Large Needle Knitting

Betty says,

"Some knitters like to use itsy bitsy knitting needles to create fine garments; some like to use large needles for fast knitting. I have been known for using large ones; my favorite knitting needles are size #11 to #15 and even own a pair of #50 though the pair is a little hard to use.

I came across this photo in a magazine from Hong Kong showing an actress on TV trying to recreate the Guinness Record of the largest knitting needles that actually knit. Though I like large needle knitting, these needles are out of my league."

New Bunny Mobile

Mr. Schwartz, the fleet manager at Toyota, gave us a very warm reception and excellent service.

Mr. Schwartz's business card in a dog's mouth.

My two bunny mobiles.

Other than color, my two bunny mobiles look similar.

Bunny carriers are moved from the old Town and Country to the new Sienna.

Betty says,

"New Year brings a new addition to our family. It's not a child, not a rabbit, not a dog, not a cat; it's a new bunny mobile.

My Town and Country van has a license frame stating 'Betty's Bunny Mobile'; and it has been my bunny mobile for 11 years. It is still in great condition, but it's about time to have a new one.

Albert did a thorough research for a new minivan over the Internet for days and we opted for a Toyota Sienna. He sent out e-mails requesting quotes.

Mr. Schwartz at a Toyota dealer in San Jose responded with the best offer.

When we went to the dealership to pick up the Sienna that we ordered, we were pleasantly surprised to realize that Mr. Schwartz and his youngest daughter had played golf with Albert in the past. At high school age, she is a very talented golfer; better watch out, LPGA! We also learned that his older daughter went to San Jose State University on a golf scholarship and graduated with a degree in Economics a few years after I retired from that department.

Even more interesting, we learned that Mr. Schwartz started college with a football scholarship at California State University at Long Beach; this is the campus where I started my full time teaching over 30 years ago. What a small world!"

Happy New Year

Northern California Angora Guild wishes everyone a Happy New Year.

Bunnies Celebrate New Year's Eve

Bunnies are celebrating on New Year's Eve and getting ready for 2009.

Kathy's Trip To Washington DC

My partner Bill and I just returned from our first visit to Washington, DC.The capitol is a stunner, and every glance is met with history.

We kept a lookout for rabbits, but were met with hares. Barry Flanagan's Thinker on a Rock can be found at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden.

We found The Drummer resides in the nearby Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden.

No spinner should miss the Textile Museum. Photography is not allowed in thegalleries, but here's a backward view of the wordy restroom.

Nothing warmed our hearts as much as the construction site which will soonbe the inaugural stands.

Our wonderful NCAG newsletter editor Kathy took a trip to Washington DC right after she completed the current issue of "Matts and Fluff". Kathy has never been late in getting the newsletter out since the day she took the job, and that was 1986. How many can claim such a record? She sends these five photos to share with us. The captions are provided by Kathy.

Enjoy.

Sadie Gives Birth To Eight Bunnies

Dominique and her doe Sadie.

There are eight in Sadie's litter, one is small and bruised.

These are the big fat ones.

Tyler is so happy to have babies in his little hands.

Gabrielle says,

"I am being driven insane with Dominique's doe Sadie! Today, the 28th, no babies, but she's pulling bits of wool again and putting it in the box.So, theoretically, she could have babies in the next two days? Gestation can go as long as 34 days? Or 36 days? But in a false pregnancy, would it be the same length? I would have thrown my hands up in the air and given up hope, just assuming another false pregnancy. But, last time, she pulled wool once on one day, and that it was it. This time, she's pulling wool seemingly every other day."

A couple of hours later, Gabrielle has happy news:

"She had her back to me, and after about 15 minutes, started making motions like she was licking herself. Then, it dawned on me what was happening. Well, at least what I hoped was happening. I held a flashlight, trying to see better, but, couldn't see much of anything. Soon, I started hearing little squeaks. Or, was that just my imagination? We were on our way out the door, late actually, for a meeting. I held my breath for the entire 1-1/2 hrs that we were gone.We came home to find Sadie laying in her favorite spot in her cage. I shined the flashlight into the nest box to see a neat little circle of lilac wool in the middle of the newspaper shreddings at the back of the nest box. And it was moving. Hurrah!!!

The girls are thrilled and even Tyler wants to hold them!"

Congratulations to the expanding Menn family. Hope to see these little ones grow up to be champions just like their parents.

Tracy Receives A Letter From Miss Lucky

Miss Lucky, white Satin Angora doe bred by Tracy, and her mom Carolyn.

Upstair bedroom shared by Miss Lucky and Marshmellow.

Miss Lucky favors mom's side of bed.

Scarf and mitten made from Miss Lucky's wool.

Dear Tracy:

2008 has been a good year for us. Mom, Dad, my room-mate Marshmallow, and I moved into the Reno townhouse. Although Mom and Dad feel squeezed, Marshmallow and I love it here. We love the wall-to-wall carpeting in the upstairs where we are permitted to go. We have our own room!

We have a fenced in backyard where we get to play during the summer. I especially like to eat the strawberry leaves and hide behind the rosemary bush. Mom says it makes me smell good! Every morning Mom lets me out and she sits on the floor with her coffee and I get petted to my hearts delight. Then, I get groomed on top of Marshmallow’s cage, while he gets turned out to play. Then we BOTH get a piece of banana for work well done. Mom collects my combings in a big box and then spins it into yarn. I like to sniff in this box to see if there are any babies in it, but I haven’t found any yet. Here are some things Mom has made with my designer yarn: knitted mittens and a scarf made on a loom. You can tell my yarn – it is the only one white colored.

After grooming each day, Marshmallow goes back in his pen, and I get to roam the upstairs because I am a good girl and don’t chew anything. I love to hang out the rest of the day under Mom’s side of the bed. At bedtime I am waiting in my pen for the highlight of our day…pineapple and papaya. Marshmallow and I know it is coming by the clatter of own special dishes. I run over to tell Marshmallow by touching noses with him through the fence, and then we both dance around for joy. Mom says Goodnight while closing me in my pen.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,

Miss Lucky