A Real Job & more 2007 knitting

I just found out today that I have had a real job since Monday. I've been working for a temp agency for over a year and just before Christmas they asked if I would be interested in moving over to their full time division. Hmmm, let me see......

Real Health Insurance vs. very crappy coverage

Paid Holidays and Vacation vs. no work = no pay

Between assignments get paid for a 37.5 hour week vs. see above

401(k) plan vs. what?

Did I say yes? It took a bit of time due to the holidays and the fact that they had to find out if I really had done the things I said I had. I went in today to show them my driver's license and Social Security card (the one I have had since I registered for Social Security in about 1961) and to sign all the paperwork to become an actual participant in the amazing world of benefits. I am 62 years old and this is only the second job I have ever had with real benefits. And I will still be a temp, doing what I like, which is relatively short term projects in a different place every few months. In fact, I did exactly the same thing this week in my real job as I did last week in my temp job (because it is the same job) and will stay there until April 15.


When I saw the pattern for these socks on MagKnits, I knew just who should have them.


Mimi! She had a very busy and stressful Fall so it took some time after I finished them to get them to her. Finally I ran into her one day at the Post Office and made her wait until I went to my car and got them. I had been carrying them around with me for weeks hoping I would see her. Right before Christmas she came into The Yarn Lounge wearing them and looking her usual fabulous self so I was able to get some pictures of the socks on her feet in some of her amazingly high heeled shoes.

Weeds & some late 2007 knitting

I know I am way behind the times. The first season of Weeds just floated its way up my Netflix queue and into my mailbox. I watched the first three episodes last night and loved, loved, loved them. I may have to rethink my boycott of cable television. Oh, on second thought, it's still way cheaper to subscribe to Netflix and be able to pick and choose what I watch. Anyway, the show is brilliant and I am so lucky to have so many episodes to look forward to. (A Cate historical aside - I learned to play Little Boxes on my guitar in about 1964.)



I made these socks with my yarn from the Ravelry Libra Birthday Swap. It is the Annetrelac pattern from Interweave Knits.



Because of the pattern name and because I always make my sister socks for her birthday and Christmas, I made these for Annie. She is the true owner of the Evil Foster Whippet so it was entirely right that I used some of Peach's yarn scraps to finish the toe of the second sock when I ran out of yarn.

Knitter's Scavenger Hunt Swap

Well, I finally had a motive to post to this blog. Sorry for the long silence. I've been sucked into the fibery vortex that is Ravelry. I've signed up for a scavenger hunt swap and need to post my answers to the questionnaire.

1) Do you knit, crochet or both? How long have you been doing it?

Both but rarely crochet. I can't remember when I learned to knit although I know my cousin, Jane, taught me how to make fair isle hats in about 1964.

2) What is on your needles/hook right now?


Monkey socks with pattern and yarn from my Ravelry Holiday swap partner, Jocelyn.


Jim's cabled cardigan from Rowan Knitting for Him in O-wool Classic.

My revised Not-Tangled-Yoke Cardigan in Plain & Fancy Sheep & Wool.

3) What is the most frequently used tool in your knitting bag?

1. Tape measure. 2. Scissors. 3. Tapestry needle.

4) What are your 3 favorite yarns (fiber type or brand)?

Any Fleece Artist sock yarn. Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Worsted. Jo Sharp Silkroad tweed.

What are your 3 least favorite?

The usual icky acrylics.

5) What is your favorite color?

Dark Blue-Green.

6) If you had a 5 minute shopping spree in your LYS, how would you plan your attack?

Piece of Cake! Armsful of Plain & Fancy Sheep & Wool, Rowan Felted Tweed, Fleece Artist sock yarns, Malabrigo worsted, Elsa Sheep & Wool Cormo (any weight). If time, Blue Sky Alpacas Alpaca & Silk, Jo Sharp Silkroad tweed (any weight), Thirteen Mile yarn. You get the picture.

7) What is your favorite FO and why? (post a pic if you have it!)



My Knitting Pure & Simple cardigan knit from Lamb's Pride dark charcoal worsted. It is too big for me now but I still wear it all the time.

8) What are your favorite things to knit/crochet?

Socks. Sweaters. Items for afghans for Afghans.

9) Do you collect anything?

Dust bunnies. I am at the age where I really want to get rid of things, not acquire them.

10) What are your five favorite things (not necessarily knitting related)?

Sitting on my sofa knitting with the Whippets in my lap and Dogwood nearby. The time in bed just before falling asleep.




My morning coffee in the mug my brother, Craig, gave me several years ago. Falling in love with a new author and reading every book s/he has written. Sitting at the table at The Yarn Lounge, knitting and listening to my friends talking with each other.

11) Are you on Ravelry? What is your ID?

Oh, yes, I am knitfitt on Ravelry.

12) Do you drink tea/coffee/cocoa?

Dark roast coffee, freshly ground from whole beans.

13) Favorite Sweets?

Really good dark chocolate. Just discovered the Vosges chocolates with unusual combinations of flavors. I also really like bread pudding, peanut butter cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies, Stonyfield French Vanilla yogurt.

14) Any allergies?

Just cats.

15) Do you have pets? kids?

My beloved Scottish Deerhound, Dogwood. My Whippet, Moose. The evil long-term foster Whippet, Peach. No kids.