Saturday, December 08, 2007

Ten Sleeps

Some kittyfriends of Sparky asked for a knitted gift for Christmas to replace ones that got loved quite nearly to death.

When R & D got 'dopted into their new home, I sent a catwarming gift to them--a pair of handknit catnip mice. You can find the pattern for one of them here. The are other mouse patterns in Barbara Albright's Odd Ball Knitting (knit in the round) and in Deb Stoller's Stitch and Bitch Nation (knit flat and seamed). Wendy has also provided additional links on her pattern page.


This time around, I am using Albright's pattern and some well-aged (in my stash and in its previous owners' as well--thanks, Nanna!) Australian yarn, a blend of lambswool, angora, and nylon.

It's yummy stuff--just ask Sparky

But it's a creamy white, and I have a vision of what it will look like afer a couple days of being batted about on the floor (even in a house that is considerably cleaner than mine!)




And so, I decided to give it a tea-dye bath, but not before I knitted it up into an adorable mouse shape.

Here it is, getting ready for a swim in my tea mug.

(In the spirit of full disclosure, I filled my smallest stainless steel pan with cold water, two tea bags and mousy shape and brought the whole thing to just boiling.

Then I simmered gently for a few minutes, turned off the heat and let the water come back to room temperature before rinsing well. I laid it flat to dry on a towel, well out of the reach of curious felines. )






And here it is, all flat (waiting to be stuffed full of catnip) and tea-colored.

I'm pleased with the way it came out.

If we ever have leftover coffee, I might try dyeing the next ones that way.

I will be making several more of these. I think I have enough of the angora blend for about 5 total. I'll keep working with it until I start itching unbearably. So far, so good.

Then I'll break out the vintage Lett Lopi.





I know that I said I would be cleaning a bit.

Ironing is on my to do list.

No ironing was accomplished today for obvious reasons.

Little shopping was accomplished either. (This is why the Internet was invented, is it not?)

Tomorrow, I will iron. And clean.

Or not.

And maybe shop for books before my Borders Bucks expire.

Labels:


// posted by Ann @ 12/08/2007 06:43:00 PM
Comments:
Love all of your holiday knitting! I too should whip up a few of those mice for my feline friends at home!
# posted by Blogger Maureen : 11:16 AM
 
Yes, the internet was invented to prevent us from doing housework. Few things in life have been quite so successful. At least, that's the situation around here. Love your mousies!
# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : 11:34 AM
 
Nice mousie!

And yes, you can blog OR do housework. Not both. Now, if I could only find a way to take pictures for my blog that don't reveal the lack of housework...
# posted by Blogger Unknown : 11:55 PM
 
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