Holy Smokes, Batman!

What a week this has been! Some good news, some bad news, resolutions broken, resolutions maintained, and a surprise at the end.

Good news: More interviews. Some very good prospects, and some wanting me to return for second interviews.

Bad news: Ran out of Sugar 'N Cream for warshrags. I really liked those bright colors and almost instant satisfaction of each one finished. But, no new knitting project planned (what was I thinking????). Being project monogamous has it's advantages: knitting the second sock while still being able to remember what you did on the first sock; getting sweaters done in the same season they're started; delivering a baby gift before the recipient learns to walk. It also has disadvantages: That moment of panic when you realize, "Oh my god, I don't have a knitting project!"

Resolutions broken: I really wanted to maintain a good attitude at the office during the last days before closing. I failed miserably. I am feeling particularly uncharitable towards a couple of people in the office, and I hate myself when I get that way. My mother always said, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." So, I won't say anything about what's been going on.

Resolutions maintained: Knitting from the stash. As much as I wanted the diversion of going to Black Sheep Gathering, I don't want to spend any money on yarn until I have a new job. So, going there to see all that yarn, hand spun and hand dyed, seemed rather machochistic. There'd be all this inspiration right in front of me, and I wouldn't be able to bring anything home.

Instead, I went shopping in the stash and found a 1 pound cone of wine-colored bamboo yarn which I bought at Woodland Woolworks last spring. Perfect! I bought this to make a summer top for my self. I pulled out Grumperina's pattern for Picovoli. I swatched, got gauge, casted on, and knit about 6 rows. Realized this stuff splits. A lot, apparently, because I had at least 6 "loops" sticking out of the stockinette stitch. Curse. Frog. Start again. Repeat. Be more careful the THIRD time it's casted on. Now I'm up on the 8th repeat of the 3 increase rows for the shoulders and no more "loops" sticking out. And I've got to say, now that I have the hang of knitting with this stuff, I am loving bamboo. The color is great, this is smooth as any silk I've ever used, and the cost can't be beat. Under $15 bucks for a pound of this stuff. I think I may be buying more of this as soon as the yarn diet is over. I'd love to have a stole of this stuff in a medium gray. And another short-sleeve sweater or six.

Big surprise at the end: I've been buying KnitPicks yarn for several years. I'm a particular fan of their sock yarn; especially the self-striping ones they discontinued last year. Kelley Petkun is KnitPicks owner, and I've been reading her blog for about a year, and listening to her podcast since she started it back in April. I knew she had been at The Harlot's appearance here in Portland two weeks ago. I'd looked for her in the crowd, but there were so many people there that it was impossible. Then tonight after Tool Man has headed off to bed, I download her latest podcast and settle down with my knitting.

A few minutes into the 'cast, she's talking about being alone in her knitting, not really having anyone that she regularly sees who's been as captivated by knitting as she is, no one to bounce ideas off, no one's skills to anspire to, no one to encourage her. I'm thinking, "yeah, me too", and "I really need to find a knitting group." Then, she mentions "Bobbie, at Tiggywinkle Knits". Wait, did I really hear that? Rewind. Listen. Repeat. She's wanting a meet up of PDX Knit Bloggers. Oh, me, too! Me, too! So, I get on the computer to do a new post. I glance over at the visitor counter. OMG! That can't be right? It was less than 150 when I last posted. Holy smokes, Batman! Kelley sent out a bat signal!