Can you believe it? Finally...

Yes, after a year and a half of unemployment, I have finally landed a job. A nice job working for a nice company. I haven't gotten the confirmation email yet so I hope I didn't imagine it. I have two weeks to get everything done I was supposed to get done over the past year and a half. I will also have to squeeze in some knitting, of course.

I won this wonderful yarn and shawl pattern from Wandering Cat Studio :

Valerie had a contest on her  blog. This yarn is-to-die-for in alpaca, wool and silk. It will look gorgeous knit up into Valerie's pattern Eostre. I can't wait to get started on this.

I thought I had a good start on my second sweater, a cardigan knit from Barbara Walker's Knitting from the Top. As I got about half way down the sweater it ended up being too big. So, rip it out I did. I am trying again, with revised measurements. Hopefully this time around it will be a better fit.

I really did it!

I can't believe I actually finished a sweater, for me, and it fits! I used Barbara Walker's Top Down Sweaters book and took measurements as I went along. My next challenge will be a cardigan, style it after a pattern I have that is knit in pieces. I love this book as the sweater is knit all in one piece: no seams!!

I've been trying to use up stash but most of my yarn is enough fingering for socks, so I may have to break down and get some more yarn. I'm tired of making socks and since I had success with this sweater I'm excited to start another one.

Have I mentioned I like orchids? I went to an orchid society meeting with some friends a few months ago and fell in love with all the gorgeous orchids there. They have a silent auction so it's easy to pick up some plants pretty cheaply. This last meeting I scored 7 plants for a total of $20! A member is moving and was wanting to weed her collection out so I paid $6 for 5 of her plants.

It's easy to become an addict and want just a few more. They are fairly easy to take care of (meaning I haven't killed any yet in the 3 months I got my first one).