back from my hiatus

I took a break from this blog for a while. Not sure why, but I just felt like I had to, and in the meantime, I just focused on my life, work, school, and so forth. Actually, life was just busy enough, even without this blog and updating it. I have been knitting, but I got enticed by the siren call of the puffs. If you've not heard of the puffs, these are just addictive. It all starts with one single puff, made of leftover sock yarn. Pretty soon, the next thing I knew, I cast on for a second one. Then a third. And so forth. Now I've amassed somewhere around 80 puffs in the past three or four months, and I know it's going to take a while--but eventually all these puffs will become a quilt for ME.

And you know what? A lot of other things got neglected, like this:

And this:

And those nightingale socks that I started last time, too.



In non-knitting news, the end of the semester is almost here. Thank goodness.

Countdown to hot water

The past few days (since Thursday, to be exact), we've not had hot water. I don't mind washing my hands or dealing with cold water, except for the shower bit. Oh my gosh. Cold water showers really are the pits! I have come up with a solution though--heat up a dish with water in the microwave and use that in the shower. Tomorrow we get our hot water (thank goodness. I am going to take a nice hot shower tomorrow).

But in knitting news:


Star Trek Socks


Then when I was finished with the Star Trek Socks, I started the Argh!gyle socks. I'm halfway through this sock's pair. Obviously it is too warm to wear these this summer, but at least it will be ready for fall!

Argh!gyle socks

In a few short days...

During the SnB party, I was talking with Devona about one of my projects, which did not turn out as lovely as I wanted. This is the Elizabeth Bennet sweater that I knit out of the angora yarn that I bought before. My intention was that it would be fitted. The problem?

I hate doing gauge swatches.

Lesson learned: I have a sweater with sleeves that go over my hands, darts taht start at my waistline, and a sweater that is just huge and is most definetely not fitted.

Devona convinced me to post pictures. Here you go, Devona! Enjoy!

I did not bother putting buttons on this sweater. It would be pointless.
I also promised you a photo of the sweater that Andrea knit for the swap in which I participated. It is truly lovely and warm! it will also look fantastic with my purple coat!

The day after the swap/anniversary party, I unfortunately came down with a fever and a sore throat, and thought it was the flu.

It lasted through Friday afternoon, making me rearrange, cancel, and reschedule appointments (what a pain in the neck). During this time, I took the hint and let my body and mind rest by finishing a fiction book (The Eight by Katherine Neville--unfortunately I was so out of it with fever that I really don't know what happened at the end). I also watched a couple really bad TV shows (Royal Pains and Ghost Whisperer. Can someone explain to my why I find the lead actor who plays Hank in Royal Pains so attractive in movies such as In Her Shoes and Woman on Top but so unattractive in Royal Pains?) I also made some progress on a pair of fair isle mittens that I started the day before the anniversary party.

On Friday night, I watched Amelie while I knit these.

On Saturday morning, no more fever! So I went to work.

Then...mid-afternoon, I started feeling cold and a little shivery. Wanted to sit down, and was feeling a bit of sore throat. Went home, and still felt pretty cold. My boyfriend was waiting for me (we had plans for the evening), but I was feeling pretty miserable and sorry for myself. When he went to pick up food for me, I checked my temperature (even though boyfriend thought that I wasn't running one), and it was up to 100.1! I was so distraught over getting sick again in such a ridiculously short period of time.

Decided to monitor my fever and sore throat for the night, and see how I felt in the morning. In the morning, I still had a fever (hovering around 100 degrees) and my sore throat was even worse. So I decided to go to the urgent care in town, and boy, was that place busy with coughing people, feverish people, and a whole lot of sick adults and kids. Lots of coughing. Anyhow, I waited for 2.5 hours to get to see to the doctor. She basically told me that I had strep throat (just what I thought).

The end result is that I got some medications and a doctor's order that I not work on Monday. So basically, a sanctioned sick day, which did make me feel somewhat guilty.
(I didn't cancel class, but got someone else to cover for me). I also took everything as another sign to take a break. So no work on dissertation, no work on class prep, etc. I read another book. I watched Spirited Away. I knitted some more and made a lot of progress on this mitten.

Tomorrow I do not have to be at school or work. However, I will be catching up on all the work that did not get done for...well, days.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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...

Colors

Just a day till it's July, and I can't believe that summer's flying by so quickly--meaning that I need to get a jumpstart on my work! But in the meantime, updates on what's new. For my birthday, I bought myself a few lomography cameras, so I am excited to see how pictures turn out (granted, I haven't taken many pictures yet).

And, I am working on a pair of socks. These are knit with Socks that Rock (Titania). I'm liking how the yarn is dyed in such a way that it is slanting along with the pattern (rick by Cookie A.).

The Akeogomi Tunic is shaping along...slowly. I got a little distracted by the socks, plus I don't really like knitting with metal needles, which adds to my aggravation. But here is the sweater so far:

Catching up

The past few days have been hectic. Actually, the past few weeks have been hectic and I am in need of a day off--one where I see no one, speak with no one, and do absolutely nothing but prop my feet up and watch cheesy lifetime movies. The likelihood of that happening, however, is quite slim.

Knitting stuff first: I knitted up a shrug, and it's finished! It took me less than a week, and I'm breaking into my stash pretty nicely--but still have a ton to go through. I think this summer (0n one of those days off), i will take pictures of my stash to determine what can stay and be knitted up, or what can be sold or traded. Or given away.

Anyhow, here is the shrug:

I also went away for the Memorial Day weekend, where I knitted. In my attempt to stash-bust, I brought some chunky yarn to make the Shalom sweater, and finished the whole thing. I still have 4 skeins left over (darn it). All that's left to do is weave in the ends and buy a really cool button. I'm thinking a bright yellow or orange button.

Isn't it pretty?

I've also been trying to finish my scarf, made out of Debbie Bliss Pure Silk, and it is absolutely wonderful to knit with. It is incredibly soft and it's also a lovely color.

And finally, finally, I finished my s0-called-scarf. it is very pretty, and I think it will be gifted to someone else.

Other adventures (non-knitting) also included going to Trollbeads University, and also having our basement flood on tuesday evening. Our fridge broke two weeks ago, so we got a new fridge, which has an ice-maker and a water dispenser! The guy hooked up the fridge, but apparently didn't do a good job, so water was leaking into the basement. So on Tuesday night (when the Cavs were also playing pitifully) I stayed up till 2 AM just cleaning the basement with my dad. The next day, right after knitting, i just conked right out (which is early for me, at 10: 30 PM).

For those of you wondering how awful it was in the basement--we have a little storage room where we have some things like books, old products, paper, etc, and everything was soaked through and through. It really sucked, but i am glad it wasn't worse. Like, it could have been pictures or my things for school, or heaven forbid--beloved collectibles.

Ahhhh.

Anyhow, I've been up to a few things after finishing up exams...Friday night, I went to buy some yarn for myself. I wound up with some Noro Solk Garden sock yarn and some Malabrigo sock yarn (in Eggplant). 'Twas a splurge, but think I deserved it.


First thing that I did after I came home from my exams and yarn shopping was to cook. I forgot to take a picture of my chicken paprikash before I ate it all, but it was yum.

Then, I knitted a lot. I picked up my Squirrelly Mittens and started knitting the second mitten. But this is not what you'll see here! Despite the fact that I have a mitten to knit, I was just itching to get my hands into the Noro Silk Garden sock yarn, and so I started.

But, I actually had to rip it out several times, because the first time, I was dumb and didn't read instructions straight through. Second time, I ripped it out to the beginning (again) because the sock was too big, so I went down a size. Third time, the foot was still too saggy. Fourth time, I tinked back a couple rows because I missed a block. But right now it's looking good, but it's driving me nuts becuase all I've knitted so far has been purpled, blue, and grey, and I'm seeing some cool pinks and golden colors inside the ball of yarn, and I am dying to get to those...


Then, yesterday, I had a FREE DAY. And because my friend Juniper showed us all this awesome blog, Bakerella, so I bought myself some cake mix and melting chocolates, as well as some cake/candy sprinkles to decorate...


So my first attempt at making cake pops turned out to look like deformed chicks. But they were delish. With a little more experimentation, I made some bunny pops.

Now I am relaxing, sort of. I'm watching Ghosthunters (yes, at nighttime-me, the girl who gets freaked out about ghosts!) but I'm having fun doing this. Plus, my written exams are over. Yay--just have to defend them next week.

On Sunday, my parents wanted to take me out for a celebratory dinner, so we went to one of my favorite Chinese restaurants in Cleveland, we invited my boyfriend along. Anyway mom ordered this dish with beef tendons and beef veins, which I dare not eat. Anyway, prior to eating dinner, we all had gone to the chinese grocery store, where my boyfriend perused different packages of mysterious food. After finding a few packages with no english translations, he told me that it would be a good idea to try these foods and see what they were. So he bought one of the mysterious packages of food. So, at dinner, mom knew about his new food adventures, and asked if he wanted to try her food. So he tried some, and ate every single bit of the beef veins, radishes and tendons that were on his plate. About 15 minutes later he asked my mom what he ate. So my mom told him it was beef veins, and this is what it was like for the next few minutes.

Adam: Beef VEINS? What do you mean, veins?

Mom: Veins.

Fat white man at table behind us: (laughs hysterically)

Adam: I ate beef veins? Which ones were they?

Mom shows him the beef veins

Adam: ugh. (The expression on his face is priceless) What is the nutritional value of veins?

Mom: It's good for your knees.

Adam: What?

Mom: It's good for your knees. You know, it's made of the same stuff as Knox gelatin.

Adam: What?

Mom: Knox gelatin. Collagen.A

dam: Oh, you mean, like Jell-O

Man at table behind us: Jell-o! That's my favorite!

Adam: That's made of of that?

Man at table behind us: Yep, all the leftover animal parts.

Casting on

As if I have all the time in the world, what with trunk shows, Christmas, and getting things done (paperwork and all that fun stuff), and studying, I decided to cast on a couple small projects for mindless knitting.
So without further ado, these are some socks I am working on...

This first pair is made from yarn that my friend Carolina sent me--it's Phildar Hobby, and is very brightly colored, but I am liking how it is striping up into solid greens and blues, with the red and white in between. It's kind of neat knitting with something that someone else picks out for you, because there are times when we just don't look beyond a certain color or composition. So, thanks Carolina (again!) for this yarn! It also feels warm (or at least feels warm to my toes). Now, for some yarn I picked out for myself--Panda Silk in pink (for those of you who know me, pink is not a color that I gravitate toward, but...well, there you go! Pink socks! This is actually the first pair that I tried with toe-up construction so I didn't cast on enough stitches, and it looked rather silly. So I frogged it and started all over again. I'm liking it better now.

And my knitting group had a bag swap--and I'm too lazy to fetch the bag that I got--which was knitted by Meg--it is awesome and is a nice shade of green (and funnily enough, matched what I was wearing on the night of the swap!) I finished my bag (which went to Juniper) on the day of the swap. I'm glad that I remembered to take a picture of it :) before it went to its new owner.