This cardi is too big- I mean Happy Mother's Day!

Last night during Comedy Central's Night of too many Stars I pieced together parts of the Coconut Creme Cardi to the point that it became a Coconut Creme Vest. Sleeves are almost done. I also knitted the button band (with buttonhole that turned out the right size!) but haven't put on buttons. Why? Because the cardi to too damn big. I way underestimated how big blocking to open up the lace would make it, but you know what? That's okay. It should fit my mom. And she actually wears cardigans, unlike me. So I called her up and told her that she would be getting it and she seemed more excited about it than I ever would be about wearing a cardi.

How is it that the coolest things I make always end up going to my mother?

hello baby! and stash

The beautiful thing about knitting lace is that...well, it's beautiful. But after knocking out the back, the front and most of the sleeves of the lace cardi I'm designing, I really wanted to knit something zen-ful. As in, plain stockinette (stolen from Samurai Knitter, my she-ro) and it was fabulous. I wanted something that could be done quickly (say during FNR and then in downtime in rehearsal this morning) and something I could sell. So I am now introducing my new style of hat, "hello baby". For those of you reading this because you're interested in the new product and not the knitting content, $12 for a hat. $13 lets you pick the ribbon color.

I also did a little stashing this week after a rough few days doing homework and sneezing constantly (flu is going around Purdue....not cool) and found the most awesome colorway of Kureyon I've ever seen. Here it is! I also ordered some more cascade quatro from RK on Wednesday and the owner called me today to tell me it was here....impressive. If you're in a pinch, that's the place to call for yarn-quick! Now I can take enough of that yarn to China to come home (ideally wear home) a new hoodie. Because it will be plain stockinette stitch AND knitted in China (probably a good chunk of it will be knitted on the way to China- that's a looooooooong flight) it will be called most appropriately, Zen. Unless you guys come up with something more creative and fitting. In fact...if you do, there will be a prize involved! So come up with something creative and win! Will post prize if anyone submits a new name.

I'm out to do some more history! (Turns out, America is quite boring) Peace and Zen knitting to all!

Yarn Harlot in Indy (I hate math!)

So the yarn harlot is coming to Indy and I can't go. Do you know why? Because it's the exact day and time as my math final (like I needed another reason to hate math...seriously)

I have given my mother instructions on where she is to be at what time, picked out the shawl she is to wear (auld lang syne on Ravelry) and told her exactly what she is to tell the yarn harlot in case she actually gets to talk to her. For those of you who don't know my mother, she is basically a taller, blonder version of me who will be walking around with a bewildered and lost look on her face. Feel free to take her by the hand and put her where she is supposed to be....but be careful! She is not a knitter, so she may have no idea what you're talking about if you decide to strike up a conversation. It is very likely that she will be with her friend, Jennifer. And yes...that shawl gets around.

(And yes...I know the picture is sideways, but I can't figure out how to turn it around...so turn your head. Sorry.)

A Carrie Bradshaw Moment

With 14 days of classes plus a week of final exams remaining, I've been trying my best to contain a multitude of feelings that don't typically belong together. I've been supressing them with knitting and watching Sex and the City reruns, resulting in one lace sleeve and Carrie Bradshaw's voice stuck in my head, trying to sort out my love life for me.

The first feeling is...disinterest? Lack of caring? As in...all I need is a D in that class...so I'll stick to that. I've never been this...just bleh before. Combine that with feeling number 2, he kissed me and I felt feeling number 1 again. Not normal. These aren't relevant to today's posting...but there's also hatred, confusion and sadness. Not because I'll be missing Purdue, but because my dog's been sick lately. That hurts more than failing any math test or missing any guy.

I'd been waiting for the Russian to make his move since before Spring Break and on Friday night I got all dolled up and went salsa dancing and he did it. He kissed me. And nothing. He kissed me again and I faked thrill and excitement but really there was nothing. So this leads to the Carrie Bradshaw moment...has senioritis taken over my love life?

Gustavo, Salsa club DJ/Grad student is psycology says that because I've been mentally preparing to leave here for so long, anything to do with Purdue like classes and guys have completely become a non-event for me. They're just there. I hope it's not permanent. Or lesbianism. It's just a little dissapointing that as soon as I finally really truly get over Quail-man, I seem to get over men in general.

But how normal is it to lose interest in everything? Will it come back? Will I get this way in England to, or will I hit the ground hunting for the perfect man. Is Prince William currently seeing someone? Scratch that last one. I feel like there's a line between preparing myself and protecting myself, but I'm just not sure which side I'm standing on.

You're up Early

I planted some catnip in a pot over Easter and wasn't expecting it for another two weeks...but look what I found this morning! I do love Spring...and Tubby loves the nip.

I've been knitting along on my leaf-lace cardigan for my trip to China...but it's getting to be a bit tricky. I've got to get both of the fronts all caught up so I can start doing the neckline...which could be tricky. I've never designed lace before or a cardigan, so two firsts for me. Pics are on Ravelry. Deadline for completion if it wants to go to China with me is May 9th. Last final is on May 2nd and this could actually work.

I also started a sock (Bad Paige....Bad!) to knit on during downtime at rehearsals (that's slightly more acceptable. But why not knit lace? Because it's dark, you idiot) and that's going quite well. (That was a bit of a Smeagol moment, was it not? *Gollum*Gollum*)

Right....this is what happens when there's too much work and I take a break from it to blog. But anyhoo...the socks are going well. Unfortunately the numerous hours of dancing have taken a toll on my feet and they are no longer the pretty sock models they used to be...so no looking! The shows are April 26/27 ish and we've got 4 all-day rehearsals before then. I may be able to crank out two pairs of socks..or just finish the ones that have been going since Christmas. That's a better idea. And after all this rambling Blogger won't load the sock pic. Damnitalltohellandback.

All for now...I've got a ton of groupwork to do that the rest of my group isn't doing! Assholes...

Shit.

So my stress relief Jabberwockies were way too small....even for my size 4 feet. But the striping in the yarn was kick-ass so when I finish my Last Chance socks I will recast on the Jabberwockies. Shit. I even turned the heel.

I have finished both sleeves of the Glascow sweater and now need a front, assembly and the collar thingy. Thank goodness next week is Spring Break..it might actually get done. I plan to finish the Glascow sweater and the Peace hoodie over break. My fingers might fall off, but I'm trying to get that project count down.

I'll also probably hit up a few yarn stores for the hell of it. Anyone want in on it? I would like to get a couple more skiens of Kureyon for my Souvenirs Blanket.

Might sew something too....you never know. Anything can happen on Spring Break.

Oh! Almost forgot. I'm spending much of this summer in China. I signed up yesterday. Any ideas for a smaller project to take with me on planes and trains and giant walls? I need your input, readers, or I will very likely take too much yarn and make another hoodie in the blistering heat of a Chinese summer.

I have to get back to cramming for tomorrow's math exam. Luck isn't enough...wish me a miracle.

I am about to kill my roommate

And so I am knitting socks. I started Grumperina's Jaywalkers (which I am calling Jabberwocky after Lewsi Carol's creativity) last night (I know...many people from Mad Knitters don't like this sock) and am about to turn the heel. Which is awesome...because normally socks don't move that fast for me. I am knitting them in a mystery self-striping sock yarn that has been in my stash for probably 5 years. It is unlabeled and unknown...and it looks AMAZING with this pattern. I can't put it down! I just keep knitting and knitting, working faster to see what color comes next (I could just look at the skein but that's slightly less productive).

So.... while I've been not blogging for almost a month, I have knitted about half of Interweave's Glacow Lace sweater (see "Knitting for Stress Management: When your harddrive dies the week of midterms and you lost your 7 papers due that week all in one fell swoop") and started a Lizard Ridge (Laura Aylor, knitty.com).

For those of you not on Ravelry, my Lizard Ridge is called "Souvenirs" which in French, means memories. I will buy one skien of Kureyon everytime I go to a new yarn store or am having a ridiculously awesome day that I'd like to remember in the form of an elongated, wool square of a blanket. That way I can have both French and English souvenirs all in the blanket. So far I only have one, and that happy memory was teaching a good friend to knit last Wednesday. (He'll be on Ravelry soon...)

That's all for now...I've got to study for a math test, history test, and write 3 papers...tonight!

Happy knitting!