Random Little Snippets (With an Updated Red Scarf Total)

1.  Mr. Jefferies' brown sweater had to be repaired yesterday. A piece of the crochet edging came loose and I did the stupid thing: Pulled. So I spent umpteen hours yesterday pulling out the rest of the crochet edging (I was having a dickens of a time finding all the ends that I so expertly wove in) and redoing the edge. I took this opportunity to make the tummy band a bit wider, so then I had to move a couple buttons, too. I see now that I need to knit him another long coat, for times when one is either being washed or repaired. The next one will be blue, I think. I've got just the right wears-like-iron Vermont wool yarn, and I might even branch out and use a different pattern, or maybe even make one up. Dude, that dog sure is high-maintenance. And I am a bit insane.

 

2.  I'VE HEARD GREAT NEWS about the quality of the red scarves received this year!!!!!  We've finally done it! My message of "we don't need more scarves -- we need more NICE scarves" -- has finally gotten through. The number of scarves received stands at 2,697, which is a bit short of our goal. I know others are coming in, and if you have one completed that you were holding to 2010, please consider sending it in now.  But the best news for me is that the quality is HIGH, and the gift card/cash/stamp donations included with the scarves has amounted to $4,417.20 so far. Go us! Thank you for all your help, everyone! 

3.  Is anyone willing to sew something for me? I have this wonderful light-medium-weight denim fabric -- my skirt that I ripped a long time ago. It's not repairable as a skirt because the rip is in the fabric, not the seam, in the back. (I suppose I could go the patchwork route, but .... no. Not my style.) It is truly very nice denim fabric, and I've held onto it because I'd like to see it repurposed into a bag or bags (small and/or large) of some sort -- nicely lined. I'm just not good with the sewing machine. Let me know if I can send you this thing and if you'd like to turn it into something useful for me. [Yay! I have a taker!]

 4.  My arm and shoulder are still bothering me, but a couple days' rest and a hair cut and color that caused David to stop mid-sentence to say, "Damn, you look foxy!" has done much to improve my mood. (Thanks, Katie!) 

5.  I know you want a picture, but I don't have a new one. It's almost exactly like my Facebook avatar. Katie was able to finally replicate the color exactly, and the cut is pretty much the same. So for those of you not on Facebook:

And there's a hoot of a story about that. About three weeks ago, I was logged into Facebook and David walked into the room. He saw the page and said, in honest amazement, "She looks A LOT like you." I looked at him; thought he was teasing. Nope. He was serious and really didn't know it was my picture he was looking at. 

5.  After the dog sweater repair, and with the arm feeling slightly better, I was able to do a teeny bit of knitting on the Calmer sweater, which has now become mine. My daughter's reaction to it was lukewarm, so I'm going to keep it myself. I tried it on last night and it really would have been too big for her anyway. Now I can keep on trying it on as it's knitted, to get the fit just right. Fingers crossed it turns out to be what I hope. I already ripped back several inches so I can take in the waist a bit more. Or not. I'm trying to decide if I want it to be so severely fitted or not.

6. And cripes, yes, I started a new Mr. J. sweater while watching some TV last night. It's blue and eggplant-like. I wanted to do stranded knitting to make it thicker and warmer. I just used the mindless "salt & pepper" pattern that I first saw in some traditional folk mitten book, the name of which is escaping me at the moment. Fox and Geese and ... you know, that one. It looks fine and I'm pretty happy with it, but the two colors don't seem to have as much contrast as I thought they would. They sort of blur together into a subtle tweedy effect. Not exactly what I'd hoped for, but I'm not changing it now.

That funkiness in the center is the leash hook buttonhole.  I'm not even sure if this thing is going to fit, as I'm totally making it up as I go along. Criminy.

7. I keep rereading your comments on this week's Terrier Tuesday post. They make me smile and laugh over and over. I can remember when I started that series, I thought everybody would hate it after about three times. But now I worry that I won't be able to come up with more. I should say HE won't be able to come up with more. *ahem*

8. Given how paranoid I was that I was going to catch something in New York City, I decided to go and get the H1N1 shot yesterday. At least that is one thing I (hopefully) won't get. One less thing to worry about. I got the seasonal flu vaccine a few months ago, as well. So if I get anything, it probably won't be the flu. Then again, I don't think I have ever had the real flu in my life. People tend to throw that term around, "I got the stomach flu," "I have the flu bug," but I am quite sure that none of the illnesses I've had over the years have been The Flu -- just various other viruses. Anyway, now I've had all my shots, just like Mr. Jefferies. You could board me in a kennel with the other dogs bitches foxes, and I probably wouldn't even get Bordatella. 

Comments

[Elaine]

If a lined denim tote is what you are looking for, I may be able to help. My machine can handle denim (cripes! this machine would fly me to England if I knew how to program it correctly!); I have made many, many totes (even two from repurposed never- finished sweaters)... I can send photos if you'd like. I'd be happy to help.

[Geri]

Thanks for the Red Scarf update! I did just finish a 2010 scarf so I'll send it along. Mr. J. certainly is a bit metro-sexual. Does he have the urge to exfoliate? Keep the stories coming they are just too cute!

[gayle]

Seems like dog sweaters would make great "swatches" for testing new techniques/patterns. How about a reversible double-knit sweater next?
He probably wouldn't appreciate lace, though...

[Kym]

So glad to hear about the scarves! :-) As for Terrier Tuesdays, I have a feeling Mr. Jefferies will just keep those anecdotes cranking for you. He's got ... personality!

[Mujercita]

Mr. J is just too, too adorable- you'll never run out of material with that cute little face around!

I love your knitting posts, but the Terrier Tuesday posts are my absolute favorites.

[Jennifer]

Glad to hear you are all vaccinated. Kennel Cough is no fun. Count me as another one who enjoys the Terrier Tuesday's as much as you other posts!

[marianne]

You know well how I love Mr.J.
YAY!!! for well knit/handcrafted Red Scarves!
Glad to hear Katie got the colour down (I just know she made notes, right?!?) because.. well, you're damned foxy anyway but dayum, that's some outstanding colour! lmao re: David. too funny!
You keeping the Calmer sweater... heeee :^D (YAY!)

[Joannah]

I'm absolutely in the Mr J fan club. I also really like the terrier fashion updates. The tweedy look of the stranded coat looks very fine. Subtle, and fine! And, I'm glad to hear the quality scarf count is getting so close. YAY!

[margaret]

sorry about your soreness - it too shall pass - did you see my blog post tagging Mr. Jeffries? check it out http://knitching.blogspot.com

about the "flu"? don't worry - we NYers never get sick - we develop immunities just by being around so many people ;p

have a relaxing weekend!

[Erika]

I got The Flu about 5 years ago. And yes, people throw that term around way too loosely, if you ask me.

Re crocheted edgings, I don't do those. Instead I do what Kay (Mason Dixon Kay) recommended when I asked her about her dishcloth edgings: pick up and knit 3 stitches, CO one stitch, pick up a stitch, CO one stitch, and so forth. Works a treat!

[Tish]

Love the Mr J updates. "He" is a very clever correspondant and my 9yo daughter especially loves "his" videos (and is pushing harder than ever for a Mr J of her own!). Have you seen the new Berrocco Sox shades? Look at the one called "Miller". Color combo can't be a coincidence. (Whoa! Alliteration much?) http://www.berroco.com/shade_cards/sox_sh.html
Also yarn.com (Webs) has Calmer on sale just in case you need some more. :)
Fox and Geese... is Robin Hansen's book. I've knit umpteen pr of her Sunny's Mittens (Lovikka) including 3 pr in the last 2mths. I love Mr J's coat fabric so maybe I'll branch out into something from Fox and Geese..

[claudia]

Good hair is really, really important.

And that is good hair.

[Jen B]

I'll drop my 1st 2010 scarf in the mail this afternoon. Glad to hear about the improvement in quality.

I'm of the opinion that plenty of water & sleep can prevent just about anything - my 6 year old had suspected H1N1 & my immune system managed to keep it at bay.

[Jennifer]

Yeah for the great Red Scarf Update!!!

I love the comment about "hey, she looks a lot like you" - I wonder if he's thinking of befriending that foxy lady. ; )

Congrats on your great work. It's really amazing what knitters can do - especially with a wonderful leader like you. Woot!

[Rosemary]

I noticed a big Calmer closeout sales on discontinued colors at Webs last night and thought of you. Click http://www.yarn.com at your own risk.

[Cheryl S.]

I agree that many people who claim they have "the flu" really don't.

As far as I know, I've only had the flu once - when I was a kid. I don't remember how old I was, probably 8-10, and all I remember is aching all over and lying on the couch.

I've only had a flu shot a couple of times, because it doesn't seem worth it if I never get it anyway.

[Seanna Lea]

I have to wonder if a bigger dog needs a coat as much as Mr. J. His sweaters are better looking than some of the ones I've knitted for myself!

[Robby]

Thanks for the red scarf update. Hmmm, I have a scarf that blocked itself at 8.5" wide, but it isn't too thick. Wonder if I should send it?

As for the flu, if you aren't sure, you don't have it. I've had it twice in my life and it was like being run over by a bus. Otherwise, I'm almost never ill, or even 'under the weather'. Stay well!

[Elizabeth in Brookfield]

I have Robin Hansen's Fox and Geese book, and her first one "Maine Mittens". I go to them over and over. What is the wars-like-iron VT yarn, which sounds like a sturdy-mitten yarn? I've been using Bartlettyarn.

[Mary]

Random snippet #5 had me in stitches. Totally something my husband would do...if I actually let anyone take my picture.

As for Mr J...he always gives me a smile or laugh on Tuesdays. Keep 'em coming.

[Brandy]

Isn't it funny how the dog sweaters are so fun? They are like potato chips... The Terrier Tuesdays make me a little more normal. I got a Chihuahua a little over a year ago (never had a dog before) and am totally loving it!

Perhaps you should consider the FluMist. Our family has been doing it for years with no problems. I don't think I'll ever go back to the shot. It's really hardly noticeable.

[elizabeth a airhart]

good news just very good news

every one take an on line blue ribbon

handsome scarfs gayles page is great

thank you we read you first then

came jeffries and the saga of mr
jeffries began pbs next

[Cookie]

Regarding #4: I just hurt myself laughing.

[Linda "K"]

Um...Norma? Didn't your suitcase have wheels? You GOT to have the wheels. Or was it just galumphing up stairs and stuff? Re the hole for the leash in the sweater - I bet a one-row buttonhole would work a treat for that and they are so strong! This is my fave: http://www.knittingonthenet.com/learn/bh5.htm

Works great as thumb hole on plain tube wristwarmers but you have to make bigger since it's so firm.

I'm starting in January this year so red scarves will not wait until December.