I've been busy--a mixed blessing!

Life got a bit busier lately; interviews, subbing, trying to make a bit extra via Lyft every week, family stuff, teaching someone to drive, doing my taxes, starting counseling, still filling out some applications... Yeah, I've had a lot going on. However, I've found time to fit some great life stuff in there too! For one thing, driving for Lyft gives me a great chance to do some reading, as well as having small, casual meetings to lots of interesting people. Here are some of my other projects.

Cinnamon rolls! Next time I do this, I'm leaving the corn syrup out of the caramel bottom, as it becomes impossible to chew, and sets up like rock. I bet just sugar and butter won't do that...

I debated the merits of Party Cake v. Pancakes and Syrup Peeps (not pictured but also considered-Root Beer Peeps!).

I learned a lot about the fiddly art of darning handknit socks. I went from these rather terrible efforts,

to these much better ones. I still need to finish the second sock; I kinda had the will to darn knocked out of me after the first one. So. Many. HOLES.

I finished two projects! First, my Fancy Mee shawl (still need to block it, but doesn't the fence make it look good?),

then my Coraline socks--the oldest remaining knitting project. Now, everything else was started in December or later. I'm trying to remember the last time I had only projects that were a few months old...

I had an intimidating job interview in Huston, where I was put up in a swanky suite I barely had time to sleep in, but got to eat at the delightful Hobbit Cafe. They do ALL the Tolkien, and the food was of course excellent. The pictures not so much because it was night and I was exhausted.

I somehow made a stupid mistake on my big project and then resumed what I was supposed to do, but to fix it I had to frog. We're nearing the end of that half of the item now--yay!

And, I've made good progress on my McGonagall socks. I didn't mean to order this base, but I'm kind of glad I did as I'm loving the high twist. It feels very like KP's Hawthorn.

So, that's what I've been up to! I have a busy next few days ahead of me; two interviews, a sub day, and trying to meet my weekly Lyft goal for starters. I'm currently really praying for direction for the fall; where the Lord has for me to serve next, as well as a place where I can not only support myself, but also thrive as a person and a teacher. So, I'll keep riding the crazy boat that is the month of April, and hope to have a better idea of what to work towards by the end of it!

Harry Potter, some knitting, and a new spinning project!

Lots and lots has been going on, but not a lot of picture have been taken, as it's hard to take pictures when your hands are as full as mine have been for the last few days! When I got back to the States I found some delightful swag awaiting me-my Harry Potter Chickenboots bag! This picture shows the cute owl lining of my magical artifacts notions bag. I LOVE it, and when you realize how much you need a bag with clear vinyl involved, please consider Chickenboots. Great quality, and OUTSTANDING customer service.

Speaking of Harry Potter, I also got my custom wand that I won from Euphoric Alley. I know the gifted carver behind this Etsy shop, and I LOVE my wand. From the packaging, to all the details in the crafting of the wand, it's a work of art that I will cherish!

Because it was July there was a visit to my LYS (one of their two sale months). I didn't buy a lot, but I'm particularly excited about the pom pom. I think it will go well with the red hat I'm working on.

There hasn't been a lot of time for knitting, but between wedding stuff I've managed to finish the pair of baby booties,

and while watching Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom today I got this far on a dishcloth for my sister that I finished this evening.

After an emergency run to Atlanta, TX yesterday to bring my sister some things she forgot, I got a spinning project started. How I love being back with my wheel! I'm still trying to decide whether to make this a two or three ply; I know I'm going to be plying it on my drop spindle as my wheel struggles to ply for some reason.

Parting shot: The delightful 1920's farmhouse we stayed the night in for my sister's bachelorette party. I loved the decor, and the great job they did restoring it.

Progress

Whew; I had a super busy weekend on, and I did not have very much time to do much other than work. However, I did manage to finish the second Realm Walker’s book, Two Renegade Realms by Donita K. Paul, and I finished reading a book I’ve heard a lot about, The Girl Who Drank the Moon, which was a delightful read. I’m now reading The Hidden Oracle, first in the Trials of Apollo series. I am LOVING the projecting of ancient Greek gods and demigods into our world today; I can’t wait to see how it all pans out! And, as we read The Eagle of the Ninth in literature class, I am enjoying it even more then the kids. I totally fall in love with Marcus all over again every time I read that book, and I must have read it somewhere close to 6 times now.

In addition to enjoying some excellent literature, I have reached some exciting points in my knitting projects. On Sunday I finished the fourth wedge on my Crazy blanket, and have started the border.

I am rather anxious about having enough yarn for a decent boarder, but we’ll see how it goes. Also, I only have one set of size 7 interchangeable needle tips, and this is so massive that I need two circulars to accommodate it. So, I’m doing something wild and crazy; I have a size 7 and a size 8 needle tip on each cable; the larger on the left side and the smaller on the right. My reasoning is that the right tip is more important as that actually forms the stitch, so we’ll see if my brilliant “I live the middle of nowhere and can’t get another needle tip until December” solution actually pans out! Note to self—get a longer cable or two while I’m at it…

I also swatched for and started my “Tintern Abbey” socks with the “Shrewd Lady Mary” yarn from One Twisted Tree that I won in a Downton Abbey trivia contest last year. This yarn is LOVELY, and feels wonderful to work with. I have a strong feeling that more One Twisted Tree yarn needs to become mine…I’ve been eyeing her “Rare Woman Clair,” and her sock knitter profile bag is now one of my favorites. I decided to start this because I need a plain project, and as this is pretty simple up until the cuff it fits the bill. Plus, SO PRETTY! No picture yet as the toe is just barely started—afternoons off sadly still mean very little time for knitting, but hopefully next week I’ll have something to show you!

I didn’t get around to doing an entry last week, so I didn’t get to celebrate last week’s addition to Stash Dash—the first of the Pink Lemonade socks was finished! I started these in the plane on my way home in December, and I’m sort of saving the second one in hopes of plane knitting this December again. However, HO’s count, so I’ll take all the meters I can get!

Also, I have just over 40g left on my “Magrathea” scarf, so it isn’t too long till I do the edging (around 25g). This is particularly appropriate to pick back up again as I am listening to The Restaurant at the End of the Universe just now. It is read by Martin Freeman, and while he does a good job, I have to say that Steven Fry’s rendition of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy was absolutely amazing and I wish he had read all three. It is also fitting to finish this because it was started during last year’s stash dash.

So, that’s what I’m up to. This is my exam week so I likely won’t get much done, but I am getting excited about having a month off!

Parting shot: Sockwash Sunday!

Some Knitting, a Birthday, and some Picks

So, there is a bit of knitting news, though I haven’t finished anything this month. It’s like I suddenly had 50+ hour work weeks…

Oh, I actually did finish half of something! The first Time Traveler sock is DONE, and the second one cast on.

I have 5 repeats done on my Hitofude—so pretty! I can’t wait for it to be done so I can wear it, but I’m also enjoying the knitting process.

I started a dishcloth to survive the birthday party show—loving the stripes and loving that it’s at a finer gauge.

As it was my birthday, there was knitting, there was a new favorite movie, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty , enjoyed with Ruthie, and a few special drinks!

I made a magnitude accurate constellation on my laptop lid—nerdular nerdulance!

For my May music pick I indulged in the Hamilton soundtrack. If you had told me how much I would like it a few months ago I would have laughed, but I guess I’m a millennial and can’t help myself!

With a gift card I was gifted, I bought the matching biography that I’ve been wanting to read for quite a while, and a book of essays about knitting. I’ve also got a couple books on the go borrowed via Overdrive—I love that I can borrow books digitally from my local library!

Well, that’s about it for now. Stash Dash has started, and I’m trying to figure out what I can most likely get done, and enjoying the process of picking out a new project or two to start as I (hopefully!) finish things. We shall see how this goes… It is half-term at the end of this week, so there is a possibility of getting a bit more crafting done!

So...It's been awhile!

I have been so busy with various things since leaving Sakeji that blogging just hasn't been at the top of the priority list. That doesn't mean I haven't been doing anything; I've been cataloging my parent's books and DVD's on Libib, I have been cleaning and sorting, I have been doing Christmas shopping and related projects, and I have been spending time with my family. Because, I've missed them terribly these last two years. So, here are the highlights of the last few weeks.

During my whirlwind London trip, I decided to swing past Kings Cross Station and find this rather unusual platform. If only!

I worked on my pink lemonade Slide sock as I traveled by plane and train.

I made some project bags with the nerdy fabric I ordered a few months ago. I'm made a few of the reversible ones too, but for now I'll just post pictures of the zippered ones.

My Desert Vista Dyeworks Firefly yarn came and I'm trying to be good and not cast on a pair of Vanilla is the New Black socks until after my Christmas knitting is done.

And yesterday afternoon my family and I went to see Rogue One together--loved it! That being said, I am not much of a Star Wars fan, so if you didn't like it I can understand why. While I'm glad that they let the movie be about sacrifice for the greater good, I am sorry that those characters are gone.

While I was watching, I was knitting! I got 1 1/2 dishcloths done during the movie. Yay for peppermint mocha dishcloths!

Well, that's plenty for now. I really aught to start wrapping my presents... No matter how much more fun knitting is!

Knitting Lite

This week there wasn't a whole lot of knitting that got done, because there was this little thing called exam week that happened, and my life was a little insane. So, to counter the insanity, I indulged in tiny stockings. Almost instant gratification, a nerd twist, and not too big of a strain on my arm and shoulder. Everybody wins! So, I finished two Hufflepuff, one for me one for a friend,

Gryffindor and Slytherin. I have to wait to do Ravenclaw till I get home; I think I have something in my 'home' stash that will work nicely.

I need to swatch for my travel socks, as well as several other school things to finish off before I leave. I'm looking up directions to Loop in London, and my bags are mostly packed! Just have to figure out the best way to use those last 1.4 kg... Next time I blog I'll be home!

Java had a very stressful week; she hard core napped beside me while I wrote my reports and marked exams. You can see that it really took it out of her!

Instant Gratification is a wonderful thing

Due to having to be super careful to not stress my shoulder, arm, and hand, things have been pretty quiet on the knitting front. I did finish my Monkey socks--yay! And, I finished two sock luggage tags to go with them. One sock, two sock, pink sock, blue sock!

Said luggage tags are parts of sets for some special short termers--the pink,

and the blue set. Yes, I'm trying to use up the Monkey yarn!

I am also totally indulging in lots of mini stockings--great way to use up ends of sock yarn, and very therapeutic.

And, since I am currently on a Harry Potter kick in part because there is someone here right now to talk about it with, and in part because I am so excited about the new movie because the main actor is adorable, I've embarked on some House stockings. Here is a Hufflepuff, sans duplicate stitch. I think I have close enough colors to do all four... Yay--more for the nerd tree!

The Squircle socks suffered a crippling setback when I realized that they will fit me...not the intended recipient, so I am going to have to re-start them. That might have to wait for awhile... I'm having too much fun with my mini stockings!

The Name of the Doctor

The big news of this week--the epic double knit scarf is DONE!

10 massive charts, 2 colors of laceweight silk and wool, and thousands of stitches. Dramatic stitch rescues, and then the final crochet edging that finished it off in such a professional way. I'm in love.

I also got some good work done on my Squircle socks. These aren't quite as high priority as they were, but the charms of learning anew join and how to 'un-jog' my stripes has lent them fire. I think next time I'll do slightly wider stripes. I also hope the bottom of the foot isn't too annoying as that is where the joins are. Stripes are so compelling!

I am getting close to finished on the last pair of furlough socks and a gift, and I think I've finally settled on a plan for my travel sock. I was going to do one pattern, but I fear the yarn will be a smidge too loud for that pattern, so I'll do the same one I knit in Kenya.

I'm packing my bags y'all--there are only 17 more days before I start my journey home!

Small projects, socks, and Star Wars

This last week did not exactly lend itself to knitting, but where there’s a will there’s a way, so knitting happened! I reached the half-way point in the last chart on my Doctor Who scarf, I finished two gift coffee cozies,

and I finished this, Aviatrix for my cousin’s little boy, Anton. I just need to give it a bath, weave in the ends, and find a suitably cute button to go with it. *squee!*

While it’s not that exciting to look at yet, my knit-resistant sister asked for socks because she is likely going to be spending two years in a rather cold place, so I was able to with glee cast on the Squircle sock that I have been itching to try ever since I heard about it on the Knitmore girls podcast. I'm using yarn that I bought because a) it was on sale, b) it was a nice name brand and c) there were wool fumes a few years ago; while they are not my colors at all, I think my sister can rock them. So, double points! Loving the construction.

Something I have been slowly working through over these last few weeks is an audio book of William Shakespeare’s Star Wars, Verily A New Hope.

When I first came across this, I knew I had to give it a listen, and I was not disappointed. Dude, listening to C3-PO whine in Shakespearean English is pretty bearable, and they did a great job of incorporating sound effects and casting great actors. I will say that there were some points where I felt they overplayed the ‘stuff Shakespeare quotes into Star Wars’ card, and there were lots of inner dialogues that hinted at material from the other movies, but overall it was a lot of fun to listen to, and I might get some of the other ones one day. So, if you want enjoy mixing your nerd fandoms, this is an enjoyable listen.

I decided to make some of my favorite molasses spice cookies this weekend, and while they turned out quite well, I sadly burned a whole pan of them into oblivion. *sigh* At least I have a tray and a half of edible ones!

Also this weekend, I finally took the plunge from head packing to real packing by starting to pack some breakables and make lists of my wardrobe for travel. I have a place to stay in Lusaka now, so there is just a detail or two of my exciting the country to work out. Just over three more weeks till I start on my journey home! And yes, I have my travel knitting planned!