Friday, February 22, 2013

Sweater for Miss Anona Jane

When I made this sweater, the baby it was intended for was still two months away from being born.

Now, she has arrived! Actually, she's about two weeks old, but I'm just getting around to posting about this sweater.

I'm totally in love with this pattern- the Carle Cardigan. Quick, easy. A-freaking-dorable.






This one wasn't one of my favorites when I originally made it, but her parents loved it, and the more I look at these pictures, the more it's growing on me. 

I think the buttons make it. 





In other news, my grad school applications are done. And sent in. And now all that's left to do is wait. 

Also, write. I really need to do more of that. But I might be doing some copy writing soon for my mostly brother-in-law. In the mean time, I need to start doing some more research on WWI. I'm planning on finishing the first draft of Alekhine's Gun for the April Camp NaNoWriMo. 

Next week, you can expect more socks. Or possibly a baby sweater. 

I'll decide later. 

PS- This baby girl has one of the best names I've heard in a long, long time. Anona Jane. I love it. Well done, parents.




Friday, February 15, 2013

Sockmania

My days are full of socks.

These Hummingbird socks from The Knitter's Book of Socks.




These are for me. Finally! I get a pair of socks. I am already mentally planning another pair for Ben, because he's felting his faster than I can make them. I need another set or two of the bamboo DPNs. I have a metal pair, as you can see in the next picture, and I can't stand them.

However, these socks need to be done, and those Hummingbird ones are slow going.

This next pair is for my mom for her birthday, and it's just a basic sock pattern, courtesy of Silver's Sock Class.






As I'm in a little bit of a sock rut, I've been pondering my next project. I just found it on Ravelry.
Cabled Owl Neck Warmer. 
I just got so excited.
It's OWLS. I love owls.

And the best part??

It's CROCHET, y'all.

Do we know how many adorable owl cable knitting patterns are out there? Gazillions. And the adorable owl cable crochet patterns? Not gazillions.
While I'm getting better and better at the knitting, I still really enjoy the instant gratification that is crochet. It goes so much faster, and occasionally, I need to feel like I'm finishing things.

Speaking of finishing things, here I go finishing my grad school applications.




Thursday, February 7, 2013

Just Keep Swimming

As you may have already heard, if you live on the east coast, particularly the Mid-Atlantic to New England area...

NEMO FOUND US.

And he's coming to get us.

If you've been watching the news at all, you know we're in for a 'historic' blizzard that will possibly dump 1 to 2 feet on us.

For the record, this is NOT historic. This is the fucking Northeast, guys.
I distinctly remember a Christmas Day when I was a teenager where we got THREE feet. In one day. That's a historic blizzard, since I'm still talking about it today.

While I would pay to see the panic on the faces of the Long Islanders (and I can say this without offense, because I'm from there) we will survive this. I promise.

I'm all set. I've got a new scarf:


First Growth Scarf. Project 2 of 13 in 2013.
The yarn is Tintagel Farms Merino/Kid Mohair blend. Color: Driftwood
Pattern is Mae Geri Scarf, a lovely easy lace pattern that was perfect for my first go at knitting a lacy pattern.

I'm very pleased with how this came out.

In addition to a new scarf to wear in the snow, I have a pair of socks on the needles (no picture yet, sorry) and a massive to-do list all ready for me to work on while if I'm snowbound.

To Do:
-personal statement for grad school applications
-preliminary bibliography (this one annoys me. I'm potentially paying to go to your school, and you want me to design my own curriculum, too? Why, exactly, do you deserve my money?)
-pitch for the Book Doctors NaNoWriMo Pitchapalooza
-Smell of Rain character sketches
-blog post

Be brave, Northeasters, in the face of this latest blow.
Remember the wise words of the little blue fish:
Just keep swimming.