Bittersweet

[Sheila & Beau GA & Jeddie GA]

One of the my favorite hobbies is knitting lace. I found a designer who does "mystery" projects twice a year. You sign up and get part of the pattern each week or two for about 6 weeks, so everyone is knitting something they don't know what the final product will look like. It's fun - and distracting.

I already signed up for the summer project, called the Sangria Shawl, which the designer said we should think about summer fun and colors when choosing the yarn. She had given us that "clue" a few months ago, so I had been thinking about colors, etc. She always uses beads with her lace patterns too. Yesterday I ordered the yarn I had chosen and looked for beads - one to blend with the yarn colors and one as an accent. I won't get them until next week, probably and the project starts on the 15th.

Originally, it would be my distraction and reward for caring for Jeddie 24/7. Now it will be my comfort and I will knit into it all the love that I have for him, because I realized something on the drive to the oncologist this morning, that is so obvious I can't believe I didn't realize what I was doing when I picked the yarn and beads.

Here they are. See if you know what I am talking about:

(hint, Jeddie as celery green eyes).

 

[Grayson & Lu]

I know you'll treasure it! What a beautiful tribute to him.

 

[Squeaky and KT (GA)]

Oh just beautiful! So perfect.....BIG hug...

 

[Dale 'n' Chip]

That's even the hues of actual bittersweet.


I've always thought of taking it one step farther. Collecting enough sheddings to spin some yarn, and making a little something special of it.

My ode to those many allergic to felines. :mrgreen:

Growing up we had a flock of exotic black sheep. My mom spun yarn, and she also sold the wool to fiber artists. You can dye wool any color you want, and my mom did that also with natural pigments and dyes, but she was really into the naturally black sheep. After years in the burbs she still has her spinning wheel and accessories.

 

[Grayson & Lu]

..Growing up we had a flock of exotic black sheep. My mom spun yarn, and she also sold the wool to fiber artists. You can dye wool any color you want, and my mom did that also with natural pigments and dyes, but she was really into the naturally black sheep. After years in the burbs she still has her spinning wheel and accessories.

My sister's golden retrievers are certified visitation dogs, so the night before they go "visiting" they get a bath & get brushed out. She collects the hair and knows someone who spins pet hair into yarn (in the St. Paul/ Minneapolis area). Don't know if she's done it yet... I can just imagine a pair of "Yogi" mittens or a Kodi scarf! :lol: With my current houseguests (2 black labs) as well as mine, I could probably collect enough off the kitchen floor for a sweater DAILY - I've never swept so much in my life!!!

On another note, a friend has a locket that has a screw-on top specifically designed for a small amt of ashes. I had never seen one like that before, but I REALLY like it! I'm sure they have the kind where you can put a trimming of your pet's hair in it as well. It may be worth asking about at a local jewelry store. Just another way to keep them near & dear to our hearts.

 

[Dale 'n' Chip]

Dogs would be safer for wearables, since few seen to be allergic. And I suppose cat yarn might be cleaned somehow to remove allergens... but for me that defeats part of the purpose.

I had to google that before I posted just to see if it was too far out, or even possible. I see I wasn't the first one to have the idea. But I won't be using my mom's spinning wheel since she's deathly allergic to cats.

Chip and his brother are the first two long haired cats I've had. I get lots of gorgeous downy fur from his pale ginger brother (maybe half a shoe box full every spring) and I'd like to do something with it. The texture is just amazing.

 

[Vicky & Gandalf (GA) & Murrlin]

Are the beads orange and green? That's a wonderful way to memorialize him.

LuAnn I have a necklace I bought online that has a tiny compartment in it for ashes. It is a wave which widens at the bottom and looks somewhat like a cat's tail, with cz stones down the center. I bought a tiny cat charm in grey and wear both on the same chain. People think it's a solid piece, as it looks like a cat with a big tail!

There are many ways to memorialize our pets. The most meaningful things are the ones we make ourselves.

 

[Sheila & Beau GA & Jeddie GA]

Yes, the beads are green and orange. Now I wish the yarn was more orange and white - see, if I had realized what I was doing I never would have found the "right" yarn.

I actually have been thinking of knitting a winter sweater in an orangy-peachy yarn to match him - just never found the right colors. And, I did start collecting his fur after brushing him. It is the undercoat hairs that are buff/peach colored. You don't really get the long, dark orange guard hairs. I have a "Beaumont" sweater. The yarn is a perfect match for his fur colors. And I keep my eye out for something I could make with gray, peach and white yarn to match my two dilute torties.

I will be burying him at the family house in MI where my other cats have been buried since 1986. That land should remain in my family for the rest of my life so i will always be able to visit them. It's where I found and caught Beau.

 

[Vicky & Gandalf (GA) & Murrlin]

Yes, the beads are green and orange. Now I wish the yarn was more orange and white - see, if I had realized what I was doing I never would have found the "right" yarn.

That means you did find the right yarn because it found you, just like Jeddie.

I actually have been thinking of knitting a winter sweater in an orangy-peachy yarn to match him - just never found the right colors. And, I did start collecting his fur after brushing him. It is the undercoat hairs that are buff/peach colored. You don't really get the long, dark orange guard hairs. I have a "Beaumont" sweater. The yarn is a perfect match for his fur colors. And I keep my eye out for something I could make with gray, peach and white yarn to match my two dilute torties.

I will be burying him at the family house in MI where my other cats have been buried since 1986. That land should remain in my family for the rest of my life so i will always be able to visit them. It's where I found and caught Beau.

My friend Jill and her mom have a pet cemetery on her mom's farm. Complete with head stones and flowers. I think it's an amazing thing to make a permanent place like that.

 

[Jessica & Boo Radley]

I just love this thread.

All of these sweet thoughts and treasures makes my heart smile!

 

[Pumbaa]

With my current houseguests (2 black labs) as well as mine, I could probably collect enough off the kitchen floor for a sweater DAILY - I've never swept so much in my life!!!

With one border collie, do I ever understand the above! *LOL*

Suze

 

[donnahc]

Very beautiful Sheila. Hugs and healing to you.
:YMHUG: rb_icon