December 14, 2005

Will I ever knit a sweater?


SOS! I think I have found it, THE sweater that I can knit, that I can finish without too much trauma. I have already swatched now all I need is the pattern... Sigh... I thought for sure it would be easy to find an old Interweave issue but that's not exactly right. So if you have the IK Fall 2002 issue for sale (it better include pages 22-24 LOL!) or (how lucky can I be) to give, please let me know. I have been on many website and really the Retro Prep sweater is the way to go, I want to try my hand at it. I do have a question though for those who have knitted the sweater using Noro (it's been in my stash for two years now), how do you change the pattern!? I mean, the pattern suggests using Rowanspun DK is 200m/219 yards per 50g, Kureyon has 100m/110yds per 50g.

Now on with the sad part, I thought I'd be honest for a sec and let it all out. It's not going too well for us, everyone is healthy and we have a roof over our heads so it could be worst I guess. Right now the holidays are the thing I fear the most in the next few weeks. Basically we would qualify for a holiday basket/donation this year again and it's not fun when you know you qualify for that kind of help. Sadly back in october Carl and I were still in school with dreams in our eyes and hope that once finished we would have a job. Well it's been over a month since we 'graduated' and we are both without jobs. By january we will both have no more unemployment and it is pretty scary to start a new year without anything to look forward too.

We try to protect/shield the kids as much as we can about our fears and finances, please forgive my lack of enthousiasm with posting pictures, leaving comments and just plain old knitting. I have tried reaching out to friends but it's been hard. I am keeping to little energy I have to smile when the kids are awake and then cry as they sleep. It's tough, it's scary but we will survive, we have gone through thick and thin over the years and we always survive. Woke up monday with a pinched nerve and spent two days lying in my back with my thoughts. Let's just say it's been an emotional ride.

By the way Zoe got an A from her teacher in her report card, the meeting went very well. I am now confident that she is learning well at school with a loving teacher. I talked to her about my concerns of her discipline in class and she reassured me pretty well. The teacher actually took some time to explain to Zoe why sometimes she has to discipline the whole class instead of just a few people. It made my daughter accept it more and she is now happily going to school. Teachers strike is helping too, this week the kids are off tuesday and thursday. LOL!

Off I go once more, I am staying away from the computer for a few days. It hurts too much to see all the joys of the holidays on blogs when I just don't have the energy to be as happy. This too shall pass, no worries.

hugs,

Posted by Jo at December 14, 2005 12:33 PM
Comments
How about a long-term (possibly permanent) loan? I have the issue, and the Retro Prep is on my list of things to knit, but there's enough other things to keep me going for years (maybe even decades.) Shoot me an e-mail if you're interested. Posted by: Sarah at December 14, 2005 03:23 PM
Chère Jo, J'ai un peu perdu le fil mais ne serait-il pas possible de retourner voir un des employeurs chez qui tu croyais que ce n'était pas génial mais chez qui tu pourrais aller en attendant de trouver mieux ??? Posted by: SamLaTricoteuse at December 14, 2005 05:18 PM
Je suis toute à fait désolée pour ta situation, je sais ce que c'est d'avoir un frigo vide ou presque pendant des mois et en plus le fait d'avoir des petits doit surement peser encore plus. Je souhaite sincèrement que ta situation se résoudra avec bonheur bientôt. Posted by: karine at December 15, 2005 04:15 PM
Hey Jo, I'd say go for it - I'm knittin a retro-prep right now in Cascade Eco-wool and I'm loving it. It's a great pattern and it's easy enough to knit while doing other things (like attending class)! And I saw your comment on my blog - thanks so much for committing and thanks for pointing out the designer's blog. I actually like her cast-on (it looks great, is stretchy, etc) and find it easier than some other tubular cast on's I do. I don't really know the name of the one I do since I was taught second hand by someone else but it is a bit more involved. Thanks for reading! Posted by: Jill at December 15, 2005 06:26 PM
Sorry about the spelling mistakes in the above comment - I'm late for class but I wanted to respond to your comment! Posted by: Jill at December 15, 2005 06:27 PM
Jo, you can find back issues of Interweave Knits at this Canadian site. They do have the issue you are looking for... Interweave Knits Fall 2002 Volume VII Number 3 http://www.camillavalleyfarm.com/books/knitmagazines.htm#interweave You always write of your children with such love and care. I know these will be the things they remember when they look back on the childhood. I wish you and your family a Happy Christmas and New Year. Posted by: Paula at December 17, 2005 12:21 AM
Hey Jo. I'm sorry you're going through a difficult time right now. When I was a teenager and my sister was in the hospital, our family went through a very difficult time and we got a Christmas basket. I know it's not something that people wish for, but I remember that seeing the result of people's generosity really filled my heart with warmth. And now my mom is doing well and I am too. It's a difficult time to go through, but I know things will be better someday. Take care <3 Posted by: Caroline at December 18, 2005 04:19 PM