Hard to imagine!

Dreams

Some dreams

You’ve always wished for

Worked for

Hoped for

Never a certainty

But always a part of you.

Some dreams

Sneak up on you

Change your direction

Fill you with new excitement

Provide a new outlook

New goals

New hope

And some dreams

You never know you had

They come true

And all you can do

Is praise God!

 Sitting in my office today amazed that I've almost finished my first year as a professor!!  I love my job! (it has its moments of course) I'm thankful!

Here is some knitting (I'm so far behind posting, but these have pictures)

Plain socks in Trekking

Temptest (from knitty)--Love!

Yarn: Cascade's Heritage Quatro!

Jaywalker Socks

These socks took me forever to knit.  I was over them way before they were done, and I think they were what caused me to lose my sock knitting mojo!  Today in the sunshine, they look happy and I'll forgive them. 

 I'll let go of the fact that I knit almost a whole sock in the 84 stitch pattern thinking surely that will be big enough only to find out I was WRONG.  So up to 92 stitches around, which just seems wrong on so many levels.  92 stitches? Seriously?!  But I'll let that go, and be proud of how well the yarn works with this pattern and realize it was worth it!

Pattern:  Jaywalker Socks by Grumperina
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Sock yarn in Amethyst Stripe

Spring Break Project #3

Another before and after type post! (I do have knitting to show you too, but that may be another day)  Knox's litter box fits perfectly in the unused fireplace in our bedroom, but it has been a bit of an eye sore, especially because it what you see when you walk up the stairs.  I thought a fireplace screen would help! (Mom and Dad found this at an estate sale for $7.50! Talk about a bargain!

 But you can see through it!

 A yard of fabric and some hot glue!  Perfect!

"Looks good to me!"

Spring Break Project #2

 This spring break has been full of getting some much needed projects done.  Here is another piece that needed a little revamping for the new house.  Two cans of spray paint later and I'm happy! 

 Plus it feels great to get some things crossed off my list.  Still have some work to finish, though I've done some of it and finally removed all the boxes of "my childhood" from my parents.  Right now they are in the basement.  Out of sight out of mind.  I should go through them, but that may have to wait for summer break.

Spring Break Project #1

I have to say I love "Spring Break" especially when I'm not desperately trying to finish a dissertation :)  So far I've gotten to spend fun time with my families!!! and now am starting some of my to-do list (while I procrastinate a little on my work to-do list)  So here is the first project:

The before picture!

I love this little arrangement.  I got it in Baton Rouge and it was perfect to add a little soft touch to a rather drab apartment.  I looked good in my new house until I found the perfect rug for the entry way.  Then it clashed! and every time I walked by my eye screamed something was off.  I thought I would have to replace it, and then I realized it had a foam center, so I decided to swap some flowers and ribbons instead. 

The after pictures!

My dear mom helped me pick flowers out and then I went to work!  (Now my mom is amazing with flowers, and has always made stuff for me....including all my wedding pics)  I've watched and helped her, but never tried on my own.  So this time I tried on my own, knowing I could run to her for help if I made a disaster.  I'm quite pleased with myself and feel like the colors work so much better now!

The after pictures!

Trying something new this year!

You know I often don't post because I don't have pictures, but today I decided not to care! (maybe I'll do that more often)  Last year I was on a yarn diet.  Like all diets it went okay at best.  Don't take me wrong I did knit a lot of yarn that I had (in preparation for moving), but I still feel like I'm bursting at the seams. Granted my stash is small compared to many I've seen, but....I feel the need for less.  Perhaps to make shopping more fun and less guilt ridden.  Here's the plan:

• 12 projects (socks, gloves, baby items, a sweater)
• with 12 stash yarns
• 12 months

First of all, I find it scary that I have that much yarn, but this will help to reduce things.  The goal is one a month (since that seems logical).  I don't think it will be all my knitting either, but it will be a considerable amount.

And just so you know.....1 project is done (some plain socks)  I'll show you a picture in a future post!  So are you trying to knit down your stash too?  

My gauge swatch LIED!

So I've started Tempest, a fun cardigan with some Christmas yarn (thanks Mom and Amber!)  My last sweater came out too big (more on that another day) so I dutifully worked a gauge swatch (a full 4in by 4in mind you).  Of course I didn't get gauge....so I went up 2 needle sizes and made ANOTHER gauge swatch.  I was still a little under so I went up a size.  I measured and remeasured!  I talked it over with another trusted knitter.  I was set!

 Everything seemed fine, but then it started to seem a little long....I kept trying to convince myself it was okay.  So after I finished the back I blocked it and measured.....way WAY too BIG!!!  It will be pretty when it is the right size and thankfully I found out after doing the back! 

 So with all that planning why oh why did this happen?  I measured the finished garment and my gauge didn't match the swatch!  I don't know if I changed? or if the weight of the bigger garment changed it somehow?

I'm going back to the smaller needles (same size) and going to see what happens.  Since planning didn't do me any good we're going to wing it. 

Test Knit!

I'm so excited to be able to share this pattern with you that I just test knit for Robin! Plus it is free on ravelry here!

What an enjoyable knit! A perfect shawl for someone wanting to try out lace! Most rows are plain knitting with an occasional patterned row. I think this pattern would work well with almost any yarn (solid, multi-colored, even handspun!)

 The details in this pattern are wonderful. Follow the directions closely and the edges will look wonderful. I especially like the details in the edging that prevent the shawl from rolling.

I used the option B decreases (I tried to take a close up to show what that looked like!) There was a noticeable difference in the color of the two skeins of yarn I was using, so I did the modification listed in the pattern to account for this. I can tell where I switched skeins, but it works in the pattern and just looks like a design element.

 This was an interesting construction as well because it was knit from the edge to the center of the top. This makes the pattern go really fast at the end! As for the cast on….I ran out of yarn for a long tail cast on and finished the last 20 stitches or so with a knitted cast on and can’t tell a difference)

Happy Knitting!

I used US 6 needles and lovely yarn from the Plucky Knitter 80% Merino/10% Cashmere/ 10% Nylon in the color way "Far and Away" (under 2 skeins!) (sent to me from Robin.....Thank you again!!!  Does she know me or what?) 

New beginnings!

I think I'm finally ready to re-enter my blog world again. As you know, I haven't been really blogging for a year. (I had a degree to finish and a job to find and wanted no excuses and fewer distractions) I have missed my dear friends that I met here! Now I've struggled with coming back.

I've changed in the last year. I find it hard to describe, but I have grown and changed so much in the last year that I've struggled with what to do here. I want to keep it "my place" and want to feel comfortable being me (whoever that is). So here I am!

I successfully defended my dissertation and graduated (all praise to God!) I'm very thankful to have a tenure-track job (and DH has part-time teaching too), even close to home and back in Kansas! God made the decisions very clear and we are thankful for His faithfulness. Our prayer now if for a tenure-track job for DH as well.

Knox if finally adjusting (after a month!) Just in the last week she has found her toys and enjoyed playing in a bigger home!

I have missed my knitting friends greatly, but have found where the local knitters meet and am going for the first time tonight! I must admit....I'm nervous....wondering if they will like me....like my knitting.....I know it will all be fine and I'm just being silly! So here goes....I have my project and am ready to go!

Dropping back in!

Did you think I had forgotten about you? Of course not. Unfortunately there are priorities in my life right now that keep putting the blog on hold....you know finding a job! Thank you for your prayers on the job search front, please keep praying for clear direction!

Here are the numbers:

1. 140 jobs applied for!

2. waiting, waiting, waiting

3. 14 interviews done (phone or 30 minute type ones at a conference)

4. more waiting

Now I'm just waiting to see if I get invited to an on campus interview, plus according to everyone it is still really early in the process. Again I really appreciate all your prayers! This has been a time when I've learned to trust God in a bigger way. I trust Him for peace in a decision, I trust Him to work to find jobs for both me and DH!

(this is with some of my handspun!)

Okay, lots of knitting has been happening too! It is a great stress relief! I'm just going to show pictures, so hop on over to ravelry if you want to see full details (or leave me a comment and I will try to get back with you)

Baby Blanket #2....Done!

This blanket was actually done well before the other! I've discovered that I really do prefer crocheting baby blankets. I think in the future I will stick to that, unless it is for that cute giraffe blanket I just posted about yesterday! :)

Pattern: Snuggle Up by Terry Kimbrough

Yarn: Pound of Love

Hook: I

Mods: None (all her patterns are well written) I think this just might be my favorite blanket pattern to make. When I picked the pattern and yarn I didn't know if it would be a boy or girl (though looking at the finished product, I'm glad it is going to a little girl....it would have been okay for a boy....others on ravelry have changed the border a little bit if it is for a boy and that works well too IMHO)

I'm almost ready to send some packages off for these bundles of joy....almost! :)

Giraffe Baby Blanket

I got this really sweet email from Linda of Little Piggy Patterns alerting me to a giraffe blanket she has for sale! and you all know how I love a good giraffe pattern, so I had to share with you all (and everyone who finds my blog looking for giraffe patterns....and there are quite a few)

Too bad I've already finished the blankets on my to do list, but I think I may have to make it soon for my "hope chest." I'll be adding a link on the sidebar, but couldn't help highlighting such an adorable pattern!

Baby Blanket #1....Done!

This blanket is ready to go off to its new owner! I really liked the pattern, but knitting a blanket is not for the faint of heart! Thank you for cheering me on the finish line.

Pattern: Bernat Baby Coordinates Chunky Cables Blanket by Bernat Design Studio

Yarn: Pound of Love, antique white

Needles: US 10

Mods: None...I did 6 repeats. It wasn't as long as the pattern suggested, but I thought it was pretty square. I probably should have done 7, but you live and learn!

Sorry the blog has grown so quiet....being on the job market and finishing a phd sometimes just doesn't leave me much time, or in the mood, to be a good blogger. I do have a couple more things to show you in the near future, so don't worry!

An old FO, but a new scarf

Boy last week felt intense? why? not really sure, but now I feel better. Had my virtual meeting with my advisor this morning (it went well---thanks for asking) and now my stress level feels better. (Not to say that I don't have a lot to do for next weeks meeting, but this afternoon I'm enjoying the relief!) Now on to knitting/crocheting:

This scarf I finished right before I left for Scotland (yep...way back in July) and it didn't get blocked until a few weeks ago....I'm afraid it doesn't realize how much I love it.....

Pattern: Scaruffle (from Knitter's Book of Yarn)

Yarn: discontinued Alpaga yarn (100 % alpaca in a sport weight) from my grandma :) not sure how much because I used some partial balls, maybe 100g?

Needles: US 4 and 10

Mods: None.

I really liked the construction of this....the increases are really only on one row and those well placed increases and larger needles creates the ruffle effect. (okay a few short row too, but nothing major) It isn't a large scarf, but a nice little ruffle to peak out of a coat....so light and fun....now I have to decide if I need a matching hat of some sort? I have the yarn....hmmm.

Baby Blanket update: The crocheted one is done....just need to weave in end and block! The knitted (cabled one) coming along!

ps-the formatting is way off.....oh blogger....what am I going to do with you!

More blankets

Thanks for all your encouragement to keep going on blanket #1.  In the process I started blanket #2 (I needed something that felt faster)  It will be done in no time!

This picture is a day or two old and now I have less than 3 rows on the border left!  So hopefully this weekend it will be done.  This has been a fun project (and it has nice little scallops on the border that I find really sweet, can't wait to finish and show you those) and it is nice having some natural "guide posts."  When you get the center done....I feel like I've made tons of progress, then just the border.  Then I know I only have 12 more rounds to go vs my current knitting pattern.....go until 36 inches then you are done.  Maybe that is why I like knitting socks?  Do the leg...yeah....heel....yeah...gusset....yeah...foot....yeah....toes (or reverse) but those little achievements motivate me.  I always think I can do the next little step.

Take two!

Woohoo!  Pictures loaded!  So today is just a WIP progress report!  

Baby Blanket:  Coming along nicely, but a little slow going....16 inches as of this morning.  I've been mainly knitting on it in the morning which explains the slowness, but I get tired of it too so I have done other knitting at night.

and the first sock is done!  I'm so happy with it!  It sits of my "legs" awaiting its mate for a final picture (and for me to admire as I walk by)

I do have some other projects to talk about, but they will have to wait for tomorrow.  Lots of math to do (which is going well) but I need to sort some of it out....ie get off the computer :)  Have a super day!

ps...the new blogger formatting thing doesn't have my spell check button....oh no what will I do?  Please excuse the mispellings and if you know where the button is in the new format please let me know!  Thanks!

photo issues

I finally got some pics ready to show you and sat down to post and blogger isn't liking my pictures!  grrrr!  I will try again later!  Just wanted you to know I tried and really want to share with you all!

Yarn diet!

Remember how I said I was going on a yarn diet after my trip to Scotland? (except for baby yarn....because there is none in the stash and there are babies to knit for) So I needed to share how well I'm doing. I almost cheated.....did you catch the almost? Saturday night, after a blissful day of spinning, I saw Wollemeise available at The Loopy Ewe. People go crazy for this yarn (sock yarn) absolutely crazy and I saw 13 colorways available.....they always sell out within a few hours.....if they last that long. I almost gave in.....but I have no guilt and am happy to report I have no Wollemeise. I don't know if it would live up to the hype, but the diet is going strong at the moment! Just thought you should know. :)

Of course...

....I'm knitting socks too! Can I ever not have a pair of socks on the needles? This is another pattern from Wendy Johnson's "Socks From the Toe Up." Love this book, if I haven't mentioned that before.

So far so good. Not the fastest pattern out there with cables and twisted stitches and all, but I'm loving these socks! and they have a heel flap! Yep! there it is!

A very different construction compared with top down heel flaps, but ends up the same! I just trusted Wendy and followed the directions to a t and they worked. I'm going to pay attention on the next sock to see how to modify it to be a deeper flap...me and my big feet prefer that...but I think that shouldn't be too hard! Enjoy the weekend! I'm off for some spinning fun Saturday and relaxing!

More baby knitting!

I'm not quite sure why school has seemed so stressful this week. It isn't like I'm taking tons of classes or teaching, but my routine has changed. I do best with a routine, I need it, it makes me happy. I'm still sorting out my routine right now. I guess it doesn't help that parking is crazy (no one is skipping classes yet....it will settle down in a couple of weeks)!

Here is some cuteness from the weekend. Knox climbed into DH's old backpack....now a gym bag....it smells....she didn't mind. She slept most of the afternoon there....occasionally getting up, stretching, and repositioning!

Here is my progress on the first baby blanket! I'm loving it, although it is slow going! I set up a rav page if you want more details. Oh and in case you are interested....I made a web page for myself last week (a necessity when going on the academic job market) you can view it here if you like!