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.

Update...

All the new yarns have been updated at Wandering Cat Yarns.

Wee.....

Although I missed you on Saturday, Valerie, I had a lot of fun!
Just finishing up the last details and these will be up on the etsy shop this week!

Warning....whining......

Unfortunately there has not been enough knitting going on around here.
Between working and cleaning house, it seems I haven't had enough time to do the things I want to do.
But I'm just finishing off the last sleeve of the Uptown Downtown sweater, then I just have the ribbing and assembling to do.
So, I'll leave you with a few of my latest photos (one of the reason's my knitting is not done!) and now I'm off to dye some yarn.

Click on photo for larger view.

It's so pretty....

What more can I say...I had so much enjoyment knitting this one.
I love the pattern, I love the yarn. This is the first project I've knitted in a long time that held my interest, and I couldn't wait to see it finished.It really has me thinking about the construction of the Shetland Shawl. My wheels are turning!!!


Pattern: Aestlight Shawl by Gudrun Johnston
Yarn: Apple Pie by Apple Laine 3--50g skeins of Winters Dawn
Needles: 4mm
I'm still working on the sweater for Julie, just the sleeves and bands to do.

Shiny stuff....

That kid of mine is always surprising me.....looks what she's done now.You'll find some others too, in the etsy shop.

Update.....

I've learned in the last little while how hard it is to photograph reds and purples.
We've updated WanderingCatYarns with a few new colours, and I thought seeing as we're dying yarn, I should really stop admiring all the pretty colours and knit something with it.
All my projects on the needles right now, require concentration, and I have nothing to knit on our road trips.
So I started a small baby sweater from an old Patons book with one of my favorite colours, Strawberry Shortcake. The pictures do not do the colour justice. This one is in fingering weight, and it's knitting up quite nicely. I think I'm going to have to start some socks soon too.
Valerie, you might want to hide the Witching Hour, I've got my eye on it.

She made me do it....

That lovely daughter of mine did it to me again. She loves to push me. I've been stalling (for no good reason) about getting my pattern up on ravelry. So with a little help from my "friend" it's finally done.
This one's for you Rowan.....
Shawl Collared Baby Sweater
You can purchase on Ravelry for $4, if you're not on Ravelry you can email me at
davrhon(at)gmail(dot)com, and I'll send a paypal invoice and you'll receive the PDF within 48 hours.
I'll have it up in the sidebar soon.

Pretty in Pink....

Well Rowan, Gramma finally finished your sweater......I loved every minute of it. I hope you haven't grown too much and it will fit.
Pattern: Design A Cardi from Sirdar Book 353 Little Kisses
Yarn: Snuggly Kisses DK (754 Bon Bon) 3 -- 50g balls
Needles: 3.25mm, 4mm
All purchased at The Needle Emporium.
The only modifications I made was to put in 3 buttons instead of 2.
The pattern called for 2 balls for this size (1-2 yrs) but I ended up needing 3 to finish the neck and button bands.
Now, I'm back to working on the cardi for the store, oh, and I started something for me.
I couldn't help myself, I was cruising around Ravelry (dangerous place) and saw the Aestlight Shawl. When I saw it I knew I already had the perfect yarn, which I purchased at the K-W knitters fair a few years ago and never finished that project, so obviously it was meant to be.(that's what I keep telling myself)Lots of mindless garter stitch. So far perfect carry-a-long project.
Also Wandering Cat and I jumped back into the dye pot and did up some sock yarn for the etsy site, it was alot of fun.
It's drying now and hopefully will be on the site Monday or Tuesday.Don't forget about her contest, ending soon.

Stay tuned.

Contest....

Looks like WanderingCatYarns (etsy link--on my sidebar) is up and running! So to launch this off we're having a contest. So pop on over to WanderingCat's blog, leave a comment, link back to the contest on your blog and you're entered. Draw will be open till midnight Monday, July 13.

Moving right along...

I finished my socks just in the nick of time for the Cookie KAL this month. Oh the pressure!
I don't usually do stuff like that but the lure of winning sock yarn was just too much. (not that I need anymore)
Alas, I did not win, but I have another pair of socks.
Pattern: Sunshine by Cookie A.
Yarn: Lorna's Laces 2--50g balls of Sunshine (how appropriate)
Needles: 2.5mm dpns
I did do mods though. I cast on 72 sts and did K2P2 rib which flowed right into the pattern perfectly. I kept the pattern at 72 sts through the whole sock. Cookie's pattern has you cast on 60st, with a K2 P2 K1 P1 rib then increase to 80sts for the cable pattern.
Way too big for me. So keeping to the 72st worked fine, and decreasing at the toe to 32 across the final cable was perfect.
All in all a lovely pattern.
Now I back to Julie's cardigan (see previous post), I'm almost to the armholes, but it's just boring stockinette st. Nothing to see here folks.