spinning, spinning

I'm having a great time spinning on both wheels.

I plied and washed the sheltie/merino that I've been working on. It will wait until I feel like making something nice and warm for winter next year.

I got some beautiful bamboo top from Golden Willow so I started to spin it on the Joy using the Woolee Winder. It is so soft!

I'm in a sock yarn mode so I'm trying to spin as fine as I can. The bamboo is surprisingly easy to spin. I thought that it might be slippery but it's not bad. The Woolee Winder does such a great job winding the yarn on the bobbin evenly! I can hardly wait until the WW for the Elizabeth arrives.

Because the Elizabeth and I are still getting acquainted, I decided to spin some Blue Faced Leicester that I had in my stash. I think it was from Lisa Souza. It's a nice, easy fiber to work with. I'm aiming for sock yarn with this project too. I haven't had any trouble adjusting to the double drive and the treadling is getting smoother. I like the single treadle because I can shift my body position as I spin which allows me to spin longer. When spinning on the Joy I'm pretty much confined to one position although I have better control of slowing down without stopping when I have both feet working together. Talk about muscle memory - I was spinning on the Elizabeth and noticed my left foot treadling the floor!

Introducing Her Majesty Elizabeth II...

My Ashford Elizabeth 2 kit came in yesterday's mail. I ended up getting it from Shuttleworks in Calgary because the supplier for my LYS, Golden Willow, has it back ordered for at least a month. I was very impressed with Shuttleworks. They have a large inventory, the package was shipped promptly, and the price was great.

Here are all the parts ready to be assembled (the remote controls were not in the package).

I put the wheel beside my Ashford Joy as a size comparison.

I'm glad that Dan was around to help set it up. I don't think I would have had the strength to assemble some of the parts.

Here she is, all set up! (By the way, Poke's eyes don't normally look as if he is possessed.)

I oiled it up and tried spinning some Romney fleece. I had a little trouble getting the double drive band tensioned properly but here is evidence that it works! (uh, I didn't spin with the drive band set the way it is in the pic. I had already taken it off the whorl when I snapped the photo. I may be new at this but even I realize that this set-up wouldn't have worked at all!)

As for my Joy, she is sporting a new Woolee Winder. It's way cool!

typo in pattern

There was a typo in Row 13 of the Heel Turn in the multi-sized Comfy Soled Socks pattern. Thanks to Marilyn for spotting it.

I have fixed it and it should now read:

Row 13: Sl 1, *Sl 1, K1* for 16 sts, turn.

If you're Sheri from MI..

Your spam blocker blocked the email with the pattern that I sent you.

lampshade that knits itself

This link came from a yahoo group that I'm on. Very cool.

Barbara's Comfy Soled Socks

I received an email from Barbara telling me that she made the Comfy Soled Socks and sending me this picture. She used Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Worsted in the Apple Hill colorway. I think she did a great job and the color is so cheerful for Spring! See her blog here for lots of cool knitting posts. My favorite is her improvised swift. Scroll down a ways.

I love seeing the finished socks! Please send me pics of your Comfy Soled Socks when they're done and I'll post them here. A little gallery would be fun!

If you're Nancy N. in WA

I tried to send you the sock pattern but your spam blocker wouldn't let it through.

multi-sized Comfy Soled Socks pattern

I played around with the numbers and have added sizes S and L to the original Comfy Soled Socks pattern. I haven't test knit the pattern as written. Please let me know if you find any errors so that I can correct them.

There's a PDF version of this pattern on Ravelry too.

Comfy Soled Socks

Sized for Women's Small, Medium, and Large

This is a plain stockinette sock pattern with the slip stitch heel flap pattern carried under the heel for cushioning and reinforcement; the rest of the sole is purled for comfort. If desired, you can knit a pattern on the leg and instep of the sock.

Yarn: fingering weight

Size: Women's small, (medium, large)

Cuff: 8 (9, 10) inches

Calculated Cuff Measurement: 7 (8, 9) inches.

Gauge: 8 stitches per inch

Needle Size: US 0 / 2.0 mm or size needed to get gauge.

Construction: Top Down with 2 circular needles. Can also be made using double pointed needles. If using 5 dpns divide half of cuff stitches on 2 needles and the other half on 2 more needles (eg: 16 sts per needle for size M). If using 4 dpns put half the cuff stitches on 2 dpns and the other half on 2 dpn (eg: 32, 16, 16 for size M).

NOTE: Because of the purled sole used in this pattern I find it is easiest to have the sole stitches on one needle and the instep stitches divided between the others. I have trouble avoiding ladders if I separate the purled sole stitches over 2 needles. YMMV

Pattern:

Ribbing and Leg:

Cast on 56 (64, 72) stitches. Join in a ring being careful not to twist. Divide stitches over 2 needles. Work K2, P2 ribbing for 2 inches. Switch to stockinette stitch and knit leg stitches until desired leg height is reached.

Heel:

NOTE: Heel flap is worked in rows on 28 (32, 36) stitches.

NOTE: S1 = sl 1 purlwise.

Heel Flap:

Row 1 *Slip 1, k1 repeat across from *

Row 2 Slip 1, purl across

Knit until you have 28 (32, 36) heel flap rows. Heel flap shape should be close to square. End with a purl row.

Turn Heel as follows (continuing heel pattern):

Row 1: *Sl 1, k1* for 16 (18, 20) sts, ssk, K1 turn

Row 2: Sl 1, P5 sts, P2 tog, P1, turn

Row 3: *Sl 1, K1* for 6 sts, sl 1, ssk, K1, turn

Row 4: Sl 1, P7, P2 tog, P1, turn

Row 5: Sl 1, *Sl 1, K1* for 8 sts, ssk, K1, turn

Row 6: Sl 1, P9, P2tog, P1, turn

Row 7: *Sl 1, K1* for 10 sts, Sl 1, ssk, K1, turn

Row 8: Sl 1, P11, P2tog, P1, turn

Row 9: Sl 1, *Sl 1, K1* for 12 sts, ssk, K1, turn

Row 10: Sl 1, P13, P2tog, P1, turn

For size S only:

Row 11: *Sl 1, K1* for 14 sts, Sl 1, ssk, turn

Row 12: P15, P2tog, turn (16 sts total)

For size M only:

Row 11: *Sl 1, K1* for 14 sts, Sl 1, ssk, K1 turn

Row 12: Sl 1, P15, P2tog, P1, turn

Row 13: Sl 1, *Sl 1, K1* for 16 sts,ssk, turn

Row 14: P17, P2tog, turn (18 sts total)

For size L only:

Row 11: *Sl 1, K1* for 14 sts, Sl 1, ssk, K1 turn

Row 12: Sl1, P15, P2tog, P1, turn

Row 13: Sl 1, *Sl 1, K1* for 16 sts, ssk, K1, turn

Row 14: Sl 1, P 17, P2tog, P1, turn

Row 15: *Sl 1, K1* for 18 sts, Sl 1, ssk, turn

Row 16: P19, P2tog, turn (20 sts total)

Gusset:

With needle 1, *K1, Sl 1* across heel flap 16 (18, 20) sts. Pick up and knit 6 (7, 8) stitches from the side of the heel flap. Place marker. Pick up and knit 8 (9, 10) more sts from side of heel flap plus knit one stitch in the gusset corner. Knit across needle 2 (instep).

Using a spare needle, pick up one stitch in the gusset corner and 8 (9, 10) stitches from the side of the heel flap. Place marker. Pick up 6 (7, 8) more stitches along heel flap. Using needle 1, knit the remaining stitches on Needle 1. Knit the instep stitches across needle 2. Gusset and sole stitches should be on needle 1 and instep stitches on needle 2.

Gusset Decrease and Sock Foot:

Rnd 1:

Needle 1: K1, ssk, knit until first marker. *Sl 1, K1* until second marker. Knit to the last 3 stitches k2 tog, k1.

Needle 2: Knit.

Rnd 2: Knit.

Repeat these 2 rounds until total stitches equal 56 (64, 72). Note that you will use some of the stitches between the markers to complete the gusset decreases. You should have 28 (32, 36) sts on each needle.

Sock Foot:

Purl stitches on needle 1 and and knit stitches on needle 2 until you are approximately 1 1/2 to 2 inches from the top of your longest toe.

Shape Toe:

Rnd 1:

Needle 1: K1, SSK, knit until the last 3 sts, K2 tog, K1. Continue purling the stitches between the decreases (SSK and K2tog).

Needle 2: K1, SSK, knit until the last 3 stitches, k2 tog, k1.

Rnd 2: Knit around

Continue in this manner until you have approximately 24 (24, 36) stitches remaining. Then work Rnd 1 only until 12 (12, 16) sts remain. Graft toe closed.

http://dogloversyarn.blogspot.com/

March 2008

Revised June 2012

Please do not distribute or sell pattern without my prior permission.

destashing

I've decided to destash some name brand sock yarns and a pair of clear Sloggers clogs that are a bit too small for me. I listed them on Ravelry. If you're interested, I'm doglover on Ravelry and the items are in my stash/trade, sell folder.

If you are not on Ravelry and want to see what I have for sale, just email me and I'll let you know. But, really, you should join Ravelry. It's too cool of a place not to be a member.

random acts of kindness

My sister Darcie ran out of sock yarn with just a few rows to go to finish her second sock toe. She posted her dilemma on Ravelry and Socknitters hoping that someone would have a bit of leftover yarn in the same Trekking colorway. She received an email from a woman in the Netherlands named Jenneke. Jenneke has a skein of the yarn and offered to send some to Darcie. She refused compensation, even for the postage, and simply replied, "It's nice to be able to help someone."

Folks all over the world share our passion for fiber and knitting and we are able to connect with this global community over the internet. Isn't it amazing that we have this bond with so many wonderful people? Darcie told me that she was astounded by Jenneke's kindness and is going to 'pay it forward'. I will certainly do the same. Please consider this post as a reminder to create random acts of kindness in your world today too.

And thank you, Jenneke, for much more than a few yards of yarn!

chiengora

I have two bobbins full of merino/sheltie undercoat ready for plying. I'm very pleased with it! It is much nicer with merino added than just spun sheltie fur. The natural colors are lovely and I see no good reason to dye it. Dog hair is notoriously warm to wear so blending it with wool should increase its wearability. I'm not sure what I will make with it but I'm thinking mittens, hats, etc. I have collected a lot of sheltie fur from grooming the dogs and will continue to do so.

Once I get the chiengora (very chic term for dog hair, no?) plied I'm going to tackle some bamboo top that I bought at Golden Willow, my LYS. I haven't spun bamboo before so it should be interesting.

Speaking of Golden Willow, I stopped in there and spun on a saxony style wheel (an Ashford Traditional) for the first time. I love my Ashford Joy but I can see that spinning on a full size wheel has some advantages. I was able to spin using a long draw on the saxony and I can't do it on my Joy. After much research on the internet (and with my wonderful husband's blessing) I have decided to get an Ashford Elizabeth 2 and placed my order today. I looked at other beautiful wheels but I think that sticking with an Ashford is the way to go. The Traditional is a good basic wheel but I decided to get the Elizabeth because it has ball bearings and I think that it will be smoother to treadle. My knees are not getting any younger and I plan to use this wheel for a long time. I can get it at Golden Willow and Ashford wheels and parts are readily available if I need them. It is my dream wheel and I am so excited! I'm keeping the Joy too as love it and it is so great for taking along when I go somewhere. Life is good.

Thank You

Thank you to all of you that wrote personally and publicly supporting my use of the disclaimer on my pattern! I have to admit that the Yahoo Knit List post really bothered me. It sort of felt like a kick to the shins after I spent time to write out and make the pattern available free to others. At first I questioned whether the disclaimer to request my permission to use the pattern for profit was appropriate. Then I got angry. If nobody else has put those particular knitting elements together and published a pattern for them, why shouldn't I ask that my effort be acknowledged if someone was going to sell the pattern or socks made using it? I never planned to make a profit from the pattern. It was free for the asking.

I soon discovered that I was not out of line to be annoyed by the post. So many of you asked for the pattern and expressed thanks! I was touched to hear that you are thinking of knitting these socks to help others: diabetic friends and relatives, renal dialysis patients, and cancer/chemo patients. I am truly honored that you feel that it will ease the pain for others and, along with the love knitted into them, that the socks will be a heartfelt gift for someone special.

I was going to do a little rant here but a couple of people expressed what I was feeling so well that I am going to share their thoughts instead (with their permission, of course).

Lizzie K8 wrote:

What she failed to notice is there is nothing really new under the knitting sun. Everybody is just doing a variation of something someone else has already done. Imagine if we'd had the internet when Barbara Walker published all her books. Some tactless person would complain that she'd already done those patterns and who did BW think she was compiling them all in a book and getting credit and money for them.....


And Trish responded on the Knit List with her opinion on the matter and also wrote about it on her A Thousand Fibers blog:

Everyone was playing nice until someone posted that the disclaimer was inappropriate because the pattern was simply a composite of "generic elements" of sock knitting and that we shouldn't get too involved in copyright issues, lest we, as knitters, "take ourselves too seriously." Excuse me? Too seriously? Part of me was already dragging out the soapbox. (Ok, in my house it's a library kick-stool, but it still serves the same purpose.) Personally I don't think that knitters take themselves seriously enough, but suppose they did? Would the streets be filled with wild eyed, crazy women (mostly) waving needles and wrapping policemen in merino yarn? Would we see the rise of two new political parties--the Pickers and the Throwers? Perhaps the airlines would prohibit anyone without knitting needles from flying! Ok, ok, enough already, but I do think that knitters are like other crafters in that we don't give ourselves much value for what we do. Our community boasts its own big names but do we call Norah Gaughan and Cat Bhordi, "artists?" Certainly, few of us call ourselves, "artists" or even, "artisans." So what if the Tilted Duster never makes it to a museum unless someone wears it--does that mean it's not an incredible artistic accomplishment? I'm getting a little carried away here, I know. I'm just suggesting that when someone asks you what you do, you say something like, "Oh, I'm a fiber artist." We are artisans. We practice a skilled craft and many of us practice at a highly skilled level. Let's take ourselves seriously!

Well said! And my sincere thanks to both of you for your eloquence.


On a lighter note, here's a picture of the latest sock to jump on the needles.
It's the Crosshatch Lace pattern from More Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch using my own hand-dyed merino/silk fingering weight yarn. I used the Old Norwegian cast on from Ann Budd's Getting Started Knitting Socks book for the first time and I really like it. Nice and elastic. The Crosshatch Lace pattern is great; just enough patterning to make it interesting but still an easy knit. It looks more complicated than it is.

I frogged the start of the "An American in China" pattern. The Linen Stitch sole has more texture than the slip knit pattern. When I test-drove the Comfy Soled Sock I realized that I wouldn't find it comfortable to have the entire sole knit in the slip knit pattern. It was okay under my heel but I wouldn't want it for the rest of the sole. The Linen Stitch pattern underfoot would bug me.

If you're Carol...

Carol, I got your email and I tried to send you the pattern but your server blocked it as spam.

link is down for now but pattern is still here

The link for the free pattern is not working. Apparently, Adobe wants me to redo it every day so I just took the link off of the blog. If I can figure out how to make it permanent I'll put it back up. For now, if you want the pattern just email me or use the directions from Liz's comment yesterday to copy it right from the blog post.

I was quite surprised to find a post on the Yahoo Knitlist today from someone who is not happy about the way I added a disclaimer at the end of the pattern. Seriously. If someone knows a lot more about copyright than I do and feels that the disclaimer is out of line, please let me know. It was never my intention to come off as being the inventor of the knitting techniques in the pattern. I had been unable to find the techniques together in one sock pattern and had requests to write them in pattern form. The disclaimer was added because it seems to be on every sock pattern, free or otherwise, that I have ever seen so I thought it might be a good idea. If it was inappropriate, I apologize. It was never my intent to profit from this pattern. If it helps others knit socks for people that have sensitive feet, I'm happy.

PDF problems

I've received several comments about having trouble retrieving the Comfy Soled Socks pattern from my link. I was afraid that something might go wrong as I've never used PDF before. I have the link fixed for now but I'll also post the pattern here to be on the safe side. It is much easier to print from the link but possible to print from the post too as follows: highlight and copy the pattern, save, paste into Word or similar program, and print. Alternatively, email me and I'll send you the link as a Word document.

(edited to add: Thanks to Liz for more information about printing from the blog page! See her comment on this post. I didn't know you could do it this way, tried it, and it worked like a charm. S)

Again, be sure to let me know if you have problems. I'm new to this pattern writing business.

Comfy Soled Socks

(designed using The Sole Solution software)

This is a plain stockinette sock pattern with the slip stitch heel flap pattern carried under the heel for cushioning and reinforcement; the rest of the sole is purled for comfort. If desired, you can knit a pattern on the leg and instep of the sock.

Yarn: fingering weight

Size: Women's medium

Construction: Top Down with 2 circular needles. Can also be made using double pointed needles. If using 5 dpns divide half of cuff stitches on 2 needles and the other half on 2 more needles (16 sts per needle). If using 4 dpns put half the cuff stitches on 2 dpns and the other half on 2 dpn (32, 16, 16).

NOTE: Because of the purled sole used in this pattern I find it is easiest to have the sole stitches on one needle and the instep stitches divided between the others. I have trouble avoiding ladders if I separate the purled sole stitches over 2 needles. YMMV

Cuff: 9 inches

Calculated Cuff Measurement: 8 inches.

Gauge: 8 stitches per inch

Total Stitches: 64

Rib Stitches: 64; Rib Repeat: 4 sts.

Heel Style: Flap/Standard; Width: Standard; Stitch: Sl 1 K 1

Toe Style: Standard; Toe Shape: Standard

Stitches adjusted by -10%

Needle Size: US 0 / 2.0 mm or size needed to get gauge.

Pattern:

Ribbing and Leg:

Cast on 64 stitches. Join in a ring being careful not to twist. Divide stitches over 2 needles. Work K2, P2 ribbing for 2 inches. Switch to stockinette stitch and knit leg stitches until desired leg height is reached.

Begin Heel:

NOTE: Heel is worked in rows on 32 stitches.

NOTE: S1 = sl 1 purlwise.

Heel Pattern:

Row 1 *Slip 1, k1 repeat across from *

Row 2 Slip 1, purl across

Knit in heel pattern until you have 32 heel flap rows. Heel flap shape should be close to square. End with a purl row.

Turn Heel as follows (continuing heel pattern):

Row 1: *Sl 1, k1* for 18 sts, ssk, K1 turn

Row 2: Sl 1, P5 sts, P2 tog, P1, turn

Row 3: *Sl 1, K1* for 6 sts, sl 1, ssk, K1, turn

Row 4: Sl 1, P7, P2 tog, P1, turn

Row 5: Sl 1, *Sl 1, K1* for 8 sts, ssk, K1, turn

Row 6: Sl 1, P9, P2tog, P1, turn

Row 7: *Sl 1, K1* for 10 sts, ssk, K1, turn

Row 8: Sl 1, P11, P2tog, P1, turn

Row 9: Sl 1, *Sl 1, K1* for 12 sts, ssk, K1, turn

Row 10: Sl 1, P13, P2tog, P1, turn

Row 11: *Sl 1, K1* for 14 sts, ssk, K1 turn

Row 12: Sl 1, P15, P2tog, P1, turn

Row 13: Sl 1, *Sl 1, K1* fpr 16 sts, turn

Row 14: P17, P2tog, turn (18 sts total)

Gusset:

With needle 1, *K1, Sl 1* across heel flap (18 sts). Pick up and knit 7 stitches from the side of the heel flap. Place marker. Pick up and knit 9 more sts from side of heel flap plus knit one stitch in the gusset corner. Knit across needle 2 (instep).

Using a spare needle, pick up one stitch in the gusset corner and 9 stitches from the side of the heel flap. Place marker. Pick up 7 more stitches along heel flap. Using needle 1, knit the remaining stitches on Needle 1. Knit the instep stitches across needle 2. Gusset and sole stitches should be on needle 1 and instep stitches on needle 2.

Gusset Decrease and Sock Foot:

Rnd 1:

Needle 1: K1, ssk, knit until first marker. *Sl 1, K1* until second marker. Knit to the last 3 stitches k2 tog, k1.

Needle 2: Knit.

Rnd 2: Knit.

Repeat these 2 rounds until total stitches equal 64. Note that you will use some of the stitches between the markers to complete the gusset decreases. You should have 32 sts on each needle.

Sock Foot:

Purl stitches on needle 1 and and knit stitches on needle 2 until you are approximately 1 1/2 to 2 inches from the top of your longest toe.

Shape Toe:

Rnd 1:

Needle 1: K1, SSK, knit until the last 3 sts, K2 tog, K1. Continue purling the stitches between the decreases (SSK and K2tog).

Needle 2: K1, SSK, knit until the last 3 stitches, k2 tog, k1.

Rnd 2: Knit around

Continue in this manner until you have approximately 24 stitches remaining. Then work Rnd 1 only until 12 sts remain. Graft toe closed.

Dog Lover’s Yarn

http://dogloversyarn.blogspot.com/

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5013806

March 2008

Please do not distribute or sell pattern or items made from it without my prior permission.

Comfy Soled Socks - The Pattern

I finally finished up the latest version of the Comfy Soled Sock and got it written out as a pattern. There is a new Free Patterns section in the sidebar that, hopefully, will work. The pattern is for fingering weight yarn for a Women's medium (64 stitches). Note that the sock in the picture was knit using double-stranded fingering weight yarn so it might look a little heftier than your sock made from the pattern.

I test drove the wearability of this sock for a few hours around the house. My uber-sensitive foot can feel the slip stitch pattern under my heel but it is not uncomfortable and should increase the durability of the sock.

Feel free to use this pattern for your own use or for knitting for gifts or charity. If you are interested in using it for making a profit please send me an email first requesting permission.
(If you are overwhelmed with gratitude for my generosity, I would happily accept your appreciation in the form of yarn purchases from my Etsy store.)

Let me know if you run into any glitches. I did not test knit it although I knit a mini-heel turn to work out the numbers. I wrote the directions after I completed the sock so there may be some errors. If you find any mistakes I'd appreciate a heads-up so that I can correct them.

Happy knitting!

Update - December 10/09 -

Please note:

I understand that some of you have been sent here from other blogs for this pattern. Unfortunately, the PDF link in the sidebar didn't work. Please see here for more pattern information and links. If you're on Ravelry, this is the fastest way to get the pattern.

almost spring

I was outside yesterday afternoon with the dogs. The sun was shining and the temperature was above the freezing point. It feels like spring might come soon after all!

The snow is melting and slushy in the sun although it cools off at night and refreezes. While it was slushy, the dogs enjoyed digging into the snow and puddles and sniffing all of the scents of the earth below.

Bentley:

Notice the green grass at the top of the following picture of Robbie. It always surprises me that it's green as soon as the snow melts a bit. The lawn has been buried in snow and endured temperatures of -40 and -50 degrees C for months and yet there's enough warmth in the sun and earth to produce chlorophyll to make the grass green. Amazing!

Harrison:

Of course, any warm weather is a great excuse for blitzing around the yard!

Austin and Robbie in mid-flight on a turn.

And this is what a mini dachsie looks like going full tilt! I love this picture of Bentley!

Oh My!!

I decided to treat myself using some of the money that I've made dyeing yarn to order a Golding Ring Spindle.

Oh. My. Goodness.

It is incredibly beautiful and spins effortlessly! And it wasn't much more expensive than other quality spindles. It is weighted beautifully. I've always wondered how someone would have the patience to spin enough yarn on a spindle to knit clothing and now I know. It's like I didn't know how to spin on a spindle until I tried this one.

Notice the ridged wood for traction. I found that if I spun it on the ridges it didn't wobble at all. Clever!

I spent some time last week producing the back of a sweater on the knitting machine. They are not kidding when they say learning to use it involves a steep learning curve! It's a lot like learning to spin on the spinning wheel was for me. I felt like kicking it several times before I got the hang of it. I'm feeling a bit more confident now but I'm just going to attempt this as a plain cardigan and forget about doing anything fancy until I have this one under my belt.

The new Spring issue of Knitty is out today. It's possible that the "An American In China" sock pattern could solve my sock sole issues. The heel, sole, and toe is knit in Linen Stitch with some short rows tossed in to even up the lengths of the sole and the instep. I've already printed the pattern and I'm going to try this one really soon.

another fun match on the weekend

There was another fun match on Sunday. Katie is lucky that so many good people in the local dog community willingly lend their dogs to junior handlers for practice. Here is Katie with Sizzle, a Standard Wire Haired Dachshund puppy bred and owned by Janet Rein. Sizzle is full of energy and quite the character! Katie did a great job with her, taking the group and getting to compete in Best in Match.

In this pic, Sizzle is being examined on the table by judge Joanne McCall. Darcie's sheltie Kai was Best Graduate (more than 5 championship points already earned) in Group. Bentley showed beautifully and won Best Graduate in Match!

a surprise in the mail

I ordered a few more belly bands from Patrice of Sweet Blessings Boutique on Etsy. She tucked in this cute little surprise! It's a feeding mat for the dogs. Patrice has made me several belly bands and dog coats this winter and I highly recommend her products and workmanship. She's great to deal with too! She also sews for people and I think her little toddler girl dresses at Lady Baby Bugs are especially adorable.