How often is too often to go to the yarn store?

I have completed the applied I-cord trim on the pug sweater and added the button loops along the back. I am still debating whether I should add some sort of sleeve at the legholes and if I want to give it a collar or different trim at the neckline.

While I am in deep thought on that project, I decided to cast on for the Koolhaas hat. This bugger is off to a rough start. In my first attempt, I messed up the foundation stitch pattern and had to start again. Then , I somehow doubled back on a dpn causing enormous confusion until I figured out what I had done. The third try seems to be going more smoothly, but I keep changing between my Needlemaster circulars which have an awful join and my bamboo dpns which have very dull points. I may break down and buy a set of Addi Turbos, but I think I've been to the yarn store enough this week already. Here is my progress so far.

I also wanted to share the other yarn I picked up last week during the anniversary sale at The Shabby Sheep. The brand on the label is "Andes" but I can't find anything about it online. I had originally intended to use this to make the second pug sweater, but I think it is destined to be a scarf instead.

I did not knit a vase cozy!

Okay, I kind of knitted a vase cozy.


Actually, this is a sweater for my pug, Kiwi.


While I like the Puppy Knits book I bought for pattern inspiration, I decided to branch out and design something myself. I wanted a cardigan type sweater that would close along her back. Kiwi previously had a fleece jacket with that sort of design and it was much easier to put on and take off of a squirmy pug.

Inspired by Avast by Jesse Loesberg, I decided to start with a cable base. After looking through several cable charts, I landed on the Besotted pattern (i.e., the XOXO pattern) posted on Hello Yarn.


I then picked up stitches and made the body in stockinette with 5x bobbles along one edge to make a closure. I made legholes by binding off a few stitches then knitting them back on a couple of inches later. Then, I made raglan style double decreases above the holes to shape for the neck.


So far, I have used 2 full balls of Berroco Keltic in 'Queen Anne' (#5864), but I need to get another ball to do an applied I-cord edging and to make the button loops. I should have this completed in the next day or so. As for how the sweater ended up on the vase, I was looking for an easy way to block the thing. I doubt Kiwi would tolerate being wrapped in wet wool all day.

And in the spirit of fair (pug) play, here is a photo of my other pug, Ozzie.