Finished my brother in law's black hat in KP Swish Coal. Let me tell you KP Swish is so soft and squishy I love knitting with it. The only draw back was there were some fuzzed pieces in the yarn but I knit through them like a trooper.
I also finished my niece's little pink scarf in KP Swish Worsted Carnation. This one was a bit of a pill (not pilling yarn, just a pain in the a$$). I couldn't get the stitch count to match what the pattern asked for. There was either too many increases or decreases and by the time I finished the first two rows I had more stitches than I should. It came out alright though so I can't complain.
I also completed a hat for my little cousin (She's technically my second or third cousin). It's her first birthday next week and I want to make her a hat and scarf set in this really bulky multi colored baby yarn. I have a feeling it's going to be too big on her little head but hopefully she'll get some use out of it and the scarf once the scarf is done. hehe
Right now I'm working on a head band for my sister called Calorimetry. It took me a while to cast on this one because I was reading the pattern beforehand and it confused me a bit. I've only done one set of socks so far in my knitting career so turning short rows is still kind of new. So once again when I'm intimidated by a pattern I build up courage then dive in and do exactly what the pattern says in the midst of knitting and so far it's turning out alright...at least I hope!
So where the hell have I been? Nobody's been bold enough to ask me and sometimes I wonder if anyone even noticed the few weeks I have been silent. I wish I could say that I have spent these past few weeks on a fabulous vacation or starting up a new romance but no such luck for this chubby knitter. These past few weeks have been spent immersed in school work. I've had to turn out roughly 30 pages of written work between three classes and an internship, several hours on observation and still have several interviews that I have to conduct for this internship. I love the opportunity to be able to go to grad school but goodness, the work is getting intense.
My knitting is also something that has had to be put to the back burner. (Yes despite the number of FO you see, my knitting has really slowed down. Hats were done in one day each and scarf was done in three days) Now normally, I would be alright with this as I understand totally education has to come before my hobby. I just never realized how much that hobby has become a part of my behavior. I think I'm getting stressed beyond recognition because for the last few days my eye has been twitching and I've been getting really horrible migraines. But this really has to be a sign of God's amazing work that when you overwork the body, it responds by forcing you to rest.
I really do love knitting though. Knitting my Christmas gifts this year really has put it in perspective to me. I knit a lot and often don't put much emphasis on what I give away but really as knitters we should. I realized I will be giving the people I love the most something made stitch by stitch with them in mind. That every inch of the yarn they wear on their person has passed through my fingertips. Their gift is carried daily with me more than I would remember my cellphone, iPod, or even keys. Their gift becomes my constant companion until it's ends are woven in and finishing touches are made. I pose this statement fellow knitters...that knitted gifts are the most intimate gesture between two people and should not be taken for granted, by the recipient or the knitter themselves.
Eaten So Far:
Bowl of Pasta
Glass of Coke Zero
Stuffed Zucchini (Which was surprisingly tasty)
Knitted So Far:
Since we last spoke I've started my dad's Christmas gift and have a good four feet on that scarf. (Pictures will be included soon)
Have you ever felt so overwhelmed that you just kind of shut down? Like there is so much coming in from this side and that side that you almost can't breath and rather than face it you just retreat to the security of your room?
This has been my week. Now in all earnest I really do try to keep up with reading and assignments but goodness...the schoolwork has been beyond overwhelming. Grad school is hard work and I knew it going in...I guess I'm just ready for it to be done already.
I've written several papers this week, checked out books from the library for a 8 to 10 page research paper due in 20 days, three articles that I have to contribute to a group assignment, and now supervising my brother's geometry homework. I fear that if school alone can become so overwhelming how will I ever survive the real world? I mean, lives will be in my hands, people! Not just theoretical children and anonymous case studies but real, breathing, vital, children with disabilities. It's making me begin to question my ability to be any service to my children (my children meaning the children I'll be working with). I'm trying not to let this affect my confidence but it's just so difficult to not question or doubt. Is this really my path? Is this really where He wants me to be? I mean, my Lord wouldn't challenge me beyond what He knew I was capable of right?
I can't even say how much I yearn to work with my children. How much I want to know as much as I can so when I'm with those families, possibly in their lowest hours, I want to comfort them and show them it will really be ok..that their kids are just able and capable and smart as anyone else's kids. That, as a family, they can rejoice in their child and reap those benefits that come with having a child with a disability, the love and unity it can bring. It doesn't come with struggle of course but nothing is worth anything without that struggle.
Perhaps that's what I need to accept in myself. Nothing is worth anything if I don't have to struggle. My degree won't mean anything if I don't struggle for it.
So let's struggle in all we do...let's work hard and make that final product worth all the blood sweat and tears! Who's with me?!
*crickets*
.....
My oops of the week...I was cabling and forgot to reintroduce the moved stitches on the main needle. OOPS!
This is my dad's scarf for Christmas. It's much longer now but still a WIP. You can find the pattern here.
Eaten so far:
Breakfast: Tuna Sandwich
Yogurt Cup
Cup of Coffee
Lunch: Sixpack of Maki Unagi BBQ rolls
Bottle of ice coffee (not healthy but I needed the energy :( )
Dinner: Half a boiled potatoe
Seasoned roasted chicken breast (made by my brother and it was ever so tasty)
Knitted thus far:
I finally finished the I Cords for my mom's legwarmers! Now to make the pom poms and then turn to my Christmas knitting! I would take pictures but I just lost power so all I have are pictures I took before the lights went out.
Do you ever hate when you get behind? How about when you get behind by accident...when you totally thought you were ahead?
That happened to me this week. I try really hard to keep up with my work. Reading has always been a struggle for me and I have to read things multiple times to really grasp its message. So being focused on that made me completely miss the fact that I had a paper due this past Wednesday. Imagine the shock and horror I feel when I enter the classroom and see people handing in papers. O.O <~~~ That's really how I looked.
I couldn't lie and say the dog ate it so I fessed up to the teacher and explained that I sincerely missed this and was so sorry and would turn it in ASAP. I felt sick to my stomach over it. I know it's a mistake everyone makes but I already have the sense this lady does not like me or does not understand me. I really wanted to make a good impression and I failed by completely glossing over the fact I had a paper due. So I made a plan to work on this paper on Saturday.
Friday, I had to see my grandfather. It's coming up on the anniversary of my grandmother's passing (it's tomorrow actually) and this time of the year is very hard for us, but especially him. He really just wanted to sit and talk about her and how could I deny him? So I went despite the fact that I really did have homework to do. I know..I know. I am supposed to be a responsible student and do my work. I really only have this semester and next semester before I graduate but it's really hard to think about ignoring my extended family since as Puerto Ricans, we don't have extended family, just a big family.
I didn't get to spend much time with him because I got a call from my aunt (mom's sister) that she needed me to come and get her son so she can have a night of fun. Wait...did I say this right? Does it make her sound bad? Well good, cause it was exactly how it came out. I was appalled but I figured it would be safer to get the kid out of there rather than leaving him with his mother who's sole intention this weekend was to, as she put it, "party."
So my cousin and I rode home to my mom's and the rest of the night I chatted with my mom, had a drink, and skipped the Young Adult group meeting just this once. I had felt so overwhelmed from school this week I just wanted to go to my room and watch Doctor Who. (Big Doctor Who fan!)
Saturday approached way too soon for me and now started my feat of strength, my test of endurance, my paper. Now a simple 3 to 5 page paper may seem like nothing, and in reality it is really not that bad. The part that really bit was having to read the two books that were required for the paper. I have never loved and hated a person so much after having to spend hours reading two books about him. This man is named John Dewey. No no no, I was not reading about the Dewey Decimal system! (I really had someone ask me that today...a fellow Education grad student!) Dewey was a part of the progressive school movement, a philosopher who encouraged children be educated through structured experiences and inquiry. The topic is really fascinating and I did love the idea of children exploring their world...but from 9 am til about 9 pm? I can only love someone for so long before wanting to strangle them. From 9pm til midnight, I worked on the paper and emailed it in right away. I wanted the damn thing out of my sight.
Sunday was a semi better day. I went in early for church with my brother and cousin. I manned the tables for the bake off sign up during the Barn Dance our Young Adult group is sponsoring. I met a lot of really nice people from encouraging them to sign up. I am still kind of new to this place and just getting to know people. I enjoyed a group called Mosaic as they performed during our service. It's a very talented group of people who sang worship songs. Just have to say, LOVED IT! If you're into worship music here is their link. (Click Here)
The only thing that really saddened me that day was having to take my cousin back to his mother. I really hated that part. My aunt never used to be so crass or cold. When we were kids, my aunt was always the cool aunt, going bike riding with us, going to museums on the Free days, taking us to visit our great grandparents when they were still with us, and all that kind of stuff. Where it went wrong I don't know but right now I don't care. I just can't imagine watching my little cousin (he's about 12) going through those feelings of being unwanted. It hurts me because I know his older brother suffered the same and now his older brother is God knows where.
These are the things I just need to put into God's hands and let Him work it out.
On a lighter note....
I got my KnitPicks order today!! I was walking out my front door when lo' and behold there it was sitting on the front stoop. I picked it up and brought it in but had to leave it behind without opening the box because I had to go to class. I was itching to get home as soon as possible so when Dr. K let us out early today I practically rushed home. I wanted to prolong the anticipation (Oh how cruel I am to myself) so I sat down and ate dinner, chit chatted with my mom, then proceeded up the stairs to my room. Once I closed the door I ripped open the box and pulled everything out one by one. I took pictures of every step so here we go.
The tape just ripped apart and....*breath deeply*
Yarn! Glorious beautiful soft yarn!!
And under that KP Swish is....? More yarn! Yay!
Alas it can not all be yarn...or can it? There is my new Chart Holder from KP..a very nifty contraption.
And there are my new needles...I decided to give the KP Harmony set a try. We shall see how they perform in the Chubby Knitter's hands!
My new book "Vampire Knits." For those who don't know, I have a black soul (At least that's what my sister says) and I have a love for things that are dark and sinister. (Not necessarily evil just mysterious)
And my second book, "Big Book of Socks." I've been wanting to really nail down sock knitting for a while but requests keep popping up and they go further and further down the list. I have lots of Felici Yarn from KP and I am so anxious to make myself a pair of Doctor Who socks! (Time Traveler Felici Sock Yarn)
And there it is...my full KP Order. Starting at the bottom I have 7 hanks of KP Swish Bulky in Hawk (Dad and brother's scarves). To the right of that I have two hanks of KP Swish Bulky in Coal (Brother in law's hat). Right above the Swish in Coal is KP Shamrock in Stuart (It's a blue-ish yellow tweed looking yarn. It's for my sister's headband), To the left of that is Felici in Marine Life (3 skeins just for myself). Above the Felici is my KP Harmony knitting needle set (That too is a Christmas present from me for me). To the right of the needles is my Chart Holder from KP. Then my two books "Vampire Knit" and "The Big Book of Socks"
If anyone has reviews over any of the items shown please leave comments!
