Mostly 'Armless*

I have reached KSP: Knitting Saturation Point. I haven't knitted anything for the last two days, and I'm on the home run too, just 80 rows of sleeve and the neckband left to complete. It is like going to Confession: it has been sixteen days since I cast on and I have not knitted for two days. I will have to take five needles and read the pattern for five minutes to get myself reoriented.

I'll have the hems to stitch up and then the most difficult task of all - finding suitable buttons. I keep trying my new cardigan on, when I am at home or when I have it with me and I am out!!!

Maybe Peri and Gilly are getting a little bored with The Cardigan??

It was 3*C this morning, but it was cold.I could see my breath and there was ice all over The Dog Car!!!

There have been some demarcation issues, I am not sure on which side of the fence the grass is greener, but Gilly pines if Peri doesn't come back to her side quick smart!!

Uncle and Auntie Dutch came today and 'gardened' and because there wasn't much 'gardening' really, they started removing the decking and even the ivy that was entwined round the rocks at the end of the deck. The plan is to take all the wood away and make a low rock border and then even out the dirt. What to cover the dirt with is a conundrum. Auntie Dutch thinks AstroTurf (astroturf, astroturf - I sing it to the AstroBoy song!!) but maybe some gentle on the paddy paws pebbles or very fast growing and tenacious plants of some kind??

The Forbidden Zone doubled in size with the removal of lots of old wood and some tree branches. All the better to run about in semi-illegally if you are a pup!!

And now I am exhausted. I didn't do anything except make morning tea and lunch. I made individual pizzas and we topped them with ham and baby spinach. I like a squeeze of lemon too. I shall laze on the couch with my new book for a while and then we will have an early night. Not that The Labradors aren't totally tired as well. They have 'helped' all day and it is a big job for pups!!

I think I need a sewing machine foot that makes ruffles!!!

I forgot to tell some exciting news, for us anyway, Peri has reached her goal weight of 35kg!! There has been joyous celebrations!! Gilly is 28kg and we are happy, but not so ecstatic as she should lose a little more weight.

*According to The Hitchhiker's Guide to The Galaxy, Earth is Mostly Harmless.

Comments

[Nat]

Poor old Sunny was a bit big so he had to go on a diet too! We had to get head harnesses for both Sunny and Jess because thye are heavy to extreme pullers! They are so much easier to walk now and they dont pull me over any more.

I am resisting a strong urge to sew at the moemtn adn to buy more woolly goodness - so far so good, I keep telling myself to knit up a bit more and then "we'll see" ...

[Megan]

I am always in such awe as to how fast you knit up a garment! 16 days since cast on and 2 days since you've done any to me just says, look how much I got done in two weeks! Sounds like it will be ready just in time with the onset of such cool weather.

And well done Miss Peri!

[mrspao]

Wow - you are so quick! It looks fabulous and I bet you'll find some wonderful buttons. The doggies are very cute and your garden looks great :)

[linda]

Ruby is on a diet too even though I thought we had never over fed her but apparently she is a little too "fluffy" I call it! Your cardigan is looking gorgeous. It's good to catch up with your posts I haven't been visiting anyone much lately. Regarding the people at the dam well I think it should be residents only up here when the river is in flood! We have had 3 close calls with idiots driving up here and not knowing the bends etc and just stopping dead on the bridge as well to look, it's been a nightmare!!!! xxxx

[Ann]

I am sure you can finish the cardigan in no time. 3 degrees in the morning - today we are expecting 32C. It's official that we had the hottest March & temperatures are rising next week again!

[Laurie (Moo!)]

Hooray for Peri! You all did a huge amount of "gardening" and I'm very impressed. You can finish that cardigan. You CAN!

[sue]

Just keep knitting, you can do it! I hate trying to find the perfect buttons for handknits as there isnt really a large range around here. Good news for the puppy weight loss too!

[peskypixies]

Your cardi is coming along very nicely.......why are buttons so hard to choose???
Yah for the gardening!!!looks fab!
WTG Peri with your weight loss!!!WOOHOOOO!!

[bella's mum]

I am most impressed with the labradors' healthy weight-I wish I could say the same for Bella!

[Jennifer rose]

thats great about peri :D love the title :) some of my favourite books :D i have a ruffle foot for my machine, but have never used it. it scares me lol

[Sharon]

I can't wait to see your new cardi, maybe at Torchwool meetup?

Your garden is lovely, I really like the park bench, what a lovely place to sit and knit!

[Judy Edmonds]

Puppies get sooo worn out 'helping', don't they!

I have one of those ruffle feet but I've never really used it. I know how to use it in theory. But getting the ratio right between the ruffle and the other seam and getting it all the right length always seemed too exhausting. I might have to be brave one day!!

[dette]

3* we are still having 30+ days and nights that have not dropped much below 20*. But with my mother's wedding coming up I'm sure that will bring the cold weather and rain! (fingers crossed it is still nice for her wedding but honestly I've had quite enough of summer!)
I am not a big fan of astroturf on account of although it does not require water it does nothing to convert the green house gasses where grass or other plants do help the environment, It's not just trees that are the 'lungs' of the earth.
Did you really cast on that cardi only 16 days ago I would be celebrating my progress rather than confessing!

[Bron]

hooray Peri!!
I'm super tempted by those ruffley sewing machine feet!...

[Melissa]

Good on Peri! She needs to share her secret of success. Your sweater will be lovely when finished, but it needn't be this week. Next will be fine!

[Larjmarj]

I know the feeling, I'm up to my ears in yoK2tog and yoP2tog. Bleahhh....

The pups are looking so frisky!! Always love to see pics of them. Just adorable.

[Lois]

Well done Perry!! What a good girl to reach her goal weight! :D It doesn't look like Gilly would be too far off as they both look great...regardless of who's grass is greener> LOL

That new sewing book looks interesting. We'll have to keep a watch out for what you choose to make from it first. I have to confess that I have a ruffly foot for my machine, but have never used it. Something else for my 'I'm gunna' list!

It's always tricky finding just the 'right' buttons isn't it & after all the effort you've put in with the knitting, it has to be 'just right'!! Good luck.

Good on Uncle & Aunty Dutch. They are gardening whizzes aren't they!?! What about something like dwarf mondo grass. Looks good & doesn't need to be mowed....it can be walked on as well.

[Sarah]

Congrats Peri!

That is a good sewing book--I've been tempted to get it even though I don't do much sewing anymore. I need to get my grandmother's old machine out of the closet and try it with some scraps as I think it has some different 'feet' and I'm curious what they do!