The Waiting Game

So I had my job interview last week and it went really well. In fact, I don't think it could have gone any better. They said they'll let me know if they're going to offer me a job in about another week, but I think I'm going to call this week anyway because this waiting thing is driving me crazy. Ugh! At least I should be distracted for the next couple of weeks since Mom is coming to visit this weekend (no, we're not going to homecoming. sorry) and next week we'll be dog/sister sitting in Georgia.

Knitting:

I finished Jericho's yarn mice:

and we've been having a great time dangling them in front of him. I didn't even have to put any catnip in them; he just loves them. What a great way to use up orphan yarn balls! Here's another one:

And a gratutitous Jericho picture:

I've also finished the Blue Mirasol sweater. It fits really well except that it's kind of short. I'll just have to compensate by wearing longer shirts underneath it. It's also a little bit see-through so those shirts will have to be dark colored.

And from the back:

The patter was also a little vague on the amount of yarn needed, so I had about 500 yards of fingering weight yarn left and I didn't really feel like making socks, so I'm working on a hat (that I actually designed myself) based on the Blue Mirasol pattern and I'll probably add a knitted flower to it. I sure hope it turns out okay. This probably won't use up all the yarn, though, so I'll have to come up with another way, like maybe some gloves. That might use up some of the other leftover fingering weight stuff I have, too.

I still don't have much interest in working on the seascape shawl right now, though, so I caved and ordered more yarn. You guys remember that cute little blueberry hat I made for my mother's secretary? Well her little bundle of joy has outgrown that hat, so she asked me to make him another one and I'm going to make him this punkin hat! So cute! I've also been eyeing the Stardust Cardigan for a while and had even picked out the right yarn to go with it, but when I was indulging in some yarn ogling yesterday, I was shocked to discover that that yarn was our of stock on most websites! I could only find it in the color I wanted on eBay and at a reduced price! So of course I had to order it because I have no willpower. I'll look awfully pretty this holiday season, anyway.

Cheers,

-Allie

Meet Jericho

So things have been going a lot better since my last post. Firstly, we adopted a new kitten, Jericho! He's about the cutest thing ever, but is super busy and super curious. I absolutely love having an affectionate little furball in the house, even if he wants to destroy the wicker furniture. We'll just have to buy him a scratching post. More play pictures:

So cute they melt your face off, don't they?

In other news, I finally have an interview scheduled for next week, which will hopefully end in a job. I'm really excited!

In knitting news, it's been a little cold in Philly the past couple of weeks, so I made myself some fingerless gloves to keep my delicate fingers warm:

I mixed a couple of patterns to make these babies. I got the shape from Marnie Maclean's pattern for which she used a self-striping yarn and a couple of the patterns from the Sea Mineral Mittens. For the yarn, I used some of the leftovers from those argyle socks I made for Walker a little while ago with good result, I think. They're warm anyway.

Some bad news, though: that yarn is apparently not machine washable, despite what the label said and Walker's lovely socks have now shrunk to my size. So boo for him, yay for me. I'll just have to make him some new ones later.

I have also finished the torso of the Blue Mirasol sweater. I really love the yarn, which is Berocco's Ultra Alpaca fine--a fingering weight yarn with a wool-alpaca blend. The problem, however, is that the pattern wasn't written very well and the lengths are a little off. I had to improvise a little and the cabled waistband is a little lower than I would have liked. I still think it looks nice, though:

Now all I have to do is make the sleeves and add a neckline and it'll be all done hurray! I've also been working on a couple of toys of Jericho, but they're not quite finished yet, so no pictures yet.

So now I've got all kinds of new things to keep me busy.

Keep your fingers crossed!

-Allie

Real life is no fun

Hey all,

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I haven't been making much progress with either knitting or life in general and the reason I haven't posted is because I didn't much fancy blaring that my life is still going nowhere, but it's been a long time since my last post, so here it is:

Knitting:

I finished the danica scarfAnd it did not take as long as I thought it would. Could be that I finished it as quickly as I did because I didn't have much else to do with myself. I know I said I wouldn't do entrelac again, but I think it looks pretty cool. I don't think I'll keep it, though. Any takers?

I also had a bunch of that dark purple yarn leftover that I used to make a hat:It's a little tough to see in that picture, but there's a purl row spiral going around the hat. It's a little too big for my head, though, so that's up for grabs as well.

After I finished that hat, I've been trying to bust the stash a little more with that remaining skein of bamboo lace. I checked the gauge on the clapotis wrap and it's a little off, so I'm working on the Seascape Shawl instead. Progress isn't going very quickly, though, since it's a little too similar to the cleopatra wrap and I'm just not very excited about it.

I'm trying to remedy this problem by moving on to another project. I know I said I would work on the Goddess Top next, but sweater season is starting to sneak up on me and I changed my mind to the Blue Mirasol Top and ordered the yarn for it yesterday. Maybe this'll restore my fervor.

Life in General:

So I'm still waiting around for an interview. After 2 months.

I called my most prominent prospect last Tuesday and she asked me for my schedule for this week and the next. I was really hoping that this meant I would get an interview soon, but she hasn't called me back yet. And neither has my other prospect--a friend of my landlady. I'm going to call them both tomorrow and hopefully I'll get some good news.

Right now I'm getting a pathetic number of hours at a local clothing store. Really, if they want me to buy the clothes, maybe they should give me enough hours to pay my bills and then buy clothes. Silly people. I'm trying to stay hopeful, but it's a little difficult when I keep getting put off, week after week. Keeping that little flame of hope alive is tough, but well worth the effort. I refuse to despair about this anymore.
So there's your update. I'll let you know more as things progress, both with the sweater and the job market. Keep your fingers crossed!

Cheers,

-Allie