Category Archives: Pepper

Pepper’s sweater

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I started the Botanical Yoke sweater for Pepper last week. The pattern begins with the “sleeves” which are put “on hold” and then begin the main sweater from the bottom up.

The sleeves are finished; I’m on the fourth row/round of the body.

It’s been cold here the past few days so when I put her old sweater on her, I realized it was way too small. She wore it anyway.

I’m trying to knit this quickly but with DK yarn and size 4 needles, it’s not as quick as a worsted sweater on larger needles. Plus there are all the other things I have/want/need to do…

So where was I?

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Yes, I remember. I fractured my humerus over Labor Day weekend (September 3rd). I’m out of the sling and going to physical therapy twice a week getting strength and motion back. It’s a long process but I see lots of improvement.

I finally picked up my knitting needles last week “thinking” I could knit another 1898 hat for a charity event. All knit, no purl. I could knit about 15-20 rows on the headband section before I had to stop and rest for the day. Slow going to say the least considering I completed one of these hats in 2-3 days in the past! It’s going to take some time to get my knitting skills back.

My next knitting attempt will be this sweater for Pepper. Maybe I’m just more motivated to knit this than the hat. We shall see! Truth be told I don’t usually buy individual knitting patterns but I’ve been eyeing up this sweater for a year (since we decided to actually get a puppy) and finally decided that Pepper was worth it (plus it was on sale at the time). I didn’t have any superwash DK yarn in my stash and “had” to order some (in Rhubarb). It should arrive today! I know I could adapt the pattern and use a worsted weight yarn but I don’t have the brain power at this time to do the math.

Formal training with Pepper will end before Christmas. We’ve learned so much and even though we have more to do, it’s time for a much needed break. One armed training was not fun but I’m able to use both arms now. Miniature Schnauzers are headstrong PLUS she was the alpha dog with her siblings, a tough thing to overcome for her.

Have a great week. I’ll be back soon!

But I don’t play tennis anymore

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My knitting has been sidelined for a while. The Curaçao Diamonds did number on my left arm. I really love those socks but the fingering weight cotton blend yarn and US #1 knitting needles were too much for those muscles especially since I hurried through the second one.

I looked up my symptoms and self-diagnosed tennis elbow. Rest and a combination of heat and ice are the only things that will help.

Once my arm feels better, my knitting queue will include seamless slippers (requested by my other sister-in-law), some baby hats (from super soft stash yarn), and a new sweater for Pepper. The slippers will likely be Frankensteined while using up odds and ends of worsted weight yarns. Pepper’s sweater will be from my yarn stash, too.

And speaking of Pepper, she is the star* of our training sessions! We’ve gone to two so far and she and I are learning how to communicate better. 

*Never mind that our sessions are one-on-one with the trainer!

Happy knitting!

Weekend Shorty Socks

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Yes, I’m still around. Pepper keeps us busy.

I managed to knit these Weekend Shorty Socks rather quickly (in my opinion) probably because they had such short cuffs and no leg to knit.

I loved using up some odds and ends of sock yarn to make this almost matching pair. The pattern calls for six different colors plus a basic for the foot for each sock. I used the same colors for the pair and changed the solid area on one cuff for narrower stripes.

All yarn is Knit Picks Stroll. Other than the white aka “bare”, the rest are from partial balls of yarn: Dusk (blue), Scarlet, Rouge (pink), Ash (grey), and Peapod (green).

I knit the Eye of Partridge heel flap as I like the texture and mostly because I think it looks and wears fantastically.

My only complaint (and it’s my own fault) is that the socks are just a tad too small/short for my feet. Yes, I could rip out the toe and add a few more rows but I have two granddaughters with smaller feet that might wear them. Of course, I’d have to knit another pair. Or I could give them to my one sister-in-law who has smaller feet.

Gratuitous Pepper picture…

Pepper

Happy knitting…