Friday, May 23, 2014

I'm alive. I promise. (Days 315-319)

Holy crap, you guys.

I really don't recommend working 7 days in a row in retail. Especially when you have to walk to and from said job, in Florida, in the summer.

Along with my aching feet that I don't think will ever feel normal again, I have an awesome heat rash creeping on my leg. At least I hope it's a heat rash. I go to the doctor on Tuesday for a checkup on my anxiety meds so I'll ask him then.

But I have been knitting. Sure, some nights it was only two or three stitches, but dammit, I have been knitting.

Knitting is just a stitch at a time so those two or three stitches, no matter how minor and few, were actually progress.


Knitting really only has been my shawls I have going. I know I have other stuff I should attempt to work on but finding free time is difficult. 

And now if you'll excuse me, I have more dishes to clean than I'd like to admit. And then later, a trip to the vet! I was told that today is my day off but by my to-do list, you wouldn't believe me. 

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Busy busy busy (Days 312-314)


Here is my knitting! I swear I actually knit on Friday, Saturday and today. I've just been stupid busy. The Boyfriend's mom and stepdad left yesterday and then I had possibly the worst day at work ever and I don't want to talk about it but at the end of the day, at least three different people had seen me cry. I still have my job, so that isn't the problem, just a crappy crap crap day.

I've restarted my Citron shawl. I am knitting it on the size needles that I originally planned and then changed my mind because I can't make a decision to save my life. So far it's going well but I'm only about 14 rows in. My other, big shawl is going well too. I'm back on track I think, time wise so I can work on the Citron and my spinning which has been sitting since I finished that bobbin.

Life has been busy with Universal and Harry Potter and then the Boyfriend's family still visiting and work. So much work. I have another 4 days before a day off again, which I am SO looking forward to, mainly just so I can sleep in or not have to wear a nametag. Or work pants.

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Change of plans (Day 311)

So here's my plan.

I missed a couple of days because I suck. There's honestly no real reason except that I forgot. Poor planning and being overwhelmed by Harry Potter and excitement and being sick all combined left me a bit fried. There's no other reason besides that.

So my plan.

I'm just going to continue. It obviously won't be "every day for a year" now but I will keep going for 365 days total. It sucks. I know. I'm kinda kicking myself for it because it was going to be such an awesome accomplishment that I could point to and say, "Hey! Even when I didn't have a job or anything, I was still accomplishing things!"

Here I am at day 311/365. Maybe I'll actually get there and finish this now. It'll just be a few days later.



Here's my knitting for today. I'm working on my shawl still. I'm a *little* bit behind schedule but not so much that it's a bad thing. I just need to get ahead before other things happen like more family visits or more work. When I was hired they told me I'd get at most 15 hours a week and now I'm averaging 23 which is great but cuts into my knitting time even more. I'll also be able to start teaching knitting soon. I just have to get the classes planned out and fliers made and class supplies lists made. Fun stuff! It's all stuff that I have thought about but I just haven't written down yet.

Right, back to chores on my day off because I'm an adult now. Sad.

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Failed

My dear readers.

I have failed. I did not knit yesterday. I thought about it and there were times I wish I had my knitting with me but I didn't. I didn't even knit one stitch. My project stayed promptly in the bag and didn't come out at all.

I failed. And I was so close to finishing my goal. I know I was still 55 days out but in the grand scheme of things, that's pretty close.

I haven't decided what the plan is from here. Along with being at Universal, I decided that I was going to continue the long tradition of getting sick while going on vacation. I think (and hope) it's just a cold but we'll see. Being sick combined with walking around all day and of course the no sleep I get when I am sick, I'm a bit slap happy and can't really think straight.

As a sign of apology, here's a picture of the Hogwarts Express.

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Clean (Day 309 KEDfaY)

Worked on cleaning the apartment for the Boyfriend's mom and step dad so the only knitting was on my shawl. I'm gonna be taking my OpArt blanket on our trip to Orlando tomorrow. Yes, we are going to be going to Harry Potter world and yes I am ecstatic. 

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Washcloth (Day 307 KEDfaY)


Today was a day off and it was nice.

I knit. I spun. I did chores and laundry. I got to hang out with a friend and teach her how to make a washcloth.

I love that moment when someone gets so excited because they are making things with their own hands and they're happy about it. It's so gratifying seeing that "AHA!" moment. I love it.

I worked on a washcloth while she was working on hers and I also worked on my shawl this morning while occasionally doing chores.

And then I spun too. I finished the first half of my braid of fiber and I'm very happy with it. I'm consistent and that is what makes me super happy. It looks almost the same size for most of the single. Now to just repeat it for the second half. I'll probably start that after we get back from our mini vacation. We're going to Universal Studios. Excuse me while I go squee forever.


Wednesday, May 7, 2014

New (Day 306 KEDfaY)


So I got my new needles a day early. As I was scrambling to get my lunch made and my work clothes not wrinkled and trying to figure out how to get to work without being a literal hot mess when the UPS man knocked on the door. And there, laying next to my door because my UPS guy just ran off, was my envelope with my new needles. My ChiaoGoo Reds. I had 12 minutes before I needed to leave when I opened them and almost started crying because they're new needles and I wanted to use them.

So of course I took them to work to try them out during my lunch.

They're...different. I love how pointy they are and just the texture of the needles themselves but the cord is different. It's a stainless steel cable covered with some sort of nylon according to the package. I don't know if it's the nylon and the silk that aren't getting along but I have to stop and physically move the stitches along the cord, which isn't a bad thing I've decided, but it definitely interrupts the flow of my knitting. It might be the cord, it might be the combination with the yarn, it might be that they're BRAND NEW. We'll see. I've done a tricky lace row that has lots of slip stitches and passing the slipped stitch back over and the points are WONDERFUL. I love how sharp they are. For the points alone, they were worth it. Now if only the store I worked at would sell them so I could get them for cheaper.

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Red (Day 305 KEDfaY)



I've gotten a lot done on my shawl. I have the lace pattern figured out, it's looking like I want it to look. I'm not having too many issues keeping count and everything but I was having problems. When I really got into knitting, my grandmother got me the Boye interchangeable circular knitting needle set for Christmas. It's one of my favorite presents ever and I absolutely love it. I've used those needles to hell and back and abused them in any way possible along the way. But they aren't known for being the best quality. The joins are clunky. The cables are stiff and bumpy and when you're working on small needles, like the smallest size, US sz 2s, it's a bit difficult to push your stitches from the cable over the bump, over the join and onto the needle. I had looked at needles and thought about getting a new pair just for this project but then told myself I didn't need them.

And then I got a payment for doing a study about finances or something. I don't know, I just know I got $12. $12 is more than enough for a pair of Chiaogoo Red Lace needles.

Mine should get here Thursday.

I am very excited about this and I know that my gauge may change but because it's lace, and not a complex lace pattern, I think it'll be fine. I am excited to try these new needles out. I've heard good things and of course I will report back with my opinions on them.

So my knitting today was a bit on my OpArt blanket. It might become my "Oh shit. I need to knit something today," project. It's easy and easy to drop and pick up randomly.

Work today was a bit better than it has been. I was given the task of rearranging shelves and while I hate fake flowers, it was still a wonderful half of my shift. I love organizing and would be completely happy just doing that for the rest of my time at Big Box Craft Store. Now to only convince the managers of this.

Monday, May 5, 2014

Zoom! (Day 304 KEDfaY)


Boop boop boop! Look at me knitting that lace! And so far *knock on wood* there are no mistakes! Yay! I've also been spinning some. Spinning is one of those things that I have to force myself to take breaks and not spin the whole 4 oz braid of fiber at one time because it's just so fun! I have almost half of the braid spun so far and my own personal goal is to have it done by the end of the month so I have a bit of time. But I do have a mini vacation and people visiting a lot this month so getting more done now instead of having to rush it later is probably a good thing...right? That's my excuse at least!

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Not Picture (Day 303 KEDfaY)

So, I was going to take a lovely picture of my shawl and all of the progress I've done on it but for some reason the phone didn't want to cooperate and I'm WAY too lazy to get the camera out and take an actual picture so you're just getting me talking about not having a picture today.

I did get a lot of progress on my shawl and I think I have the main lace motif figured out which WHOO! I don't do lace so me figuring something out it crazy awesome.

Right now though, I'm gonna eat some yogurt, watch some TV then head to bed.

P.S. Please remember that cashiers are people too. We don't allow you to use coupons because we don't like you. We do it because we're following company policy and I really like the money I'm getting from my job so not getting fired is like, my only goal right now.

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Rocky (Days 301 and 302 KEDfaY)


I promise I knit yesterday. I had a shift at work then came home and bathed then met with my knit group so there was actual knitting.

I was going to write a blog post when I got home but as a "congratulations on your job!" present, The Boyfriend got me a new keyboard! I was so distracted that I forgot so I then just went to bed because I was tired.

I don't think I've told this story. So one morning, I got up to get on the computer. I got up when the Boyfriend did because I had a busy to-do list that day so it was early and I was tired. I walked to my desk and realized that it was wet. There was something on it. I then saw my coffee cup from the day before that had about half an inch of coffee left in it, was knocked over. I then spied my cat who seemed to be grooming himself more than usual. I moved my keyboard, my nice, pretty, expensive Mac keyboard that The Boyfriend had gotten me for our anniversary, and it was drenched in day old coffee. I took it to the kitchen, covered it in what rice we had and then left it. My keyboard never worked again.

Luckily, because my Boyfriend is a computer nerd, we have lots of extra keyboards. Unfortunately, the only keyboard that would work with my computer was huge and bulky and didn't like to work half of the time. I was not happy with it but I used it begrudgingly because I knew that a replacement keyboard was out of my non-existent price range. So I dealt with it. And it sucked. But it was useable so I couldn't complain.

But now I have a nice shiney new keyboard and it's pretty and I love it and it distracted me from writing an actual blog post last night.

In knitting news, I got the okay to start my OWL shawl, so that's what I worked on yesterday. I was doing well and then of course I dropped not one, but TWO stitches, in lace. Luckily there is a very wonderful woman in my knitting group who fixed it for me so I didn't have to rip out everything I had done to that point. And now that I'm home and not distracted by various chit chat and awesome conversation, it seems to be going better. I do have a long way to go though, so that could all change at some point.

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Yeah, I got nothing.... (Day 300 KEDfaY)


I finished my mystery washcloth that I was behind on.

I finished my test knit.

I finished swatches for my shawl.

I started a new braid of fiber on my spinning wheel.

I went to work.

This is what I've done today. And now I am going to go to sleep. Goodnight.