Happy 4th of July to all my American friends.  Today marks the day that we officially told Great Britain ”No more!” in maybe not so polite terms. Today I am going to bring the Tankers down to the Ventura street fair and wander the booths.  I’m always torn about bringing Tank out in to such public settings because on one hand I love showing off my beautiful happy boy, but on the other I don’t like being stopped a million times and asked what kind of dog he is (he’s 1/2 great Dane and we think 1/2 mastiff).

In other news I finished a super cute hat that is now my most favorite hat ever.

Pattern: Twisted Raveler
Yarn: Malabrigo Merino Worsted (Frank Ochre)
Needles: US 7 & 8
Verdict: Absolute perfection!

As with most hats the crown decreases are where it’s at for me. I love a good “in pattern” decrease.  Which is probably why I’ve knit several koolhass hats & Carmel hats.

In other news I’ve been knitting away at two mostly stockingknit sweaters which I haven’t posted here because one can only stand so many pictures of plain stockingknit.  One is an alpaca circle sweater like mine for my dear friend Carol and the other is a light weight zip up hoody for the Mr in celebration of our 7th wedding anniversary.  I think it’s a little funny that it’s our wool anniversary.  How perfect that?

Well, not much else to update about (at least honestly that can be updated as there are still things going on that I will not discuss yet) so I leave you with a picture Bob who firmly believes that everything is better upside down.

I’ve been missing for almost a month and I really don’t know what I’ve been up to.  We go up to our friends’ ranches and screw around in the yard with the dog and I knit.  That’s really about it.  Oh & the truck needs a new transmission which used to stress me out but we are rocking the one car thing right now.

I’m getting back to spinning and trying to work through my stash.

This was some lovely coridale that I received for my birthday last year from my dad. It’s refreshing to have somone beyond the Mr really understand what I’m pastionate about it.

The Mr has started a garden in the backyard and it’s really starting to flurish.

I’ve finally finished a shawl.

I’m also finishing some small projects for my niece who I’ll be seeing at the end of the month when we take a family trip to June Lake all together.

I’m a little worried about this sweater not being long enough so I might add some extra length because Miss Mi is pretty tall.

I’m almost finished with a pair of socks.

And beyond that I know a whole lot of nothing. I’m hoping that this summer will bring lots of fresh vegtables, a loom (I’m in the market for an 8 harness), and lots more knitting. I’ll happen by with another more pictures and updates.

Getting back on the blogwagon here with another new knit.  This sweater I saw right before christmas at my friend Carol’s shop and immediately loved but hated the price tag.  So being a knitter I took some initiative and made a copy.  The result is my favorite sweater ever. 

The result is a light weight warm sweater that’s super soft and delish to wear.

One of the best features is the long round collar that bunches perfectly around your neck to keep you warm.  The reverse stockingknit is fun and interesting and rustic.

I used just under 3 skeins of Henry’s Attic Prime Alpaca in a fingering weight on size 4 needles. At times it was tedious but the result is one of the most wearable sweaters ever.  Perfect for California beaches it’s light and breezy but alpaca strength warm.

I am planning on posting for free the recepie that I used to put this sweater together.  It’s really just a basic cardigan with a bowed front shape and some serious short row shaping through the hem and collar.  This shaping creates length while keeping the nice curve.  Yes, it was a pain because there was a LOT of knitting on this sweater but I’m glad I did it.

Did I mention I love this sweater?!

And I’m not the only one to get a new sweater…

Tank is such a short haired pup he gets cold in the snow and rain so he needs a little help.  One skein of eco wool + and a crochet hook and a sweater is being born.

Another sweater is in the works too.

Garter st and tweed is delish!

Tank still goes to the dog park every day and I can’t tell you how happy I am with this decision. It’s like putting your kid in a really great day care.  He plays really well with the dogs and is Mr popular with dogs and people alike.

Tank has a thing for little dogs and I’m not sure why. He LOVES them and wants to play so badly but mostly they are intimidated by him.

I don’t think that we could have been blessed with a better dog. He’s so well balanced, happy, and willing do please I just feel like such a dork talking about him.

So it’s been kind of a while since I’ve last posted.  The fact is that when I get home from work I’m just not really up for putzing around on the computer especially since I sit in front of a computer all day.

I have been working on some crafty type things.

I’ve crocheted a scarf that I really love.  It’s out of a heavy fingering weight icelandic wool that makes a delicate looking but sturdy and warm scarf.

Even Tank has gotten in on the crocheting.

A few weekends ago the girls and I went to Santa Monica on a small yarn crawl.  I have to say that Wild Fibers is one of the prettiest shops around.

I finally finished spinning some gotland though I still have more to spin up.

Tank is probably the happiest sweetest pup ever. 

Spring is coming around.

We took tank to the beach for the first time and frankly he wasn’t impressed.

I’ve been knitting more & more.  The thing that I’ve finally been working full time on is the huge wrap sweater copy that I fell in love with at Carols.  But with a price tag at over $200 I thanked the gods that I was a knitter.

I will most likely be making this sweater a free pattern though it will only be available in 1 size most likely.  It’s meant to be slouchy though so maybe people will dig it. This sweater is light as air and so silky soft I can’t wait to snuggle in it. 

Tank is doing really well.  He’s learning some new tricks such as “Speak” using sign language (a trick that my husband’s family taught their golden retriever and I kind of dig) to “Paw” and almost a full “Roll Over”.  I’ve never had a dog that did tricks.  Bulldogs are not known to suffer patiently but Tank seems to really enjoy the challenge and learning.  You can see his mind working as he tries to figure out what you want.

I feel like I’m finally coming out of hibernation.  I’ve never really given myself a break from life or people before.  I feel a little guilty about it but I just don’t have the energy for a lot of extra stuff.  Frankly I usually just get so wound up in the lives around me that I’ve never had a chance just to pull back and exhale.  Thankfully the Mr is really super supportive and ready to keep the world at bay if that’s what I need.

The Mr has made me some amazing ebony buttons for this coat and I can’t wait to get them put in place.

I’ve also started a new shawl which I really love.  I can’t figure out what edging to go but I’m thinking a bobble edge.

So another week hsa passed and I’ve been poor again about blogging.  What with work and training the Tankers to be a good pup my days are pretty booked.  I have crocheted a hat that is just about ready for some test crocheters.

I was aiming for a perfectly slouchy but not sloppy hat and after a few test runs I think I finally have it. 

I’ve also made some good progress on my Classica Coat. I am totally in love with the color and the pattern is pretty easy.  I’m actually doing a sweater WITH the hood!

I’ve almost finished my second jellyfish mitt and I’m still loving them.  I’ve worked up the chart in PDF form and will need test knitters soon. 

In non-knitting news the Tank puppers is doing pretty well.  he had his first vet visit and did excellent.  He’s unfortunately infected with a kind of mite (that isn’t contageous) so he’s on antibiotics.  I have to say that he takes meds the best of any animal I’ve ever seen.  Just open the mouth & drop the pill in and the dog swallows. Crazy.

Also I have a brief rant.  Since the Mr and I are so aware of how huge Tank is and how he could be easily out of control we have taken every measure to make sure that we are pack leaders (ala Cesar Millan) and that he does exactly what we tell him to.  He walks on a leash like a dream with out pulling and with out going after other dogs, people, bikes or runners. 

So WHY is it that the smaller the dog is the more out of control they are? Every walk we go on Tank and I are rushed by a small dog and an owner who doesn’t see that their dog is being extremely agressive.  Also, it’s just plain bad manners!  They all look as though Tank will eat their dog (which he will not) but they are the ones causing the situation.  Just because your dog is small doesn’ t mean they should be allowed to do whatever they want. 

We are doing our best to make sure that Tank is well socialized with people, places, situations and other dogs, I wish other people would do the same. 

We spent the weekend at the ranch with Tom & Mette.  I was hoping that Tank would do well with the other dogs and the animals and it was better than I had hoped.  He fit right in with the pack and played until he fell over exhuasted at the end o fhte day.

He’s such a fabulous boy with a loving heart and a gentle soul. I love him so darn much!

I’ve also been knitting quite a bit.  Here’s a little preview…

I’m still crocheting too just little projects though,

From ours to yours