DOT -- Dog Mom

I've been a dog mom for two years.  We got Lucy on July 28, 2007.  She was one day less than 8 weeks old and weighed 12 pounds.

I'd never had a puppy before!  This one had a very sweet face and a warm belly.

She could lay in positions that only a puppy can.

Everything I read about Labrador retrievers told me they are good bird dogs.  Hunters use them to retrieve their birds.  We aren't hunters but I thought Lucy should develop her natural skills so I bought her a mallard duck.

The puppy was so small she could fit under the couch.  Now she has to lower her head to rest it on the couch.

Awww...what a sweetheart!

It's been a great two years!

Bronco Scarf

One day I was browsing the Loopy Ewe website. I found this yarn called Team Spirit. I saw that it came in an orange and blue combo--the Denver Broncos colors! I could not pass this up! I had to buy some! Now I am making a scarf (so-called scarf pattern) in these colors for a fan.
This will be a gift to commemorate the start of football season.
I am holding two strands of this yarn together. Now the scarf is considerably longer than these pictures show.

DOT -- Copyright Violation!

Don't you love how heated those copyright discussions get in Ravelry?  Reading them makes me think I should let my mom know she violated my copyright!  She took my idea and made me the cutest totebag with a drawing of Lucy as a baby on the front.

And look at this lining.  Can you spot grown-up Lucy?

The day I got this was a good mail day.

Palmolive

When I was very young I stayed with my grandma after school until my parents got out of work.  Grandma liked to watch soap operas.  She called them her "stories".   During the stories there were always commercials for Palmolive.  An unsuspecting lady was soaking her hands in a green liquid while talking to Madge, her manicurist.  The lady was actually soaking in Palmolive!  When I finished these two green & green dishcloths I knew I had to get my friend some Palmolive to go along with them.  It matches the cloths and it reminds me of Grandma.

Hoobah

I finished my neck warmer thingy or hoobah as my boyfriend called it the last time I made it.  Its official name is Old Shale Smoke Ring.  Once again I used Mountain Colors Bearfoot, a really nice yarn.  I'm going to give this as a Christmas gift.  One gift finished and it's still July!

Blocking really brings out the lace pattern.

DOT -- Independence Day

Lucy celebrated the day by wearing her patriotic bandanna. (How we love the dollar section at Target for dog fashions!) One of her favorite events of the day was eating a pig ear.

I wonder if that pig ear is as good to her as bacon is to me? I imagine so.
Mmmm...pork! (We both say this in a Homer Simpson voice.)

Secret Pal 14 Questionnaire

I participated in Secret Pal once before and loved it. I am excited for this round to begin!


What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely not like?
Lately I have been loving wools or wool blends. I like almost anything except 100% acrylic or eyelash yarn.

What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
Most of them are in a big tin that used to hold Godiva dark chocolate-covered pretzels.

How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I learned over 20 years ago from the mother of a college friend. Then I didn’t knit for a very long time. I picked it up again about 3 or 4 years ago. I consider my skills to be intermediate.

Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
No.

What’s your favorite scent?
Lavender, citrus, vanilla, things like that. I like natural, not perfumey, scents.

Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Of course! Dark chocolate is my favorite, but not a good idea to send to hot Houston at this time of year. I like nuts, popcorn, Jelly Bellies, and just about everything else.

What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
Knitting is my only crafty hobby. I like to cook and bake also.

What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I am MP3 compatible. If my buddy wants to make me a CD, I’d be interested in hearing whatever she likes.

What’s your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can’t stand?
Blues and greens are my favorites, but I like all.

What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I have one big dog (a yellow Lab) and one kitty (a calico).

Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Sure!

What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Lately it’s shrugs, shawls, cowls.

What are you knitting right now?
A shrug from the Noro book Flowers and a cowl/smoke ring/neck warmer thingy.

Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Of course!

Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
My needle preference depends on the project.

Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
No. I wind my yarn the old-fashioned, by-hand way as I watch TV.

How old is your oldest UFO?
I recently picked up and occasionally work on a scarf I began about three years ago. It has beads which is why I think it is taking so long.

What is your favorite holiday? What winter holiday do you observe?
My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. In the winter I celebrate Christmas.

Is there anything that you collect?
Dust bunnies.

Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I subscribe to Interweave Knits and Vogue. Other magazines I pick up if they have something that interests me. I am not in search of anything specific.

Are there any new techniques you’d like to learn?
I still want to learn socks! I have patterns, yarns, needles, but I am intimidated.

Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Not yet. I wear a size US 7.5 shoe.

When is your birthday?
November 23

Are you on Ravelry? If so, what’s your ID?
Kathyr65

Neck Warmer Thingy/Hoobah

What is it with monogamy and me?  I just can't be monogamous to one knitting project!  I haven't finished my Noro shrug, yet I felt compelled to begin another neck warmer (Old Shale Smoke Ring).  In a way I should be proud of myself because I am getting a head start on Christmas knitting.  This will probably go to my mom.

I am using a very cute sheep stitch marker to note the beginning of a row.

DOT -- Shake!

There is nothing like a good shake as you come out of the pond at the dog park!