After nearly throwing in the towel yesterday, I finished the egg cozy. There was a period where I thought I had done something wrong when I was knitting the head, but I knew I had followed the instructions exactly. I stuffed it with polyfill. Then I’d pull out some of the polyfill. Then I’d try and shape it. It was driving me nuts.
Finally, this morning, I stared at it again and thought: What the heck? See what happens.
And here we are.
His eyes remind me of Monty the Cow’s eyes. Sort of wide-eyed and innocent.
I really have no egg cups that are a solid color, at least none that would fit this cozy, so I turned one of the Prague egg cups around. That works.
The Brits talk about “wadding” – whether it’s to stuff a little animal like this or a layer in a quilt. I used polyfill, which proved to be frustrating because it automatically fills the space and doesn’t allow for a lot of shaping. I think I would like to try something different next time. British readers: what do you recommend?
As it was, I pulled some of the polyfill out this morning and did my best to shape the head like the one in the pattern. But it’s different.
I choose to think of it as ‘unique.’
When I finished it, I immediately had the thought: That’s that. I’ve done it. No more.
But upon reflection, the second time would be easier, right? So I may try it again – this time with a striped sweater. Since I had done absolutely no knitting for at least 8 or 9 years, I thought I’d go with a solid color on my first try.
Name? Because you know I have to name everything. Suggestions are welcome. Also, I keep saying ‘he’ because that’s my immediate reaction. But is he a ‘he?’
I went shoe shopping yesterday. Don’t ask. Very frustrating. I need very comfortable shoes and I need to try them out on site. That eliminates ordering on the internet. I need arch support. One foot is slightly larger than the other. And on and on. I do have some shoes on hand, but I wanted something a bit more elegant. I’ll go out again – maybe tomorrow. But if I don’t find something tomorrow, I will go with what I have.
The state of the coffee table. This was taken just after I had finished a piece of apple pie. By the way, the magazine you see – Living the Country Life? Expensive, for one. And after I had read at least two articles that featured country folk who kill their livestock; in these cases, lambs and cows, I tossed it.
No can do.
The photography is beautiful and it’s nicely done…but I can’t go there.
Today? Maybe a bit more yard work. Maybe a bit more mowing. And recycling, because I didn’t do it last week as I had promised.
Toss out any suggestions you have as to a name for the bunny.
Oh, just learned this bit of news: My friend, who is the Artistic Director of a regional theater on the West Coast and is of Asian descent just said that someone called the box office and asked if he was a U.S. citizen. What have we become?
For the record he was born and raised in West Virginia.
Happy Wednesday.
I’ve seen it recommended to use cotton balls for stuffing small things like this – I wonder if that would work?
I think it turned out absolutely adorable, though! Maybe he’s a Barnaby?
Loving the name Barnaby! I have cotton balls on hand – maybe I’ll try them next time?
Greetings from Maryland Claudia! My first thought for the bunny’s name is Comfy, like in comfy and cozy!
I hope you have a wonderful time at the Anastasia opening! I will be away this weekend so wanted to tell you now. I will traveling Friday and back home on Sunday, in order to see DS#2 and his university team play in the district tournament in Georgia. Go Tennessee VOLS! His 20th birthday is today, so we are taking the celebration on the road!
Thank you, Kim!
Good luck to DS#2! And Happy Birthday to him, as well.
I think HE is adorable and I like Barnaby also. I hope you do make another one! I’ve never knitted but think it looks hard, so bravo. I hate shoe shopping also, my feet are small and I have arch problems and a narrow heel, well you get the idea. It is cloudy today but a good day to stay in rest and maybe do a little watercolor painting. I finished ‘A Gentleman In Moscow’, charming! I’m up next for a library book on my waiting list, hope I get it today! Meanwhile just taking my meds and hoping I feel much better by the weekend! Hugs!
I thought A Gentleman in Moscow was so beautifully written and so life-affirming. One of the best books I’ve read in a long, long time.
Feel better, my friend. Time to feel healthy and energetic again!
Don’t know why but I am thinking “Bugsy”. Your bunny is so cute.
I wonder, do feet continue to grow? Because nearly 30 years ago I can wear a size 7 and a half. Not anymore. Ever since I broke my left foot several years ago, I need wider shoe for the foot.
I have looked at the pricey magazines like the one you mentioned and honestly I don’t understand them. I guess I am looking for decorating ideas and they don’t quite meet my expectations. I look forward to when Country Sampler has their Home Tour edition.
I am reading “A Gentleman in Moscow”. So far I love it. I am going to have to get my own book because I don’t think I will finish it before it is due back to the library. Usually I read quickly and this book does not want me to read it fast.
Cold here today. Suppose to get back up to the 80s tomorrow.
Yes, your feet and your ears continue to grow. That means I have big ears and big feet! I also need a wider shoe. I used to be an 8 – now I’m a 9.
No, A Gentleman in Moscow is so richly written that I think it slows us down, which is a good thing!
It turned out adorable! The one I did several years ago is from a Debbie Bliss book I found in the library, The Knitter’s Year.
Have you tried Clark shoes? They are very comfortable and not so pointy toed. Hope you can find some.
I’ve worn Clark shoes and like them. Didn’t see any at DSW. The Clarks I see online are rather boring looking – if that’s what they offer, I’ll just stick with the shoes I have.
Thanks, Debbie!
i, too, have foot problems (flat feet, many old broken bones …). i like clark shoes, also keen’s. they’re not fancy, but comfy and cute.
have fun opening night!
sorry for your friend’s experience. there are some crazy, mean people in this world.
your first bunny turned out adorable!!! i don’t see a thing wrong with his (i thought “cute boy bunny” when I first saw the photo) head or anything else. great job, especially on something so small! i find polyfill too slick to work well on some projects. maybe cotton balls might work – ?
as for a name, how about benjamin, billy or bre’r?
kathy in iowa
There are. It speaks of ignorance and xenophobia, which has become more overt.
Someone else suggested cotton balls and I just make take you both up on that!
another idea came to mind. how about calling him “brother”? then you could make a “sister”. :)
kathy in iowa
I’m getting great suggestions!
Your bunny is adorable. I was trying to think of names and Maxwell came to mind.
I am with you on the magazine front. I only buy one every month. Well, every two months. It’s only printed six times a year. MaryJane’s Farm. It is only $5.99 and I love it. I have paid $11 and $12 for magazines but found out they are mostly not worth it and I don’t buy them again. And many of the magazines I used to buy are no longer being printed. I will also buy Real Simple.
I have a hard time finding shoes that feel good. I used to be able to wear anything but not any more.
I love MaryJane’s Farm. I keep forgetting it’s out there. I should check it out again. It’s such a lovely magazine!
I miss the days when I could wear any kind of shoe!
He’s adorable! I can’t think of an original name, but Barnaby, and Maxwell stand out. Do you think I could learn to knit on you tube? I learned way back in high school…but you know how long ago that was. And I think it would be good therapy in the cooler months. Suggestions?
Shoes? Well, that’s just a heart-breaking experience from the get-go. It is difficult enough to find stylish comfy shoes that fit, and don’t make your feet look like you are wearing clod-hoppers (size9 1/2)…but heels? Oh my word! Good luck! ;)
Not high heels. Just little ones. I couldn’t deal with high heels, especially walking several blocks in Manhattan!
I learned to crochet by watching videos on YouTube. I am sure you could learn to knit the same way. It is good therapy!
Thanks for the encouragement…I’ll try it later on! By heels I mean little too…I’m not coordinated enough to do high heels…never have been. About an inch is my max…lol! ;)
1 inch is perfect!
Alfred, he looks like an Alfred to me. Adorable!
I don’t know our country any more and have run out of words.
I have, too. I sit here, stunned. Sigh.
Thank you, Deb!
Good Morning Claudia,
I think your bunny turned out darling! Tie a little bow around ‘her’ neck and call her Henrietta. Of course, you could always have a Peter Rabbit! Henrietta and Peter would make a cute couple or even Don and Claudia.
Thank you, Cathy!
Hey,
I love your bunny who has been needing a name..I have not read all responses but i am sure you or one of these gals will come up with a great name. he is just precious and he Is COZY.
Claudia since you brought up the needing comfortable shoes..this is so timely for me; I have a thing that seemed new to me until I read up on it (and found lots of hurting people….and it hurts like hell-o: plantar faciitis.
While my son was in a hit and run while on his bicycle in October and in neuro ICU, I ordered from Zappos a black pair of nurse looking clogs. anything to get me through that long hospital hike to where no family wants to go. He made the TV news but not in a good way.
He is good now after 3 surgeries and lots of screws and 2 long rods in spine and no finding the rat that left my son to die alone by the road…. so I may NOW be light mood and say what are comfy shoes? Any favs?
Oh, I’m so sorry to hear about your son! A hit and run is shameful – I hope they find whoever hit him. I’m glad that he’s healing, but oh how traumatic it must have been for you and your family!
Clarks are comfy. So are Borns. Dress shoes are another story!
I love the rabbit egg cozy, you did a great job! I think he looks like an Oliver. So cute!
Thank you, Barbara!
OH and I am loving “Wilde Lake”! And if I get an extra copy..I can think of two folks who would
love to read it (and I can keep my copy to not be lost! ) You were right; it’s a great book and the kind I prefer.
Thank you
Love,
Katheryn from Carolina
It’s a great book, isn’t it? So glad you’re enjoying it, Katheryn!
You did a beautiful knitting job on your rabbit!!
Denby would be a good name for your bunny if he’s a boy. If he’s a girl – Robin!!
Such great suggestions! Thank you, Myra!
Claudia,Your rabbit is adorable. (I’ve never graduated from knitting scarves or crocheting baby blankets!) He reminds me of Beatrix Potter’s “Benjamin Bunny”. You are now the third friend who has mentioned A GENTLEMAN inMOSCOW so I must walk to my neighborhood bookstore today.Love the signs of Spring that you have been posting.When I lived in Wisconsin and Illinois there was nothing better than the first Spring Day! Our flowers in Northern Ca are so spectacular this year, because of an abundance of rain, I walk around as if I am Judy Garland in the scene where the film turns to color from b.and w.! Thanks again for your chatty virtual visit.I consider you one of my favorite “neighbors”.xo
You must read that book. It truly is one of the best books I have read in years. I want to read it again.
I’ve heard other California friends say the same thing about this particular Spring!
After 4 months of a downed computer I am back. I can reply now, I have wanted to so many times and couldn’t.
A rabbit absolutely must be named Harvey. No question in my mind. He is adorable.. I wonder if there is a crochet pattern.
Mary Jane’s Farm is really the only magazine I buy. Around here it is hard to find. However, the search is a bit fun.
I know what you mean about feet changing. In a span of 2 1/2 years I went from a 6 1/2 to an 8! I look longingly at heels and remember a time when they were all I wore. No so anymore. Comfort with a small wedge is the game for my feet.
So glad you’re back, Trudy! Yay!
I was also amazed by how quickly my feet grew! I have a lot of shoes that are now unwearable.
That is the world’s cutest egg cozy! So much so that it might force me out of knitting-retirement in order to knit one of my own. (For the record, I am likewise in ‘heel retirement’, having emancipated myself from the tyranny of high heels on my 21st birthday. For now, my compromise is what is known as ‘court heels’ by our friends across the pond—-a very modest height indeed. I have never looked back.)
I think that his name is Cedric. (He is most definitely a he, isn’t he?) He is a bunny wide-awake to wonder and open to all new experiences, but with a quite British reserve (must be all of that wadding).
That last sentence is too depressing to comprehend. Is this who we are now? (Or, I suppose, that could be restated, “This is who we are now…”). Sigh….
Leslie P.
I know. I was so upset by that. I called Don and told him and he was stunned.
Love the name suggestions coming from everyone.
Oh my gosh, an egg cozy…..I’ve never heard of such a thing! I have a tea cozy, of course (being a true Irish girl) but this is new to me! And oh boy, that is just the cutest thing!! The name that comes to me is Penelope. Not sure why…. :)
I have the same foot issues as you. My right foot is a half size bigger than my left, which makes buying dress shoes not fun. I found a pair recently that I love – they are Rockport, the heel isn’t too high (just right), they have criss cross straps across the top, which keeps the left shoe from falling off, and they are comfy as heck! Good luck on your search.
Rockports – where did you find them, may I ask? They sound perfect!
Off topic: I just read that the WGA may go on strike on May 2. Does that affect you and Don or is it strictly television/possibly movies?
It doesn’t effect us at the moment because the WGA is for screenwriters and we’re both involved in plays. But it does affect everything being produced on television and film – so nothing would be filming and audition opportunities would be nil for TV, film. Playwrights belong to the Dramatists Guild.
Such cuteness in a small cozy. I think he needs a buddy don’t stop at one. Fortunately I wear size 11 medium can order on line and have never had a problem. Then again only wear flats so I think sizing is more consistent. I am 5ft 10 so never wore heels anyway . When I worked at Filene’s I did try on a pair once, looked great but could not walk more than two steps, everyone laughed including me! Mary Jane’s farm has too many meat pictures for me, I use to borrow a neighbors but had to stop. Take care
Oh, right! I didn’t think about it having a lot of meat pictures. No can do for that magazine then!
Not that I am against people who eat beef. I just thought it was more about farming ( not ranching) and cute hen houses. I am not a vegan just raised two, I like a nice poached egg!
I understand. I’m not either, though I can’t look at too many photos of it (that’s just my reaction.) I automatically think about the animal. It’s impossible not to see these things of course, but I do my best to avoid them as much as possible.
Can’t even……. I can not fathom how some brains (don’t) work. Meanwhile, Mr. patriot “forgets” to put his hand over his heart during the National Anthem. Probably dreaming of where he can drop the next bomb. What a piece of work.
Now as soon as I looked at that sweet bunny ~ it was a little girl to me. In a sweet lilac Easter dress…. and her name was Maxine. But I think she needs a Max to be her best friend!! And like people and snowflakes, no two should be alike. No matter the pattern, her little head is perfect!!
Enjoy the rest of your Wednesday and don’t worry too much about new footwear. I bet you will be the only one thinking about your shoes. Be comfortable. People will be humming the songs and smiling thinking about the beautiful evening….. so exciting!!
I know. I thought about it today and decided that it will all be over in an evening, so why worry?
I’ll say it again – love the name suggestions!
I want one!!!! Your sister will be proud of you when she sees it. Good job!
Try Hotter shoes. Just Google it. It’s out of England. I love their shoes. I am very very very picky with comfort and these are the only shoes I buy. Try the new customer special with discount plus free shipping & returns. Can’t lose with that. I buy my usual size 8 with tie shoes and 7.5 with slip on shoes. I even have Hotter sneakers. Check the website out. Sometimes a paper catalog comes with the Sunday NYT. That’s how I first heard about them. I only buy when I can get the free shipping both ways. Good customer service too.
Have a good day!
Luanne
I’ll check them out, Luanne. Thanks so much for the suggestion!
Hi Claudia, maybe a little pink yarn bow on her head between her ears…I’m feeling ‘Anna’. ❤ Would you consider selling a few in your Etsy shop? xxoo
Since this is someone’s pattern that they are selling on Revelry, I don’t feel comfortable selling them on Etsy. Plus, the last time I made scarves to order – last year, my wrist suffered. So I think I won’t. xo
Cute bunny! What about Claudia, and then you can knit a Don!
Thanks, Wendy! No Claudia and Don, I’m thinking. Something different than those names!
Oh I love your bunny! He looks like a Nigel to me …
I am from West Virginia. Most people have not wrapped their minds around the fact that it’s even a state. Sigh.
Sigh, indeed! Thanks, Bridget!
It’s horrifying to think that someone would be ‘watching you’ and call anonymously (threateningly) to ‘inquire’ if you’re American born or a U.S. citizen or whatever. I can’t imagine the fear your acquaintance must feel…like, where is that coming from? Who would care? Who’s behind a question like that? (It obviously can’t be good or sane.) Scary. What a way to put somebody on edge. Bullying.
Is that what average, ‘everyday’ people are going through in just their ‘normal’, daily life now? If their skin isn’t totally white or their eyes perfectly round or their speech completely ‘Americanized’? Are we returning to the 19th century, when both my husband’s ancestors and mine chose to (no choice, really) change their names to something more ‘American’sounding’ and subdue their own language, even in the home, once they arrived in America, which was their dream come true? Because they were different, coming from East Europe or, in my grandpa’s case, Holland, they were noticed and perhaps denigrated for their halting English or how they dressed or how they worshipped…but all we know is, yes, they were very ready to be “American” and assimilate, embracing their new home, but we think they also didn’t want to stand out and there must have been a pretty good reason. On both sides of my husband’s family, it’s been recently confirmed to us that his Jewish background was 100% ‘covered up’ upon arrival in the U.S. in the 1800s, save for two spunky aunties, one of whom made no secret of her faith in a very small prairie town where no other Jews lived…although, in this situation, she was welcomed and would simply join in with other church goers of Christian belief, in order to have religion in her life (I have no idea how she bridged the Sunday services, in terms of what she believed but, you know, church in a small settlement was a big part of social/community life which, as initially a single woman, must have felt sheltering and comforting). The other auntie apparently displayed the menorah in her home with pride and reverence.
Anyway, I can’t abide all this racism, prejudice and persecution; who can? Do my young cousins now have to live in fear because they have a Spanish surname and beautiful, glowing, brown skin and gorgeous deep-brown eyes? Any American who asks another person if THEY are an American needs to remember their own DNA, their own backgrounds…and remember that people from other countries are sometimes in the process of becoming U.S. citizens, which doesn’t exactly happen overnight either. Oh, I can’t get started on this; I just get so riled up over it. As we all should; our America is not an America where we are questioned. It makes me think of how Jews were singled out and then ‘tagged’ (tattooed) in WWII. “Are you Jewish?” “Are you Catholic?” “Hey, are you a citizen?” “Do you have AIDS?” “Are you gay?” “You look black; ARE you black?” “How much did you pay for that?” “How much money do you make?” “Why do you want to wear your hair like that?” Didn’t we used to be a more polite, civilized society here in America? A certain reserve/respect? I’m sure many people in urban poverty, rural poverty, on the reservations (Native Americans); in parts of the American South would say no, but didn’t we learn from the 60s? We were supposed to; it didn’t happen for nothing. Not only are these all rude and inappropriate questions above…certainly illegal in the workplace…they don’t speak to how we are as good people in a free, evolved and unbiased society.
I feel everything I just said is muddled and not well-articulated but my emotions get in the way of trying to get my thoughts across. I’m not a Pollyanna but it goes back to the Golden Rule of treating someone else how you-yourself would want to be treated and I do not ever want somebody coming up to me and asking me if I’m an American or American-born. It’s none of their damn business. But, yeah, if you must know, my family has been here in the U.S. since the 1700s. What does it matter to anyone else?
I love the egg cozy. You are so talented, Claudia. I just looked at him again to simmer myself down. It’s a ‘he’ and I love his little-guy face. He’s his own bunny; he doesn’t need to look like anybody else.
I just made myself cry. I get so uneasy about our world.
It’s insane and cruel and xenophobic and everything that is abhorrent. I don’t understand it – except that it’s driven by fear and the mistaken idea that someone can be superior because of their race or their citizenship or their ethnicity.
That’s not what I was taught and is not what most of us were taught. I am very uneasy about our world. I have to hope and trust that the good will win out and the balance so desperately needed will be restored.
Well said as always, Claudia. You express what we all feel, in fewer sentences and making good sense.
We got out of here yesterday. It always helps me to hit the road; am I trying to run away or just get revitalized? Reassure myself that the world I thought I knew is still there; seeing people do normal things and living normal lives. I dunno.
I couldn’t believe how fast my husband recovered and he feels a lot better; it wasn’t invasive surgery. So , we took a little drive although it tuckered him out.
Just get me to the sea. Loved watching a dog play on the sand, stick in his mouth, running with happy abandon (stick was too big to swallow; bigger than he was!); then digging furiously for whatever wonderful sea-ish scent caught his doggy nose. To him, the world couldn’t be a more fascinating place.
People were surfing; the water was sparkling. The yellow mustard is a dense carpet all the way to the roadsides, waterfalling down the cliffs. Such a sight; with beautiful orange poppies high on the bluffs.
Tried to breathe in deep that ocean air and let it cleanse.
My husband and I talked about this good stuff but also the other bad stuff. His primary job puts him with hundreds of people, young and old, every day and he says he’s disturbed over too many young men (late teens/early 20s) who are being disrespectful to women their own age. He’s in his 60s and is just appalled by this, because he’s of course had to participate in mandatory workplace education/sexual harassment seminars but, importantly, he has a sister, he has a wife, he has nieces and he also matured during the women’s movement of previous decades. He says it’s so upsetting, because we just keep going backward. Anything goes; say anything on your mind. (NOT!) He has a good friend/colleague at work who is Lebanese and I was shocked to learn that this man has been the victim of many taunts because of his accented English and his appearance just because he doesn’t look ‘anglo’. It’s the cave thing again with me…I’ve been living in a cave, in denial that this bad stuff happens/is happening. And this man has an elevated position in the workplace, which doesn’t seem to insulate him at all from this hate and, yes, xenophobia. Where is tolerance, understanding; goodwill and peace on Earth?
I guess I was living in a cave as well. I thought we had come so far, and we have in some ways, but this sort of thing? Unspeakable. Yet everyone feels they have permission to speak and write whatever they feel, no matter how hurtful. Bullies. They’re all bullies. I have no tolerance for bullies, never have, not even when I was a kid.
The Bunny is adorable.
Marilyn
Thank you, Marilyn!
Hi Claudia, I think you’re bunny is delightful, well done for your perseverance. I use specific soft toy filling which is 100% hi-loft polyester and it is available from most craft stores in the UK. I do recall my mother used to use cut up bits or foam and nylon stockings but that was about 50 years ago! I should think the cotton balls would work quite well.
I am really quite speechless about your final comment, I have no idea where this world is going to end up.
I wonder if there is the equivalent stateside? I’ll have to look. Thanks Fiona! I may go with cotton balls in the meantime.
As to the last comment, I know. I was stunned. When did this become accepted? I have to lay a lot of the responsibility at our commander-in-chief’s door. It’s not that there weren’t people who already thought that way, but he gave them permission to let it out. And look what’s happened.
Love your bunny – so cute. Well done!
Thank you, Vera! I did almost give up – lesson learned. Try and try again!
Glad you finished your cute bunny; he reminded me of the camp song about Bunny Fu Fu! Nice work as well as useful. And you “nailed” his face; it’s perfect! Sorry to hear about that last statement; what is this world coming to???
Thanks, Judy!
As to what is this world coming to? I don’t know, but it’s very disheartening.
You persevered and have an adorable bunny. The beautiful color of the sweater reminds me of my favorite flower so I suggest “Sweet Pea.” I think that could be for a boy or girl bunny. I am also looking for the next best comfortable shoe. Wore Clark’s but agree they are now pretty boring. Right now I’m wearing my Skecher’s “Go Walk” tennies to work because they’re so darned comfortable and no one seems to care.
Usually I either have no shoes on at all or I’m in sneakers. Yes – Clarks used to be more stylish…what happened, I wonder?
You might possibly be your own worst critic :) That bunny is so so so cute. He has the absolute sweetest face and the eyes are so expressive. You are one talented lady
I’ve been told that before, Sue!
I do really love him, now that he’s been hanging around for the day. Thank you.
He is adorable and made me smile!
Oh good! Thanks, Kay! xoxo
Bertram! So cute!
Claudia: OMG – so cute. Definitely a “he” — Eggbert. Chris
Your bunny is adorable! Don’t stop now … I think you need a whole warren. I’m thinking Bertram would be a good name. (Beatrix Potter’s brother.) Good luck with the shoe hunt.
You did a beautiful job with bunny! Love the color of his jumper/sweater; his face is so very adorable and his eyes are looking at you and seem to be telling you his thoughts. Not sure about the polyester-stuffing issue. I do know that common products made and used in Europe, including “stuffing” and even socks, almost always adhere to higher standards than same products used in US. GMOs are illegal and quality standards are usually higher on most products. All of the bunny names mentioned are wonderful and I would be at a loss to choose one! Loved Barnaby, Maxwell, and Benjamin.
I have seething anger that has become permanent with all the cruel, hateful instances that seem to be everywhere. I am tired of any excuses for it; this is more than ignorance. Are there hearts this dark in large numbers in our population? Frightening there is evidence this is pervasive; the polls are scary when they indicate 1/3 or more polled approved of Trumps behavior and attitudes. Polls can be manipulated based on the way the question is phrased and syntax can insure confusion. We truly need the gentle bunnies to sit there and be a reminder of the goodness that persists in spite of the loud haters. I do think bunny needs a sister…..hint, hint! Dianne
I suppose people felt this way all along? I hope not, but if they did, they kept it under wraps. Now, they’ve been given permission to spew this hatred.
Barnaby will get a sibling – but what sex will be determined by the final look of the bunny!