My KnitPicks Wish List

Just in case my family needs Christmas ideas --

My KnitPicks Wish List

http://www.knitpicks.com/cfCart/viewWishlist.cfm?wishlistid=A57F37FC-C7D4-7EE3-FC42EF68D5FB5B52&media=WLBL

Wonderful Wallaby

I really love this pattern! This is a sweater that looks like a hooded sweatshirt with a pouch pocket in the front. The pattern is published by Cottage Creations, and comes in sizes from baby to BIG! And I mean BIG! Once you get past all the wordiness in the pattern, it's so much fun to work on. I had a few problems (what pattern doesn't have problems?). When you start the pouch, it instructs you to use a crochet hook to add stitches. I checked this out on Ravelry of course, and found several alternative options. I used the K1,YO option. Really didn't like it at all. The stitches wound up being very large -- could have been the yarn I'm using -- KnitPicks Comfy Worsted --75% cotton, 25% Acrylic. Not a lot of stretch or bounce back as you're using it and it slides. Next time, I think I'll use the Knit 1 in the Front, then the back. I've finished it and actually love it.

Made my first attempt at dyeing yarn this week.  Much harder than it looks! I was using Superwash, and was glad to be using is because you do handle the yarn a lot! Would be afraid to felt anything that wasn't Superwash.

I don't like the way it came out. I was trying to get a slightly variegated look to it, but it's not subtle enough for me.  I'm going to try to redye it and see what I wind up with!

Not much happening in my job search.  Do have a very small possibility of a temporary job that would last from June through December. Sent the resume, but am still waiting to hear. Not finding anything else out there.

Hosted the family for Easter. Ryan loved the Easter basket I got for him -- a CAR -- and so, of course, had to get him the Cars DVD! The Easter Egg Hunt was a big success. The day was beautiful and we spent the whole day outside.

April Updates

Did I mention I got laid off last year? Since I was laid off, I've had to pay for Cobra.  On paper, Cobra sounds like a great idea. In practice - it costs $1,000 per month for my husband and me. That figure really shocks me. When I  began working waaaay back in 1967, I didn't even  know one of the benefits we got was medical insurance -- fully paid for by the company. It just wasn't on my radar. I don't know if it was on any one's radar back then. And coming up with $1,000 per month when you don't have a job is very tough.

Unfortunately finding a job is very difficult. There's not much out there and I'm overqualified for most jobs that are being posted. During this job search period -- I also have to keep my white roots covered.  Since I'm being interviewed by 25 year old people, white roots just won't make a great impression.  This hair dying costs money I don't have.

However, the best thing about being unemployed is that I do get to spend time with my grandson, the light of my life.  Babies bring such happiness and joy to life.

A while ago I spoke of the sweater I was working on for my daughter -- I FINALLY finished it! I had made several mistakes that I was unable to fix, so I let it hibernate for a while. And I learned a so much by trying a lot of different types of projects. I actually learned enough to fix the sweater and finish it! I love the way it came out, and so does my daughter.


I sometimes look at pattern instructions and am very intimidated by what I see.  But, I really find that if I just go one line at a time, it really isn't all that complicated.  I've pretty much been able to figure out all the patterns I've seen.

I've also become fascinated by the Great American Afghan series. I've started three (3!!!!!) of them over the past few years and I know that's ridiculous. I never got past a couple of blocks. I'm trying to work on the Great American Kids Afghan for my grandson. It's fun, but my daughter hates the colors and says they're too bright. Guess I'll keep it at my house for when he comes to visit!

Current projects include -- The Wonderful Wallaby (which I'm making for the boy), a great sweater that looks like a hooded sweatshirt with a pouch pocket in the front, a beret for me, and a couple of the Great American Afghan squares. Hoping to finish the Wallaby before the end of Spring.

Where Have I Been?

Wow! Haven't posted in forever. And 2010 was a BIG year. 

My daughter had a baby boy in April - the new love of my life. I know he's my grandchild and guess I'm biased, but he's certainly the most adorable baby I've seen in a long time!

I was laid off from my job at the end of September, and have been on unemployment since then.  It's a very difficult time to be out of work in the financial services industry, especially if you're older and well paid.   They can certainly hire someone much younger than me, for a lot less money.

On the positive side, it's a great time to practice my knitting!  I finished up so much in the past year - scarves, hats, baby sweaters and hats.  The baby things were really a huge hit.  I made both an apple and a pumpkin hat that my daughter loves.  I also made the "Sir Charles" cable hat from Knit Picks. That came out so great.  I find I really have enjoyed making hats because they're small, and I can learn an awful lot from making something complicated, yet small, so I don't get all that frustrated if I do mess it up!

Shortly after the baby was born we had to our our beautiful dog put to sleep. We loved him so much. He truly was the perfect dog. We'll miss him forever. No more dogs for me. Although I loved him dearly, not having a dog means more freedom and less cleaning. And unless I could be guaranteed a dog as wonderful as Quincy, I don't want one!