tow 3 socks, 2 hats, 1 cardi, 1 toy, and a cat

I often write on my blog in my mind, the catch is of course that I have to type it here for others to read!
I was hoping to start this post by talking about the new job I was hired for, unfortunately I got the news that I didn’t make the cut. I made it to the second round with the 10 finalists of which they were going to hire 5-7 people. I thought I had a pretty good chance, but no. I have prayed and have others pray for me to ask Allah to grant this job to me if it is the khayr meaning “good” for me, and to take it away if it is not. Since I got so close to getting the job, yet didn’t make it I will accept this coming from God. I am just not looking forward to starting the whole cycle of job hunting again. It would be a lot easier if I knew what the heck I wanted do!
I started exercising! This was not intented as a new years resolution, it just happened to fall to this date. We bought our first Elliptical machine (cross trainer) about a month back. Unfortunately both ACA and I were too close to the maximum weight limit so the machine drove us both crazy. It was just too flimsy. So we returned that one and bought a much more sturdier machine with nearly twice the weight limit. We had some problems with that as well but it was fixed once they replaced some of the joints (turns out some of the units were faulty!). I joined the “exerstashers” group on Ravelry. I actually decided to pay myself a set amount for each workout before I got the invite to the group. That felt a bit strange! I “pay” myself a dollar for each workout. I will be using this money to buy sock yarn. This way I can curb my sock yarn buying habit and build a habit of exercising!
The Digitessa socks ain’t happening, yet. I am just too loose of a knitter to get the right gauge. I use 2.25 mm needles, and I think I will have to cave in and buy 2.00 mm needles so I can knit a bit tighter. While the digitessa awaits I finished a couple of socks.

These are the Sea Shore Socks. The yarn was dyed just for me by a friend! Yes I made two of them, I just don’t have a good photo of the pair together. I make all my socks two at a time anyway!

This was the third pattern I used for this yarn. The first one I hated the pattern so I ripped it back. The second one I got as far as half way through the gusset increases when I realised it is not supposed to pucker up like this…

So, rip rip rip and I started over with a tried and true pattern of coriolis socks with a thick band. I am pleased with how they turned out. Though I was hoping for something more whoa from this yarn as I bought it so lovingly. It’s not the yarn, it’s me!

And this is the newest pair I finished.

I called it “Salty Waves” because the colour way of the sock was Salty Dog. I knew Jitterbug was notorious for its lack of yardage, I just didn’t believe it until I made a pair. I almost always have 30-40 gr left from the socks I make. Mostly because I don’t like them too long and I am a loose knitter. I barely had anything left after finishing these socks and they are not very tall. I learned cabling without a cable needle for these socks and I love it!
I was also busy knitting baby things for Jess’ upcoming baby and for another friend. I made this shrug for Jess baby and the hat to go with it.

I love it but I won’t be making another one of these unless it’s for my own far away future baby. I really dislike seaming, it’s so much effort (and yes this comes from the woman who knits socks on 2.25 mm needles). But look how cute it turned out!
And this is the hat,

I can only imagine how it would look around the baby’s head!

And this is the other hat I made from the same pattern. The hat is posing on our cross trainer!

It needs to be blocked because the brim insists on curling upwards!

I also made a toy for another friends baby. Apparently I can’t count so the points came out all different lengths!

I don’t think the baby will mind!

I started working on a new shawl. I looked around for a long time to find a pattern good enough for my precious Wollmeise lace weight and I know this is it! It’s from the Victorian Lace today. It has a knitted on border, which scares me a bit but I am all for learning new skills!

Well the photo is to give you an idea. It’s much prettier in person!

I made this yesterday while watching TV.

We keep the salt and pepper grinder shaker things on the living room table because thats where we eat. And the black pepper insists on spilling on the table cloth. ACA put a plate under it to fix the problem but I think my solution is prettier. The bottom is a crocheted hexagonish circle and the rest is knit. I like it!

Hermoine decided that the spot I take photos of finished objects is the perfect place for her to nap. I snapped her photo then moved her away from the spot. Everything I own is covered in cat hair anyway, there is no need to pre-hair my knit/crochet items before they are even worn for the first time!