The Plan

I felt it was important to make one. So I would know what I was getting into and what kind of schedule I ought to be keeping . . . at least until I go back to school:

September: Laminaria (going well , I might add) and Pomatomus socks. Oh, and Schnitzel.

October: SECRET. And at least half of Sam's socks.

November: MINI-SECRET. The other half of Sam's socks. And a hat for my sister.

December: un-secret. alpaca glovie-things.

January: A mystery, but maybe a sweater and a hat . . . we'll see.


So that is the plan . . . and let's see how well I can keep up with it between an internship, seminar class and a thesis. It'll be a good time, I'm sure of it!

Shhhh . . .

So. I'm nursing a SECRET. Yes, that's right. Hopefully, I can gather up the coins necessary to turn this unsubstantiated and possibly doubtful SECRET into a real one. IT's a SECRET involving [deleted for security reasons] and for everything to work, I have to be sure to finish IT by [deleted for security reasons]! I think that even with my new internship and all the other [deleted for security reasons] I have to do between now and then, I should still be able to finish IT in time. At least, I hope so.

Oh, and for the plan to work all the way, I also have to find the time to make the MINI SECRET that goes with IT. It's gonna be a busy [deleted for security reasons].

Scarves . . . T_T

I mentioned being "doubly elated" about having finished my scarf for the Ravelympics. I am. Really.

You see, despite their being the traditional "first project" for new knitters, they represent for me almost a sort of knitting-as-punishment: I'll teach you to want a pretty scarf that isn't from the store - you sit here and knit the same few stitches over and over for more than your own height! Until you want to scream and yell at people. Until you start trying to convince yourself that four feet is a good length. Until you have learned your lesson, you little scarf-wanting tart!

Boo.

I will say, however, that scarves may be something I can do over long, long periods of time - as something to pick up when the fancy strikes, you know? When I've nothing else to do - knit a few stitches, then leave it alone. Like having a pair of simple socks on the needles for those irretrievable knitting moments snatched when no one is looking . . .

Someone suggested to me that I try knitting scarves the other way - the long way - she swears they go faster that way, and they don't require more than a few rows, hopefully a way to prevent too much boredom.
But I've been burned so many times . . . T_T . . . my first two projects (both gifts, if you can believe it) hurt my feelings because they were long and hard (and cruel and unusual . . .). I'm just so afraid to love again . . .

Olympic Conquest II!!

I didn't finish on Friday, but I did finish before the deadline. (With only 62 minutes to spare!!) I'll get a picture up soon, but I didn't want to post the unblocked pic i put on Ravelry to prove I was done . . . and I've got to wait until Monday to block 'cuz I need my mom's bed again! Oh well. I am, however, pretty elated to have finished both a shawl and (doubly elated) a scarf. I've got two gold medals! Whoo!

And weirdest of all, for the first time in a *very* long while . . . I've got no WIPS. None. ZERO. It's almost surreal. I'll have to cast on somethings quickly before my brain implodes. Hmm . . . like that Laminaria. Or maybe those gloves I still haven't got . . . Maybe I should always have a plain pair of socks going for "oh-I'm-walking-out-the-door-should-bring-knitting-what's-easy-" moments when I need mindlessness.

And a hat. I want another hat. I love my first hat and I want another one. NOW.

Hmm . . . it looks like I suddenly have work to do - some destashing is in order, I think! ;)

Olympic CONQUEST!!

One project down!! I can scarcely contain my glee - my first ever lace shawl is finally finished and wearable. I swear blocking is some great form of sorcery - I mean, I started with this:




wet it, stretched it out and pinned it, (more than doubling its size, by the way) and the next thing I know (because lace dries like lightning!!) . . .








I've got THIS!!!!!

I'm obsessed, now. I want to make shawls forever now! I LOVE this whole process. The knitting, the blocking, the running through the house like a crazy person, howling with happiness, all of it is just the best!

There's only one way to deal with my feelings - to knit another one!

Confession Time

Okay . . . I said I wouldn't buy anymore yarn. I know I said it. I bought more yarn. Here it is:




Yep. Three skeins of Plymouth Sockotta for a pretty tank I wanna make. Of course, it's the end of the summer, so I probably won't be able to wear it until next summer, and probably won't make it until next spring, but I was *compelled* to buy it. It was about to run out!! The colorway's discontinued! No impulse control at all.

Well, that's not true. I almost never buy on impulse. My falling off the wagon is sadly, always premeditated - just long enough to justify-away the shame . . .

I also acquired some Neighborhood Fiber Company Sock Yarn, though and *that* I can say proudly because I *didn't* buy it! My dad got it for me cuz he's cool like that.


Secretly, though . . . there might be more misbehaving . . . I found out Etsy doesn't necessarily require paypal . . . and I've got reasoning all ready to go . . .
(Someone save me from myself!)

Olympic Update

So, it's been a couple of weeks, but I've been focused on the Olympics. I finally ended up settling on participating in the sport WIP Wrestling under Team 51 - a team for DC area residents. (Get it? 51? Cuz DC doesn't have state privileges and wants them.) Anyway, I'm finishing my Swallowtail and my Lace Ribbon Scarf as my Olympic responsibilities. I have until the end of the weekend, but I'd like to be done by Friday night if I can. It seems doable, but I've still got half a scarf standing between me and success.

"More Later" Part III (Springwater Fiber Workshop)

So, this isn't actually a store review, but it is a chronicle of what was likely my very last ever trip to the Springwater Fiber Workshop, (soon to no longer be) located in Alexandria, VA. After 20, maybe a few more, years in business they are closing their doors, and today they opened their going out of business sale. It was a madhouse!! I stood in line for about an hour (it was fun - I talked to knitters) and I was there 15mins before the store formally opened. I've heard that they were mostly cleaned out by closing time, but I might sneak back for a little hemp I left all on its lonesome (totally against my will, for I was out of cash T_T, but also probably a good thing because of the yarn diet that I am strengthing my resolve on today.

I eventually came away with 14 balls of Rowan's discontinued Designer DK Wool in blue, green and brown, a whopping 1610 meters - 1760 yards!! I wanted this cream-colored laceweight, but i just ran outta cash - and the second I took it out of my basket, it was swooped up by first one, and then another of my fellow waiters-in-line, so despite being sad not to be its proud owner, i at least know that it's gone to a good and loving home. Meanwhile, I've got @ least 2 sweaters' worth of yarn from Springwater by now, both (interestingly enough) at closing sales, but apparently this is the very last one they're going to be having. This is it!!



Talk about bittersweet situations.

"More Later" Part II (Yarn Diet)

So, I've been making a list (and checking it twice) and I've finally realized that I have a stash that I could happily knit from for months without needing to buy anything except maybe a couple of needles here and there. In addition to the projects I already have on the needles, I've got the materials for . . .

1 shawl with Skacel - a Laminaria shawl
1 small shawl with Alpaca Cloud
1 small shawl w/ Knitpicks Shimmer
1 pair of fingerless gloves w/ Knitpicks Memories
1 Branching Out scarf w/ Knitpicks Gloss
1 pair of gloves w/ another skein of Knitpicks Gloss
1 pair of toe-up socks w/ Plymouth Sockotta (in addition to the cuff down ones I'm doing right now, 2-@-a-time)
1 pair of pomatomus socks w/ my orange Trekking XXL
1 pair of socks with my Flamingo yarn
1 socks & fingerless gloves set from my 3 skeins of Valley Yarns Huntington
Another (yoga) socks and fingerless gloves set from my Noro sock yarn
1 jacket out of my brand new collection of Rowan Designer DK wool
and a slew of stuff, probably enough for 1 pair of socks, 1 pair of armwarmers/ fingerless gloves, a hat, small shawl and a sweater from my two huge cones of Jaggerspun Maineline.

I know. Insane, right? Plus, between all the random skeins of worsted and otherwise in my stash, I've got enough for a number of hats and other small knick-knacks. I could knit for a year without buying more.

Yeah right.

But I'm pretty much on a yarn diet until further notice, probably until I go back to school for the Spring semester with a quick lapse in early November . . . I've heard Stitches East is coming to Baltimore!!!

Oh well, I'll try to be strong - I mean my food diet was going well until I came home for the summer, (and I'm getting that back on track as well) so I have faith in me! No more bringing money with me when I go to a Tangled Skein - unless I need needles.

(Slippery Slope Ahead. Exercise Caution.)

"More Later" Part I (Knitting Olympics)

So, let's talk a little about the Ravelympics. The idea here is to start a project when the Olympics start and finish before it ends. But it's not a race. It's also not supposed to be easy. A little cat toy is not an option for me, but it might be for someone who just started knitting . . . or really hates cats, or something. My thoughts on the matter are several. I really, really want some half-finger gloves. I mean really, really badly!

The other thing I really, really want is a Laminaria. It's a large shawl. 17 days seems like a long time, but I'm still really not sure I could do it - it would only be my second shawl, and a really big step in skill level requirements. I think the gloves are a better - since apparently another part of the idea is that the project should be challenging, but not tear-your-hair-out, kill-your-family-members-for-speaking-to-you hard. I think I'll make the gloves, and also try to make some yoga socks. That should do for my skein of Noro sock yarn.

As part of my "training" for the event, I'm going to try and finish the projects I have open now. That is, my ribbon lace scarf, plain 2-at-a-time socks (hopefully I can then knit the yoga socks on the long circular) and my Swallowtail shawl. Oh - and the Monkey socks, but I'll be done with those by Wednesday. I guess this is a mini-challenge, since there's only 17 days left until the thing starts!!

So I guess the plan is knit like a crazy person until the Olympics, knit like crazy during the Olympics, and then after the Olympics, knit that Laminaria!! Wow - that's a total of 7 things to do!

Learning Experience

So, on a whim, I took my camera outside. Actually, I saw somebody's comment on Ravelry that they were waiting for a sunny day to photograph their finished projects and I thought I'd see why. Wow. Wow.




Here's an indoor photo:

And then this is what I took today:



See why my mind has exploded with glee?! I'm so EXCITED!!!

Um . . . more updates . . .

I'm also now officially a Junior in College, I've been to San Diego, CA and on the 26th of March I turned 20 years old. Plus, I just finally figured out how to really link my blog into my Ravelry account!! And I think I might have a Knitmeter soon, too!

Update!!

Since my last, non-apology post, I've gotten a lot done.

For instance, You remember those Jade Monkeys? Yeah, I'll be finished with those tomorrow. They had to take a quick break while I knit my mother's Mother's day socks that she actually didn't get until Early July. They're beautiful, though. Both pairs are. They'll be pictures, but today we're catching up.

I'm back in town (Washington, DC) not just for the summer but for the entire fall semester and through January as well, since I have that internship - more on that later - and I'm adjusting to being *sniff* away from my beloved NoHo KnitTers and my beloved WEBS. To that end, I've been becoming very active in the Ravelry community and been really working at exploring my new LYS which include Stitch DC, Knit Happens, Springwater Fibers and my new and most celebrated discovery: A Tangled Skein, but I'll talk more about stores later.

I've embarked on a few new skills - I'm knitting my first non-sock lace in the form of a Swallowtail Shawl, mainly because I desperately want to knit a Laminaria, maybe during the Ravelympics!!. (More later) And I'm knitting my first pair of Magic Loop Socks!!!

In other news, my stash is now firmly into a *second* plastic tub and I'm on a mini yarn diet - except for July 25th when there's a sale I have to support (More later). And I made my first destash sale!!

Whew - I think that's it for knitting news, but I'm also learning to drive and getting pretty good at it, employed as an etiquette teacher (bizarrely) and losing a fair amount of weight and Drief turns 5 in a month!!

Well, I think that qualifies as a pretty thorough update . . . Now to address some of the "more later"s . . .

Apology

Okay, Not that anyone is actually reading my blog, but I feel it necessary to offer an apology to the occasional random person who stumbles on my blog and realizes that it hasn't been updated in a good long while, so here it is:

I am sorry. I will do better. I know that's been said before, but as my knitting skills have taken off, I have lots more to write about than I did before.
But first, an update -

MJM . . .

We call them the Mysterious JADE MONKEYS!! They're coming . . . and they will arrive with photos . . .

Socks II

I'm addicted.
Proof? Well, I'm halfway through pair number two - this time in Berroco Sox and with needles two half-sizes smaller, and . . . here's the real proof: I already have another skein of sock yarn waiting to be MONKEYS!! That is, I'm going to be a filthy conformist and knit Knitty.com's "Monkey Socks."
If I could just set down the needles, (and the homework that is piling up on my desk) I might even find the time to review the yarns I've been using.

WEBS SuperBowl Escape Party

That's where I finished my first ever handknit sock. And I'll always remember it, too, since that is also where and when I got my copy of The Secret Language of Knitters and had it signed by the author, who wrote "To Chelsea and her first sock!" in the front of the book.
It's also where and when several kind people undertook to help me work the kitchener grafting at the toe of my sock, and where everyone clapped and cheered for me when I dashed back into the circle of knitters waving the finished piece around.

I did a little dance. In public.

But it was okay, because everyone around me was a knitter, and they understood the wanton joy of finished-ness.

I also met the coolest nine and eleven year old knitters I have ever met. I want to be like them when I grow up.

Flickr

I've finally figured out how to get all my photos from the "my pictures" folder on my desktop onto Flickr, and from there, onto Ravelry, which is good, since it means that now everyone can see my yarn-photography skills and what my finished projects look like. I think I need to experiment with a few more colors, though . . . My projects page is a little tilted in an orange direction.

Socks

Well, I've done it. I've finally taken the leap and entered that sacred order of knitters. I am officially a sock knitter. That's right. I've taken the plunge. First off , I can honestly say that's really in no way as hard as it looks. Of course, I have a bit of experience with working with double-pointed needles, but even so, all the things that people tell you are hard about knitting sock is not true. Turning the heel, for instance, is not difficult at all, it merely requires that you trust the pattern (so make sure you have a reliable one) and pay careful attention to what you are doing. I would suggest, however, that once you start doing the heel itself, that you not put it down until you have finished doing that part - because otherwise, you run the definite risk of setting yourself up for a major screw-up.
And the potential for such screw-ups is I think part of the reason people say socks take a long time. I haven't been able to work on my own pair since Thursday because I know I need an uninterrupted window of time in which to safely work that heel. Still, I estimate that between homework all day and classes tomorrow and more homework, that I'll be done with my first pair by Wednesday evening. (Though I hope earlier, so that I can wear them TO my knitting group!)