She Who Hesitates, Is Cupless

Once upon this summer I came across a great cup to carry my home brewed iced tea around with me wherever I went.  A reusable version of the Starbucks "to go" cup for cold drinks, it was insulated and I used it every day.  Every.Single.Day.

Until the day that I set the cup, filled with iced Dragon Pearl Jasmine brewed with Mint Verbena, on the top of my car only to hear it crash to the ground as I took a turn.  I was furious and sad when I picked up the shattered remains of my favorite cup and vowed to procure another. 

For days I stopped at every Starbucks I came across (quite a few, since those days were spent in NYC where you stumble upon a Starbucks every ten paces or so), only to realize that those cups were no longer being sold in the stores.  My mourning was lifted to hope when I remembered eBay.  Of course!  You can get anything on eBay! 

My eBay search revealed that the cups, originally sold for something like $12.99 or so, were going for prices in the mid-thirty dollar range.  Man.  That is crazy.  But I really wanted to replace that cup.  After two weeks of trying to justify this expense in my head, I decided that I did indeed get the use out of it to warrant the price so I headed over to eBay to overpay for snatch one up. 

Only to find this.  And this.  Or how about this!

On to the knitting.

See! I told you! And I'm blocking, too!

The Grandkitten, aka Jasmine, was supervising. She is an exquisite specimen for a cat, every move she makes (and really, all she does is move) is perfectly kitten growing into a cat. Curious to a fault, nobody can move without her trotting behind to be sure she isn't needed or missing something. Ever alert, she greets all who enter, allows them to touch her once in greeting and then races off to create some trouble somewhere. Often she can be seen carrying her favorite toy, a long pink feather boa on the end of a stick, around like a puppy looking for someone to play with her. She is constantly on the prowl for bugs to chase or things to leap onto. Princess, the big and fat old lady cat, has not exactly taken to her, but they can be seen chasing each other around in a little game of 'catch me if you can.' Jasmine only wants a friend, Princess only wants Jasmine to go away forever. While we have gotten used to the grandkitten, she has lately started to exhibit some traits that Princess has never had. Eating yarn is one. Dragging fiber around the house is another. She is interested where Princess has never been. I am coming around to Princess' way of thinking. She has got to go.

Surprise! There is more!

And today I crocheted. My original plan was to figure out how to do one of those pretty and feminine shell edgings, but on reflection I didn't think the edging suited the sweater. So I went on a search to figure out how to do a double crochet edgeing, a little substance without the frill. Anyway, my searching somehow led me to this video teaching a Backward Single Crochet, and I went with it.  Now I have to figure out a closure.  I may do a little loop and button on the inside (great idea Laurie!) so that the lines of the opening aren't compromised.  While the ribbon bow on the original is cute, it is not very practical.

What do you think?
Only tell me good stuff, cuz it is staying.

And then, because I could, I cast on for some Better-Than-Booties Baby Socks (raverly link).

I was thinking I could get the feet out of the main yarn for the cardigan, but I'm not so sure. Possibly just heels and toes. Any advice? I might just go for it, it is only a little foot after all......

Always on the job.

One hundred thirty-one to go. I probably should have saved some of this for next week when I have nothing, but it would only be old news then.

Comments

[Marcia]

You are my idol....I am totally Backward Single Crochet (aka Crab or Shrimp stitch) challenged. Can. not. do. it.

[Norma]

Holy CRAP about the cup. I will look up here -- everything is old in Vermont. Maybe they still have a dusty one on the shelves somewhere. ?

[Cheryl S.]

I am speechless over those stupid cups.

[maryse]

those cups are ridiculous. they'll be back next year.

and the anti-princess is awesome. leave her alone.

[claudia]

I love that Maryse is standing up for the kitten.

[margene]

I have a soft spot for black kitties. Bummer about the cup, but good tea tastes good in any cup.

[Kim]

I guess the economy isn't so bad after all!! lol

[Carole]

I love the crochet edging. You really can do anything, can't you?

[Debbie]

I looked around for you for that cup with no success, I can't believe people are charging/paying that kind of money. I will keep my eyes on the look out for you. Love the knitting, and lastly, keep the kitten!

[Nora]

The sweaters are stunning. Both of them. You are one of my Knitting Idols.

I've had that awful "crash off the car" experience, but the worst I have lost is a precious cup of morning joe. It would be infinitely worse if the lost container was so beloved!