More Double Knitting

I knitted this ‘Prowling Cats’ Cowl using the double knitting technique in the round on a circular needle.  I found following the chart for the cat motifs a lot easier in the round than when using this technique for my ‘Cosy Sheep’ Cowl, which was knitted flat on two needles.

When knitting in the round you read every row of the chart from right to left.  The first stitch of each pair is knit in the colour shown on the chart whilst the second stitch of the pair is purled in the opposite colour, this applies to every row!  So a lot less confusing than knitting flat, when odd rows are worked the same as in the round, but for even rows you read the chart from left to right and have to remember to knit the first stitch of the pair in the opposite colour to that shown and purl the second stitch in the colour shown.

I have now published the pattern which you can find in my online shops:

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/516418527/knitting-pattern-in-pdf-prowling-cats?ref=shop_home_active_3

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/prowling-cats-cowl

Still Knitting

Having been away from blogging for a while, an update is needed

• The youngest, having hit 18, is not now as helpful with writing and uploading posts
• Basil is STILL on a diet!
• The household has inherited another cat – Smudge

• Basil is put out
• The Knitter is still knitting
• The Knitter has had to master blogging

Inspired by the arrival of autumn, my latest project is these cute ‘Woodlanders’ Swiss darned onto fingerless mittens.  The mittens are knit flat, which makes adding the motifs a lot easier before sewing up the side seam.  Check them out in my shops (see sidebar).

Basil’s Birthday!!

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I was none too happy with all of this fuss around me. Yes it’s my birthday. Yes I am two years old today. I do not understand the big deal. Then they got the streamers out! As you can see by the photo, I was not too happy about this. However, the humans then got the yummy treats out and I realised that maybe there are benefits to birthdays after all…

Basil On: A Foxy Pillow

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“So The Knitter is on a roll once again and has created A Foxy Pillow, as she calls it. I can’t say that I am exactly excited about it, it’s the same size as me! I did my best to pay as little attention to it as possible as I turned my head away and feigned disinterest. Just as long as it knows who is boss around here, which is me, of course. I believe that I make much better company anyway and a much better pet. I have bundles more charm coupled with dashing good-looks, well I’m almost impossible to resist! Maybe I am being too harsh on the fox, it is only a pillow after all.”

Snowman Baby Booties!

The Knitter has focussed her attention on all things Christmassy. As a result of this a pair of woolly snowman booties have appeared. I am certain that they will make good company this Christmas, however, I am upset that The Knitter could not provide me with a cat-sized version, my paws are getting a bit nippy…

You can purchase your copy of the pattern on any of The Knitters websites…Happy Knitting!

A stormy day…

Lets talk about the weather. I felt particulary energetic this morning (probably due to this outrageous diet…) and I strolled out of my room only to discover gale force winds and lashes of rain to greet me. I was not impressed in the slightest. I decided that I was definately NOT venturing outside and camped underneath an umbrella by the cat flap. I am not too sure why an umbrella was strategically placed by the cat flap indoors, I think it was a hint for me to brave the dreaded outdoors and get some exercise. No thank you. I’m very happy underneath this umbrella…

My new found hiding place

Eventually, my family got sick of my dithering and I was made to go outside. They have no pity! The winds nearly blew me over and the rain ruined my perfectly brushed fur. However, I found a dry spot that I could take refuge under from the weather’s onslaught.

I found a dry spot!

Finally, I was allowed to return into the warm house and a pack of treats was the first thing I saw, waiting for me. Hmm maybe my family aren’t so strict on my diet after all!

I move to investigate the treats. Now, how to open it?

A quick update on The Knitter, it seems that she is making boot toppers now. What in the world are ‘boot toppers’?!

My diet continues and The Knitter knits…

This shockingly hurtful diet that I have been put on still continues. I was hoping that it would just be a phase that my owners were having, they saw me getting a bit podgy and cut down my food. Little did I know that these small rations of biscuits that reach my bowl in the morning were to stay. I look pleading up for more but, no. The response I get is “No Basil. That’s all for now”. Ha! They said that a few months ago. When will this dreadful diet end?!

Moving on to more pressing matters, Halloween is approaching! Time for those incredibly annoying trick or treaters to pay us a visit. I am to be awoken from my cat nap every 5 minutes to cries of “Trick or treat!” Noisey children, cruel diets and The Knitter constantly snapping pictures of me, oh its a hard life!

I will leave you now with this particularly threatening picture of yours truly, this will scare off those pesky trick or treaters!

The Knitter gets the camera out – I pull my most threatening yawn

Owl Baby Hat and Booties

 

Nothing is safe from Basil!

Basil seems fairly shocked at my latest creation, unless he is trying to replicate the expression of the owl, I’ll never know. They do look quite alike though, don’t they?

I think I look much more handsome than “The Knitter’s” creation

The hat and bootie set!

It’s been a while…

A long time has passed since “The Knitter” has bothered to log onto WordPress and publish a post. Therefore, I (Basil, the cat) have decided to take over the blog posting. My insulting diet is now in full swing and the treats are locked and bolted away, despite my protests. The cat food that reaches my bowl has been unfairly reduced. However, I am very fond of my new impressive figure!

Sun, diet and knitting

I licked my lips at the sound of cat food falling into my bowl. I sniffed the food, paused, then sniffed again. Could it be? Yes, it could. Low fat cat food. The cheek! I, of course, refused to eat such insulting food. I do not need to go on a diet! “The Knitter” just raised her eyebrows and continued to knit her next masterpiece. Something to do with a cupcake pin cushion apparently. As if I care, I mean, diet cat food? Seriously?

I was horrifyed at the new diet cat food