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.