Some New Socks

The long and the short of it is this: I decided to take a summer class so that when I took the fall semester off to go to Bhutan, I could be ahead of the game. The summer class is a pre-requisite I need for two spring semester classes. So, I’m in week five of a double-time, eight week course. And then I found out last week that the Bhutan trip will be postponed a year. Hmm….

Miraculously, though, I’ve been able to do some knitting. Some really fantastic knitting, on a project I’ve been dying to make since I saw it last year on Ravelry: Becca Compton’s Vinnland socks. I love the way the leaf motif sort of twists and weaves down the sock, and I searched high and low for the perfect yarn, which just happens to be Sundara’s sock in Black over Emerald. I am officially obsessed with Sundara’s yarns, after discovering them late last year. Absolutely obsessed!
This was my first time doing toe-up socks, socks on two circulars, and of course, using Sundara’s yarns. I loved everything and am converted! The toe-up construction is really neat, because you can get a perfect fit, and try them on the whole time without much trouble. The two circular method is fantastic, and while I even tried the Magic Loop for a few rounds, I prefer the two circs. My next lesson will be knitting two socks on two circs, although I will say with this pattern and yarn combination, Second Sock Syndrome was never a problem. In fact, I knit the second sock faster than the first.

I couldn’t really figure out the short-row toe, and the links on the Ravelry page for the Vinnland’s didn’t work, so I just did a Figure-8 cast on, which was really easy to figure out. The only problem I encountered was in the cast-off, because you need a REALLY stretchy end to the cuffs. After three separate attempts, I finally found the Modified Russian Bind-off, which was the perfect trick.So, today is June 10, and we’ve been having all sorts of freaky-cold weather. In fact, there is actually snow predicted for tonight. At least I’ll be able to wear my toasty-soft Merino socks!

Grad School is Sucking the Life Out of Me

Oh wow. Doing my undergrad was never like this. I never had to study and stuff. Now? Heavens. There is no time for anything else!

It probably doesn't help that I've completely overbooked myself in many areas, I suppose. But there are only two more weeks left, and then I'm done for two semesters. I'm taking the fall semester off so I can go to Bhutan.

I have been knitting some, and I've been organizing a lot. Good things! More to come next week, I promise!

The Urge to Purge

Is everyone in the world suddenly getting the organization bug? It sure seems like it. Or maybe it’s like when you buy a new car, and suddenly it seems like the whole world is driving the same thing. The more I get on with my organizational aspirations, the more I notice others’ blogs, books, magazines, articles, etc. about the same.

This weekend, I am tackling one of the biggest issues hanging over my head: all the stuff I moved and never unpacked. Well, never officially unpacked—I’ve been trying to find things here and there and it’s become a big disaster. A big disaster that is supposed to be my knitting/studying/office area, except that you literally can’t walk into it.

I’ve had really good intentions. I’ve thought about it a lot. Maybe I just needed that little carrot? Well, the carrot found me, in the form of a gorgeous black lacquer desk. Here's a photo, from a magazine:
I was browsing/shopping a couple of days ago in lieu of studying for my math exam, and found this amazing desk. It’s a secretary style with a pull-down panel, and the inside is full of little drawers and cubbies all in the most brilliant RED! I knew from the moment I saw it I had to have it. I talked to the saleswoman about it, and she mentioned offhand that it was a really good deal. I went home and looked it up online… It was originally $2400—yikes, this one was $249. I bought it, and we’ll pick it up sometime this weekend.

As soon as I (ahem) make some room available for it. And so, my weekend of de-stashing, purging, de-junking has begun!

Reminisce

I promise I have some knitting and adventures to show you, and if the sun would just come out for a few minutes, I could take some pictures of the knitting! Until then, a little wedding inspiration for Åsa, who wants an American-style wedding in Sweden. Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials, Åsa!

September 30, 2006
Mountain River Ranch, Idaho, USA

New Knitty: Sophisticated Spring

Amy published the Spring 2008 issue of knitty.com today, and I have to say, this may be one of my favorite issues yet. The designs are so sophisticated and polished. I think that knitwear design is really starting to come into it's own lately. The bar seems to have been raised quite a bit in the past several months as knitters want more and more wearable designs, current but classic pieces in luxury fibers.

I've also never been one for a lot of summer knitting, preferring rich wools, cashmeres, and tweeds for fall on winter to settle on my needles, but lately, I'm getting excited by some of the possibilities in design as well as some of the fantstic yarns. I'm considering a few of knitty's newest:

Yosemite is a very sexy, form-fitting little knit, isn't it? The mini faux-cable/rib is nice and looks like it would have a lot of stretch (and designed with seven inches of negative ease, I suppose it would!).

I also really like Honeycomb, though maybe for something to knit for the fall. I am in love with Silky Tweed and Silky Wool anyway, so this could be another possibility and looks like it would be a quick weekend knit.

The Salto socks are interesting...still trying to decide if the pattern grabs me. They'd be great with some really tweedy yarn. Again, more for fall than spring.

I think I really like Marjorie, too. For my body type, this would provide all-important waist shaping that sometimes gets lost with boxier designs. I like the slight throwback to retro without seeming too "costume-y" and the alpaca looks so soft and luxurious.

Well, these will all have to be on the back burner for now. I have a big weekend project planned, and in the meantime I also have to study for a math test (ugh). Besides that, I have a few lingering UFOs that really need some TLC.