I've Got My Handknits to Keep Me Warm

It was a good day for handknits at my office today. Not only did it not go above 30-degrees, but there were snow showers/flurries more or less from 11:00 onward. And, did I mention that there was no heat? One of the building's heating units more or less fell apart yesterday afternoon, so we had no choice but to turn it off altogether. Which means that, this morning, when we came in and it was 23 degrees outside, it was only 58 degrees inside.

 

Luckily, those of us who sit up front knew about this ahead of time. We're in the broken unit's domain--not to mention near the front door which lets in an awful lot of cold air as everybody gets to work in the morning--and so, it was cold. But we were prepared. I wore my handknit socks with leather boots, my Ribby sweater over a t-shirt, a shawl layered on top and I brought my Fetching fingerless gloves, too, to help keep my hands warm. I mean, sure, the colors didn't exactly go with the blue/brown of the rest of the outfit, but they're the only ones I've got (so far). My other cold co-worker didn't have handknits, poor thing, but she layered stockings and socks under her boots, wore a fleece hoodie, and brought a blanket to protect her legs from drafts as the front door opened. (I just sat cross-legged in my chair.)

 

And, of course, in a pinch, I had my half-done socks in my purse for a little extra wooly goodness. A couple more inches of leg and they'll be done.

Oh, and luckily, they got the heat fixed by lunchtime--though it's a temporary fix. They have to replace the actual unit . . . three of them, in fact . . . hopefully by this weekend!

 

Of course, this weather means that, for yet another day, poor Chappy didn't get a walk. Good thing he had that good, satisfying romp in the snow on Sunday, because he otherwise hasn't gotten out of the house in days. (Bathroom visits notwithstanding.)

I did have a nice little surprise when I got home. A box from Scout. (I mean, I purchased it and knew it was coming, just not that it would come today.) That's a bottle of Soak in the limited-edition holiday scent (which I love). A GoKnits bag, in the Orchid for Alzheimer's color (of which all proceeds go to Alzheimer's research). And a little, green Chibu with darning needles.

This last may have been a waste of money because, no matter how many needles I try, I always go back to my 20-year old, plastic, Susan Bates needle. I like the extra flexibility when seaming yarn, don't ask me why, and I'm terrified that I'm going to lose it, or that it will break, because it's by far my favorite needle. But, really, the Chibu needles seem quite nice, even if, you know, they're metal (grin).

Hey, did you know the new Knitty is up?

Comments

[Chris]

Yowza, that is COLD. Will the heat be fixed by tomorrow?? The heat in our building went out on one of the coldest days of the year last year and the sent anyone who could work from home home to work.

[lisa]

cold cold cold! Hey, is that a wave keyboard? Do you like it? I've been using one of the old style ergo keyboards (off white, know them?)... but a quick sampling at the store made me fall in love with the wave. LOVE the Jane Ausen action figure! Sucks about your lovely sweater... hope it gets worked out, because the sweater is just beautiful.

[Ina]

Yikes, I hope the permanent fix happens SOON. Stay swathed in handknits - and keep warm!

I wanna see the magic Susan Bates needle. Pics, please.

[paula]

Hope you warn up soon. I still seem to have an internal thermostat problem, but at least my sinus pain is gone. Anyway, what I wanted to say was that I have an old Susan Bates plastic needle from my first phase of knitting. I only have one, and it's pink.

[Kim]

I was so grateful for my warm handknits waiting for the train this morning. I should give the plastic darning needle a try. Ahh the new Knitty. Love the Abotanicity sweater but doubt it would be flattering on me and knitting it woudl probably drive me insane. Gorgeous sweater though.

[Risa]

Ouch, that's cold. I'm glad it got fixed, even temporarily. Fingers crossed for quick replacement! Thank goodness for handknits!