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Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Canine Chic

I was feeling reaaaally cranky this morning. Last night with the Sucky Knitting Girls (which Eunny has explained) was such fun, such a joy, and such a relief after what was really a miserable week in many ways.... and I was kinda still flying high (in the purely legal and organic sense) far too late last night. Just couldn't get to sleep to save my life.... which meant facing up to teaching a knitting class on three hours sleep. I tried calling the store to cancel, but someone signed up before I called, dammit, so I had to go in. The student turned out to be someone I've had a few times in the past and I really just find her rather irritating. But money is money, and it brought me in to get another job offer - they need more store samples. And when a gal's mostly unemployed, she takes what she can get, within reason.

They got a few new yarns, and didn't want to have yet another scarf as a sample, so had me look at the yarns and see what I could do. When I saw this yarn

I first thought Baby Sweater. But they seem to be of the school that babies need to be clad only in pastels, or someone might accidentally hand them a beer or car keys or both. I am not of this school, and rather like babies in strong colors, but meh. I then suggested dog sweater, and since they do sell the book Dogs In Knits I figured I'd pick a pattern from that.

The yarn is really beautiful knit up - lots of rich texture and flashy color

and will look darling knit up in the Basic Knitted Dog Sweater
(photo from the book)
My student started whining at this choice - she doesn't think anyone ever knits dog sweaters and I should knit a person sweater. She also apparently thinks she should get a choice in what I knit. So that's three things she's wrong about.

Oscar is still playing with "Foxy" - a sure sign that Foxy is loved is that Foxy has not been killed. GB has long been trying to teach Oscar real dog tricks. Right now we've got sit, down, come, dance (during which he stands on his hind legs and wiggles), hug (he puts his feet up on you to get a hug) and kiss, and his all time favorite "bedtime". I think it's because it was the first command he learned and he's still proud of it, but he often goes to bed with such vigor that he drops his treats mid-chew and forgets them in his fervor. But GB wants him to fetch. And Oscar is not interested. I've read some dog training books that say "a dog will naturally fetch, you just have to get him to do it on command." So maybe Oscar's not really a dog?

You know how mean people pretend to throw a treat and laugh hysterically when the dog runs after it? We can throw real foods and Oscar will turn his head, watch the treat hit the floor, then look back at your hand, without taking a step. He just doesn't take chase. Forget bringing it back, he's not interested in going to get it.

But Foxy is someone special, and he actually fetched Foxy twice today. I don't think he thinks I was fetching. I think he thinks I'm like the toddler who tosses her rattle off the high chair to watch Mommy pick it up. He ran to get Foxy once. Praise Praise Praise Praise Praise. He ran to get Foxy again. Praise Praise Praise Praise Praise. The third time he rolled his eyes at me, clearly expressed "if you can't play nice, you can't play at all" and casually walked to the the toy, picked it up, and carried it to his room, turning his back to me. He'll teach me yet.

13 Comments:

Blogger Jenn said...

My momma's dog has a foxy - loves it! And I finished another sock today! Woo Hoo!

10:58 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

ugh. I can't stand knitters who whine. Smack her with some acrylic. Go ahead, you have my permission and she deserves it ;o)

12:13 AM  
Blogger Miss Knotty said...

I've got a sock done too! Woot :) I'm about 82% done with its mate. I was going to wait for a pair, but nevermind that. I like the dog sweater. Very clever to cross-market - Don't want to give anyone the idea that they have to go anyplace else to purchase books or materials. You're right about strong colors on babies - I like 'em too. Not that you asked, but I think people like clothing babies in pastels because you can't see urp on pastels as readily. Just my thought. No whining for students.

12:25 AM  
Blogger Spinningfishwife said...

Great yarn (my daughter would love a sweater that colour...does she count as a baby at four years old?)

Smart dog you have there. Pity your student couldn`t take lessons from him.

5:39 AM  
Blogger laura said...

Woot! Go Oscar!

As for the student...*shrug* as you said, money is money. :)

7:21 AM  
Blogger Amie said...

Yup, Trevor fetches, too!

Maybe it's a pit thing....

9:46 AM  
Blogger Marfa's Mewsings said...

Sweets,
So what if the Big O does not fetch? He's a smart boy - after all, he lives w/you all!
A dog sweater sample is a terrific idea - good tho't.
XOXO

11:56 AM  
Blogger Amy Boogie said...

I'm glad to see Oscar is training you well.

4:29 PM  
Blogger laura said...

Amie! Someone (pretty sure it was my grandmother) got offended at your comment on my blog. After I got done laughing I replied to it. But it made me giggle.

Yay for Oscar liking Foxy btw. :)

5:23 PM  
Blogger KT said...

I think it's a pit bull thing, too. Some breeds were created for fetching, and pit bulls weren't. Sounds like a smart dog, though, and I'm sure he'll finally get you guys trained up right. :)

5:32 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Actually I wear a size 7 1/2 to 8 sock. Sock-knitting fairy.

By the way, is that never-ending Spirit Trail Sock done yet?

12:19 AM  
Blogger erica said...

Count me down for another completed sock. It's been done for a week but I thought I'd have its mate done so quickly that I'd report both of them. Unfortunately, the mate only has a toe done.

Love the doggie sweater. Some pup would be very proud to wear it despite what the student might think. I think the student would be surprised at how many dog sweaters are made.

I agree with you on the strong colors for babies.

9:58 AM  
Blogger Laura :) said...

Tee hee hee...George tried to get our cats Oscar and Zoe to wear party hats for my birthday once...and only once. I don't know if they've forgiven him yet! I think sweaters might push them to serious rebellion. But it's so much fun to contemplate!

8:36 AM  

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