From end to end
The new year began with the happiness of completing the first FO of the year, but also with some sadness. DD called from Michaels the other day (during their yarn sale) to ask if I could make her another scarf “like the Harry Potter one we worked on together several years ago.” She selected 2 balls each of Loops & Threads “Impeccable Glitter” yarn in the colors Blue Diamond and Sterling. I worked on it while watching college football bowl games on TV the week between Christmas and New Year’s, finishing it up yesterday:
For this version I cast on 40 stitches on a size 8 (5 mm) 16″ circular needle, joined and knit round and round from end to end, working alternating color stripes of 24 rounds each. After reaching the desired length of about 70″ (she wanted a long scarf), fringe was added at each end. She loves it and apparently so do others who’ve seen it, as there was already an offer to buy it!
Although it’s quite basic, simple, and a great starter project if you’re interested in learning to knit, this scarf will forever be a special one for DD, since yesterday we had to say goodbye to a beloved member of our family …
Twenty-two years ago we relocated to Colorado. A few months after moving in to our new home we acquired a kitten for DD, who was 10 years old at the time. DD is now 32. Yesterday, at age 22, our old-lady cat Patches went to cat-heaven. We are all sad at the loss of the longest-lived pet we have ever owned. You will be missed, dear, sweet, runt-of-the-litter, cat-with-9-lives, screamin’-mimi companion …
In this photo taken several years ago, there were five members of our cat family … now we are three.
Patches & Toby (both lower right) are gone, but we still have Andrew, Bill and Jasmine to comfort us. A sad start to 2013, and yet we move on … from end to a new beginning.
My next knitting project will be another pair of these knit Clamshell Armwarmers. Last week I placed an order for more of the yarn I was supplied with for this design, Premier Yarns/Deborah Norville Everyday Soft Worsted. This “free pattern with yarn purchase” is offered through Herrschners. My order arrived promptly the day after New Year’s, and I plan to get started on them later today (after all, there are a few more college football bowl games left to watch!)
ETA 1/4/13: while working on these I noticed discrepancies in the printed pattern from what was originally submitted when I designed them, so have notified the publisher and posted errata/clarification on my website here. This is the colorway “Toasted Marshmallow” — love the name & the softness of this yarn!
Two other pairs:
I’m excited about the prospect of new knit and crochet projects to work on in the months ahead, new designs to create, and new patterns scheduled to appear in print in 2013. There are six so far, but it’s only the beginning (if my dreams come true!)
Best wishes for a good start to your new stitching year. Thanks again for your continued support of Designs by KN and the free pattern database.
© 2013, Designs by KN. All rights reserved.
Bailey said,
January 3, 2013 @ 4:53 pm
Love the scarf sorry about the loss of your cat.
Designs by KN said,
January 3, 2013 @ 5:00 pm
Thank you — it’s always hard to lose a pet, especially one that lasted so long
Debbie said,
January 4, 2013 @ 10:37 am
I’m sorry about the loss of your cat. I also had five cats at one time. Now I only have two. It’s very sad to lose a member of the family.
Designs by KN said,
January 4, 2013 @ 2:34 pm
Thank you — it does feel strange … even though we have 3 other cats around, there’s still that missing piece that will take awhile to get used to (although the other cats don’t seem to notice)
Erin McDonald said,
January 5, 2013 @ 9:54 am
I lost a cherished pet this year, so I can relate to your feelings of sadness and loss. Our Lucy had so much personality and she was very attentive and affectionate. She was one of those cats that thought boxes were obtained especially for her. My girls have a collection of pictures that document her ability to look regal in the smallest containers. Good luck in the New Year, I hope your sadness will subside and your memories will help you during this time. I was never much of a cat person until we got her 12 years ago. I wish I could get another, but our other grumpy cat wouldn’t stand for any competion.
Designs by KN said,
January 5, 2013 @ 3:40 pm
Thank you very much, I’m sorry you lost one also. I know there are many more in need of good homes, when the time is right maybe we both can welcome another one, but yes the current 3-cat household (& hubby) won’t agree to the idea right now!