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We’re back from a quick (and safe) trip over the mountains to Eastern Washington. I took the camera, but we were so busy, we took very few pictures! We did stop in the great city of Washtucna:

The name of this little town has always intrigued me, so we took a little side trip off the highway to explore. That’s about it folks! No town to speak of, but at least three nice little parks.

We visited family and I attended some events and a seminar at WSU. The seminar was an introduction to operant conditiong in general and “clicker” training for dogs specifically. The teacher was outstanding and I am really looking forward to the practical application. We had a chance to see it in action and I was pretty impressed. Beyond training dogs, the whole field of operant conditioning has a great deal of application in other areas. The basic premise is to “catch” people doing good and reward them for it. It’s not bribery – bribes are offered to entice someone to do something. A reward is something positive for a behavior that already taken place. I’ll keep you posted.

Rather than take one of my existing projects, I cast on a new one – a baby surprise jacket for a shower gift. My goal was to see if I could complete it during the trip (about 14 hours of total driving time). The verdict?

Close, but no cigar. Daylight and my fingers gave out about the same time. It won’t take long to finish – it’s just a matter of finding the time. The next two months are going to be pretty intense. I spent several hours this afternoon studying statistics. At the same time my husband was watching a nature program that profiled a lizard that, when threatened, builds up pressure in its head until blood squirts out its eyes. I told my husband I could identify because that was going to happen to me any minute. This stuff is crazy. They take you through all these complicated formulas, rules on which formulas to use, double talk like crazy and then tell you it really doesn’t make a difference anyway because you can never prove or disprove anything. My goal is just to get through the next two months and then we will never speak of this again!

Before I left, I did get a nice package in the mail:

I enhanced my Options needle collection, plus some Wool of the Andes just in case I run out on the CIC gansey, some merino sock yarn for some fingerless mitts (winter’s acomin’ and my office is cold in the morning) and various patterns. Only one complaint – The pattern for the Rona lace shawl is WRITTEN – no charts!!! In this day and age it would seem to me that the standard is charting and if a pattern is not charted, it should say so in the description. I will write to Knitpicks to complain, but for $1.99 I don’t feel too cheated. Just a warning to anyone else contemplating buying the pattern.

And – thanks to all who commented about my “10 Knitterly Things.” Usually I try to reply personally to every comment, but time is crunching me, so please accept a group “Thanks”. Although I will try to respond to comments, please be patient with me until December 1st, when life will presumably get back to normal.

There’s a meme going around blogs “Ten Knitterly Things You May Not Know About Me”. Or something like that. For lack of knitting pictures here goes:

1. I’ve been knitting (are you ready for this?) – about 40 years! I started way back in high school.
2. I started out throwing, but learned continental about three years later and have never looked back.
3. My big “breakthrough” in knitting came when I bought “Knitting Without Tears” – yes, I have a first edition. Well worn, loved and read over and over.
4. I have been blessed through the years to have knitted with a lot of experts – Meg Swansen, Lily Chin, Eugene Buegler, Priscilla Gibson-Roberts, Nancy Bush, Alice Starmore, Lucy Neatby et al. I know, shameless name dropping, but . . . My favorite – Meg, hands down! And A.S. has gotten a lot of bad press lately, but she was a great teacher and a very nice lady.
5. I still have the first piece of lace I ever knit – a little, wonky 5″ square. I keep it to keep me humble.
6. My book stash is probably larger than my yarn stash.
7. My needle stash is probably even larger.
8. I taught knitting in a yarn shop in Alaska while I was pregnant with my son. One day while packing a box to be shipped out to the Alaskan bush, I rested it against my stomach and Ben kicked it all the way across the counter!
9. My main job teaching was to teach ladies to knit Mary Maxim intarsia sweaters! Everyone in Alaska wanted one with a husky on it. Or a polar bear. In self defense I did knit one – a toddler size with Snoopy on it. I still have it. Don’t think Izzy will ever need it in Florida.
10. I knit, quilt, do hardanger, have done counted cross stitch, sewn clothing (I taught that as well), but if I could choose only one, it would be knitting – although around town I’m much more well known for my quilting.

“If you’re not confused by now, you’re probably not paying close enough attention.” Ya gotta love it! That’s an exact quote from my statistics textbook! In some ways it’s comforting because the authors realize how confusing statistics can be. One of the things I’ve learned so far is how anyone can use statistics to prove just about anything. It just depends on the spin! The good news – I have passed the first unit with a perfect score!!! There are four units and you have to get at least 85 (out of 100) to master that unit. If you master all four units, you get an A, three, you get a B and so on and so forth. So, no matter what, I now have a D in the class – only one more unit and I get at least a C. Of course, getting 100 in the first unit does not carry over into the second – it’s like starting over.

The other good news is that I was so far ahead on my school work last weekend that I rewarded myself with some significant knitting time. Since I finished the CIC gansey, I started a new one:

It’s a little hard to see, but there are hearts up the center. I just started the armhole gussets. And, because I felt a little bereft without a lace project, I started Icarus:

I was spurred on by Alianne’s beautiful pink Icarus. Go on – take a look; I’ll wait. . . . . . Gorgeous, isn’t it? I love the beautiful pink. I had a pale pink lace in my stash that had been waiting for just the right project and I think this is it. At this point it is pretty mindless – as long as you can count to 7, you’re in good shape.

And, after four hours of studying today, my reward was to pick up FLAK. The weather is turning cool and I’m starting to get interested again. On pulling it out of the bag, I was a little dismayed to see how little I had really accomplished on it:

But, except for the ribbing, most of the decision-making process is over and it’s straight knitting from here on out. I almost decided to frog, but decided to do a few more inches and once I got into the swing remembered how much I really do like this and remembered how gorgeous Marguerite’s turned out. Go ahead, take a look at that one too. I find other bloggers to be an enormous source of inspiriation.

Don’t know if I’ll get a chance to blog next week. I only have to work one day so will have lots of study time. And on Thursday we head over the mountains to Pullman. I have a seminar at WSU (the one involving dog training), so I have lots of reading to do before that. Besides the seminar, there is a reception, a tour of the ice cream factory on campus (an offshoot of the vet school and a dairy herd) and lots of socializing with Bill’s brother and family. And – lots of knitting on the drive over and back!

Wow, you guys rock! I asked for advice and both regular commenters and lurkers stepped up to the plate. I started out trying to answer each comment individually, but gave up. So, thank all of you for your comments – I read each and every one and mulled them over. The advice pretty much split both ways, although no one actually said they loved the rolled neckline (I think the term “wonky” was bandied about). Several people commented that the neckline needed to be large enough to go over a child’s proportionally ginormous head – and they are correct. Reading all the comments, it came to me that the size of the neckline was just fine, so I left the number of stitches be. But I ripped out the rolled part and put in a shorter, ribbed neck finish. Voila! Problem solved:

The neckline is essentially the same size, but doesn’t flare out in a “wonky” way. Thanks for all the comments and suggestions! Oh, the specs (I always forget those). Pattern: Snakes and Ladders Gansey from Beth Brown-Reinsel’s excellent book. Yarn: KnitPicks Wool of the Andes in Blue Bonnet (about 5 1/2 skeins). Size 4 needle.

Now I’m off to study statistics for a couple of hours and then my reward: Casting on for another CIC gansey – a heart design in bright red!

A quickie post because I need your opinion on something. I’m getting in a little bit of knitting, and rather than start something new, decided to finish up a CIC sweater I had started. Just the sleeves to go, but I am very dissatisfied with this neckline. Pretty ugly, huh? I know that it will slip smoothly over a little one’s head, but is it way too wide? Should I rip back and do a ribbed neckline instead? Any and all comments and opinions are welcomed.

And I finished a pair of socks. These are Old Shale socks, pattern courtesy of Marguerite. Great pattern, great socks. The Old Shale top is Trekking, the rest is St. Ives. Can’t wait for the weather to get cold enough to wear them. Maybe tomorrow?

I’ve been able to do a few rows on the afghan as well. I am practicing cabling without a needle. I have attempted it in the past, but found that I actually could go faster with a cable needle. However, with a little practice I’m finding that I like it. I wanted to master it because I have a habit of losing my cable needles or finding myself stranded somewhere without one. I still have to think about whether I’m picking up the stitches from the front or back, but I’m getting better with practice.

I have the blogging blahs! Part of it is that I just don’t have an awful lot to blog about. After last weekend’s flurry of activity, my life has settled into a rather boring routine of work and study. I have finished the first section of my statistics class by taking the exam yesterday. I don’t know if I passed the section or not – you have to have a score of 85, but I think I did ok. That’s one-fourth of the way through the class. I’ve also spent a lot of time this week writing essays on Abnormal Psych – so if you want me to analyze you . . . .

I have to remind myself at this point that all of this was my choice. I am getting so tired of school! And I’m especially getting tired of people saying, “Aren’t you done yet?” No, I’m not done yet. There is one dear lady who has been a big supporter and encourager for me. I saw her at church the other day and told her that I had a projected graduation date. She said, “For your master’s?” I felt I had really let her down when I told her it was just for my bachelor’s. Sigh.

Ok, you didn’t come here for whining. On the knitting front – I had told myself when I got the statistics unit over I would reward myself with a new lace project. But I decided that for now adding another project to my already stressed schedule is probably counter-productive. So, instead I worked on some previous projects. Some is secret Christmas knitting – Izzy’s sweater body is done, so all that’s left are the sleeves, cutting, sewing and finishing (yes, steeks are involved).

And, I rethought the Aran afghan and frogged and started with a new pattern. I decided that as much as I love my sister’s afghan, I didn’t want to have to sew panels together. Here is the new effort:

This is from one of the Jamieson and Smith books and I’m really liking it. By the time it gets long, the weather will be cold and it will probably feel pretty good. But if it’s not done this winter (and it probably won’t be), it will have to be put on the back burner during the summer.

I also rewarded myself with some time puttering in my sewing room. I’m also a quilter, but haven’t been doing much lately. I felt the quilting bug bite, though and worked on this:

I had been a little frustrated with the block because originally I was using the ladybug fabric for the windmill blades and they just didn’t “pop”. In a flash of inspiration, I switched everything around and I really like this better. Thank goodness I hadn’t cut out all of my blocks so I spent yesterday after my exam happily cutting while watching “Law and Order” reruns.

That’s all for now. Once a week will probably be as much as I post until end of semester, so see you next week!

No, really – I haven’t fallen off the face of the earth. Just busy working and studying and well, working and studying. To say nothing of a whirlwind social schedule that has left me breathless! Saturday it was off to visit Lorette, The Knitting Doctor. What a gracious host and hostess John and Lorette were! I was wined, dined and entertained in style. On Sunday we picked up Kris and headed off for a Seattle yarn crawl. We only hit two shops – the Weaving Works and Acorn Street Yarn Shop, but our heads were spinning with all of the fibery goodness. Kris and I did not leave empty handed:

Come to think of it, neither did Lorette. Just let it be said that we left the yarn economy of Seattle in good shape. After a dynamite lunch at Cedars, we were off to Acorn Street and then to Bothell for the Yarn Harlot’s book signing. Stephanie was an absolute riot and had the whole audience in tears with laughter. We stood in line almost an hour to talk with her, but Lorette and Kris made it seem much shorter:

Sadly, I am the only one without groupies. Both Kris and Lorette had knitters come up and recognize them from their blogs. Or maybe I just don’t attract knit stalkers. Yeah, that’s it! We finally reached the head of the line and Stephanie was as gracious as ever. I think by that time I’d be telling people to hurry up and move along!

They actually closed the store around us but wisely decided to let the knitters stay on to avoid a full blown riot. I left early this morning to avoid the worst of the Labor Day traffic. I pulled off the highway in Mt. Vernon (about 45 minutes from home) because I was starving and decided I needed reinforcements and a potty stop. As I pulled into a parking lot, I heard a beep behind me, and who should it be but my very bestest friend, Jan. What a serendipity. We had a lovely lunch together and a nice break in the three hour trip home. I’m now home relaxing and convincing myself that statistics will NOT be on the agenda tonight. Thanks Lorette for a lovely weekend, and Kris, it was wonderful meeting you. Maybe next time I’ll get to see Anna Grace too!

Well, school has started and it’s time to take a deep breath and not go into panic mode. I was stressing a little yesterday over how much I have to do, but once you break it down into sections, it becomes a little less intimidating. The key is to keep at it and not get behind! So, I’ve gone two whole days without even touching my knitting! And, looking ahead at the week, that may not change. So, get used to posts with little knitting content!

Having said that, I do have a FO to show:

I completed these shortly after returning from Orlando. The yarn was acquired in a trade with Fluffy Knitter Deb, who unfortunately is having computer issues and probably isn’t even reading this (if you are – Hi Deb). I really love this yarn and colorway. It is not quite as washed out as in the photo, but I didn’t have time to fiddle with it. This was my first try at the picot edge and I will definitely do it again. I love the soft, feminine look of it. Deb could not have chose a yarn that suits me more.

I also received a lovely surprise package in the mail – all the way from Australia. A Lace Knitting Exchange from the lovely Kate in Australia. The little frog pouch contains some lovely hand beaded stitch markers that I couldn’t get to photograph well. Thanks so much Kate! I love the color and am already looking at ideas for it. And don’t worry – your package will be in the mail soon. I have it ready to go but won’t be able to get to the post office until next week.

In closing – a picture of a wonderful meeting in Dallas last week. I had a long layover and was honored to have my Aunt Lucy and cousin Margaret come pick me up for lunch. I haven’t seen Margaret in well over 40 years (ok, we were babies, right?), but she was always one of my favorite cousins and is for sure now! She and my aunt took me out to a wonderful lunch at the Hyatt and we had a great time reminiscing and visiting and catching up on our lives. And what can I say about my aunt – I won’t reveal her age (she’d kill me!), but suffice it to say that I hope I become as gracious and lovely as she is.

Ok, now back to the books. Next post I’ll tell you all about medians, modes, means, standard deviations and variances. Yeah, I know, you can hardly wait.

What we did on our summer vacation:

We met charming people at the airport.

We swam.

We went on exciting thrill rides.

We modeled cute little knitwear.

And made our own unique fashion statement.

In short, a fun and exhausting time was had by all.  I had forgotten just how busy a 15-month old can be!  As you can see, I did finish the little jumper.  It looks adorable on her, but she discovered quickly that, unlike her other clothing which has buttons and snaps, this one can be readily removed.  It was hard keeping it on her long enough to get a picture!  More pictures to follow!

My bags are packed, I’m ready to go. Well, not really all packed, but I’ve started. I have to work right up until the minute I leave town, so I’m having to get ready as I can. And, as you all know, deciding what clothes to take is the easy part – it’s deciding on the knitting projects that’s hard. You don’t want to take too many or too few. Don’t want to overpack, but don’t want to be bored either. I imagine Izzy will sleep at least some of the time I’m there and I’ve got some long layovers! So, I’m taking her jumper and one sock to be completed to finish a pair and a new pair to start. On the return trip I’m hoping to join up in Dallas with a long lost cousin (Hi Margaret!) who connected with me through my blog. We haven’t seen each other since we were kids and I’m very excited about seeing her and my aunt.

I do have a finished project to show:

A little baby set to place on a little baby body. I’m not thrilled with the yoke – the shape seems funny, but it should look fine once on the baby. The best thing is that there was minimal finishing – just weave in the ends and two underarm seams plus two small side seams on the bonnet.

And I’ve done some work on the Unst stole:

I can only do about 6 to 8 rows at a sitting without going blind, so this will indeed be slow going. In the meantime I will start another lace project, but am not sure exactly when. School starts the week after I get back plus I have a quilt show to help with plus the usual madness when I return to work. Marguerite will be posting pictures of her finished FLAK, so I’m sure that will inspire me to pick up that as well.

So – toodles! Not sure if I will post while I’m gone. I’ll have computer access, but not sure if I’ll have photo editing. But I’ll be sure to bring lots of pictures back with me!