Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Changes--It's About Time!

It was bound to happen. I am just surprised it took 13 months! We quit the motel and moved out! I quit--sort of--in May when I went to work as the store manager for a fireworks warehouse, but HB has held on until we are all so miserable and sick of the place that we couldn't stand it another second.

I know that managing a motel doesn't sound so awful, but being "live-in Managers" is the most awful job on the planet! I worked one hunting season for a meat processing plant--processing all the hunters' deer and elk. It was a smelly!! dirty, long hour, messy job. BUT! I would rather do that all year long than work one more day at that motel!

You have to realize that almost every person that comes in asking for a room is tired, been driving for hours along some pretty boring landscape, surrounded by a lot of semi trucks, fighting the wind across the prairie, etc. and they are irritable! I had no idea that the general public--traveller--has completely abandoned all of the manners that I am sure their mother or grandmother taught them was proper! Just thinking about the experiences I have had, I have to just shake my head in disbelief. It really is disappointing to see so many people behave so deplorably. Even older people!! who I know that were raised in a society where manners were expected! I want to yell at them, "What would your mother think if she saw/heard you acting like that!"

Anyway, on top of the terrible atmosphere of the place, the rude guests who have neither brains, common sense, nor manners, the owner of the motel has robbed us for the last time. He is the biggest liar/cheat I have ever met! I am sure the only reason he has gotten away with it for so many years is because he and his family own most of the town we live in. I have heard all sorts of gossip about them and the things they have pulled over the years. It's interesting, he could be a force for good in this community and have a really up-standing reputation, but instead no one in this town respects him and to say you are related to him is a put-down.

So, once the "straw broke the camels back" last week HB and I went out, rented a condo and started moving out. The place we got is really cute and the kids are so happy they don't want to go back to the motel and help pack. I can't blame them. We spent the weekend moving all of the big stuff and should be completely out by this coming weekend.

In the mean time, I have almost finished the November Sockamania pattern. It is going to be great! Really easy, fun, sport weight yarn so it will make up fast, etc., etc., etc. I listed the yarn for the pattern in my etsy store earlier today and the pattern will be available November 2nd. The October pattern, Autumn Leaves will go on sale in my store the same day.

I am also in the middle of making HB a present for our anniversary. I can't post pictures until I give it to him because he will sneek in here and peek. But I am so excited about it!! I can't wait to see his face when I give it to him. I will post pictures later.

Well, I better be off! It's almost lunch time and I haven't got anything done this morning--too tired!

Saturday, October 03, 2009

Ooooo's and Ahhhhh's

I realize what a "Knit" wit this makes me look like, but in the middle of designing last months sock pattern for Sockamania and spinning up the yarn for, and knitting two pairs of hunting socks for a customer I made this sweater:




Isn't it great! I love it. It turned out really good. The yarn is some I bought with my birthday money back in August. It isn't Lopi, but it makes a good substitute. It is the same yarn I used for the last sweater I made (Mauch) in different colors. The pattern is from "The Best of Lopi" also and the pattern name is "Brigitte".


And look at the cute buttons I found to put on it! I found the buttons at Blazing Needles in Salt Lake City. I love pewter buttons!



Anyway, the socks for my customer don't look too exciting, but they are made from my handspun angora/wool blend yarn. They are sooooo soft! and the minute you put them on your feet warm up. I am going to have to make some for my family for this winter. I made a nice fingering weight yarn and knit them up on US size 2 needles. Very plain, but very warm!
I love knitting!


Thursday, October 01, 2009

My First Sockamania Design

I was so excited to get my October sock design posted that I forgot some details on the pattern. Ooops! It's all fixed now. Here is the sock:





It turned out really good! I am going to be giving this pair as a Christmas present.....maybe. I really like them a lot! If I keep going I will have at least one pair of socks to give everyone on my Christmas list. I have made A LOT of socks this year! I will be listing the "Autumn Leaves" pattern for sale on my etsy store on November 1st if you would like to get it and aren't a member of Sockamania. (members get their patterns for free).


SOCKAMANIA DESIGN SNEEK PREVIEW: I am already about 1/4 of the way through the November sock. The yarn is a little heavier and the sock is knit on size 3 needles so they make up a little faster. I will have three different colors that the socks can be made from available in my etsy store and there will be a link in two weeks to the yarn in case anyone wants to use the same yarn I did for the pattern. I haven't made anything with this yarn before. It's different; not the usual wool, or bamboo style sock yarn. I am anxious to see how the finished item looks. I like it so far. The pattern requires good stitch definition and this yarn delivers! Stay tuned for more sneek peeks!


It snowed!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yesterday morning it was pouring rain and about 60 degrees F, but by noon the temperature had dropped to about 40, the wind was blowing and it had started snowing little flakes. HB and I went to Salt Lake for the afternoon and when we came back it was snowing hard and accumulating. It was very cold last night so the snow is still on the ground. WHAT HAPPENED TO FALL? I mean there are still trees that haven't even started to turn colors. There is still green grass for crying out loud! I have a feeling that Fall is going to be very short lived here this year. Oh well, out with the summer clothes and "HELLO" sweaters! My new sweater is almost finished--just the buttons to sew on. (I'll post pictures soon!) I can't wait to wear it!


Anyway, happy knitting!