Poor Neglected Blog

I realize that I had no spotlight this week after giving 6/14 as a return date from vacation. Sigh... I was so excited to upload, organize, and label my pictures from vacation, that I couldn't seem to get back into this whole blogging thing. But then my sister told me today that I had not posted anything to my blog in quite some time, so my neglect has not gone unnoticed. It's now midnight, my fiance might still be out fishing if he's not on his way back home, I overspent at the outlets today, and I should be in bed. But, here I am!

What's new with Yard By Yard Knits? I posted my Topaz Dog Sweater and Orange and Yellow Baby Hat to my store this past week. I did struggle with the price for my dog sweater. I have the same sweater listed in a smaller size for $25. This sweater is a large, and I can also make it in extra-large. I had already decided to charge a little extra for it, but I wasn't sure how much. I debated between $28 and $30, but decided to go with the more even $30. Is $5 too much of a price increase for the extra time and yarn that the bigger sweater uses? I'm still deciding...

My current knitting project is a small catnip mat. I am making a rectangle to fill with fluff and catnip for my kitty friends. My sister emailed me and said here's a great idea for your shop. I've made some cat toys in the past but nothing for the shop yet. It's on my endless to do list. So I have dropped all other knitting to make sweet Izzy a catnip mat! This one will be long enough for her to hold in her front paws and kick with her back feet, allowing for maximum play and fun! One problem with knit cat toys is that their claws sometimes get stuck in the yarn while playing. I decided to go with a multiple cable pattern to keep the stitches a little tighter with the hopes that claws won't get stuck as easily. It looks great, but working 5 cables every 4th row certainly does slow down my progress! What could be an afternoon project will likely take me a couple days. Oh well, it will look beautiful when it's done!

I'm also looking forward to being featured in an upcoming blog by Audrey's Country Crafts. Her Etsy shop is currently closed while she is working on some home renovations. But she features other Etsy shops on her blog. I will also be participating in my first giveaway through her blog! Yea! I'm pretty excited about this. I've been wanting to do one without being able to organize it in my head. If someone else can do it for me, I won't complain!

It really is time for bed now. I will return with a spotlight this week! 

Sneak Peek!

I am happily getting ready for vacation in a couple of days. I fly to Tampa on Thursday afternoon for my cousin's wedding over Memorial Day weekend. Then, my mom, sister, and I have planned a small road trip to New Orleans where my sister lives. I've never been there before, so I'm very excited to visit her!

While I'm getting ready for vacation, I have also been busy knitting away. Since last weekend, I knit a dog sweater, baby hat, and collar cozy! I feel so productive! I won't be listing my new items until I return from vacation, but I want to show off my hard work!

Topaz Hooded Dog Sweater:

Yellow and Orange Roll Brim Baby Hat:

Sneak Peek!

Here is the first look at my new pet bandanas! I've been calling them Doggie Bandanas, but the small size does fit cats, too. Pheoda can finally model something! One note of warning: a cat's tongue will stick on yarn. Poor Pheoda - she had to learn this the hard way during her photo shoot! This was my first outdoor photo shoot for my store. We have some great spaces in our yard, so I'll have to do more of this.

For one week only! Mention this sneak peek at check out and save 10% on your pet bandana! Good through midnight on 4/10/10. If you pay with check, I will email you a corrected receipt.  If you pay with Paypal, I will refund you the difference. Visit the Pet section of Yard By Yard Knits for more details.

Brody models the medium bandana in camouflage:

Here is the medium bandana in topaz:

The large bandana in camoflauge:

The small bandana in camouflage:

Pheoda models the small bandana in red:

If I Only Had Some Legs

I would prance around the house
Showing off my hoodie
Having so much fun

Oh, the trouble I could cause
On all four of my paws
If I only had some legs!

Here is a preview of my newest dog sweater! All that's remaining is to attach two little legs. Now I have to figure out how to model this thing for some pictures! Without a dog, it's definitely difficult to do. That fuzzy feline of mine looks so tempting for photo ops. If I only thought she would sit still... The magazines stuffing it now don't really work since it makes this great sweater looks a bit like a sausage. I'll add figuring this out to my to do list this weekend. Unfortunately, my list already includes writing up my holiday cards, knitting two scarves, buying yarn for said scarves, decorating a Christmas tree, and I think going to a museum. I'm just not quite sure that I can get it all done! I may have to ask the cat to either sit still or get me a small stuffed dog for Christmas!

I can't wait to see the finished product. Hopefully, it will be for sale by the end of the weekend or early next week!

It's a doggone world

As I mentioned last time, I really want to enter the world of dog sweaters. I very stupidly started a pattern last week that I thought I had read through completely. You just know this isn't going to end well...

I was very happily knitting, so impressed with myself because I love this sweater! Then my pattern directed me "to work in the established pattern until the piece measures 1" less than the length of your dog from neck to tail." Later I was directed to measure around the belly to add a belt and fit around the neck. Hmm... how will my dear feline friend help me with that? I must admit that little Pheoda does wear (and tolerate!) a bandana at times, especially after her semi-annual shavings. Doesn't help here.

My weekend may consist of shopping around the Petco while secretly (or not so secretly) measuring their dog sweaters! I'm also open to measurements if anyone has already measured a dog so I have some guidelines to get started. Who knew this would be so difficult? :)