General | As Kat Knits

Missing you, missing me

by Kat | Feb 25, 2008 | General

Okay, have you called out the blog search dogs?

Yes, I have been MIA for a bit.

Funny how hard it is to blog when you have been away for a few days.

Don’t worry, here at the Home for the Unemployed – we are still alive and kicking. I just had a brief sabbatical – Yes, a Fiber Sabbatical at that. And, there might have been a bit of food mixed in as well. And, a bit of Poland thrown in for good measure!

I desperately want to post some photos but the lovely Michigan weather is not cooperating at all. It was most grey and unsunny out today – not a photo friendly day at all.

But, I can share with you that I have learned something new! Wet Felting!

I have procured some amazing fiber as well. Okay, maybe more than some…. but no one was hurt in the procurement!

And then there is the Polish visitor to tell you all about. Only, I am not letting her leave!

Well, see you all tomorrow with pictures, I hope!

Life takes a leap of faith

by Kat | Feb 16, 2008 | General

Hello Gentle Readers!

Hope you have all had a wonderful week and that your weekend will go slowly!

I had a great day today, a truly great day. My last day of clinicals was wonderful. Just simply wonderful. I filled out an application. And, turned it in. Life sometimes asks you to take a leap of faith.

So, after doing that.

I got an email from another opportunity. Life sometimes asks you to take a leap of faith.

Maybe two jobs will be the answer.

When the door shut on my career I don’t think I realized that I would need to walk a distance before finding that open window. I had better start paying attention, I think that window is getting closer and I don’t need to miss it!

Tonight I went to the most incredible Knit Night – Sandy invited me to go with her and I am so glad I said yes. There was fresh smoked salmon, an assortment of cheeses, home made lasagna, a divine salad, WINE, and desserts. Oh, and a shop filled with yummy yarn. It was a rough night, but I had to do it! So, I sat and ate a bit, knit a bit, ate a bit more, sipped some wine, laughed a lot, knit some more, found a few treasures, and made some new friends. A most appropriate ending to an incredible week. And, the icing on the cake – Sandy got a call from her son – her first grandson was born tonight! She is on cloud nine and she will be heading to Ann Arbor tomorrow to see this new child!

And, the best thing of all – no nap today, gentle readers! And, I am still awake at midnight – and I have not turned into a pumpkin! That is really something!

The meaning of life…

by Kat | Feb 14, 2008 | General

First off, Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! Hopefully you told someone that you love them today and gave them a big hug and kiss! If you haven’t, for heaven’s sake, go do it now!

As for the meaning of life – I think I have found new meaning in everyday life. As you all know, here at the Home For the Unemployed, I have been attending school recently. Well, this week we have had clinicals all week at an area nursing home. Needless to say, I was not thrilled on Monday morning to be getting up at 4:30 AM to get there on time. But, this morning I fairly flew out of bed. The joy I have in doing this job is indescribable, gentle readers. I think I have found the meaning of life for me. My instructor said something to me today that was just perfect – she noticed how much fun I was having – genuine fun. I am eager to get started in the morning and before I leave the floor, I want to check in with my residents to make sure they are set. Now, don’t get me wrong, this is some hard work. Monday, I came home, took a shower and went to sleep. Seriously. Sound asleep. For 4 hours asleep. And, I am not a napper. Tuesday I came home and did a load of laundry and went to sleep. Wednesday I came home, did a load of laundry, had dinner with my darling daughter and went to sleep. But, this is the most rewarding job I have ever done. I am so sad that tomorrow will be my last day with my residents. I mean, seriously sad, gentle readers. I have already had several moments of tears over this predicament. I cannot even imagine how I will be tomorrow. I am making plans to visit on Monday. It breaks my heart how few visitors stop in to the nursing home. If the pay was not so poor, I’d consider getting a job there. That is atrocious, is it not? They pay the staff so poorly, they have a hard time keeping help.

Well, tonight is Knit Night and I have to pick up a friend who needs a ride tonight. There is another group that I don’t think I can do without.

Have a good evening all… hope you spend it with someone you love!

Giving up something for Lent?

by Kat | Feb 12, 2008 | General

Make mine snow, please.

Yes, I will suffer through and give up snow for Lent. I know, it will be difficult, but I will try and persevere!

Yeah. I know. I’ll let you all know how that works!

Well, in the reality of things, we have gotten volumes of snow this year thus far. And, we have a good chunk of February and all of March to get through yet.

Oh boy.

Well, the good thing about all this snow is that it makes for good knitting weather.

I can work on depleting some of the wool that is living in my stash.

I am taking a class on Selbuvotter mittens coming up in March. That is something that will be fun to do in this frigid weather.

I also need to get knitting on another BSJ – my girlfriend is having a baby and they just found out it is a boy. I’d like to knit it out of something a bit larger than sock weight yarn. I will have to keep my eyes open for the perfect yarn and get that worked up. They have about 20 more weeks to go, so my thought process is to have a bit of a bigger sweater so he can wear it this fall. There is a plan, huh? Maybe some Dream in Color Classy – mmmmm, I have not knit with that, but I love how it feels! That could be perfect!

I am in Lynne’s May Sock Swap and I have found my pattern, I have ordered my yarn and I am itching to get knitting on my pal’s socks. I am so excited about this! I loved Bloomin’ Feet and I was blessed to be able to knit for Lynne, so I am excited to be thinking about my new pal as I am knitting socks for her.

And, I have just one more item to get for my Special Swap Pal for her Spa package – I hope to have my package out and on it’s way to her early next week.

Stay warm and have a good night all!

ABC Spectrum Along's

by Kat | Feb 9, 2008 | General

Wow, am I glad it is the weekend!

Catch up time for laundry, house work, and knitting! Without these I’d have to leave the house naked, eating off paper plates, stressed beyond my limits! Yes, that would be a scary, scary world! Thus, I am making sure I get lots of knitting time in… that way I will be so relaxed I won’t care that I am naked, and who needs to eat when you can knit, right?

Well, fortunately common sense has not left the Home for the Unemployed!

I am almost done with laundry and I did most of my house cleaning last night.

Which was perfect – I had my knit along for the Manos afgan today. Ann was there with her friend Alice – we laughed and had a good time. I have block #1 completed (can you believe that I needed to get another skein to finish block #1?????) and I have started on block #2.

As you can see, this fits for Project Spectrum 3 as well… although the photo does not show it very well… it is a very dark rusty, orange-y, golden-y varigated yarn. Block #2 will be a lovely golden yellow color.

Staying on the theme of Project Spectrum Flame – I have a picture of my Hemlock Ring Blanket … this is so fun to knit. I love how it is turning out!

I am about half way done with this, and it is going to be spectacular. As I said, I am knitting this with Cascade 128.

And, as if I did not have enough going on for Project Spectrum – I saw a cute scarf – Gust – on Anne Hanson’s blog. You guessed it, when I learned that I could get some amazing orange Arequipa from Ball and Skein I had to order it!