Tanking

I've got six hundred yards of Lion Bran Cotton Ease (in terra cotta.)
I want to make a sweater. I've narrowed it down to (rav links):

• Tube Toporini
• Thira (Thank you mujercita)
• Pretty in Pink
• Tswirl

Maybe "narrowed it down" isn't the correct term. I really can't decide. I'd rather do the Tswirl in a gray and wear it over a long sleeve shirt in the winter...maybe do Thira as a fall "over a shirt" sweater, too. This leaves me with Pretty in Pink and Tube Toporini as the top two. But maybe I do want Tswirl for the summer...

Argh! Someone tell me which one to do!

Does Mindless Knitting Create a Malaise?

Is is possible that all the boring, lazy knitting that I do is harmful?

I started Braidy last night and as I knit the 4x1 rib it occurred to me that I'm unhappy with my knitting 'cause lately all I've been doing is boring projects*. Could it be that I'm stuck in a fiber Catch 22? I want to knit, but nothing inspires me. In an effort to keep my hands busy I pick a simple, mindless pattern. I am bored by it. I am not inspired. I want to knit, but I'm uninspired. See?

Maybe I just need a little spice.

Or maybe I'm slowly transitioning to a product knitter (although, I don't think that's the case.)

Anyway, about Braidy. I made it through the first cable sequence and now its 4x1 for the next 3 feet (I figure it will take about 3 months.) Then another cable sequence and 12 more inches (about three more months.) I'm absolutely in love with the yarn (Cascade 220) and the color (Montmarte.) Right now it's a bit curly at the edges, so I hope when I block it it will help it a bit.





*No offense to the patterns and their designers.

A Give Away/Contest

This post has been stickied (sp?) Scroll down for the latest boring installment.
Here's what you can get:

(Excuse the lopsided, artsy, washed out effect.)

To be entered in the contest all you have to do is comment on this post, BUT not just any comment. I want to know what your favorite pattern is. I'll keep a running list of commenters and in a week I'll use a list randomizer at random.org to pick a winner. It's that easy!

Lazy Rainy Days

It feels like it's been raining since the last time I posted. I haven't had the energy to do squat. An inspiring project still eludes me and to top it off, I can't decide on a book to read.

At least the students had their last day yesterday.

I still have a contest coming up. I haven't forgotten.

Maybe I'll post more this evening. There's more rain in the forecast.

*sigh*

Please Excuse Me

The language in the previous post was completely uncalled for. I don't handle stress well. Well, maybe I do. I hold it all in so I come off as "sane" at work and then act like a harpy at home. Wait, maybe I don't handle stress. Oh never mind.

But back to the yarny stuff.


Knitcraving: \'nit-krā-viŋ\ (verb) The desire to make everything one sees on Ravelry. The state of mind which preceeds startitis. Often leads to purchasing yarn that may or may not be used when full blown startitis sets in. Projects may or may not end up in Ravelry queues.

Latest knit cravings include but are not limited too*:
Squared Away Ribbed Watch Cap (yes, another one)
Eva's Shawl (yeah, been on the list for a while, but it actually made it to the startitis pile tonight)
Braidy Scarf
Blackrose Socks
Shedir
Rosa
Waffles
Wool Peddlers Shawl
Prairie Shawl
Sleuting Shawl
Granny's Baby Log Cabin


*I'm too lazy to link. All patterns can be found on ravelry. Thanks for your patience.

Rated R For Language

I am in a shit pissy mood and have been since Monday. It really tics me off that my contract is worded in such a way that I can be asked to do almost anyfuckingthing and it's ok. Like teaching from 7:45-2:50, then be available from 2:55-3:30 for tutuorials and then come back to give a final exam to one senior (and having to do it on Tuesday and Wednesday) at 6:30 because our seniors finish their school year two weeks before the rest of the student body (the reason for which has never been explained.) Did I mention that I only get 25 minutes for lunch...and I'm on supervisor duty at the same time. (Yeah, I like to eat standing up.)

I think that was a run on sentence.

Boring Knitting

But just what I need. I can just veg and keep my hands busy.

I'll begin with the "This is going to take a while" category:



It's the ten-stitch blanket and though you can't tell, progress has been made. I think I like the back better:



I'm second guessing myself on the needle size right now. Maybe I should have stuck with the size 9s, but there's no turning back now! (Confession: I also bought some Paton's SWS to make another one of these 'cause I have a knitcrush on this project)

I'll be working on this for the next 2 years I'm sure, but it really is a wonderfully mind-numbing project. (Some drink, some do drugs, I do ten-stitch.)

Also in the works, the AIC and a pair of ubersimple socks:





In addition to these boring projects, I'm still working on a round ripple baby blanket and I'm still telling myself I'm going to start Eva's shawl soon. I also printed a pattern for a potholder today. ('Cause I cook so much *snort*)

Coming Soon: More Free Stuff! Stay tuned!

Knit Nite Prep

Just wondering here...feel free to comment...but Knit Nite is a production in my house. Preparations begin around 4:30 for an ETA of 6:30.

1. Clothes must be comfy
2. Jacket must be worn (it's cold in Starbucks)
3. Project must be chosen
4. books must be gathered (when I've offered to share)
5. Jammies must be left in the bathroom ('cause hubby is usually in bed by the time I come home. He's an incredibly light sleeper and turning on the light to change into jammies wakes him up.)

I'm thinking I'm just crazy. Most folks probably just grab and go.

Wee Tiny Swap Report

It's here! It's here! My wee tiny swap from my partner, Charity!



Isn't it darling? Her knitting is flawless...flawless!

Progress So Far

I knit well into the night yesterday and went to bed with nothing to show for it. I woke up this morning determined to make it work and now I can show you this:



The yarn is truly hideous and I'm only just now getting the swing of the pattern (thanks to Ravelry research.) I had trouble with it as written. Many thanks to Boppingbeth and SmokingHotNeedles. My knitting is a bit sloppy in the center, but it's getting better. I will definitely continue to work on this, and I'll use the blanket that will come of it, but I'd like to find a better yarn and make another one.

New Prescription

I know, I know. I got everyone's hopes up saying I might not be blogging for a while and here I am boring you with the usual drivel.

I just felt the need to share.

First of all, those little ads at the bottom of Ravelry pages? Evil. Pure Evil. I just spent $23 on some really pretty stitch markers all because I was reading about what makes people hate an LYS. (Blast you Ravelry!)

Second of all, I think I may have found a project to at least alleviate symptoms of Crafter's Congestion*. A couple of days ago Swapna mentioned the ten stitch blanket and I thought I'd give it a try. Garter stitch knitting really soothes me and cheers me up most of the time.

Since my yarn store options are severely limited (repeat after me: No LYS in my town) I had to make a Hobby Lobby run. Looks like they are downsizing the yarn department and re-arranging things (again) so I don't know what my yarn future holds. Anyhoo, I hope this yarn will do:



Yes, it's acrylic but I don't have a lot of options (or the patience to place an intrawebs order somewhere and wait.) They also didn't have enough of the same dye lot, so I'm hoping that it won't be very noticeable when all is said and done. (And really, this is just going to live at my house, so it won't be seen in public very much.)

*Crafter's Constipation just sounds icky.