Here, you see a rare, behind-the-scenes look at knitting here at Chappysmom.

A look into my actual knitting bag.

No, no, it’s okay. You can come closer!

Gather ’round, kids. It’s okay to get up close, you can even fondle the yarn.

(Well, virtually, anyway.)

Just, um, try not to drool or anything, okay?

  In the top left corner, there’s the child’s Placket Sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts, which I started last night. It’s only a couple inches long, but it’s already adorable.

Then (bottom right), there’s part two of my Peacock Feather Stole. I’m only on row 16, so this isn’t flying along, but at least, it’s moving. And, most important, she’s still quiet and demure–she hasn’t gotten to the diva-ish stage yet, like her big sister.

And, of course, there are my Calla Lily socks. I’m an inch or so away from starting the toe shaping, which means they’re almost done. I will say that, yeah, even though I keep trying different methods and patterns of socks, still, I really like toe-up the best. They’re so much easier to try on, for one, but still, these socks are just lovely. As usual, Sundara’s yarn is just gorgeous. The color, the feel of the yarn, the results . . . gorgeous.

 And, naturally, there’s the bag of notions. I keep mine in this great cosmetics bag I bought from the Container Store. It’s got two layers, and lots of little pockets, and so it stays a lot more organized than just a pouch, like I’ve used in the past. (I can’t help it, I love being organized. But hey, this way, I’ve got everything I could possibly need at all times, except perhaps a different size knitting needle.)

(Incidentally, speaking of great bags from the Container Store? I want this one for a knitting bag. It looks like it’s got the perfect shape that the canvas one I got from PlanetDog well over a year ago, but with extra pockets to keep things organized. It’s a lot like the satchel by Jordana Paige, only bigger (about the size of the one I’ve got), and since it’s microfiber, it’s probably a lot lighter. Of course, this one looks pretty practical, too, even if not as attractive–and about a third of the price . . . hmmm . . . )

I’ve actually gotten some spinning done this week, too. I keep making excuses to myself about not spinning more regularly, which is just absurd. The only thing keeping me from sitting at my wheel or picking up a spindle more often is . . . me. I mean, really, at this rate, it’s going to take me two more years to get through the roving I bought at Rhinebeck last year, and that just won’t do. It’s much too pretty to let it languish that long! Such a pretty dark gray/purple merino/silk blend. All these months later, I have one bobbin and a half bobbins worth of singles, and that’s it. That’s really just pathetic. Especially since I really can’t wait to see what it will look like when it’s plied!

Here’s the best picture of the night, though. For the first time in a week, Chappy pulled his nylabone out of his crate. He also greeted me at the door tonight with a toy in his mouth. He is still not himself, but he seems happier. Which, of course, makes me happier!

Which is good, right?

Thankfully, it was cooler today. Not cool, exactly, but cool-er. If Chappy had been feeling better . . . or, actually, he seems kind of okay and I might have risked it, since we could both use the exercise, but it was better to take it easy than to push things and risk another relapse, so . . . anyway, no, we did not go for a walk, even though it would have been doable. (And I’m assuming the panting he’s doing right now is just because it’s the end of the day and he’s tired–not because he’s sore and miserable again . . . just tired. I hope.)

I’m also glad that it’s cooled off because my wrist has been aching the last two days. I broke it way back in 7th grade (so I was, what, 13 years old?). You know how they talk about “weather-wise” aches in broken bones? “Oh, my leg is sore, there must be a storm coming.” Well, mine isn’t like that, at all. I go months, sometimes years, without a single twinge, but every once in a long while, it’ll just ache. Deep inside. Not the muscles. Nothing that interferes with how well it works. Not as strong as to qualify as “pain,” exactly, but enough to be a nagging distraction. And for whatever reason, hot, humid weather is one of the kinds that brings out the worst in my normally quite healthy wrist. This just happens to be my wrist’s turn to flare up. Lucky me! So, anyway, I’m glad the weather changed. Hopefully I’ll be able to wear my wristwatch tomorrow….

Tags: Chappy, Family, General, Knitting/Spinning // 9 Comments »