week 1

It is the weekend and the end of week 1 new-job-training. My cube neighbor asked if I was coming back on Monday.....of course. Training is going slow, but it is a GREAT company and I am sure I can do the job and hopefully move quickly to the next level(s) in promotions. Always keep your eye on the next brass ring. Training with 20-somethings does try my patience, but they can't help it can they? Starting Monday my commute is cut by 2/3 because I was able to sign-up on the Vanpool program. I am definately looking forward to having someone else drive me to work. :-)
Knitting? Yes I will knit this weekend! I am going to spend some quality time on my green gable and maybe work on that cute little puppy child's hat. But first I think I will go yarn shopping!

Enjoy your weekend.
p.s. SP9 package #2 went out this week.

hump day

These days it's all about the little projects. These little socks are for Dulaan.



and yes another child's hat. I can't stop myself. (plus, can you say stash buster?)

My eyes! My eyes!

5 hours in a darkened computer training room, staring at glowing screens, making up umpteen passwords makes for a very cranky girl. My eyes are killing me! Thank God the new job has vision in the benefits package. I need my scrip updated. UGH it's hell to get old(er).
But then I come home and see this, it makes me smile.


I finshed this up last night using leftovers. Too cute. I can't stop making tiny hats!

I survived!

I survived my first day of new-employee orientation. It lasts for 6 months. No joke! I will be in a computer training room with the other 26 newbies for the next 6 months. Hmmm. I am tired and going to bed now - 5:45 comes awfully fast.

I leave you with a pic of what I did this weekend. It is a preemie hat for a co-worker of SIL's (got that?) It needs a soak and a block. But too tired, later.

My last day

Today is my last un-employed day. Woot, I start my new job on Monday. Finally. It felt like ages these past 2 weeks. I am set though. All ready. How did I spend my final free day? I cleaned the house, did laundry, got an oil change and new wiper blades (for the comute!) and grocery shopped. Phew, I am tired. But after all that cleaning and running around I came home to a card from my SP9 pal. Thanks pal - too cute.
Enjoy your weekend, I'm going to go listen to more Lime & Violet :-D

p.s. I have no idea about when or how many posts will be done next week. Bear with me until I get into a rhythm.

Little bits

I have been wanting to do something for Dulaan and spotted this button over at Mossy Cottage Knits. Hmm, I can do that. Now - what to do. Well you know I am a sock knitter, and what does a sock knitter have lots of? Leftovers.


Well at least I do. And I HATE leftovers. Stash is a bad word in my vocabulary. Wait! Don't leave! I truly prefer to have only the yarn for my current project and the yarn for my next (at most next 2) project. All these little bits make me feel bad. Like they have been abandoned, forgotten, discarded. It is simply not true. So my plan is to use these little bits for a good cause.



Dulaan socks for little feets. Makes me all warm inside.

Flag as fallen :- (

I am dead in the Sock Wars. I was done in by Eve and some beautious red socks. Yum on the toes. She also sent along chocolate. Squee. Isn't that mini skein cute!


Look I was even wearing red today. I popped these puppies right on my feet.
Thanks again Eve and knit on.

Seriously

This podcast is crazy fun! These 2 are a riot to listen to. I downloaded all back episodes and I am up to #12. Too funny!! Check them out ASAP.

podcast
message boards

Flapjack beware

Socks of Doom on the way to target #3. All the way to England.

Under the influence

of the Yarn Harlot that is. All it takes is a post (oct 12) about a one row homespun scarf and I'm off to toss the stash. I got homespun, I got enough grey matter to follow a one row pattern....2 days later - voila.
Today I rec'd Weapon In Progress from KnightsKnitting. A few alterations later....ready for post in the a.m.
**I am watching my Bears on MNF and I am CRYING in my iced tea! But those of you in Chicago know our Bears historically don't play well at night, and on Mondays? Forgetaboutit!
~pic of package tomorrow.
ETA: Oh.My.God. Bears win! 24-23. NFL history made! Da Bears defense rules!!!!

A FO!

Finally a post about progress in knitting.
Another pair of Broadripples from Knitty in handpainted yarn from my KSKS pal. I love them. So comfy.
Yes that is bright sunshine in the PNW, my family in IL are trudging through snow!

Still alive

well, in Sock Wars at least. I just checked my mail and I am still alive - but I have knocked off my victim #2. Speaking of knocked off...man this cold has kicked my butt! I could whine on and on, but I won't. Keep your fingers crossed that I will have a FO pic for you tomorrow.

Oh yea, first SP9 package went out today. -->

Sick knitter

yep, I caught a cold. bleh.
Hot tea, tissues and cold capsules to the rescue.
I have knitted some, but not much. See you tomorrow.

BEARS WIN!

5 - 0 Baby.

Sock Wars victim #2

Another Sock Wars package out the door. I received my first target's weapon in the mail yesterday (@ 2:30 p.m.) and less than 24 hours later - Bam! out the door to the next target. This time winging its way to IL. As usual I tossed in a few goodies to ease the pain.

actual knitting

I finally started my Green Gable this week. (hey look, it's green!) I am finished with the lace part (part A & B) and now working in St st.(part C) So far so good.
I finished one Not So Seahawks sock and I am through the cuff of sock #2. If you didn't read my SP9 answers then you don't know the fate of POTUS. Alas, poor POTUS I knew you well. Yep he has been frogged. It just wasn't working for me. The heel was not to my liking (fitwise) and the foot was too short (my mistake) and blah blah blah - I frogged. I am thinking another Jaywalker. I am waiting for measurements from friends in IL so I can start gift knitting. That ought to be stressful.....

An antique revisited

Here is my new refurbished cabinet. It has been in the family for years. It once graced a general store as a sewing thread display case. It even says J. & P. Coats on the back. Awhile back I took off the mismatched knobs and *gasp* did nothing else. When Chloe was a wee pup she put her mark on a corner - her teeth marks to be exact. A damn shame. But now with draft horseshoe nails as handles (courtesy of bro), a fast sanding and black matte paint for the damaged area, and brown velvet contact paper for the drawer liners it is complete. I love it!
A place for everything, and everything in its place.

SP9 Questionnaire

I joined another swap - my first Secret Pal. Here goes.

The Questionnaire
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
answer: I like natural fibers. I am big on wool, wool cotton, silk, alpaca...... As for brand names, I like Rowan, Koigu, Lang. I do not like "novelty" yarns, fluffy, sparkly, eyelash....

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
answer: my new refurbished antique cabinet. (pics to come)

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
answer: A long time, years. I don't remember how I learned, but I was about 10 yrs old. I think I am an adventurous intermediate.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
answer: Why yes, I do. my wish list

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)
answer: Hmm, citrus fruits, or spices - no flowers.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
answer: Only certain times of the month. But I do like salty/sweet combo like Flips - those white chocolate covered pretzels. YUM

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
answer: I was a BIG cross-stitcher for years, I can crochet, and I sew. I have tried my SIL's spinning wheel. I am not good at it. I have a handmade CD spindle, a book and roving but I haven't really sat down to try it.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
answer: I am a 40+ something who loves Pop music. Love.It. (we used to call it top 40) I have an iPod and I have a place to play CDs.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
answer: Jewel tones. I like burgundy, deep blues, ANY greens, rust, gold, I guess you could say "fall like." I am not a girlie-girl so no pinks/purples/pastels.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
answer: I am an only parent to a 16 yr old boy. We have a 5 yr old Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog - Chloe, she is my big baby.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
answer: You know, I don't. Not any more. I used to when I lived in the Chicago area, but not so much here in WA.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
answer: SOCKS!

13. What are you knitting right now?
answer: Socks, a Booga bag, a scarf in Seahawks colors (for wearing while watching the games)

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
answer: Of course!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
answer: I have both, and use according to project. I have never used a plastic needle. I am an Addi-Turbo lover. I have 2 US2s, a US4, a US6 and a US7. And I like Crystal Palace for bamboo.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
answer: I have a yarn winder - everyone should have one of these! - and I use my mom for my swift.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
answer: Just my currents, so about 1 week. I am monogamous to projects and either "finish or frog" In fact I just finished 1 pomatomus and after 1 day of realizing that I didn't like the feel of it on and it would take forever to knit sock #2.......I frogged it.

18. What is your favorite holiday?
answer: Besides Flag Day (hint hint) I like Christmas best.

19. Is there anything that you collect?
answer: Not anymore. I have been overrun by a collection and pared way down.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?
answer: I have been waiting for the new Vogue on the go: Pets book to come out (Nov) I think it looks cute - I don't have a little pet and don't know if I would make anything from it - I think I just want to see pups in sweaters ;- )
What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
answer: I have a sub to Interweave Knits. I used to have Knitter's (not my kind of mag) and I will occasionally buy a Vogue Knitting.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
answer: I wonder if I would like the Magic Loop method for socks. I use Dpn's or 2 circs.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
answer: Yep, shoe size US 7.5,
9.25" heel to toe
9" circ of foot (at widest part)
8" circ of ankle
9" circ of leg (5" up from heel)

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
answer: 06/14 (that's Flag Day!)

Big News!I passed my pee pee test and background test and my official starting date is 10/23 @ 7:45 am!!!!!!!!
Whee!!!!
I am employed.

Today mom and I moved my cabinet downstairs, sanded it , painted the bottom trim, lined the drawers with brown velvet contact paper, moved it back upstairs, and filled it up with my knitting/crochet/craft stuff. Mom moved her stuff into the open craft organizer (now in her closet) and the boy got mom's old 3-tier basket (now in his closet) We put up all the Halloween decor (inside and out) did 3 loads of laundry and put dinner in the crock pot.
I'm tired!

Oh yeah and the Bears won. I think I'm gonna go knit, or nap....

What's a girl to do?