Around and Around and Around

That's basically how the knitting is going right now. I'm just knitting around and around on Evenstar. I'm 10 rows away from being done with clue 5 now, so I'm making pretty good progress. Unfortunately the shawl is a bitch to photograph because it's so smooshed together on the needles right now. I have it on the biggest cable that I own, which I think is a 46 inch or something like that, and it's still quite smooshed together and not easy to get a picture of.

But, it's a wonderful knit. It's super entertaining and each section is a little different, so aside from the clue 4 TBL ribbing doldrums, I have been very entertained and satisfied with how the pattern is progressing. It also helps to see so many people posting pictures of their finished shawls on Ravelry. A few of my favorites so far are: here, here, and here.

And on a personal note, I was supposed to be finished with my teaching contract on Monday, but it appears that I may stay at the school for another two weeks. I'm not upset about the extra money for sure, but I was looking forward to that nice, long vacation-ish time where I could work on knitting and website design (not me, but directing my friend who deigns) for the super secret project I've been working on.

Speaking of, super-secret project should be announced sometime at the end of the summer, so stay tuned and I'll give you a heads up of when to look for it!

Knit on...

Blue Blob

I have been continuing to knit on the Great Blue Blob TM this past week. I had a lovely SnB with Julia this weekend and was able to get through the clue 4 doldrums and am now working slowly but surely on clue number 5. I'm 4 rows into clue 5, and I'm really hoping to get quite a bit done tomorrow since my morning classes have been canceled because of midterm exams. Anyways, here is the blob:I would also like to apologize for the lack of decent photography on the blog as of late. I am in the process of moving out of my apartment now that my contract is up and my good camera is sitting in a different city right now.

But, that also means I'm almost done with teaching! Woot woot! For those of you who don't know, I am going to be returning Stateside in another couple of months. I'm changing careers and hoping to make myself more marketable to future employers by getting some new certification. It's a big change, but one that I'm looking forward to. DF will be coming back a few months after I do and we'll see where we want to actually wind up (or more likely where we can get jobs and afford to live).

That's it for today. The blob will hopefully continue to grow this week and then will hopefully fly off the needles in the next 1-2 weeks since I'll have lots more free time in which to knit!

Knit on...

A Gift Given and a Blob Returns

On Sunday, I gave the finished Aeolian shawl to my former coteacher as her wedding present. Here she is, getting the first look at her present:And here I am, holding the shawl out to her so she can inspect it. She says she loved it and she's taking it with her for the cool evenings on the beach where she and her husband are going for their honeymoon:And, now that Aeolian is done, I have started working on Evenstar again. I'm half way done with clue 4 now, so I'm hoping to be completely done with 4 by the weekend and working hard on clue 5. The pattern is lovely, but I'm not 100% sure I am in love with Malabrigo lace. It's super soft, but it looks like it will felt in a heartbeat if I rub it against anything. We'll see how it goes, since I am for sure finishing the shawl with it.

Here's a blobby picture:Knit on...

Aeolian

Aeolian is fully blocked now. I enlisted the help of my neighbor to get a decent picture of the shawl. It's raining outside at the moment, so I can't get a natural light shot, but this should give you a general idea of how the shawl turned out:This is one of the prettiest things I think I have ever knit. It's also kinda hard to part with it, but this former coteacher of mine was so nice and so helpful, and I consider her to be an actual friend, so I will lovingly part with the shawl and hope that it brings her lots of comfort and warmth in the years to come.

Knit on...

Twist Collective

Have you all seen the latest issue of Twist Collective? I'm normally not one to gawk and rave at an online knitting magazine, but damn...

I want it all...

I have no money...

But I want it all! If I have to choose one thing from this issue (which I don't want to do, because I WANT IT ALL!), I really want to make Tanis. I love everything about this pullover. It looks interesting enough to keep me entertained for hours, but simple enough to not make me stab the couch with my Options needles.

Wow. The shawls are gorgeous, the socks are great, but the sweaters in this issue are astounding. Really, if you haven't checked out the issue, go do so now. I'll just be here drooling over the patterns while you go.

Seriously, Clicky to go check it out!

Knit on...

The Blob is Done

Well, the blob is finished. I just spent the past day binding off the bazillion stitches at the end of the Aeolian shawl. Now all that's left is to block it, but seeing as I need a lot of pins to do so, it's not getting blocked until tomorrow when I'm back to my place. But in the meantime, here's the shawl:It is quite pretty. I may make another one of these eventually, but for now, I'm happy with the one that will be given away in a week. Now I can get back to Evenstar! At least I can start on clue 3 just in time for clue 7 to be released :oP

Knit on...

Bad Blogger, No Cookie

Well, yes, I realize I have been a bad blogger. Is it because of the stealth projects? Nope. Is it because of lack of knitting? Nope. Is it because I am a lazy arse when it comes to making a blog entry? Yes, yes it is.

So yes, I am admitting right now that I have been a bad blogger. I think I just needed a little time away from the blog while working on other stuff, but now I'm back, and I should be updating with some photos and other things in the near future.

So what am I working on?

I'm about to finish and block the Aeolian shawl. It's lovely, the edging is nice, and I'll be glad when it's finished.

Once Aeolian is off the needles, I'm going to begin clue 3 of Evenstar. I had to fall behind on that project since the Aeolian has a time deadline.

I'm also working on some designs that you all should maybe see in July or August. Something big is coming, albeit it's still very loosely in the works and I'm really hoping you all will like it. I'm also about to have some big life changes (like, returning to the USA for one and having a career change for two), so I'll be keeping you all updated on those as they develop.

One last thing I thought I would post here for those of you who don't read my running log, or hell, even know I have one (Getting There The Long Way), I started a weight loss journey in January 2009. 1 year and 5 months later, I have lost 71 pounds and am now 9 pounds away from being at my goal weight of 160 pounds. I'm now wearing medium sized clothing, sometimes smalls, and have donated all the XXL, XL, and L stuff to charity. I have gone from a size 18 jean to a 10, and by the time I hit 160 pounds, I'll be close to a size 8. It's been a tough road, but I have finally changed my whole outlook on food and discovered the reasons I ate the way I did. For those of you who have been supporting me along this journey, I thank you for your encouragement. 9 pounds left, and I'll be celebrating with a new wardrobe!