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Permalink Reply by becknit on June 10, 2008 at 2:44pm: Hi Kelley,

I have a question about traveling with Xena. I am going to be taking my dog - Bear with me for the first time on an airplane. I know that you take Xena alot. Any advise on what to expect or how to make the trip better? I have already gotten a softsided kennel - I was told it had to fit under the seat in front of me and that Bear had to stay in it the whole time! This I don't like. Has this been the case for you or do you find it depends on the airline? I was hoping he could sit on my lap after we got settled.

Thanks ~ Becky; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kelley Petkun on June 13, 2008 at 2:49pm: Hi Becky,

How long will the time be from arriving at the airport and picking up your baggage at the other end? Will you be having any stops along the way?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by becknit on June 13, 2008 at 3:34pm: Hi Kelley,

We are flying from Sacramento to Dallas and I am estimating the time will be about 7 hours or so and we have a layover of about an hour in Salt Lake City. Bear can usually go pretty long without a potty break but I would like him to a least get out and stretch.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kelley Petkun on June 13, 2008 at 3:52pm: Ok, here we go!

I would recommend that you buy an absorbant pad for the bottom of Bear's bag. They are usually right next to the dog carriers at the pet shop like Pet Smart. It's just that there will be all sorts of things going on as you travel and he may loose a little control.

I would recommend a light breakfast and very little water. Is Bear used to being in the bag for a long length of time? Does he find it comforting? Most dogs appreciate having a "bolt hole". Anyway, he will not be allowed of the bag during the flight. Sorry, but I can tell you that the flight attendants are most adamant.

There are natural sedatives you can buy at places like Pet Smart. I don't use them with Xena because she is so comfortable in her bag. Oh, and buy a tube of NutriStat at Pet Smart. It is a high energy food that is good as a treat when dogs are stressed. Just squeeze out a little bit and Bear will lick it off the tube opening. It smells awful but dogs absolutely love it!!!

I bought a couple of knit baby blankets from Target to be Xena's "blankies". There is always one in her bed. I pack it in our suitcase so that when we arrive at the hotel, I can put it over a pillow and she is comfortable sleeping there at night.

Check and see if there are any Service Animal Relief Stations at the airport in Salt Lake City. If you have time, that would be a nice break for Bear.

It is a bit of a hassle to take along our little furry friends, but once you arrive, it is an absolute joy to have them share in the adventure!

Hugs,
Kelley; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kelley Petkun on June 13, 2008 at 3:53pm: One more thing. Get a vet certificate before you leave. I have never had anyone ask for it but you know if you don't have it, they will want to see it.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by becknit on June 13, 2008 at 6:51pm: Thanks Kelley for the advise. Bear has traveled with us by car and RV all over and has stayed in hotels before but this will be his first airplane ride. He also goes into the office with me daily. He is a very calm dog and so I think he'll do okay but I will take your suggestions and also look for the "tube food". I was planning on getting a certificate from my vet - just in case. I am taking his own small bed and favorite toy. I am working on getting him used to the case.

I'm so glad to have him going with us instead of him going to his "other Mother's". My friend is so disappointed at missing a chance to have him. We leave in 2 weeks. I'll let you know how it went.

Thank you again. I enjoy your podcasts and blog -especially hearing about Xena.

A Fellow Dog Lover ~ Becky; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by becknit on July 22, 2008 at 4:54pm: Hi Kelley,

Well we are back from Dallas and I wanted to let you know that our little dog Bear did great!! He faired well on the plane, no accidents. No one even knew he was there. He adjusted to the kennel just fine. And I got the certificate and no one even asked to see it! He was a great all around traveler. He will be traveling with us more. Thanks again for the advise!

Becky; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by JAN JOHNSON on June 11, 2008 at 10:54am: WHERE CAN i FIND INFORMATION ON USING STEEKS...NONE OF MY BOOKS EVEN TOUCHES ON THE SUBJECT; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Snow White on June 11, 2008 at 6:45pm: I am knitting the Emma Jacket. I have had some wonderful experience and some problems with not enough stitches or length to do what the directions say. I have improvised and it seems to be ok. My question is, what happens to the raw edge of the steeking. I used the sewing machine tecnique so it won't ravel, but it looks bad. I am working on the lapel so have not finished. Can you tell what is to happen? I don't see any finishing instructions on the pattern.
Thanks Snow White; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kerin on June 12, 2008 at 8:06am: Hi!

What was the tension on your sewing machine? Because sewn stitches won't stretch and knit stitches will, you should use very light tension or none at all. Bulky yarns in particular are difficult to machine sew because of the tension issue; the thick fabric can get stuck under the presser foot and pull the stitches even tighter.

I would recommend that you either hand-sew or crochet your steek edge - it will give the fabric more flexibility and still be just as secure.

Shamrock also felts beautifully; you may be fine just combing out the cut edge a bit and then felting it slightly by hand (or use a felting needle).

Hope that helps!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Snow White on June 13, 2008 at 8:08am: Kerin, Thanks, someone else did the stitching, I am fine with that, but I don't know enough about steeking or felting to understand how the cut edge should be finished. If I wash it in the machine, it will all felt. I can't believe the original knitters didn't finish the edge some way. (I am a sewer in the past)
Are there some links that would help me?
I appreciate it.
Snow White; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by KarenBeth on January 7, 2009 at 6:42am: I am just starting the Emma Jacket and have read the pattern a few times. I, too, think I will have to improvise on the sizing b/c I have a short waist and the math doesn't quite work out- also- I am using a very bulky yarn (3.5st/in and 5 rows/in). Anyway, I'm not worried about that but I do see reference to "underarm markers" but in the pattern can not find where and how to place them. I see where it says to place the steek markers- is this the same as the underarm markers? Any help would be appreciated- also, if you have any other advice about the pattern, let me know. thanks. KarenBeth; ▶ Reply to This