Fame's New Hobbles

Knitting

I know I said I was going to warp my rigid heddle loom instead of knitting and even though I had a large block of time this past Sunday for doing just that, I ended up knitting on my Cameo sweater instead. I am hoping to get to the joining of the front and back before I set this project on the side burner.



The sweater looks as if it could fit a doll doesn't it? I am totally winging it as far as gauge goes. I could get the suggested pattern gauge on US size 8 needles but didn't like the looseness of the stitch pattern at that size. I played around with several other needle sizes and decided I liked the look of the Broken Rib pattern on US size 5 needles best. So I am trying to fit my gauge on size 5 needles to the size of the sweater. Wish me luck! If it doesn't fit, oh well, it's the learning process that counts right? Actually, when I hold it up to my favorite sweaters, it seems okay. It is a very "stretchy" pattern. Failure or success, I'll keep you posted on the outcome.

Dogs

Fame was fitted with her Dog Leggs this afternoon. Fame has been diagnosed with MSI, medial shoulder instability, similar to rotator cuff injury in humans. Supposedly, these braces will keep her shoulders stable for the next 4 months and allow her ligaments to heal. I'm so, SO happy Fame survived her hemolytic anemia, now I just need her to survive the side effects of the drugs that saved her.



Sorry for the fuzzy picture but Fame is still adjusting to her hobbles and can't seem to sit still for the camera. Keep your fingers crossed for my little Fame-ous!

Busy Summer

Fame survived her bamboo knitting needle, knitting pattern and yarn eating experience just fine. Can't say the same for my mother's bed socks. They were so saturated with dog saliva and slobber I tossed the entire project into the garbage. I did order more yarn and the pattern (again) and plan to start over. I was enjoying knitting those socks, I just don't have the ambition to start it over so soon.

Knitting

Meanwhile, I started the Cameo sweater from Custom Knits.



This is Rowan Cashsoft DK in a creamy white. (Yes, I know, I've been in a "white" mood lately.) Love the yarn, enjoying the pattern. However, my right index finger has still not healed. Perhaps you remember my complaining about it this past winter. I injured my index finger many years ago and then last summer re-injured the very same spot when a knife slipped while I was cutting up lemons and limes. I use my right index finger to push the yarn along and am constantly irritating this finger all the time I am knitting.

I need to take a break from knitting. I'm not too happy about it but it needs to be done. This finger has got to heal! I plan to keep the Cameo sweater in my purse and knit while I have free moments, but I've decided to go back (way back) to weaving on my rigid heddle loom.



I used to be a decent weaver. Though I haven't done it in years I'm sure I can learn again. Above is a picture of one of eight placements I wove way back in 1975. They've held up nicely. These are made of 100% linen. It's time to pick up this hobby again and give my sore finger a rest.

Having said that, I need to find a large block of time to re-learn how to warp my loom and that's a problem. My busy summers do not lend themselves to big blocks of unused time. I'll update my blog with pictures as I start the process of warping, whenever that may be.

Dogs

The dogs and I have been doing lots of agility trials lately. We've had some very successful weekends and some less than such weekends. Still, we've always had fun.



I've been feeling guilty about ignoring obedience this spring so beginning in June, have made a conscious effort to do more obedience training especially with Dusty, Shamrock and Bunny. My goal is obedience trials starting in August. We'll see how it goes. I'm in the office much of the rest of June and those two hours of commuting time each day mean a negative two hours a day for dog training. Oh well, it's good to have a job.

Fame is having more health problems. Fame started limping on her left shoulder when she was on so much prednisone for her hemolytic anemia. Although off the pred, Fame still limped intermittently through the winter and spring. The limping is constant now. I was able to get Fame in to see Dr. Julia at Twin City Animal Rehab where she was diagnosed with MSI, Medial Shoulder Instability. Big Bummer! The pred saved her life but the muscle wasting side effect has caused another serious problem.

Fame was measured for and will be fitted with shoulder braces next week. I'll take pictures of her in her "hobbles" once they arrived. It will be four full months of shoulder braces for Fame along with tons of crate rest and stretching exercises, walking only, no running and absolutely no agility, ball chasing or playing with her housemates! Fingers crossed she'll be able to do obedience and agility after all this sacrifice.

Meanwhile, I'm relaxing tonight in preparation for a very busy upcoming work week. Here's a little relaxation I created. It's one part vodka, two parts Pom Juice, a splash of OJ and 2-3 ice cubes. Excellent if I do say so myself.



Now I must go. It is thundering out and this sends Dusty into a total state of panic. Time to go rescue my little friend from his terror.