Drive-By: Mini Popcorn!

Okay, this is not really popcorn. It's popped amaranth! While searching for ways to make this super food, I saw mentions of amaranth "popcorn." It's easy, too. Just heat up a dry skillet, add enough amaranth to cover the bottom of the pan (err on the side of not enough rather than too much), shake the pan, and watch the magic happen! It sounded like my pan was trying to stifle a polite cough.

The resulting popped amaranth is crunchier than popcorn. I'll be pouring the rest of it onto some yogurt.

The best part of this is that I feel like I'm Gulliver! See how my finger completely dwarfs the popped amaranth??? (Heh, I'm showing my cards as a not so tall person.)

I'm squirreling away acorns to share with everyone, but they'll have to wait until the never ending blanket is done. Whereas I thought that I only had 1 triangle to finish, the reality was that I had 2. Whereas I thought that I had 2 weeks to finish, the reality was that I had 1. I can only blame one of these errors on someone who shall not be named. :)

Expect a finished blanket in the next post!

We have takeoff!

Since Girl On Wheels teased me by posting a picture of a scrubbie she is going to send me for a swap, I am going to tease her with this:

Baby RoRo's parents are both pilots, so I wanted to design an old fashioned aviator cap! I toyed around with knitting some goggles, too, but since he's a Texan baby, he probably has eye protection that can be used instead. The pattern is my own, and perhaps someday I'll collect all of my baby patterns into a book or something. You know, let the hobby pay for itself, and then some. AKA: what every knitter and spinner wants to do!

Here's another shot of the hat in the wild. As you can see, I'm loving my new throne. I sit in it and spin, knit, and daydream. I'm sure that this chair is infused with creative juices, which is much better than being infused with digestive juices (which is on my mind as I drink my morning coffee on an empty stomach).

I cannot wait to see this hat on RoRo, but it is going to have to wait because I still have a dishcloth to knit and send in the package. So, pthhhhbbbttttt! I can tease you too, Girl On Wheels.

Never mind that the reason GOW is teasing me is because she went into labor, and then subsequently had a baby, during the time she was knitting me the scrubbie. I was thinking about making it into an amulet and letting my other pregnant friend borrow it as some extra insurance for a speedy delivery when her due date nears.

In other fibery news, I finished another pair of Lace Jaywalkers, this time for my MIL. Unfortunately, she's been diagnosed with breast cancer, which means that very soon there will be many battles for her to face. :( I'm hoping that these socks will give her a bit of luxury during these taxing times.

Notice that pictures like the ones above are why people buy sock blockers. Here's a closeup of the stitch pattern. I stuck the sock on my hand to take this picture. It just feels wrong to stick my feet into someone else's sock, not to mention that we don't have the similarly sized feet anyway.

The yarns for both of these projects were to die for squishy and soft. The hat was knit in RYC Cashcotton, which has a little bit of cashmere and angora in it. Just enough softness to make me involuntarily pet it. The sock yarn is Shibui. So far, Shibui is my most favorite sock yarn!

I know I should be posting more details about both projects, but I think I'll save them for my Ravelry page.

I'm going to try really hard to only work on the neverending blanket. It's hard, though, because it is not portable at this point since it is almost 5 feet all around. What kills me is that I start a portable project, like a sock, then I become so engrossed in it that I knit on said sock and ignore my little garter stitch blanket. Well, no more! I resolve to get this damn thing finished! I also have one more blogoversary gift to knit. Maybe I can allow myself that as my 1 portable project.

Drive-By: New Glasses

By day, she's a mild mannered German Shepherd. She spends her days sleeping and keeping the cats in line.


By night, she's Super Vespa! Able to leap buildings in a single bound!


By day, he's a lazy dog who falls asleep while trying to read the newspaper. Never mind that he can't even get through the Sunday comics without snoozing.


By night, he's Super Mingus! Able to catch flies with his tongue!

Where are their capes?

And the cat beret craziness continues...

It's normal to check Ravelry over and over again to see if there are new photos of cats wearing hats, right?

Asappa sent me this hilarious collage of her cat, Mingus (good taste in pet names, eh?), who has a new head ornament. I love how Mingus' face conveys so many different emotions: humiliation, resignation, and the always classic "you better watch your back, lady!" look.



Stringcat was one of the first persons to cast on for the cat beret and to complete it. She just posted pictures of Thunder, and I think she's so cute!



Spotted on the net: LOL cats with the Thai hat.

If you have pictures of your critters rockin' an International Cat Hat, please send me a picture or a link! They totally make my day.

Introducing my throne

Here it is! While visiting the parental units (PU, for short) a couple of weekends ago, the boy and I noticed this chair sitting outside a furniture store. I walked by again. And again. And I sat on it. The boy tried to sit in it, but like Goldilocks, I was the only one who fit in it just right. After some hemming and hawing, and a shove from an old friend who has experience enabling me, we decided to bring the chair back to our home turf.


I adore it. It is the root ball of a Chinese fir tree, turned upside down for my sitting pleasure. The cats refuse to sit on it. The dogs can't curl up in it, therefore they hate it too (but thankfully, Mingus does not think it is a tree for him to pee on). In other words, I have finally found something that I like and no one else in this house can claim. Happily, it is at the right height for my spinning wheel, too!


And look what a nice backdrop it makes for pictures! By the way, this soap is made from goat's milk, and it comes in lovely scents like peppermint and almond. Xine asked me if I would be willing to trade some Mingus yarn for some of her homemade soap. I can attest that her soap is luxurious and lovely! The next time I make gift baskets, some of her soap is going in the mix!

The little mouse is my favorite form factor of the three.

Can you believe I went away this weekend with the dogs and I forgot my camera? Oh well, that means that you get yet another shot of Fifty doing what Fifty does: stare out into space. I promise some dog pictures soon!

Of shoes and cats

April was a month for starting and finishing small projects. I participated in round 2 of a washcloth swap, and I received a lovely new blanket for Greaseball! It is even more special because this is topdoggie's first ever dishcloth! Isn't it beautiful?


I sent off a NunuYaya dishcloth designed by Amoral Fiber. It was a quick, easy knit that leaves you wanting to make more! I knit my washcloth on US size 8 needles with Sugar 'n Cream's Ombres & Prints in the colorway Swimming Pool.


My swapee, Myla, had her lovely cat Oscar model his new cape. He looks stunning, as always. His "I'm. So. Pissed. Off" look is a textbook example. Wee kittens everywhere should study his icy glare. He should be proud.

In April, I also finished up these Jaywalkers for moi. The yarn Depth Charge from Pigeonroof Studios, purchased at the Article Pract booth at Stitches West. Since Jaywalkers are notorious for being a tad too tight around the ankle, I modified the stitch pattern a bit to make Lace Jaywalkers. They slip on and off like buttuh!


Of course, new socks means new shoes. I found these clear Sketchers on sale! Plastic shoes usually means sweaty feet, but these shoes have plenty of vents. I do feel I need to put my hair in piggytails and do loop de loops on the playground bars, but I do love showing of my socks. No longer will my shoes cover up all my hard work! LOOK AT MY SOCKS! LOOK AT THEM! (Everyone feels that way after finishing a pair, right?)


Hm, I never noticed before that the pattern on top of Fifty-Fifty's head is very similar to our hardwood floors.


I also bought myself a throne, but that is for another post. Have a good week, y'all!

International Cat Hat: Japan

The Tilden Park Scarf is an easy ruffled and ruched infinity scarf that adds a feminine touch to any outfit.

 
Yes, I am aware that technically this is an International Cat Mask, but I couldn't resist the lure of the ninja. Besides, cats are natural ninjas. They are sneaky, stealthy, and when provoked by wild spiders, they are swift assassins.

This mask is knit starting at the eye hole and ending at the ear holes. Much like a toe up sock, the beauty of this ninja mask is that, cat willing, you can try it on your cat as you knit and adjust the pattern as you go. I'll give you an outline of what I did, but unless your cat has the same head size as Fifty-Fifty, you'll have to modify the pattern.

As much as I hated to do it since I was aiming for an easy pattern, I added some short row shaping to the lower part of the mask. Without it, the mask wouldn't lay flat against my cat's head. You can see pictures of my earlier attempt here. Round 2 of this pattern is a doozy, but if you get through it, you'll be rewarded with your very own ninja cat.

Don't forget to check out my other free patterns listed on the sidebar!

Materials
• 60 yards of DK or worsted weight yarn. I used Tahki Cotton Classic because it's in my stash.
• 2 US size 8 circular needles, any length, OR size needed to achieve gauge. US size 8 DPNs may also be used instead of 2 circular needles
• 4 stitch markers
• Row counter
• Tapestry needle

Special Skills Needed
• Knitting in the round
• Yarn over short rows
• Making two row button holes
• Whip stitching

Gauge
• 5.75 stitches = 1 inch on US size 8 needles in stockinette stitch

Finished Measurements
Finished hat circumference is roughly 9 inches near the ear holes and 7 inches near the eye holes. To adjust the hat’s circumference, increase or decrease the cast on number of stitches.

Abbreviations
[ ] repeat instructions between brackets
bo bind off
co cast on
k knit
k2tog knit two stitches together
ktbl knit through the back loop
M1L make one left
M1R make one right
p purl
rnd round(s)
ssk slip one stitch knitwise, slip next stitch knitwise, then knit stitches together through their back loops
sts stitch(es)
YO yarn over

Directions
CO 40 sts onto one US size 8 circular needle (needle A). Slip 20 sts onto the other needle (needle B). Join to knit in the round.

I used the cable cast on instead of the long tail cast on because it looks better and it is not as stretchy. Remember, this is the mask's eye hole.

rnd 1: k all sts
rnd 2: On needle A, k all sts. The rest of the instructions for rnd 2 are all for needle B.
On needle B, k until 3 sts before the end of this needle, turn. Working yarn is now forward.
YO on the right needle by wrapping the working yarn one full revolution counterclockwise around the right needle.*
P until 3 sts before the end of needle B, turn. Working yarn is now back.
[YO on the right needle, k until 1 sts before the first YO, turn.
YO on the right needle, p until 1 sts before the first YO, turn.] Repeat one more time. You are now on the knit side of needle B with your working yarn in the back.
K until you reach a YO. k2tog 3 times (each time knitting a YO and the sts next to it), k until the end of the needle.
*Um, say what? Just pretend that you're doing a regular YO. Sure, your working yarn is attached to your left needle after the turn, but don't let that confuse you. Some knitting instructions call this a reverse yarn over. I find that term really confusing so I omitted it, but I felt obliged to mention it just in case you are already familiar with this technique and were confused by my lack of "reverse yo" terminology. Carry on, knitters, carry on.
rnd 3: On needle A, k all sts. On needle B, k2 sts, ssk 3 times (each time knitting a regular stitch and a YO), k until the end of the needle.
rnd 4-13: k all sts.
rnd 14: On needle A, k1, M1L, k until 1 sts from end of needle, MIR, k1. On needle B, k all sts.
rnd 15: k all sts.
rnd 16-19: Repeat rnd 14-15 two times. Needle A has 26 sts. The basic idea here is to knit until your mask reaches the front of your cat's ears when the eye hole is aligned correctly.
rnd 20: On needle A, k3, bo 8 sts, k4, bo 8, k3. On needle B, k all sts.
rnd 21: On needle A, k3, co 8, k4, co 8, k3. Use backward loop cast on. On needle B, k all sts.
rnd 22: k all sts.
rnd 23: Loosely bo all sts and cut yarn, leaving a 6 inch tail.

Finishing
For maximum ninja appearance, whip stitch about 1/2 cm of the eye hole at each end. You can skip this step, but I found that the eye hole puckered in quite an unsightly, un-ninja like manner without seaming outer edges. Weave in all ends.

If you make this, as always, I'd love to hear from you and see your ninja cat!

http://spindlesandspices.blogspot.com

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Ninjas and cats do not mix

Some days, I feel like chucking my knitting needles across the room and plugging in a sewing machine. There are more than a few problems with this urge, like I don't have a sewing machine, I don't know how to sew, and I love my Addi Turbos too much to throw them, but my frustration level has been rising.

Why? Well, because of this:



The ninja cat mask is just not going to happen. I've tried 6 different iterations of this mask, and it none of them look quite right. My cats look like they are Hannibal Lecter or surgeons ready to operate. Either way, they don't look very ninja-like.

Greaseball is happy that I am moving to the next idea and giving up on this one.

At least I learned a few useful tricks, like the cable cast on and a one row button hole. Perhaps they'll surface in one of my patterns at another time.

Amidst this frustration, a few nice surprises greeted me. Patwoman finished her cat beret for Gracie. It's so exciting to see another cat furmiliated!

Also, Meera made me some ubercute finger puppets and sent them my way. Rest assured that the number of leggy bits on the squid is correct, for she had wikipedia on her side.

Octopus and Squid came into my house and started to play Heart and Soul.

They really need to learn a new song.

ETA: This failure to come up with the perfect cat ninja mask is eating me up inside. I'll keep on working on it so I can hopefully post a pattern for y'all... Sheesh! The pressure!

Meet Spud

While honing my gathering instinct, I found Spud.

I can hear your mocking comments. "What's so special about him? Potatoes are a dime a dozen!" Well, allow me to correct you. First of all, potatoes around here are $0.85 per pound. He's an organic potato, after all. Secondly, take a look at Spud next to Fifty-Fifty, my 9 pound cat.


Yes, folks, Spud is freakishly huge. He can feed the boy and I for dinner, and those of you who know me and the boy know that we are not the daintiest of eaters. Even Greaseball had to give Spud props.

Spud and his friend really want to be French fries when they grow up.

I'm going to miss him when he's gone.

Best Blogoversary Present Evah

Look, Greaseball is a star! Craft: Blog had a blurb about the International Cat Hat series, and Greaseball got his 15 minutes of fame. Reactions around the wildtomato household varied.


Greaseball: I knew it. I knew I would be a star. All the other animals here are just posers and haters. I'll just continue to stay up here on top of the cat tree and look down on all of you.

The boy: OMG, my cat is famous! Greaseball, you're a famous cat! Hey, notice how I always pick the cutest pets?

wildtomato: Look, my blog got 720 hits at 5:31 PM! At 8:43 PM it got 834 hits! At 10:55 it got...

Mingus: It's no big deal. Greaseball thinks he's all that and a bag of chips, but he isn't. I'm the real star here.

Vespa: Why is everyone in a different spot? Must. Maintain. Order.

Fifty-Fifty: Call me when this all blows over, 'kay? I'm getting hate mail from other cats demanding to know how I could let this disgrace continue under my nose. Cats are supposed to be dignified. I let my species down and I'm supposed to be proud of it?