Knit'nat

How I'd Look In the World of Allie Brosh

If you aren't familiar with who Allie Brosh is, please go look at her website.  

Go on now, I'll wait.  It'll be a long wait, I know, because once you start reading, you really can't stop.  It's all too funny. 

I wish I had the talent that she has.  I don't, though.  

While I was sloughing around today, I took some time to play with the Microsoft Paint program that's installed on my eons-old computer and came up with how I think I would look in the World of Allie Brosh:

I'm not sure what's going on with my hair there (which is pretty much how it is in real life) and apparently I've lost a knitting needle (notice the tangle of yarn).  I look like I'm searching for something -- perhaps it's my sanity. 

Knitting update:

Rhinebeck Rooibos sweater -- back and left front are completed.  I have good intentions of casting on the right front at knitting tonight. 

Mystery Shawl #19 - I think I'm about 6 rows into the first clue.  Clue 3 was released this past weekend.  I think I need to catch up.  

Bitterroot - I did about 4 rows on this the other night, followed by falling asleep on the couch.

Diamond Fantasy - I've completed 2 lace repeats.

Ophidian - Am through the first lace repeat!  I've placed beads!  And now I've put it back to rest.

Personal Footprint #2 - worked on this a bit the other night.  About 2" in, and 2" to go before the increase, I think. 

Gilded Sock - Oh, look!  A picture of a cat in a felted bowl! 

 

 

How Does My Garden Grow?

Very well, actually.  Let's have a tour, shall we?

This is the full view.  In all honesty, the garden plot isn't that big...I'd say maybe 3' x 10'?  But wow, does it pack a wollop.  We used to have some flowers growing in there, mostly calendula that my husband had planted willy-nilly, but there were also some wave petunias.  However, we've had a bit of a hostile takeover.

Here, let me explain:

 

 

 

So,at the beginning of the growing season, I bought a couple of tomato plants...a grape tomato, a couple of cherry tomato plants, and then some early ladies.  As you can see, the early ladies are being lazy bitches.  There is no redness!  In the 3rd photo, you'll notice what I call "volunteers" -- these are some plum tomatoes that showed up out of nowhere.  I think what happened is that there were some tomatoes that went bad last year, either through blight or through rot, and they made a reappearance, trying to impress me that they'll behave, honest they will.

Also in my garden are some herbs:

Top to bottom:  mint, thyme, rosemary, lemon balm, and basil.  I also have some catnip and some dill hidden in there somewhere.  Again, the tomatoes have kind of taken over.  And honestly, I cannot believe how they've taken over.  If my grandmother would see this, she would beat me to death.  We don't let our tomatoes creep all over the ground!  The tomatoes must be staked!  They shouldn't run free!  My father would also beat me, because he'd say I know better.  I really should know better...but apparently, the tomatoes don't want to listen to me, as they've got their own agenda, which is take over the world.

The good thing about this:  I love tomatoes.  I eat the cherry tomatoes and the grape tomatoes like they're candy.  I love to make a caprese salad with tomatoes, basil, mozzarella cheese, EVOO, salt & pepper.  Roast chicken with rosemary?  I'm all about that.  How about mashing potatoes with ham and gruyere, then throwing in some thyme?  Delicious!

Mint?  Oh, mint lemonade!  Mint simple syrup to add to my iced tea!  And (Oh Annette...!) -- mojitos!

But this garden is not the only garden that grows at my house.  In the front of the house, I have a small flower bed that I've tried to grow flowers in previously, with very little luck.  Impatiens?  Didn't work.  Petunias?  Either I had a bad batch or they got a little leggy.  This year?  I went for marigolds and, as a complete surprise, cauliflower.

What do you know, it's working!

In knitting news, I am thisclose to finishing Petri.  I have to sew the hems!  It's seamed!  If I really push myself, I can get it finished tonight.  However, I also have some blocking to do, for my very good friend Steven A.  He's got a blog post to write and a gift to deliver, and I need to get on it for his sake!

So There's This Yarn...

It's not available commercially (meaning your LYS can't stock it) but you can get it at fiber festivals or through the dyer's website.  It's pricey ($28), but there's a lot of yardage (500 or up, so the label says).  

But there's a moral issue. 

You see, Dyer has previously stated that her yarn is the same base as Yarn X, which is impossible, because Yarn X has an agreement for exclusivity with the mill, meaning that the base for Yarn X is solely for Yarn X and can't go to anybody else, even in mill end form.  Dyer still contends that her yarn and Yarn X are the same base.  The exclusivity is pointed out in a public forum, and Dyer continues her contention.  Scientific principles are brought in (i.e., Dyer Yarn has A plies and Yarn X has B plies and therefore cannot be the same base), and Dyer changes her tune to my yarn is compatible with Yarn X.  (What that means, I have no freaking clue.  But let's move on, shall we?). 

Dyer has her yarn for sale, as mentioned above, on her website.  People buy from the website.  People have problems receiving yarn.  Dyer gives inaccurate (incomplete or completely wrong) tracking numbers.  Buyers (and yes, I know it's plural -- there are plural problems) complain and ask for help or a refund.  Dyer says "too bad, so sad, that's the risk you take using the postal service" -- or words to that effect.  

You are a fan of Dyer's yarn.  You have several skeins of it stowed away in the stash.  You decide you can't ignore what's going on with Dyer, though, and send her a message, asking for her side of the story about what is going on, what is mentioned, what is alleged.  Please, you ask, explain your side of this mess.  You want to buy the yarn because of the yarn love...but you want to avoid the mess that is the lies and deceit.  

Dyer responds with "I have no idea what you're talking about, so I can't answer your questions.  Sorry."  Even though you know that Dyer has responded to inquiries about the allegations, has participated in the message boards, and you had cited specific examples (and even gave links), it is still a clear denial. 

Do you buy more of this yarn?  Do you not buy any more, but keep what is in your stash?  Or do you sell the stash, so that you have no tainted yarn?  Do you pretend that if the magic of Ravelry didn't exist, you wouldn't know about this problem, and therefore can ignore it?  

This issue is now open for debate.  Please discuss.  

Baby It's Cold Outside...

But more than the cold, that was one helluva snowstorm, at least for this region!  

If you don't know what I'm talking about, you must live under a rock.  I remember, growing up in Conneaut, that snowstorms like this were the norm, not the exception.  I also remember growing up in Conneaut that we had a snow plow for our tractor, so that we didn't have to shovel the driveway, only the front and back steps.  Guess what?  

You guessed it, no snow plow. 

So a few before and during shots: 

 


Go, dog, go!

My legs ache more than my arms, and when the youngest and I came in, we made some hot chocolate and I whipped some cream and we are now relaxing with a delicious warm beverage.  Most things are closed today, including Natural Stitches, so just hanging out at home on a Saturday is a rarity. 

This morning after the hubby left (yes, he still had to work, although who they thought would be bringing their car for an oil change, who knows), I set about reorganizing my pictures on my computer.  I never thought I would be finished!  I am hoping to keep the pics somewhat organized.  I did run across a few odd ones for you, though: 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Top to bottom:  Eggs in different colored shells (green, tan, brown); Squirrel!; OMG those shorts; kegger, anyone?; Sleeping Beauty; Wilson!

I have also been knitting away at a few things.  Probably the most sad thing that I've worked on recently has been the Hedwig socks for Matthew.   


Why is it sad?  Because the child is growing, and rapidly...and the sock is too damned tight on him to fit comfortably, so I must rip it out.  And I am at the toe decreases.  All that knitting...down the drain. 

I'm also working on the Discovery Sock for myself from Cat Bordhi's "Personal Footprints" book.  I am to the point that I need to draw a line on my leg.  I'm trying to do this project with my coworker and good friend Anna; however, we both seem to be a little unwilling to bare our feet and draw on our legs during work hours.  

 Finally, the big thing I've been working on has to be Bill's Sweater.  I'm using Cascade Eco Wool in the mocha colorway and am loving the yarn and the pattern.  I am almost ready to bind off the bottom...woot!  

Speaking of sweaters, I have misplaced one I'm working on.  I don't know where it is.  The last I saw it was at work...and then who knows what happened to it!  It is the Daily Sweater from Mason Dixon Knitting #2, and I think I'm going to frog it anyway...but it would certainly be nice to know where on earth it got to!  

I do not think that I have much else interesting to say.  I think I may go pop in Pride and Prejudice, pick up some knitting, and enjoy my snow day. 

Thanks for dropping by!

Auld Lang Syne

I've made it through Christmas, did not finish the knitting I should have, and am ready for a new year.  2009 was a bit of an ass kicker and I am hoping that 2010 is better.  My neighbors, though, really are ending the year on a low note; this was the scene when I returned from shopping earlier this afternoon:

  We are trapped in our house now, with fire trucks and emergency vehicles all over the place.  Good thing we have the Wii!  It was our big family gift, and I'm very glad we bought it. 

Christmas was somewhat uneventful.  Kathy and her daughters came to spend the day with us.  I butterflied a turkey (!) for dinner, plus made Julia Child's baked cucumbers.  The turkey was spectacular:

 

The cucumbers were surprisingly tasty.

 

The dinner was rounded out by stuffing, mashed potatoes/gravy, corn, broccoli, and a Jell-O dessert.  We set the table up buffet style, and picked our way through the rest of the day. 

Kathy and her daughters are hanging out here again tonight; we'll be having some chips and dip and who else knows what.  I would like to make a run to the liquor store before they close, but as I mentioned, we are trapped in the house and I don't foresee being able to go anywhere any time soon. 

Quick review of 2009's goals:

1. To start and complete one pair of socks from the New Pathways book.  (I'm into my 2nd sock...does that count?)
2. To try one new recipe every two weeks. (While I don't think I managed THAT, I did manage to try at least 26 new recipes, if not more.)
3. To look for -- and find -- a better job.  (I got fired from Giel and started working at Natural Stitches.  Better pay? No.  Better job?  YES.)
4. To complete my Norwegian Woods Shawl.  (Finished, and I won a blue ribbon for it!)
5. To complete my Goddess Anniversary Knitalong shawl.  (Yeah, right.)
6. To make it to the gym 5 days a week. (This was going well until I lost my job and could no longer afford it, so fail.)
7. To knit at least 5 items from my Ravelry queue. (I think I did that.)
8. To do better with the housework (sometimes it gets behind things like knitting or reading).(I did that, somewhat.)
9. To start saving NOW for MSWF and Rhinebeck. (Mission accompblished.)
10. To be more kind, for this world can use more kindness.  (Again, mission accomplished.)

I think I did fairly well there! 

I just counted up my FO's, and am pretty sure that I have 20, but I may have less because I didn't really look at the dates of them.  I should do that; perhaps another time.

I'm going to think about what it is I'd like to accomplish in 2010 before I put it out here for all to see.  Of course, there are knitting goals (like colorwork, and finishing the UFO's around the house) but there are personal goals to be decided, too.  More frequent blogging would be a good one.  Tune in for a full list this weekend.

To all of my friends and family, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

 

Mumbo Jumbo

There is so much rattling around in my brain right now, I have no rhyme or reason going on.  I want to post about so many things but want to do it in a somewhat cohesive manner, yet just can't seem to find the right way to go about it.  So here is the mumbo jumbo for you:

KNITTING CONTENT:

1.  Mr. Greenjeans is nearing completion.  I finished the left sleeve yesterday and started picking up the stitches for the button band last night.  I wanted to take a break from sleeve island, and the button band is very simple 2x2 rib.  I'm looking forward to having this completed, because it is the official Rhinebeck sweater.**

2.  Bella Mitten #1 is done and #2 is about 1/3 of the way done.  Natural Stitches is going to raffle these off closer to the time of the release of New Moon.  Is it new moon?  Whatever the heck movie is coming out about sparkly vampires, that's when we're raffling.  The mittens are knit of Malabrigo chunky and are WARMWARMWARM!  Please watch the Natural Stitches blog for updates.

3.  I've started the 2nd sock from my Yarn Pirate Killer Bees yarn (did you even know I had a first one?).  I suppose pictures are in order. 

4.  Now I have to decide what the hell to knit next.  But I think I want to knit Margot, from the new Knitty.  I have an entire bag of Cascade 220 and I think that would be a perfect sweater.  I'm also jonesing to cast on for the Harbour Lights Shawl but haven't found the perfect yarn for it.  I have some alpaca from Highland Alpacas hiding in my stash, so maybe I'll do that.

UNEMPLOYMENT* CONTENT:

Last week, or maybe it was the week before, I had a call from one of the staffing agencies I'm working with about three jobs.  Then there was a lack of contact, and apparently the positions have been filled.  however, yesterday I was contacted about another job, so let's hope something positive is coming my way.

*I do realize that by working at Natural Stitches, I am not truly unemployed; however, NS was to be my "spending money" job and has instead become the "bridge the gap" job (meaning it bridges the gap between the unemployment bucks and the bucks we need to live on). 

I think it is pretty funny how unemployment forces you to re-evaluate things, such as how there is a hell of a lot more menu planning involved now than there was a few months ago, because I could always run to the store to pick something up or we could just grab a bite out.  Now, grabbing a bite out is a luxury, and running to the store is saved for when we're out of milk, or every other week when Bill gets paid. 

Speaking of unemployment, if you've never read any of Jen Lancaster's books, you are truly missing out.  I think she is hysterically funny, and am reading "Bright Lights, Big Ass" and laughing hysterically.  Yes, you do want to smack her when she takes the Prada bag to the unemployment office, but you do find she is terribly funny. 

TRIVIAL STUFF:

I think the following songs should be banned from the radio:
1. All Summer Long, by Kid Rock.  The opening strains make me think I'm going to hear Warren Zevon's Werewolves of London for just a second before I realize that it is ONCE AGAIN the Butler, PA Anthem***.
2.  Anything by Lady Gaga.  Seriously.  Poker Face makes me want to puh-puh-puh-puh-puh-poke her eyes out.  
3. Touch Myself by the Divinyls.  Nothing worse than a group of teenage boys realizing that the song is about masturbation and laughing themselves sick in the back of your car.  (Thanks, Bob!)
4. Waking Up in Vegas, by Katy Perry.  Oh-ver-played.

-----------

I am annoyed at the number of people on Twitter who follow me for no apparent reason other than to feel important.  I receive at least one message a day that so-and-so is following me, and when I look them up, I'm all like huh?  At least three times have been links to "adult" sites, then today was someone who must have an app that lets him know if someone uses the word unemployment in their tweets because suddenly "thejobguy" was following me, and I made the mistake of following him, only to have a bazillion tweets from him in the space of 30 seconds.  Then there was some exercise or fitness dude.  (I had a gym membership until unemployment hit and then I had to let that go because food for children is more important than exercise equipment for me.)

------------

On my way to work this week, I saw a black smart car with a flame job being driven by a big burly guy.  It was at the corner of Negley and Washington.  Do you think I've seen him again?  NO.  Do you think I got a picture?  NO.

-------------

I do, however, have other pictures that have been begging to be posted.

Someone needs an intervention:

I see you:

Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi:

One of These Things is Not Like the Other:

Is that a plastic sword in your shirt or -- nevermind.

Dude has more hair than Aslan:

Ain't no way I'm riding that!

Where the hell are the (fashion) police when you need them?

**Yes, I'm doing Rhinebeck even though there is a lack of full-time employment.  I have a birthday in November and that's what I've asked for is $$ for Rhinebeck.  Plus, the bills are paid and we have food, so I can buy the plane ticket and not feel bad.  Nobody said I had to buy yarn.

***Because it consistently makes the "Top 9 at 9" on our local radio station, All Hitz 97.7 FM.

Nothing Special

Unemployment continues (save for Natural Stitches), and life goes on.  The kids returned to school last Wednesday, and it is fun to see how much they’ve changed.  Matthew was terribly worried about his first year at the Junior High and swore he’d get lost, but hasn’t so far, although he is suffering a great deal from seasonal allergies, what with the unseasonable weather we’re having.  Although I don’t mind the cool mornings and the lack of humidity, it is almost like summer just flew by us and there is no hope of seeing 80 degrees ever again.  Robert is doing well with his first year at the high school, though he complains about the way lunch there is handled.  

 

Working at Natural Stitches is a treat.  I get to play with yarn and I get to see wonderful people.  One of my favorite customers is Nancy, who is just a pip.  We recently had occasion to work together on repairing an Aran sweater for a friend of hers.  The sweater had a huge (silver dollar size) hole in the upper sleeve from unknown origins.  We worked on the repair on Saturday and I’m hoping that she’ll stop by today to let me see the finished results.

 

The other great thing about working at Natural Stitches is there is (almost) always time to knit.  I have been working on a Mr. Greenjeans sweater in Dream in Color Classy in the Good Luck Jade colorway.  This is my “work” project, because I can put it down mid-row to tend to a customer and not have to worry about where I left off.  And I remembered to take pictures for you!

 

 

I’ve also been working on a scarf from Victorian Lace Today.  Charissa and I were discussing how none, or very few, of the titles in VLT are short.  This one was “scarf with wide and handsome border for a mantle drape” – or at least I think that’s what it was called.  It was a different technique for me, as you knit the first border, cast off all but one stitch, pick up edge stitches, knit the body of the scarf, cast off all but one stitch again, then knit the second border on sideways, connecting it to the scarf with a K2tog through the back loop.  I was about 2/3 of the way through the second border when I deduced I wouldn’t have enough yarn left to complete the scarf, so I had to rip the border back out, plus a couple of the repeats through the main body, then re-knit.  I was so disgusted by this that I put the project in time out, and just picked it up again with any real fervor in the last week.  I finally finished it yesterday.  See?

 

 

 

 

Project:  Scarf with wide and handsome border, from Victorian Lace Today

Yarn:  Tilli Tomas Pure & Simple, Colorway “Novea Melon”, 2 skeins (with very little left over)

Knit Time:  Oh, I don’t know – a month and a half?

 

This project, after being weighed and measured for the Natural Stitches Summer of Socks & Lace contest (which I have no hope of winning), will be winging its way to New Jersey to my good friend Kim.  The color is just totally her.  Kim, I know that stoles and wraps aren’t your usual thing, but I have no doubt that you will find a use for this, whether as a mantle drape or paired with jeans and a T-shirt. 

 

Yesterday I went to see “Julie and Julia” with my friend/neighbor from across the street.  It was an excellent movie and, if you’re culinarily* inclined, very inspiring.  I wonder how many people will do something similar now but with other cookbooks – like Martha Stewart’s baking book or a 1940’s Betty Crocker Cookbook?  I am sure that there are a few, but I’m hoping that people realize “been there, done that”.  I did make bruschetta, though, as an accompaniment to dinner last night, because I thought that the way it was done in the movie was very clever (pan-toasted bread as opposed to broiler-toasted).  I was thinking my family wouldn’t like it and I’d get to have most of it since the other dinner accompaniment, at allergy-ridden Matthew’s request, was boxed macaroni & cheese, but so much for that, as Bill and Robert devoured a good portion of it. 

 

Part-time employment has also been good for me in that the house is being better tended to (a little something every day, and a little something more on the days when I don’t work) (I don’t think my bathroom has ever been this clean), and there is more culinary creativity going on (see, I didn’t even need the movie to get me in the cooking groove).  On Sunday I made lavender-almond biscotti, and yesterday I made pesto (which will be gracing some penne pasta for my lunch today before I leave for work). 

 

I also made some rosemary cheese breadsticks yesterday.  It’s a Giada DiLaurentis recipe and involves (gasp!) Pillsbury refrigerated breadstick dough, gruyere & parmesan cheeses, and fresh chopped rosemary.  VERY delicious. 

 

Back to knitting…since I only have the forgotten Monkey socks (maybe I’ll finish them before the end of the year)(HA!), a Cat Bordhi sock, and the Greenjeans sweater on the needles, I am contemplating another lace project.  I really want to knit the Harbour Lights shawl from Sivia Harding, but can’t find a yarn that I want to use with that.  I am also thinking about the Shetland Triangle shawl, and if I can get moving on that, perhaps it can be a Christmas gift this year.  I’m also thinking of trying the Diamond Fantasy shawl again, only with a better yarn this time around, and since it’s knit bottom up with the edges incorporated into the design, I can stop when I feel the need to stop.  Thoughts? 

 

Lastly, I called this cute, but Peanut called this abject humiliation.  I think the caption would be "Oh Merry Men..."

*No, I don’t think that’s a word.

Enough of the Oh-Woes-Me Stuff

I'm back.  I'm alive, I'm working part-time at Natural Stitches, I have the best friends anybody could ever ask for.  I am job searching, and that is really all I can do, right?  So there will be no more self-hosted pity parties, no more schlepping around in my pajama bottoms and tank top.  I am woman, hear me roar. 

Or rather, see me knit.

I started working on the Mr. Greenjeans sweater a couple of weeks ago.  Unfortunately, I do not have any photographic evidence of it.   I am also working on what I've dubbed the pumpkin scarf, which is actually a scarf of Tilli Tomas Pure & Simple in novea melon colorway.  It is a scarf from Victorian Lace Today, and I had to rip a good portion of it out on Friday, because I did not have enough yarn to finish the 2nd border. 

I have finished the 1st upstream sock and need to cast on for the 2nd.  Again, we are lacking in photographic evidence.

However, I do have photographic evidence of my Norwegian Woods shawl being finished, and blocked...

...and winning a blue ribbon at the Butler Farm Show!

Now, I was rather disappointed that it wasn't all spread out so everybody could see its beauty, but that's okay.  I won! 

I also won a blue ribbon for the Cardigan for Arwen:

My winnings, other than a sense of pride and accomplishment, were $4 for the sweater and $3 for the shawl. 

Probably the most memorable thing from the Farm Show, though, was this sound byte from Matthew:

Mom, why is that sheep wearing Spandex?

I'm Still Standing...

...though perhaps not better than I've ever been*.  Things are still plugging along; what can I say?  School is out, the boys are home for the summer, doing what boys do.  I am still stealing my neighbor's wireless, which is rather difficult sometimes because I can only get it outside or if I'm near a window, and the front window works best, but requires me to use the back of the couch as the laptop support.  Can I tell you how difficult this is? 

Since we last spoke, I've completed the Norwegian Woods Shawl, started a scarf from Victorian Lace Today, fallen in love with that scarf to the point that I would TOTALLY call off work to knit if I had a sick day (which I don't, so that's good), worked a few rows on the Goddess Anniversary ohmygoshwillitneverend Shawl, agreed to knit a baby sweater shop sample for Natural Stitches, taken the kids to Cedar Point (yes I rode most of the rides, including coasters), and on July 6, my first son will be 16, at which point I expect to totally go gray. 

I have many pictures to share with you but tonight is not the night, I am feeling woozy and need to get to bed, it has been a rather long day. 

Before I go, though, I have to mention it.  Michael Jackson, dead at the age of 50.  We all knew it was coming but who would have expected it so soon.  The radio program I listen to in the morning was talking about how this has become a media circus, just as it did when Heath Ledger passed away.  I am going to show my age here, but I remember when Elvis died (we were vacationing in Vermont and my dad saw it on the front page of the daily newspaper there).  My mom bought every paper she could find during that vacation, because it was Elvis.  I liken the passing of Michael Jackson to the passing of Elvis; for he is the king of pop, one of the biggest stars of my generation.  My kids think Michael Jackson was weird and, granted, he was a bit out there..but I tell them how in the 1980's, he was The Big Thing.  The glove.  Moon walking.  Billie Jean.  Thriller.  Beat it.  I remember that I wore out one Thriller album and had to buy another one. 

I'm sorry to see him gone, but I'm glad to have been around when his music was IT.  RIP, MJ. And may you find the Neverland you were looking for. 

*with apologies to Elton John**.

**who I totally thought would have died before Michael Jackson. 

The Twilight Zone

(Note:  I started this on 3/29).

It's all Sarah's fault, really.

You see, at our last meeting of the Hurricane Knitters, she bought some books.  Once we got her to 'fess up to what books she was reading, she admitted to having read the first in the series, even though she was buying it.  So I asked if I could borrow it.  I'm a voracious reader, but depending on how life is treating me, I may read a little more slowly.  I've been known to read several books at a time, and read my favorites over and over.  Anyway, I took it home that Wednesday, started it at 10 p.m. on Thursday, and finished it on Saturday (after having to put it in my closet so that I could get my morning chores done).  The next Thursday, we rented the movie and had pizza/movie night at our house.  The boys loved the movie, but I wasn't so enamored of it because movies are never as good as the books. 

So now, I am torn between running out to buy the 2nd book (I've picked it up and put it back twice in the last week) or waiting for April 15, when I will see Sarah again, to borrow it from her. 

In other news:

Work still sucks.  I haven't heard a word from the job I applied for a week and a half ago.  I'm thinking it may be time to sacrifice something.  My neighbor laughingly suggested sacrificing a goat in the front yard.  I'm thinking this has some possiblity.  (Just kidding.)

icked is moving right along.  I'm halfway through with the raglan increases.  I am using Brooks Farm Macero (mas acero) for this and I LOVE the yarn.  I was worried that I would have stigmata hands, but there seems to be no bleeding of color at all as I knit with it.

Back at the beginning of the month, my very good Blogosphere friend Stick mentioned she needed some help, and being the nutcase that I am, I volunteered.  I received the box of bits and pieces of sweaters a couple of weeks ago, and today pulled them out for a serious look-see.  I had to go to the library to borrow the Knit Cafe book so that I could check out the finishing instructions for Slouchy.  Let me tell you, complete. lack. of. direction.  Stick had one sleeve half seamed to the body, and after checking it out, I undid her work and proceeded to start the seaming.  After being about 3/4 of the way done with the sleeve, Milo decided he needed to help.  Cats + seaming sweaters = mess.

4/11 - continuing the post.

We had what I call (or someone else calls, and I stole the term from her) a "come to Jesus" meeting at work on April 1.  Basically, while it is fine for the smokers to take breaks to smoke, it is not fine for the nonsmokers to take a break and use the Internet to look at Ravelry, or the Yarn Harlot, or anything else.  I was reprimanded for looking at emails, for looking at shopping sites (um, hello, when I order the office supplies from Office Max it just might show up as a fracking shopping site), and for looking at "porn" (the word Harlot, obviously, flags it as "porn").  I explained that I was happily following the company policy of "if you wouldn't post it above the water cooler, don't look at it" -- but that didn't go very well. 

I have also been "flying under the radar" for a few weeks.  My son, love him as I do, went a little overboard with text messaging, to the tune of $180 on top of our regular phone bill, so we were a little shorthanded with money and the phones were off (they're back on now).  We're still a little shorthanded with money, and have had to shut off the cable, so my access to the Internet is rather limited, especially since the Powers that Be at work have decided that Internet Use is Bad. 

I still haven't heard from the job that I applied for back in March, and I'm certain that a lack of telephone service didn't help at all, but it is what it is.  I am still looking for part time jobs after work, or a replacement job where I'll make at least as much money and have benefits.  If anybody knows of anything good, you know where to find me.

I am nearly finished with Stick's slouchy cardigan (I have to attach the hood).  The pattern for it was from "Greetings from the Knit Cafe" -- I do not recommend this book at all.  Very, very little guidance on finishing anything, and the instructions for sweaters, if you have a right and a left side, are "knit the same except reversing the pattern".  Ugh.  :P  I think I did okay, though, and hope to have a modeled shot to show you in the near future. 

So thus, I am now returning to The Twilight Zone. (this is a madhouse, it feels like being stoned.*)

*Golden Earring.