Sunday, February 15, 2009

More Bessie, and finally some knitting!

First, the boring stuff - knitting. This is the Hearts and Stars Blanket from the book "Adorable Knits for Tots" by Zoe Mellor. (Ravelry link) It was an easy knit, but you have to keep referring to the chart for almost every row, so not a "mindless" knit. It's for a woman at work who is having her first baby--due next month.

A detail shot:

And a pair of socks. This was the first time I used this pattern, and I think I'm in love! The pattern is Charade by Sandra Park of the "I May Be Knitting A Ranch House" blog. (Another Ravelry link...if you're not already on Ravelry, what's keeping you?)
It's just a two row repeat, so it definitely qualifies as a mindless knit. For this pair, I went by the instructions as written, but I'll made a few modifications next time. When will that be? I already have two more socks in this pattern on the needles! Love this pattern---really, really love it!

Now, for everyone who hung in there through talk of baby blankets and socks, Here are some pictures of Mom and Dad's new kitty, Miss Bessie. It's been a long time since there has been a kitten in the family, and you forget how adorable they are, and how much energy they have!

Case in point - do you see that barrier in this picture?
Dad made that so that Bessie would be confined to the kitchen until she learned how to use the litter pan. Yes, I know that cats automatically just know where they should do their business, but try telling Dad... He wanted to make extra certain that she would know where she was supposed to attend to any and all bodily functions, so he even put her name on the litter box.Gotta love him, right? Anyway, Dad made a very nice barrier to span the extra-long doorway, and even put a nifty handle on it to make it easier to move around. It's, I don't know, a foot tall? Maybe 18 inches? I tried to gently suggest that perhaps an energetic kitten might not be confined by this barrier. I might have gone so far as to say "there ain't no freakin' way" and rolled on the floor laughing. Sure enough, the next day Bessie was over that thing like it wasn't even there.Bessie says "Daddy, next time try to make something a little more challenging for me to climb."

12 comments:

Knitting it Out in an Urban Zoo said...

Your knitting is so beautiful! ...and that Bessie, what a dear. She's gorgeous. I love that your dad put her name on the litter box...that's really going to do the trick.

wildflower38 said...

Beautiful Blanket! I have a cousin who's preggers. I'll put on the list of possible blankets to knit her.

Bessie's cute as a button!

Sue said...

Bessie should keep your dad busy for a while. I wonder who will train who.

SissySees said...

Look at that face! I want to just scoop her up and listen to her purrrrrrrr...

Donna Lee said...

The blanket is gorgeous. I can see where you would have to pay close attention.

And Bessie is soooo cute. I laughed when i saw the barrier. Who would ever think that would keep out a kitten? I used to come home from work and find mine sitting on the valances on the front window.

JerseyJennyW said...

I added some great pics of Bessie to my blog too :)

Beth said...

Beautiful blanket! And socks!

I learned about your blog from Chris V. and Steph J. I'm an aspiring sock knitter who got a little discouraged after my first pair. So, I've got my next pair on needles now and I'm already much happier!

Thanks for sharing your projects!

Lapdog Creations said...

LOVE the blanket!
LOVE the socks!

LOVE that last pic of Bessie... now that's cat calendar worthy!!!

Em said...

What a cutie little Bessie is! And your knitting is beautiful! The socks look great, those are my achille's heel (no pun intended) in knitting.

Thanks for the kind comment on my blog, and on Momolla's. The uncertainty has been tough, but your good wishes are a comfort to me (and, I imagine, to Mommolla, too). Thanks for taking the time to stop by and say hello!

GoldenTracks said...

I love that blanket pattern. I have to do a baby blanket soon and nearly chose that pattern, then decided to use a variegated yarn and thought it may not show the detail as well. The yellow is quite yummy!

Criquette said...

She is one seriously adorable kitten! Who can resist that little face? And your dad is a gem!

Pooch said...

Love the stars and hearts blanket! So nicely done. And...hey..knitting is not boring to me!!