Stash enhancement

There's been a mad rush of stash enhancement lately (and a rediscovered desire to take more pictures)

From Sundara Yarns:

Beautiful colorways - always sells out fast!

From La Petite Knitterie:

The green yarn is some of their hand-dyed yarn. They have a beautiful selection of colors - rekindled my interest in dyeing yarn. The black and grey is for a Debblie Bliss sweater - hugely on sale and in the right guage!

From Unraveled:

From their fishbowl sale. I finally broke down and bought some Koigu KPPM, probably for some socks. I still haven't decided what to do with the black and red - but I loved the colors.

From Carodan Farms:

I'm half German, so I've been thinking about making my mom some German socks :) Since everyone seems to be running out of the Nations yarns, I went ahead and got some. In theory, it's only August. December is a long ways off.

From Buy.com:

After seeing this posted by Grumperina, I went ahead and ordered it. I'm a big fan of Nancy Bush's books - having Vintage Socks and Folk Socks already. It just came today, and I'm looking forward to browsing through it over my morning (ok, afternoon now) cup of tea.

Sadly (sort of) - there's more to come. I broke down and ordered from sweetgeorgia yarns (though I'm wondering if my order fell through the cracks - I haven't received an invoice yet. Has anyone else ordered from them?) and some Regia Canadian Colors (my Kinderscheissdeutsch was good enough to figure out the order form, and they accept Paypal!). And then there's the trip to the Bay Area next weekend...

Path to Kniterations

Let's go over some of the more amusing ways people have found my blog:

Search for "knit doll clothes" leads to this post.

Search for "obscene knitting" leads to this post.

Search for "you've had a bad day song" leads to this post. (I'm guessing the user was somewhat disappointed)

Search for "generate a paystub" leads to this post.

Any my old favorite? Kate rubber T-shirt. I can't figure out where that led them :)

Help!

After years of everyone else doing it, I started working on Clapotis (which I have to look up every time and still haven't been able to say properly). It's been a love-hate project - love the yarn and stitching. Hate because, well, it's taking forever.

And now it has a problem. You can't really see it from here:

But it developed a hole. So, I cut some spare yarn, wove around the hole, and then tied knots:

The question is - was that the right thing to do? How do I secure the knots? The yarn itself is somewhat slippery, I'm not convinced the knots will hold. Any ideas?

Road trippin'

Teresa and I took a little road trip down to La Petite Knitterie in Ladera Ranch. I'd never been before, but they were having a sale and also have amazing hand-dyed yarn. As I'm planning another foray into yarn-dyeing, I couldn't resist. I've been buying alot of sock yarns lately, so it was no surprise that I bought another couple of skeins yesterday. At some point I'll actually finish some socks instead of buying more yarn :) I also managed to pick up some silky tweed to substitute for one of Debbie Bliss' patterns - Rio. In spite of the overwhelming amount of projects I have in mind (I started transferring them to a little notebook to take with me to yarn stores - I'm only through sweaters right now), I'm staying focused and trying to finish the WIPs I have.

We'll see how that goes.

Flashin' my stash

I know I'm ages behind, but I finally have all (well, most) of my yarn out on display. One of my favorite things about my new place!

And a bit of my sock stash:

Too hot

After 17 years in Oklahoma, I really can't say it's too hot here in LA. It's under 100. It isn't 80% humidity.

But the power's out and I have no fan, no breeze, and no desire to work on the wool socks. So I packed up my computer and headed over to the Talking Stick, the knitter's coffee shop. To kill time until my spinning class at 2 at my favorite LYS. It's been amusing telling people I'm taking a spinning class today and then explaining it doesn't involve a bike. I've done that kind of spinning before. Not for me - leads to heat rash. More than you wanted to know I'm sure :)

I like this coffee shop, but it seems to attract the strangest men. There's a guy who is here Tuesday nights, SnB nights, who can always be overheard to be hitting on women in the strangest ways. "I tell them the truth, because that's what they want to hear" "I'm sure it is"

The only woman he doesn't really hit on is the one who seems to keep throwing herself out there.

Knitting's been going well - I finally refinished the navy sock I've been making from Vintage Socks and started the second. I've been refraining from starting any new projects before the move. I should also have refrained from buying new yarn but I can't resist a sale :) My friends who are helping me move will finally see just how deep the stash is....

Laughing and knitting

Do you own Monsters, Inc.? If you do, go get it. It's ok, I'll wait. Put in the bonus/special features disc. Watch the short, Mike's New Car. Funny huh? Now go back and watch it again, with the commentary.

I hope you weren't trying to drink a juice box or anything. You may need to wipe off your moniter.

If you don't own Monsters, Inc. I recommend you make friends with someone who does. Funniest 7 minutes ever.

In knitting news, I've just been plugging away on my navy blue projects. Well, frogging and restarting more so than anything else. Very frustrating. I should just lower my standards :) I've also been cleaning out my stash in preparation for the move at the end of the month - I know, it's early July still. I like to plan ahead. I went to Target last weekend and bought some under-the-bed containers to store yarn in - I managed to fit most of my stash into 4. Not counting WIPs and some laceweight I've stuck in with the fabric. Not bad, considering....It'll be alot easier to move than those stupid drawers....

I haven't had a ton of time to knit lately, with the full time and part time jobs. Thankfully I haven't had to do any nannying this weekend - I'm feeling overwhelmed with work as it is. But in a good way - I like the new job (just not the commute). People are nice, I feel like I'm adding something of value. There's free coffee.

I'm so easy to please.

But it's late, and time for rest. Hope you all are having a happy weekend!

The continuing story

Of a quack who's gone to the dogs. Brownie points if you know where that's from.

(Lifted from my personal blog) (Knitting content to resume soonish)

Let's talk about housing and life changes shall we? The chaos that comes after deciding to drop out with a masters (sorry, leave early writing a long thesis to graduate with a masters). The rush to write a document summarizing a year and a half of work in words big enough to impress people who have the degree you were supposed to get. The hurry to finish experiments and analyze results and make charts that make sense. Finding the right grade of paper and quality of printer to avoid any confrontations at the research library. Edits. Revisions. The thesis that never ends.

Combine this with a job hunt. Research companies, rewriting your resume, coming up with a cover letter that balances selling yourself without sounding full of yourself (or other things). Signing up for job alerts, perusing the listings, applying like it's your job (don't let anyone tell you looking for a job isn't a job in itself). Waiting.

Add in nannying. Staying up late doing research and job hunting, getting up early to drive kids to school. Coming home from work early to a small room with no kitchen to switch bags to go pick up kids from school. Trying not to go crazy listening to teenagobabble on carpool days and listening to whatshisnames awful "So you've had a bad day" song or the new Green Day b/c they like it. Shudder.

Then the interviews and job offer. Accepting the offer. Looking for someone to replace me at the house. Looking for housing of my own.

I want to pause here and comment on the lack of intelligence of some of the replies I got to my ad on Craigslist for my place. If I say that you MUST be a UCLA grad student and that driving kids is NOT optional, do you think I'm going to reply to you when you tell me you're not in school and have a job that isn't flexible enough for you to be able to drive? Right. Probably not. So stop emailing me.

In short, it has been insane. And rather emotional. Graduation, whether I admit it or not, is a big deal. Even though I'm still working at UCLA (today's the last day), it's the end of an era (I think 8 years of education qualifies as an era). No more walking across campus to check out a book (or 40 in my case - I need to return those....). No more laughing at the undergrads walking by the window, having to turn off the 'A/C' so I can hear on the phone. No more late nights waiting for an NCA reaction to finish. No more working my own hours. Additionally, no more being poor. I won't be well off, but I'll be able to live on more substantial food and not feel like a charity case anymore.

It hasn't hit me really. I've been so busy worrying and stressing over finding a job and housing that I haven't realized in less than a week I'll be earning a paycheck. The housing hunt was awfully depressing. Not until you drive around to you learn what the different areas of the Valley are and which you should avoid. Then you realize why rent was so cheap when the interior looked so nice. Be prepared to slap down your life's savings and firstborn to get on a list of the desperate for housing. It's been such a struggle to find a place without a paystub. I know that there are some less than honest people out there who lie about their employment. But I'm not one of them. I have a job (actually 3 right now). I would put down an extra deposit just to get a place until I have a paystub. But no. The search went on.

Luckily, I had found someone to move into my place. The mom called her references to finalize things yesterday. The new nanny's apartment manager asked if she gave the new nanny a bad reference, would she get to keep her as a tenant. The mom told the manager she felt the same way about me. And, by the way, did they have any openings?

Turns out a studio had just come available that day. The mom called me, I called the manager, and I raced up to Sherman Oaks to get in an application before the girl the manager talked to could FedEx one in. What a nice surprise. Good area, gated building, gated parking. Within walking distance to Trader Joe's. Within 2 miles of Target, Costco, and BevMo (for the alcoholic in me). 500 square feet (4 times the space I have now), lots of cabinet space, built in shelves. Air conditioning. A bath tub. A FULL KITCHEN. Pool, sauna, gym, huge laundry room. And no problem about no paystub - she trusts me (as she should).

I was able to sleep.

In the last 10 days, I have interviewed, been offered a job, accepted a job, finished the final chapter of my thesis, made samples for our collaborators, found someone to take over my place, and found a place of my own (unless the credit check falls through).

Busy, no?

(From cleaning out my old class notes in my desk at work. Today's the last day)

Life in the city

I have seen some....how can I put this....TERRIBLE places to live. The apartment hunt continues. I know I'm staying close for some of the wrong reasons. But I'm not sold on living in Thousand Oaks just yet. I'm aiming for Sherman Oaks for now.

The thing that bothers me is the high percentage of concrete. I am going to miss grass. The place I saw yesterday in Sherman Oaks was probably the best (except for the parking - not gated). Unfortunately, someone put down a deposit on Sunday. Even though I had an appointment to see in Monday, no one told me (or showed up to the appointment for that matter). Sigh. I have to say I'm getting very discouraged with this housing search. I've seen neighborhoods with bars on the windows where I'm the only person who gets sunburned. I've seen a place where the previous tenant died in the room. I've seen hotels for WAY too much money. I've seen holes in the ceiling that are "being patched." I'm terrified I'm not going to find anything - leading to stress, problems sleeping, upset stomach, nonstop talking about apartment hunting. It's going to be much harder to look at apartments when I start my new job next Weds - I'll be working all day, when will I have time to view places?

Luckily, it looks like the family has found a replacement for me that they like. I think they're just waiting to call her references. Also luckily, her move in date is flexible, giving me more time to find a place of my own.

I am learning all the surface streets and 'bad' streets. I have mixed feelings about living in gated complexes. I've never done it before. But where I've lived safety was never a huge concern. I'm hoping that the place I saw yesterday pans out - there's a chance another unit will open up. Pretty good location (near Target, Costco, Bevmo, 99 Ranch, Ralphs...), upstairs, AC in both living room AND bedroom (at least in the unit I saw). And a middle unit will be cheaper than a corner unit. And I have excellent credit. And the guy likes me and said not having pay stubs yet isn't a problem.

I've talked myself into it.

So cross your fingers for me. I'm going to be working my butt off the rest of this week in lab, doing ad rating, and trying to find a roof. No knitting for awhile....

I haven't been knitting....

What an insane week.

Mon - cut hand. Get tetanus shot. Get phone call about interview on Tues with biotech company through contract agency. Make monomers. Go home.

Tues - wake up 3 am with chills and fever. Damn shot. Pile on blankets, take warm shower, fall back to sleep. Go to interview, find out they want someone more immediately available. Go back to LA, decide I'm too sick to work in the lab, go home and sleep.

Weds - talk to the mom (not my mom) about prospect of moving out early July. Worry about getting out of current housing and closer to biotech company. Go to interview in Pasadena. Like the company, not the job. Talk to contract agency, find out biotech company wants to hire me for 6 months. Think on it.

Thurs - frantic calls to parents and friends about whether or not to take job. Decide to go for it. Get a call 2 hours later from biotech company about my application for fulltime positions. Damn it. Post ad for current housing on Craigslist. Receive 20 emails before midnight. Many from people who didn't read the ad. Stay up late working on thesis.

Fri - Go into work early to set up more reactions. Reply to housing emails. Call housing ads. Go to minimeeting. Field calls from people to see my place - show it to a musician. More chemistry. Get a call from biotech company from an engineer in process development who's doing phone interviews. Asks questions about units and things I haven't worked with. Sigh. More chemistry. More apartment showing.

I'm still here in lab. Totally drained and thinking of putting my stuff in storage for awhile to ease the stress of finding a place to live before I generate a paystub. It's been a crazy week. But at least I'm employed :)

Taking the plunge

After years of knitting from patterns, I'm finally trying to design my own. I saw a girl wearing a cute cardigan/jacket the other day and decided to start on one. Because I don't have enough projects going as it is. Or another thesis section to write. Yes, the thesis was filed, but my committee wants me to add more about poly(amino acid) degradation to compare my material with other materials currently being used. And let's just leave it at that.

Continuing my blue funk, I'm back to working on the socks from Knitting Vintage Socks and the sweater in Vintage Knits (both navy) now that I've finished the Somewhat Cowl (also navy). That and another pair of socks, Claptois, a third pair of socks, some fingerless gloves, and a knit tee from the other Vintage Knits. No, not too many projects at all. I haven't been able to work on them because I'm having problems with my wrists again - when I massage my arms I can feel it shoot up into my hand and tense up. Not sure what to do besides take a break from knitting for awhile.

Maybe do some reading :) Happy Sunday all!

Well, sort of a cowl...

My attempt to be somewhat creative this morning as I image my version of the Somewhat Cowl from Knit and Tonic - the Not Really a Cowl at All.

When I read that the collar was 6 inches of ribbing, I stopped at 3 and tried it on. After deciding I was ok with the idea of not knitting on the collar anymore, I bound off (only to find I hadn't picked up stitches very evenly. Frog away).

This time it's truly done and drying as we speak. I love the shape of this sweater, though if I were to make it again I'd knit the raglan to the full 10.5 inches (I think I stopped early, so the sweater is a little tight across the bust. Which for me is quite a feat).

Alright, back to revisions. So far only my advisor has been working with me, I have no idea what the other two think. And only 6 days left....Inhale, exhale. It's going well, just making time management a little more spontaneous. And causing problems for the family, since I'm going to have to bail on driving duty in the afternoons until Monday. It's for a good cause :)

Almost finished

I almost had an FO to post, but I decided to redo the collar, picking up stiches more evenly this time around :) So, sometime soon, an FO.

In other objects that need finishing - I go my first set of revisions from my professor on Thursday. Both of us were surprised that there weren't more corrections, overall he thought it was "pretty good." I had to redo one set of studies, but I just took the pictures this morning and will throw them in and see how they look. Then I need to get feedback from the other 2 committee members and some signatures (assuming they'll sign off on it - one of them has me a bit worried). Just trying to keep calm.

Still job hunting. I got a temp/remote job this week that's up to 30 hours a week from home (or wherever), which is perfect. The pay is pretty good, the hours are flexible, and it gives me a chance to stay with the family a few more months and save money. Which is really what I should be focusing on right now.

Thanks everyone for your support :) Deep breaths.

Obligatory Update

I have applied for almost 40 jobs to date, and in the span of almost 2 months, I have heard NOTHING.

I have a small fly infestation in my bathroom - little tiny black flies crawling out of who-knows-where to die. I imagine they're dying because I have bleached the hell out of that room, put drano and bleach down the sink and shower, and sprayed Simple Green over every available surface. The bathroom is not designed to be, well, used. Water builds up around the sink and spills in the small area between the wall and the sink. Leaving a mess. I am having sneezing fits from the Simple Green's strong aroma. And seriously considering not driving until they fix the problem. I have a sinking suspicion there is water trapped in the wall, making a breeding ground for these guys. Sigh. Everyone grossed out now?

I turned in my thesis yesterday, and got replies from all 3 committee members. 2 are out of town. 1 of the out-of-towners won't read my thesis until next week. Giving me less than a week to work on his revisions. Sadly, he's the one I was warned about. I am a little panicked (no more so than usual).

I have, officially, hit a low point. Academically, financially, physically, emotionally. I am burned out on my research, I have no savings or future job or housing after the end of August, I am exhausted, and totally stressed. And it's only Tuesday.

In good news, I have more than just a cat for a pet now. Thousands of little flies. Ew.

And I'm almost done with a sweater I'm making. Which is actual good news. As opposed to fake good news (or good fake news, like the Daily Show). I'm clearing out my yarn stash in anticipation of moving/putting stuff in storage. Going to hit up Trader Joe's for some comfort food and then Goodwill to get rid of some stuff. Then finally SnB tonight, to relax and hopefully finish my sweater....

Hope you're all well!

Ew

I am not squeamish when it comes to bugs. I won't go near them, but I don't run away screaming (that would be too extreme for a seemingly quiet person like myself). However, the ant situation in the office is horrible. I would take a picture, but I want you all to keep reading.

I don't know why the ants have chosen to cohabitate with us. Actually, I have two guesses and they're both boys. It involves coffee and soda and crumbs. Oh my. Unfortunately, my desk is cornered by them. And so the ants and I will write my thesis together.

Speaking of, I have some good news and some bad news. Let's go with the good news: I'm getting paid until the end of June (not the end of the quarter as I had previously thought). AND my petition to transfer courses from UCSB finally was approved (meaning I have enough units to graduate). Woohoo!

But. My boss is out of town at conferences - he just told us last week he'd be gone until the 18th. I talked to him after and asked if he wanted me to send him sections as I finished them, and he said sure. So last night I sent him my 2nd section, and received an email saying he's unable to download attachments and won't be able to look at it until the 18th. Why is this a problem? My draft to the committee is due on the 22nd. And I have to file by June 5th. If he wants more experiments done...well. It's going to suck. However, I emailed one of my committee members about the situation and he's going to look over it for me. Sigh. As if I wasn't enough of a nutcase right now.

Must finish collecting data! The week's almost over!

Knitting?

I seriously haven't been able to knit (aside from the walk to school) for the last couple of weeks. Last minute experiments, writing my thesis, general panic. Despite the mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion, I'm actually feeling ok today. I sent my introduction to my prof last night and feel better about my second section. Experiments seem to be going ok. I have quizzed various friends about temping as a temporary solution to my job troubles. Went to a good infosession on campus today and handed in another resume. Life feels a little more manageable.

Doesn't mean I'm still not a basketcase, but we can't have everything.

So. Knitting. Aside from trying to unload some of my stash (poor grad student with a tiny room), I haven't had much to do with yarn. Halfheartedly started a pair of socks only to decide they weren't manly enough. (Though my labmate told me anything with the Yankees on it, even pink socks, would be manly enough for him. I told him I'd get right on it). My plan is to finish the next 2 sections, turn the whole thing in to my boss, and take a day off. Knit and watch a movie or something. Anything not involving polypeptide microspheres. For the love of all things sane....

:)

Internet threatened

I received an email from a friend of mine, about the attack on network neutrality. Basically, internet service providers are looking for a way to fund their business and are turning to websites. Websites who pay them more will appear "faster" to users and gain preference. They'll give priority to preferred websites. Consumer groups, Google, Yahoo, and others are pushing to maintain network neutrality. Apparently this has been going on for awhile...

The Coming Tug of War

MoveOn.org

Absence makes the heart grow fonder

I'm testing that theory out with my blogging it seems :) I'm in the crunch right now. Breaking things off with the ex once and for all. Writing my thesis by May 22nd. Worrying about a friend whose grandfather died recently. Today's horoscope:

You care about the people around you. It matters to you if they're feeling good, bad or in between. You're in no way indifferent if they're worried about life, death, love or finances. You're a good person to talk to, and a good person to rely on. The question is are you getting enough support yourself? If not, are you maybe forgetting to ask for help? If you aren't used to making your needs known, it can be pretty unfamiliar territory. Venture out into it -- your friends care about you too.

I'm exhaused - the worry about money and finding a job and writing my thesis have kept me anxious and unable to sleep well. The emotional events of the past few weeks haven't helped much either. Life with the family has been irritating - the Teenager is the one I normally drive to and from school. However, she has spring break this week and the mom told me any driving I do with the Teenager I wouldn't be doing (obviously). Which was great, because I'm on call for jury duty this week (though very unlikely to serve).

Monday: phone call asking if I have time this week to drive. I return the call and remind the mom about jury duty and explain that since the Teenager is on spring break I'm trying to get alot done in lab so I can focus on writing the thesis. My call is returned and the mom wants to compare schedules.

Weds: phone call asking if I can watch the Boy that night. It was my friend's birthday and I'd made plans for dinner with her at 6:30.
How about until then?
No, I was learning how to culture cells that afternoon and didn't know when I'd be done.
But isn't Weds your normal day to pick the Teenager up from school?
Yes, but since she's on spring break I'm trying to get alot of work done.
Well, we know you have jury duty this week and we know you wanted to write, but it's not likely you'll get called for jury duty, you know you have to call in every night and find out.
Yes, I do know that and I've been doing that, but if I'm not called I'm supposed to go in to work.
Oh, well, let's compare schedules tonight.

Fine. I'm so sick of having to justify what I do to them. True, sometimes when they call last minute and ask for help I can't because I'm hanging out with friends. But this time it was for work. And I'd been told I wouldn't be needed. I'm trying to graduate. And I'm trying not to burn out from working at school and at home and for them with no down time. I hate coming home a night because I get pounced on with "can you drive tomorrow morning/this weekend/for the rest of your life?" They even asked if I'd be around over the summer.

Hell no.

In knitting news, I have a pair of socks started and have obsessively been thinking about how to knit toe-up with a heel flap. Sure beats reading about microspheres and drug delivery! I know it'll end and that everything will work out. I'm just so tired today that it's hard not to complain.

In domestic news, for Bush's approval rating - Limbo! How low can it go?

Knitting like it's my job

If only it were. That and watching movies....

Another finished hat:
Pattern: Last Minute Knitted Gifts
Yarn: Another unknown kettle-dyed wool
Comments: This time I followed the pattern to 5 1/2" instead of 6 1/2" - I like this fit much better. Though it's a little loose around the bottom - I'll knit the ribbing on smaller needles next time. I do like the swirl effect though!

I also had some free time to dye this weekend, taking advantage of the sale on Kool-Aid at Ralph's. I thought about using cake dye, but wasn't sure how to use it and didn't have the patience to do a web search on it.

FO!

Pattern: Earflap hat from Last Minute Knitted Gifts

Yarn: unknown wool gifted from the family I live with

Changes: 10.5 instead of US 9 needles, and I started with the earflaps tip up to make a seamless join to the brim.

Comments: I think the hats tend to be too tall - it called for knitting to 7" from the brim before decreasing - next time I make this hat (and there will be a next time!), I think I'll only do 5" and see how it goes. I also would like the earflaps to be more square at the bottom than they are, though I like their length.

If you're looking to get some new yarn from other knitters, check out DeStash - I've already joined up to try and clean out my stash (optimistically hoping that I'll be moving for a job in June)

Amazon

I love Amazon and their customer service. Around Valentine's day, my friend/dating partner/alleged non-boyfriend (sorry, inside joke with myself) ordered a bunch of stuff for me from my wishlist (because he's cool and one of the few people who actually uses my wishlist), including the Yarn Harlot's new book. However, though I saw him click the option to not wait until all items were available to ship, nothing came for weeks. So we hassled Amazon and they sent my movies (Harry Potter and Wallace and Gromit!) and would ship the Yarn Harlot's book when it was released.

Or so they said....(insert suspenseful music here)

It's been ages now and it hasn't come. So I emailed them before I left for work this morning and just got an email saying it seems my book was lost in the mail and they're sending another, next day mail, free of charge.

I love Amazon.

My boss however - not so much. As part of the research gig we have group meetings every Tuesday afternoon (where someone presents on either their current research or a journal article they found interesting) and mini-meetings every Friday morning (where 3 of us sit with the Bossman and tell him what we've done that week). He emailed the postdoc this morning to tell him he couldn't remember if he'd said we didn't have mini-meeting this week. No, he hadn't. I could have slept in a little...and with these allergies I'm trying to ignore I could use the extra rest....argh.

I know, I know. World's smallest violin playing the world's saddest song just for me. Imagine the adjustments I'll have to make when I get a real, normal, structured job.

In knitting news - I spent about an hour last night rewriting a hat pattern to fit my gauge. The family I live with has alot of kettle-dyed yarn they keep giving me, and each hank is only about enough for a hat. So I found a pattern I liked in Handknit Holidays and had to tweak it a bit to fit my yarn. We'll see how it goes....

And, finally, in music news - there's a show in Hollywood tonight you should go to if you can. Rob's friend Kasey, an aspiring musician, has finally made it out of Pasadena/Sierra Madre and into Hollywood - tonight at 10:30 at Genghis Cohen. $7. She's good - check her out! And she's funny :)

Oh please

So there's a guy in Michigan who went on strike because his wife has been letting their kids sleep in their bed. He even started a blog and a petition.

I can understand that he feels she's sort of ignoring him and taking away from their time together. But I find it hard to believe he has to go sit on his roof and start a petition to get some compromise.

People say women are dramatic...It goes both ways.

Rewards

In an effort to distract myself from financial worries (this happens every quarter - my stipend goes directly to my fees and I worry that the department isn't going to pay my tuition and I'll have to make it on $700/mo for the next 3 months. Add in a large credit card balance and the worry of job hunting and well....you've almost got where I'm at) I've been knitting like crazy. I figure sitting at home and knitting while watching movies is one of the cheapest things I can do right now, and it's a good opportunity to use up my stash in hopeful preparation for a move (assuming I get a job). Plus, if I can knit myself new clothes I won't feel the temptation to go shopping.

Right.

So I'm still working on Claptois (which I still can't say), a sweater from Rowan's Vintage Knits, another OSW, and now Knit and Tonic's Somewhat Cowl. In addition to a couple socks and whatever else is in my basket :) I start new knitting projects like it's my job.

If only it were!

I have to say, one of the most frustrating things about the job hunt is that after you send in your resume, you have no idea who to follow up with. Most of the ones I've sent in go through the career pages of companies, and of course no contact info is given. I know, it hasn't even been a week yet. But I wouldn't be my mother's daughter if I didn't worry.

Speaking of, my mom has recovered quite well from her surgery and is back to walking her 2 miles a day. Which is nice :)

If you're looking for something fun - check out OK Go's A Million Ways dance video. I have to say, it's pretty nicely done for a backyard production choreographed by singer's sister!

Hard at work

As my experiments wind down, and the job hunt begins in ernst...

I decide to clean out my inbox on one of my many email accounts. And I find this email from my mom, sending me the link to a video I did.

See, I was a chemical engineering major at Berkeley not too long ago. And I worked in the chemistry stockroom - preparing labs, badgering the students to wear their safety glasses, telling the other stockroom empolyees to wash the dishes (if this doesn't sound like womanly work, I don't know what does). My boss made these instructional videos for how to run the GC and do titrations, and my coworkers and I did the voices. I swear I don't really sound like that. I totally don't. I'm like, from the Midwest ok? Though I don't have a midwestern accent either...

Enjoy!

Yarn sale!

I'm trying to clean out my stash (so when I do eventually have to move it won't be so nightmarish) and below the chosen few. Prices are posted, and I don't think shipping would be more than $5. If you're interested in any of it, either comment or email me (k8jlew at gmail dot com). I'd like to see it go to good yarn friendly homes!

A bunch of roving, here's the eBay link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8243117161

FINISHED!

Finally - the Lady E is finished! Here it is blocking on my bed for the day. I had to wash a few times (in the sink with cold water and Woolite - my hands are still thawing!) and I didn't pin it very tightly. I'm very pleased with how it turned out - I think Silk Garden was a perfect choice for this project. I apologize for the blurriness of the photo - this is courtesy of my new camera phone, since I left my digital camera at work.

Another FO - Branching Out, made of another wool/silk blend. I'm not convinced this was a good yarn choice - the detail is really pretty hard to see. But I'm still glad it's done :) One less project in the basket!

You must be joking

I complain about knitting on size 1's (well, I complain about alot of things but that's definitely on the list) But knitting on 0's? 00's? 00000's?

You must be kidding.

Doll clothes. Tiny doll clothes, color knit tiny doll clothes. Patterns for tiny color knit doll clothes.

I need to go make some tea while I recover. Good thing half my tea collection is here in the office :)

Still chugging away at Lady E - almost done with the 8th ball. It will be done by next Thurs. It will. Then I will finish all the other UFO's in my basket before I restart the Lace Leaf Pullover. Seriously. There will be some discipline!

Famous last words...

Did you know a search for "Kate rubber T-shirt" led someone to my blog? I'm concerned...

Oscar madness

You thought the Oscars were all about brilliant movies, stunning dresses, and long speeches?

Nope, there's fiber involved too.

Sigh

So I frogged the sweater. I finished binding off Tuesday at SnB and tried it on when I got home - too big and shorter than I'd like. So I'm casting on again, this time for the smallest size (I'd switched to the larger b/c of a yarn replacement and gauge difference) and starting over. I managed to salvage one of the sleeves, so it shouldn't take too long...famous last words :)

In other drama, lab work is slowly wrapping up and I'm beginning to realize I need to (gasp) start looking for a job and (gasp!) start writing my thesis....insert panic here :)

Luckily, there's lots of music to take my mind off it. I've started playing again, inspired by my friends who are venturing out into the world of open mic. Concerts are coming up too - my favorite band, the Mother Hips, has resumed their touring schedule. They're making a stop in LA and 2 in San Diego. Trouble is, my ex is going to be there, with his girlfriend. The one who hit on him in front of me when I'd drive to SD to visit him. The one who "isn't comfortable" with the idea of him driving up to meet me for lunch. The one he complains about on his blog. We were together for 5 years, and it's been exactly a year since he broke up with me. Obviously, it's going to take some time. Before I consider him a friend again.

Sigh. This is where my sweater was left Saturday night, when I ran out of yarn in Boston. Which means it could have been done, had I remembered to bring another hank of yarn with me. Had I thought I needed it....oh well, it'll be done soon :) I'm still really pleased with the quick progress, though I may re-seam one of the sleeves. More details later.

I've been starting again on my Lady E, hoping to finish it in time for my mom's surgery in March. Without too much detail, she's really nervous and could certainly use a get well gift. So cross your fingers.

In another effort to clean out my tiny room, I'm getting rid of some yarn. If any of this interests you let me know, otherwise it's getting donated. Somewhere :) $1/ball, email me for details on yardage, fiber, etc at pacgirl44 at yahoo dot com.

Panic....

Um...Sunday? Why are you creeping up on me?

Remember all my complaints about grafting the Lace Leaf Pullover and how it was forming a line I didn't like because my tension was off? Well, I undid it. I put a lifeline in, pulled out the graft, and frogged the bottom half of my sweater.

The good news is I have one sleeve done.

The bad news is I don't have a bottom half of my sweater. And I'm flying to Boston tomorrow (if I'd been on top of it I would have seen who of the bloggers is out there - because really, how often do I go to the East Coast? Once a year, glad you asked). Which means alot of time on the plane. But with my wrists I don't think I can really knit nonstop.

It's going to be a photo finish. Assuming I remember my camera. Though since I tried to start my car by putting my key where my sunglasses are stored, I wouldn't hold your breath :)

Nah, it'll be ok. Those inches fly by, and the second sleeve doesn't have the leaf on it (like that really cuts down on knitting time). It'll be ok. Maybe I should leave work early and seam the other sleeve on, for peace of mind....

It's only 1:45...

Good luck to all you other knitting Olympians. It's looking good!

Knitting Olympics

I'm making good progress on the Lace Leaf Pullover - sadly, I didn't think to take any pictures yesterday. So you'll just have to trust me that I grafted the top and bottom together and have started to knit one sleeve. Would I lie about this?

I'm not entirely pleased with the grafting job. The first time I tried to Kitchner stitch it on the needles and it left a line of purl stitches. Then I tried it inside out - same problem. I dug out my Book of Finishing Techniques and looked up the KS - I was doing what it told me. However, they had an interesting illustration of what was actually going on - sewing through the stitches in a zigzag. So I strung in a lifeline and proceeded to sew. I like the results better, though I pulled a little too tight. Next time I make this sweater (if) I'm going to knit from the top down and add in the leaf at the bottom when I feel like it. No grafting for me!

In other Knitting Olympic news - the family I live with saved me this article from Time magazine:


I love that I've developed a reputation with them :)

meme Madness

I've been tagged by Sara and Teresa, so here goes:

Four Jobs You Have Had In Your Life:
1. Graduate student - going for a masters now!
2. Intern - five straight summers. Chevron and Intel.
3. Tutor - did for awhile to supplement my stipend, now I do it for rent. Sigh.
4. Student leader in a chemistry lab (*whip crack* Make that solution!)


Four Movies You Could Watch Over and Over:
1. Lord of the Rings (any of 'em)
2. Harry Potter (mostly the 3rd)
3. Princess Bride
4. Monty Python? Muppet Movie? Good Will Hunting? Good Morning Vietnam?


Four Places You Have Lived (only 4?)
1. Bartlesville, OK years 0-17
2. Berkeley, CA years 18-um, 24
3. Santa Barbara, CA years 24-25
4. Los Angeles, CA years 25-now


Four TV Shows You Love to Watch
1. The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
2. Family Guy
3. Gilmore Girls
4. West Wing


Four Places You Have Been on Vacation
1. Germany - family
2. New Mexico - 10 summers in a row
3. Oregon - lived there for awhile
4. Hawaii - intern perk


Four Websites You Visit Daily
1. Yahoo/Gmail - compulsive email checking
2. Fark
3. Comedy Central
4. Bloglines


Four of your Favorite Foods
1. Edamame
2. Anything with Nutella
3. Pistachio ice cream
4. Cheese


Four Bloggers You are Tagging:
Well, if you haven't done this then what are you waiting for?

Three names you answer to-
Kate
Katerina
sigh. Katherine. Only if forced. You will all note Katie is not on here, nor my family nickname. Guess.

Three parts of your heritage-
German - 1/2
Irish - 1/8
Random European - the rest

Three things that scare you-
Death
Lonliness
Heights

Three everyday essentials-
Tea
Petting Marie the cat
Guitar

Three things you are wearing-
Denim skirt
White shirt
Safety glasses (hey, I'm at work)

Three favorite songs [by artists I’ve been listening to a lot lately]-
Walk away - Ben Harper
Love you madly - Cake
Bm slide - Angela Lum, co author.

Three things about the opposite sex that appeal to you
Humor
Patience
Eyes

Three things that you want in a relationship-
Friendship
Understanding
Support

Three favorite hobbies
Knitting
Guitar
Photography

Three things to do before you die
Graduate
Travel selfishly

Three ways you are stereotypically female/male-
I like shoes
I get emotional and talk about it and analyze it
I believe ice cream and chocolate are therapeutic

Two truths and one lie, in no particular order-
I've fallen down the stairs on crutches
I was a ballerina for 10 years
I knit with opposite hands

3 people you are tagging-
Tag on people.

Knitting Olympics update

When I first joined the Knitting Olympics, I said I was going to make a sweater from Rowan. That's right, a full sweater on size 5 needles.

Um, insane.

When I looked at the signup page, it just said sweater next to my name. Telling me I could go ahead and change "Rowan sweater" to "Lace Leaf Pullover"

Which I did.

Then the tough decision - what yarn? I had some blue Cascade Pastaza set aside for Lucky, though in all honesty it's too thick for that sweater. So I decided to do a test swatch. Hmm, too thin. Ok, I'll order some from Handpaintedyarn.com. I found a colorway I liked, ordered it, wound it into balls, and did a test swatch. Perfect.

Then I started knitting. Ew. While the yarn looks pretty on its own, it's going to be ugly as a sweater.



So back to Cascade I went. Much better. Though knitting, drinking beer, and watching the 40-year old Virgin will make you misread pattern instructions - I had to rip out 10 rows of the top because I wasn't increasing along the shoulders as well. Oops!

A few links

Beadlizard's knitting advice - she makes some very helpful suggestions.

LA Times article on the SnB controversy.

And the Yarn Harlot on NPR about the Knitting Olympics

Found on Professor Knitwit - what kind of knitter are you?


You appear to be a Knitting Adventurer.
You are through those knitting growing pains and

feeling more adventurous. You can follow a

standard pattern if it's not too complicated

and know where to go to get help. Maybe

you've started to experiment with different

fibers and you might be eyeing a book with a

cool technique you've never tried. Perhaps

you prefer to stick to other people's

patterns but you are trying to challenge

yourself more. Regardless of your preference,

you are continually trying to grow as a

knitter, and as well you should since your

non-knitting friends are probably dropping

some serious hints, these days.
http://marniemaclean.com


What Kind of Knitter Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

While on break from knitting, I did a little sewing - here's a picture of the skirt I made:



And as I wait for my monomer to dry out, I've started working on my Lady E again - 5 balls down, 5 more to go!



I also notice I never posted a picture of the slippers I made for my mom:

The soles were improvised - I couldn't find any leather so I used the rubber grip mats for drawers. Seems to be working alright, though I like the look of leather better...

Go here to get your own.

Knitting? What knitting?

My mother has wrist problems, which in turn has made me oversensitive to wrist problems myself. Ie if my wrists start hurting, I stop knitting. Frustrating. So I haven't been doing much knitting this week (no Lady E progress!) Though I did join the Knitting Olympics with the hopes of knitting this:



I am offically crazy. Size 3 needles? Whoo boy....

I've been trying to finish up some UFO's (namely Clapotis), but with the length of the projects I had to throw in a quick one for some instant gratification:

A pocket creature (from Knitty) and a tea cozy (from Stitch 'n Bitch Nation). Using some yarn from the family and some Cascade Pastaza I had left over from my first sweater. I tried to modify the cozy pattern some to fit a smaller teapot, but the yarn was too bulky. Still, it was my first color knitting project, and I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out :)

With knitting verboten for the week, I switched to sewing and bought a couple of Vogue skirt patterns. Let's just say I'm not as curvy as the ideal woman (size 6 is a 23" waist to 32.5" hips, which makes my 4" waist to hip increase seem, well, boyish) and will have to see how it turns out. I bought some muslin and made up the front and back last night before crawling into bed with my cold/allergies. Today I'll finish seaming and see if I picked the right size. I'm learning some neat things (French seams!) and really like the flexibility of choosing my own fabric and details.

This weekend brings some much needed down time - I've resolved to not come into work and not work for the family (after all the drama there lately I need a break). Knitting and watching my Netflix rentals sounds just about right today!

meme

I've been tagged by bear mountain picnic - I hear this one has made the rounds, so here goes:

FOUR MEME

Four Jobs You Have Had In Your Life:
1. Graduate student
2. Intern
3. Tutor
4. Student leader in a chemistry lab (*whip crack* Make that solution!)


Four Movies You Could Watch Over and Over:
1. Lord of the Rings (any of 'em)
2. Harry Potter (mostly the 3rd)
3. Princess Bride
4. Monty Python? Muppet Movie? Good Will Hunting?


Four Places You Have Lived (only 4?)
1. Bartlesville, OK
2. Berkeley, CA
3. Santa Barbara, CA
4. Los Angeles, CA


Four TV Shows You Love to Watch
1. The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
2. Family Guy
3. Gilmore Girls
4. West Wing


Four Places You Have Been on Vacation
1. Germany
2. New Mexico
3. Oregon
4. Hawaii


Four Websites You Visit Daily
1. Yahoo/Gmail - compulsive email checking
2. Fark
3. Comedy Central
4. Bloglines


Four of your Favorite Foods
1. Edamame
2. Anything with Nutella
3. Pistachio ice cream
4. Cheese


Four Bloggers You are Tagging:
Well, if you haven't done this then what are you waiting for?

A true blogger moment

Last night as I rifled through my stash to take stock of my yarn (ie try to find yarn suitable for the Leaf Pullover I've seen around), I ran across some grey Cascade Pastaza. Enough to make, well, something out of...trouble was I couldn't remember what I was going to make. I knew I'd bought it with a project in mind, at the Yarn Lady no less.

I also knew I could look on my blog and figure it out. I'm not sure how I feel about that...

I'm still feeling a bit overwhelmed by my stash - frantically knitting to free some room in my oh-so-tiny studio. My studio that inspired my friend to comment, "Guess you can't be a packrat anymore."

Watch me try.

Still chugging along on Lady E for Sknitty's KAL. Started a sock. Branching Out, Claptois, Lace Leaf Socks, fingerless gloves, a random scarf. Plenty to work on still. And so many new projects I want to start - mostly sweaters, as the chemicals have attacked one of my favorites (this will teach me to wear clothes I like to lab). Knit knit knit knit knit.

Happy weekend!

Lady E

I gave in and started another new project (because the 10-odd projects I had going just weren't doing it for me) After a good week of knitting at night, at work, in cafes, I give you Lady Eleanor (10 tiers). Silk Garden, colorway 224, on US 9 needles (as opposed to the US 10.5 the pattern calls for). I'm concerned about the yardage on this - I've gone through almost 3 balls and only managed 10 tiers - I have 7 balls left for the remaining 25 tiers. It seems....close. But I'm loving how the varigated colors work into the blocks. One of my nannying charges was convinced I was switching yarn each time - eech - too many ends to weave in!

FBS #3 - Mom's birthday

All pinned out!

Whew. 2 down, 1 more to go (for Mother's Day). Last night I made a few knitting-related resolutions

1. Use up stash. Seriously. My place is small enough
2. Do not buy any more yarn until, a) I've used up my stash or b) Yarn Lady sale. Maybe.
3. Either use the knitting machine or sell it. My financial situation could use the improvement...
4. Rethink the idea of knitting for non-knitters. Often leads to frustration. With the exception of finger puppets...

I've been knitting, I swear

Finally done with Christmas knitting - onto birthday knitting! Here are some of the FO's, though not all....



Clockwise, from top left: OSW for Amy, yoga bag from Knitty for Michelle, simple grey socks for Dad, and FBS for Mom. Not pictured are muppet hands and another OSW (which, not too suprisingly, needs to be enlarged. Does anyone else have this problem with OSW?)

Not much to do at work today, just been reading. Planning on taking off soon to try and finish Mom's birthday present (considering her birthday is tomorrow, well, it's going to be late)

Happy New Year!

Still knitting

Is it really the 19th? Will I finish? Here's the list:

Dec 25th due date:
Pair of socks
Slippers to felt
Whip (before you start thinking too hard - it was promised as a joke for my friend and her band)
Muppet hands (aka fingerless gloves out of some seriously furry yarn)

Dec 27th due date:
FBS

Dec 30th due date:
OSW
Yoga bag

How is it that this list looks so managable? Why am I stressed? Perhaps all the other UFO's in the basket:
Branching out, Claptois, lace leaf socks, blanket, hourglass sweater, garter stitch sweater to re-neck, everything bag, ribbed scarf, rebecca lace sweater.....

Or maybe all the planned UFO's:
another FBS, 3 other lace shawls, 2 entrelac shawls, monster slippers, tea cozy, pocket pals, another red riding hood scarf, brioche hat, lace and tuck ensemble, rebecca skirt....

I have begun knitting on the walk to work again. If I go out to bars, I will bring the knitting with me. More so in hopes of disuading boys I wouldn't like anyways than in the belief I'll really get more knitting done. Knitting interferes with drinking! I have also finally figured out the basics of spinning (after much glaring at the instructions) Not that I'm good, but I made a foot of yarn :) And bought more roving. Sorry for the lack of pictures - I left my camera at home again.

I'm overwhelming glad to be done with finals forever. And one step closer to being done with school. It's such a relief to have direction and solid goals again instead of the ambiguity that is grad school. I will leave here. My knitting and I are off like a prom dress....

Perhaps not the best line to end on :)

Big times

Still frantically knitting - got my "learn how to spin" kit the other day - and still haven't learned how to spin (I'm a visual person) Haven't made it to SnB the past few weeks because I've been working (either with the family or at real work). I'm still in denial about Christmas. Sure, I'll get all my gifts done...

Right....

Things are good since I decided to finish up school (see my other blog of superfluous rambling about it). I'm hoping it'll combat all my problems at once - finishing up school means doing more work which means less time to sit at home and feel frustrated that my boyfriend is far busier than I am (and doesn't think we need to see eachother as often as I seem to think we do. Analytically, I can pin this as a response to my last relationship and its end in Feb)

So. Knitting will be back soon. Promise.