speaking of robin...

unsuccessful attempt to hide from the vet.

how strange that i posted all those FO photos with robin in them last week...who would have guessed that, in the time since then, robin would fall ill and be diagnosed with chronic renal failure (CRF)? certainly not me, but that's what has transpired since then. it's not as dire as it sounds - his numbers are elevated, but not critical or acute, and everyone we've spoken with is extremely optimistic that we can control his symptoms through diet and fluid therapy. he's not in pain, and he's only unhappy because he's been getting so much face time with his nemesis the vet. all signs are pointing to him leading a good, long life, as long as we are careful to monitor him and keep him healthy.

poor little guy is having an extended stay at the moment, where he is receiving an iv treatment to flush his kidneys and get his numbers down to a manageable level. once they are satisfied with his progress, he can come home to snuggle! it's been a stressful couple of days, but now that we know what we're up against, things feel a little less scary.

tilly seems a little confused as to robin's whereabouts, but i think the terror of the patio door installation that took place all day yesterday superceded any feelings she might have on the subject of robin. she spent the greater part of the day hiding in the closet - there's a nice pillow on a shelf that she has adopted as her bed, and that is where she chooses to spend her time whenever outsiders are in our midst.

i did finally get some FO photos of the peak's island hood, which i was wearing out and about til the indian summer came back full force over the weekend. this is the least silly pose i am capable of while wearing what is, essentially, and adult bonnet. i don't say that to knock the pattern - it's beautiful! but it's a certain kind of person who can rock a hooded scarf, and though i may not be of that ilk, i don't really care so long as i'm warm. also, i am still in awe of how soft this project got after soaking it in hair conditioner. i'll have to use that trick more often!!

Comments

Overdyeing A Finished Knit

Even after just a few years of knitting or crocheting, you're bound to have some finished projects lying around that never get worn or used. After 10+ years of crafting, I have more than just "some" or "a few"....and with my ongoing quest to declutter my house this year, I've become obsessed with going through these forlorn projects and making some Big Decisions. Sometimes, they are perfectly fine and just need a new and loving home. Other projects may have not turned out quite right: there might have been some mistakes in the knitting that I thought I could live with, or the yarn was gorgeous but not well-matched to the pattern, or my taste has drastically changed since I finished making the project...in any case, why on earth did I keep knitting?! Who knows, but I don't feel good about gifting anything that falls into this category to someone else. These projects have been relegated to the "frog pile" (or should I say, frog pond?), to b...

A Finished Sweater, With Cat Hair

After losing Tilly and Robin within a year of each other, I sure didn't think I'd be finding cat hair in my knitting any time soon. But the universe had other ideas. Over the winter, a white feral cat adopted us. I'd noticed her when we moved into our apartment last summer - I would see her hiding in the bushes or sunning herself in the grass when she thought no one was looking. I assumed she was someone's cat until I realized how skittish she was around humans, plus she had a tipped ear, which is a universal sign that a feral/stray cat has been spayed. Neighbors confirmed that she was a feral kitty (descended from several generations of feral cats, in fact), and that she has survived on her wits and whatever food various residents put out for her. We had some bitterly cold days over the winter, and I just felt so sorry for this poor kitty! I started offering her treats and slowly gained her trust. She didn't even want to come inside our apartment at first, much le...

Australian Superfine Merino Yarn Review & Giveaway

After more than ten years of knitting, I can still have new experiences - even with well-covered territory such as merino yarn! This recent merino experience actually took me by surprise: I've spun with it, I've dyed it, I've knit with it, and I've even crocheted with it...I was pretty sure I knew all there was to know about merino! Turns out, there are four different classifications of merino fiber, sorted by micron count range . At the bottom of the spectrum is Strong Merino , which ranges from 26-22.9 microns; above that is Fine Merino , which ranges from 20.1-23 microns; next up is Extra Fine Merino, which ranges from 20-15.6 microns; and at the very top of the heap is Superfine Merino Wool , with a micron range of 18.5-15.6. If you're into numbers and wondering how these four classes stack up against other fibers you may be familiar with, here are a few for comparison's sake: BFL (Blue-Faced Leicester) has a micron range of 24-28, Cashmere goat down ...

handmade by stefanie

Search This Blog