Sunday, 28 January 2024

Twisted Hat

I just finished knitting another twisted hat. It’s an easy pattern once you get into the repetitive groove. 


I combined strands of Lion Brand’s Re-Spun … the colours are raven, amber and cornsilk.


I found the pattern here.


Directions are for size small; changes for size large are in parentheses.

Hat circumference at bottom edge: 16 (18)" [41 (46)cm]; Hat stretches to fit 20 (22)” [51 (56)cm]

I used 4.5mm [US 7] and 5.5mm [US 9] needles and 4 ply yarn. 

Hat is worked in the round on double pointed needles.

With smaller needles, cast on 90 (102) sts. Divide sts evenly around double pointed needles. Join to work in rounds, taking care not to twist sts. Place marker for beginning of round.

Ribbing Round: 
[K1 through the back loop, p1] around. Repeat ribbing round until piece measures 1½" [4cm] from beginning.

Round 1: Change to larger needles and knit.
Round 2: [K2, yo, k2, k2tog] around – 90 (102) sts.
Repeat round 2 until piece measures 8 (8½)" [20 (22) cm] from beginning.

Shape Crown
  • Decrease round 1: [K2tog, yo, k2, k2tog] 15 (17) times – 75 (85) sts.
  • Next round: [K1, yo, k2, k2tog] around – 75 (85) sts.
  • Decrease round 2: *K1, yo, [k2tog] twice; repeat from * around – 60 (68) sts
  • Next round: [K1, yo, k1, k2tog] around – 60 (68) sts.
  • Decrease round 3: [K2, k2tog] 15 (17) times – 45 (51) sts.
  • Decrease round 4: [K1, k2tog] around – 30 (34) sts.
  • Decrease round 5: [K2tog] around – 15 (17) sts.
  • Decrease round 6: [K2tog, k1] 5 times, k2tog 0 (1) time – 10 (11) sts.
Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread yarn through remaining sts and pull to gather. Secure end. Weave in ends.

ABBREVIATIONS
k = knit
k2tog = knit 2 sts together
p = purl
St st = Stockinette stitch
st(s) = stitch(es)
yo = yarn over

Saturday, 27 January 2024

Knitted hat

I just finished knitting a large adult hat. 


I used a 5mm circular needle and combined strands of Lion Brand’s Re-Spun, which is a really thin 4 weight yarn (otherwise I would use a regular 4 weight yarn) … the colours are raven and amber.


I cast on 100 stitches on my 5mm circular needle, working in rounds (putting a marker at the beginning). 

Round 1 - (K3, purl 2) repeat to end
Round 2 - knit to the end

I repeated these two rounds for 34 rows.

Crown decrease:
  1. (Knit 3, purl 2, knit 3, purl 2 together) repeat to end
  2. Knit
  3. (Knit 3, purl 2, knit 2, knit 2 together) repeat to end
  4. Knit
  5. (Knit 3, purl 2, knit 1, knit 2 together) repeat to end
  6. Knit
  7. (Knit 3, purl 2, knit 2 together) repeat to end
  8. Knit
  9. (Knit 3, purl 1, purl 2, knit 2 together) repeat to end
  10. Knit
  11. (Knit 3, purl 2 together) repeat to end
  12. Knit
  13. (Knit 2, knit 2 together) repeat to end
  14. Knit
  15. (Knit 1, knit 2 together) repeat to end
  16. (Knit 2 together) repeat to end
  17. Cut the yarn and draw through the last 6 stitches and pull. Secure and weave in the end.

Cat Shelter Building Workshop, Toronto Street Cats, Toronto, ON

I spent this morning volunteering with Toronto Street Cats building cat shelters which are sold to the public. The workshops are held throughout the fall and winter season at the Toronto Humane Society.  I've been volunteering with them since 2018 ... it's so nice helping the kitties in Toronto keep warm and dry during the cold winter.

In addition to selling the shelters for $15 or three for $30, Toronto Street Cats also provides free straw to replenish existing shelters.

Joe and Prudence
Joe, Me and Prudence

We taped the insulated walls together in the bins and then taped the tubing entrances. Thom cut the tubing for the entrance ways, cut the Styrofoam for insulated walls and drilled holes into the bins after the insulated walls had been taped inside.

Before
After

Friday, 26 January 2024

Barley Hat

I finished knitting a large adult Barley Hat (I found the pattern on Tin Can Knits’ site). 


Thanks for modelling it, Gord!

Not only does the Tin Can Knits site provide different sizes from newborn to adult large (I made an adult large hat) but also the instructions for different weights of yarns (I combined strands of Lion Brand’s Re-Spun [the colours are amber and cornsilk] and followed the worsted/aran instructions).

I cast on 96 stitches on my 5mm circular needle, working in rounds (putting a marker at the beginning). I worked K1, P1 rib for 1.5 inches. I knit to the 32nd stitch and put another marker after that stitch and then continued to stitch to the end of the round.

Round 1 - purl to the marker and then knit to end of the round (garter stitch)
Round 2 - knit (stockinette stitch)

I repeated these two rounds until the hat was 6.75 inches from the cast on, ending with round 1.

Crown decrease:
  1. (Knit 14, knit 2 together, insert a marker) repeat to the end
  2. Purl to the second marker, knit to the end
  3. (Knit to 2 stitches before marker, knit 2 together) repeat to the end
  4. Purl to the second marker, knit to the end
  5. Repeat 3 and 4 six times
  6. (Purl to 2 stitches before marker, purl 2 together) twice; (knit to 2 stitches before the marker, knit 2 together) repeat to the end
  7. (Knit to 2 stitches before the marker, knit 2 together) repeat to the end
  8. Repeat 6 and 7 four times
  9. Cut the yarn and draw through the last 6 stitches and pull. Secure and weave in the end.

Thursday, 25 January 2024

Book ~ "My Effin' Life" (2023) Geddy Lee

From Goodreads ~ Geddy Lee is one of rock and roll's most respected bassists. For nearly five decades, his playing and work as co-writer, vocalist and keyboardist has been an essential part of the success story of Canadian progressive rock trio Rush. Here for the first time is his account of life inside and outside the band.

Long before Rush accumulated more consecutive gold and platinum records than any rock band after the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, before the seven Grammy nominations or the countless electrifying live performances across the globe, Geddy Lee was Gershon Eliezer Weinrib, named after his grandfather murdered in the Holocaust.

As he recounts the transformation, Lee looks back on his family, in particular his loving parents and their horrific experiences as teenagers during World War II.

He talks candidly about his childhood and the pursuit of music that led him to drop out of high school.

He tracks the history of Rush which, after early struggles, exploded into one of the most beloved bands of all time.

He shares intimate stories of his lifelong friendships with bandmates Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart - deeply mourning Peart’s recent passing - and reveals his obsessions in music and beyond.

I've never been a fan of Rush's music ... in fact, I usually turn it off when it comes on (sorry, Geddy and Alex!). But I enjoy reading bios/autobios and thought Geddy's would be an interesting one ... and it was.

Geddy starts by talking about his family's past ... his mother and father were survivors of the Holocaust who moved to Canada for a better life and settled in the Toronto area. A lot of Geddy's life was influenced by his family's past and he grew to appreciate what they had gone through as he got older. 

Geddy wasn't interested in school ... all he wanted to be, much to his mother's despair, was a musician. He joined a band called Rush when he was still in his teens along with his buddies, Alex Lifeson and John Rutsey, and they worked hard to make a living. John was the drummer and was replaced by Neil Peart when he dropped out a couple albums in. After years of playing gigs in high schools and bars in small towns, they started opening for other bands and eventually became the main draw.

I liked the conversational writing style. Not being a Rush fan, I found the details about individual concerts and tours a bit draggy but it was interesting to read about the people who were with them on the tours ... it's obvious they worked hard but were appreciated. Geddy is honest in telling about their experiences, including the drugs they'd used and their then partying, the trouble being on the road caused to his marriage and the impact of Neil's death in 2020.

It is a big book but it's full of pictures, both during the chapters and at the end. Not a big surprise but there is swearing.

Wednesday, 24 January 2024

Knitted hat

I just finished knitting a large adult hat. I started with a basic hat pattern and added some texture by alternating knitting and purling. 


I used a 5mm circular needle and combined strands of Lion Brand’s Re-Spun, which is a really thin 4 weight yarn (otherwise I would use a regular 4 weight yarn) … the colours are raven and cornsilk.


I cast on 104 stitches. For the ribbing, I did K2 P2 for about 5 inches.

For the body:
  1. Knit row
  2. Knit row
  3. Knit row
  4. (P2, K2) repeat to end of row
  5. (P2, K2) repeat to end of row
  6. (P2, K2) repeat to end of row
  7. Knit row
  8. Knit row
  9. Knit row
  10. (K2, P2) repeat to end of row
  11. (K2, P2) repeat to end of row
  12. (K2, P2) repeat to end of row
I did this 3 times.

Then I started casting off:
  1. (K2, P2 together) repeat to end of row
  2. (K2, P1) repeat to end of row
  3. (K2 together, P1) repeat to end of row
  4. (K2 together) repeat to end of row
  5. (K2 together) repeat to end of row

Sunday, 21 January 2024

Twisted Hat

I just finished knitting another twisted hat. It’s an easy pattern once you get into the repetitive groove. The colours are leaf green and wine.


I found the pattern here.


Directions are for size small; changes for size large are in parentheses.

Hat circumference at bottom edge: 16 (18)" [41 (46)cm]; Hat stretches to fit 20 (22)” [51 (56)cm]

I used 4.5mm [US 7] and 5.5mm [US 9] needles and 4 ply yarn. 

Hat is worked in the round on double pointed needles.

With smaller needles, cast on 90 (102) sts. Divide sts evenly around double pointed needles. Join to work in rounds, taking care not to twist sts. Place marker for beginning of round.

Ribbing Round: 
[K1 through the back loop, p1] around. Repeat ribbing round until piece measures 1½" [4cm] from beginning.

Round 1: Change to larger needles and knit.
Round 2: [K2, yo, k2, k2tog] around – 90 (102) sts.
Repeat round 2 until piece measures 8 (8½)" [20 (22) cm] from beginning.

Shape Crown
  • Decrease round 1: [K2tog, yo, k2, k2tog] 15 (17) times – 75 (85) sts.
  • Next round: [K1, yo, k2, k2tog] around – 75 (85) sts.
  • Decrease round 2: *K1, yo, [k2tog] twice; repeat from * around – 60 (68) sts
  • Next round: [K1, yo, k1, k2tog] around – 60 (68) sts.
  • Decrease round 3: [K2, k2tog] 15 (17) times – 45 (51) sts.
  • Decrease round 4: [K1, k2tog] around – 30 (34) sts.
  • Decrease round 5: [K2tog] around – 15 (17) sts.
  • Decrease round 6: [K2tog, k1] 5 times, k2tog 0 (1) time – 10 (11) sts.
Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread yarn through remaining sts and pull to gather. Secure end. Weave in ends.

ABBREVIATIONS
k = knit
k2tog = knit 2 sts together
p = purl
St st = Stockinette stitch
st(s) = stitch(es)
yo = yarn over

Saturday, 20 January 2024

Dog & Bear Pub, Toronto, ON

Gord and I had supper this evening at the Dog & Bear on Queen Street W (at Dovercourt). It was quite busy with a crowd watching football.

New menus!

I had a Beef 'n Beer pie (Squires pie with beef, onion and carrot served with mashed potatoes, peas and gravy). I've had it there before and it was yummy! 

Soma Chocolatemaker Chocolate Factory, Toronto, ON

Gord and I attended a chocolate tasting at Soma Chocolatemaker Chocolate Factory (on Brock Street just north of Queen Street W) this afternoon, thanks to our friend and neighbour, Dawn. 


We learned a lot about chocolate from Genovevo and got to taste some yummy ones along with actual roasted cacao. I’m not a fan of dark chocolate but liked theirs. I like that they are very particular about where they source their ingredients. 

Twisted Hat

I just finished knitting another twisted hat. It’s an easy pattern once you get into the repetitive groove. The colours are arctic and mustard.


I found the pattern here.


Directions are for size small; changes for size large are in parentheses.

Hat circumference at bottom edge: 16 (18)" [41 (46)cm]; Hat stretches to fit 20 (22)” [51 (56)cm]

I used 4.5mm [US 7] and 5.5mm [US 9] needles and 4 ply yarn. 

Hat is worked in the round on double pointed needles.

With smaller needles, cast on 90 (102) sts. Divide sts evenly around double pointed needles. Join to work in rounds, taking care not to twist sts. Place marker for beginning of round.

Ribbing Round: 
[K1 through the back loop, p1] around. Repeat ribbing round until piece measures 1½" [4cm] from beginning.

Round 1: Change to larger needles and knit.
Round 2: [K2, yo, k2, k2tog] around – 90 (102) sts.
Repeat round 2 until piece measures 8 (8½)" [20 (22) cm] from beginning.

Shape Crown
  • Decrease round 1: [K2tog, yo, k2, k2tog] 15 (17) times – 75 (85) sts.
  • Next round: [K1, yo, k2, k2tog] around – 75 (85) sts.
  • Decrease round 2: *K1, yo, [k2tog] twice; repeat from * around – 60 (68) sts
  • Next round: [K1, yo, k1, k2tog] around – 60 (68) sts.
  • Decrease round 3: [K2, k2tog] 15 (17) times – 45 (51) sts.
  • Decrease round 4: [K1, k2tog] around – 30 (34) sts.
  • Decrease round 5: [K2tog] around – 15 (17) sts.
  • Decrease round 6: [K2tog, k1] 5 times, k2tog 0 (1) time – 10 (11) sts.
Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread yarn through remaining sts and pull to gather. Secure end. Weave in ends.

ABBREVIATIONS
k = knit
k2tog = knit 2 sts together
p = purl
St st = Stockinette stitch
st(s) = stitch(es)
yo = yarn over

Friday, 19 January 2024

Book ~ "Local Woman Missing" (2021) Mary Kubica

From Goodreads ~ People don’t just disappear without a trace ...

Shelby Tebow is the first to go missing. Not long after, Meredith Dickey and her six-year-old daughter, Delilah, vanish just blocks away from where Shelby was last seen, striking fear into their once-peaceful community. Are these incidents connected? After an elusive search that yields more questions than answers, the case eventually goes cold.

Now, 11 years later, Delilah shockingly returns. Everyone wants to know what happened to her, but no one is prepared for what they’ll find ...

Eleven years ago, Shelby was out jogging late at night and disappeared. When Meredith and her young daughter, Delilah, disappear not long after, the community wonders if the disappearances are connected, especially since Meredith had recently been Shelby's doula, and search parties are organized. We eventually find out what happened with Shelby and Meredith but no one knows what happened to Delilah. Josh, her father, and Leo, her younger brother, carry on but their lives are never the same ... Josh is forever hopeful that Delilah will come home some day.

Fast forward to today and Delilah, now a teenager, is found bloody and emaciated. After DNA tests confirm she is in indeed Delilah, she is returned home to live with Josh, and Leo. Needless to say, she has difficulty fitting in with her family and Leo has a hard time accepting her because he doesn't remember her.

I thought this story was okay. It's written in first person perspective in Delilah's, Kate's (Josh and Meredith's neighbour), Meredith's and Leo's voices and it jumps back and forth to 11 years ago to today (the chapters are labeled). There were a few side stories that I could have done without like the visit to the obstetrician (!!) and the dramas with the best friend (that was silly) and the daycare provider but I guess they were there to add tension. I found it amazing that they would return a girl who has been missing for 11 years and has obviously been abused back to her family pretty well on the day after she was found. And I can't believe the police were that dumb. I wasn't buying the ending (the "whodunnit"). As a head's up, there is violence and swearing.

Thursday, 18 January 2024

Book ~ "Crossed Bones" (2003) Carolyn Haines

From Goodreads ~ Sarah Booth Delaney is no ordinary P.I. A born-and-bred Mississippi belle, she struggles to hold on to her family’s plantation and keeps up a running conversation with the ghost of her great-great-grandmother’s nanny, a busybody who decks herself out in a stunning new outfit every day - and schemes to save Sarah Booth from spinsterhood. Not one to wait around for a white knight, Sarah takes on the kind of cases no one else will touch. Like trying to exonerate a man accused of murdering Sunflower County’s most popular musician.

The two men met in prison: Ivory Keys, a gifted black blues pianist, and Scott Hampton, a rich white boy turned racist. Somewhere between the two men, a spark was lit. And by the time he came out of the joint, Scott Hampton had not only renounced his racist ways, he had learned to play a blues guitar that made grown women go weak in the knees. So why did Scott plunge a steel shank into his mentor’s chest? Ivory’s widow doesn’t think he did and she’s paid Sarah Booth to prove it. No easy task, especially since the delicate racial harmony of Sunflower County is threatening to come undone under the heat of Sarah Booth’s investigation.

For a woman feeling a little heat of her own - navigating between a rich available businessman, a married lawman with a waffling heart, and the sexy bluesman who is angling to become much more than her client - this case is taking dangerous twists. A town’s slumbering passions have awakened with a jolt, a matchmaking ghost is dressed up like Jackie O, and Sarah Booth is caught between her need to know the truth and the consequences it will have on her town - and on her life.

Sarah Booth Delaney is single, in her thirties, the last of her line, living in her family's plantation and is a private detective. Ivory was an older Black man who was murdered at his blue club ... money was stolen and whoever murdered him was looking for something. Scott, a blues singer Ivory had befriended in prison, was a singer there and was arrested for his murder (was he framed?). Ivory's widow doesn't think Scott did it so hires Sarah to investigate. At first, Scott doesn't want her help but eventually welcomes it as they get to know each other. The Blacks in the town want justice for Ivory and this starts to cause racial tensions. In the meantime, Sarah has three possible suitors, though there is really only one she wants.

This is the fourth in the Sarah Booth Delaney series (there are currently 26 books in the series) ... it works as a stand alone as there is enough background provided but it's helpful if you've read the previous ones. I recently read the first three and liked them enough to keep going with the series. I thought this one was just okay. It is written in first person perspective in Sarah's voice. As a head's up, there is swearing.

Sarah's mother's last name was Booth and her father's last name was Delaney and I thought it was weird that everyone calls her "Sarah Booth" rather than just "Sarah". It's odd that Jitty, the ghost of her great-great-grandmother's nanny, "lives" with her. Jitty is still really annoying ... she's very negative and always putting Sarah down and nagging her about being single and childless. I'm tired about hearing about Sarah's womb. Nandy was a useless character who didn't really add anything for me.

Wednesday, 17 January 2024

Twisted Hat

I just finished knitting another twisted hat. It’s an easy pattern once you get into the repetitive groove. The colours are gray and bright red.


I found the pattern here.


Directions are for size small; changes for size large are in parentheses.

Hat circumference at bottom edge: 16 (18)" [41 (46)cm]; Hat stretches to fit 20 (22)” [51 (56)cm]

I used 4.5mm [US 7] and 5.5mm [US 9] needles and 4 ply yarn. 

Hat is worked in the round on double pointed needles.

With smaller needles, cast on 90 (102) sts. Divide sts evenly around double pointed needles. Join to work in rounds, taking care not to twist sts. Place marker for beginning of round.

Ribbing Round: 
[K1 through the back loop, p1] around. Repeat ribbing round until piece measures 1½" [4cm] from beginning.

Round 1: Change to larger needles and knit.
Round 2: [K2, yo, k2, k2tog] around – 90 (102) sts.
Repeat round 2 until piece measures 8 (8½)" [20 (22) cm] from beginning.

Shape Crown
  • Decrease round 1: [K2tog, yo, k2, k2tog] 15 (17) times – 75 (85) sts.
  • Next round: [K1, yo, k2, k2tog] around – 75 (85) sts.
  • Decrease round 2: *K1, yo, [k2tog] twice; repeat from * around – 60 (68) sts
  • Next round: [K1, yo, k1, k2tog] around – 60 (68) sts.
  • Decrease round 3: [K2, k2tog] 15 (17) times – 45 (51) sts.
  • Decrease round 4: [K1, k2tog] around – 30 (34) sts.
  • Decrease round 5: [K2tog] around – 15 (17) sts.
  • Decrease round 6: [K2tog, k1] 5 times, k2tog 0 (1) time – 10 (11) sts.
Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread yarn through remaining sts and pull to gather. Secure end. Weave in ends.

ABBREVIATIONS
k = knit
k2tog = knit 2 sts together
p = purl
St st = Stockinette stitch
st(s) = stitch(es)
yo = yarn over

Book ~ "Barkley" (2023) Ellen Miles

From Goodreads ~ Barkley takes Lizzies breath away ... literally! 

Barkley, the Great Pyrenees, is a ball of energy, and far too big for the apartment he has been living in. Lizzie does her best to teach him manners, but she can't make him smaller! Then Lizzie stumbles on what just might be the perfect place for this protective, patient pup. Can Lizzie help Barkley get settled in his dream home?

Lizzie is in elementary school. Her family, the Petersons, have a puppy named Buddy plus they foster dogs and help them find homes.

When Lizzie is in the dog park with Buddy, she is knocked over by a Great Pyrenees puppy named Barkley. Barkley's owner, Sonia, kind of laughs it off but Lizzie knows Barkley needs training. Sonia is going out of town and asked the Petersons to dogsit while she's gone and Lizzie takes this opportunity to do some training with Barkley. She knows Barkley is too much dog for Sonia so she's hoping when Sonia gets home, she'll agree to let Lizzie find him a new more appropriate home.

Though this book is a quick read and directed at elementary-aged children, I found it entertaining. There is a learning experience and a puppy tip at the end. It is written in third person perspective and first person from Barkley's point of view. It is the 66th in the Puppy Place series.

Tuesday, 16 January 2024

1898 Hat

I just finished knitting an “1898 Hat”. I found the pattern here. It’s the first time I’ve made one.

Apparently the Seamen’s Church Institute had a contest a few years ago which prompted Kristine Byrnes to design the pattern (inspired by one pictured in a magazine published around 1910). It’s named for the year their Christmas at Sea program began. 

Thanks for modelling it, Gord!

It was an interesting hat to make … the headband is knitted side to side and provides a double layer of garter stitch to keep ears warm.  I used a 4 ply yarn and 5mm needles.

Patttern Rows
  • Row A (RS): Sl 1, knit to marker, sl m, k3, sl m, knit to end.
  • Row B (all WS rows): Sl 1, knit to marker, sl m, sl 3 wyif, sl m, knit to end.
  • Row C (RS): Sl 1, knit until 1 st before marker, kfb, sl m, k3, sl m, kfb, knit to end. (2 sts inc)
  • Row D (RS): Sl 1, knit until 2 sts before marker, k2tog, sl m, k3, sl m, ssk, knit to end. (2 sts dec)

Directions

Using provisional cast on, cast on 27 stitches, leaving a 20” tail. (If you prefer to seam instead of graft the ends together, use your preferred cast-on, but leave the same length tail.) Switch to project yarn and work the set up row (WS): Sl 1, k11, pm, sl 3 wyif, pm, k12. 

Back of Headband: Work Rows A & B 8 times. (18 total rows, including cast on and set up row) 

Right Earflap: 
  • Work Rows C & B 9 times. (45 sts; 36 total rows) 
  • Work Rows A & B 3 times. (42 total rows) 
  • Work Rows D & B 9 times. (27 sts; 60 total rows) 

Front of Headband: Work Rows A & B 24 times. (108 total rows) 

Left Earflap: 
  • Work Rows C & B 9 times. (45 sts; 126 total rows) 
  • Work Rows A & B 3 times. (132 total rows) 
  • Work Rows D & B 9 times. (27 sts; 150 total rows) 

Finish Back of Headband: Work Rows A & B 9 times. (168 total rows) 

Do not cut working yarn. Graft or seam the two ends together using the tail. Weave in end. 

Fold headband in half along the slip stitch ridge in the middle of the headband. Pick up stitches from the front and back of the band simultaneously to attach the front and back together. To do this, starting from the side facing you, slide the circular needle (or a crochet hook) through one bar on the side of the front band, then through the matching bar on the back band; pick up the working yarn and bring it back through both bars. One stitch will now connect the front and back bands together; place this stitch on the right-hand needle. Continue along the circle formed by the band until 84 stitches have been picked up. 

Place marker for beginning of the round (at back seam) and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. 

Hat Body: Knit in the round until hat measures 5” from bottom edge (non- earflap) of hat. (See schematic). 

Shape Crown: 
  • *K10, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (77 sts) Knit 2 rounds. 
  • *K9, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (70 sts) Knit 2 rounds. 
  • *K8, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (63 sts) Knit 1 round. 
  • *K7, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (56 sts) Knit 1 round. 
  • *K6, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (49 sts) Knit 1 round. 
  • *K5, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (42 sts) Knit 1 round. 
  • *K4, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (35 sts) Knit 1 round.
  • *K3, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (28 sts) Knit 1 round.
  • *K2, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (21 sts) Knit 1 round. 
  • *K1, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (14 sts) 
  • K2tog 7 times. (7 sts) 

Finishing 

Cut yarn, leaving a 6” tail. With tapestry needle, pull through remaining stitches tightly, secure end on inside. Weave in all ends.

Monday, 15 January 2024

Book ~ "Bingo" (2022) Ellen Miles

From Goodreads ~ Bingo is so cute – but he really needs a pal who can help him out. When Charles meets Annie, he thinks he might have found the perfect match for this special pup.

Lizzie and Charles are in elementary school. Their family, the Petersons, have a puppy named Buddy plus they foster dogs and help them find homes.

When their local animal rescue asks the Petersons to foster a special dog, they are happy to. Bingo is a young Chinese Crested dog who is blind. He is a cutie and Charles would like to spend more time with him but he's committed to helping Margaret, a neighbour, who has hurt her leg. She has an elderly dog named Annie who has gotten cranky in her old age and Margaret warns him not to bring the puppy around. The dogs do meet, though, with surprising results.

Though this book is a quick read and directed at elementary-aged children, I found it entertaining. There is a learning experience and a puppy tip at the end. It is written in third person perspective and first person from Bingo's point of view. It is the 65th in the Puppy Place series.