my heart (and feet), and challenges my brain, and I love it.

I am thankful for my husband (obviously).  He puts up with having an entire room dedicated to knitting and doesn’t mind when he finds project bags scattered across the house.  He ‘s been insanely supportive with my blog and pattern design work, as well as regular awesome husband-ness.

I am thankful for my pup.  Ollie’s been an amazing addition to our lives over the past half-year, and he makes me laugh every day.  I couldn’t be happier having him in my life (even if he has chewed up a knitting needle or two… *grumble, grumble*)

I am thankful for this blog- and it’s readers!  It’s been a really fun (sometimes difficult) and interesting exercise to write something (hopefully) interesting and (sometimes) funny every other day for almost three years, and I’m looking forward to keeping it going.  Being able to share my passion with all of you lovely people is fantastic!  You’re the best! (And, there’s so many of you!)

Happy Thanksgiving!  What are you thankful for?

Ollie and the Vet

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Bad news, folks.  No knitting-related posts today, I’m afraid.  Ollie’s got a wicked stomach bug, and I’ve got to go take care of him (and clean the floors…ick!).  Send him good vibes and well wishes.

WP_20150911_001He looks pathetic now, but I’m sure he’ll be up and running around, chewing up blankets again in no time!

 

EDIT:  Thanks for everyone’s good wishes!  As of Sunday morning, Ollie’s feeling 1000 times better.  He’s getting back his energy and getting into mischief again.  We might even go for a walk today!

For the Dogs

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So, you know the Woven Stitch I talked about last week?  Well.  I worked up a nice big square of woven stitch in big squishy Biggo yarn.  It measures about 2 and a half by 3 feet.  It’s thick and squishy and warm and lovely.  And it was going to be a fantastic new bathmat for the guest bathroom.

But Ollie had a different idea.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA(These are the best pictures I could get with him wiggling around and carrying his blanket around the house.)

So, it looks like Ollie has a new blanket.  (How could you say no to that face?) Whoops!

***OH!  And the Twist and Tweed giveaway has been extended until Wednesday!  Be sure to comment here to enter!***

A Short Pause

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I love being busy.  To me “a day with nothing to do” means “a day I can work on extra projects.  I  could work on my yard, knit up a sweater, write out a new pattern, make some peach sorbet, or get a jump on my blog writing.

But, it seems like this summer it’s been a little too busy.

I’ve been keeping up with the blog, of course, and working my two day jobs.  I’ve been working on several super-secret freelance design projects (stay tuned for more details!).  Plus, I have a puppy to take care of, a house to keep clean and dandelions to battle in the yard.  And, we keep having visitors stop by.

I love all of these things-  Our house guests have been fantastic, my jobs are great and I couldn’t be happier with how my patterns are turning out.

But there are only so many hours in the day, and I’m starting to get a little frazzled.

Luckily, today is a magical, amazing, special day.  A day when I don’t actually have to go into work!  It’s 9:30, and I’m still in bed.

Sure, I’ve already put in a good hour and a half of knitting time and I’m writing today’s blog post from my laptop, but it’s so much more pleasant to “work” from bed with music playing and a cup of coffee, my pup curled up at the foot of my bed.

My goal today is to knit as much as possible.  And that’s it!  It’s kind of great to only have one thing to do today.

So, I’ll sip my coffee, listen to my music, and knit another row.  (And then another, and another.)

Sometimes that’s all you need to refresh your brain.

And now, a picture of my dog having a very important conversation with his squirrel toy:

WP_20150702_003

Inspiration: Wet Puppies and Lots of Towels

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Sunday was a big day for our little puppy.  We spent the morning at the dog park (which is completely hilarious.  Seriously-if you haven’t visited a dog park, what are you waiting for!)

He rolled around in the mud, got wood chips embedded in his fur and was slobbered on by the bigger dogs.  He was a very tired, and very dirty pup when he got home.

WP_20150426_005So, it was time for a bath!  Believe it or not, this little rat-dog is the same one as my ball of fluff.

V__1318A couple hours and a half-dozen towels later, Ollie is all dry, happy and fluffier than ever.  (He even smells nice!)

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERASo, how does this tie into knitting?  Well, it looks like I need more towels- big, absorbent, and sturdy.  So, I’ve got to get going on knitting up some new dog towels.

French Stripe Tea Towel by Megan Delorme

101_4005_medium2[2]Dishtowel #70331AD (knit) by Lion Brand Yarn

70331ada_medium2[1]Harlekinshåndklæder by TichTach

dscf2895_medium2[1]If I work up all these towels, maybe we’ll be able to keep Ollie a little cleaner-even in the always-damp PNW.

What practical projects do you like to work on?

Inspiration: Puppy Party!

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I’ll be honest.  I haven’t had much time for knitting the last few days.  But, honestly, I’m OK with that.  I’ve been busy running around after Ollie!

So, let’s do some puppy-inspired knitting and crochet!

Ollie’s a big fan of Tug of War (and so is my husband).  I might need to make him one of these when his weasel toy finally gets torn to shreds.

Tug of War dog toy by Maz Kwok1-DSC015501_medium[1]What dog doesn’t want a bone?

Dog Bone Toy by Jessica Suzanne

2886225557_92d3d1320f_z[1]And, for that matter, I bet dogs all want a lovely turkey leg, too.

Crochet Giant Turkey Leg Dog Toy by Christine Johnson

Turkey_Leg_Dog_Toy_medium2[1]But, of course, the classic knitted item for a dog is a little sweater.  Unfortunately (fortunately?), Ollie has nice long hair, so he doesn’t need a sweater.  (He does have a little yellow rain slicker, though, because we live in Seattle.  It’s pretty much the cutest.)  If he did need a sweater, I would have to make him this one.

Dog Sweater – Signature Turtleneck by Cute Little Cuddlies

Sign_Patt_3_medium2[1]Have you ever knit anything for your pets?

Introducing: Ollie

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OK, this has nothing to do with knitting, but I’m too excited not to write a post about it.

Everyone, meet Ollie!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOllie is our new puppy!  He’s a six-month-old Tibetan terrier (which is not actually a type of terrier-just a weird quirk of etymology).  His favorite activities are sleeping, snoozing, and taking naps.  He also likes sniffing things in the back yard and watching cars drive by the house.  (And, luckily, he has no interest in my yarn or knitting.  Thank goodness!)

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERANeither of us have ever had a dog before, so this is all new and exciting!  We’ve been having a lot of fun with the little guy, and are very happy he’s in our family.