Blogtober 2021 : Day 18
Well, we’re on the downhill side of Blogtober now – 13 days to go and then what will we do with ourselves? 🤣
Here’s my Blogtober Changing Staircases shawl – I’m well on track to finish it before the end of the month – there are maybe four or five blocks of the pattern to go so perhaps 50 rows at the most. The biggest number of stitches I’m likely to have is around 156 so the rows shouldn’t take me very long. Although, having said that, I’ve not picked it up for a few days because I have noticed that I’ve started holding my left hand needle in a rather peculiar way and it’s made my elbow hurt. The object of this exercise was to try out something new, not to break myself! I decided I would leave it for a while, I’ve been doing the stretching exercises my osteopath gave me (there’s nothing wrong with my back but I go to see an osteopath every six months or so just to make sure it stays that way as I have a sedentary job) and I’m going to go back to it slowly to try to make sure that my posture and how I’m holding my needles is the most comfortable it can be.
I took the dog to the vet’s this afternoon to see the dermatologist – it’s been pouring with rain since just after we got back from our walk this morning so I really wasn’t looking forward to going out again – and it was another opportunity to do some more work on my Emergency Sock. I got a bit enthusiastic with my rounds on Saturday and I’ve overshot where I needed to finish for the heel so I spent the time waiting for the vet taking the rounds back.
The dog has decided that he no longer wants to jump into the boot of the car (which is probably fair enough given his age) so he’s been sitting on the back seat but it occurred to me that he could get into the car that way and then if I put the seat down he could go through into the boot and we could sit together whilst we waited. He likes to be able to see out of the back window and we both sit in the boot whilst we wait for Eva the vet to come out to us as we’re not allowed into the animal hospital to wait again yet. The dog likes Eva, he always has a big grin and tail wag for her.
Today, unfortunately, the dog wasn’t so keen on Eva. She’s a dermatologist and has been treating the dog for skin allergies and it looks as if he has an ear infection that’s part of the whole caboodle – he was less than impressed when she wanted to take samples and informed her so in a big barky voice and then sulked all the way home. We also met a man who ran the lessons at the puppy school we went to when the dog was much smaller than he is today and he was there to say goodbye to his dog who we had known as well … it wasn’t the best visit. Anyway, onwards and upwards. The dog was mollified by a raw carrot when he got home and all seems to be well.
I must show you this too – whilst I was waiting for not so small daughter at school, I started the heel flap of my sock but realised I’d forgotten my DPNs. I do get asked quite a lot if you can knit the heel flap on the short circular to save changing needles and the answer is yes, but it can get a bit fiddly later on. If you’re an experienced sock knitter (or just fearless!) then do try it, but I didn’t use that method in my Sockalong tutorials as I wanted to make it as easy as possible for someone to succeed and “fiddly” doesn’t really fall into that category!
Those eagle-eyed readers amongst you will also have spotted the packet of Jakemans cough sweets … I can’t shift this cough at all so I’m open to all suggestions!
Right, I’m off for today … I’ve got hungry mouths to feed and the ironing to do before I get to sit down with my sock again so I need to get on with it!
I’ll see you tomorrow! xx
I empathise about the vet visit and having to wait in the car. Hopefully you won’t have to go back too often. Loving the look of that shawl. The colour is beautiful. I’m off to check out the pattern. B x
Poor doggies. 😥 At least yours came home with you. It’s awful when it’s time to say goodbye.
My Mam used to like Jakeman’s cough sweets, but Dad swears by honey in warm lemonade. The amount of sugar is enough to make my teeth itch!
Yes, you’re right. It’s heartbreaking to think of leaving your beloved woof – or cat, or bunny or whatever it is – at the vet’s. I think I’m with you with the sugar overload … 🙂 xx
It’s a lovely easy pattern to knit, and great for a single skein – my plan is to keep going until the yarn is all used up, even if I’ve got to add in some extra rows 🙂 xx
I love the idea of an emergency sock. I have an emergency paperback and an emergency notebook, but emergency knitting seems a very wise precaution. My dog is also not keen on the vet. Last time they suggested he take anti-anxiety medication before attending. It’s all the squeezing and prodding and inserting of things.
An emergency notebook is an excellent idea, I need to check what’s in my glovebox! We never used to have any issues with the dog at the vet’s until last year and I think you’re right, it is all the squeezing and prodding and inserting of things – so undignified! xx
I incorporate teeth, ear, under the tail, tummy, paw, between toes checks 2-3 times a week for my GSD-year-old puppy and my cats, 11 yr old Bengal, 10 tr old moggy, 8 yr old Snow Bengal, and 2 yr old Burmese/Siamese x. With the puppy, I’ve done this from 8 weeks but the cats are all rescues at various ages. Initially only a quick look in passing but building it up. Each area looked at is rewarded with a treat, Mange Tout/ Bell Pepper for the dog, Goats milk yogurt (1 teaspoon each) for the cats. They all come for their “Check in” when called and it makes life easier for my vet. Enjoying the daily readings.
That’s an excellent idea and I bet your vet is very grateful! My dog and cat (cats previously) have never bothered when they’ve been checked over by the vet but I think that the otoscope was a bit much for the dog yesterday if he has got an ear infection as his inner ear would be sore. He’s very good natured generally and even the vet said that there was obviously something wrong as he’s never barked at her quite like that before. We’ve got a plan to deal with it and hopefully he’ll be back to his good natured self very soon! xx
Love your blogs. Really like your shawl, must be the colour, my favourite. Is the pattern available?
Yes, it’s the Changing Staircases shawl which is free on Ravelry. It’s a very simple pattern, lovely to show off a single skein 🙂 xx