Silver Birch Hat!

Since several of you asked about Biko's new bed , which can be found at Aviva Designs Ltd. I went online to find a link, because I've ripped off all tags, I had no clue where to find it other than at our Ryans Global Pet Food store, where we buy food for our dogs. Well, I found it, and I see now, that they have awesome stuff!

Thanks to all your well wishes, Biko is doing great. She's got the stitches removed, the hardest part with that was the long drive, and the waiting at the clinic. The actual visit with the Doc lasted about 5 minutes tops. We all felt very uncomfortable there, and in the future, we'll avoid this clinic if at all possible. I am thankful to the surgeon for doing such a fine job.

She's now allowed to walk the stairs, go for walks on the leash, but no chasing the ball yet. She's using her tail again, and seems much, much happier than before the surgery. She's not grumpy anymore, which just shows me, that she must have been in pain for a long time. She can also walk up the stairs straight, and not sideways as before.

Right now she's just a piggy, driven by her medication, to guard the entrance to the kitchen (from Sam), as well as the fridge. She wants to eat non-stop. I found her lying in the dark kitchen in front of the dishwasher, a place were she's never wanted to lay down before.

The other day, when I was doing dishes, I was swishing out a pan, and poured the liquid into the toilet, did not flush it right away, because I had another bowl to empty into it. You know what's coming. I heard some noisy SLURP SLURP SLURP, and thought that this was going on way to long (we have a water bowl for the dogs in the hall). When I finally investigated I found Biko drinking out of the toilet bowl. Eeeeeeeeewe! See what the meds make my girl do!!!

Something very flattering happened too: I've got an e-mail from Amy, editor of Spin-Off magazine regarding my Morning Surf Scarf:

"Dear Monika,
Thank you for sharing your version of the Morning Surf Scarf by Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer on Ravelry. We love how the scarf works up in handspun and are working with Jackie to offer the pattern in Spin-Off. We’d like to follow the pattern with a gallery of scarves that have been made in handspun yarns and yours caught our eye.
(In case you’re not familiar with us, Spin-Off is a quarterly publication from Interweave Press devoted to handspinning and what readers make from their handspun yarn. Each issue we feature a gallery of handspun items.)
This was a last minute inspiration, so we’re already in the throes of making the Summer issue—said another way, we’re operating on a tight schedule.
Please let us know if you are interested in participating in our gallery as soon as possible by emailing me at amyc@interweave.com. If you’re able to participate in the Summer issue, I’ll respond with a projects notes box that I’ll need you to fill out and we’ll need you to ship the scarf, fiber and yarn so that it arrives by Monday next week (March 10, 2008).............

About 2–6 weeks before the May 7, 2008 press date, you’ll receive the edited text to review. Can you please send me your complete contact information as well?

Best wishes,
Amy Clarke Moore Editor, Spin-Off Interweave Press, Inc. 201 East Fourth Street Loveland, CO 80537-5655 (970) 613-4682 AmyC@Interweave.com www.interweave.com"

I'm very pleased, and flattered, but I can't participate, scarf's gone as a gift, and I used up all the handspun yarn I had, nothing left put pictures. Oh well. :o)

Now finally we'll come to the title of this post: The Silver Birch Hat!

Can you see how fuzzy the mohair is? I love it! Even though the hat turned out pretty big, I liked it's construction, and I loved knitting with both yarns. It's easy and fun to make too. Next time (if there is a next time), I'll swatch to get a better fit.

Hannah's modeling it, with wet hair out in the cold, thanks Honey!

I liked doing the crochet edge, you should click on the above pic to see the close up, it's so wonderful that I must force myself to move on, and not stare at it indefinitely! :o)

I've special ordered this Manos Silk Blend yarn for this hat. It's not the original yarn used in the pattern, but this is amazing yarn. I loved every single stitch I knit and crochet with it. It's a pity that it goes under combined with the mohair blend, but still, that's note worthy yarn!

pattern: Silver Birch hat, Colinette Arboretum Book (original yarn used: Colinette Taos & Colinette Parisienne)

yarn: I used: Manos del Uruguay, color # 3117, 30% silk 70% merino wool, 1 x 50g ~ 150yds and Watercolors by Estelle: 50g ~ 175yds, shade 30, 50% mohair 50% acrylic, held doubled

needles: 4mm

crochet hook: 3.75mm

start-finish: Feb. 20-21 (I know speed is not important, I just wanted Hannah to model it, before she left)

I fell in love with this hat and it's construction, but more with the yarn used (Colinette Taos), when I saw this hat, which Claudia of Mr. Puffy the Dog made.

BTW - Devonshire is having a Blogiversary contest. You've got to let her know what your favorite dessert is, the bad thing is, you can only list ONE!