iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

I see you, Ivory. I, too, sleep with a pillow between my legs to keep my hips aligned. #CatsOfBlueSky

A black cat and a white cat are curled up napping atop a tangle of beige and gray blankets.

They are curling towards each other and the white cat has fully extended his back leg across the body of his brother, using him as a leg pillow.

Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Had to frog a week’s worth of knitting (booooo!) 🧶 Clearly, bottom-up knitting (esp: w/ a stitch pattern) is not for me. Ebony, however, enjoyed nesting in (and tangling) the yarn. Here he is sulk-napping after I rudely disentangled him

Behold! A sulking black hole.

A black cat is curled in a ball napping. He is facing to the left with his ear in the 12:00 o’clock position.
He is draped with a mess of rosy-mauve yarn that was just ripped back from my knitting.

The trellis-pattern vest-to-be sits next to him.

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Feeling thwarted. After days of priming, curing, sanding (lather, rinse, repeat), I’m finally ready to paint my bookshelf. And there’s a thunderstorm. And >80% humidity. And the internet tells me no chalk paint above 70% humidity or it will dry/cure weird. 🤬

Still Life of a DIY Setback.

Primed, disassembled pieces of a would-be bookshelf are propped up on 2x4s sitting over pale sage green drop cloths that were once curtains inside an open garage.

They sit unpainted because it’s too humid out.

They don’t show you this crap in online tutorials! Grrrrrr.

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

I clicked “Learn more” I mean…sure. Clearly, “cis, white dudes” ARE a protected group. Very protected. Smol beans beset by the institutional might of *checks notes* a queer Black woman. 😐

Intolerance
Discrimination against protected groups.
Source: @moderation.bsky.app

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Neither Catholic nor Wiccan, so I don’t know how to set up an altar. Am I doing this right? (Wouldn’t want another Hand of God smite) Go England! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

A red votive with a clear base with a lit tealight inside sits next to a white and silver China cup and saucer, and a painted rock that looks like a sheep. My makeshift altar sits atop the pebble-covered slab in front of a fireplace cover.

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Behold: A Lifetime of Love This month, my boys/ feline overlords turned 19. (They will live forever. Period.) Ebony and Ivory pair bonded as kittens in a shelter and have exactly two modes: cuddle and war. They are napping right now and holding hands 🥹 Oh my heart. #CatsOfBlueSky

Two short haired cats — one black, one white — are curled up together on a fuzzy beige blanket and another navy blanket.

The white cat, Ivory, is the big spoon. The black cat, Ebony, is the little spoon. Ivory is reaching a paw over Ebony’s arm and resting it atop his paw. It looks like they are holding hands.

At 19 yrs old, they are simultaneously precious little babies AND grumpy old men. Either way, they are the picture of snuggly devotion.

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

IKEA run. Teen: Great! I need a shark. Me: Explain. Teen: IKEA has a shark named Blåhaj who’s a trans icon. Me: Explain more. Teen: (sends link) Okay, then. Let’s get a shark. And a bonus pride bag for citing sources.

Blåhaj (literally: blue shark), a large blue-gray stuffed shark — and apparent trans icon — with its head and teeth popping out of a large rainbow IKEA bag. The bag sits between a stack of bins and a flat-pack box in my trunk.

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Hoping the rest of my Seattle peeps show up and show out for the Pride Match— it’s early yet, but I’m not seeing nearly enough rainbow. (Enough that I was interviewed by a reporter for my attire. As if 🌈 in Seattle is notable!) M and I are doing our part.

A middle aged white couple in sunglasses posing in front in front of a huge FIFA football (soccer ball for the Americans).

The woman is wearing a gray shirt that says “big fan of human rights” in rainbow script, rainbow colored beads, and a rainbow cape. The man is wearing a Seattle Sounders jersey and several strands of rainbow beads.

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

Aaaaand I’ve lost the CSPAN feed.

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

A few years ago my sister gave me two peony tubers(?) and told me to plant them in full sun… “and then an ant will come along and open the flowers for you.” How? Why? No idea. But here we are, and every year, here they are. So…thanks, buddy.

The peony blooming process: a cluster of ruffled white peony blossoms with subtle pink edges. Two flowers are fully open (about 5”- 6” in diameter) while three buds are closed tight. A small black ant sits on one of the tightly closed buds, doing…whatever it is ants do to get them to blossom.

I appreciate the gardening assist. If only my ant buddy could help me weed!

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

I turned my back on the rhubarb for a week and a half…

A green rhubarb (didn’t know they made those till I picked up a start 5 years ago) in full, leggy bolt. Its stalks are 5-6 feet long, leaning toward the sun looking like it’s ready to make a run for it.

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

My glorious — solo — birthday breakfast. I was in my 40s before I stopped apologizing for eating my birthday breakfast when *I* wanted. Because what I wanted was to sleep in. And when my bday falls on a weekday, M and the kids have leave early. So birthday croissants meant I had to get up.

My glorious birthday breakfast:

An almond croissant, vanilla black tea with a splash of almond milk in a pretty orange and blue floral mug, and a spoon sit on a grey placemat in front of four birthday cards.

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

Timeline cleanse: At 18.5, by boys have perfected their “Sun-beam Chasing Nap Time” routine. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A black short-haired cat on a blue blanket, and a white short-haired cat on a beige blanket, are happily passed out in the sun-beams on the couch.

They have adjusted their napping positions several times to maintain their sun-kissed tans. 😂

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

I am neither experienced enough nor coordinated enough to knit with a cat pinning at least one arm… but my VERY needy overlord is unmoved by my difficulty. 🐈‍⬛ 🧶

Shot from above: a short haired black cat is seated on the left hip and curled around so that he is lying across the upper arm/elbow pit of a white woman in a navy tshirt, who is attempting to knit a purple cardigan.

For added difficulty: I hold the yarn in my left hand. You know: the arm he’s pinning.

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Ooh! I’m knitting this too. I’ve never had a knitting circle before (virtual or otherwise), so this is it!

The Garden Cardigan by ANKESTRiCK, in progress (it’s my first cardigan!), 3 inches after joining, still on the needles.

Pattern has a repeating lace-y motif between stockinette stitches.

Yarn is a marl of Knitting for Olive Merino in Artichoke Purple and Dusty Violette.

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

You Guys: I DID IT! I knit my very first sweater. An. Actual. Sweater. 🧶 I am unreasonably excited about this, so I have given myself 30 min to be absolutely insufferable 😂 Here she is just out of her first bath:

A hand knit raglan sweater in a melange of gray tweed and white yarn is arranged on blocking mats and some towels.

This is PetiteKnits’ Monday sweater.

Skills unlocked: folded collar, German short rows

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

Happy Easter to all who celebrate! I hope one of the five Easter bunnies (yes, there are five — this is a “The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes” house!) found you well.

A light blue crackled-glass vase holding a bouquet of tulips in pink, red, yellow, and purple sits on a wooden table. In front are three Easter-themed rubber ducks: one with bunny ears, a chocolate bunny/duck with a bite mark that has claimed one ear, and a chick emerging from a painted Easter egg.

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Hard to reach my knitting over 21 lbs of cat. (I have allowed TWO intruders-with-tools into the house this week, and they are traumatized)

A white cat (12.5 lbs) and a black cat (8.5 lbs) are curled up facing away from the camera. They are both occupying my lap, and blocking access to a work-in-progress knit (a marled gray and white sweater), which is falling off my knees.

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

I’m sorry little bulbs, you fell victim to one of the classic blunders: NEVER bet on False Spring in the PNW when death is on the line. 😭

A pink hyacinth and blue hyacinth in bloom, with sprouting tulips and narcissus plants nearby. They are all covered in snow.

Close up of a blue hyacinth in bloom. The flowers are crowned with about 2 inches of snow. The leaves and surrounding ground are similarly blanketed.

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

I present my Geriatric Feline Overlords (18.5!), Ebony and Ivory, mid snuggle-nap. Feel the purrs. Feel the cozy.

A shorthaired white cat is sleeping with his head resting atop his brother, a shorthaired black cat.

The black cat’s head is resting atop the white cat’s legs, which are then tucked under the black cat’s body, making this a sort of Snuggle Lasagna.

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Ooh! I actually have a contribution for this week’s #ShowMeYourKnits Animal theme. 🧶 Okay, it’s amphibian, but I’m counting it! My Portland Frog hats:

An olive green knit hat with large bulbous eyes and I-cord ties.

Pattern is: Frog Hat by Annanitato Lolo, modified with the “FCK ICE Frog Mod” by Lee Meredith (which doesn’t require me to learn to crochet for the eyes)

A dark green knit hat with large bulbous eyes and I-cord ties. (Slightly larger than previous hat)

Pattern is: Frog Hat by Annanitato Lolo, modified with the “FCK ICE Frog Mod” by Lee Meredith (which doesn’t require me to learn to crochet for the eyes)

A woman whose face is obscured by a winking smiley face sticker, modeling an olive green Portland Frog hat.

It would be child-size if worn in the hood-style shown in the pattern, so my lack of checking gauge (oops!) made it more like a worsted wool swim cap but with eyes on my head 😉. It has been gifted to a favorite Little.

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Bad News: my package is having an adventure Good News: Based on the tracking info, it appears there is Secret High-Speed Rail in the PNW. Bothell (MY post office) to Aberdeen in just 44 minutes? Impressive. Annoying, but impressive.

Tracking information for my package.

Moving Through Network
- Processing at USPS Facility
ABERDEEN, WA 98520 (text is highlighted in yellow)
February 26, 2026, 6:32 am
(a handwritten note of “92 mi” appears in red)

- Arrived at USPS Facility
BOTHELL, WA 98011 (text is highlighted in yellow)
February 26, 2026, 5:48 am
(a handwritten note of “O mi” appears in blue)

- In Transit to Next Facility
February 26, 2026, 5:25 am
Departed USPS Facility
REDMOND, WA 98052 (a handwritten note of “5 mi” appears in blue)

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

I am familiar. Mine prefers fingers.

A black cat is flopped on his side receiving belly rubs. He looks relaxed and happy and NOT like a psycho who’s gonna try to chomp your fingers any second. Ha ha. Sucker!

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

I allowed a Stranger into my cats’ home. This meant they had to hide in the Blankie Tunnel for safety, missing out on CRITICAL nap/ snuggle time. Ebony has now reemerged to extensively glare at me, before resuming his napping schedule. Joke’s on him — it’s probably the best pic I have of him.

An Angry Overlord.

A black, short haired cat (with flecks of “distinguished”) with green eyes sits on a gray blanket.

He is staring intently ahead as if to say, “You know what you did. I am displeased. You will sit your ass here until I say otherwise. Are we clear?”

Feeeeeeeel the glare.

Napping Resumed.

The same short haired black cat (with flecks of “distinguished”) is curled into a tight round facing the camera.

His tail is tucked under both his head AND his front paw, so that it will not interrupt his napping.

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Hi! #KnitSky I’m a New-ish knitter and I need some assistance! I am about to make my first garment (eek!). DK weight 🧶 ✅ Blocked Swatch ✅ Gauge: NOPE I need 21 x 28 I’ve got 22 x 32 I usually have to go up 0.5 mm in my needles, but the fabric is already thin. What now?

A swatch of Cascade Aegean Tween in Cloudy Day (a cool gray with multicolored neps) knit in the round, being modeled by my cat, Ebony.

(In my defense, he was sleeping on my lap so I couldn’t get up to take the pic elsewhere. He didn’t seem to mind.)

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Did anyone need a 10 lb. Chocolate Bunny? Cause Costco has a 10 lb. Chocolate Bunny. It’s milk chocolate, though. So…not for me.

A row of 10 lb. milk chocolate bunnies with white ears and tummies, on sale for $139.99 at Costco.

Because who doesn’t want to deal with a rug rat on 10 pounds of chocolate???

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

Olympics update: Figure Skating displeases my feline overlord. The petting slows. And occasionally I make Unexpected Noises that are Not Conducive to a relaxing belly rub. Poor kitty.

A short-haired black cat with green eyes is lying on his side atop a gray blanket (his human minion’s lap is under the blanket).

He is trapping a white hand between his front legs, so that his belly rubs will continue.

He seems to lazily suggest that you may worship him — provided you do it right (which, apparently does not include while simultaneously watching figure skating)

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

Happy to report that my tiny LYS (Strikke in Bothell) is anticipating crafters’ needs by placing their red yarn on a table so we can easily compare/contrast shades and weights for all our Melt the ICE hat needs. 🧶 Decided this DK Norwegian sock yarn would be, well…

“Perfect” a 50 g skein of Sandnes sock yarn in red. It’s 80% superwash wool, 20% nylon… so easily washable in case exercising one’s First Amendment rights is met with tear gas.

For use in the Melt the Ice hat — proceeds of the pattern go to support immigrants in MN

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

FINALLY getting in to see an allergist about my Histamine Fuckery of Unknown Origin tomorrow. I have dutifully been off all antihistamines for 5 days. Trouble is: my *known* allergens have not taken that time off. Current status:

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

I need everyone to stop and appreciate how “distinguished” Ebony is getting. My grumpy old man (18.5!) is going gray. A little less “void” a little more “galaxy.” 🥹 #CatsOfBlueSky

A short haired black cat is curled up on his side napping on a gray blanket. One of his whiskers is stark white and he is beginning to get white hairs on his cheeks and chin, as well as scattered white hairs throughout his body.

He’s lightly snoring. So: an ancient 8.5 lb cat giving off major Grandpa Vibes

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

Adventures in Cross-Cultural Holiday Decor. Or: In Which I Fuck Up in A New and Surprising Way, but Maybe Now You Won’t 🧵 This year, I knit a bunch of elves (or Prosecco People) 🧶 for nieces and nephews, but also for M’s team. Like this: 1/

A trio of knit elves/ carolers — knitted outfit, face, hat and scarf slipped over a Prosecco cork.

Outfits, hats, and scarves are in a variety of grass green, dark green and red, trimmed in white.

Two of the elves pictured have a beige skin tone, another is and medium brown.

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

You will be visited by three spirits

The Doctor (Matt Smith), The Doctor (David Tennant), and the War Doctor (John Hurt) in the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Special.

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

We need your help stop Grifter. You have to say: “Grifter, no Grifting!”

A two frame image of from PBS News. The first shows Trump seeing the medal that comes with the made-up FIFA “Peace Prize” bribe. His mouth is visibly making an “Ooooooh!” shape.

The second image shows him leaning out to snatch the medal out of the box immediately.

An official from FIFA (Head of Corruption, maybe? Though admittedly at FIFA that’s redundant) doing the presenting as well as a white woman holding the medal appear in both images.

A cartoon image of Swiper the Fox from the children’s cartoon Dora the Explorer. He is wearing blue gloves and a mask while reaching out to swipe something, because, presumably, Swiper realizes that stealing things is actually not something you do proudly out in the open.

Swiper is also leaning slightly forward while reaching out with his right hand (paw?) in the same pose as Trump… only with less of a lurching vibe, because, unlike Trump, Swiper does not appear to be rapidly losing both cognitive and bodily function.

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

You've just died. The 6th photo in your gallery is what kilt you Oops! It’s my Vegetarian French Onion soup — with homemade bread. I regret nothing. 🤣

An enamel-lined Dutch oven filled with French Onion Soup with multiple rounds of toasted baguette and covered in Gruyère cheese.

(Because I don’t own those oven-proof soup bowl things — I broil the whole damn pot!)

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

On the one hand, caramelizing 3+ lbs of onions takes FOREVER. On the other: the French Onion Soup that results from this is worth it.

Three pounds of sliced onions, cooked down to a medium caramel color with a wooden spatula inside a well-stained enamel lined cast iron pot.

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 23/11/2025

Party on, party people, let me hear some noise Pontifex in the house, jump, jump, rejoice There′s a party over here, a party over there Wave your hands in the air, shake the derrière These three words mean you're gettin′ busy POPE! There it is! Hit me! Pope! There it is…

The Pope, standing at a mic, obviously rocking out.

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

So: if you could send some prayers/ chants/ good vibes/ positive mojo/ healing thoughts — whatever you’ve got — Ivory’s way, I’d appreciate it. For tax, here are my boys. Ebony (his 18 yo brother) administering cuddle/nap therapy to Ivory. #CatsOfBlueSky

Ebony and Ivory. A black shorthair cat is curled up napping on/against a white shorthair cat. Their faces are arranged cheek-to-cheek so Ivory’s bad ear isn’t smooshed… but you can still see half of it is swollen and kinda purple.

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

Tonight, I’m drinking a glass of “F*** Stephen Miller” — because I SWEAR that’s how I read it the first time… and now it’s become canon in our house. (M is not a red drinker, but occasionally adds it to a Naked Wine order…because he knows “F*** Stephen Miller” is always the correct sentiment)

A bottle of wine labeled “F. Stephen Millier” (Zinfandel) that, in my home at least, is pronounced “F*** Stephen Miller” — a phrase that pairs with just about anything these days.

Cheers!

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 15/11/2025

Good News! It was NOT just me in the rain with a sign. It was me, M, and about 50 new friends! Dems, DSA, Indivisible, educators, and neighbors standing out in the rain, outnumbering the bigots. My sign may have melted, but I stand by the sentiment.

A soggy, decomposing hand written protest that reads: “Hating Trans People SO MUCH you want MANDATORY Genitalia Inspections of MINORS “just in case” is CREEPY AF” together with two soaking wet hand-held progress pride flags.

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

Today in How Elderly Cats are Like Elderly Humans: random bruising Know how old people seem to bruise for no reason? Welp… Let’s just say, Ivory is feeling his 18 years today. Off to The Bad Place soon. #CatsOfBluesky

A white cat, slightly put out by being photographed at such a time (the indignity!) being held still by his human. The cat’s right ear is visibly swollen as compared to his left.

Obviously, he is still very handsome. And distinguished. And soft.

Close-up of the swollen, purple ear of a white cat. No puncture marks, no explanation. Honestly? It looks like an ankle sprain… except that it’s a cat’s ear.

Because I’m sure Ivory would be *so embarrassed* that I’m showing strangers on the internet these pics, please take a moment to appreciate how clean and fluffy his fur is, how pretty his green eyes are, and how handsome is. Thank you.

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

My face is melting. But my favorite allergens are cuddled up so sweetly beside me. And my leg is a pillow. So I will have to get my allergy meds later. When it’s less disruptive.

Two cats — one black, one white — are curled up side by side on a fluffy beige blanket. The black cat is resting his head on the leg of his human (who is under the gray blanket).

Obviously, disturbing such snuggles by moving would be an unspeakable crime.

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

Ebony and Ivory are very excited about your birthday, Sierra… or they would be if they weren’t sulking because there were plumbers in the house. So I offer you a live shot and a better (recent) pic.

Two napping Feline Overlords — one black, one white — nap on a light grey blanket facing each other.

The light pink toe beans on Ivory’s feet are just visible… as are some stray white hairs he has deposited on his brother.

A live shot of my sulk-napping cats, who are hiding in their blankie tunnel. Only a lump is visible, but I’ve added markings to indicate their locations.

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

I’m making Christmas Elves for all my nieces and nephews: knitted outfits over a bubbly cork. My village will expand, but: behold my Prosecco People! 🧶

Three coordinating cork elves in assorted robes and Santa hats of red, forest green and grass green with white trim.

Free Pattern: Christmas Cork Elves and Pals by MagdaLaine on Ravelry. DK weight yarn.

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Karolyn @etcandsoforth.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

Turns out, I hate - black yarn (I admit: I didn’t see what the big deal was. I get it now) - small needles (2.5 mm is smaller than I’d ever used. I was sure they’d snap at any moment) - seaming (esp: tiny, black seaming) Behold: my single hat “garland” 🧶 #knitsky

A tiny witch’s hat (unblocked). Knit in Drops Karisma (DK wool) black, with a contrasting orange band (wool…from the stash)

Pattern by Woonlay Design on Etsy. I’m sure other knitters with better eyes would enjoy making this (and use cotton yarn, as recommended…but it’s what I had) But turns out I’m not a tiny knitter!

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