Addiction is My Addiction

I think I have a problem. A yarn problem.

The actual truth behind my inability to think about something other than yarn might be that I tend toward obsession. For example, when I was really into school (University), I went seven quarters in a row, took extra classes, and got perfect grades. I didn't do anything but go to school. I did work enough to pay the bills, so of course I self-destructed after a while.

I think knitting might be a bit different, as I have a family that means the world to me (good anchor), a job I actually like on occasion, and a better sense of who I am and what path I'm on. However, my approach doesn't seem to have altered much: I obsess about yarn or patterns when I'm not knitting, I spend lots of time knitting instead of things like dishes and laundry, and most of the people I'm making friends with here in Oregon are either knitters or knit bloggers. None of this is bad, but what happens when the obsession ends? Will I quit knitting the way I seldom pick up a book anymore? (I'm an English major. 'Nuff said.)

There is always the possibility that after four years, I may have outlasted the obsession and taken up a genuine vocation. What I could never accomplish before (maybe I was a little too interested in things like boys and parties) I can now achieve because...oh gosh, can it be true?...I've settled down a bit. Does that mean my 10 skeins of Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool will eventually become the Tangled Yoke Cardi? Possibly, although I refuse to give an actual cast-on date. A swatch is good start, I think.

Contrary to the appearance of this blog, I have been a knitting who-oor. I don't recall if I posted a list, but here's how things stand:

1. Blanket for in-laws, though half-knitted, has become blanket for brother and future sister-in-law.

2. Socks for spouse. Done. (Thank goodness he isn't a reader.)

3. Socks for BF: heels gussets in progress on Sock #2.

4. Sweater for nephew: knitting done, pattern turned out cute as heck, must sew up.

Etc: sweater/hat set for incoming niece needs final touches, shawl for Mom is on hold (will Pie R Square never be done?!), slipper socks for BF's Mom not even designed (whoops).

I guess commercialism will have to pick up where big-hearted ambition fell a little short. I knew there was a reason why my mental theme for Christmas this year was "Consumer Spending". Thanks to the State of Oregon for that lovely kicker.

Good night all. See you on Ravelry?

Sleepless

About once a week, I lay in bed next to my fam and stare at the ceiling. I toss. I fidget. I try to get comfortable. And yet, I can't seem to nod off.

I guess there's a lot going on inside my head after dark. The things I don't get time to think about during the day, like larger financial matters, seem to erupt into a chorus of what if's and scenario processing once my child is safely asleep. Even after a nice and busy shift (in which I seem to be running non-stop) at work, I'm still overly awake.

Eventually, my stomach starts to growl and then I'm really hosed. I can't go to sleep hungry. Several years ago I worked graveyard and trying to convince my body to eat when it thought it was supposed to be asleep must've created a hang-up. A glass of milk and that would've resolved the issue back in the day. Thanks, lactose intolerance. Soymilk just isn't the same.

I know all those things I'm trying to figure out right before nodding off probably don't warrant all the energy it takes to get around them. I worry for worry's sake. House? Condo? Lawyer? Rent? House? Apartment? Beaverton? Vancouver? I'm the money-juggler in our house, which is all fine with me. But sometimes I get a little overwhelmed by the number of balls in the air. Choices have consequences, and so do market down-turns. How much risk do I take?

Honestly, I can't figure everything out on my own, and 2am isn't the time to do the figuring anyway. I'd rather this didn't continue, but I suppose I'll learn to live with it or trick it.

(Sorry for the extreme whine today. Low blood-sugar, as per usual.)

Canon Makes Great Toys

Toys for adults, that is. I'm borrowing my BF's mom's Canon Powershot S2 IS, and I'm way in over my head. I have to start experimenting somewhere, so why not with the socks in just finished for my mother's birthday present. Hurry, get those suckers in the mail!

Specs:
64 st Vanilla sock with reinforced heel.
2.75 mm Crystal Palace DPNs.
Dream in Color Smooshy bought here.

This yarn is heaven to knit up: quick, soft, fantastic color variation. The yardage is exceptional for the price and I have a ton left over to make myself a pair of green knee socks with purple cuffs, heels and toes. I'm thinking this colorway will go with my purple wonderfully.



Oh no! Mom is at again!

Arrrr

Tell me this isn't a darn cool tee shirt. You know you're a geek when your wardrobe consists mostly of comfy clothes, all black clothes with obscure band names, and entertainment-factor clothes .

When You Know You're Right

Sometimes, you hit the right note with someone and you get a busted hornent's nest in return. Although I can't say getting stung is enjoyable, at least I know I've begun to figure out a very sticky family trauma. I feel vindicated. I'm not crazy, there is more to the story. Well.

Sorry to be mysterious and dramatic just then, but hub is asleep and I'm coming off a bit of adrenaline and needed to digress.

More knitting content to come.

Yarn Is My Weakness

I know, join the club. (Gladly)

As I near the final ridges of the Pie Are Square shawl, the quest has begun to find a good border that won't take absolutely too long. EZ's laceweight version has a sawtooth border that doesn't look too hard, but I wanted to check with a few other sources first. I've flipped through all three of Nicky Epstein's edging books, as well as the Barbara Walker quartet. Honestly, the sawtooth might just be the easiest for someone with utterly minimal lace experience. It isn't the prospect of complicated knitting that deters me so much as getting to the end of knitting the border to find I've chosen something really mismatched or inappropriate. I'm on a schedule here, people.

Speaking of knitting deadlines, here's what I've unrealisitically planned for myself:

Mid-November: birthday socks for Mom. (currently doing gusset decreases on #1)

Christmas:
1. Pie Are Square for Mom.
2. Log Cabin in Patches for In-laws.
3. Socks for Hub.
4. Alpaca Lace for BF.
5. BBDR's fo my little sis.
6. Slipper socks for BF's mom.

There are also projects in the queue for February (new baby and her big bro), April (BF & my little Bro's wedding), May (Mother's Day & Hub's b-day). I'm not nuts. It's called ambition.

Meanwhile, I've been knitting vanilla socks for myself and surfing great yarn sales to avoid doing homework. This is driving me crazy, because for the low, low price of $95 I could do a very small sweater. I might just have to buy three skeins to get a small fix.

Lots To Do, Little To Discuss

One might think that after a full month without posting, I might have thought of something interesting to say. Sorry, no.

I took a little break in the first place because my wool order showed up to start a Log Cabin blanket for my in-laws' Christmas present. Since I'm also still working on the lace-weight Pie Are Square shawl, which is up to 600 stitches per row (!), I've had to try and concentrate my energy on those projects and not much else. Which means I joined Ravelry and put Millie and Duncan on Etsy, and promptly did nothing more with internet-related items.

The second I'm "not allowed" to knit anything else, I feel rebelious. Various socks seem to find their way into my project bag rather than blanket squares. By the way, Jaywalkers are really great little knit, but if you're a tight knitter the gauge is really vital. (It seems my Lorna's Laces in the Lakeview colorway is cursed.)

Of course, nothing could stop me from increasing my stash. In the last few weeks I've acquired more Dream In Color Smooshy, Jojoland Melody, Fly Designs Lacewing, Trekking XXL, something in the custom colorway for Twisted, some handspun sportweight, Schaefer Anne, and...I'm sure I've missed something. I could go on a yarn diet any time.

By all means, keep the patterns and design ideas coming as well. Have you seen Burridge yet? I finally came to the realization that I can't keep buying and bookmarking and downloading patterns because I can't possibly knit them all. So I got smart and started a schedule in Outlook in the Journal feature. That way, I won't get down to the two weeks before Mother's Day and realize I wanted to knit up a couple gifts but haven't given myself time or bought the materials. Hopefully, this little exercise will also prevent me from lining up too many big projects like Lizard Ridge and Burridge Lake Aran Afghan all at once.

As you might expect, the days leading up to Christmas will be very busy for retail folks, and where I work it's the rule and not the exception. I'll be working a ton, travelling a little and knitting during every spare second. Therefore, things are going to be sparse around here. I'm hoping to dedicate some internet time to our Etsy site before Xmas to get in a little retail action ourselves. Ravelry will have to wait until '08.