Random Monday

1.  I finished the blue scarf last night.  It's gorgeous, but it's still drying and I have no photo.  

2.  Man, did that thing bleed dye.  It dyed my hands while knitting it, and it required several rinses to get the water to run clear after I washed it.  I guess that's the thing with natural indigo.  I'm curious what color it is really going to be when it dries.  Stonewashed denim, perhaps?

3.  I was so bored when I finished it, and wanted to knit something.  And yet, the thought of picking up the needles seemed daunting.  So I didn't.

4.  I looked at a lot of things, though -- some already on the needles, some new, of course. We are such promiscuous people, we knitters.

5.  I'm pleased that "normal people" (I mean by that, of course, the nonknitting masses) on the street stop and ask about and compliment Mr. Jefferies' handknit sweaters.  You know what I finally figured out?  (Well aside from the fact that he is just a people magnet, that is...)

 

It's because the sweaters are made of classic, sophisticated, neutral colors, they are extra-cute by virtue of that, and they notice that. Why do pet stores only sell hideous neon things with cut-out dog bone designs or hearts -- or something equally fugly?  These things are NOT CUTE, people.  I'd like to see more baby sweaters like this, too -- sophisticated, classic, tasteful.  

6.  I did a lot of test practice over the weekend.  Just when I think I'm getting all the answers right on a consistent basis, I'll run into a section where I get most of them wrong and become completely deflated. Humbling. 

7.  I think I can, I think I can.  

8.  Saw the movie "Australia" over the weekend, and liked it a lot. The kissing scenes with Hugh Jackman had something to do with it.  

9.  Sometime soon I am going to start the "fake" Fair Isle sweater for my mother.  That's the one I blogged about a while back, the one she bought as a kit many years ago, but had lost the pattern for.  The Fair Isle yoke portion is done as a part of the kit, and I just have to knit the sweater and put it together.  I might be delusional to think I could get it done in time for Christmas.  It's skinny Shetland wool, skinny needles.  I was able to get the pattern (twice, actually) from people who read the blog.  How amazing is that? My mom nearly fell over when I told her.

10.  I'm very happy with the growing donations to the Red Scarf Fund, and a big thanks to Rabbitch for sending over several more donors.

11.  I love the way the blog redecorating came out, and every time I look at it I think I love it more.  It makes me happy. 

12.  That's about all I've got.  Have a great Monday.

Comments

[Kristen]

7. I know you can. I know you can. I know you can!

[gayle]

Aw, Kristen beat me to it...

[tayloe]

Love the new look-if anyone can do it(pass the Lsat-you can)I'm sure you can still do it too??!! Love Mr. Jeffries and his darling sweaters and if I wasn't on dial up I would tell you more often! Mailed 2 scarfs with 2 starbucks cards off to Red Scarf -my daughter has been in college now since Aug. it was an adjustment-what she loves more than anything is the new world of coffee drinks who knew?

[sandy]

Perhaps you need to start your own line of dog sweaters. Tasteful to the Bone! :)
LX

[Carole]

You are so right about the dog sweaters in the pet stores. Ugh!

[AnnaMarie]

My girls have let me know that dog store sweaters are out of the question but Norma sweaters would be considered.

[ruth]

Mr. Jefferies is beyond adorable in that sweater. He has good taste in owners, too.

[Jennifer]

Ooh - I love random Monday. Love the sweater... and Mr. Jeffries. You can do it. We know you can. Can't wait to see the fake fair isle in progress. OK - that's enough random compliments for one morning. Have a good one!

[ann]

Mr. J is the best dressed dog in St. A- for sure! I love the blog!I like the natural dog look rather than the garish cutesy one!

[Adelaide]

You are so right about dog sweaters and about baby things. When I make baby quilts, I make small traditional quilt blocks in traditional fabrics -- don't use the "cute" novelty fabrics in garish colors. That's not me. But I do like cute dogs and Mr. Jefferies definitely falls into that category.

Study hard, N. You are doing something very, very smart.

[Patty]

Love the blog re-design too. Has the bridge to nowhere up there put a bee in your bonnet? Saw an article (did not read it!) in the Globe this weekend.

[Stacey]

Happy Monday Norma! It'll all click at some point. Swears. :D

[Jean E.]

Do you think it is possible to study too much and make yourself nervous about all the scary possibilities? Maybe you should lay off the studying and knit more cute dog sweaters. Mr. Jeffries will need one for every day of the week for sure.

[LaurieM]

I'm in entire agreement with you on the dog sweaters. I've got a muscular, deep chested boxer and I refuse to put him in a rugby shirt or any of the other ridiculous styles that are out there. On the other hand, I'm not thrilled with the idea of knitting him a sweater since he is such a big boy.

I tried buying him a reflective collar the other day and the only options were a lavender purple or a baby blue. One had bubbles on it and the other had bones. They looked like they were for babies.

[Robby]

Is Indigo the new black? I see it here, I see it over at MDK and someplace I've already forgotten. I must be wrong, I wouldn't know a fashion trend (knitterly or otherwise) if it ran me over with a truck. Can't wait to see your FO.

[Stephanie]

Before I even finished reading #5, I was thinking to myself "and baby sweaters." As the mom to two boys, I much prefer the simple, classic things over the cutesie crap.

[Sandra]

totally agree about the dog and baby sweaters. I haven't ever knit a dog sweater, but if one was ever requested, I'd dhow them pics of Mr. J as an example of what I would knit. And babies deserve so much better than pastels and cutey-poo designs. I only make Fair Isles and cables, in heathered beautiful colours!

[Mary Fran]

As the scarf for our favorite summer sitter is blocking, I'm at that delicious phase of knitting as well, the "what do I want to do next?" I have two sweaters for ME begging to be cast on. Or do I want to do some Christmas present handwarmers real quick? Or maybe finish the socks for my daughter before her feet grow too big? A hat or mittens for the kids with the leftover yarn from their Wallaby's? AHHH, I'm savoring my indecision.

[marianne]

I've not looked at store dog attire but can well believe it'd be ugly (there's more than plenty of ugly human clothes out there) and totally agree with the baby/kid knits too.
Not only, "Yes, you can" but "Yes, you will", You Will. xox

[Renee]

I really like your new blog look too.
You can, you can.
Happy Monday to you too!

[Cheryl S.]

You're totally right. Your doggie sweaters are much more attractive than the ones in the stores. Very classy.

[Lucia]

Happy Monday to you too! Hey, I make you deal: I'll donate again to Red Scarf if you'll donate to Pine Street Inn.

[Mercuria]

Sophisticated and not-stupid looking dog sweaters? I would have called it impossible.

Now? I feel strange seeing Mr. J in your new banner... because he's naked.

[Joannah]

Mr J is a dog with very good fashion sense. Love how he looks in his sweaters.

You are going to do well on the LSATs. I just know it.

[Seanna Lea]

Mr. Jeffries is styling in his hand knit sweater. I love the classic look, and try to knit most things that way. The garish mostly hits me over the head when I make myself socks.

[Bams]

agree (eleventybillion) on the baby sweaters. Mr. J looks fabu!

[Donna]

Mr. J looks great in the new sweaters. I agree with others - you need to design a line of stylish dog sweaters. I am sure Mr. J would love to be the top model for them.

[Cookie]

Of course, you can. Stop being silly.

It reminds me of clothes for children. Brightly colored and beyond tacky. It's like the buyers and designers have never thought of classic and tasteful as options. feh

[Sarah]

I keep thinking about that sweater for your mom. It seems that it will follow with the classic sweater theme you have going with Dr. Jefferies' sweater collection.

[Heather]

The blog makeover is quite nice. I love the series of sweaters that you have made for Mr. J. I love that shade of Buffalo Brownski.

[claudia]

I so love that dog. Extra-cute sweater, indeed.

[elizabeth a airhart]

we are all adorable don't you think

[Lorette]

You'll do great. That Mr. J. is just the cutest pup.

[sandy]

OR! (Even better) Warm to the Bone! Yes, I like that one better.
LX