Fribee Cat

I wish I still had the first thing I ever knit.  I have the first full project I ever completed -which is the Ribbed for Her Pleasure Scarf out of the Stich 'N Bitch book, but I don't have the first swatch I ever knit.  I envy those of you that do.

One of the earlier projects that I ever knit without a pattern became a beloved (or hated depending on who you ask) icon for the Women's Ultimate Frisbee team at UNCG.  His name was Fribee Cat.  Pronounced like frisbee without the "s".  He was constructed of only the cheapest Lion Brand yarn complete with a terrifyingly uneven set of eyes and a mouth.

Fribee Cat Senior had a habit of showing up in places you didn't expect him.  In the cabinet at a party, in a gift box at Christmas- he came to be known as somewhat of a creeper.  And if you really look at him he is a little creepy, I don't know what it is.

Unfortunately, it was due to his habit of hiding in places and waiting to be found that we lost him.  The original Fribee cat is out there somewhere creeping his heart out.  Even though I don't play Ultimate anymore everyone on the team has been requesting another Fribee Cat.  Well obviously you could never replace some like Fribee Cat, but fortunately for me his darker complexioned cousin came to town.

I tried to mimic my shoddy craftsmanship from the previous version, it didn't take too much effort.

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Entrelac: The easiest thing to knit that looks really complicated

I will be the first one to admit that I secretly (or not so secretly) love when people compliment what I'm knitting, especially other knitters.  It's flattering, there is no denying it.  Knitting something that looks extremely complicated but is actually really simple is even better.  Hence Entrelac.  It's seriously just increasing and decreasing.  If you're interested in learning how to do this start here.

This cowl was originally started because I had every intention of learning to knit backwards.  Knitting backwards would have really sped up this process, unfortunately I gave up.  Think of it like batting left handed, it just feels wrong.  Remember when you were learning how to knit and the needles felt heavy and awkward in your hand?  Times this by 100 and this is how knitting backwards feels, totally counter intuitive.  Maybe I'll try it again sometime, but not for now I'll stick with regular knitting.

Even though I didn't learn to knit backwards I did get a project crossed off my list.  A while ago I promised the first person to comment on this post a very special surprise.  That lovely person is my Aunt Stefani.

The cowl has two layers as you can see here.  One side is entrelac the other stockinette. 

As you can see here it was sewn with a twist in it so both layers are visible at the same time.

I know it's getting to be Spring time so this cowl is knit with a cotton blend to her neck at optimal temperature for necks.  Although I am not sure what the optimum neck temperature is I'm sure this cowl will keep it there.

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