Gossamer Wrap

The Gossamer Wrap is finished. It's not quite what I expected. But I'm not sure what I expected.

Pattern: Gossamer Wrap, Australia's Creative Knitting, Issue #14

Yarn: Dive Teseo, 7 balls, #25565 (pattern calls for Colinette Mohair, which would give the Gossamer effect that's lost here)

Size: Approx. 30" x 75"

Needle: Size 17 circulars

The photo above gives the best view of this wrap on the diagonal. Originally I was going to add fringe, which is what the pattern calls for, but I don't think it will look right. This is what happens when I buy yarn first, and then try to find a pattern to "make it work." I wanted a triangle shawl, but couldn't find something lacy enough that would help to break up the striping effect of the yarn. Then I found this pattern, not realizing that it wasn't quite a rectangle. Since I only wanted to make something to wear around the house for warmth, it's fine. I just hope it doesn't look too dorky, even around the house!

I have a photo of my friend Ollie to share:

We met in the infirmary at the shelter, where he was being given antibiotics due to recent dental work. But he's back in his room with his friends now, and always comes up to say hello to me. Though I hope he'll be adopted soon, I will miss him! One of the very cool things about the shelter where I work is that the cats do get adopted regularly. It's happened several times already; a kitty is rescued, stays in the infirmary while being treated for something like a cold, or recovering from spay/neuter surgery, and then by the next time I'm there, they've found a new home.

I like to share photos of the cats I meet with you. We all take zillions of photos of our own pets, and I wonder sometimes if these cats have ever had their pictures taken, or if they've been fussed over like they should be. So from time to time I hope to share their photos, and fuss a little over them too!

Recently I found out about this very awesome animal transport project. Animals needing rescue/transport out of kill shelters to either no-kill shelters or new homes are driven by people who sign up for various segments of the trip. Most of the animals are dogs, but they serve cats too, and possibly other animals. It's almost like an underground railroad. So, for example, if you have a dog in South Carolina, and he's being adopted by a family in Massachusetts, a rescue group will break down the journey into drives of an hour or so between the two states, over a weekend. All the stops are pre-arranged, the drivers are given supplies and the veterinary papers, and then the dog is slowly transported from one place to the other until he gets to his new home. Is that not the coolest thing?!

I signed up for the daily digest on Yahoo, so if there are any cats coming through my state on a day I'm free, I can help. (Our vehicles aren't really suited for dogs, and I'm not experienced with them). If you'd like more information by state, you can click here. If I do participate in one of these, I will let you know how it goes. After hearing about so many bad things going on in the world, it makes me no end of happy to see how kind and creative people can be too.

Comments

[sarah]

The shawl is a beautiful color and looks like it would be nice out of the house too. Ollie's a real cutie!

[Erika]

I think the shawl looks very warm and cozy!

[suitcaseofcourage]

Great to see Ollie!!! And the wrap doesn't look dorky at all - though adding the fringe would probably have caused it to drag on the ground. Hope we get to do the "underground railroad" some time!

[Chris]

I don't think the wrap looks dorky!! :) I love the idea of a pet underground railroad - I hope you'll share your adventures.

[Jo in Boston]

Ollie is handsome--I love the big orange guys.

Good luck with Caroline--I just got the yarn to start the second one.

I haven't done the whole white evening garden yet--maybe next year. I'm just hoping I got the moonflowers started early enough this year to see some flowers and not just foliage. Our growing season isn't quite long enough.

[Sara]

Oh, I like the wrap...the color is very pretty...I agree about not putting on the fringe. I'm not wild about fringe.

I've been thinking about doing the dog/cat transport thing. It's just hard right now with Mom - cause I can't always leave her when they need me to.

[Jessica]

I like the wrap! The color is just awesome! Ollie made me do a double take. He's nearly a dead ringer for my little girl! I hope he finds a home soon. That's really cool about the travel rescue thing too. Do let us know if you do one.

[Beth]

The animal transport project is a great idea. How cool. Your shawl looks great!

[Sheepish Annie]

The wrap is lovely! As is the idea of transporting animals to safer harbors. I hate thinking of potential pets living under a death sentence...

[Sydney]

I like the wrap! It's not at all dorky. I know I've heard that dogs at our local shelters get transported to shelters in other cities. Apparently cats get adopted more quickly. I've heard that there's a ferret transport similar to the one you describe but so far it hasn't come through our area. Let us know how it goes if you get a chance to participate.

[Brigitte]

How could he not be adopted, with such a sweet face!

Your shawl doesn't look dorky at all. It looks very cozy!

[Devorah]

I think the wrap is great! The diagonal stripiness just speaks to me.

[Nancy]

Your shawl is very pretty - pink, of course! Ollie doesn't look to happy about getting his picture taken, "Why can't the @#$% paparazzi just leave me alone?!" He's a cutie!

[tiennie]

How very lovely!

[keri]

I think the wrap is pretty, love the colors and striping but it's too bad it wasn't what you were expecting. Some projects are just like that. =(

[Karen]

The wrap is so pretty, and Ollie is adorable. I look forward to seeing more cats from the shelter on your blog - I agree, they need some fussing over too. You never know, maybe I'll see one on your blog and know he's meant to come home with me.

[Sonya]

Ollie does look a little curious about having his picture taken. I hope he learns all about being fussed over by a new family soon. Your wrap is beautiful!

[Julie]

The shawl is very pretty, but OMG, Ollie is an absolute doll!

[Felicia]

Ollie's a cutie cakes. And I'm so glad to hear that those kitties are finding new homes :)

[Kristen]

Ollie looks like he has some personality. We've had a couple of orange tigers and they have been the friendliest cats.
The Gossamer Wrap is too lovely to just be worn at home!

[robin]

Ollie is adorable, and I love the idea of the "underground railroad" for pet adoption!!