Pattern: Old Shale Scarf
Source: Tiennie Knits Old Shale Scarf
Size: 12″ x 72″
Yarn: 1 skein of “Dracula” sock yarn
Needle size: US 7, 4.5 mm
Pattern Modifications: cast on 56 to add one stitch salvage to each end.

This end of project summary is a somewhat overdue as I finished the scarf a week ago.  It was a simple, enjoyable knit, chosen to use up some squishy sock yarn from a sock club. The fun part of sock clubs, from my point of view, is the fact that you get to try yarn in different colors than you’d normally chose.  It forces you to break out of your usual patterns.

Sometimes, though, you’re given a more challenging yarn to use, either because of its color, the pattern of colors in variegated yarns.  Sometimes, though, it’s just that you don’t feel like knitting socks. I like knitting socks, but I’m finding I prefer lace knitting to sock knitting as a generalization.  Plus, I find that I’m pretty picky about the colors I’ll allow my socks to be.  In this case, it was a matter of not wanting socks in this color and not really caring to make another pair of socks.

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Just a quick note to say that the Dracula scarf is off the needles and ready to block after I get home from work tonight.  I’ll save my remarks for the project summary, but I will say that HR’s got a new name for the scarf now that it’s done.  I’ll write the summary after starting the blocking, so I can get pictures, because her editorial about the scarf needs a visual to go with it.

We gave DB his second wormer last night, and he’s listless again, but not yet running a fever.  I think the last bout of sick kitty for him was the wormer, even though symptoms that time didn’t appear for a few days.  HR’s calling the vet now, to see what he recommends.  At least this time, DB’s sick during the week, so we can take him to our regular vet and not the emergency vet.

Today was a rest day on the Tour, and the day we normally go over to friends for dinner and games. The last two times we’ve played, I’ve ended up sidelined right away while everyone else finishes out, so this time I came prepared, and brought my knitting along with me. Normally I knit in my private space, not because I’m ashamed of my knitting, but because the activity distracts my attention and if I’m with friends, I generally believe they deserve my whole attention. In this case, however, it felt more distracting to not have something to do while everyone else was playing.

It payed off. I got a few more pattern repeats done while enjoying everyone’s company, rather than just sitting around frustrated because I was out. All good in my book.

I didn’t end up getting any pictures taken yet. I was in such a rush getting home from work and getting ready to go that I didn’t have time to pick up the camera, let alone stage an interesting picture.

My old shale scarf in the sock yarn from the Knitting up a Storm July Sock club (Theme: Dracula), is coming along nicely, even with only knitting it while watching the evening replay of the Tour de France. I feel a bit guilty, because Anna designed a really nifty sock pattern as part of this month’s package, but the yarn and the book spoke to me. They whispered “Cover up your bite marks with a nice lace scarf.” (Well, that, and I’ve got a stubborn case of “I don’t want to knit socks”-itis.)

Curse you, talking yarn! I’ll have to find some other yarn to make Anna’s sock pattern with.

It’s a good thing I decided on a really simple knit, though. This year “Le Tour” has been extremely exciting. The current top five contenders in the general competition are within 30 seconds of each other, with a mere second separating first and second place in that competition. Now I’m certain I should have knitted a yellow lace shawl to commemorate the event. Oh, well. There’s always next year.

Hopefully, I’ll have time and light to snap some scarf pictures tomorrow. The yarn’s a lovely painted pink, which really compliments the feather and fan lace wonderfully.

On the kitty front, Dust Bunny seems to be doing better, but he’s still not feeling quite up to par. He snuggled HR pretty much all night. Fezzik doesn’t seem to care. He’s been bouncing his “big brother” Sully instead, much to Sully’s delight. Sully has wanted a playmate for some time, so it’s nice that Fez (and Bunny, when he’s feeling himself) can fill that role.