Gage Me

As I mentioned before, I have never knitted a garment. I've kitted mittens, socks, felted bags, scarves galore, but never anything where gage was important. And because of my leg warmer debacle, I assumed that I knitted large. You know what they say about assuming...my shrug is done. And it is beautiful. Probably the single most wonderful thing I have ever knitted. I love it. And if I was a hip 10-year-old girl it would fit me. So apparently my flippant ignoring of knitting a gage swatch has cost me a shrug. Oh well. I am still incredibly proud of myself. And now that I know how easy the pattern is, I plan on knitting myself one that fits. It is probably better that this one didn't fit...the entire time I was knitting it I kept thinking "I don't have anything to wear this with!". While I loved the color in the yarn, it didn't mesh with anything in my wardrobe. So alas, I will try again. I will also post pictures of my mini-shrug when the hubby gets back from camping...he has the only working camera.

Shrug this

So a few things. One, I got that job at the quilt store! Best summer job to date! I am so excited. I have been to work twice now and everyone there is just so nice and it is pretty fun. I like talking to the customers about quilting and fabric and Alaska. It is nice to talk to people about that kind of stuff and have them understand. It is hard to tell Weston about my quilting adventures because as much as he tries, he just can't relate the way someone who quilts can.

Also, I have begun work on my shrug. It is looking pretty good. I am quite excited about it. And so far (fingers crossed) it isn't too hard. So that is look pretty promising. The yarn looks to me to be somewhere in between the colors shown in the two different pictures. I find it hard to take good pictures of my craft projects. Someday I will learn a better way....

Summa Summa Summa time!

I don't even think I like that song, but it seemed appropriate.
Today was my last day of work until having to interview for teaching jobs. Whoo hoo! Three MONTH weekend! And since I (sadly) haven't heard back from the quilt store I have nothing to do! I could not be more excited. Unless I already had my own house...

So in other exciting news, I joined Raverly. My awesome friend Leah told me about it last week and I immediately rushed home and got on the list to get my invite and it came yesterday. So if you are on there, look me up, MuddyMoose. And if you aren't, and you do anything with yarn (knit, crochet, spin) GET ON! It is really cool. I haven't even utilized half of what they offer, and I am seriously impressed. Plus, you can link you blog, so people on there can find my blog now too! CRAZY.

The one project I have listed on Raverly right now is a pair of baby socks for Leah's baby. I'm not sure that he will actually wear them...they are superwash wool and might be a bit warm for the summer or itchy on his baby skin, but they were fun to knit! I almost have both of them done, only about 30 mins left of work on the last sock. So all together I would say they took about four hours. And I can't believe I started and finished a project (or will finish...promise) in a few days. This is a knitting miracle.

One week to go

I have five days left of work as a TA. Crazy. I'm a bit sad to be leaving my student behind, but I am REALLY looking forward to the summer. Tomorrow is also the day that I have an interview at the quilt store in Eagle River. So hopefully I come home with a super fun summer job!

Another thing I am looking forward to is starting a new knitting project. No, I haven't finished my leg warmers, but I was looking at my knitting books last night after picking up the room and decided that I wanted to try something new. I think I am going to attempt to make a shrug. OMG! It is going to be my first piece of clothing (besides socks)....I am a bit worried but also excited. I think I am going to get the yarn on Tuesday.

Random observation

When you hit "next blog" to find other interesting blogs, there are A LOT in other languages. I mean, I guess it makes sense, but I never really thought about it. And some of them look like they are into crafting as well, but I can't read them! Makes for a much less enjoyable experience.

Exciting news!

I have a job interview at the quilt store in Eagle River next Monday!! AHH! How exciting. Sure, I probably will spend all of my paycheck there, but as long as I don't spend any more money and the net gain is 0, it is still worth it! I'm SUPER excited. I will keep you updated.

Weekend Warrior

Not that I often have a lot planned for the weekend, but this weekend is crazy. I have quilt class all day tomorrow from 10-4. Not that that isn't fun, but I wish I had a three day weekend to make up for my missing Saturday. I guess it is also a little defeating because I already know the quilt I am making at class isn't for me. It is for my sister-in-law, Allie. (Which confuses a lot of people since my name is Sally, it makes it hard for people to not confuse us. But no, I am married to Weston, not his sister. Gross.) Most times when I start a quilt it has no owner in mind. Mostly because I can not guarantee when it will be done. I have at least 6 (if not 10) quilt tops in storage that are sewn together but I need to have quilted. I was thinking of using my tax refund for that, but since we are in the process of looking for a home it should probably go towards that. We'll see. Anyway. I also want to stop by a teacher supply sale on my way to quilt class. So now I have to leave no later than 8:50 AM! AHH! I normally don't even get UP until then on the weekend. Then after class Weston and I are going to look at houses. Sort of fun, but also sort of not. It is hard to look at things and realize that we are poor. As Weston said last night, "We may have to start wearing bandanas and carrying a gun" and the other classic line, "That garbage dumpster is $150,000! How are we going to afford a house!". Ah, the housing market in the great state of Alaska. Not that I mind. I would much rather live in a super small house here than a big house with a pool somewhere else. Plus, the less house I have the less I have to clean.

Oh, and Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there. I think my parents are going to pick a weekend between Mother's day and Father's day and have "Parent's day". That makes me happy. The celebrations are getting a bit out of control.

One down, one to go

I finished one leg warmer yesterday while I was at work! Whoo hoo! Now I am 50% done with my project....hopefully I can finish the other one a bit quicker so that I can start sporting them around town.