Wool & Words

So I've been monitoring the student evaluation process for the 1st year students and I realized something--I am a presence in the classroom.

Now, don't get me wrong. I know that as a teacher I'm supposed to command presence, to be "the sage on the stage"--or at the very least, I should be distinguishable from the students. But today I was struck by the total change I can bring about in a mood. Students filed into the labs chatting, laughing, giggling. They left quiet, subdued, pensive.

Perhaps it was the evaluation process. But I couldn't help but think that my tone in giving them their instructions, coupled with my RELENTLESS talking over their noise until they shut up set the whole process in motion.

I don't think that I've damaged them or anything. It just struck me today what presence can do.

Posted by KnitNut at 01:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

It's all about timing. Today I did my monthly mail sort, where I take the teetering stack of magazines, bills, solicitations, and the odd bit of truly personal mail and sort the mass out. It's also the day when I pay the bills.

There's nothing that sweetens writing an assload of checks better than a box of See's Candies. I love my sister and brother-in-law! Mmmm. Chocolate.

It was just the boost I needed, too, to get back to work on the Estonian shawl. I'm on repeat 39 of 41. When that's done, it's just a matter of knitting and nupping.

Posted by KnitNut at 08:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Posted by KnitNut at 09:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Finally, a moment to upload pics and commentary:

As you may remember, after The Great Hair Shearing on Saturday I headed out to Main Street Yarns & Fibers, my fabulous LYS, for a birthday party. Here's the birthday girl, Stephanie, holding a WIP:

This project has captured my imagination. It's a poncho done in Manos using the Indian Cross Pattern from the first Barbara Walker book. Love the stitch, love the colors--and the knitter who put them together just rocks the house! Stephanie, your projects are just inspirational!

Here's a closeup of the stitch pattern. Isn't it just yummy?

And a bit of flora to close out the day--the lovely flowers that Stephanie got on her birthday graced the table.

Yes, that is flamestitch wallpaper on the walls. It is mesmerizing. I've taken only one class at the shop that was taught in this classroom, and that paper is just wild!

Now I'm off to do some Turkey Day prep. I'm making a broccoli rice casserole (the real star is the Velveeta in the recipe) for dinner with Steve's family tomorrow, and I've got to gather the goods for the dish. Cheers!

Posted by KnitNut at 02:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Thanks to everyone who responded to yesterday's entry. Your comments really touched my heart and I am thankful that I was able to bring you some comfort or guidance in your own day.

Perhaps I needed some this morning...

I decided to get a haircut today in preparation for the impending T-Giving festivities. I've been letting my hair grow and grow and grow and investing more money in clips to wear my hair up than in regular salon maintainance. Well, that's not necessary anymore. I've returned to my standard short-n-curly crop, and I must say I quite like it.

Thursday night knitting at the shop was a treat. Andy, a spinner, crocheter, and sometime knitter, is making a scarf for a friend. Not one to shy away from a challenge, he's starting with this.

This is two yarns, Pixel (the sparkly stuff) and some black wool (can't recall) that he's plied together. The next step? Crocheting a Very Long Chain.

This chain will create the yarn that he'll use to knit a scarf. That, my friends, is some wild stuff. I can't wait to see the finished product and hope that he'll bring it to the shop to show us.

Carrie, one of the shop employees, is making a pair of socks in one of my fave colors.

It's Lamb's Pride Superwash in Peacock. So shimmery and wonderful! There's a very lucky person out there...

Other Changes

I've made some changes in my blog's right hand side. Don't despair if your blog is not on the blogroll--I'm a bloglines devotee now and have transferred everyone I could there. There's also a link to a new blog there, Bits and Bytes, which is where I'm tracking my dissertation work. Probably dull for most of you, but that's what you'll find there.

And now I'm off to a knitting birthday party. Another of the shop employees, Stephanie, is celebrating her birthday with hot spiced cider, sweet treats, and knitting! Have a great Saturday, and don't be afraid to try something new as we head into this holiday season--a little lift to kick it off is always a good idea!

Posted by KnitNut at 01:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I read this in my morning prayer and it seemed to say just what I needed to hear today. So often, especially lately, I find myself in little mental wars with others. These make me sad, tense, anxious, frustrated, but mostly they serve to alienate me from people. Perhaps someone else will find inspiration or comfort from this.

from Ephesians 4:29-32

Never let evil talk pass your lips; say only the good things men need to hear, things that will really help them. Do nothing that will sadden the Holy Spirit with whom you were sealed against the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, all passion and anger, harsh words, slander, and malice of every kind. In place of these, be kind to one another, compassionate, and mutually forgiving, just as God has forgiven you in Christ.

Posted by KnitNut at 08:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Here are some pics of WIPS...

First, the Estonian Lace Shawl. This has been a fun project so far--I'm not bored with the lace yet, which is good because I've got 20-something repeats left of the central lace before I can start nupping!

Here's a closeup of the lace. Can't wait to block this baby and see what it looks like when it's really opened up!

Here's a booga bag prefelting. It's made of Diakeito Diamuse, which is a really loosely spun Noro-kinda yarn. I like it, but I don't see doing much more with it than felting.

And finally, the Stripesaurus Scarf. Coming along slowly, but nicely. The recipient is moving to colder climes, so I'm glad I decided to just go for the always warm stockinette in the round.

Posted by KnitNut at 01:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

How could I have missed your 1 year mark, my precious, precious blog? I have been blogging now for one year. And, indeed, it was one year ago today that I nearly set fire to my kitchen by trying to double cook a pan of pork chop grease. Check the archives if you want my initial reactions to that horror.

It's been a mighty good year. Since I started this blog I've:

--helped run a major lit conference
--prepared for and passed my comprehensive exams
--moved
--worked an incredible summer job
--taught several great UGA classes

and, most importantly, celebrated a year of bliss with my sweetie...oh, yea, and lots of knitting!

Cheers to you all! I'm raising my coffee mug in toast to my blog and hoping more fun in the future!

Posted by KnitNut at 11:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

So I'm about to work on the Estonian Shawl last night (11 repeats in, 30 to go) and I pull the needle with the shawl on it out of the bag and see 1/2 of the shawl dangling OFF THE NEEDLES!

Gasp! I called out for help and Steve came over in a flash, holding the needle that was still attached to 1/2 the shawl so that I could try to pick up the stitches that had fallen before too much damage was done. After a bit of counting, cursing, and picking up a mere 5 dropped stitches, I was ready to continue.

This could have been much worse and I must admit that on Friday I picked up supplies to put in a lifeline so that I could avoid just such a tragedy. Obviously, I'm still working sans line...perhaps I should take last night's activity as a warning?

Posted by KnitNut at 12:36 PM | Permalink

Just knitting away on the shawl. So much fun and so freakin' light! I feel like I'm knitting air.

On the docket before Xmas:

-This shawl
-The Stripeosaurus Scarf
-As many hats/socks/scarves as I can get done for quick gifting. Must attack the stash.

I want to show you pictures, but I must get some school work done first. Sigh.

I've started a new blog for my dissertation work. You can find it here. It's fairly sparse now and will probably remain so...unless I really need to procrastinate.

Posted by KnitNut at 09:48 AM | Permalink

A big shout out to my Secret Pal! I got a great gift of goodies today:

The Little Box of Scarves
A skein of Rowan Calmer in a lovely shade of wine (to make one of the scarves!)
A pretty beaded row counter
A chocolate sheep...mmmm
A sheep tape measure (!!!!)
MadLibs

Thanks SP! I feel so blissfully spoiled--and I can't wait to make the scarf. This will be my first Rowan yarn experience!

Pics to follow. I've been a bit under the weather for the last couple of days.

Posted by KnitNut at 08:50 PM | Permalink

1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open the book to page 23.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the sentence in your journal/blog...along with these instructions.

"Houses and rooms are full of perfumes, the shelves are crowded with perfumes"

--Walt Whitman, "Song of Myself" in The Norton Anthology of Modern Poetry, 2nd Edition

Posted by KnitNut at 09:57 PM | Permalink

This story brings to mind a wonderful Stevie Smith poem.

"Sunt Leones"

The lions who ate the Christians on the sands of the arena
By indulging native appetites played what has now been seen a
Not entirely negligible part
In consolidating at the very start
The position of the Early Christian Church.
Initiatory rites are always bloody
And the lions, it appears
From contemporary art, made a study
Of dyeing Coliseum sands a ruddy
Liturgically sacrificial hue
And if the Christians felt a little blue--
Well people being eaten often do.
Theirs was the death, and theirs the crown undying,
A state of things which must be satisfying.
My point which upon this has been obscured
Is that it was the lions who procured
By chewing up blood gristle flesh and bone
The martyrdoms on which the Church has grown.
I only write this poem because I thought it rather looked
As if the part the lions played was being overlooked.
By lions' jaws great benefits and blessings were begotten
And so our debt to Lionhood must never be forgotten.

In other news:
I'm knitting. Yep. I'm knitting.

Oh, and I'm working on getting Human Subjects research clearance. Yikes!

Posted by KnitNut at 10:15 PM | Permalink

Here's an election we can all get behind!

Results from The Boogie Knits

In other news...

1. I've been informed by my knitting advisor (the fabulous Margaret Heathman from Main Street Yarns & Fibers) that I'll need to redo the bindoff on the Nymph Pi before blocking. It's a bit too tight. This has not sent me into a tizzy, as one would think it might; I'm far too pleased to be done with the knitting!

2. I've cast on for the Estonian Garden Shawl for my mother. Such lacy yarn...

3. Given #2, I see various mindless stockinette in the round projects (mmm...socks) for my travel and tv knitting.

For some reason, I've been very tired the last few days and I have a yucky back pain. Perhaps some rest tonight will help.

Posted by KnitNut at 09:19 AM | Permalink

Don't forget to vote today! And, if you can, bring your knitting. I've heard the lines are awful!

Posted by KnitNut at 10:50 AM | Permalink

You are William Blake! Wow. I'm impressed. Not
only are you a self-made artist and poet, but
you've suddenly become a very trendy guy to
like. It's not that we doubt that you have all
your marbles, it's just that we're not quite
sure what you did with them to come up with
those terrifying theological visions. The
people of your time were nowhere near as
forgiving as that, and all your neighbors
thought you were a grade-A nut job. But we
love you, so rest happy.


Which Major Romantic Poet Would You Be (if You Were a Major Romantic Poet)?
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Posted by KnitNut at 07:09 PM | Permalink