TGIF
And because Katherine took this quiz and posted her results, I had to as well.
What’s your Inner European?
brought to you by Quizilla
It does make sense. There were no Scandinavian questions on the quiz at all. I guess they don’t understand that’s part of Europe as well.
Knitting News From the Office
The other day one of my coworkers wandered into my office and asked, “Do you ever knit for money?”
I immediately felt the icy fingers of panic touch my heart. I so hate it when people ask me that question, because usually they are expecting me to knit them, say, a fair isle sweater for a fee of about fifty bucks. Then they get upset when I laugh hysterically.
So I responded, quite cleverly, “Uh . . . why?”
He told me that his mother, now deceased, had knitted Christmas stockings for everyone in the family. There’s a new baby in the family who was born after her death. He was putting away Christmas decorations and discovered an unopened kit for a knitted Christmas stocking.
So I told him to bring it in and I’d have a look.
If it’s not too heinous, I’ll do it. Heck, he’s given me enough advance notice. I don’t think I’d charge him, though. Unless the stocking is eight feet long and knitted at a gauge of 8 st/inch.
More Knitting News From the Office
I was talking to another coworker yesterday and she was eyeing Luskentyre in a covetous manner. We have previously discussed the possibility of me teaching her to knit (as you may recall, I asked for opinions on easy sweater patterns a coupla weeks back) and now I think this has clinched the deal. Cool! I’ll be bringing in the size 8 needles and smooth worsted yarn soon.
We are currently recruiting for someone to work in my division and are getting ready to interview candidates. Would it be wrong of me to ask in the interview, “Do you know how to knit and if not, are you willing to learn?”
Guess what?
That’s right, I finished the Demon Sleeve From Hell. I know you are all relieved. That’s the good news. The bad news is that I started the second sleeve, so you’ll have to listen to my incessant whinging about that. “The pattern is sooooo boring!” “I hate knitting back and forth on the sleeve cap!”
Here’s the first sleeve.
And here’s the wrong side of the sleeve cap.
It’s still wa-a-ay cold here. Izzy’s chilly!
I’m wearing Bodega Bay which, as you recall, won a Sweater Oscar yesterday in the category of “Best Performance by an Alice Starmore Aran.”
As I mentioned in my tag-board yesterday, I was a Bad Girl. I ordered the Roscalie Cardigan kit from Virtualyarns. Teresa, this is all your fault.
Listen to this post 
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
Ooooh,Wendy—the sleeve is manificent–well worth the aggravation!
I came out Irish too. What probably clinched it was that I drink whiskey and say Shite!
It’s pay back gurl, for making me want to knit Fair Isle…that’s all YOUR fault!
If it’s any consolation the sleeve is beautiful! At the rate you knit, the second sleeve pain will be swift. Bear it for the cause Fiber Warrior! Knit On!
I think I need a t-shirt that says “Fiber Warrior.”
“UE” - United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America, an independent union. Here’a a link to an article regarding our recent negotiations:
http://www.ranknfile-ue.org/uen_1202_796.html
A Fiber Warrior t-shirt with Elizabeth Zimmerman’s “knit on with confidence” quote on the back. Hhhmmmm…
Parisian Here… must be the red wine, I dunno. Izzy looks so cozy today.
I came out Irish, too. I think it’s fixed because I didn’t answer ANY questions with Irish responses (I even said “no alcohol, please”).
I like the Fiber Warrior T-shirt idea!
Oh, and the stocking story made me misty — I do hope you will help him out. Those kits are rarely over-the-top, so someone like you could probably do it in a weekend!
Stay warm!
Andrea
Dubliner here too — not surprising since I have a good chunk of Irish in me. The sleeve looks great — you are very inspiring.
I am a Bavarian. I think it was the beer and the german phrases I always say. As far as interviewing the job candidate for you division Wendy, I think it totally appropriate to ask about knitting. it is not illegal to ask such questions (like, marital status, age,etc.). I just had a job interview last week and was asked what I do to relieve stress. the first thing out of my mouth was “I knit incessantly”. I couldn’t believe I said that! And you know what? I got the job and I start in three weeks!
Teresa - a good friend of mine is the editor of the UE news! Small world.
I actually quit my last job because I wasn’t allowed to knit during boring weekly production meetings (where people sit around and give updates on their project… what a complete waste of time, could’ve finished a sweater a month). I actually listen better when my hands are busy. So if I’m allowed to knit during conference calls, Wendy, should do I apply?
Wendy, about your query a few days back on sport-ish weight sock yarns (besides Regia 6), how about Nancy Bush’s “Happy Trails?” http://www.woolywest.com/
Or Froehlich’s “Sedrun?” http://www.knitwitts.com/?Cat_ID=118
Both are 132yds/50g, 90% wool and 10% nylon, and both have a good color range, especially solid colors.
I made my DH some socks from the Happy Trails yarn. It was VERY soft and nice to work with. I used most of three skeins for a men’s size 9.
Thanks for the sock wool info! I did order some Sedrun and will go check out the Happy Trains!
Er . . . Happy Trails, that is!
looky, me too!
What’s your Inner European? brought to you by Quizilla hey, look, wendy! i am also a dubliner! and thanks
i’m a dubliner, too!
I’ve got a big grin going here seeing that Wendy has already ordered Sedrun. One bit of enabling deserves another, wouldn’t you say? My Crocodile Opal just got here from Carolan Farms. Oh, and some Regia 6 followed it home
Wendy, the sweater is coming along beautifully and as alway you are such an inspiration. With that being said, I have to tell you that I miss you’re start and end dates on the projects that you do. Those always gave me inspiration. Is there any chance you would reconsider and start putting them on there again? Keep up the awesome work girl!
I found myself in a similar situation early Dec - my local LYS had given my name to a woman who had new twin grandchildren and had Xmas stockings for all her children and grandchildren knit by the same woman. The knitter now was unable to knit anymore (gawd, I think I’d shrivel up and die) - would I do two more stockings for her? I couldn’t say no - in the end, it was a lot of work to find matching yarn, chart out the pattern, knit up two intarsia santas, *and* very rewarding to see her reaction. It was all worth it.
Twang! That was my heart - every time I see Izzy I instantly think “oh, it’s Kitty Poo!” then realize, no she’s gone and it’s another wonderful tabby…