Monday, March 23, 2009

Fulling it

A few years ago I was able to sell knitted cat toys at a local gift shop. They carry quite a bit of handmade stock, and some is locally produced.

I stopped in last week to ask if they'd be interested again, and got a yes...so this past week I have been fulling ("felting") old sweaters and turning them into bags and cat toys and dressing up T-shirts with knitted details and some embroidery. I have two T-shirts, a felted mouse, and one bag finished; the second bag needs a strap and I will make at least one more cat toy.

We'll see what happens; it won't be a lot of money, but all income helps, especially with a mortgage to pay.

If I can remember I'll take some pictures and post them, if I can get to DH's laptop. Mine hasn't enough memory! (Neither do I...h'mmm....)

Monday, March 16, 2009

Baltimore, and socks

It's been an interesting week. Last Tuesday I got slammed with a cold; I was actually an interesting invalid for two days, but that did help, it's almost gone now.

I sent out more resumes, and got ready for a trip to Baltimore, MD. A friend I met in NY (the City) was married. She's a naval engineer, now in Maryland. Some of the others in the NYC crowd were there, too. I got to dance and drink good bourbon and talk and generally enjoy myself.

On Friday I met up with Mimi of Charm City Daily. We've been friends for five years, but it was the first time we met in person! And it was wonderful, she's as pretty, funny, interesting and opinionated in person as in print. (I'd write this even if I thought you weren't going to read it, Ami. Yep.)

Here's the other bonus: long train rides are great for knitting. I finished a simple pair of anklets in Noro sock yarn and got a few inches done on the lace stole.

The socks I mentioned in the last post are destined for the frog pond. Too few stitches, not stretchy enough, and ugly! Fun to knit, though.

Monday, March 09, 2009

Productive, if not employed

I've been busy.

My resume has been updated. I've re-submitted or applied to four temporary agencies, sent the resume to friends who might help me network (and got at least one nibble from that).

I have a preliminary interview for Wednesday, from a submission for a jobs listing I found online, though it's probably a sales position (not my strong point).

I have applied online for unemployment ("unenjoyment" as my friend Nathan calls it). That's a first. But as we have a mortgage I am taking no chances...not in this economy.

Yesterday I also made tapioca pudding. It's fantastic, if I say so myself. (We shared some with the neighbors.) I made a good dinner--ziti with mushrooms and carrots and sauce, with cheese.

Not much has been done with the lace, but I've been trying a new sock pattern, something especially for variegated yarns, with an "aforethought" heel. It's out of Sensational Knitted Socks (Charlene Schurch).

Today's dinner will probably be something very sturdy and comforting, too. The weather is dreary; freezing rain and sleet. March is still roaring.

Friday, March 06, 2009

Laid off

Happy Friday. You're out of a job.

There are so many things I could say...none of them politic or PC...but I'll be a good little liberal who's been fired by panicking conservatives and just say that I am out of work.

DH, thank God, is not, at least not now.

I did get some laundry done.

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Love me, Love my friends.

When you have a moment or two to spare, take a look at my links area.

There are some good sites and blogs listed. Most are dedicated in some fashion to the retro and vintage lifestyle. Some are musings on living the life, others a how-to, and some are just good articles and ideas that will probably interest you.

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Lace Conundrum

Yesterday I complained about the small size of the Cozy I'm knitting (as I'm using yarn much finer than that recommended in the pattern)...well, it's still bothering me.

I think that the frog pond is in sight. If I rip out and cast on again with an additional 36 stitches it should be wide enough for a stole, more useful than a scarf, for me. It'll be painful, though. I hate ripping out, and it's worse when the work looks good.

This yarn is perfect for the pattern stitch. The colors flow over the pattern, but I just don't need another lace scarf to pack away! I want to wear this one.

Monday, March 02, 2009

Fuzzy Feet; just in time.

I finished the Cascade Fixation socks and the Fuzzy Feet (I felted them about 5 minutes after I was done with the knitting). DH likes them so far...I think I'll make a pair for myself, but with some color work.

The timing is good. DH's feet will be warm today. We got slammed with a Nor'easter again. This winter seems determined to make up for the lack of snow in the past ten! It wasn't a fun commute, but I got here in one piece, as the other poor fools out and about were being careful, too.

Yesterday I cast on for Knitty's Cozy, but in a lighter gauge. I found a gorgeous, misty laceweight merino at Fresh Purls; it's a very fluid mix of pastel blue and green. Knitting lace with this is like working a spun cloud. I don't know why I keep knitting lace scarves...they're not something I wear often, but they're lovely to work and to look at. I had hoped to make Cozy with sport or fingering weight and have a real wrap, but I wanted to use this yarn, and I wanted to make Cozy...and there you are.