Knitting Wish List, 2007

Last year, I posted a knitting wish list. It was fun to look at the list and see what items I received or purchased, and knitted or not, so I thought I'd do it again this year.

From last year's list: all three French Girl patterns have been added to my knitting notebook during the year. I've knit Oceane, and bought yarn for Fantine, but I'm still trying to decide on a color for Diamanta.

I found Helen's Lace in Tickled Pink, and knit the Pie Wedge Shawl. I have the Teseo Yarn, but haven't decided on a pattern for the shawl yet, other than that it should be triangular and have fringe. I bought more Teseo after this photo was taken, just in case. And are you noticing a theme here, or is it just me? Someone started a Pink Lover's Group on Ravelry called Think Pink, and I'm loving seeing the photos of everyone's pink things.

The only thing on my wish list I haven't found is some Fleece Artist Seashore. I'd like to see it in person before I buy it, because the dyelots seem to vary so much. Sometimes the pink is peach. So that can be my #1 for this year's list.

1. Fleece Artist Seashore yarn

2. Fiesta Yarns, La Boheme, in Rainforest.

3. Sublime mohair for Haze, below.

4. Rowan magazine #41

5. Luxury Knits by Amanda Griffiths

6. Knitpicks Chart Keeper, a swift and ball winder, and a blocking board.

What is on your knitting or crochet wish list? Or do you have another secret holiday wish, not knitting related? I have a new charm bracelet, but no charms yet, so it would be fun to receive one.

My Rainygirl

In cat news, we've been struggling to help everyone get along. Tim still won't come downstairs, but Rosie goes up in his space. I try to defend him, but he hides under the bed. At least the hissing, for the most part, has stopped. Progress?

Rainy is my complicated kitty, taking over where our dear Charlie left off. She's not been herself since Thanksgiving. I've taken her to the vet three times last week, once for a checkup, once to have her teeth cleaned (and one removed), and once because I was convinced she had a UTI (her test came back negative this morning). She's been lying around, not very talkative, and I've been worried she was sick in some way, or had a toothache. But after bloodwork, an X ray, and the dental work to rule out a physical cause, the best the new vet can come up with is that her thyroid level is now too low, so we're cutting back the dosage of her pills. We also think she's had too much change too fast since her rescue, and just needs lots of love, encouragement, and stability. I went out and got a Feliway plug-in today for her, but I would appreciate any and all advice, except "stop worrying," which for me is impossible. :)

Comments

[Sheepish Annie]

A friend of mine took her cat to an animal therapist after her son was born and the kitty showed some marked personality changes. She said that it really helped...I don't know if that is something I would have done. But she swore by it and the cat did seem happier. Who knows?

[Sara]

Sure looks like you got a bunch of stuff from your wish list last year. This year I don't have a wish list...

Sorry the new kitty is not feeling so good...but, things will improve I am sure...

Maybe the hissing is a sign of a truce...??

[Sydney]

I haven't made a wish list, except in my head. It's a good idea though. Maybe it would keep me organized.

I've never used it but some people swear by Rescue Remedy. Maybe Rainy would feel better if she had something like a box to hide in or some place high to get away from everything.

[felicia]

Is there another vet in the practice that could take a look at her? Sometimes a fresh set of eyes can see things her regular vet might not see. I'm sending positive thoughts you way!

[Beth]

I don't have any cat experience, but it makes sense that she may feel stressed. It sounds like you are doing all the right things and that she may need time to feel better.

[Dotty]

Poor Rainy! Is there something she really likes - treats or toys or ? Maybe she'll perk up if you give her extra doses of her favourite things. I hope that the medication change does the job and she goes back to normal soon. It is so worrisome when your kitty is 'off'.

[Laura]

Good heavens you don't already have a swift, ball winder, or blocking board!? Put those at the top of your wish list! I can't live without mine!

As for Rainy, if you continue to have problems with her health, I strongly suggest taking her to a vet specialist. Cleo, our middle cat, had a mysterious illness when she was about 5. Our regular vet couldn't determine what was wrong with her, after a month of not getting better, we took her to the specialist. The specialist correctly diagnosed her in one visit and she was better within a week. (Actually, the story is much worse and involved our regular vet predicting Cleo's death, but I don't like to think about it.)

[Sarah]

I would like to get the items you listed under 6 at some point too: Chart Keeper, swift & ball winder, blocking board. Hope Rainy improves soon, so you can stop worrying for awhile.

[robin]

I really like that Haze pattern! Did you see that Elann is coming out with their own version of Kidsilk Haze soon? I saw it in their newsletter the other day and was excited about it.

On Rainy, no suggestions, other than saying that you are such a great and caring kitty mom! I never heard of the Feliway so I had to check it out. It looks like a great idea - hopefully it helps her de-stress a bit.

[madalyn]

I like your idea of posting a wish list! Maybe I'll do the same on my blog...

I don't really have any advice for you about Rainy. A couple years ago, Kiddie appeared to have a bladder infection, even though all of her urine tests came back negative. Our vet finally suggested that perhaps it was just because she wasn't getting enough water (even though she had plenty of access to water), so we started feeding her more wet food. It seems to have helped!

[Chris]

Sending harmonious kitty thoughts to Rainy and everyone!

[Shannon]

I once rescued a cat that some people abandoned when they moved. He was gorgeous and sweet and very affectionate although he looked to be a little damaged. He seemed happy to be in my home for about a week - warm, well fed, etc. and then he started acting funny. My cats had been strictly indoor (they could go out on the deck which was a storey up) and was keeping him the same. Turns out he wasn't actually a cat that was happy to be indoors at all. So with a lot of trepidation I let him out (LOTS of coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions where I lived) and it turned out he was very happy. He'd come around every couple of days, yowl at the door, come in eat and nap and be on his way again. I called him "spare cat". Maybe Rainy is used to getting to roam a bit outside? I know once Dakota got a taste of the outdoors, it was hard to keep him from having a little jaunt everyday.

[Jessica]

Nice wish list. My only real knitting related wish is for those Knitpicks harmony needles.

As for the kitties, I really don't have much advice. It's probably just going to take time for everyone to settle in. Lots of love definitely can't hurt!

[tiennie]

I hope your kitty is doing better. Nice list!

[Holly of HollYarns]

Unfortunately, I don't have any kitty advice either. She is awfully pretty though! Maybe you should whisper in her ear that she is America's Next Top Cat Model?

[Yvonne]

I really like the look of pink things knit up, but I never think to buy pink yarn for myself. Maybe I will try a little harder.

I hope Rainy feels better. It just isn't any fun to feel under the weather (and no I didn't think of that as a pun until after I wrote it).

[Brigitte]

Hmmm...it will take time, that's for sure. Tim needs to feel secure again - are Rosie and Rainy taking some of his regular spots? Maybe he needs something just for him. It took Mae awhile to warm up to Gandalf, and there is still hissing to this day. Cats hate change, and they adjust in their own way. Poor Rainy - I hope it is her thyroid! But, I agree on the wet food. Atticus isn't a big water drinker either, but the wet food every other day helps him out.

And lots of cuddles!

[Kat]

Do hope Rainy is feeling better soon. Hope you find lots of things from your list under the Christmas tree!