Rita

Meet Rita. I bought some animal-print fleece and Patrick suggested I make a lady in a low-cut animal-print dress. I didn't have quite enough pink fleece for arms, so I gave her opera-length gloves. Her hair had me stumped until I found a bit of bright-orange yarn and was reminded of Tempest Storm and the burlesque show we saw last fall -- it was perfect.

A Trio of Puppets

Yesterday was a busy day for puppet-making.

This is Andy. He's very friendly.

A rather sly kitten. His name might be Mehitabel. Or Fitzmaurice.

This dog is very friendly too ... in a more slobbery way. His name is probably Jack.

Alpaca S'Mittens: Part 1

Testing out the S'Mitten pattern for alpaca handspun ... Sheila's, not mine. Hope it comes in under 100 yards! The yarn is nice and soft -- natural Roscoe, I think, with some pink and blue bits carded in. I've made both cuffs and have just joined them. Now just some straight-up knitting in the round -- perfect TV knitting!

"Mahvin"

Marvin's a bit of a slimeball, and he's got octopus hands. He just wants to put his arm around everyone he meets -- especially the ladies! But really -- who could resist his combover and sexy mustache?

Oh You Handsome Devil!

I knew I wanted to make a devil, but I didn't know he'd end up so friendly! He's also the first puppet to get an accessory -- a tiny red pitchfork.

Spearmint Merino Hand-Spun

Finally got around to spinning some of the Merino my sisters scored for me at the Fryeburg Fair. It's a light-green to almost navy hand-dyed fiber, plied with an all-white single. Reminds me of spearmint hard candy.

The skein's only 35 yards, so I don't know what I will use it for ... something tasty, I hope!

Ian!

Same basic pattern, but this guy seemed to want a more shaped face ... and some ears.

I love how their mouths open like they're laughing when I pose them for photos. Just happy creatures, I guess ...