T3R2 - Not the droids you're looking for...

So I've accomplished a lot in the last couple of days. Knitting-wise, anyway.

Since I finished the legwarmers, I blocked the Pembroke (as always, yardstick for scale):

...I finished my third of five dissertation projects (my mid-point for the end of the month check-in):

Note how this shawlette takes up considerably less space than the gigantamous one above it. Two blocks barely covered vs. three above. Still, very pretty :)

I also made two blanket squares for our team unity project. One of our team members is assembling the squares into a blanket to donate to a veterans' charity. Anyway, the pictures are really dark because the yarn is a maroonish brown and it's kinda hard to see the patterns. We'll give it a go anyway:

This one's supposed to look like flames, and the one below is a repeating leaf pattern.

Finally, I cast on a basic pair of toe-up, two-at-a-time socks for my Nerd Culture crossover challenge. I bought some Knit Picks Felici in the colorway Time Traveler and I'm making these simple socks to show the colors inspired by the scarf Tom Baker wore as his tenure as the fourth Doctor. Even though these socks are bare-bones, I think the self striping and the colorway's inspiration will make them my favorite (and most wearable) socks to date. Granted, that's not saying much since I've only ever made two pairs previously.

Overall, Nerd Wars has been a great motivator for me. I love being on the Browncoats team. Not only is it nice to be doing as well as we are in the game (second place as of right now!) but the sheer enthusiasm of all my teammates for the game, for each other, for what the show means to so many people; it's really amazing. Also, for the crossover challenge this round, we're all exploring nerdoms that are unfamiliar, and it's quite extraordinary to hear from people who are just discovering the show and loving it. 

I could pontificate for hours on why Firefly means so much to me, and what it means to so many people, but I think I've probably been sappy enough for now. Suffice it to say, this new-re-found passion for fiber arts of mine has only been fueled by this silly game I love so much and encouraged by all the people I've met while doing it. I haven't been passionate about anything, really, since I graduated college jaded about academia and my area of study. This creative outlet has been an incredible boon for me, in filling my days and giving me purpose, to create things that can be appreciated by like-minded (dare I say?) artists. And the "deadlines" of this game help set structure for my left brain, making sure I get it all done in a timely fashion.

Phew, that was long winded. For that, I offer you David Tennant:

This whole waitressing thing ain't so bad

I'm going through an optimistic phase. Probably because I'm actually succeeding in my waitressing job. It's amazing how much succeeding or not will affect my mood. I don't like not being good at something...it's not a bad foible to have.


That being said, I do have two days off from O'Charley's in a row, starting tonight. Additionally, this is my last full week at my temp job. I'll probably work one or two days next week. Then it'll be summer! And I'll be waitressing, and hopefully bartending, full time. So it's easy to be optimistic.


Let's see...this is a knitting blog, I should probably put some knitting stuff in here... I'm currently working on this tunic from Stefanie Japel's amazing book Fitted Knits. I'm so glad I picked that book up. In the grand scheme of my evolution as a knitter, books like Fitted Knits are a huge help in my eventual goal to become a published designer. I'm enjoying making the tunic too. I'm learning a lot about short rows and how they shape a garment, as they're used to shape the hips and neckline of the tunic. I'm also enjoying the nontraditional construction, as it's knit lengthwise instead of top to bottom or bottom-up. And what shapely girl doesn't love vertical lines?


Sarah's messenger bag (see last post) is still drying with my books inside it, and as I left my camera in my car, I couldn't take pictures again this morning. They will happen eventually though, I promise! I messed up a bit by sewing the inside pocket in before fulling, and I didn't sew it in very straight (I kind of suck at the whole construction thing...) so there's a bit of a wonky line in the back. I'm not too stressed though since that's the side that's closest to your body, you'd really have to be looking for it to notice. Overall I'm pretty proud of the bag.


I also forgot to mention that I finished a gift for my friend Nick and his wife Rachel, who are expecting another baby any day now. Nick is a huge Cincinnati Reds fan, and wanted to name their second son Votto for his favorite player. Rachel wasn't hearing it, though (no, not even for the middle name), so I made them a little baseball shirt for Caleb Patrick that says Votto on the back. This I do have pictures for:

From Apprivoise-moi

From Apprivoise-moi

I think that's enough to be getting on with. Until next time!

New FO's!

I finished Patrick's Celtic Scarf (finally-only took three years!) and I have now perfected the methodology for executing a football scarf - or any color block knitting project, really. I also finished a very basic lace scarf that isn't much to look at but served the dual purpose of letting me play with bamboo yarn and practice lace. I did the lace on a stockinette background so I'll need to block it to make it wearable and I'm pretty lazy when it comes to blocking (I still haven't done Sami's halter).

Anyway, here are the pictures of the Celtic scarf, as well as a link to the charts on Ravelry.

Long Overdue Update

These most adorable cute little monster things were the perfect way for me to use up some of my scrap yarn. Check them out!


The pattern was created by Rebecca Danger who creates some of the most impressive animal toys I've seen on ravelry.

I also finished knitting Sami's halter and all that remains is to block it.

And I made Patrick's sister a birthday/Christmas scarf.You may recognize some of that scrap yarn from the monster chunk project. Zona made this pattern or as she calls it, a recipe.


I also recently started making these gloves without the beads and re-planned Patrick's Celtic scarf to use the woven stitch I used in his sister's scarf. And my roommate Cori asked me to make her a hat with earflaps, tassels and a pom pom. :) I've done a lot since I last wrote!

I'll keep you updated!

Finished Yoga Mat Bag

I finished my sister's yoga mat bag, complete with om symbol strap. Pictures!

Cabled Beanie

So I finished the beanie. I learned a few things, such as a stockinette cable on a stockinette background doesn't stand out very well. Also, the top is kind of pointy because I decreased funny, but it's not too bad. Pictures!