MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE......................

Still going..............

I'm still working on Julie's cape, I'd really like to have it done this week. I think I'm almost there.
In the meantime I'll give you a sneak peak of our new yarn "Stray Cat". This is a sport weight yarn with a lovely twist, and they should be going up on our site after the holidays (or sooner) so keep checking back.

Happy Birthday guys............

Happy Birthday to my own Bonnie and Clyde. You guys are making your momma feel old.
Original photo is still hanging on my wall.

New Colours...............

Another full week.........I'm not liking my job much this time of year. Too much mail, too many parcels, and too cold. Brrrrrrrr....but I still give service with a smile.

On another note.....2 days left for the Boss Cat's Birthday Blowout, and I just added 6 new skeins of Top Cat MCN to the line up. Link on the side bar.
We just got in a new shipment of Fluffy Cat and Fat Cat so Valerie and I will be collaborating this weekend. I guess I have to let her play a little too.

Dirty Thirty.....already.

Where has the time gone? These last 30 years have just flown by. My favorite daughter is turning 30.
So Valerie has decided to give presents instead of receiving. Look what she's doing.

**CONTEST**CONTEST**CONTEST**

In honour of Valerie's upcoming 30th birthday, we are celebrating with BOSS CAT'S BIRTHDAY BLOWOUT! A contest from December 1st - December 12th (Valerie's birthday!)

Rules
1)Contest starts at midnight, December 1st and ends at 11:59 p.m. December 12th (Eastern Standard Time)
2)Each item purchased within in that time period earns you one entry - so the more you buy the more chances you have to win!
3)There are three prizes packages - one for each decade Valerie has been around.
4)Each prize package will contain one (1) skein of yarn, one (1) set of stitch markers, and one (1) pattern for an original Wandering Cat Studio design (not yet published)
5) Enter as often as you like - Happy Knitting!

Here's a preview of some new colourways, come on over and check them out.

She made me do it.....

I wanted to keep these all to myself but that darling daughter of mine said I had to play nice and share.
So here you have it 6 new Top Cat MCN's. They'll be in the shop shortly.
Blackwatch, Sunflower, Wild Blue Yonder, Spring Meadow, Forest Floor, and Mermaid's Treasure.
I'm going to go pout now.

Wandering again...

New colours added to the shop, and we've lowered the prices on several items.
(LE: limited edition items, once they're gone, they're gone. These are base yarns we decided not to use.)


Valerie and I are working on a holiday surprise (contest) , so stay tuned.
I won't bore you with the pictures of progress on the Cape Coat. Let's just say it's going slowly.

My Little Red Riding Hood....

Miss "P"s cardigan is finally put together. I can't wait to get some photos with her in it.
Pattern: Finley by Marie Grace Designs
Yarn: Nashua Creative Focus Super wash 4 1/2-- 50g skeins
Needles: 5mm
I must say this is one of the finest patterns I have knit. Marie Graces' designs are well written and a pleasure to knit. I have several.

Another trip to Julie's this morning to pick up my next project. From Debbie Bliss's The Big Easy collection. I have 20 skeins of Luxury Tweed Chunky in a lovely chocolaty colourway in my hot little hands.

And a new project of my own I've been working on with Wandering Cat Yarns "Fat Cat DK".
This will be available in the near future......just wanted to give a sneak peak.

Another fine day....

These 2 lovely beauties were delivered to The Needle Emporium this afternoon.
Pattern: IshbelYarn: Dream in Color Knitosophy in "Superhero"
Needles: 4mmYarn: Malabrigo Sock in Rayon Vert

I must say I love them both and it was very hard to hand them over to Julie. I guess I'll just have to make one for myself.

And with having today off work I updated the shop with more of the "Wicked" line of Top Cat MCN sock yarn.Poison Apple, Witching Hour, Bad Moon Rising, Belladonna, and Sleepy Hollow.

I am just having too much fun. Now I'm off to put the toggles on Miss "P"s sweater and I'll post those pictures later.

A few more.......

I have a few more skeins of "Top Cat" MCN going into the shop tomorrow.
These are the "Wicked Series":

Love Potion, Witches Britches, Poison Apple, and Witching Hour!
And these ones are not going up......they're all mine. (I know, it's very selfish of me not to share but I really love them.)

Poseidon, Ruby Slippers, and Vineyard!
If you would like to hear more about "The Adventures of Knit Camp" check out Cookie A's blog. (I didn't know she was taking pics, I feel very honored.)

Update....

All the yarn is skeined and thanks to Valerie the shop has been updated with our new MCN fingering "Top Cat". This is an 80/10/10 SW Merino, Cashmere, Nylon blend. I have a skein already picked out that's not going on the site. It's mine, mine, mine.
I also did another 10 skeins on the weekend without Valerie, but they're a surprise. She hasn't seen them yet.

November already.....

Time is just slipping away too fast. But I did get a lot accomplished this weekend.
One Ishbel done, and the second one is started. This went pretty quickly and it's a well written pattern. I would have had it done sooner, but I think I ripped out as much as I knitted. I think I need to get my head out of the clouds and concentrate more.I'll post all the specs when the other is done and I get some post blocking pics.

This weekend was also devoted to "Top Cat". This is the newest member to the Wandering Cat Family. It's an 80/10/10 Merino/Cashmere/Nylon blend and oh so soft.
It went in like this:
And came out like this:
Once we have these skeined and named they will be uploaded to the shop, probably mid-week. So check back regularly.

I'm down....

from cloud nine, finally. Now, I can't wait till next year's knit camp.
And getting back to reality, Julie's got me knitting again. Up to bat..... 2 not 1 Ishbel's.
I had planned on making this one for myself, and haven't had the chance so I wasn't going to argue, especially when she showed me the yarn.
Dream in Color "Knitosophy" and Malibrigo Sock. Both my kind of yummy yarns.Miss "P's" cardigan is done and will get blocked tomorrow, and I'm on the hunt for buttons. I'll post pictures when it's totally complete.
I also finished my first sock that I designed in Cookie A.'s class from knit camp, and hope to start #2 soon. Then on to writing the darn thing out.
And I had some company this weekend. My girls are growing up too fast.

And, Wandering Cat Yarns received a shipment of yarn, so Valerie and I'll will be dying up some of our new "Top Cat" MCN this weekend, if all goes well. Stay tuned.

Cookie A. has left the building.......

I was told "What happens at knit camp, stays at knit camp".
But I had to share these of Cookie A.'s last day. A giant cookie in honor of Cookie.



Check out Julie's blog for other photos, I was too busy having fun.

I love October....

Yesterday was a full day. We decided to go to Owen Sound to visit the girls. After returning to the house twice in the first 1/2 hour to retrieve stuff Mr. D forgot, we were finally on our way.
First stop, the Apple store to pick up fresh apples for me and Jenn and the girls.
Second stop, to Julie's to drop off Bridgewater she so graciously let me borrow this lovely lady for photos,and I bought myself a little treat.Half-way there, we stopped for a pit stop and Mr. D realized he forgot the dog leash. You can see the pretty new pink one we stopped at the Farm Store for.Then finally on to see the girls...they've only been gone a week and I miss them too much.And this one is turning into quite a little camera ham. She's also picked up a shoe fetish just like the rest of the girls in my life. Do you think it might be in the genes?
I did get a a lot of knitting done in the car, Miss "P" will be pleased with how much I knit on her new sweater. I have a handy little light I can clip on my seat belt so I can knit in the dark while Mr. D drives
One last note, we are having 10% off at the etsy store in honor of Thanksgiving.

A little late......

but it's done and blocking!This pattern was such a pleasure to knit! I highly recommend it. The edging seemed to take the longest time, but Jared is a genius, everything worked out exactly.
I can only block it half at a time, so I'll take some artsy fartsy shots when it's all done.
Now, I will finish my Monkey socks before I meet Cookie A. and then onto Miss "P"'s cardigan.
Oh, and I might even get around to finishing my cardigan.

October already?........

Time just seems to be slipping away lately. Only 2 weeks till the Knitting Retreat, and I think I'll have Bridgewater done. Julie asked for pictures....here they are. I've done all my housework for today to I'm back at it. I'm hoping it will be done tonight and blocking tomorrow.
I've had a few interuptions along the way. My 2 girls moved up north so I've been a little distracted and sad lately, and this last edging is very tedious and I've ripped back several times.
I've been spending far too much time on Ravelry lately, mostly in the swap groups, but I've traded several yarns for new ones (maybe I'll actually knit some of them).
And lastly I dyed up the rest of our yarn this week and they are now available in our etsy store.
Introducing Fat Cat DK, 100% superwash merino. Perfect for hats, mitts and even baby items.Even Mr. Tibbs gave his seal of approval.

Reshoot...........

I just had to reshoot these today. I can't stop looking at them. I think I'll be doing these in our sock base as soon as it comes in.
Yes, Julie I'm still working on the shawl, only 2 sides left to go.

Update...........

Wandering Cat Yarns updated this morning. Slinky Cat Lace--Merino/Silk Lace, and the new Fluffy Cat--Alpaca/Silk/Cashmere.
Sounds like the Fluffy Cat might be Valerie's new favorite. Not sure how the other cats are going to feel about that.



I think the lace edging on Jared's shawl is taking the longest to finish. So I better get back to it.

OMG................

I darn near had a heart attack yesterday! The cord for my Knitpick circular needle popped out of the ferule and about 40 stitches came loose. ACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But being the professional I am, I managed to salvage and pick up the stitches on a spare needle and continue on. Good thing, there was no way I was ripping back 768 stitches.So now I'm starting the lace edging. Hopefully it should be done soon.

Crying in my beer....

I feel like I let the team down. Even with all my best efforts, I didn't finish the shawl for the Knitter's Fair, I'm still working on it. Life just keeps getting in the way.

Update....Labour Day Sale!!!

I just finished updating the shop with our latest colours.
We had a lot of fun with this batch. A few items that we thought were not going to fly, ended up being "Wow, I really like this one."
There are several here I didn't want to put up because I want them for me.So, in honor of the Labour Day weekend, we took 10% off our regular price on the Alley Cat Sock.
Next Saturday, Valerie is doing a local festival and will be taking all of our inventory from the shop. So if there's something you've been wanting, don't hesitate, because it may not be coming back from the show.

Now, I can get back to Jared's Shawl for Julie, and maybe I can finish my own sock.

Finally done!

Yes, it's finally done! Off the to Knitter's Fair you go.
I love the yarn. Lovely to knit with and blocks beautifully. My only real complaint with the pattern is the way the designer weaves in the coloured yarn while you knit the front. I found it takes too long, threw off my tension, and there's just way too much increasing and decreasing going on while you're trying to keep track of the colour sequence.
So, I threw that idea out the window and just knit the front with the main colour and took my darning needle and wove all those colours in.It probably took just as much time to weave it all in, but I still have my sanity.
Pattern: Uptown Downtown Jacket by Kim Hamlin
Yarn: Spud & Chloe Sweater by Blue Sky Alpacas
Needles: 4.5mm

Now Julie's got me on a deadline......with this.......Bridgewater.Who said miles and miles of garter stitch was relaxing!

More Monkey's......

I figured it was about time I should try our new base yarn Alley Cat Sock. I thought long and hard about what pattern to use to best show off the colours, and of course I came up with my favorite pattern. Monkey Socks! by Cookie A., but this time I'm doing them with no purls. (Julie inspired, thanks! it doesn't look like she finished the other one).
I started knitting with it and I couldn't believe how incredibly soft it is. I'm tempted to sell all my Lorna's Laces and just dye up my own from now on.
I'm just about ready to sew up the Uptown Jacket for Julie and I'll have pic's later this week.