Wool & Words

I'm afraid that memories are about all I'm knitting as tank tops go.

My green Shapely--too big.
My cream ChicKami--too big.

See a pattern here?

I'm having two problems. The first is, I suppose, a good thing; I've been working from the wrong measurements. So the tanks I've been making, which should have little to no ease, have had too much ease and they've been fitting me badly.

But now I'm having gauge issues a' plenty. I'm knitting another Shapely in Tahki Cotton Classic for the LYS, and while I was getting gauge when I swatched, I'm now 1/2 stitch over per inch...so things are a bit smaller than they should be.

Off to cast on again for this tank, sizing up this time on the needle choice. Someday my tank will come...

Posted by KnitNut at 11:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Last weekend there was a conference that I had considered attending. Since I hadn't submitted a paper, I emailed the planners and offered my services as a panel moderator. I never heard from them, and then life got in the way, etc.

Frankly, I assumed my services weren't needed since I didn't receive any word from the conference organizers.

You would think that the fact that I never registered for the conference would have clued them in to the fact that I wasn't coming and that I might have gotten an email reminding me to do the same. NOpe. Nothing.

My name is in the program. People saw my name (and I'm known among this group as the person who was responsible for the panels at last year's conference), and I wasn't there. I know that the stakes are small--this conference really isn't in my area of expertise--but my name is now conflated with "deadbeat moderator who didn't bother to show up". How embarrassing.

What really galls me is that I did this same job last year, and contacted my moderators before putting their name in the official program. Some people planned to arrive later than the panel I had scheduled them for; I had to make changes. That's what you do when you're responsible for planning the panels at a conference! Of course, there are always last minute changes at these things, but this wasn't a last minute anything! I'm very disappointed in the lack of professionalism here.

I'm really, really pissed about this. I'll get over it in a few minutes, but I vow to never again assume anything when it comes to conference organizers. Ugh!

/vent

Back to my day. Cheers!

Posted by KnitNut at 10:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Now that you've seen some finished bits, here are the current projects.

But first, another FO. I made this lace bookmark with some of the leftover Zephyr from my mom's Christmas shawl. In retrospect, not the best choice; I'm not keen on starching wool and it's a bit flimsy. Still, it's pretty. I made it as a thank you gift for the woman who endowed a fellowship I've just won (not the dissertation one--this was an unexpected surprise). I'm having lunch with her tomorrow, and thought a little thank you of a bookish sort was in order.

Next up, my ChicKami in some stringy stuff. Boring and off white and oh-so-perfect for summer.

And last, but certainly not least, the Spearfish Socks. I'm not doing well in my race with Ann, as it appears she's rounding the corner on Sock #1. Still, I'm knitting away.

And the knitting goes on. I've got another Shapely Tank waiting in the wings, this one in this gorgeous deep red Tahki Cotton Classic. Mmmm....

Posted by KnitNut at 11:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Steve and I went for a walk in the park today. No pics, but good memories.

Thank you sweetheart!

Posted by KnitNut at 09:02 PM | Permalink

Every so often, I pull out my first piece of knitting. It's fun to look at; it reminds me of where I've come from.

It's a dishtowel, knit in Sugar 'n Creme on size 9 needles. Yes, I know that it is somewhat tree-like in shape. I had problems with those extra stitches on the ends...and dropping stitches....and creating unnecessary yarnovers. My lace love affair was, apparantly, there from the start.

Instead of ripping out, which wasn't my mode of learning, I just powered through, and eventually was able to get it right.

I haven't given up on the dropped stitches and yarnovers. I just use them now to further my own ends.

First, we see dropped stitches in the Clapotis.

See me vamping here

And yarnovers bloom a' plenty on the Leaf Lace Shawl:

Gwen, if you're looking, this one's for you! Thanks for the Balmoral; I'll be shipping this one out to you when you return to England!

A leafy vamp

And a wrap around shot--cozy!

On the Needles Now:

The Spearfish Socks
A cottony-licious ChicKami

Posted by KnitNut at 11:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Glad to have this all cleared up. Gosh, I love the South!

Posted by KnitNut at 02:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Sigh. It's that time of year.

Surely there's a better way.

Happy Tax Day!

Posted by KnitNut at 11:42 AM | Permalink

Knitting:

I'm working on the Spearfish socks. I've got them both on the Loop, which is new for me. It's slowing me down, but I know they'll be nearly identical twins and I won't fall into my usual trap of dragging ass on sock #2.

Teaching:

I'm teaching. This semester feels like it's just dragging along and rushing at the same time. I have little else to say on the matter.

Writing:

In case you've forgotten (as it may seem I have), I've got a dissertation to write. Last month I mentioned something I was working on that was related. I'm happy/terrified to let you all know that I've won a Disseration Completion scholarship from the UGA Grad School. This means that they will support me to continue living in the manner I've become accustomed (read that: abject poverty) for one academic year, thereby releasing me from normal Teaching Assistant obligations (like teaching) so that I can write and defend my dissertation.

Of course, this means that I'll have to finish the whole shebang and graduate by August 2006. I should mention that my younger sister will be receiving her MD/PhD in June 2006. I have, therefore, set my sights on May 2006, since it would be a Terrible Travesty for her to be a doctor before I am. ;-)

In addition, my baby brother is marrying his long-time sweetheart (they started dating in 10th grade, I think--they're now in their mid-20s) in August 2006. They've decided that even though our families live within 10 minutes of each other, they want to get married in California, where they are both currently living. So my parents are going to be quite the travelers in the summer of 2006:

May--my graduation in Georgia (God willing)
June--Emily's gradutation in NY (wahoo! Creoles in the Bronx!)
August--Mike's wedding in CA

I'm exhausted just thinking about it all! Of course, there will be knitting involved. When I passed my comps, I purchased a shawl's worth of gorgeous silk. I'm now thinking that Mindy (the sister-in-law to be) will need a beautiful silk something...preferably shawl-like. Emily really wants a red hat (which she'll get as soon as I get some hat-fu worked up), but I've also got a secret desire to knit us matching Dr shawls. Nothing crazy or twee (no stethoscopes in hers or books in mine), but just something simple to commemorate the occasion. That's a lot of knitting. Better start planning now.

So, that's what's up. My next year will be spent writing, teaching (one class related to my research in the fall), and knitting. Could be worse, I suppose!

Posted by KnitNut at 12:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Ann has her yarn and is 7 rows in. I've been craving mindless stockinette, so on Saturday I cast on a ChicKami in twine...urm, I mean cotton. But now I've got to get back on the Spearfish boat so that I don't go down without a fight. I'm also really wanting to finish these socks so that I can wear them at least once before the summer really descends on Georgia.

And, yes, Ann, I would be a horrible overlord. I just don't have the evil in me! But now, oh, yes, now, we are locked in knitting combat.

Even the kitties (long absent from the blog) are in it to win it:

Ok, maybe Merc is just thinking about the socks. And how yummy they might be....mmmm, spearfish! How could they not be tasty!

Ahh...here it is...the fighting face!

Knit on!

Posted by KnitNut at 10:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

An Evil Overlord To Do List

Posted by KnitNut at 03:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Just needed to let the world know how I LOVE my Liberty Socks! They are so comfy and cozy...I guess I need to go Spearfishin' this weekend to continue the self-sock-love!

Posted by KnitNut at 12:51 PM | Permalink

I've been in a finishing kind of mood today, which means that you get to see what I've been working on. Here we go!

First, The Clapper. 5 skeins of Artful Yarns Fable for this one. I love it and will be wearing it over my favorite little black linen dress as soon as the weather permits!

She's quite long; she spread across my queen-size futon, if that gives any indication. With any luck, the rain will dissapate long enough this weekend for an outdoor shot.

Next, the fruits of the SKFD:

These are my friend, Katie's. I had to weave in the ends, so they can now be gifted.

These are Matthew's. He's Katie's BF and my office mate. Both pair are made from Paton's Kroy Socks. Nice yarn; I've got a bit left all around and may make a pair of frankensocks someday.

These are mine. Lorna's Laces Liberty. Loving them...and wearing them tomorrow, with this great barn red jacket I bought last season at Target and jeans. Cause heaven knows I won't be wearing them on the 4th of July! Too hot!

Finally, that "something green" I mentioned in my St. Patty's day entry. Not quite complete--just need to seam the sides--my first Shapely Tank:

This was a class experiement; Stephanie from Main Street Yarns & Fibers and I will be teaching a class using this tank. Joan McGowan-Michael was kind enough to let us use her pattern, and we'll be preaching the miracle of short row shaping to all the busty gals around.

I used some Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece I had in Emerald Fantasy. The yarn was marked seconds; I assumed it was because of some streaking. Little did I know that it was because the dye wasn't set. My hands have been green for the duration of this quick knit. Once I've got it all seamed, I'm going to set the color somehow.

Posted by KnitNut at 09:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Actually, the learning took place on Saturday, but I so love that phrase that signals the end of each South Park episode, I had to use it to start.

So, what did I learn? Well, as a grader of the Georgia Regents Exam, you learn lots of things. Here are Saturday's highlights:

1. Higher gasoline prices make it harder to purchase necessities, like purses and belts.
2. Bill Clinton created the Pell Grant.
3. Bill Clinton would still be president if he hadn't been impeached.

I'm sure that this Saturday I'll learn lots more. Have you learned anything interesting lately?

Posted by KnitNut at 04:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Posted by KnitNut at 02:58 PM | Permalink

Ann has accused me of luring her down the Primrose Path into gambling hell. I offered a friendly Spearfish side wager in a spirit of knitbloggerly cameraderie. The wager? Sock yarn, although I've suggested that if I win, she post a picture of her sweet and snoochable Poe daily for a week. I love that dog. If she wins, I'll do something bloggish that she might like. We'll see if she accepts the offer.

The main point of contention is the fact that while she is waiting for her yarn, I have already cast on (both socks) and started knitting. While I can understand her concern, I offer in my defense The Pippis.

I had Good Reason to knit those socks quickly. They were a thank you gift to a friend who did me a huge favor. I started them Feb. 3. They were finished October 21.

Ann, you have nothing to fear. I am pretty quick on the cast on, but I'm not much of a timely finisher, especially when it comes to socks. Although now I feel compelled to push myself.

Maybe I'll get them done in 4 months instead of 9.

Any other Spearfishers want to join in the fun?

Posted by KnitNut at 08:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Still waiting, at 2:34 p.m. EST for official word from the Vatican, but I offer thanks to God for sending such a faithful servant to His Church for so many years. My heart is sad.

And for those of you with questions:

How the Pope is Chosen

Posted by KnitNut at 02:34 PM | Permalink