While I was working

I've been trying to be a good girl... really... and do work... and stuff. I have actually managed to get a little bit of work done, and even have something written which will eventually be part of a thesis.

My birthday is coming up (never sure how I feel about that, but I digress) so I have been, um, treating myself. I bought books!! The Knitter's Book of Yarn; Knitting Lingerie Style; and Romantic Hand Knits. I like them all, but haven't had time to do much more than look at pictures. Then, I got a last minute (and by that I mean 3 days and week into the semester already) teaching job. So I needed to get a copy of the text book - so I ordered more books... to get the free shipping of course... (keep telling yourself that) - which means I should be getting more knitting books, possibly even on my birthday.

I've also been opening and closing my knit picks cart, though I haven't placed an order...yet.... I'm determined to wait to order more yarn until the Loopy Ewe and Webs orders actually get here.

I'm on the lower body of the Coachella, everything is a bit funky with mine due to the yarn I'm using, I added a whack more body shaping, we'll see how that works out.

I'm nearly halfway through my test knitting project, but I need to do something a bit fiddly so I'm waiting on that a bit (as I need to do some research on the necessary technique).

I cast on Feb's Thrifty Knitter's Sock Club sock - Sydney, and um, I'm only 1 chart repeat and the ribbing on each sock away from being done ... I think I'll have to knit a different pair of socks for my Feb socks in sock a month... I've been working on these while listening to back eps of L&V and because I'm doing them at the same time (fyi I think the pattern way over estimates how much yarn is needed) and don't want to leave one at a different stage than the other I'm whizzing through them much faster than I expected to.

Gratuitious baby picture- my God-daughter was baptized this weekend, she makes this face a lot...

Forget Jan, the new year is just around the corner

September is the real new year, summer ends, the weather changes, and school and work pick up again. It is the time of year when I make my resolutions and refocus on what needs to be accomplished. (Which is consequently, why I am in pain right now - stupid new exercise programme). It is also the point by which I absolutely have to have begun my Christmas knitting, or things like last years - finished two hours after Amy left- senario.

I am doing much better this year. I have projects planned (for 3 friends - who never read my knitting blog so I can post all I want) and my sister (who is in the army and has better things to do than scope out Christmas and birthday present spoilers on a knitting blog she doesn't know exists).

Plans are as follows:

*3 shawls for the girls in Sea of No Cares, California Dreaming, and something I haven't dyed yet, because Boston and St. John's didn't work out. Sea of No Cares Shawl is cast on and 1/4 finished - if only I could keep up this pace, I'd be done no sweat.

*I'll be knitting a Marvin doll (from Hitchhikers Guide - see here - amazing what you can find on Ravelry!) for Leah's birthday

*She'll be getting a Dr. Who scarf for Christmas, and possibly I'll use the Boston and St. John's to knit her something, socks maybe or even a stuffed animal of some description).

I also have to finish my Socks for Solider's socks (the legs of both socks are done, and I'm through the heel and gusset on one, hopefully it'll be done in the next week or so) - NTS: these socks are huge!! (oh, and the socks for Nonna...)

I've also bought yarn to make my Coachella, which I have been resisting casting on, though as it will be quick I'm sorely tempted. I may even be able to do a smallish size, given that the comments seem to be that it runs big.