Well, I Have Actually Been Knitting ...

It's been a while since I've actually talked about anything that I've actually been doing, knitting-wise, hasn't it?  Well, it's been a weird few months for me, between being discouraged about work, having my osteoarthritis flare up (particularly the "new" one in my thumb joint), and then my latest bout of cold-into-bronchitis. 

And, though I've been hit-or-miss, I have been working on things, albeit slowly and sporadically.  As a matter of fact, I've even actually finished one thing.  (I should have warned those of you with delicate dispositions before just putting that out there.  Sorry!)

You may recall that one of my birthday gifts from The Tim was a Nook Color - the Barnes & Noble e-reader.  I decided that I really needed a nice knitted case for it, particularly since the cases you can purchase were $30.00 and up and even though The Tim would let me buy it with his discount, I am a cheapskate when it comes to some things.  (Other things ... well ...)  So off to Ravelry, to find a pattern, since I am not too keen on the design-your-own things, as they involve Math, which is one of my few true nemeses.  But I digress.

I found this pattern, which I really liked, as it involved a cable, one of my very favorite things in the universe.  So I poked around in my stash, and found some Wool-Ease, in an oatmeal shade, that I decided fit the bill just perfectly.  With spring and summer coming up, who wants a dark, wintry color for their Nook cover?  And being that I am not as, er, careful as I should/could be with things, it also had the bonus of being something that could go into the washer and dryer should it need such attention.

One Sunday afternoon shift at Rosie's and an evening later, voila!

View A:

(Crappy photo taken by me)

View B:

(Better photo, taken by Andrea)

I'm overall pleased with it, and ready to make another one for the Fall-Winter season.  I did decide that my next one will have a few changes, and I've outlined those on my Ravelry project page.

One of the best things about this knitting project?  It finally gave me a chance to buy a button that I have been wanting for over a year.  I didn't want to buy it until I had something in mind, because I figured it would get lost in the effluvia that is my life and possessions.  Fortunately, when I would proudly show it to friends and acquaintances, they were less than interested in buying it;  but every time a customer came into the shop looking for buttons, I would hold my breath, lest they decide they needed it.

Behold what is quite possibly the most awesomest button ever.  Ladies and gentlemen, I give you

MICE ON A PICNIC!!!!!!

(This picture also by Andrea, in case you hadn't already guessed ...)

I mean, really, can you believe how great this button is?  It's just perfect for my Nook Cozy, as far as I'm concerned, and it pleases and amuses me each time I see it.

Though a small project, this has already been valuable in protecting the item inside of it.  The Tim has even taken it to the bookstore to show people, in spite of the fact that it isn't my best knitting ever.  It's gonna be hard for the Fall-Winter Nook Cozy to top this, let me tell you ...

I've also been working on a pair of socks, and have gotten to the point where, after what seems eternal swatching, I'm ready to start knitting Narrangansett.  And of course, there are a couple of other things that I've been working on when the mood strikes, but are just making very.slow.progress.

I'll be sure to keep you posted on those.  That is, if you can stand it, after knowing that I scored The Button ...