Knitting Dragonflies

I have two big dogs, lab mix, litter mates. Super sweet and funny. About two years ago my male dog, Syd, had a Mast Cell Tumor and surgery to remove it.( see previous post ), We have been tumor free since then, however, about a month ago a lump showed up on his right side (on his eighth rib), see photo, Mast Cell tumors can look many different ways on dogs. It is very important to get any lump or bump checked out with your vet, it may save the life of your dog. The first tumor was a size of a pea on the skin, (in his groin area), the vet had to remove an area about the size of an orange to remove it all. Like an iceberg, you only see part of the tumor. This tumor was the size of an egg, so we were anxious, knowing how much had to be removed last time. The vet assured us that this tumor was located in a “better” area. I won’t go into detail (I’ll add links to helpful pages if you need more info on Mast Cell Tumors), Before photo of Syd’s Tumor (below) A little wobbly but up and abou

I’m at work and my co-workers are talking about the book everyone is reading, Fifty Shades of Grey, and I’m thinking, oooo, grey, a steely grey wool would be a gorgeous neutral sweater. Maybe with some cables, a classic pattern, or a shawl neck and a basket weave, or maybe some lace panels…….OOOO Erotic…… .Here are a few free cardigan patterns I like, all free! Aidez is a feminine fitted cardigan that has all the cozy antique appeal of traditional Aran texture Amiga from Mags Kandis published in Knitty, love this lightweight breezy cardigan A fun cardigan from Vickie Howell, with some pattern to it , not too much to be intimidating, but enough to make it interesting to knit and wear. From Black Dog Designs a fabulous and modern take on a classic cardigan , The Stella Designed by Wendy Baker for plus sizes. the pattern is taken from 'Knitting Goes Large' by Sharon Brant, published by Rowan. A plus size easy to wear figure skimming cardigan free pattern. This casual jack

I was bogged down with my Dummy Clap Shawl (pattern by Anna Peck), I thought I needed something mindless to knit, but maybe I didn’t. It was too boring. I stopped knitting and thought I was going to frog it, but after seeing a video on 20 ways to wear a Eternity scarf, I’m thinking I’m going to keep knitting. Ave measurement of an eternity scarf = 30 x 80 inches. Even if you don’t knit one, you can sew one with knitted fabric or just buy one. I love this video! Check it out!! So I’m knitting again, I’ve also been buying some (ha, well maybe more than some or a few) knitting books and I’ve got lots of ideas!

I know I’ve been MIA for a while. I’m getting a major craving to knit a sweater! Yes, I know the temp is in the 90’s but a girl at work asked me some questions and brought hers in and I helped her along. Now I’m itching to get some needles into my hands. Everything goes better with knitting…. Get those needles and yarn out and get knitting!

A short post before I leave for work….. This pattern is easy and looks more complicated that it is. I was looking for a fairly simple project to occupy me and while blog reading, (because if you can’t knit, crochet or spin you can still read about it), I ran across this on the Knitting Up A Storm blog, from Anna Peck. Give it a look! This is a great step by step tutorial, enjoy and thanks Anna!! In the process of going through my stash, I started dyeing up some yarn to work with for this pattern, I had the idea of making the skeins painted in random light to dark mix. I started with two skeins and decided to dye 4. Hey, new rule, if I work two jobs, I get to wear my PJs when I’m off. I’m using a larger needle size 13 to get a lacy effect, and relaxing in the process. Everything is better with knitting. (I think this could be a beer commercial *grin*) Ravelry link below and photos http://www.ravelry.com/projects/knittyknitter/the-dummy-clap-shawl-scarf—shrug May your

My absence here is due to my life being in transition. At certain times in life a path comes and we step off of our current one and start another. Change is good but scary, especially in this time of uncertainty. But a great career opportunity came my way that I couldn’t turn down and had to take advantage of it. Although the new job has no benefits and is uncertain and (of course) I love it. I have had keep my old job and work them both. So I’m just taking this a day at a time and seeing what happens. Until then, I’m trying to fit some knitting into my schedule!! As it is MUCH needed!! Life with no knitting (or spinning) = hot mess! Keep knitting

Photo by Husing see more amazing photos on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/32791130@N08 I believe this is Er-Liao, Taiwan ,a fantastic place between Tainan and Kaohsiung.Rapid & unexpected change of fog and cloud attracts many tourists Now go get your knitting!