Rollercoasters Suck

I was officially thrown off of the damned rollercoaser this morning. Last day of the 3 day layoff process and I was the first one called in and 'given notice' this morning. That really, really sucked. Seems like the universe decided that 2.5 years of a relatively calm and peaceful life was more than enough and time to shake things up again. All things in perspective it could have been worse... I was given 60 days notice with the option of taking paid administrative leave and 3 months severence pay which is good, and at least I'm not there cleaning up the mess created by laying off the wrong people. While driving home from being told I'm no longer needed I get a call from an internal customer that the systems I created and supported are down and they need them up immediately. Well, I told him, If I was still employeed number one this wouldn't have happened and number two if it had I could have it up within the hour and sorry to hear you were told it might not be up until Monday at the earliest but there's nothing I can do. On top of that my boss had the nerve to call me asking for my password so if they were able to reinstate my account they could log in with it and try to fix the problem. Yeah, like I'm going to do that and open myself to accusations of malicious intent or even lawsuit if something went wrong. Don't think so.

Well as they say where one door closes another one opens... now to be sure to go through the right door. Needless to say I will be doing a lot of soul searching on my next move to make sure it is the right one and not force something just because. Speaking of open doors; I've decided that during this time I really need to simplify things and will be closing my online shop The Knitting Hutch and am liquidating all inventory for 25% off so take a look. Be sure to check back as I will be adding new products that I don't have up in the shop yet.

Did I mention I don't like roller coasters?

Yes, I hate roller coasters... both literal and figurative coasters.

For me major stresses in life is like a figurative roller coaster ride and I get sick on roller coasters. For the past month we've been faced with a 10% layoff at work and this is the week notices are going out. I hope to make it through the end of tomorrow. Even if I do make it I will still feel badly for those who will be gone. Other things are also becoming stressful as well. Sales are down right now which is to be expected right after the holidays and we still need at least 10 more people to join us at Lace in the Woods to break even. Then of course it's tax time and that's always stressful for everyone. I really not usually so down and am typically a very optomistic person so I'll end this with 'This to shall pass' and move on now.

Now back to our regularly scheduled knitting content...

The Sonnet Sweater Sleeve (release 2). Ok I know I spent some 'quality' knitting time during the Super Bowl working on this and was past what would be the elbow. Maybe if I hadn't of had that beer and then that glass of wine I would have stopped myself sooner. With another look at it on Monday I realized I really didn't like the way it was turning out at all. So I threw it aside and cast on version 2. This one I am knitting flat instead of in the round and I cast on 44 stitches making it a little wider than version 1 which was too narrow. As usual I thought I was being cleaver in my modification but in reality I was overthinking it. I am really happy with this version and I'm already to the elbow. I'm hoping to have this sleeve done this weekend and onto the second sleeve (after I frog sleeve 1 version 1).

I still love socks

There's been knitting progress this week.

On the 'Big Project' front ... the Sonnet Sweater is still chuging along.
I went to some friends yesterday for a Super Bowl Party.
Well actually it was a Super Bowl Commercial and Half Time party since none of us are really into football but really enjoy the commercials and halftime show. Great food, people and there was even knitting. I worked on the Sonnet sleve and am past the elbow. Guess I was talking and watching more than I thought since I estimated having this sleeve done by the end of the game. I modified the pattern for the sleeve by not only knitting it in the round thus eliminating a bulky seam but also made it narrower. I thought the original sleve was too blulky/boxy looking and I wanted a more fitted sleeve. Instead of casting on 50 stitches based on the pattern calculations I did 32 and will increase to 56 at the widest part at the top. It is turning out nicely and after blocking should be perfect.

Here's a little closeup of the sleve showing the box stitch pattern that goes down the side of the sleeve.


yup. just past the elbow and still want this sweater done by the 23rd.

another reason this didn't have as much of the knitting attention this week as it probably should have is my continued love for socks.

I finished my 5th sock of the year on Saturday and cast on for it's mate (3rd pair of '08) last night.

Isn't it a cutie? Here's the Lace Cuff Anklet all done with it's crochet edging.

Thought I'd lift it's skirt and show you the very clever 1x1 ribbing underneath the lace to support the cuff.

All it's cuteness... and it fits perfectly.


I also took time to finish up a pair of Monkey socks that I had started back in August while visting my sister and mom in Seattle. These are Cookie A's Monkey sock pattern turned on it's toes. I did them toe up using my favorite magic cast on and used her stitch pattern which turned upside down since going toe up insead of cuff down. I also used a short row heel and a twisted rib cuff. The yarn is Blue Moon Fiber's Socks That Rock Light Weight in Footzey Foo and I used US1's. Love them and they will join the other Monkey's Little Bunny Foo Foo and there is a third Foo colorway waiting to turn into a monkey.