Monday, April 02, 2007

Instant Gratification

You know how sometimes you want some pudding... or maybe some cake... and you don't want store bought but you also don't want to do all the measuring and melting and blah blah blah so you buy instant pudding or boxed cake just to satisfy that craving, even though you know they won't taste quite as good as your homemade, labor intensive concoctions?

That's how I feel about these mitts.


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I waited patiently to work on the second mitt until yesterday, opening day of the Quick-Fix Knitalong. As luck would have it, I also had the Buffy complete boxed set (with extra special features dvd!) and a lot of time on my hands. I started the mitt in the morning with season 1, and ended it in the early afternoon with season 3 (I skipped around). The more I knit with this yarn, the more I actually liked it. I wouldn't choose it if I saw it in a yarn store, but the different shades of purple aren't that bad, and the blue adds a nice punch. I even got used to the aroma of grape Kool-Aid. To recap, I used Ann Budd's Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns for the pattern (I used the mitten pattern and lopped off the top, adding ribbing), and Kool-Aid dyed LB Fisherman's Wool with US3 needles.

After I finished the mitt, I waffled between picking up the ruffle for the Cinched Waist Pullover or starting Jaywalker #2, I decided I'd rather do ribbing in the round than pick up stitches. I got through a couple of inches of sock before I had to turn my attention to the newest addition to our family, Betsy.

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Betsy is a Dumbo rat, known for their large, low-set ears. We thought that since new rats must be quarantined for two weeks (minimum) before joining established rats, we should get a pal for Eunice sooner rather than later, since she's so lonely. Isn't she adorable?

I didn't expect to finish my first quick project so, erm, quickly! I wondered if I'd have to abandon the pullover this month, but it doesn't look like I'll have to. I finished the top portion last week, but didn't take a picture. I'll get right on that!

6 comments:

Amy said...

What a little cutie pie! I hope Eunice will feel better.

Great job on those mitts!

Anonymous said...

Wow, that Besty is a cutie patootie!

tammy said...

Oh, Betsy is lovely! I was reading that Dumbo rats have very calm docile personalities too. Has that been the case so far? She certainly looks calm. :)

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry about Squirrel, I hope Eunice likes her new roomate. I do like your koolaid mitts. You make me want to try some too.

Anonymous said...

Okay, I've been reading you for quite awhile, but I have to de-lurk to comment on the rattie cuteness. I literally "awwww"ed at Betsy's photo. So. Cute.

The mitts are cute, too. :)

Marlena said...

Thanks for all of the comments about Betsy! I think she's pretty cute myself.

Tammy: I've found most rats to be pretty docile. They may squeak and struggle, but I've never had a rat bite me. Betsy is different from my other rats though. She doesn't even squeak when I snatch her up, and she lets me pick her up pretty easily.

Pioggia: Knitting these mitts made me want to try Kool-Aid dying again! They only used about 100 yards of yarn. You should go for it!


Jen: Cute animals are part of my cunning plan to bring lurkers out of hiding! Thanks for the compliment on the mitts!