Recently in knitting Category

Yes, I know this is a bit fuzzy and too dark, but hey, I gotta show y'all that I'm alive and knitting. Pattern is Dawn Brocco's Cable Clog sock and it's one of my favorite pattern. A good amount of twisted knit pattern, and yet enough sockinette knitting not to bore you to tears. I'm using Cestari Sock yarn - my first time with it. Appearance is on the rustic side. I'm eager to see how well it holds up under hard wear. I think I might have enough to make a triplet set, but we'll see.

I decided to go ahead and get the Schacht Ladybug Wheel because I want one that is portable, and besides, the church bazaar is coming up in just a few months and I need time to get familiar with it so I can be more at ease with demonstrating and answering questions. And I think I've finally found a nice home for the Majacraft Little Gem. I'll have to thank Knitting Banter in part for changing the think process regarding the MJ Little Gem. Now I need to apply this to my job search . . .

This is what I've been working on for the past couple weeks - Mr. Greenjeans from Knitty. I'd had this in my RavQueue for quite a while. I wanted a new cardigan to take place of my red cardigan that I currently use. This is a great pattern and knits up quickly. I'm using Brown Sheep NatureSpun and the color is Plumberry. It's a truly lovely color. So far, I've used up one entire skein and a half of the second skein, an I'm getting ready to knit up the first sleeve. I'm surprised at how little yardage this pattern requires. I figure that by the time I'm finished I will have used 3, maybe 4 skeins.

Meanwhile, work at The Nursery is making me tired. You have no idea how heavy hoses with water turned on can be until you've spent several day moving it around from place to place. But, at least, I've gotten quite a few plants from the nursery - the usual, tomatoes, beans, etc. I've got most of the squash and zucchinis in the ground. This year we're going to try something new - growing some of the tomatoes upside down. We're planning to do more work this weekend, especially since it won't rain. [Did the endless days of heavy rain put a damper into your gardening plans? - Ed. Yup . . . sure did, along with the fact that my favorite time to work on the garden is now taken up by working at the nursery]

I need to get on with my job search. This time I'm going to try something new - going through my LinkedIn connections. I've built up enough contacts that I can now go through their contacts to see what's out there. Hopefully this will cut out the recruiters, who seem to be my main obstacle. [Please make an exception for recruiters who work at companies that do direct hires. - Ed. That's a really good point] I found a good article on how to use LinkedIn for job searches along with links to other resouces.

Finally . . . here's a message for a certain candidate - if you insist on sending your spouse out to campaign for you, anything your spouse says is fair game. No exceptions. So stop whining and grow a thicker skin. After all . . . your spouse could get the itch and desire to become POTUS down the road.

So . . . the good news is - I finished the Rosemarkie vest. The bad news is . . . I'm going to be a bit busy for the next couple days and won't be able to get a picture up. I haven't even had a chance to wash and block it.

Oh, and my car is probably headed for the junkyard. Bruce and I went to the car dealer yesterday, and they tried to screw us over. Uggghhhh. We told them that we'd get back to them next week if we decided to get the car. Want to bet you that when we call, they'll say it's been sold to someone else and that we'll find ourselves back at square one?

I've been running around like crazy for the past two weeks, because the job at The Nursery. Don't get too excited - it's just a temporary, part-time job lasting two months at the latest and will not lead to a permanent job. Let's just say, it's one of those "go into work, keep your mouth shut, and leave on the dot" job. At least I have time in the afternoon to work at my other job, job hunting. I wish I could quit that job already.

I've got the Little Gem up for sale, because we just don't get along and I ReallyReallyReally want that Schacht Ladybug wheel. Yes, I've advertised on Ravelry, on Craigslist. No takers - I'm surprised. Anyway, here's the blurb that goes with this ad:

I've had this wheel for over five years, but we've just never gotten along well, so I feel it's time to find it a new home and get me a Schacht Ladybug. So, I'm putting up my barely-used Majacraft Little Gem (NOT Little Gem II) wheel for sale.

I had the wheel replaced because of cracks in the original wheel, and the metal shaft had to be replaced. Included is a Woolee Winder and a bobbin. And, 8 Majacraft plastic bobbins, and the delta flyer.

I would like to have this sold before Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival. I can deliver locally in the DC Metro area (my preference), at the festival, or ship if you pay for shipping and insurance. At this point this will for sale as a complete package; I want everything out of the house before I can pay for the Schacht Ladybug.

All for $700. Cash, certified check, or PayPal only. First come, first serve. Thanks!

Please help me get this off my hand - if you know anyone who's looking for a nice spinning wheel, pass this along to them!

Oh, yeah, tomorrow's Pascha and as usual I'm doing stuff at the last minute. This includes finishing the edge of the vest (only 4 more rows to go and no buttonholes). Must remember to take a good nap tomorrow . . .

Pattern: Russian Prime Vest

Source: "Meg Swansen's Knitting: 30 Designs for Hand Knitting" by Meg Swansen (oop); Russian Prime DVD from Schoolhouse Press

Size: Too small for me

Materials: Québécoise from Schoolhouse Press

Needles: US7/4.5mm Addi Turbo Circulars, I think

Started: March 2001

Finished: April 9, 2008

I can't believe this took me 7 years to finish. But I can understand it because this has happened to every knitter. You're knitting merrily along when you discover that it's way too small for you. And so you rip it out. I would have done that . . . except that I had already cut the steeks. Oops. So, I resigned myself to finishing it and giving away to someone. The pattern calls for sleeves, and two i-cords around the neck area. I just couldn't bring myself to get started on the sleeves, as this would just prolong the agony. So, I decided to just finish off the armholes an the neck area with an i-cord. This will eventually go to some lucky Russian girl, if I can find a way to deliver this to one of my contacts without having to go through the postal service.

Next up: the Rosemarkie Vest. I'm putting on the finishing touches, and have it done before end of month. Before end of this weekend if I push it! Oh, yeah, must get on with the Purple Polo Pullover. it's only three weeks before MDSW and I'd like to enter it in the competition . . .