Sunday, August 24, 2008

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! ;)

Monday, August 18, 2008

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.