Everything Old is New Again

FO: Spring Forward Socks
Needles: US 1
Yarn: SR Kertzer On Your Toes! Bamboo
Notes: Fast, fun pattern! Ran out of yarn just before closing off the second toe. Used a scrap from the stash to finish it up.





















Those of you who are regular readers (who am I kidding? I last posted 5 months ago. That's not regular under any circumstances) might remember the DH's love of a good zippered cardigan. In an attempt to capitalize on that love, I set out to knit him Avast! in a really lovely cordovan brown wool.

It was the most boring thing I have ever knit. I was therefore certain that he would love it. Maybe even more than he loves the Cambridge Jacket I knit for him which ignited his passion for items that might be found whilst raiding Mr. Rogers' closet. I knit and knit, seeming miles of stockinette... I picked up for the facings/zipper placket. I seamed the arms, and










It didn't fit. Enter the ball winder. Skippy, while watching me unravel an entire completed sweater remarked, "Couldn't you find someone it does fit?" Well, that's not the point, is it? I was making this sweater for the DH. It doesn't fit him, so I must knit something else from this yarn. Pretty obvious, if you think about it. Starting over doesn't have to be painful, it's only yarn! So, Cambridge Jacket 2.0 is in the works. Back is finished, fronts started. This one will fit him and will get worn on a regular basis. So everyone's happy.

Along the theme of starting over, turning something that wasn't working into something that will work, I am in the process of a career renovation of sorts. The position I was working underwent some major budget-related cuts, and, being low on the seniority end of things, I was laid off. After about a week of panic attacks and crying and what-am-I-going-to-do-now? I have decided to return (very briefly) to school, reinstate my teaching license, and, ultimately, get my ESL license.

So, transitions all around! It's on me.

Coming Up for Air

Well, the set-in-stone-do-or-die deadline has been met, and now I have a couple more projects that need doing, but they have much friendlier time constraints, and they are things I can actually show you! I'm working up a couple of solid colored sock samples for Gardiner Yarn Works. As I look at what I've got done so far, I really think these will help sell the patterns. Chrissy really does come up with some gorgeous stuff, and I think the solid yarn will really highlight that. For instance, wouldn't you love to knit this:

(front) (back)
I get to, and the sooner I finish it, the sooner the pattern Succulent Socks will be available here. Note that I'm actually using DPN's again for the first time in about a year. I just needed to prove to myself I still could, and now I can't remember why exactly I was avoiding them. Silly.

Stuff for the shop is progressing nicely as well. The curlicue is about 1/3 done and I brought home some SWS to knit up a little Edgar, which should be done later today.

As for selfish knitting, the Klapotis is nearing completion of the increase rows, I have worked through the entire color progression in this colorway and so far found only one knot, which was easy enough to untie and spit-splice. And yes, the blue really is that electric. It makes me smile!

My finishing class went very well. I had great students who were eager to learn, and I think I sent them away with enough new knowledge to allow them to finish a project without fear, so that's good. Now, to figure out what to teach the cabling class!

What Was That About the Hearts, Again?

Well, the scarf is done. I think it turned out kinda cute, after all. Hopefully, it will lure people into taking my class. We'll see.












I think I went a little overboard cutting fringe. This is my "leftover pile."

A bit much, no? I figure I can donate it to a student in need, provided they choose the same colors for their scarf.

And now, for Agent Mulder's dream come true.
I have more UFO's than Roswell hanging out here, so I thought I'd share some photos. I'll post updates as they get finished up. Skippy claims the "Year of the Unfinished Project" has wiggle room, but I know myself enough to know that I mustn't cast on for any more personal projects until these (and others, see sidebar for full disclosure) are out of my hair.

Exhibit A: Zoe's green sweater. This sweater was first mentioned August 24, was cast on for sometime in November, and has been languishing, sleeveless, for quite some time.
Since snapping this photo, I have completed one sleeve and knit about 1 1/2 inches on the second sleeve.







Exhibit B: Icarus. I'm still on the stockinette columns, and so have a tendency to get a bit bored with this one, dreaming of the day I'll have to yet again pick up the chart.

Exhibit C: Socks for Zoe. These are a "guilt knit" borne of my seeming inability to get the green sweater done, already, and Zoe's simple request at one of the LYSes I dragged her to over vacation to, "knit me some socks, Momma." Heel #1 has been turned. I am lucky she is fond of short socks.

Exhibit D: Swallowtail Shawl for my grandmother. I am 3 repeats shy of switching over to the Lily of the Valley charts. And the nupps. Yup. Glad I have those sharp Knitpicks needles!


I might have made more progress on these today except for one very exciting thing: I went to work today! I am helping out on Saturdays at the LYS. I had a blast, and picked up another shop sample project to do. The Estonian Garden Lace Wrap (scarf version). More lace! Woo hoo!