stitchingmystressaway.com

…was for an adorable family friend’s puppy. Ms. Chloe got her sweater this past week

Pattern: Side Button Greyhound Sweater by Terri Lee Royea
My Ravelry Project Page
Yarn(s): Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash, 275 yards
Colorway(s): Purple
Needle(s): US 8 – 5.0 mm
Casted On: July 6, 2011
Casted Off: January 25, 2012
Modifications: None

I was very pattern dependent for this project because I see Chloe about a half a dozen times a year. I don’t have “access” to a dog to always to a fitting. Nothing even close. So I stayed strictly with the pattern and to how it will then fit Chloe.

I made the XL version of this pattern because I was knitting it at a smaller gauge and…let’s face it. Chloe ain’t a skinny greyhound. I think she enjoys it. When dad went up to Debbi’s house to give it to her, he told me it wasn’t as hard as he anticipated putting it on her and once they did, she appeared pretty comfortable in it. YAY!

She's probably thanking Debbi for the nice sweater. Teehee

It wasn’t the most EXCITING knit in the world. 5×2 ribbing can get old after a while. But lil Chloe needs the sweater. I know she’ll get a lot of use out of it and appreciate the warmth it gives her after a long walk and her baths.

Last summer Deb had to say good bye to one of her puppies, Connor. I had talked about it here. While no one will replace dear Connor, I’m pleased to share that she got a new dog from a rescue league named Nala. Isn’t she pretty??

The only downer is her coat is so thick, doesn’t seem like she’ll need a sweater. Sigh

OK Gotta get back to cooking stuff for our football get together!

I have finished my Christmas stocking:

And now only two more to go!

Pattern:A NEW Mom’s Christmas Stocking by Dorene Delaney Giordano from her Ravelry Store (Note – This is a toe-up pattern)
My Ravelry Project Page
Yarn(s): Patons Pure Merino.
Colorway(s): Purple and Gray.
Needle(s): US 3– 3.25 mm
Casted On: November 5, 2011
Casted Off: December 4, 2011
Modifications:  Like with the previous stocking, I wanted to make it bigger. I based the instep on 60 stitches (3 pattern repeats) and the sole on 40, making the total stitch count 100 and not what the pattern stated-100.

This made the fabric VERY dense so towards the end of knitting it, it was a rather rough knit! But I still like the final result:

I just love stars so I knew this pattern had to be the one for my stocking.

I am not entirely sure I’ll get Layla and Luna’s stocking done in time for CHRISTMAS DAY but I hope to get them done within a months time. I’ve started on Ms. Luna’s:

She is a kitty that loves being in the center of attention. She has a super hero complex as well. So I found it only appropriate to use bright colors for her.

Layla on the other hand is a very gentle soul. Calm and soothing colors were required to match her personality however the combination still had to provide enough contrast for the stranded pattern to be visible. And yes, I’m sure plenty might say I was definitely over-thinking what colors I would use for her. I wanted to get it right though. I finally found it:

Seeeeeeeeeeeee….soothing colors but will still provide some wonderful contrast.

Have a great weekend everyone. Knitters, getting all those handknits done for the holidays? What all are you making for loved ones?

That’s not news. Of course it isn’t. But I’ve realized something of late just how true it is.

My buddy Deb lost her sweet boy to cancer on July 5. Granted I didn’t see Connor daily, weekly or even monthly but it was always nice to go up to her house and see him. He was just such a sweet boy.

If something is bothering me, I wear it on my sleeve. Deb, on the other hand, often keeps things to herself. And that’s fine. If anything, I wish I was more like that. So when Deb announced this, I just kept saying to myself “Leave her alone. She knows she can call. Don’t get all up in her face right now, Laura.”

OK Fine. But I had to do something. I miss Connor. I sort things emotionally through doing things. How could I find that something while respecting Deb’s wishes to be left alone.

Then I remembered! She asked me to make a sweater for her other puppeh, Ms. Chloe. I can do something for Deb and Ms. Chloe while remembering Connor’s memory and leaving my buddy alone.

Here’s Ms. Chloe

Isn’t she a cutie?? Nine years old with a lotta puppy in her

I started The Side Button Greyhound Sweater for her:

 And yes, the purple shall match her collar.

I don’t have dogs or even one closer to me to model the sweater as I knit it. So I wanted to pick a very detailed pattern that will help me and my lack of canine companions. So I picked the Side Button Greyhound Sweater. Yeah, sure, Chloe’s a mut and is a little big in comparison to the very athletic greyhound but it’s still a very good foundation for a sweater. I’m fine with adding length and width to a pattern. No problem! But where I should start short rows for the shoulders for a pup? No clue! So I called it my Greyhound Sweater for a Mut

I show my love and support through knitting. My mom cooks food for people and tells guests to come with tupperware. I knit socks for cold nights and shawls for friends with family members dealing with cancer. Perhaps there was a reason I didn’t start making Chloe’s sweater till now, when I’ve had her measurements for about a month now. This will be quite therapeutic for me and hopefully Ms. Chloe will have a sweater for this winter!

I’m about to steek my Autumn Rose Pullover. VERY exciting!