All part of the Hardcore Ann project

Last weekend we went to Hartford! Chris was in a bike race, but it was me who crashed my bike. On the way to the race, of course, during the 5-mile ride from Historic Weathersfield, where we stayed, into Hartford proper.

Quick question for those of you who may live in or near Hartford: There doesn't appear to be much to do in Hartford. Am I missing something? Seriously. Aside from the Mark Twain house. We did have beer outside at a tavern just down the street from where we stayed, which is crucial element of summer vacation for me. It's beer! Outside!

Work is fantastic, I'm knitting like a maniac, and am generally acclimating to my new lifestyle, which is going to make me really tough, not just tough for my circumstances. I knit at the pub during the UEFA championship, Manchester United v. Barcelona.

I don't follow league play all that closely, so I was hoping for a very close fight, but Barcelona was superb. It was a good week to have Wednesday off!

Can you lift a 50 pound bag of flour?

Dear Blog Readers,

You are all absolutely the best. My hearing went very well, and my calm, collected presentation of the facts, combined with my fantastic friend/witness Paul and my former army corporal lawyer, was aided by the fact that my Former Employer and Office Manager (who testified for him) rolled their eyes, smirked, snickered, and snorted while I testified. I do not exaggerate. It could not have been clearer how much they hate me, which turns my stomach, even thinking about it now, but which actually works in my favor because my case is that they fired me to be vindictive.

I will hear in another two weeks and post immediately, of course.

In the meantime, I am deadline knitting and also working on a short article for a major fiber arts publication. Here I am at Yarns in the Farms on Saturday (I bought some Noro Taiyo. It was irresistible. And I haven't felt that about a yarn in a while).


And I am physically spent. My academically and administratively conditioned body, even with all the biking and the weight training, needs to get used to working really hard all day long. For now, I have the weekend off, going with Chris to Hartford CT, where he is racing in the Hartford Criterium (I will be having a beer, knitting, and watching) and where we will stay in a bed and breakfast and sleep. Have a great weekend!

Know what tomorrow is?

In all the baking frenzy, tomorrow slipped to the back of my mind... tomorrow is Bring Your Former Employer to Court day, what I hope will be Part 2 of 2. Since getting this new job, I've been able to let go so much of the anger and hurt I felt about ole Jobjob. I hope, after tomorrow, those who did this fade, crumble, recede, and that I am able to remember them only as unhappy, dishonest people with a business that is not going particularly well.

Unlike this business:My sister Beth, Other Weaverknits, made my logo!

5 Days of Bread

5 days of working 3 am to 11 am, and all is well.

Movies I do not recommend

This morning:

Get up at 6:30 am with Chris as part of my "Preparation for 3 am Job" plan. Wait until Chris leaves to go back to bed. As soon as I lie down, think I hear Chris coming up the stairs from the basement. Spring out of bed, race into living room. No Chris. Am now sufficiently stunned to stay awake.

Knit knit knit knit and watch three free On-Demand movies.

1. Auto Focus. Includes Willem Dafoe. Not great.
2. Coffy. Pam Grier. A classic. If you have to watch one of these movies pick this one for the camp value.
3. Saw III. I like horror movies, but the Saw series is just awful.

Share photos of 2.5 completed pairs of Mother's Day socks:


1. "Child's French Sock" from Nancy Bush, Knitting Vintage Socks. Knit in Zen Yarn Garden Serendipity Fingering. Love the pattern (elegant and very easy to memorize), love the tight twist of the yarn.


2. "Lichen Ribbed Sock" from Knitting Vintage Socks. Knit in Spunky Eclectic sock yarn, don't remember which type. This yarn striped in the most awesome way, I'm very pleased.


3. Basic sock striped in Reynold's Soft Sea Wool remnants with a cuff edged in some unknown leftovers. This cuff edge idea is stolen from Nicole's brilliant striped socks.

Next up: Knit knit knit, calculations for new pattern, sketches, knit, and another movie... Moll Flanders, perhaps? Midnight Bayou, a Lifetime Channel Original? A bodice-ripper will contrast nicely with what I've seen so far today!

Have a friend coming from DC for the weekend tonight, hence the knitting binge. I may be at New Hampshire Sheep and Wool tomorrow... anyone going?

It's a little bit shiny. But not too shiny.

Free pattern for you in the Summer 09 issue of Knotions!

I've been impressed with Knotions since it started, and am committed to offering free patterns in a variety of venues, so this was a perfect pattern/outlet match. I think this is the best issue of Knotions yet (not just because I'm in it, seriously), so I'm honored to be in such company.


There are a few rounds of beads at the collar and hem; I don't usually go for embellishment (unless it's big buttons), but I love the way then add some weight to the edges of the garment and I think they, along with the infinite color options for the stripes, offer a huge range of possibilities for this pattern. Imagine no stripes, black and white stripes, brightly colored buttons, no beads, MORE rows of beads...

So there's proof that I have been knitting, and unofficial Recession Series Pattern #4! Enjoy!