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)