Snapshot

Let me explain the picture. Today I managed to score a sweet gig subbing for an elementary school librarian. I was pretty excited about it because I'm considering the pros and cons of getting a Masters of Library Science degree, and although being a school librarian is a different certification program, I was looking forward to finding out about what it is that a school librarian does first hand. Not to mention that when I got to the school, it was clear that it was going to be an easy day.

And then one of the 4th grade teachers had to leave suddenly, and I got reassigned to be in her classroom for basically the whole day. I was pretty bummed, and everything got kind of thrown together at the last minute, and oh, did they forget to tell me that the kids were going on a field trip to see a play at the high school? Well, I managed, and I had a good time too. Younger kids seem to like me a lot, which I find kind of funny. I have no idea what I'm doing most of the time. I just try and make sure that everyone has all their body parts at the end of the day, which come to think of it is probably why they like me. Their real teacher needs to accomplish substantially more than that.

Anyway, I'm off for the holiday. I hope that you all have just the kind of holiday that you most need!

Thoughts from a Sunday Afternoon

Here I sit, procrastinating about writing up the pattern for my Double Time Vest. I was thinking that I was going to go to the local coffee house, flirt a bit with the cute guys who work there, get a pumpkin latte, and sit for the afternoon to knock out the math on the pattern. Since I'm not in school anymore, I've completely lost perspective on Sunday afternoon being prime homework and studying time, and there wasn't a table to be found in the place. So I'm back home, giant mug of Earl Grey by my side, thinking about maybe at some point soon-ish getting to the pattern writing. After having had two auditions in two weeks, I've finished auditioning for the forseeable future, and it's kind of like school's out. I have all this extra time. What do I do now?

Danielle and I hiked about 9 miles yesterday, which was great. I get really cranky when I can't get outside, and with it getting so dark in the evenings, I've had to take my run to the treadmill, which is not my favorite thing. I felt so much better after being outside and chatting for a few hours.

I've been thinking about the holidays this year. I'm trying to let go of my need to have every little thing turn into a tradition. Life goes on and changes. Love stays the same, no matter what. I put up my Christmas lights around the living room. I just love Christmas lights. I think that they are a very important part of this time of year. It is just so dark, and the lights make everything cheerful. I feel calm when I see them. I'm also thinking about these little trees. I love that they are not really holiday specific - you could use them for the whole winter if you wanted. They're plain but interesting and in groupings they are just so cute.

I bought this skirt recently after hearing recommendations for it from two different people in a week. It's kind of the winter counterpart to my favorite summer skirt. It's incredibly comfy and easy to wear. It's more money than I would typically spend on a single piece, but I can tell that it's going to be worth it. I may even have to get another closer to spring! I've been so obsessed with skirts lately... my day feels better from the get-go when I'm wearing a skirt.

Stephanie is coming over for dinner tonight. She'll have finished up the opera, and I know she'll need to decompress. We're having these little chilli pepper things from Jamie Oliver for salad/appetizer, Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash, Carmelized Cauliflower, and Stephanie's bringing dessert. I'm excited.

The picture at the top is being reused from a recent posting on M&S. We're taking a little break for the holiday weekend, but we'll be back after that. We're having a great time, and we'd love to have you stop by!

So Proud!

After much ripping and complaining, plus a nearly a week spent pinned to the floor because I was out of town, the Double Time Vest is officially finished!

Pattern: Double Time Vest by ME!
Yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light in Redwood Mix
Needles: US2 and 3

This vest is meant to be very versatile. Wear it as I have shown it here for a work-appropriate look or with jeans and boots on the weekend. Won't weigh you down, but it will keep you toasty thanks to the alpaca content of the yarn. Vest are wonderful because they aren't bulky, but they do an excellent job of regulating body temperature. For me, a scoop neck is a very flattering look, and this one is just a bit higher than some of the others out there. It's great for those of us with... assets.

I've been needing some work clothes for a while now, and I had virtually no knits that fit the bill. I can see this one will be in heavy rotation for the coming months, along with this very nice and lightly worn grey skirt which I got at the thrift store for $8. I should also mention that Ultra Alpaca Light is very reasonably priced, great for those of us on a tight budget.

I'm still working on the pattern. It's been quite a process, this, however if you are interested in test knitting the vest, please let me know!

Obsession

I saw a picture of this a few days ago, and became immediately obsessed. I wanted one, I needed one. I had some yarn which (miracle) knits up to gauge which I had ripped from another project and tagged for a self-made design but I couldn't get this vest out of my head. Today, after running errands for a few hours and dealing with stupid people, and an overly full bladder, I put off the rest of my to-do list and sat for a bit, watched an episode of Grey's Anatomy, and cast on. I'm going down a needle size from gauge, because I want something a in between two sizes, and with this yarn which is a silk blend, I think a bit more stability would be a good thing.

I have other things I should be knitting, but I don't respond well to should. I'm leaving tomorrow for an audition in West Virginia, and I'm going to be passing through my aunt and uncle's in Kentucky on my way back. I'm bringing my Embossed Leaves socks and a pair of Thick Woodsman's Socks for my aunt and uncle. The Embossed Leaves socks don't fit me very well. That's what I get for not checking gauge, however my aunt has very wide feet, so hopefully they will suit her. The Woodsman's Socks will use up the last of that same green on green yarn that's been hanging around for far too long, and although they are a very quick knit (socks on US8 anyone?) I would rather be knitting my plain and simple pullover. I'd rather be knitting my plain and simple pullover than doing just about anything right now, and that includes packing.

Sneak Peek

This is the design I'm working on now. I've been at it for a while. It's a vest, with a low-ish round neckline. The cable panel works up both the front and the back, giving the piece some interest and stretch. The first attempt (in the ubiquitous Buckwheat Ultra Alpaca Light) turned out too small for me, and I gave it to a friend who was thrilled to have it. But I wanted one! So I ordered some more Ultra Alpaca Light in Redwood Mix, which I'm loving. The color is not one hundred percent accurate in this photo, but it's one of those colors that changes a lot depending on the light. I can see this being a wardrobe staple for me this winter - it's definitely work apporpriate (I'm thinking a button down and black pants), but it can be dressed down, too, with jeans and a long-sleeved t-shirt.

The second attempt made it to the back shaping when I realized that something catastrophic had occurred in my math and marker placement, and I ripped back to the ribbing on Halloween.

The third attempt is looking good so far.... fingers crossed. It coincides, luckily enough, with the Vestvember movement. I'm upping the ante, and hoping to have the pattern done in enought time to release it for the second half of the month - gotta keep the energy flowing! I've never written up a pattern before, and it's been quite the learning experience. I'm so excited to share it with you!

Mystery Sock

Pattern: Mystery Socks by Kirsten Kapur
Yarn: Brown Sheep Nature Spun Sport in Mango
Needles: US 1
Mods: Omitted one round on each side of the ribbing in the cuff of the sock. It was starting to look a little long for my leg.

They are so pretty, and they were fun to knit! Of course, you never know what you're going to get with a mystery sock, but I would have picked these if I'd had a choice.

Knitting's going pretty slowly Chez Double G. Well, the knitting isn't going slowly, it's just that the mistakes are coming faster than the progress. I had to rip back almost a whole sweater yesterday. That stung. But I'm trying to remember that a perfect fit is worth it! What's new with you?