All Buttoned Up
This past weekend was unusually busy, leaving very little time (or much less time than I would have liked) for knitting. Saturday afternoon we had family over for a birthday party, and Saturday night Jim brought us to Kooza - Cirque du Soleil. I was surprised that I liked it as much as I did given my aversion to clowns, but the "bendy people" were amazing. AND, a brush with celebrity - I saw Brian Dennehy! You know, Tommy Boy's dad? Of course, this is where the nutty in me kicks in, and I want to know, "What is Brian Dennehy doing in Connecticut? Does he live here? Does he have a son who is a clown - Little Timmy Dennehy, Juggler? " Inquiring minds... And you don't think that Kooza bothers to put cast names in their very expensive programs, do you? Nah, that would be too easy. But I digress...
Today I was home sick, and although I slept most of the day, I managed to finish a couple of projects as well. The first one is a baby gift for a coworker's new grandson. Pattern: Rowan Classic Babies - Wills done in Loop-d-Loop Moss. I.love.this.yarn! It's like knitting with felted yarn. Well, it IS felted yarn. And I just loved it. Two and half balls of yarn made this entire sweater!
Even more exciting to me was that I finally got the opportunity (and the nerve) to sew the buttons on the Razor Shell Scarf I'd completed last week. I don't know that a project has ever titillated (how do you like that one, Peaknit?!) me as much as this scarf has. It's a simple pattern, yes. But it was as though everything I envisioned it to be just came together. I wanted to use antique buttons (idea from Hello Yarn's version) to finish it off or at the very least give the appearance of having used antique buttons. It was LYS Judy to the rescue. "Oh, my mom has tons of buttons. I'll have her bring them in!" I almost felt guilty using them, as they were incredible buttons. And then I had anxiety about having the buttons look too contrived. But I think I have done them proud because if I love something I've made, then it must be okay because I am my harshest critic.
And finally, Maggie went to the vet. She has gained three ounces in one year for a total of 6.5 lbs. Sounds small, doesn't it? Yet, she should weigh 4.5 lbs. The vet said she would not put her in the "obese" category, but she would like to see her lose at least half a pound. So, I guess we'll be walking more... Right now, her feelings are hurt and she is a bit sleepy from her vaccinations.
Love that one!! Great word - I think even better than befuddlement - hee hee. The scarf is amazing - the buttons take it to a whole new level of gorgeousness. Bravo! That puppy needs a hug!
Posted by: Stacey | 07 April 2008 at 08:17 PM
OK.. the sweater is gorgeous... the buttons could NOT be more perfect.. totally awesome... .. It's ok lil Mags!!! us fat chicks need to stick together!
Posted by: Tracy | 07 April 2008 at 08:30 PM
Aww, she does look rather dejected...give that lil gal a livasnap and she'll perk right up! That robin's egg blue sweater might be the cutest baby sweater I have ever seen!
Posted by: Heather | 07 April 2008 at 09:05 PM
oh, i really want to give maggie a hug. i really hate for her to hear such harsh words!!
that baby sweater is sooooo sweeet! no time? i feel like you finished that in two days!!!
the buttons are absolutely PERFECT! and your photos!! wow!
does it make that little clicking sound when you wear it? sort of like the clicking of needles. i would love that!!!
Posted by: leslie | 07 April 2008 at 10:06 PM
I'm really enjoying your blog. Glad I found it. I live in Connecticut too!Your little girl is precious. The buttons are the best!
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie Rondinelli | 07 April 2008 at 10:50 PM
Oh I LOVE the buttons on the scarf - divine! perfection! is there another word I can use to mean the same thing because repetition is a good thing?! And I do love the idea that the buttons might click like knitting needles - so cool!
Poor lil Maggie. Geez not even pooches are immune from fat-haters!!
Posted by: Rose Red | 08 April 2008 at 12:54 AM
Awwww..poor Maggie.
But your scarf is gorgeous and the buttons... so nice!
Posted by: Anne | 08 April 2008 at 03:42 AM
Maggie is such a cutie and that scarf is absolutely beautiful.
Posted by: Kate | 08 April 2008 at 08:13 AM
Oh I just love that scarf with the buttons on now. I like both of your scarves, I think they're the best I've ever seen and I'm not sure if I want to knit them cos I know they won't look as pretty as yours :-/ I still want to try the ruffle scarf one day though! I might just have to use the exact yarn as you, is all ;-)
Cute little sweater too.
Posted by: Denise | 08 April 2008 at 09:55 AM
The scarf looks great! The buttons are a great touch. I hope Maggies feels better!
Posted by: Audrey | 08 April 2008 at 01:08 PM
Wow - your posts are always chock-full: I LOVE the baby sweater! The scarf is FABULOUS, the buttons awesome and sweet little Fatty - I mean Maggie - is soooooo cute.
Posted by: Madmad | 08 April 2008 at 05:41 PM
Titilated is such a great word. A personal favourite. :-)
Great work on the scarf. The buttons are perfect!
Posted by: Bells | 08 April 2008 at 10:30 PM
I hope you are feeling better now. the buttons are lovely on the scarf and that baby jumper is great. I have a friend who is expecting and I can't wait until the time comes to start knitting for her baby!
Posted by: Lin | 09 April 2008 at 02:53 AM
Hey, I'm sick too (can you catch kooties on the internets?), but unlike you, I didn't finish a million beautiful projects in the process. I just lay on my back moaning for the last 5 days.
The scarf is even more gorgeous now. And the baby sweater looks divine. I love that blue.
Posted by: Nicole | 09 April 2008 at 08:15 AM
Mags looks so cute [albeit a little sad!].
The buttons? Exquisite. I love the scarf!
Posted by: Nora | 09 April 2008 at 04:12 PM
Your sweater and scarf are gorgeous! I love the shade of blue you used for the sweater and I think the shaping is so neat. As for the scarf, it's stunning. Beautiful button choices, you should be very proud of such beautiful work!
Posted by: AJ | 09 April 2008 at 06:30 PM
First of all, "bendy people"....LOL! That sweater is perfect, love the scarf, the buttons are an awesome addition, and tell your vet that next time he want to talk about weight issues he and you should leave the room together, so as not to hurt Mags' feelings, or worse, give her body image issues, "thanks for nothing Doc"...Poor Mags, she looks perfect to me.
Posted by: sabrina hirsch | 10 April 2008 at 03:55 PM
We can never get in enough weekend knitting time as we look! Hope we can sneak in more this weekend! Are you feeling better?
LUV your scarf the buttons you selected are perfect!!
Great baby sweater will be checking it out on Ravelry for the pattern!
Aah poor Maggie! (cute pic!) :o) Might have to give her that diet dog food too!! ;op
Posted by: Stacey_CrimsonPurl | 12 April 2008 at 08:08 AM
What beautiful projects! I love the yoke ribbing on the sweater and that gorgeous shade of blue. I'll be on the look-out for that yarn -- I haven't seen it before.
Poor Maggie... most of us need to go on more walks, anyway, though, and with the price of gas these days, all the better.
Posted by: Jodi | 12 April 2008 at 12:58 PM
More wonderful knits! I so want your doggies!
Posted by: tiennie | 16 April 2008 at 01:02 AM