It’s a pattern I’ve knit before, and it’s one that’s great for gradient yarns. Which this yarn is… it’s Bernat Wavelength. It is a subtle gradient, but for some reason, my phone camera really doesn’t want to show it.
As mentioned, I modified it a bit to work better with the chunky yarn. That mostly meant less stitches on the needles, but also more repeats. It’s not super long, but long enough to wrap a couple times around the neck.
Now we just have to wrap it up! That’s Burton’s favourite part.
I’d like to say this is the last thing I have to knit for Christmas. But Dave just told me he invited his uncle for Christmas dinner. That’s not a problem, but it means I should get something together to tuck under the tree for him. So before I do any wrapping, I have to go stash diving.
I swear, I find the best garden items while thrifting in the off season! Probably because just before winter, people clean out their garden stuff and donate it!
Recent thrifting trips have resulted in several great garden prizes.
It’s hard to see, but this little butterfly has an eye on the middle of her back… so you can hang her up. And when you do, those bells flop down and clatter against each other in the wind! You may not know, but I absolutely LOVE garden decor that makes noise! Probably because Dave does not! LOL. He gives me side eye every time I pick up a wind chime.
Next – this pretty little casting that I fell in love with for obvious reasons. I will find the perfect little nook for it in the catio come spring.
Now… let me preface this next one with…. I have been wanting a sundial for AGES. But boy are they expensive! So imagine how thrilled I was to stumble across this one on the shelf for just $5!
And with a cute frog too! I’m going to have to find/make a pedestal for this one and give it pride of place.
This next one could go in the garden or stay inside….
She stands on her own – just pop a pot in her ring, and voila! Perfect little garden lady! I have a feeling this one will probably end up with a houseplant in it before long.
And last… my absolute favourite find so far…. (though I think Dave is starting to question my sanity…)
I can’t tell you why…but I was immediately drawn to him. I knew I just had to bring him home. I was getting more than side-eye from Dave. I think his exact words were…. “Seriously??? Why???”
But he didn’t protest much more than that… except to say something about it possibly being possessed by an ancient deity… (and wouldn’t that be cool???!!!!) So he came home with us.
It’s actually hollow…. it’s a vase (the opening is at the top of his head/hat) Some quick research has told me it’s a replica of anthropomorphic pottery found in the ancient Santarém culture of the Lower Amazon, which flourished between roughly 1000 and 1600 CE.
Whatever he is… I think he’s going to look great taking up residence in the garden. I’ve called him Carl.
I have to say – I’m quite enjoying these cold, grey weekends. I’m sure by January I’ll be desperately missing my gardens… but right now it is nice to be back in the studio sewing.
I was a bit under the weather this weekend…. not totally sick, just moving slower than usual. So it took me a few extra hours than expected. But eventually Burton, Lemmy and I banged out one kitten…
And then a second
Giving us two more fine additions to our quilt.
That brings out total kitten count to four!
These kitten blocks are big… 20″ finished. So, after consulting Burton of course, we decided that we will make two more. That means, without sashing, the quilt would be about 40″ x 60″. And with some sashing… well it would be just the perfect size!
So I guess I better go find and cut some more fabric!
While the weekend wasn’t exactly mild, the weather wasn’t too bad (for the end of November). I figured I wasn’t going to get a better chance to get my Christmas stuff up outside.
Our Christmas display isn’t nearly as extensive as our Halloween get-up. But I like it. It’s nice and simple and I can get it all up in under two hours (and that’s taking my time).
There’s not a lot new this year.
The arbour got some new garland courtesy of the dollar store.
The reindeer got three small trees added to their forest glade. The trees twinkle too – which was a nice surprise.
The gnome I painted last year finally made it to the porch (though honestly, I don’t think he ever got his clear-coat like we planned)
And Susannah and Gertie got some festive bows. I STILL haven’t made any outfits for poor Gertie! And as you can see – come spring, their poor beaks will be getting a repaint. We found some exterior orange paint on clearance just for them!
There’s lot of little sparkly details wherever you look! But the main question is… how does it look at night?
Pretty darn nice if I do say so myself!
Now… I guess I better get to decorating the inside of the house!
With the Deathflake hats done, I’m working on one last Christmas project. Last year, I made Dave’s Mom a nice, warm, chunky hat.
I still had over a ball and a half of the yarn left, so I decided this year to make a scarf to go with it.
The pattern is Wingspan. It’s one I’ve made twice before, but this time I modified it to work well with the chunky yarn. The cast-on, and thus pattern repeats are shorter, so it’s moving super quick. I’m still on the part ball, so I think I’m going to be able to give this some really good length before I have to cast off.
My orchids aren’t the only thing in bloom. I was opening my bedroom curtains on Friday and I looked down in the garden and saw a burst of pink at the edge of the yard. I had to go out to check…
Man those roses are tough! That’s Prairie Princess adn there were actually 3 blooms on it (though this was the best).
But Bolero, Navy Lady and New Dawn all have viable buds still. This is definitely the latest I’ve ever had roses!
There were even a few Johnny Jump Ups hugging close to the ground by the front porch.
But at this time of the year, most of the colour in the yard comes from berries. The holly are the obvious show stopper.
But the Burning Bush has some nice little ones too.
Out back, hiding among the willow we have some Pokeberries. They are poisonous to mammals, but the birds can eat them. When we moved here, there was quite a bit of Pokeberry in the yard. I pulled up most of it, but it still shows up in the corners now and again.
The wild winds are blowing cold and frosty outside…
But it’s positively tropical inside! This orchid is so bright and cheerful – and it blooms for such a long time when it’s happy.
You will recall that two summers ago, I put most of my orchids outside in too much of a sunny spot. They are still recuperating from that (orchids grow slow!). But they are all putting on new roots and leaves.
And one has even put up a bloom stem. As I said, these guys grow slow (at least in my experience), so could be months before we see actual flowers. Which drives me nuts… because I don’t remember what colours any of my orchids are! I really should label them when they bloom!
Wandering Cat Studio 