Dashing

I finished my pair of Dashing! I cannot model both in a picture, I have not mastered taking a picture with my nose, so you will just have to trust me on this one:



The next pair I make will have a few modifications. I will either add another cable, or make it a bit shorter between the third cable and the thumb. I love the yarn, it's full of alpaca goodness.

In my one week of break so far, I have finished two knitting projects (Dashing and a basic scarf for my niece) and have read two books (Elantris by Brandon Sanderson, and something by R.A. Salvatore). I love Christmas break. Also made some cookies for the family:



They are yummy, and ridiculously unhealthy. In addition to the cookies, I made some Carolina Delights, Peppermint Bark, and Brownies.

AND! My friend Anne made me a scarf! I've been wearing it all day today:



This, on top of getting my grades, has made this a very good week. I originally confused my midterm grades with my final grades, but I have everything straight now, and I made all A's. I'm not really sure how I managed that in one of the classes, except that the professor took pity on my poor tired mind.

Well, I restarted the Pirate Mittens, and will be starting Black Forest Braided Gloves next week. I'm taking a few projects to my parents because it is nearly impossible to get on the internet there, and when I do get on, I don't like to stay on because it ties up my brother's phone line. I'll have my cell phone with me, but no promises on answering. I don't like talking on the phone much, and I'll be pretty busy. I will be out of town until Saturday, the 30th, immersed in Christmas stuff, video games, books, and knitting.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

zzzZZZzzz

I am in love with this designer's work:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7300977

and

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7987131

and I even like a pink one:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8067897

There is a knitting-related one that is pretty cool too:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8419909

You can specify colors for it. NEAT.

I would love to learn how to do something like that. I can imagine working in a basement with a work bench and little tools and a pair of glasses with a magnifier on one eye. And Mozart playing the background.

I have an exam tomorrow evening. I'm not too worried about it. I'm going to an all-day study session, so I should have everything under control by exam time. I also have a project that she is letting us turn in by Monday. I'm going to try and finish by Saturday though.

I am, however, going to the knitting store on Friday for celebration. I am going to start two new projects to work on during the next round of knitting classes. First, the Braided Fingerless Gloves for myself. Second, a pair of socks. I'm not sure how I feel about knitted socks. I don't know that I would ever wear them. Also, if the yarn and supplies from those two are not too expensive, I am going to pick up some supplies for a pair of Dashing. I know it says it is for a guy, but with a different color yarn it would work for me. The Pirate Mittens might be headed the way of the frog pond. I might have to restart them on different size needles because they are looking a little small.

I'm trying to control my yarn buying, which is why I haven't bought any for a month, working with what I've got, but I have all Christmas Break to knit. Huzzah! And maybe read a good book. I just absorbed Captain's Fury by Jim Butcher when I should have been doing homework. Good stuff.

For a little extra cash I might start substituting. It's not my dream job, but it is a lot more flexible than your average job, and it pays $90 a day. Just need to get a TB test and send a copy of my transcript over to the county school system.

I've got plenty of books to read over the break, but I wouldn't mind some TV or movie recommendations.

Cross your fingers with me that there will be no ice storm tomorrow. I do not want to drive home on 395 and 95 in the middle of an ice storm. People go a little crazy when there is fog here. Or a gnat hits their windshield.

Skkirrch.

Not technically procrastinating...

I finished a paper. Fifteen pages of analysis, two pages of works cited, one page of footnotes, and some parts to a Mustang GT. It still needs some heavy revision, but I'm at the point that I feel comfortable that I can turn it in by Thursday. I did have some things cheer me up over the weekend during the writing process, but before I explain those...

Look, I made a hat!



Pretty simple pattern. Had to switch to dpns at the end although the pattern didn't call for it. Made it for a friend's teenage daughter, hence the smallness. I'd model it...but I've got a big head. I admit it.

Now, as for the things that cheered me up over the weekend. First, I stayed late on Wednesday night to help a man with his paper. We went over almost all of it and even though the class let out an hour early, we actually ended up staying past the actual time class was supposed to end. I enjoyed the work though. Anyway, the next day we have a class together and he walks in with a surprise for me. It's a book! Richard the Third by Paul Kendall. (Both of our papers are on the play). I love these sort of historical biographies. This one may even beat Cicero by Anthony Everitt in coolness. Awesome. Two days later, I get a book on knitting basics in the mail by Elizabeth Zimmerman. Now I know my amazon ordering is a bit extreme, but I usually just don't forget ordering something. I looked at the receipt and it turns out a friend of mine sent it to me as a gift! Huzzah for good friends.

The same friend and I participated in the swap I mentioned a few posts ago. I sent him a scarf and several sundries (including school supplies because I am that geeky). He turned around and sent out a box that completely trumped mine (warning, picture heavy) after his trip to Oahu:

First a keychain with my name in Hawaiian. And yes, that is a Mighty Mouse keychain--I've had it since high school and I love it:



Other side:



The next picture is of two items. A mug that will soon be seeing a lot of chai tea and a keychain with the Dole Bear. I've named her Lao.



Adorables.

Next, a postcard printed on a rare Hawaiian wood called Koa, sitting on top of a bus schedule/map going from Woodbridge to Awesometown:



Lao wanted in on all of the pictures.

And finally, the thing that kept me laughing for the next half hour: A miniature mechanical daschund that I have named Clarence.

In his box:



Getting used to his surroundings:



Oh! He's gotten so excited he can't stop barking and wagging his tail!



Those books and this box kept me going this weekend. I wouldn't have survived that paper otherwise. I hope Clarence will get me through the next paper.