Gloom

It was sort of a miserable day, starting off with an ambush of rain and me, on my way to Markham by TTC for a cardiac stress test. The first umbrella I took with me launched itself across the road, using the handle and main stem as a sling shot. Now, how does that happen...? So I stopped at Shoppers Drug Mart for a replacement. The prices make no sense at all - more expensive for a tiny, manual one.

For the past couple of years I've been passing an optical boutique in the underground concourse on my way to the subway. Last week I stopped to look at the frames and discovered the most unique, artistic designs, all from France. How come it's taken so long to come up with such delightful eyewear. So I now have a pair but it's hard to appreciate the 3-d structure from the picture. Even the case is snazzy. I feel compelled to get a second pair with the transition lenses so that I don't always have to change over to sunglasses.

When stocking up on catfood yesterday, I came across a laser light device for making the girls frisky and interested in some play. I don't even have to operate it - it moves the light around all by itself. Tayoh showed a bit of interest and tried to pick up the beam with her paw. Amber fell asleep on the sofa despite the beam landing on her forehead. Too old for play, I guess.

This and that

I just hate this sudden humidity. So I've shut all the windows and turned on the air conditioning. But I soon have to leave the apartment so my comfort is going to be short-lived. I'm getting irritable.
I am forcing myself each night to do at least one link of the chain maille bracelet. This is taking me 2 hours to actually add a link. At this rate...

The knitting is going much better. I finally finished the turtle neck sweater for the schnauzer. But I now realize that it can only be worn by a female since the underbelly is long enough to completely cover the male anatomy. Back to the drawing board. Every sweater in this one book can only accommodate the female anatomy.

He's a cute little guy, my mini schnauzer. A bit chunky too but the knitting will stretch. I'm now starting on a commission for a black, urban chic sweater for a chihuahua. Wonder if it's a boy dog...

Weekend of Classes

This weekend I attended some classes offered at the Canadian Bead Oasis Society. Carmi and I were together on Saturday for morning and afternoon sessions. Unfortunately, I just couldn't catch on to the Even and Odd peyote stitch. I was the only one in the class that was useless, much to my personal horror and I tried to cover up the mess I had made every time the teacher came by to help and she had a tremendous amount of patience. I wasn't much better in the afternoon for the Wire Wrap heart. The teacher had to help me a lot. But at least I finished the project and I'm keen to try more.
Today I went in for a chain maille class and it's been about 3 years since I last did this kind of a class. I quite enjoy the repetitive complex patterns - much like aran knit sweaters. But I now have terrible tremors because of my medication and for 2 hours I kept losing my grip of the smallest rings which are critical to making the links. Half my supply of silver rings was launched clear across the room. I should have finished the bracelet instead of making only 5 links. So I shall have to do a little each day before I forget the technique. It's called the 'vertebrae' and lies flat and fluid and is really gorgeous.
On the knitting front, I have completed the green ribbed sweater which Emily is modelling.

I've been commissioned to knit a black urban chic sweater for a chihuahua before the end of October so I must start that soon. I now seem to have several projects going on at the same time. It's fun and alleviates any boredom that may arise with one project or another. I could almost call myself a multitasker.

In days of yore

Last night while moving things around to search for accommodation for my growing stash of wool, I came across a collection of old magazines that had been bound in hard cover. My grandfather had done that and the magazines are in pristine condition. Liberty was a Canadian weekly publication sold for 5 cents and what I have is the collection for 1941. The ads are fascinating and amusing- lots of constipation complaints (politely called sluggishness, irritability, etc.). Lots of concern about body odours. War related stories, Hollywood news, fiction, and, at the beginning of each article, is a quote of how much time it should take to read the piece. One story was clocked at 28 minutes, 12 seconds. Anyway, I find it all makes me nostalgic for a time that wasn't mine at all but whose appeal makes me wish I had actually lived at that time.
If you click on the image, you can read the text.

Two pups rescued

Well today I did a good deed and rescued two pups from Science City. I've decided they would make perfect models for modelling the doggie sweaters. I took their measurements at the store and it turns out they're both a bit chunky. Most knitting will stretch though. I couldn't figure out how to dress the mini schnauzer as he is fixed in the seated position and it's hard to pull the legs into the sweater. I guess he'll be showcasing a different type of garment. Can you believe that Emily, the maltese, is shedding! She needs a good combing but now I'm reluctant. Maybe a bit of styling product would help. And Andy - I haven't forgotten you. I just need a few more samples before booking an appointment.





Emily is doing her first assignment in the princess sweater, complete with ruffles and sequins. It enhances her femininity, doesn't it?