I just checked my student account *again* for about the seventh day straight–I officially got an A in my Women’s Studies class! Still waiting on my Creative Writing grade, as my professor is still grading finals.

In knitting stuff, the sweater-that-never-ends (aka, Frieda by Debbie Bliss) is almost, almost done, really! I blocked the front and back and seamed the shoulders. The turtleneck is finished, though I decided to follow the flock of other knitbloggers and make it smaller than the pattern version. One sleeve is almost finished–I have attached the cable panel and need to seam the sides. One more sleeve to go, then attaching the sleeves to the body, and I will be done! arg! This thing is taking forever for me to knit. I’m missing the simplicity of knitting in the round. Also, I’m thinking of redoing the shoulder join, as I don’t like the seaming job I did on it. But it might be too hard to undo, so it may have to stay the way it is.

I’m going to finish eventually!

[tags]college, knitting, frieda[/tags]

Posted: August 31st, 2006 under Knitting, Miss Education.
Comments: 4

I did it–I just broke my yarn diet.

I hadn’t bought yarn in about a month or so, when I used the last of July’s birthday money. So that’s pretty good, right? I sold my Elann Sierra Aran today, which I thought about using in the future, but ultimately changed my mind on the color. It’s a really gorgeous yarn, just darker than what I’m wanting to work with right now.

That being said, I bit the bullet and just purchased the Simple Knitted Bodice pattern! I have been coveting the long-sleeved version since that pattern was published, and all the knitalongs and message board topics on it didn’t help at all. I decided to go with Knit Picks Andean Silk as a substitute because there is NO WAY I can afford a $160 sweater. I am not made of money.

I’ve worked with Andean Silk in the past (for the failed Kiri shawl), and though that project didn’t work out, knitting with AS was lovely. It’s such a soft, squishy yarn, and I think it will work well for the SKB. Not to mention that the price is about one-fourth of the Tilli Thomas yarn used in the pattern.

Soooo, while I was at Knit Picks, I also bought the Aran Braided Socks pattern because I am in love with braided cables right now! And…while I was at it…hehe…I caved and also bought some Gloss sock yarn. That dang yarn has been speaking to me ever since it showed up with the rest of the new fall yarns! arg! I couldn’t resist. I am weak in the presence of pretty yarns. Though, they wouldn’t have been in my sights, had I not constantly drooled over them on this side of the screen…but anyway. I was thinking of a lace scarf for Gloss, but decided to use that for the braided socks.

What a way to break the yarn diet, right? I had every intention of waiting till I emptied my stash more before I made another significant yarn purchase, but when I sold the Sierra Aran, I took that as a license to go for the SKB, both pattern and yarn. It’s going to be fun! Besides, this is sort of my present to myself for doing well in my summer classes.

oh, and the colors I got are Andean Silk in Hollyberry and Gloss in Woodland Sage.

[tags]knitting, simple knitted bodice, knit picks[/tags]

Posted: August 29th, 2006 under Knitting.
Comments: 5

Can you feel the excitement?! I’m blocking for the first time! Soon Frieda will be finished and wearable! My apologies for the not-so-great photos; I know the view over my washer and dryer isn’t exciting, either.

(Off-topic: my Akismet anti-spam plugin seems to be on the fritz again, darnit. Turning on Spam Karma again!)

Posted: August 28th, 2006 under Knitting.
Comments: 4

I applied for yet another job today. Actually, I almost forgot to do my routine perusal of the want ads online, then remembered and lo and behold! What did I see? An opening at my local Red Cross chapter!

To backtrack, I’ve always wanted to either volunteer or work for the Red Cross, whether in disaster relief or even in an office setting. So when I saw this ad, it really jumped out at me! A quick updating of my resume and a cover letter later, and I emailed my information to them. Pleasepleaseplease let them call me! It’s almost meant to be, right?

The only thing I’m wondering about is the pay. The ad didn’t say, but I’m hoping it wouldn’t be too bad. At this point, I’d just love to get an interview with them. I think this could be the thing I’ve been waiting for. oh, and it’s an Administrative Assistant position I’ve done that before (under different job titles)–easy! sigh…waiting is always the hardest part. Well, that and the interview itself. So stressful sometimes.

I hope this works out!

[tags]jobs, job hunting, work[/tags]

Posted: August 28th, 2006 under Working Girl.
Comments: 6

eeee! I just checked my Creative Writing class online, and I got a 95 on my short screenplay! WOO! I was concerned about it–didn’t think it was very good at all–so this is excellent! I am now 99.5% sure that I’m going to pull As for the summer session. And I was thinking in recent weeks that I might get Bs. yay Do you think it would be ok to break my yarn diet in celebration of my grades?!

If you left a comment sometime yesterday and didn’t see it show up immediately, my Akismet spam catcher plugin was buggy. I emailed them for help and got a pretty quick response, and Matt from Automattic was able to help me fix the problem. In the interim, I downloaded and installed Spam Karma, which worked well, though it has a ton of features I had no clue what to do with. So I’ll fall back on that if I ever have problems with Akismet again. I think I prefer Akismet though, as it’s quite straightforward and always catches spam for me.

I discovered a new knitting podcast last night! It’s a Purl, Man. ok, first, a knitting podcast by a guy. Very cool! It’s so cool to find a guy who’s a yarn addict, hehe. Second, I like his topics and it’s fun to hear him learning about podcasting in the early episodes. I’ve only listened to episodes 1 and 2 so far, but there was a portion where he messed up trying to play a clip, and he kept messing up, but he left it in! It was really funny I already subscribed to him in iTunes. I can tell he’s going to be one of the good podcasts. oh, and I can’t believe he goes to four SnB groups!! I don’t even have one! I’m jealous. But it’s still great all the same–I wish I had people to knit with around here, girls or guys or whoever! Actually, I think the owner of my (one and only) LYS does have a get-together sometimes, but it’s not a formal, once-a-week type thing. Maybe I should look into it?

Back to It’s a Purl, Man–I was looking for episode 3 just now on his site, and I can’t find it. I guess I’ll continue with 4. There’s a photo of him here with the Yarn Harlot and he looks a lot like one of my brothers-in-law! Funny!

[tags]college, akismet, knitting, podcast, it’s a purl man[/tags]

Posted: August 27th, 2006 under Domain, Knitting, Miss Education.
Comments: 5

I spent today lazing around the house, except for earlier this evening when I went down the street to get the mail. Other than that, I have been hibernating! The husband is out of town this weekend at an SCA event, so the dogs have been my only company (along with podcasts, yarn, and Project Runway reruns).

My Frieda sweater is *almost* done! I finished the first sleeve and am about to cast on the second. I was getting bored with the pattern, so I went ahead and wove in all my ends thus far. I feel energized to finish it now! My main concern, however, are the sleeves–specifically, the length. I added about 2 inches to them because my arms are longer than the pattern specs, but I think I might have added too much. So I might end up looking like a braided cable ape girl when I try the finished object on. But if that happens, I should be able to fold up the cuffs (kind of mirroring the turtleneck)…I hope it works out.

I didn’t work on Frieda for a few days because I had a secret project on the needles. It is partly done, but I can’t take a photo because someone has a birthday coming up and is not allowed to see!

On Thursday, I went to grand jury duty orientation. This time I made sure to remember to go, haha. It was pretty boring, but didn’t last too long. I have to serve between September 1 and October 6. It should be interesting. I probably could have tried to get out of it, but I think it will be a learning experience. Plus, it will get me out of work.

Speaking of work, does it ever end? I’ve been job hunting still…and yesterday I applied for a computer position in town. I don’t think I’m nearly qualified enough for it (they prefer someone with A+ or MCSE certifications, neither of which I have), but I applied for it nevertheless. The starting pay tempted me. I figure, if they don’t call me for an interview, nothing is lost. And if they do and it doesn’t work out, at least I tried. And if it all works out and I get the job, yay! I need more money to pay off bills (and to justify future yarn purchases).

I haven’t bought yarn since spending my birthday money. I’m not sure how long I’ve officially been on my yarn diet, but it’s tough! I need to deplete my stash. I think my next project will be my Artyarns Clapotis, but I’m not sure. I just haven’t been in the mood to knit socks or anything–hence, the somewhat ambitious Frieda sweater. The Frieda pattern in itself isn’t difficult–just stockinette, cables, increasing/decreasing, and seaming–but I always have trouble keeping my concentration on time-consuming knitting projects. Maybe I should find more podcasts to listen to? They make the knitting time fly by!

And I’m still waiting to find out my course grades for Creative Writing and Women’s Studies. I’m 99% sure that I’m getting As in both, but I can’t say for certain until grades are posted. If I do get As, though, I’m thinking about having a Bust My Stash giveaway, part 2. Stay tuned.

Posted: August 26th, 2006 under Knitting, Miss Education, Working Girl.
Comments: 6

Despite being super busy at work (and having to stay after my shift ended), today was a pretty good day!

- As you can see, I have a new toy: Edgar. He’s so melancholy and pensive. You know, I have a biography of him on my insane “to be read” shelf…I should read it before next semester starts while I still have time!

- I offered to stay late today at work because the new girl (no more Evil Co-Worker. She’s Nice Co-Worker, yay!) had a doctor’s appointment and my supervisor would have gone into overtime. Someone’s got to get it done, right? My boss really appreciated it, which made me happy. I don’t like doing things for ungrateful people.

- New Lime & Violet podcast! squeeee!

- I got a free gift card in the mail today from iSkin, the people who make great iPod covers, for 100 free music downloads. How randomly cool! (Though I usually tend to procure my music through…less formal means. ahem.)

- My Frieda sweater is still progressing. I am still on the first sleeve but the first half and braid are done. It’s weird how the sleeves are constructed–you knit all the way down one half of the sleeve, knit the cable portion separately, and then knit the other half down. Then you connect the cable at the end. I don’t really know what’s up with that, but I am trusting Debbie Bliss to see me through.

I haven’t had a really good day in a long time, so I’m really happy. Even though tomorrow I have jury duty orientation, for real this time. No forgetting to go, like I did last month. yikes. At least they didn’t hold me in contempt of court, haha!

Off to listen to the new L&V now

Posted: August 23rd, 2006 under Knitting, My So-Called Life, Working Girl.
Comments: 4