Trainin, trainin’, trainin’

Yesterday morning was a little, well, dull for my side of things. Jared did his thing with his job, while I sat in the employee break room at my new job watching training DVDs. It’s the usual training DVDs: everything is common sense as long as you’re not a psychopath. I ended up keeping myself entertained by trying to guess what year the videos were filmed in by the clothing/hair/makeup. End result? 100% success rate. HR seemed amused when I told her that, after she asked me if I’d fallen asleep yet.

I actually got an hour for lunch, much to my delight, so Mom came over from her store to get me for lunch. I got to get out of the employee break room and have a nice change of pace. Granted, I traded one store’s back room for another, but at least at Mom’s store, I can relax a bit.

After lunch, back to training I went, but this time it was on the computers in the back room. Interactive training! Yes! I can do this!

…Well I can when their connection doesn’t randomly quit or have script errors that make the training program crash. The funny part? The chapter that kept crashing? Yeah, that was the one that actually has something to do with my actual job I was hired for. /facepalm HR said it’s been like that for forever, and I’d just try it later. It randomly fixes itself. /sigh

So instead, I found myself dealing with regular store associate training, like how to use their cash registers. I’m 3/4 of the way through that training. It’s estimated to take 3.5-4 hours. Gahhhhh. And then I get to take a test on it today! Wooo!

The one thing that caught me off guard was the morning 10 minute store meeting. Everyone that’s “sales floor” comes to one of the departments after it’s been announced on the store’s PA. At the meeting, announcements are made, store goals for the day are pointed out, and apparently new visual people are introduced. I had no idea there was a store meeting since every other retail job I’ve had was in something a heck of a lot smaller than this place. I got introduced, announced that I was going to be working with the visual team, and everyone made pleased noises and clapped happily.

My response? I blinked at everyone, smiled gingerly and announced “Okay, now I’m terrified.” Thankfully, they all laughed. I was expecting everyone to either smile and nod, or just blink at me. Not “round of applause.”

So now I’m really wondering who all I’m going to be working with. I still haven’t met anyone from the visual team, although I’ve heard mutterings from various people to make it sound like there are other people than just me. Hopefully I find that out today, in between finishing cash register training and arguing with a faulty Flash script to just work already dammit!

The day did end nicely, though. I got to take Jared home after he picked me up from work, then drive out to the yarn store for Monday night knitting. It was a lovely way to end the day and just unwind. Everyone cheered my first day of being employed again and commiserated on the training videos. Everyone’s projects were admired and while the sock class chatted away, the rest of us lounged on the couch at the front of the store and happily knit. A friend of mine and Jared’s, Mike, called from the road while I was still knitting. He was completely punch-drunk from driving since the wee hours of the morning, but he was thankfully pulling over soon to get a hotel room and get some sleep. At least he’s home with Heather tomorrow and has the rest of the week off. ^^;

So here’s to today: me continuing training, Jared continuing work, Mike getting home to Heather, and the cats to wonder where the hell Jared and I are.

Summer socks

The other thing that I’ve knitted recently was a pair of socks for me. Never mind that it was quickly getting hot here, but by god, I was going to knit a pair of socks that I’d adjusted to fit ME! I’d fallen in love with a skein of self-striping yarn from ONline that just seemed to be the perfect summer colors to me. Sure, it’s wool/bamboo/nylon, but dangit, it looks like summer in my head, and that’s what made them Summer Socks to me.

The fun thing about self-striping yarn is that you end up with something that looks a lot more impressive than it actually is. That and something that has a lot more visual interest that something that’s just straight knit (although there’s nothing wrong with that). But I wanted a pair of fun socks, something that could pull me out of the blahs in the middle of winter. These certainly fit the bill.

The problem that I’ve had with most sock patterns is that I have fat legs. No way around that really, other than to make adjustments. Usually that means adding a gusset to the leg somewhere or making a lot of ankle-high socks. These I wanted to actually use most if not all of the yarn. That meant mid-calf or higher, which meant I needed to add extra stitches (that gusset I mentioned) to the leg to get it around said leg without cutting off blood flow or having them fall down to the ankles. But I also like a tighter foot than “average”, so I didn’t upsize the foot, just the leg right after I’d finished the heel.

Oh, yeah, by the way, I knit these from the toe up, two at a time. Why? Cos Second Sock Syndrome hurts when it hits and by god, I wanted a pair of socks, not just one!

So I have a lovely summery-colored pair of socks that I have yet to actually wear. Why? Cos it’s too danged HOT! /sigh Hopefully Fall will get here soon and I can start wearing socks again. In the meantime, I still love these and want to knit another pair for myself again. Well, right after I finish a few other projects first. ^^;

Fingerless knits

Once I started wandering Ravelry’s database of patterns, I discovered fingerless mitts and quickly got addicted to them. They’re fast, quick fun knits that give almost instant gratification. I liken them to Lay’s potato chips: you can’t knit just one.

Eventually I succumbed and joined the Fingerless Glove Fanatics group on Ravelry, and joined them just in time for the “Knit 11 Pairs in 2011 Knit-a-long” fun to begin. 11 pairs would be easy. Hell, I’d just finished knitting 4 pairs for a friend (although one of them met with an accident via a customer’s small child and some scissors before they could be sent to her /sigh) in around 2 weeks. This would be cake!

Well I’m now up to pair 7. I finally finished it two days ago. I’ve already posted pairs 1-3. Here’s 4-7:

Springberry Mitts, made from Fallberry Mitts pattern, knitted on sz. 2 needles, using S.R. Kertzer Down To Earth Cotton in Fern colorway.

Manos Nalu Mitts, knitted from the Nalu Mitts pattern, with Manos Silk Blend, colorway 3302 – Deep Sea, using sz. 3 needles.

Green Budding Mitts, from the Spring Buds Fingerless Mitts pattern, knitted in Rowan Purelife Revive, colorway Grit, on size 4 needles.

And the most recent pair, Fiddle de Dee Mitts, knitted from the Emilee Dee Mitts pattern, using Louisa Harding Willow Tweed in colorway 10 on size 4 needles.

So that’s 5 more pairs to go and it’s just now July. Yep, I can do this, even with the other things I’m working on, project-wise. I feel so… productive!

Wrecked in the Sky

After I saw the Hanami pattern in Ravelry’s database and decided that one day I would make it, I stumbled across another shawl that I promptly fell in love with. It was different enough from Hanami that it would be a new challenge, something that I could learn even more techniques from. After I finished Hanami at the end of March, I knitted a few other things (I’ll post them tomorrow or later this week), but I was searching for that next Big Project, something that would take up time and make me think. I remembered that other shawl, went to the local yarn store (Knit1 Oxford, lovely place with lovely people), got yarn, came home, rummaged for beads, and started attempting cast-on methods (I’ll explain in a minute).

And now I have this to show for it. Meet my version of the Shipwreck Shawl: Wrecked in the Sky.

This was a huge project for me. What I find amazing is not only did I end up learning three new things (knitting with beads pre-strung on the yarn, the Russian Join, and starting a circular shawl from the center), but that I finished it in such a relatively short amount of time.

I mean, I started this at the end of May and finished it just a few days into July. That’s insane for me, especially when you count in the two weeks that I wasn’t really able to work on it, since I was helping with Mom’s store’s move. So it took really maybe 3 weeks? Just mind-boggling.

Oh and did I mention how soft this thing is? Cos it is. 100% alpaca lace yarn that is amazingly soft. 1130 yards of it, along with 1400-1500 clear silver-lined 8/0 beads.

So why “Wrecked in the Sky”? Well, it’s called Shipwreck Shawl, but the yarn that I was using reminded me more of a pale sky than anything to do with the ocean (unless you’re talking the foam on ocean waves). And, well, when I was knitting this, before the center got blocked, it looked like a hot mess. I couldn’t see the patterns in the center section at all, not even when I took a little part and stretched it out. So I just sighed and trusted that once I started blocking it, everything would turn out okay. And what do you know, it did.

So that’s my latest Big Project. I’ll show off the latest fingerless mitts and socks tomorrow, but for now, I’m going to go start swatching the next project I have my eyes on. Heehee!

Long weekend

It’s funny. Most of the time, being unemployed doesn’t really mean a whole heck of a lot, at least time-wise. I’ve heard people say they forgot what day it was, etc., but I’ve not had that problem. The only time recently where I forgot what day it was, was in the middle of Mom’s store move, and I think that was mainly due to exhaustion.

But then a long weekend rolls around and everyone says “oh like this is any different than usual for you. You’re home every day!” Well, sure I am. But that’s 3 days I have where I can relax just a little bit from stressing over trying to look for jobs, instead of the usual 2. For everyone else that has the long weekend, hey, it’s no different than your usual 2 day weekends, but you get an extra day in there to chill out, so yeah, I think we’re even on that score.

To celebrate the 4th of July, I spent most of my time knitting. I have a huge project that I just pulled off the blocking board about 30 minutes ago. Sadly, the sun is crap today (overcast, possible rain), so pictures of it looking pretty will have to wait until tomorrow. The problem with taking pictures of it is it’s lace. Like really lacy lace. So trying to find something that it can show up against and hold it’s own is hard. Hmm, maybe I can find a place inside that would be nice. We’ll have to see.

Once I put it onto the blocking board, I went back to start the second of a pair of fingerless mitts that have been languishing since April. I have all but the thumb done on it, and I’ll be finishing that later today. After that, I start either a pair of socks for Jared or a little something for my Mom. No idea which I’m planning on doing first. Ah whimsy!

Other than the knitting, video games were played, TV was watched, and some really awesome steaks were grilled and eaten. The dogs flipped out over the sound of fireworks in the distance (well Cole did, Lexi slept), while the cats napped their way through it all. All in all, an excellent long weekend and a great 4th of July.

Lace Skies

I’m so proud of this bit of knitting, I can’t stand it. No, really. A little over two years ago, I got it in my head to relearn how to knit. I had the internet, one book, and determination to knit fuzzy socks like what I wear in the winter with my clogs. (I live in the South, where we can get away with that sort of thing.) Another blogger told me about this site called Ravelry, and after I looked at it, my brain blew up at all the pretty, pretty things that could be made. I worked my way up through the first couple of scarves, tackled hats, and slowly got around to making my first pair of socks.

And then I saw it: Hanami. A gorgeous lace stole, part basketweave pattern and part random holes like cherry blossom petals. My brain blew up yet again, and I determined that at some point I was going to make it. And, well, I finally have.

I made this. Me. All on my own. I learned how to do all the bits and pieces to do it, then buckled down and did it. And it’s soft, light, and perfect for the Spring weather I wish we were having.

And best of all, it’s done! I had fun knitting it, and learned a lot along the way. I’d love to do this pattern again, but right now, the basketweave section would make me curl up and whimper for it to go away. The cherry blossom petal section got almost as bad towards the end. So maybe in a year I might go back and revisit it, this time altering it to have more beads on it.

Until then, I’ll be happy with what I’ve made. I’m taking a break from something so intricate and working on another pair of fingerless gloves. But already I’m plotting the next Big Project like this. I have my eye on a large circular shawl, the edging of which is all done in beads. If I can make it through that one, then I can probably make it through the large circular shawl past that, that’s beaded, huge, and begging to be made in silk.  But for now, it’s back to fingerless mitts and socks for me. Maybe I might finally get around to knitting that cardigan I’ve been eyeing. Who knows? But for now, I’m pleased.

Knitting ahoy, part 2

So yesterday, I showed off some of the recent knitting I’ve done. Recent meaning “finished in the last 4-6 months”. What can I say, I’m occasionally lazy. ^^;

I did find out with knitting that I’m love to knit fingerless mitts, those gloves without the fingertips on them. They’re fast to knit, don’t take a lot of yarn, and they’re fun to wear. It’s so addicting to get finished objects so quickly. So far, this year I’ve knitted 3 pairs. The first was out of some Malabrigo worsted yarn as part of a knitalong with the Fingerless Glove Fanatics group on Ravelry. They’re… oh man, I know what places I bobbled on them, and I want to go back and knit them again, but so pleased with these anyhoo.

Right when I joined the FGF group, they were starting their 11 Pairs in 2011 challenge. So I started with the Fire and Ice mitts, then went looking for another pattern. I found Suzie’s Reading Mitts, and figured I needed a bright blue pair.

And the last pair of mitts I’ve made recently aren’t really fingerless mitts, but more armwarmers. But oh man, I do love them.

i think one of the knitting patterns just about everyone on Ravelry makes at some point is the Clapotis shawl/scarf. When I first saw it, I wasn’t sure I’d ever make one, but now that I have, I’m glad I did.

The one shawl I knew I wanted, no, needed to make was the Lady Eleanor shawl. It looked large, warm, elegant, and oh so complicated. To my surprise, it wasn’t complicated at all and I adored knitting it. Even better, I adore wearing it.

I’m working on finishing another shawl/stole, and plotting another pair of fingerless mitts, so there will be more pictures again soon. Mwhahaha!

Knitting ahoy!

I finally snapped out of the pollen-generated “bweh” yesterday long enough to go outside and take pictures of some of the latest knitting I’ve done.

Once upon a couple of years ago, I bought a skein of 100% silk with some birthday money from my dad. The price normally would have made me gag (at least until I found out there’s even pricier yarn), but this yarn looked like water in string form. This amazing blue, like what you see just off a tropical beach, was sitting there, begging to take it home with me. Who am I to say no? Almost a year later, I finally figured out what to make with it, and it turned out quite nice.

This past fall, Jared and I got tickets to go to the Ole Miss Homecoming football game. A couple of years before, I’d spotted some yarn that was self-striping and was in the Ole Miss colors. Since I’d learned to make socks by then, naturally, I made socks to wear to Homecoming.

And speaking of socks, Anna, one of the WoW bloggers, got me addicted to Malabrigo yarn early on when I restarted knitting. Their yarn is so damned soft, it’s unbelievable. And since my socks are starting to be well-fitting socks, I went and knitted me a pair of socks from some Malabrigo sock yarn I’d been hoarding. Result? OMG, needmoreMalsockyarnNAO! /drool

Tomorrow, more knitting showing off! Today? Errand running and a trip to the yarn store. They have baseball tickets I need to purchase. Heehee.

It’s Monday

Thanks everyone that gave me congrats. It’s been one hell of a rollercoaster the past few days, and I still can’t believe it’s only just happened 4 days ago. Everyone keeps asking when we’re going to have it and where, and that stuff is still up in the air. The engagement ring has been picked out, purchased, and sent off to be resized, so once I get that in, pictures will happen. Colors have been picked (I picked blue, like that was a shocker, and Jared confirmed that purple is awesome). Other than that? Not. A. Clue. ::grin:: Discussions and negotiations will occur later this week.

In other news, I cast on a baby blanket for Breana, took it apart, cast it on again, knitted one row, pulled it apart, cast it on again, counted, pulled it apart, then cast on a 4th time. I think this one is going to stick. Sheesh. After I get done with that, I have another baby blanket, same pattern but a different color, to do for my friend Anne’s sister-in-law. At least this time, I know what I’m doing for the cast-ons!

Game-wise, I’m trying to get back into LoTRO, but my brain can’t handle it right now. I did get a Wii for Xmas, and bought myself a Wii Fit Plus, and have been making myself very very sore as a result. I think today is the first day that I’ve woken up with no back pain, but there were other things causing that, so we’ll see if it was the Wii or the other stuff soon.

Now to -finally- get to that book order and get some stuff done around the store!

It’s cold

It’s cold outside. Yep, cold. And I’m somewhere between “yey!” and “…hate you”. “Yey!” cos I’m tired of the hot weather. “…hate you” cos I loathe being cold. And I haven’t finished my first pair of hand-knited socks yet. I kinda got distracted with the WoW guild going boom, the release of Dragon Age: Origins, and restarting playing Lord of the Rings Online. Whoops. ^^;

LoTRO’s going well. I’m having a fun time, other friends are poking their noses in and checking it out, and while I still adore my hunter there, I’m having some amusement leveling a Guardian, which is a tank.

Yep, a TANK. You may now all feel free to pick yer collective jaws up off the floor.

Why? Cos someone had to do it and everyone else is too busy playing healers or DPS and giggling. That includes the “I’m a damned good tank!” boyfriend. He’s off either muttering “burgle burgle burgle” udner his breath before breaking out into giggles, or playing around on his Lore Master (think druid with animal pets instead of animal forms). His LM and my Guardian are the same level, so we’ve been leveing together. Which has lead to some interesting comments between the two of us.

“Grr.”
“What?”
“Nothing. Just, if I’m going to try to, well, tank, it’d be nice to get aggro FIRST.”
“…::dies giggling and pulls the next mobs with a spell crit::”
“…::sighs and proceeds to hit every threat button I have::”

My muttered comment to him, since he’s insisting on being Aggro Whore, is I can manage to keep the mobs on me, and not on him, by end game, I’ll be a damned good tank and able to handle anything. His response? “…::gringigglenuke::”

…bastard.

And in a bit of good news, the problems that were plaguing me in LoTRO before, which was my keyboard/mouse would randomly disconnect with no notice, then reconnect at it’s leisure, unless I plugged and replugged the damned thing were fixed. Turns out, the mouse disconnection was strictly because it was plugged into the keyboard. The Apple keyboard was the issue in Windows. Whether it was from a faulty driver, or it was starting to develop a short in the line, it’s been fixed. How? I bought a G15 keyboard. Things are much, much better. ::grin::

So this weekend, I’m hoping that I can get a little more cleaning done on the apartment, fix bagels again, get some LoTRO time in, and play some more Dragon Age. Still haven’t finished it, but been distracted. Oh, and knit! Mmm… knitting. /purr