My schedule's clearing up

I recently gave notice at my job. The commute is almost two hours one way. For much of the time, I've had a vague sense of unhappiness with the job. When I interviewed at the company, they told me there were opportunities for me that I later learned were no longer viable. So the gnawing displeasure dawned on me a few weeks ago as I realized that I was becoming trapped in a dead-end job that required a ridiculously long commute. The only good thing I can say about it is that I generally get a lot of knitting done, but I would prefer to do that knitting at home with my family. However, at Christmas, this clandestine knitting time can be extremely valuable. Case in point, this Reversible Biking Hat I am making.

 

 

It's pretty slow going, as it is on size 3 needles. The yarn is Frontier Fiber Mill  Sport weight 100% Alpaca in Slate. The yarn is beautiful and soft. I find that Alpaca always sheds and makes my eyes and nose itch while knitting, but the finished product always makes the discomfort worth it. I purchased this yarn a few years ago at A Wool Gatherine in Yellow Springs, OH. I've worked on it on the train for one day and since A's at work today I can safely work on it at home. The pattern is easy to memorize, simple but interesting. I think the lacework will prevent the hat from being too warm, which is a problem I'm not entirely used to yet. Our recent move from Midwest to Pacific North West still has me overdressing on a regular basis.

 

 

 

I've also been working on the Molly hat, in an attempt to get some WIP's off the needles. The utter ennui I feel toward the hat only underscores why it has been languishing on my needles since the first of the year. I love the look of the hat but the process of knitting it is just too fussy.

 

In any case, I've began to dream of what I will knit at the end of my two weeks when my schedule clears up. Not having the additional 4 hours in transit to and from work may actually feel like I'm a productive human being again.