2015 in Review

I thought I'd take a look back at some of the things that happened in 2015.

First up, Squish. His thyroid packed it in early in the year and he must now take medication for the rest of his life. 1 pill twice a day. Makes vacations tricky. Hopefully he'll be with me for many more years.

Squish

Next up, Ahab. In February he had to leave Scent Hurdle due to his missing paw and it took until December to get him back. This involved a major change to the rules of the game. He's back in action now though!

Whistler, Oliver, and Ahab at his last Scent Hurdle tournament of 2015

Continuing with health issues I had a major gallbladder attack early in the year which ended with it's removal in November. While I was getting that done Soccer had the worst ear infection ever which took over two months to clear up. I think that's it for heath crises in 2015.

Now for the fiber stuff!

Seamless Red

Fist project finished in 2015, although it was started in 2014 was a little red sweater for my Wee Niece, completed before I even new she was a Niece not a Nephew. It's sized for a toddler not an infant.

Grey Baby Blanket

Then a baby blanket for the same kid. The picture doesn't show the texture in it at all. I'm told Wee Niece quite liked this blanket as it's very soft. My sister likes it too because it's acrylic and easily washed. The grey yarn came from a commercial sweater of mine that fell apart and I scavenged the yarn for a future project. Well used I'd say. The yellow was pulled from the stash, a leftover from another baby blanket made years ago. I was unemployed while making this one, hence everything coming from the stash.

Cell Phone Case

Then I made myself a cell phone case. I used it for a while but found it inconvenient to have to fish my phone out of two pockets.







I found I needed something to hold treats for the boys so I made myself a bag to carry dog training treats in. It fastens to the belt loop on my pants.

Dog Treat Bag

Niece Socks

Followed by socks for my not-so-wee Niece. There were definitely socks for my Nephew completed around this time too but apparently I didn't put them in Ravelry or take pictures.



Then Wee Niece got an adorable little overall that ended up fitting her for about two weeks. Kids grow so dang fast at first.

Pepita

Got selfish and made some socks to keep my own toes warm. Actually, I don't think this counts as selfish. I need socks too after all.

Super warm socks

Mom and sweater

Followed by a sweater for my Mom. She wears it lots, which is really cool.

Knocked off a quick pair of booties to go with the overalls for the Wee Niece. Feedback regarding these says they stay on quite well, Wee Niece wasn't able to kick them off immediately.

More socks, this time Mother's Day socks for Mom.

Eventually, I got around to making another something for myself. A tank-top for hiking. Note to self: go hiking more so you can use this.

Papita II

I got worried about the little overalls not fitting the Wee Neice, with some subsequent justification I might add as she was a big baby, so I made a larger version of overalls for her. Although at this point I still didn't know she was a girl.

Had to interrupt all the baby knitting to make some Father's Day socks for my Dad.

Father's Day Socks

Then straight back to baby knitting for some booties to match the second overalls.

Found an adorable pattern for toy mice for the cats so Squish and Mouse got a catnip filled treat. Where they are now I couldn't say, under furniture I suspect.

 

Returning to baby knitting I couldn't resist making a hat to complete the set for the Wee Niece.

Sister socks.

Decided that a new mom might need some new socks too. The colour in this picture is all wrong, it's the same yarn as the Father's Day socks. 

Socks for BiL

And if a new mom needs new socks surely a new dad does too. Made these for my Scottish BiL. The colour in this picture is much closer to reality than the socks for my sister above.

Experimented with some Star Booties but ended up not liking them because I chose the wrong cast on. It's a neat pattern but I need to think about the cast on.

A$$ Juice Cozy

Got caught up in a record keeping mistake and ended up making an A$$ Juice Cozy for work. Modeled on a wine bottle here. Completed with only three days warning.

Another blanket for my Wee Niece. This time a Loom Knitting experiment. I like this technique I can see ways to do some really intricate colour work.

Loom Knitting

A random pair of socks that ended up going to Mom because I got caught up with baby stuff and ran out of time to make her a pair for her birthday in December. Good thing I had these in reserve.

Mossy

Then something for myself again, a green vest done in double moss stitch. Don't think I'll be doing that again in a hurry. Worked out though as I wear it a lot.

More baby stuff, this time for a different baby. The overalls and booties went to a co-worker for his baby. When I met his girlfriend at the office Christmas party she said she quite likes them.

 

Another vest for myself. This one from the same yarn as Mom's sweater.

Gallbladder

Because I had requests to bring in my gallbladder after it was removed I knitted one as it turns out they don't let you take your organs back after they've been removed. Imagine that. It's presently in a jam jar on my desk at work.

Christmas hats for the Canadian Niece and Nephew. I think these went over well as they wore them home after opening them.

 

And another a pair of socks for myself. In fact, I'm wearing them as I write this.

And to finish off, a final pair of socks for Dad for his birthday in January. Didn't notice how different the two skeins were when I started and ended up having to rip out the first sock back to the heel in order to make the heel and toes in the second skein.

Wow, 33 projects finished in one year. I sure hope I don't have to exceed this in 2016.

And I guess that pretty much sums up 2015. Looking forward to a great 2016.

Current Weather

Mostly sunny and 1C.

A$$ Juice Cozy Part II

For Part I click here.

Here it is in all it's glory. Currently being modeled by a wine bottle. It's wool so it I don't imagine there will be any problems getting it to stretch over the A$$ Juice bottle; I think that one is a bit wider around than a standard wine bottle.

Pattern: see below
Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Worsted Weight
Needle: 5.0mm
Gauge: 6.4 stitches / inch (gauge not critical)

Pattern

(Please note that I wrote this out without testing, expect errors.)

Cast on 6 stitches.
Join in the round being careful not to twist.
Place stitch markers between all stitches.
Rnd 1 - kfb into all stitches
Rnd 2 (and all even rounds) - knit
Rnd 3 - kfb twice, *sm kfb twice, rep from * to end of round
Rnd 5 - kfb, knit to 1 stitch before the marker, kfb, *sm, kfb, knit to 1 stitch before the marker, kfb, rep from * to end of round

Continue until the circle is slightly smaller than the bottle you want it for, you want it to stretch at bit to fit. This does not need to be exact, it will stretch, especially if you use wool. Once you have reached your desired circumference remove the stitch markers leaving only one to mark the beginning of the round.

Switch to working 2X2 rib in the round.
Continue in rib until you reach desired length.
Bind off.
Enjoy beverage.

A$$ Juice Cozy

Sigh.

Due to a slight mix-up at work I find myself required to knit an A$$ Juice Cozy.

Allow me to explain: there is a bottle of truly vile liquor on the board room table and if you miss your weekly goal you are required to drink a shot during the Friday afternoon meeting. And if you are away on Friday and fail to submit a goal to the office manager then everyone else chooses for you.

I did actually submit a goal, I have time-stamped email proof!

I decided to knit the cozy anyway. It's way, way, way better than being required to perform a rap song written by yourself. Shudder.