knitting conditions

Rare, but occasionally favorable. In Ica, Peru, the sun shines most days in the afternoon. I got an afternoon off (Sunday! after working until 3:00 or so) and spent it by the pool with my yarn. Yes, I did go in the water and I did go down the water slide which was the most non-yarn-related fun I have had since... I can't remember. In case this photo tempts you to think I am a lucky devil, could I politely remind you that last year I froze my behind and all other parts of my body for almost eight weeks, at 16,000 ft altitude? I so deserve this hour by the pool in the sun. The shawl is called "Weeping Willow" and if I had a faster and more reliable internet connection, I'd look up the designer for you, but no such luck this morning. It's an easy lace pattern and one I'd recommend for a beginner. It's coming along very fast, too; I started it just a week or two before I left and I've hardly had any time to work on it here. There's a central area of diamonds, then a border of zig zags, then two more rows of diamonds before a lace edging is attached. I'm currently about half way through the zigzags. The pattern is easy enough to be plane knitting or waiting room knitting. I tried something more complex

seen here in an embryonic state, alas, unlikely to come to fruition. I wanted to do an ambitious shetland-style lace shawl with a square center and wide knitted borders. What you see is the beginning of the central square, with a long provisional cast on edge. I was using a pattern from "A Gathering of Lace" but after I'd knit 40 rows or so, and compared the texture of my garter stitch fabric to what I remembered from the picture in the book, and the number of rows the pattern said to knit, I determined that there was no way it was going to end up square. I need a different size needle or a different yarn. So, I scratch that project again, back into the suitcase with it! I'll finish up the Weeping Willow and then see how I feel. Since I have the red yarn along, I might try designing something simple. Maybe a garter stitch center, knit diagonally, with an all-over rosebud design. Then large borders knit one at a time back and forth, with a pattern of... zig zags? Something that will look nice meeting at the corners. Of course I won't have time to get all this done while traveling, but knowing that there is more yarn there is very satisfying; it heps assuage some of the nervousness associated with moving around and facing unexpected things each day.

The museum where I am working has guard dogs. While I like dogs in general, and animals in general, I have to say that this dog is the ugliest dog I have ever seen. I tried to overcome my dislike for him, but his temper is no prettier than his form. Peruvian hairless dogs are supposed to be a very rare and valuable breed, but I'm sorry--I just can't get enthusiastic about this creature. What do you think?

Comments

[June]

Looks like your'e definitely having a better time this year!

Ugh, that dog - is he wearing a vest with a skin disease? Or a coat made from another dog?

[diana]

It's lovely to see you relaxing by the pool with some knitting. And that dog? Only a face a mother could love. And I'm not his mother.

[claudia]

I'm coming down on the side of "so ugly, he's kinda cute". The temper thing might sway me otherwise, though, were I there in person.

[grumperina]

Uhm, yeah... I, too, have no enthusiasm for that dog. Thanks for the update from Peru!

[wilbraham]

The Peruvian hairless dog (or Peruvian Inca Orchid dog), is a dog of ancient lineage whose lack of fir may be due to the fact that it was originally bred above the tree line in the Andes, and who thus developed sympathetic alopecia. They are a smart, multi-purpose dog—not only do they make very good guard dogs (the reason it may not have been friendly to you—it was just doing its job), but they also make excellent seeing-eye dogs, hearing-ear dogs, and even enzyme-producing-pancreas dogs. There are, however, strict guideline as to how this breed is to appear when it is working; therefore the picture you took doesn’t really show it to best advantage. When they are off duty, the Peruvian hairless dog will apply judicious amounts of mascara, eye liner, and even rouge and will thereby become the orchid after which it is named.

[carol Gabbert]

Is the dog a "xolo esquinkle" ? (sp?) Sorry about the spelling, I remember seeing pottery imagies of hairless dogs in a museum in Oaxaca,Mexico. They were raised by the ancients as food and for foot warmers. I only remember because I loved the sound of the word. I also love dogs! If so, the breed is almost extinct!

[wilbraham]

Though both dogs, the Peruvian Hairless in Carrie’s picture, and the Mexican Hairless (Xoloitzuintli), are each pre-Columbian dogs of great antiquity, I would expect that their lineages are not too closely linked, not so close as most terriers or spaniels, for example, despite the fact that the latter two groups vary considerably in size, shape, and temperament. Please note the Wikipedia entries:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_Hairless_Dog
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peruvian_Hairless_Dog

And I’m writing this with my Peke, Pablo on my lap.

[camille]

Guard dogs don't generally have pleasant dispositions while working.

I personally think he's cute, but I am also fond of Chinese Cresteds and Mexican Hairless Dogs. They are great breeds for people who are allergic to pet dander and don't want a poodle.

[Adam]

Carrie -- A mutual friend wants me to remind you (as though you could forget) that all dogs are good dogs, but they can't all be as handsome as Chester. Great picture anyway.

[http://highestshelf.org/lita-and-kane/index.html]

http://highestshelf.org/lita-and-kane/index.html