Saturday, January 19, 2008

Caucus

I thought I couldn't caucus today because I had problems registering to vote way back in November when I had the time. Turns out I could register today. It's quite an interesting process. Everyone stands in the corner of the candidate they are caucusing for. If there isn't a "viable majority" in a corner, those people can be wooed by the other candidates' corners. It's a very communal process. I'm glad I got to participate.

I also finished the Anastasia socks. They were fun. I have to mail them off to the friend they are for. With the Gathering on the horizon, I'm not sure she'll get them for a while.

I used Chasing Rainbows Dyeworks sport weight yarn in Kona. It was nice. Boy, that sport weight sure makes socks move fast. I liked it much. It didn't pool, but it did stripe in a nice way. It works well with the eyelet pattern of the sock.

Now that I'm on Ravelry, I have more chances to find interesting patters. I've started the Swiss Cheese Scarf. I'm using Louet Gems in a fine/sport weight, instead of the laceweight called for. I hope it isn't too drapey. I'm not sure who this will be for, but I wanted something interesting and simple for my next project. I don't think I'll be able to spend much mental energy on anything but Cowboy Poetry for the next couple weeks.

*Updated (2 hours later): I decided not to make the Swiss Cheese Scarf right now. I want to use that yarn for something else, I think. I also have a couple baby things I want to make. So, I'm starting a hat out of some stash Pima Tencel in green and brown.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Ravelry

I just found out that Ravelry sent my invitation way back in October. I've been too preoccupied to check. I guess my spam filter worked this time. It's too late to play now, but I'm so relieved to be able to look at the references that everyone else makes to their Ravelry lists. Oh, find me at "everywhereknit."

Unfinished

I have three unfinished projects. The bottom two (Everlasting Bagstopper and Bas Relief hat) in the picture are unfinished because I ran out of yarn and don't have the funds to buy more (anyone want to buy a wonderful condo in Chicago?). The other (Drops dress) I needed to put down after ripping back about five inches. I was worried about running out of yarn on this, too, but perhaps I have gained some yardage in correcting my mistake.

So I'm working on socks. I finished this sock (Anastasia, from Pepperknit. I'm having trouble linking to it) the other night and have started on the second, but I'm itchy to work on something else, too. I have more socks I want to make, but what I really want is something fast and stash-busting. Nothing is jumping out.


I haven't had much time for knitting--the Gathering is in 14 days. I've been working long hours. Luckily, somehow, I've also been able to get out and enjoy the snow. I love the snow. My roommate and I made a snow lady. (I made the hat and a friend's aunt made the scarf).

Today we went cross-country skiing (my second time ever), and we're going again tomorrow. I've joined the group doing the Vagina Monologues on Valentine's Day, and knitting on Thursdays has started up again. I've learned this about Elko: people get out and do things. I think it's to compensate for having so little good entertainment provided. Everyone has to make her own fun. It has been fun. As busy as I am, I'm grateful to be able to enjoy the snow and to make new friends, even at the expense of knitting time.