Finished Handspun

It's been a week without Titan, and its definitely not been the same without him. But every day gets a little bit easier. I just remember that he was in a lot of pain, and it would have been unfair of me to keep him alive and in pain to make me feel better.

In the meantime, I've been spinning a little. It's not nearly as much fun without him trying to get inside the spinning wheel. But I've been working on it.

This is from Louet roving. It's 100% merino and it's called Juniper. I'm still spinning super bulky yarn, so I only got about 87 yards. I think I'll make a hat from it. The EVFAC has more if I run out.

Titan 2006-2009

Well, Titan passed away yesterday afternoon unexpectedly. I noticed that he was sick the last few days and I brought him to the vet. He was so blocked up that his colon took up almost all of his insides. He was going to have a lot of surgery and be in pain for a long time. So the vet said that putting him down was not an unwarrently option.

I don't know how I'm going to get through the next few days. I'm already so sad because he would have had a blast with all the yarn getting ready for the craft fair. I miss him purring next to me and on my chest all night. I miss him putting his head on my cheek like a pillow at night. I miss him talking to me all the time, and I miss him sitting next to me every time I sit down. It's so empty without him.

FO- Hearts and Flowers Socks

Here is the Hearts and Flowers Socks from Socks from the Toe Up by Wendy Johnson. I lost the label, so I don't know what yarn this is, but it was really great. I didn't think it was going to be striped, but I think the large stripes work well with the pattern after all. They are going to one of my housekeepers, and hear she loves them.

FO- Chinook Shawl

I actually finished this a few weeks ago, but I finally got around to taking a picture of it. It was a kit offered by KnitPicks, and it included all the different lace yarns that they carry. Which is great, but it blocked a little differently for each different fiber. So the alpaca (sooo soft) is a little odd.

Overall, though, I'm very happy with it. There is no yarn left over, and it was a great learning experience. It was my first shawl. I was inspired by Anne in the knitting group to try one. She knits the most beautiful shawls. I'm glad that I tried it - I'm already on the Seraphim Shawl by Miriam Felton (also supplied by Anne)!

Hand Spun Yarns

At the Taos Wool Fest this year, I bought a bunch of roving and started spinning it up almost immediately. I got some angora/bamboo/something else blend (about 5 oz) and have already finished up spinning it. It's a lovely color, and it's incredibly soft. I feel that I am really becoming one with my spinning wheel lately, which is great. This is the first handspun that I feel is truly useable.

Our 1 year/3 year anniversary

Well, yesterday was our 1st/3rd anniversary. It was quite nice, but quiet. I dyed some yarn, and we both played World of Warcraft all day. We went out to dinner, and spent a quiet evening. Like I said, it was very quiet.

It was our Leather Anniversary. I got Mark a Brooks bike saddle. It's made out of leather, and it is supposed to be one of the most comfortable bike saddles available to the general public.

I'll let you know what Mark got me when I find out. So far, no present is forthcoming.

Next year is flowers (traditional) or linen (modern). We've been doing the traditional ones so far (who wants an appliance for a gift?) but I might suggest the modern one for next year.

Do Cats Purring Make Us Feel Better?

I'm going to say yes. I've been sick the last few days, and I've been in bed a good deal of the time. The cats are just loving it. They are all like, "Yeah, she's being like me!" So I lie in bed and all of the kitties crawl around me and cuddle up. And purr. And purr. And purr. All four of the cats who aren't outside (Pawblito won't stay inside) purr and purr around me.

One time today Pawblito was inside and wouldn't cuddle. He scared the other four by running across the floor suddenly. They all stopped purring just a minute. The lack of vibration was stunning. Then all four started purring at the same time again. Woke me right up. But it made me feel special that they all wanted to sit around me and try to make me feel better.

Cats are great. I'm going back to bed now.