Alligator Scarf

I had fun making this scarf. This gator needs to go into water now and has a good wash. It will be swimming across the pond this coming Christmas as a present for my sister's little boy. Material:
Worsted weight yarn (132g, just under 5 oz, 277 yards)
Knitting needles 4mm
Pattern by Morehouse Farm

It is the season

I was planning to finish knitting the gator scarf over the weekend, but things didn’t turn out as planned. We have been busy caring for Poppy instead.

Poppy is four and half years old now. She has her flea treatment every month. We never have to face any flea problem before…until now. Other dog owners told me that fleas build up resistance to Frontline Plus (we all used this for our dogs). They changed over to Advantage then things were fine again.

Something was biting Poppy, an area on her back just above her butt was worse than the others, but I can’t find any bugs on her. Even then, we did a total clean up. Hubby applied treatment to the yards outside, and I treated all carpeted areas indoor, removed and washed all beddings. We shampooed Poppy, gave her CapStar to kill off any adult fleas for immediate relief, and changed over to Advantix.

Things were better but it is one of those situations where you take one step forward and two steps back. Poppy turned obsessive licking over that area above her butt and we ended up in the veterinarian office yesterday.

The doctor came into the examination room, took a look at Poppy and exclaimed, “No! What happen to you Poppy? Who clipped your hair?” I confessed and explained that drastic problem required drastic action. Poppy’s fur is so thick and I needed to see what I am dealing with, so I shaved her over the weekend. My husband offered, “I helped. I used a pair of scissors but I might have cut some areas a bit too short, so she has a few bare patches.” The doctor took a closer look and in a soothing voice she said to Poppy “That’s OK, the hair will grow back”. Then she turned to my husband and stated “No more clipping for you, and I am not giving you any referral or customer.”

Anyway, the doctor reassured us that it is mainly flea bites. It is the season she said. She checked and Poppy has no flea. An insect could have stung the area on her lower back. It is infected and we need to treat it now. So, with $235 lighter, we were sent home armed with spray, tablets, supplement, an appointment for a follow-up visit, and most importantly an Elizabethan collar (e-collar). Poppy doesn’t look too happy about it, does she?
After all the fuss and our big spring clean up I needed some cheering up: I went shopping on-line. Well, that’s my excuse and I am sticking to it. I ordered some animal eyes from CR's Crafts for making crochet or knitted toys, and three pattern books for beautiful lace doilies. The surprise was that the eyes actually turned up today, superfast shipping I must say.

I better go now and finish off the rest of my laundry then I can carry on with the scarf.

Have a great day.

Cast on the Alligator Scarf

Since I used a substitute yarn, I knitted a small piece to check my gauge (20 stitches x 26 rows = 4" x 4").Poppy was happy snoozing away until I took this picture to show my casting on row.This pattern is so easy and fun, needles fly…and I am knitting the main part of gator body already.

Next Project

Rainy days are dreamy days. These are the days when the air is fresh, the temperature is cool, and it is just cosy to stay indoor; and me? Busy dreaming about what I should do next, of course.

Right now I am working on a cardigan from the top down for a little girl, all in one piece.
The next project? After rummaging through my stash of yarns and books and patterns…the winner is this alligator scarf. No, I might never have a chance to wear it in Florida, but such funny looking scarf? (sigh) I have never said I am logical.

I have even taken the trouble to check the length of the yarn by winding it on a niddy noddy. I think I am good for this one.

It's raining.

Yes! It is raining. But when it rains here in Florida, as my hubby would say “That’s proper rain.” It is pouring down and it has been chucking it down all night and all morning. So happy it is raining…the trees and shrubs need a good soaking after a long dry spell.

New borns

I was working in the yard the other day, picking up fallen palm fronds at the north side of our garden when I heard chirping noises. Poppy heard it too and we went to investigate. What we saw kept me and Poppy glued to the ground; there were three little furry baby opossums. One was lost, and he was so tiny he couldn’t see his way home, so he called out. His chirps were answered by his two litter mates who were waiting by the entrance to their den. The little lost one then waddled ever so slowly to wards the guiding noises.

Poppy was so good. She saw the opossums, watched the little one making his way through the bushes, all she did was to nudge me with her nose and gave me a look to say “Did you see that?” I told her, yes I did “They are this year’s new-borns.” And with that, we carried on watching with fascination. The little guy made it safely home. There was a happy reunion and then all three waddled back into the den.

Then it was time for me and Poppy to go home ourselves. On the way back, I suddenly remembered the baby sweater I made for NewBorns-In-Need . I kept meaning to mail it but have yet to get round of doing it. I will do it now - my first ever baby sweater for a charity.

Materials:
Bambino Double Knitting with Cotton
Knitting needle size: 4.00mm
Patterns: Robin R223

Spring

When you see the first snowdrop, you know winter is almost over. No dainty snowdrops in Florida, but I do know spring is here. The pine trees are sprouting new growth in earnest.
Baby mango fruits are forming thick and fast on the young mango tree.

The orchids are in full bloom, not as delicate as snowdrops but just as pretty.

Crocheted Green Cotton Cardigan

Using the same yarn as the knitted green cotton vest, I crocheted this cardigan using the basic shape of a Patons pattern and added two daisy flowers. It took a lot longer than what I originally anticipated. I am just please that it is finished now.

Materials:
100% cotton yarn
Six 15mm mother of pearls buttons
Crochet hook size: 2.00mm and 1.80mm for the borders

Patterns:
Patons PBN E 5290 (modified – left out the motif border)
Daisy flowers were from a Prima magazine pull-out

Knitted Green Cotton Vest

My stash of fiber, yarn, and fabric has grown so much over the years, they take up a lot of space in my craft room. I did a big tidy up last year, had a good look at what I got, and made a To-Do project list...I am making good progress in using up my stash. Here is one of them: a knitted little cotton top, great for the Florida summer.

Material: 100% 3 ply cotton
Pattern: Dolly (designed by Kim Hargreaves) on page 93 in The Knitter's Bible by Kate Buller