Sunday, November 18, 2007

Cure for the Itch

As it's November, and November is about to end, I had to buy some November sock yarn. I've figured some plan to ease my yarn hunger pains where I buy new sock yarn each month and in an attempt to avoid buying larger quantities. So far, I'm not sure it's working the way I planned...but I'm going to keep it up simply because it's fun.



So, today, I bought some Neighborhood Fiber Co.'s sock yarn in the Kalaroma Park colorway. I've actually been stalking this yarn. I've walked in and out of the yarn shop without buying it. Today though, today I just could resist.

The last time I bought sock yarn was in October for my Harvest Sock Pal's Synthesia socks. Which are, by the way, coming along nicely.



This picture doesn't do the colors justice. It's full of fall colors, beautiful oranges, brown, reds, greens and so on. I'll have it finished right after Thanksgiving. I have everything done for the swap except to buy one more little gift and finish the sock.

My fingers are getting very itchy these past few days. I'd really like to throw caution to the wind and just knit all day. Forget about papers and LSATs and such, and just knit.

Sometimes, I'm sure Ravelry is the best thing to ever happen to me. Sometimes, I'm afraid if its powers. My queue list is never-ending. And it keeps growing. Right now, I'm dying to knit Lady Eleanor from Scarf style. I saw a lady wearing hers at brunch this morning is Alexandria. I was staring at it so much to be on the verge of being rude, but I just couldn't help myself. And then my fingers started itching and the boyfriend had to take me to the yarn shop so I could figure out what color of Noro Silk Garden I'd like to ask for as a Christmas present.

(sigh)

I decided on number 244.

Jenn

Monday, November 12, 2007

FO: Twinkle Hoodie

Voila! C'est un "hoodie."



Took me long enough to finish this darn thing. Okay, well part of that had to do with lack of time and lack of buttons. Finding large brown buttons in Washington, DC is impossible. Finding them online is nearly impossible. Especially because I'm a completely A-type and could not compromise. This hoodie could've gone unfinished for YEARS just so I could find the right buttons. Thankfully, that didn't happen.



Pattern: Twinkle Hoodie
Yarn: Classic Elite Alaska (50% wool, 50% alpaca)

Mods: I knit the medium sleeves with the large body. It turned out much larger than I had initially wanted. I actually enjoy that it's big. I won't wear it out much but it's just what I wanted to curling up on the sofa on a cold day. It's really warm and soft and lovely. Overall, a success. I might knit myself another, smaller version in a bright color.

Jenn

Thursday, November 1, 2007

These are the things I'd like to do when the semester ends:

1) Rejoin my knitting group. It's rather sad that I can no longer participate in the group I actually started. All because of school. I miss it terribly.

2) Finish Glee. That sweater is sitting in a pile to my right, mocking me. I'd like to have it done in time to actually wear it while its cold.

3) Learn to spin. The spinning kit I received from Dotty (my Monkey swap pal) has a place of prominence among the yarn in the corner. It beckons to me.

4) Organize the stash. Even with the limited space of dorm room, the stash continues to grow. It has its own plastic tub (filled to the brim) and corner. And when I get new yarn, I just sit it atop the ever-growing pile. Something must be done. Obviously, I cannot buy LESS yarn. That's ridiculous. I just need to stash it better. (PS, My small bookshelves are used as WIP storage too...)

5) Knit. Just plain knit until my fingers bleed. The day after I take my LSATs I intend to have a 24-hour knitting marathon. This "knitting on the metro when I have time" stuff just isn't satisfying the knitting urge. I need more! I am, in my head, already forming a list of items to knit during the winter break. And with a easier load during the spring semester, I could actually have time to knit to my heart's content.

Now all I need to do is survive Nov. and Dec. (sigh)

Jenn