Much Randomness - And Don't Forget The Contest!

I always thought that I was a well equipped knitter.  More than the average amount of stash, plenty of needles, book filled bookcases, and all the notions necessary for any knitterly task.  But still there was something missing, one little thing nagging at the back of my mind.  Something not quite right.  But what?  Then it dawned on me.  Cats.  There wasn't a cat in the house.  Now, what kind of knitter/knit blogger was I to be without a cat.  So, about two weeks ago - in fact, the day of the spin-in - that was remedied.  I know I mentioned this before, and even put up a blurry photo, but now the cats have moved from the grungy garage into the house, and photo opportunities are a bit easier.  Here they are - Mittens (yellow) and Socks (formerly Sammy, then briefly Smoky.)

Awwww.  I took them to the vet last Friday, and both were diagnosed with URIs and eye infections.  Because they run every time we even look in their direction, we had them sequestered in the mostly unused upstairs bathroom (yes Melissa, the same one you got locked into. And I'm still sorry about that!) so we could give them their meds without having to engage in a major cat hunt twice a day.   I had a nice thick blanket in the tub, and they each have their own little beds, and still they preferred snuggling in the sink.  Mittens is obviously the bigger of the two.  He weighs about 5.5 pounds, while Socks is a tiny guy at just a smidge over 2 pounds.  But now that they are feeling better, and have been dewormed, I hope they'll both start gaining.  They are almost seven months old, and should be coming into their full growth soon - at least I think so.  Anyway, they finished their meds tonight, and now have free run of the house.  They are really supposed to be mostly outside cats, because Jim wants them to chase off all the chipmunks, but I think it's going to be a while before that happens.  Until they'll come when I call them, I'm afraid to let them out for fear they won't come back.  They'll end up outside, but I'm enjoying them being in for now - if I could only find them!!   

As for my current knitting, I finished the red sweater this evening.  It still needs to be blocked and seamed, but at least all the knitting is done.  I took a picture of the body the other day, before the sleeves were finished. 

The fronts are rolling in now, but I'll pick up and knit around the fronts and across the back neck to stop that.  It's very soft, and should be extremely warm.  The sweater is designed without buttons or zipper, but I'm going to try adding three or four frog closures. 

I'm also fairly close to finishing the current pair of socks, which will be #94.  Now that the sweater is done, I may just devote myself to sock knitting and see if I can hit 100 before the year is out.  The yarns for the next six pairs have been chosen, now I just need to find the patterns.

Ok, I guess that's about it for now.  Except to remind you to enter my contest - and tell all your sock knitting friends to enter my contest.  So far, there aren't a lot of entries.  I'm all about the socks, so get those cameras out and let me see them!  Remember, just leave a link to your photos in my contest post comments and you'll be entered.  Remember - prizes!!

Comments

[scout]

I'm totally not a kitty person but I have to say that is the cutest shot ever!

[beagle]

Love the kitties!
Love the blueberry waffle socks too!

[marti]

I love the blueberry waffle pattern, and it was perfect for that yarn. The kittens are way adorable.

[Debbie]

oh, they are doll babies!

more kitty pictures.

Good seeing ya on the Garden Tour.

[deb]

That is the most adorable photo! I have felt less a knitter without cats myself. I'll just have to accept the bunny that goes with our new cabin:)

[La]

You'll be amazed how quick they'll put on that weight now that they're in a loving home! SOOOOO beautiful!

[Chris]

That is SUCH a cute picture!

[Sydney]

Oh what a cute kitty picture! Congratulations on the new additions. Knitters need to have kitties.

I like the color of the sweater.

[Rachel]

now THAT is a cute pic! When I was in undergrad, my cat and my roommates cat did that together in the sink as well...the mind of a cat!

[Jen]

Your kittens are darling! Here are my first socks:
http://friender.blogspot.com/2007/07/well-traveled-sock.html
and here are my latest socks! (scroll down)
http://friender.blogspot.com/2007/09/rock-stars.html

Your Yarn Pirate, Trekking & Some Assembly Required yarns are in the mail tomorrow! enjoy.

[Diana]

Such sweet kitties. Looking forward to meeting them sometime. Your sweater is looking beautiful, can't wait to see you model the finished product.

[Cindy]

I agree with you on a cat in the house. I use to have two but now only one outside because he is a maniac. I often think that cats and knitting go hand in hand and I miss it so much since I'm now an addicted knitter. Take care of those precious sweeties and good luck.

[Brittany Newberry]

Awwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!! They are SO CUTE!!!! Our cats like sleeping in the sink too! What's up with that?? I guess it cradles them just right!

[Lynn]

Jane, here is my link to my socks!!! I KNOW I make snazzier socks than what's posted, but apparently my tame socks are the ones being shown off.
http://neveradullmomentforlynn.blogspot.com/2007/09/show-jane-your-socks.html

[kathy boyer]

Yes you are complete now. Mittens and socks are soooooooo cute. I have adopted cats and they are probably too old, b/c they never cuddle together and sleep like that. I LOVE that.

I hope the URI's aren't the herpes kind. Our dear Rozzy, adopted as a 2 year old, still has herpes flares. We love her, but the boogers are kind of disgusting!

[Tracey]

Jane, Jane, Jane. Thank you. You see, I have been pestering my husband for months now telling him that it is just not right for me to be a catless knitblogger. I told him, it's universal knitblogger code. I am going against the fates here!

Yay! Hmmm, time to gather the socks and think of something interesting.

[dale-harriet in WI]

I'm with Debi - indoor cats (and think on it, you surely wouldn't want to risk having chipmunks INside...) Congratulations on having been adopted by kitties - don't delude yourselves into thinking you picked THEM! You know what they say: "a dog has a master; a cat has a staff".

[Restless Knitter]

Aww, that is SO cute!

[--Deb]

That is a VERY cute picture!!

[Crazy For Yarn In Alabama]

That has GOT to be the cutest kitty picture I have seen in a long time!!!

Your sweater looks great...love that color!!

And did you say 94 socks....as in NINETY FOUR socks????? OH MY!!!!!!!!! WOW!!! I am jealous!!!!!!!!

[margene]

That is the sweetest picture. Good luck with them and I look forward to the day you tell us they curled up in your lap.

[Samantha]

Awww.

[Beth]

That snuggle picture is wonderful!

[Dee]

The kitties are ADORABLE. You're right...almost every knit blogger seems to have kitties.

[Carla]

Boy, I sure want to stick my face into to all that tummy fur and get a snuggle!

[Lynn]

OMG they are adorable!!!! and how close did they let you get to take that picture?? They will definitely warm up to you, esp when all you do to them is give them hugs and kisses instead of wrestling them to get meds in them. SO adorable!!! and I LOVE the names!!

I will be posting my socks tomorrow (that's still in time for the contest, right?) since today is filled with more school volunteering.

[jessie]

Hearbreakingly cute cat photo.

[Debi]

Your new kitties are precious!

Since you're a new cat owner, do you know that outdoor cats have much shorter lifespans than indoor cats? Just something to think about...

[J.P.]

OMG.. the cats are just too freakin' cute! And such fun names, too!