Fruition

I've been on the equivalent of paid leave since about May 10th.  Mostly it's been good, but there's been some worry and stress about what I would do after I was "rolled off" my latest project in Edmonton.

New Employment Status
For the last 14 years, I've worked for various consulting firms.  The sell project work, and I get assigned to those projects.  The companies I work for, and the skill set I bring to the project are worth enough that they can charge the client a lot for my services and pay me what I consider a lot in return.

Since I was between projects, I decided it was a good time to look at becoming an independent consultant...or in essence, working for myself.

I made contact with some other independent contractors I know and also some companies that were looking to do projects that would normally need my skills (PeopleSoft Benefits Administration, if you want to know).

After all was said and done, I start work as an independent contractor in a couple of weeks, and I am now my own employer.

It's both exciting and stressful...but mostly exciting.

I'll keep you updated on how it goes.

Current Knitting/Sewing
I've done quite a bit of work on the Milano stitch blanket using various sock yarn.

It's only about 7 inches of knitting, but it's very wide.  I'm not sure how wide yet, but I'm guessing about 90 inches across.  I'm loving the way it's looking and I think the final blanket will be spectacular looking.

I also continued work on the Zara linen stitch pullover (up to about 11 inches).  I ran out of the blue yarn (I'm pretty certain I have a ball or two of it SOMEWHERE in the house, but I couldn't find it).  I replaced it with a slightly different color and and weight of yarn, but it won't be noticeable in the overall design (I don't think!).

Finally, I finished sewing the second neck tie using the Kaffe striped fabric I got from Liza at Glorious Colors.

The second tie is about 3 inches longer than the first, but they both look great, and I think they'll make an impressive gift.

Readers' Comments/Questions
PTKW3925 writes "Odd, it looks to me as though the "little metal twisty thing to tighten the joins" is there on the side with the smaller size needles, just above the right hand side end caps.  What does appear to be missing is the rubber gripper circle that you use in conjunction with the metal twisty thing."


Actually, the kit looks like it was supposed to have two of the "little metal twisty things."  Perhaps it's an older model that didn't have the rubber grippers, or there were supposed to be those too.  Regardless, the kit works, and I'm thrilled to have the kit.