Wahoo! Kristen is back!

Boy has it been quiet around our blog over the last few weeks. Sorry that I've been away but the start of the academic year is always crazy and while I've been knitting like a fiend I haven't had a chance to take pictures or post. So, here's the whirlwind written tour of my knitting life... For a girl who is usually a project monogamist I've got a lot of projects on the go.

I completed the socks for Si, yep the yarn in the picture from late August has become some fabulous socks. Sadly it isn't quite yet cold enough for Si to wear them yet. But, he's pretty pleased with the finished product so I'm thinking they'll get a lot of wear this winter.

I couldn't bear the thought of not knitting socks so I've started an insanely bright yellow/orange/red/gold pair in Dale Stork. I was sure these socks were destined to be a Christmas present for my sister but I've taken a bit of a shine to them. The red is pretty fabulous and I can't help but giggle when I see them... I'll have to decide soon since I am about to turn the heel and I'll be needing a foot measurement (length) to go from soon.

In the midst of sock work I've picked up the cotton angora Debbie Bliss sweater again. I find that I wander away from it easily, turning to my good friend the hand knit sock which requires almost no brain power to complete. I think I'm afraid of failure on this one. What happens if it's too small or too large or just plain ugly?!?! Not to mention that I have absolutely no talent for weaving in ends or seaming, and this is one expensive sweater to screw up. So, I'll work on it slowly until one day it is done and then I'll head to my knitting group to find some finishing wisdom.

A few weeks ago I signed up for the International Scarf Exchange. I was sure I would get a pal in need of a wonderful wooly scarf which I could knit using some of the fabulous yarn in my stash which has no purpose. Alas, the knitting gods conspired against me and I am forced to knit something lacey in silk for someone who lives in a land of sunshine. I'm hoping to purchase the yarn and begin this weekend. So sad...I must purchase and knit with silk. Oh darn. :P

I'm also about to embark on a project that excites me to no end, a Sabbath sweater. The pastor of the church where I was raised moved to a farm with his wife when they retired. They raise sheep (he began by shepherding people and has comfortably moved on to shepherding the real thing...I wonder if sheep are easier to deal with?) and she spins, weaves and knits. I'm purchasing some black mid worsted weight yarn from them and I intend to spend my Sunday afternoons working on this sweater with the idea that the finished product would be something I would be able to wear on cold Sundays in January, February and March. An incredibly ambitious plan for the woman who is afraid of sweaters...

Last but not least, I've got three knitting groups going. First is the group I run for my students. At our first meeting we had 4 students which is a good turn out as groups like this tend to increase in number as the semester goes on (and students realize what the group is all about). Second, I've started a Stitch and Bitch in the city I live in. It's a once monthly group and there were 3 of us at our first meeting. We had so much fun that I think I have some regulars and a few other friends at work have expressed interest. Here's hoping for a massive turn out in October (4 would feel massive to me). Finally, I've been attending the North Montgomery County (MD) Stitch and Bitch. It's a big hike to head out there on a Thursday night, but the women are fantastic so it's all worth it!

All in all, knitting is good and life follows suit.
xoxo,
Kate