T-minus 18 hours until my flight leaves and time can't fly fast enough.

A week and a half away from the chaos of work and life, my phone ringing non stop, the 500+ emails I receive daily and all the drama.

I was actually concerned today when I was escorted to a floor I've never been to, to a room I didn't know existed, for a meeting that I wasn't invited to and before I had a chance to even sit down...I had thoughts of being tied to a chair and not being allowed to leave.

I was close in my hostage theory - I wasn't allowed to get up before 4PM (from before 8am) when I had to go lead a 2 hour meeting. Talk about needing to go to the bathroom...

I'll try to blog from Europe...

The Rowan Big Wool Sweater Mystery


I spent three years (don't ask) making my dad a cardigan sweater out Rowan Big Wool. I finally completed the sweater in January to find out it didn't fit my dad very well.

Since January the sweater has lived in my minivan in the "need to fix" sweater pile (on top of the rowan calmer sister sweater).


Cleaning out my car today I tried on the cardigan for the first time to see how I would fix it. I fell instantly in love. I look like a barn in the sweater but I love it. Love the way it fits, the way it feels and the way it looks. I wore it today in the almost 80 degree weather just to be able to wear it once before putting it away until next fall.


So here's the mystery - on my dad the sweater looked misfitting - too long in the button band, too short in the back, too high in the collar. On me, it fit just perfectly. The collar was perfect, length perfect, button band almost perfect but nothing to complain about and it looked like it was made just for me.


The differences between my dad and I - he's about 6'4 and I'm 5'11ish, he's built like a rectangular and I'm zouftic and he's missing a few attributes that I have due to my gender.

Mystery or not, I have a new handmade sweater added to my pile of sweaters that I can't wait to wear next fall.


Some pictures (although I regret not having any of my dad miswearing the sweater) taken via a mirror and my cell phone (my mom was too sick at the time to help take pictures):

Happy Early Birthday Dad!

The cold, snowy weather just beckoned for me to give my dad his birthday present early...the tweedy boot socks found their happy new home yesterday:



An upclose picture:



I used galway yarn and the pure and simple boot sock pattern. Very easy and very quick.

I plan on making some bootsocks for me sometime soon.

The pink hedgehog has been finished - a nose was sewn and the hedgehog was stuffed last night, then dropped off at the parents for delivery.

I started angel socks out of Lorna's Laces last Sunday - I love the easy pattern and the color way. It's a mix of fuscia, green and teal. Pictures to follow.

I think I have found my fondness for socks...

Productive Weekend

A hedgehog was made for a certain niece's 3rd bday (she needs a nose and stuffing):



Koigu socks finished (no pictures just yet).

2nd boot sock heel turned and decreasing on the gusset.

Teal hoodie body separated for the side splits.

Not to forget, I also worked 25 hours...

What is a leader?

Last night at Borders the knitwits met but my attention was distracted by an pseudo-elitist group of individuals who sat and discussed music, world events and then components that they thought make a good leader.

I was already in a grouchy mood from a rough week and was trying to enjoy just a few hours with my friends who I have seen sporadically over the last few weeks. I could have ignored this elitist group but their discussion 1) was annoying and 2) snobby/elitist like I haven't ever heard before.

They spoke about mensa, ivy league educations and different sports idols / public figures. They discussed leadership books to read about becoming good leaders.

I know why I was annoyed and it's simple - what makes a good leader is not dependent on where you attend school, how high your IQ may be or how many leadership books you read. A leader exudes dedication to a team, strong communication skills and the respect of those they are leading.

I was annoyed because I see myself as a leader within my organization. I'm not a leader because of my college degrees, my IQ nor the number of leadership books I have read (which number 0).
I'm a leader because I earn the respect of my team as I would never ask something of them I wouldn't do myself.

I'm a leader because I work the long hours and go the extra mile behind the scenes and never talk about it. My team has no concept of how many hours I actually do work or to the extent I go to bat for them for promotions, raises and bonuses.

I don't need an Ivy League education to know how to work with people. I don't need a proven high IQ to have people respect me. Most importantly, I don't have time nor the desire to read any books on leadership.

Leaders are born not made. I'm a leader because I don't have to tell people I'm a leader. I just have to talk about it on my blog...

Worst day ever.

I had to do the worst part of my job tonight and I just feel awful. Plain awful. No matter how someone tries to justify why business decisions occur the way they do, it just sucks. It probably isn't the last time I have to do this task and it just made me sick to my stomach.

Too much drama, too much stress, too much everything except for sleeping and knitting.

Kudos to the parents...

Two weekends in a row my parents have saved the day due to weather, flight cancellations, the need for power and heat and an overall calming influence. I'm very grateful.

As for ultimatums - I had two very bipolar days last week - one which was forcing change on me and the next someone asking me to name my price as my value was suddenly recognized. To say the least, I'm getting a change in title and a decent raise.

Three hours of sleep spread over three days last week. Just so brutal.

On top of that I was stuck in Chicago for two days without clothes, tooth brush, clean socks, nothing. I did manage to buy a kick ass pair of shoes in the process.

Only 25 hours at home and they were great hours. Very enjoyable. Lots of quiet knitting time.
Second hedgehog started, teal hoodie body is almost done, second koigu sock almost done and sock yarn reviewed for trip to Europe.

The best part of the weekend, I didn't work until Sunday night.

Here's to a calmer week. Hopefully.