DWTS, or sleep?

Right now, I've got my comforter tumbling away in the dryer, and at 7:57 PM, I am debating whether to go to bed early (skipping Dancing with the Stars) or to watch DWTS...This is going to be a week that will be trying...everyday I will be working somewhere, whether it is at the university, the store, or a hospital environment. Here's to making it through the week and staying as healthy as possible. It already was rough over the weekend, working early mornings at the hospital (starting by 7 AM) and having long days. Plus, on Saturday night, I am sure that I only got one hour of sleep.

I have also finished ONE sock last week, and started the ribbing for its pair. I caved and started with the pretty yarn that Andi gave me at the birthday swap, and just couldn't stop because I couldn't wait to see what the colors would look like. It is incredible!

This is the Monkey sock pattern. Instead of using purls, I substituted knit stitch. Also, since I hate holey socks, I did M1's instead of the yarnovers. I really like the way it looks, plain, but you see slight undulating details.

Getting ready for winter

I am actually working on my dissertation, as you can see. ;)

Yesterday, I went on a quest to find the perfect winter coat to replace my beloved purple coat (never fear--I will still hang on to the purple coat for a spare). I went to various department store websites, and narrowed my choices down to two coats--based upon my specifications, which are that the coat must be sufficiently unique enough, and not gray or not black, and knee-length, and warm enough for these midwestern winters.

I went to Nordstrom Rack first, figuring that maybe the prices would be lower--and I tried on pink coats, purple coats, blue coats, a couple gray coats, black coats, white coats, and there was one coat that just stood out in my mind. But since I still had wanted to see what the coats I bookmarked online looked like, I had to go to the mall to check them out, as well as any other department stores. There, the routine was the same, I tried on so many coats, but none of them made me feel great--or sufficiently cool. So back to Nordstrom Rack, where I picked up my coat, and I'm happy with my decision.

Even though the coat is gray AND black.

And since this is a knitting blog, I am working on some socks.

Birthdays in September

Last week, our SnB group had its annual birthday swap. The way this works is that we all are given one person to spoil completely, while someone else spoils us.

We don't have an idea who our spoiler is, not until the party, anyway. My spoiler was Andi (knitbrit) who is an artiste with needlework of all kind--sewing, embroidery, knitting, crochet...you name it, she does an amazing job! So of course, I was thrilled when I opened my gift bag and saw this:

In the bag was this gorgeous blue bag that she made and embroidered herself, using a knit pattern that I adore as inspiration. (This pattern is this neat looking paisley sweater from a japanese knitting magazine that I cannot find, but I look at the pictures of the knitted garment on Ravelry). The bag is lined with a cool paisley print, too. In the bottom of the bag was a red and black laquered box, which held some chocolates, a small bag, sheep clips (so cute!) a pincushion, Noro Kureyon sock yarn, and gorgeous yarn that Andi spun for me. Seriously, I adore these presents!
My swapee was Devona (over at http://www.clevernesting.com/), and since she mentioned The Owl and the Pussycat a few times in her questionnaire, I knit her her very own Owlie Cowlie (which happens to be one of my favorite patterns). Devona was also a lot of fun to shop for, as she loves vintage and vintage-inspired things, so I got a copy of the Ohio Knitting Mills pattern book and some vintage fabrics, and some great alpaca yarn in colors that she likes. (I forgot to take pictures of those!)

Birthday post: repost

I couldn't figure out what happened to this blog post, which I wrote a week ago. I wrote it and posted it, but it was posted on the fortune cookie blog accidentally! So now, I am reposting this. The night before the SnB birthday party...and I am dying to show what I've made my swap recipient. See, since there are so many birthdays in a year, we all get one swapee that we spoil rotten at the party. So I've made somethign pretty cute and special (and right now, I'm not in a knitting mood...LOL!) so I will show what I made...after the party is over. Just in case.

School's been in session for one week and I'm already exhausted. The good thing is that I do not need to be up at the crack of dawn to teach tomorrow. Also I'm starting to get some research underway, so I'm happy about that. Finally.

When parents learn how to text

Last night, my family got new cell phones (I'm loving mine, by the way). Mom and dad have phones that have keyboards that slide out, and both asked me how to text.

Mom was not too shabby, with a simple "hi".

My dad, however, texted me this great message: "You have very very wet hands."

Recently, I particpated in a swap on Ravelry, and in our packages we had to include:

• yarn (at least 100 yards)
• something representing my field of study
• something representing my swapee's field of study
• something hand-made

and I got some very cool gifts from my swap partner, whose area of specialization is pure mathematics:

She designed a knitted bag with the international symbol for hearing loss, and on the other side she knitted a fibonacci sequence!

There's also some handmade stitch markers, a book called "The Kingdom of Infinite Number" and some very soft yarn (Taos). This was a fun swap, and when I saw the knitted purse, I was pretty excited about this, since I have to admit I was a little boggled about how to represent my field! (But I did find something pretty cute at this novelty store near me).

Updating

I finally finished one sock. Now I've got about 2 inches of ribbing on the second sock, but I'm now trying to finish the baby blanket I want to give to my friend.

I also want to see if I can make a gift for my birthday swap buddy (I have one month to do this). But we'll see if that is feasible.
And tonight, I made some pierogies and chicken with a creamy pan sauce. Topped it off with basil from my own mini herb garden!

What I've been up to

These days, I am trying to do a lot of work, and I also have been knitting. First up: I started the Tree of Life baby afghan for my friend's baby, which is due in August. (Of course, I may not be able to see her baby till September or October, so I think it will be a nice gift. I admit that I was initially nervous when I first looked through the pattern instructions, but it's actually pretty easy.
Around the same time, I started knitting myself some knee-high socks. So far, I've gotten half of one sock done, and with all the cables, it satisfies my need for something a little challenging, but it's simple enough that I can still do something like watch some TV at the same time. Since this is merino yarn, I'm going to try and find some nylon reinforcing thread or yarn for the heels and toes.

And finally--I finished my Pomatomus II socks with the yarn that I dyed at Martha's some time ago! Instead of using yarnovers, I did M1's, so the fabric is not as holey and it's a little warmer.

Summer

It is now summer and after a few weeks of work and lazying about...I have finished my boring socks...cast on for a new pair of socks (Pomatomus), sewed a bag that was meant to be given last Christmas, and dyed some yarn. All in all, a good summer thus far.

Saturday night

After over a month, I am here again, after having been pummeled by snow, ice, and cold winds...including getting stuck somewhere else (therefore, needing to check into a hotel for the night) during one of the blizzards of the year...good thing I had my pajamas, an extra pair of socks (dress socks though), and extra underwear. I am slowly, but surely, catching up on the sleep and energy that I've lost in the weeks preceding that trip, and recovering from that trip.

Also have finally finished my Christoph-Probst-Str. socks-the orange-brown-yellow yarn (Fire) that Carolina gave me--it only took me three months...and when I got sick of the fall combos, I cast on for a bright Froot Loop colored yarn. It really is the same color as the cereal, let me tell ya...but I am just doing plain old boring socks, so no pattern--just straight stockinette and a slip-stitch heel. So far, I've got most of one sock, which is pretty amazing.

If I keep it up, maybe I'll get a bunch of socks done...plus I would like to make some baby items for one of my best friends, who is expecting later this summer. I figure if I start now, it will be ready to go...hopefully. I'm thinking a small baby sweater and perhaps this tree of life afghan. (I thought about this awesome fair isle one, but I'm going to try and be realistic, given my time -- or lack thereof).

Merry belated Christmas!

Merry Christmas to me--I got what I asked for: no snow BEFORE Christmas (for business purposes, and that was fantastic). Plus, scraping snow/ice off car windows really is the worst.

Anyhow, the evenings after coming home from work, I busily figured out how to sew using our sewing maching (breaking a couple needles in the process. Note to self: must buy more needles for the machine, just in case...)

But here is what I made:

Hello, December!

Well, it's been eons...and a lot has happened (ha, that tends to happen when time flies by). Anyway, this past Saturday was the open house at Craft Akron, which is a fabulous place--and they will have classes there. There's some I want to take, but I know I'll have to wait until Christmas is over, so I can focus on things like finals week! And Christmas working! You know. That sort of thing.

Anyway, over the past few weeks, I have tried my first beignet in New Orleans. I went to Nola for a convention, which was completely and utterly overwhelming, but it was cool to go there. Seriously, the best part of going to New Orleans is the food...I kid you know. Between the beignets and cafe au lait at Cafe du Monde, there was also this great dish at Cochon that was so mouthwateringly delicious, even though the description was pretty boring. (I ordered: ham hock with sweet potatoes, pickled greens & black eyed pea ham broth $18) There was also Cafe Adelaide, where I spent the most I have on food (Sea Salt-Tellicherry Pepper Shrimp & Grits $26.00 roasted garlic-rosemary stone ground grits, lemon croustade and New Orleans BBQ sauce blanc), but had some really fabulous shrimp (with heads on!) on grits. There was also brandy punch and much overeating involved at Cafe Adelaide. Of course, I topped all this off with the beignets at Cafe du Monde, without which no trip to New Orleans would be complete. I made a mess of myself, ending up with powdered sugar on my elbow, my pants, my new bag from the convention, the front of my shirt...but you know that it didn't matter. It was just completely and utterly worth the powdered sugar on everything. I want to go back to New Orleans to eat.

I also started another pair of Monkey socks on the trip to New Orleans. Can I just say that the pattern is so mindless and easy to remember (especially since I am using the no purl monkey pattern). I am now working on the pair.

In addition, I have had this blue and turquoise yarn staring at me for months, so I decided to cast on for another project (as if I don't have enough on my hands, what with the Monkey socks, lovingly dubbed Christoph-Probst-Str. 12 A, in honor of the dormitory I lived in--and had the same colored curtains in my room!)

So I am starting another Owlie Cowl, which is likely to become someone's Christmas gift this year.

Exhaustion

It's been a long time--but it's also been one of those hectic times, and it's not likely to let up anytime soon. Frankly, I'm rather tired at the moment.

Anyway, first I must thank my secret pal, Martha (very belatedly!) for the lovely gifts that she sent to me for the final package! In the package were a felted purse that Martha made, and this really cool little mini-project bag, which I think will be absolutely perfect to bring to my upcoming trip to New Orleans. And with that bag, I'm going to bring this awesome Knit-Knack thing that I had been coveting (so how did you know I'd been thinking about that, Martha??) which has (very importantly) TSA approved scissors. :) And chocolate. And a vanilla scented candle and candle dish.

I've also been knitting a little--working on a Habu sweater in the evenings and weekends when I'm relaxing. I'm hoping it will turn out okay, as I'm following the Habu pattern, which is a little new for me, as it is a very symbolic looking thing, rather than having all the instructions written out.

I'm also working on another sweater, and am also trying to make some of my Christmas presents (and this is the earliest I've been, as far as starting and making items. I won't say what they are, just in case).

Just because...

Just because I don't really feel like heading off to school just yet (well, I have a little time before I actually have to be there), I decided to share pictures of my latest work in progress-which is nearly done, actually! Because I loved my Owlie Cowl so much, even though I knit it too big (shame on me for not doing a gauge swatch. You think by now, I'd know better), I decided to cast on with some leftover yarn of a red and teal (though it looks blue here) so I can knit down my current stash.

But I fear my stash is right where it started--because a store near me is goin out of business on September 30th, and the yarn is 40% off currently, so I just HAD to go over there--and buy the Habu yarn that I was coveting. At the end of my spending spree, I have tons of Tsumigi yarn in Whiskey (which I will double up to make a lovely sweater), a couple kits, some merino yarn (quite a bit, too), and a cone of stainless yarn. I can't wait to knit it up. So after I finish this and my zebra mittens, I'm going to cast on for something (I also picked up some red sock yarn -- 3 skeins worth--and I think I may knit myself a cute top (short sleeved, with a lace pattern) for Christmas/new year--it actually has silver running through it!--so I think for the holidays, it will look incredible.

And of course, I walked away with 2 skeins of Noro Silk Garden sock yarn, so I can make a neat pair of knee high socks. That is, if I don't get second sock syndrome...All right...I ought to prep a little more for my lecture today...even though I'd rather stay home on this drizzling day and do other things, even work on dissertation.

Progress--even more!

Over the past couple weeks, much has happened. I am settling into a routine at school and am becoming more used to teaching a large class. Earlier, I signed up for the World Yarn Swap, and a few weeks ago, I recieved a package from Jane in Scotland . In

this package, I received some Scottish breakfast tea, some delicious looking candies that I've not seen here and plan on savoring after teaching lots of math and physics. She also sent me this cute magnet of a cow with really long hair :)

And of course, need I mention the yarn? I mentioned that I am totally into fair isle knitting at the moment, so I also have some lovely new Rowan yarns in varying colors and am now planning some nice knitted projects. Or maybe I'll end up with many Owlie Cowlies ;)

I also received a package from my Secret Pal, which included some prettily colored sock yarn, a book by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, a potholder and towel (perfect for cooking), window clings, and a pattern for a knitting on the go bag. But one of my favorite parts of the gift was the llama necklace (I have never seen anything like this before, and this made me smile!)

I also finished my Owlie Cowl in this Debbie Bliss Cashmerino yarn that I have had for a few years. It is an incredibly easy and fun knit, and the yarn is wonderful. However, the problem is that I am terrible about doing gauge swatches, so the cowl became the size of a very small tube top! which of course, is too small for me, but I'll hang on to it because it is pretty cute.

In my goal to make a more wearable cowl, I cast on for another Owlie Cowl a few days ago, in a bright, color contrasting combination, using my stash yarn (of course). So far, I am loving it even though it is very bright--the colors are a good contrast for each other. Also, I invested in a Habu kit that I've been lusting after for a couple weeks (when one lusts after something for quite some time, i think one is meant to have it. It's made out of pineapple yarn and I think I'll cast on once I finish this cowl and my zebra mittens (no picture as of yet).

Back to September

Things here have been super busy on my end...lots of things have happened in the past few weeks.

1) I went to one of the craziest, over-the-top birthday parties I've ever attended. Truly, it was like going to a kid's birthday party (but it was for a 50 year old guy). Anyway, the party had everything but the kitchen sink--including an ice cream truck, drag queens, psychics, and male strippers (the party was for a gay man). There was more stuff, too.

At the party, I had my palm read by a psychic, who told me the following:

• I like to read thrillers (true)
• My dream is to write a novel
• I will own my own business in the future
• I will be wealthy
• I will have 2 children, one boy and one girl
• I like kids
• I work with computers (?)
• I will be teaching within the next three months
• I will be traveling a lot within the next year or two, but not sure why

These were the main things that I remember her saying. I laughed at the teaching thing though, because I didn't see that in my future (well, I see teaching in my future, but figured it would take some time to get the job I want). I'm keeping tabs on these to see if any of these do come true at all.

2) A week or so later, I got an urgent sounding voice mail from the chair of the department, asking me to call her back. I called her, wondering if I did something wrong, and basically, she said, "Dr. X is on emergency medical leave and will not be able to teach at all the semester. Could you teach his class the rest of the semester?" Please look at the prediction that I laughed at. I didn't really compute that till this morning.

3) My poor little baby brother had his wisdom teeth pulled out today. Poor thing. He's so miserable right now.

4) I'm working on a cowl right now and have finished a hat but just need to put on a button. Also have received some of the most awesome knitting books in the mail today (japanese knitting books with amazing patterns). I'll post pictures later. At the moment need to do some things and check on poor baby brother.

Right now...

... I'm really not in the mood to do much of anything. I have all kinds of things to do, but would rather read a book (currently re-reading "The Little Lady Agency in The Big Apple") instead of doing work things. Anyway...in knitting news, I had these two skeins of this wonderful Elsbeth Lavold Angora yarn that I've had sitting around for a couple years, and was debating whether to make a hat or a cowl. After I saw Natalya, these two skeins became a gorgeous hat.

This hat took 2 days of knitting in front of the TV (which is great) and it was my first foray into the world of making bobbles.

After I was done with this hat, I cast on for another hat to give away (Debbie Bliss Cotton Angora), which used up about 2 skeins/balls of yarn. I still have two balls left. Although I love knitting this hat, I probably should knit something else entirely with my last two balls of yarn!

1:25 AM

I'm a wee bit frustrated. After an entire week of being sick with a cold and conking out by 11 PM--and at times, by 9:30 PM...here I am at 1:24 AM, wide awake. Aargh. I have taken NyQuil just a little while ago, and maybe that will help me sleep (and keep my sinuses clear the rest of the night)? Luckily for me, tomorrow is Saturday and I have no grand plans except a nice sleep-in (if I can get to sleep, that is), some quality lazy time with my boyfriend, and some knitting!

But while I was sick, I took my Wednesday to try and do some dissertation stuff (somewhat successful) and knitted up most of Felicity. The next day, I finished knitting this. I think this is rather cute--it's one of the ArtYarns in a soft merino. I like how it striped up--I wasn't sure how it would work up in a knit. I'm planning on a few more hats (easy knits) and am working down that stash...hopefully I can work my way down a little more of it this summer. The last month of summer, anyway.

Also, I got this package from my Secret Pal! Thank you! There's this cool knitting book, Knit So Fine, which has this lovely dress that I will one day have to make, and some vests and sweaters that are classic but unique at the same time (that's totally my style). Also that really cute tape measure in the shape of a bee...stitch markers, yarn cutter, foot soak (which will be good for after a long day at work or night of dancing), and this incredibly stretchy bag that my pal made. Thank you so much! It was so nice to get something on a day when I was feeling utterly miserable, even with DayQuil and cough drops :)

I think one reason I've been relatively sleepless today is that we're getting geared up for a big fundrasier at our store next Sunday--if you need more details, let me know. We're planning all kinds of things, like games and activities for kids, and nice things for grown-ups too.

Oh, it feels like the NyQuil is starting to kick in...thank goodness. Off to bed now. Hopefully to the land of sleep...

Missing sweater

I am officially losing it. Today, I have been knitting Akegeomi but am a little tired of knitting the same pink yarn, so I was going to pick up an old sweater (well, not really old, but one I was working on)...but...while I found the bag of yarn for the sweater, and the book with the pattern, I cannot figure out where this sweater is! I give up. I've looked in all my bags where I keep my knitting, on my yarn shelves, and my yarn tote in the living room. No sweater! Argh!

The only thing I can think of is that maybe it got moved somewhere and hidden in some box during The Great Flood in our house. But I am not sure.

In Akegeomi sweater news, though, I am working on the first fold of the sweater, so it is pretty exciting. Although I am still wondering where that sweater is...Hmm.

Dissertation progress: I have written one page of my prospectus. Plus a rough outline of what I want to cover in my prospectus. My goal is to write as much as I can during the last few days of summer, because in the words of a former professor (well, he wasn't my prof, but a chair of the department), I would have a greater advantage at getting a job with a PhD than with ABD, and I'm hoping that certain things will line up correctly the next few months or year. We shall see, and I shall not say too much for fear I would jinx something.

The tunic progress

Here is my progress on the tunic. I am so excited that i am way past the armholes and now am partway up the back!

I am looking forward to finishing this soon, so I can start something new...