Prepping (Day 179 KEDfaY)

Today is my first day since getting back where I didn't have to unpack or do laundry (except fold the load in the dryer right now) or anything else and can do whatever I want. This is odd since I've been working on other projects for other people for a very long time and now I have the chance to do whatever I want! MUAHAHAHA!

So I cleaned.

I cleaned up my yarn area because it has definitely gotten out of hand and it was difficult to just maneuver the area. But now it's all tidy and waiting for me to start the next big project. In the next year, I want to knit a pi shawl, ala Elizabeth Zimmermann, and a fair isle vest that is nerdy to the max. I should also probably work on some of the projects that I have laying around on various needles and cables.

Oh, like this one, mayhaps?

Since it isn't the start of the new HPKCHC term yet (shut up, I know I'm a nerd, get over it), I don't want to start anything new and I don't really want to work on the second sock that I need to finish since when they do get finished, I have to mail them and ugh, mailing things. So I pulled this bad boy out and started working on it. I've finally got some more black scraps, which is why I put it on hold for a while. One day it'll get finished. Maybe it will be my "need an easy project and don't want to work on anything else right now" project. It's great TV/Youtube/Netflix knitting.

To me, it is always nice to take a few moments before the new year and just prepare yourself. Last year was a doozy and I don't expect next year to be any better/worse, but taking a couple of moments to just face the universe and say, "I'm ready. Let's do this."

Happy New Year.

Loquacious I am not, at least not today (Day 178 KEDfaY)

I finished the afterthought heel for the sock that I was working on. Now just another sock to go.

I wish I could be more eloquent and loquacious but I'm just not feeling it. I'm guessing it's the downer after coming home and not seeing my family again today. Maybe a nap would help, or probably just bedtime.

Home sweet home (Day 177 KEDfaY)

I'm back in the perpetually humid state of Florida. Indiana was wonderful. I'll have more coherent comments about it once I get some solid sleep...

Speaking of...

*zzzzzz*

Pack 'em out (Day 176 KEDfaY)

Supa Sekrit Project (Day 175 KEDfaY)

For those who have been following along for the past few months, you might've been curious about what the Supa Sekrit Project was. You might've also not cared at all but I'm going to talk to you about it anyway.

A few months ago, my friend Tanner retweeted an article that was talking about a WuTang Christmas sweater. Being bored and not having much else to do, I had said that if I had the money to buy the yarn, I'd knit it for him. Then my friend Sarah texts me asking if she bought the yarn, would I knit it. Yes, yes I would.
So I knit it. It was one of the most frustrating things I've ever knit and had made me appreciate colorwork so much more but I never want to do it again. Or at least not for free. If someone is willing to pay me an appropriate amount then I would knit it. It was a beast and I'm so glad that it's done and that Tanner likes it.

Good day (Day 174 KEDfaY)

I did hardly any knitting today after knitting 3/4 of a sock yesterday but I did have a good afternoon hanging out with my mom and watching Doctor Who while playing with makeup. What more could a girl ask for?

Christmas! (Day 173 KEDfaY)

This is a pre-written post. It's Christmas, or will be when you're reading this or actually when it goes up. I'm doing this because I know I'm going to be busy with my family and since I'll be back home in Indiana by then, I want to make sure that I actually do have a post to go live. If it doesn't go up in time, well, you'll live

"But Leigh! Isn't it cheating, presuming that you'll be knitting on Christmas day?" Trust me, I will be. If not, I'll edit this and come clean and tell the truth.

Here is a fun tag from The Pointless Blog that I thought would be fun to do!

1). Use one noise to describe how excited you are for christmas.

EEEEEEEEEEEEE!

2). Whats the best present you've ever been given and why?

This one is always a tie between my portable CD player that my grandma got me when I was about 9 that I used for YEARS until I dropped it on the floor of her basement and it died OR the interchangeable knitting needles that she got me when I was 17. I use those still pretty much daily and I love them. 

3). What;s the worst present you've ever been given and why?

My stepmom got me a pair of mom jeans one year that didn't fit at all. In her defense, I am INCREDIBLY picky about jeans and how they fit so she didn't really have a chance but these were high waisted and unflattering on anyone.

4). Sing a line from your favourite christmas song. 

Favorite Christmas song and favorite version! Mostly because it's decidedly not a very Christmassy Christmas song.

5). Whats your favourite Christmas film?

Every year on Christmas Eve, my mom, brother and I watch White Christmas all day on repeat. We turn it on when we get up in the morning and turn it off only for dinner. It's a great time because we all sing and dance to the various songs. It's a great time. 

6). Show how good you are at wrapping a present.

I'm so good, I can wrap a cat. 

7). If you could rename one of Father Christmas' reindeer, what would you name it?

Probably something awesome but updated so Simon or Steve or Banksy or something. 

8). Whats your favourite thing about christmas?

I love spending time with my family, especially now that I live 1000 miles away, it's just nice to sit around and hang out with them in person instead of via Skype or some sort of instant messenger. 

Done! (Day 172 KEDfaY)

It might've been while I was half awake. It might've been done the day I needed to give it. It might've taken an unreasonably long time to wrap but dammit, I finished Supa Sekrit Project 2 and my brother seems to enjoy it. I'd say all in all a good Christmas Eve.

Also, tomorrow's post has the wrong day for now but that's only because I wrote it a week ago and I'm fantastically bad at counting. It will be fixed eventually but I can't figure out how to change it on the app on my phone so it'll have to wait.

Racing towards the finish (Day 171 KEDfaY)

I'll be knitting on Supa Sekrit Project #2 hours before I give it to my brother but dammit, it'll be done!

Home, sweet home (Days 169 and 170 KEDfaY)

I knit yesterday. I swear. Through all of the stress that I went through, getting to an airport at 4:45 am, being on two different planes and crying in no less than three airports and on two planes, all on top of only getting 3.5 hours of sleep. And I knit.

I worked on Supa Sekrit Project #2. I should've worked on one of the other project that I need to knit on the plane but I was too anxious to even attempt it. Have I mentioned that I hate flying because I really really do.

Today was a great day of just sitting and hanging out with my mom, making cookies and generally getting ready for Christmas. Dinner was with the Boyfriend's mom and step-dad and now we're just watching a movie.

Sometimes the simple things are the best things to remind us why we love our family and why we miss them. And boy did I miss my family.

AAAHHHHHH! (Day 168 KEDfaY)

Aahhhhhhh!

In less than 12 hours, I will be on my second plane to my trip back to Indiana. I am very excited!

What?

What Supa Sekrit Project? I have no idea what you're talking about! It's definitely not shoved in a bag, mostly done but with the knitting needles still in it...

Finishing touches (Day 167 KEDfaY)

More done on Supa Skerit Project #2. Also finishing touches on the uterusburster and some details done on the bunny slippers. They just need their ears sewn on right now.

And in more exciting news, I packed my clothes and presents. Only things left are things that have to wait until right before I leave.

Aaaand finally, I think I'm getting a cold. Calling it early tonight.

Sleep is good but knitting is better (Day 166 KEDfaY)

Feeling better today so there was actual knitting done! I knit a lot on the Supa Sekrit Project #2 and I am mere rows away from finishing this one section and then I WILL ONLY HAVE ONE SECTION LEFT AND THAT'S AWESOME BECAUSE IT MEANS THAT IT IS TOTALLY FEASIBLE FOR ME TO FINISH THIS BEFORE I LEAVE SATURDAY! WHOO!

Tomorrow I've decided I'm going start packing so that Friday can be a day of packing stuff I forgot and repacking to make more things fit. I'm not checking a bag because it would be my luck that my checked bag would get lost or something. So I have to pack 9 days worth of clothes, any necessities and all of the gifts I've knit and knitting into my carry on. SHOULD BE FUN!

But right now I'm going to try to finish this section before midnight so I can get some sleep. Mmm, sleep.

Headache (Day 165 KEDfaY)

I made delicious soup for dinner in hopes that would help my headache go away but that didn't happen. Instead of knitting for a few hours to get a portion done on my brother's Supa Sekrit Project, I think I'm going to go lay down. I did get a row done, just now. Nothing exciting though.

But now, to lay down. 

Gettin' there (Day 164 KEDfaY)

Another present done! WHOO!

If I still lived in Indiana or lived somewhere colder, I would definitely keep that hat. I'm very happy with it and I think the person getting it will like it too.

I refelted my mom's slippers again today. They are MUCH better than they were. Now they just need assembled! I might get that done tomorrow. I haven't decided. 

I also worked on Supa Sekrit Project #2 more. I really just need to get the damn thing done but I'm sick of it at this point and don't want to work on it which is not something I need to do since it needs to be done by the time I get on the plane on Saturday. 

I also started another present today. I guess it will be Supa Sekrit Project #3 since I don't know if the person getting the present follows this blog or not. It's a simple knit project because I started it late but I'm sure it will still be appreciated. I have to resist working on that because I REALLY need to work on my brother's project first. I'm JUST SO DONE WITH IT even though I'm really not. Ugh. 

I guess I better go knit on it though...bah. 

So much to knit, so little time! (Day 163 KEDfaY)

The Boyfriend is on his work trip before going home for Christmas. He was lucky enough to be sent to Hamilton, ON for a few days. He sent me that beautiful picture above. I think he just likes to rub it in my face that I'm in Florida where it's still warm enough to have the air conditioning on. 

I don't feel like I did a lot of knitting today. I thought I did more but I guess I didn't. I finished a section on Supa Sekrit Project #2 which only leaves two more sections to go. The next two sections I think will be more fun than the last one so I'm hoping they go quickly. 

I also need to felt my mom's slippers again. I went with the washer. I kinda wish I hadn't now because there are some spots that don't look felted at all and others that are felted beautifully. I'm hoping another trip through the super heavy cycle will get them to look right. Then I can assemble. 

Speaking of assembling, I think I'm almost done with the uterus chestburster. I am thinking about reshaping it's head but that shouldn't take too much time. Then a mouth of some sort and then it'll be ready to go. 

I just finished packing the knitting I'm going to take with me when I go back to Indiana. I'm taking socks to knit since I'm not checking a bag and space is precious and limited. While going through yarn and possible projects, I might've come up with three more projects I want to knit before Christmas. Two of them are hats, one of which is in super bulky yarn so it should go really quick. I'm actually thinking about starting it tonight and seeing how far I get before passing out. I'd like to get the two hats done before I get on the plane and then leave the last possible Christmas present for plane knitting. 

I'm one of those people who likes to have everything packed a week before they leave so it is very difficult not to go pack everything right now even though my plane doesn't leave until Saturday morning. Hence why my knitting plane projects are already packed even though I had the yarn picked out for a few days. 

But now, more knitting! 

Rahr! (Day 162 KEDfaY)

I have the best friends.

Slippers! (Day 161 KEDfaY)

I've never felted anything before. On purpose at least.

I have a lot of knitting skills under my belt that would make me a "qualified" knitter but one thing I haven't tried is felting.

That is until tomorrow. 

My mom's Christmas present is going to be a pair of felted slippers. They're going to be pink bunnies and they're going to be awesome. I just have to figure out how I'm going to felt them. I know that I have options the problem is that I just don't know which one I want to use. Do I want to hand felt them so I know they won't felt too much or do I want to chuck them in the wash and hope for the best? This is where I'm at because I honestly don't know. All of the bits are knit for the slippers, I just need to felt it so I can then put them together and mark one more thing off of my to-do list before I leave Florida for Indiana in about a week and a few hours. I am very excited about this trip. Excited and anxious because it will be the first time ever that I'm flying alone and I hate flying when I know someone so flying by myself will truly be a terrifying experience, I'm sure. 

Things I need to knit before my trip though:
- Finish Supa Sekrit Project #2

- A chestburster bursting out of a uterus. 

      So my friend Onyx asked for a chestburster bursting out of uterus. Because of the awesomeness of it, I had to say yes so I need to do that before the trip too. 

I definitely think I can make my deadlines. I hope so at least. 

Check check! (Day 160 KEDfaY)

I finished the stocking commission today! There was very little actual knitting involved and was more sewing buttons on but I'm pretty happy with it! Tomorrow I start the slippers!

Monotony (Day 159 KEDfaY)

Today was one of those days where my progress is negative. I have less done today than I did yesterday because of me deciding thatt I didn't like how the Supa Sekrit Project #2 was coming out.

In other news, I washed SSP#1 and it is fine. Whoo!

Tomorrow I will finish the stocking and hopefully a good portion of SSP#2. Hopefully.

Gettin' shit done (Day 158 KEDfaY)

Finished the actually knitting for the stocking that I was commissioned to make. Now it's just finishing details. Next up: Work on my brother's Supa Sekrit Project. Right after I pick at my face some...

Check! (Day 157 KEDfaY)

Things I did today:
- A fuck ton of laundry
- Finished test knit
- Ripped back to my mistake on the commission stocking.

It doesn't sound like a lot but I am exhausted. I did spend a good portion of the day picking at my face, which still seems to be getting better (yay) but could be so slow to heal because of the water and the fact that the chlorine levels in our water match the local pool. SO THAT'S GREAT.

Right now, I'm going to go finish my beer and then go to bed.

Weekend Freakend (Day 156 KEDfaY)

Yesterday was full of knitting fails. I was working on the stocking for commission and I have to rip back about 15 rows because I messed up the gingerbread man and it looks anorexic. This is what I get for trying to count.

And then I started working on a test knit for someone and my numbers weren't coming out right and my gauge was way off so I decided to scrap it and then spent a good portion of the night picking at my face. My picture from yesterday is such low quality that you can't see the atrocious state that my lips are in or the rest of my face. My gross face rash is slowly healing, I think. I think I've finally cut out any possible allergen that might be causing it and it's finally getting back on track. 

Today everything just seemed to go much smoother. Knitting went smoother after I did some math. I wrote two emails that I've needed to write for a while and I even worked on Supa Sekrit Project #2 which is still about halfway done but WHOO! 

Goals for this week: 

- Finish stocking

- Work on mom's present

- Finish test knit

- Work more on Supa Sekrit Project #2. 

All reasonable goals as long as I don't get distracted by my flakey itchy face, which is entirely possible.

Uuuuggghhh (Day 155 KEDfaY)

This is how all of my knitting went today. That's supposed to be a hat. It is now a ball of yarn.

Hot (Day 154 KEDfaY)

Today it was 82*. It was 26* in my hometown and it was snowing. Makes knitting a gingerbreadman really difficult, or at least trying to find the will to. I wonder if a Christmas Palm tree would be okay...

Christmas in the Tropics (Day 153 KEDfaY)

Indiana is currently getting another big snowstorm tonight. It was over 80* today in Florida. I know some people would be jealous but I cried when I saw a picture of the snow falling in downtown Indy. It's hard to be in the Christmas spirit when I'm wearing shorts and a tank top and the air conditioning is still on.

Sorry... (Day 152 KEDfaY)

More of the same. Tons of fun, I know. One day, I might have something exciting again but for right now it's all SUPA SEKRIT.

A real post, I promise! (Day 151 KEDfaY)

See! A real post today! Look at me go!

I've honestly been knitting on my brother's Christmas present, Supa Sekrit Project #2, so I can't show pictures because I know he's a nosy little shit who would go looking for hints and clues and has at least once. His is a big project that I don't know if I'll get done before Christmas or before I leave for Christmas so he might get a very fantastically wrapped IOU.

Every year for Christmas, we wrap each other's present in the most ridiculous way possible. Last year his present was wrapped in tamper resistant tape. That's the level we get to with that. I already have a plan for this year, I just need a present to wrap. It's going to be awesome.

In other news, I'm waiting to hear back from someone I'm doing a commission for. I'm knitting a stocking for her daughter which should go quickly, I just need to get her preferences before I start. The last thing I want is to knit something for someone that they hate, you know? I'm also going to be doing a stocking for her boyfriend but she said it could wait until after the new year.

What else?

The Boyfriend and I have met our future cat. A friend of mine in the local knit group helps run a cat rescue and she found our future cat and heard that we were wanting a second one and figured the new cat would be a perfect match. We did a house visit where he came and chilled at our place for about an hour and he is going to be a perfect companion to Pebble, our current cat, and us. He was friendly and cuddly and ready to move in that day. The only reason why we didn't is because we don't want to get a new cat and then go away for a week, which we're getting ready to do.

I'm very excited about Christmas. I've been wanting to go back to Indiana to visit for months now and I am so looking forward to this trip. Not the whole flying alone thing, but the trip home is going to be good. I'm very much looking forward to it!

Now to just finish all these darn presents! (In all actuality, I only have 3 that I need to finish they're just all time consuming really.)

Ahhh (Day 150 KEDfaY)

Sorry. I'll do a real post tomorrow. Promise.

More of the same (Day 149 KEDfaY)

I wish I could show you something. I did work on a gauge swatch today but it was knit in white yarn and no matter how exciting you try to make it, a white knit gauge swatch is boring.

Supa Sekrit Project #2 is going well and by well I mean I probably won't finish it before Christmas. Such fun.

More secrecy (Day 148 KEDfaY)

One sekrit project might be done but I still have another to do before I start too seriously on my next commission. That's all I did today, sekrit knitting.

Boring, I know.

Finish line (Day 147 KEDfaY)

It's done. It's finished, completed, done. I'm done with Supa Sekrit Project #1. I didn't think I was going to do it but I did it and now it's done!

Now if you'll excuse me, I have some spinning calling my name.

Thanksgiving (Days 145 and 146 KEDfaY)

*burp*

Not tonight, dear (Day 144 KEDfaY)

Just not feelin' it.

Test run (Day 143 KEDfaY)

Knitted more on a hat for my stepmom today. I should probably worked on Supa Sekrit Project #1 but I didn't want to. I'll leave that for tomorrow probably.

I'm doing this pattern from Leethal Knits because I've wanted to knit it for a while and I figured a "test" run for my stepmom would give me a good idea of how it's made for when I make my own eventually. It definitely has an interesting construction and it's fun to knit. It does take longer than a normal hat but only because it's more involved than "k1p1 forever and ever and ever..." and it's nice. I'm really bad at reading/following directions so I had to restart the brim once but everything seems to be going well now. I definitely recommend this hat if you want something a little challenging but still a quick knit. And because it's a Leethal Knits pattern, the instructions are super thorough and easy to understand if you're paying attention, something I tend not to do. 

I've been working on an essay for about a month now and I still can't figure it out. I'm having a problem with it because the topic has a lot of emotion behind it so it's hard to get all of my thoughts and feelings out and in the right order. I have a lot to say about it so I want everything to be included but I think I'm at the point where I need to cut things out and get rid of the superfluous. It's one of those topics that I'm so close to and it's still relevant so it's hard to separate the fact and truth from pure emotion. 

Writing is hard, you guys. 

Flying (Day 142 KEDfaY)

I got to a good milestone today with the Supa Sekrit Project and so I decided to reward myself by starting another project. This is going to be a hat for my step mom I think. It's going quickly so hopefully I'll have it done before Christmas. 

Our plans for Christmas are currently up in the air. Hopefully we'll figure it out soon. I like to know when I have to be forced to fly in a plane. I hate flying and it definitely takes a lot of psyching myself up to get on one. Flying is scary. I do not like it. 

Boring (Day 141 KEDfaY)

You know when you get to a point in a project and you know that finishing it won't take you long but it's just so boring that you don't want to work on it and you'd rather play Words with Friends all day instead?

That's where I'm at.

Fears (Day 140 KEDfaY)

So I've been working on the supa sekrit project trying to finish it for my OWL for HPKCHC which is due next Saturday and something I've feared but thought I was just being over anxious. But then here I am, relatively close to finishing it and I'm going to run out of yarn. Luckily for me, it's on sale this weekend. So yay! But boo! But yay! I hope to have it done in time and I think I will, just have to get more yarn first.

Hat (Day 139 KEDfaY)

I finished the last hat that I need to make! Whoo! I would've finished it yesterday but I forgot to bring my dpns when I went out. I also knit more on the Supa Sekrit Project. It's at a part that I feel shouldn't take long but is going to take longer than I'd like because it's boring and sucks. But it's easy. So yeah. 

That's all I've got for today. Nothing exciting really. Whoo. 

Profession: Writer (Day 138 KEDfaY)

Ever since I was a little kid, I've been writing. I've written comics about ducks and teenage crime fighters. I've written stories about shadow people and elves. I've written about personal memories and things that are hard to talk about. It's one of those things that I've always done and never thought much about it. Sometimes I would dream about writing a novel or a comic or a memoir but most of my writing was term papers and assignments for class. After graduating and leaving school, I still wrote, mostly Tweets and half formed ideas for a possible essay later on. I've changed my mind about what I want to be when I grow up and I still haven't really decided what I want to do but one thing I always do is write.

Writing has a wonderful way of helping you solve problems and show you what you were too afraid to face.

I have scads of essays that were started and never finished or lines that I thought sounded interesting to be saved for a later date. Sometimes I go back to them and try to finish them but more often than not they get ignored.

I fantasized about being a writer when I was younger. I thought that I was fully capable of stringing together a string of words and make them sound halfway interesting. As I grew older I thought better of it because it's hard work and not many people find their audience. True, I write for me but I also write because I think I'm interesting enough to be heard, even if that does sound narcissistic.

I'm still trying to figure out what to do with my life. I have a halfass assembled set of skills that aren't really marketable for any job that exists right now. So I've been writing.

I know my blog posts are sometimes short and sweet and seem more like to-do lists than any semblance of narrative or vignette or anything remotely literary. Writing is hard. As one writer said, writing is easy. Just sit at a typewriter, open your veins and bleed. Replace typewriter with computer and you have me. I love to write. It's in my blood, as it were, and yet it's one of the most exhausting things to do. It's tough being that creative and not getting distracted by the shiny aspects of the internet.

But I've been writing. Sure my blog posts haven't always been the most illuminating or exciting but I don't share everything I write. I've got tons of pages and Word documents and Post It notes to back it up. I've spent the evening going back and reading finished essays, half started ideas and ones I decided best kept as a string of random thoughts. I do this from time to time to remember that I do love writing. I love sharing my stories and my idea of a witty anecdote. I like to read my old essays that I've forgotten I'd even written and fix them and edit them even though the assignments have long since been graded and I don't really know what to do with besides move them from hard drive to hard drive, the band of roving gypsies that are my essays.

Today, an essay I wrote and got paid for was published online. I don't know what did it, what clicked, but tonight I feel like I went from "unemployed" and "trying to figure things out" to "writer." This is honestly the first time in a very long time that I haven't felt helpless when debating my future.

I write all of this and then a friend of mine writes a tweet that's more beautiful than anything I've written in years. Bastard.


----

I knit today, too.

Lazy (Day 137 KEDfaY)

No picture today because I'm lazy. So lazy that all I did was finish the second sleeve of my sweater, something that I think, in total, took about 2 hours but for some reason took me most of the day. I blame the weather, the normal sunny skies have been replaced with grey ones and while I normally wouldn't' complain, it isn't really making me want to do anything.

Tomorrow is a busy day. I get to go have my blood drawn for tests to make sure my anti-anxiety meds aren't completely messing with my body and then my ride, Jeannine and I are gonna go get brunch. From there, who knows. Possibly a nap before knitting with the ladies and possibly meeting my next commission in the afternoon. Or I could just load up on coffee and hope for the best. The worst is that I can't eat anything before the appointment so I'm going to be starving and grouchy because I have to get up early and can't go back to sleep.

I think I might've also figured out what is causing the rash on my face but time will tell if I'm right or not.

I have about 10 days to finish Supa Sekrit project #1. I think I can do it as long as I'm not a lazy bum like I have been the past two days. I don't know why I've been so slow at knitting lately.

And the winner is...(Day 136 KEDfaY)

Now I know what you're probably thinking, "But Leigh! Aren't you done with that sweater? I thought you finished it ages ago!" Well I did. Kinda. I finished it in time to submit it to the local fair but the sleeves were too short so it was finished...kinda. To be finished-finished, I need to lengthen the sleeves about 4". The yarn didn't stretch as much as I had anticipated after being washed. And for something so simple, it really has taken me all day. I don't know why but I think it has to do with the fact that it's Monday and I'm scatterbrained today.

And the fair you ask?

It might not be first place but since this is the first year I've ever submitted anything of mine to be judged, I'm going to take it! My purple shawl I knit and the purple and blue handspun I did also got ribbons, a general "well done!" and another third place respectively. Since that was my fourth or so handspun ever, I'll definitely take a third place ribbon! I'm very excited and I even got some money from it, enough to buy me a coffee next time I go to the coffee shop, if I don't get a fancy one and I just get plain coffee but hey! Free coffee! 

I think I'm mostly excited because I can now say I'm an award winning knitter and spinner! Not many people can say that! 

I know yesterday's post was short and sweet. The truth is that I almost didn't post. I was *this* close to not posting because I was in bed almost asleep when I remembered, hence the one sentence post. 

Yesterday I spun a bit while watching the F1 race with the Boyfriend. He enjoys watching the races and I've started watching too. It makes for great background noise while I'm spinning. I finished the first braid of the fiber I've been working on and now I have another one in the same color and fiber content. I hope to get a 2 ply fingering out of it so I can do a pi shawl but I'm a little worried now that I won't have enough yardage. I might have to do a smaller shawl or something else with it. We shall see, won't we?

Sometime this week, one of my essays is going live, online! I'll of course plaster this blog with links as soon as I get them because it's my blog and I can do what I want, harumph. Also, I reread the essay that I think is going up first and it was actually really good! I surprised myself with how good it was. I definitely suffer from the traditional creative cycle of "This is awesome. This is good. This is crap, I hate it. This is amazing." I think everyone has experienced this and I do quite frequently with my writing. I think I'm great, it's just finding an audience that likes me too.

You guys like me, right?

Bwaaaah! (Day 135 KEDfaY)

More supa sekrit knitting!

Check check 1, 2 (Day 134 KEDfaY)

More knitting on Supa Sekrit Project #2 today so here is a picture of the other test knit I did for Lee Meredith. You should check out her new collection. It's pretty cool!

Test test (Day 133 KEDfaY)

Did some knitting on ssp#2 today so here's a picture of one of the test knits I did for leethal knits.

Plans (Day 132 KEDfaY)

New hat! It's the last(?) hat I have to make I think. I haven't knit on anything else today. I spent a good portion of the day in bed cuddled with the blankets because it was finally cool enough to do that and I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT AND I DON'T REGRET IT AT ALL. 

I also spun a bit today. This fiber is taking a long, long time but I expected it to. If I continue to do it in little bits then I think I might get it done by Christmas so I can hopefully start the pi shawl I want to make with it by the new year. Exciting things, planning and such.

Also might get to go back to Indiana sooner than originally planned. The Boyfriend has to make a work trip right before we were planning on leaving and blah blah blah, I might get to go back early. I'm excited because it gives me more time with my family and friends. We will see though. 

Thinking about restarting Supa Sekrit Project #2. I have an idea forming that I think I like better than what I'm currently doing. We shall see. Supa Sekrit Project #1 hasn't been touched today except to move it but I'm still comfortable with it's current due date even if I am going back to Indiana earlier than planned. I like being on top of projects. It makes me feel productive. 

I'm a creep (Day 131 KEDfaY)

I accidentally finished this last night. I was going to try to make it a two day project but that didn't happen. I also got A LOT done on Supa Sekrit Project. I am very happy to say that one big portion is *thiiiiiss* close to being done which makes me happy. I feel confident that I might actually get it done on time so WHOO! 

But now bed. Had a night out with the gals which was something that was greatly appreciated after being cooped up all weekend. 

Today I learned... (Day 130 KEDfaY)

Before I go to bed every night, I have a routine, like many people. I brush my teeth, wash my face, then cosy into bed and play Words with Friends or solitaire until the light goes out. The light goes out when the Boyfriend finally falls asleep or asks me to turn it off. It's on my side of the bed so I get to deal with it, an argument that we've had many times because we are both inherently lazy people and it's just so far away...

But then I read Wikipedia. I usually also listen to TV shows on my iPod because the only way I've found to fall asleep is to be overstimulated which sounds backwards for most people but it really does help me. Don't judge.

Generally my Wikipedia routine is to go to the main website and just hit the random button, read the article, sometimes it will be a foreign minister in a very small town in a country smaller than the city I currently live in, sometimes it's a random world event, more often it's an athlete for a sport that I don't pay attention to. I skim it if it isn't interesting or read it if it is and then either hit "Random" again or I find a link and fall down the Wikipedia hole. My favorites articles are the ones about nature. Simple things that you would take for granted are fascinating. Have you read the Wikipedia article for apples? How about the sea? What about kiwi birds? For example, the other night I started reading about rattlesnakes. I will say that I didn't random myself to this article, I had watched an episode of Mythbusters with a rattlesnake in it and I wanted to know why and how they made their rattly noise. And then I fell down a Wikipedia hole. Did you know that pit vipers are called so because they have pits in their face that allow them to sense heat? I thought they were called pit vipers because they enjoyed living in pits, a simple but easy to follow train of thought. These are things that we don't learn in school and I think that we totally should because what's more badass than a rattle snake that has extra holes in its face to smell its prey? I would've paid attention in class that day.

Another example: Today, I was curious about the bar exam that lawyers have to take and after reading all about that, I somehow ended up reading about the Talmud. Fascinating and stuff that I never would've learned if it weren't for Wikipedia. I know Wikipedia gets a lot of flack for the fact that anyone can edit it (with restrictions but no one cares about those) but I honestly love it. It's my second favorite website (seconded only to Ravelry.com because Ravelry is amazing) and I feel bad whenever I visit Wikipedia's page and they ask for money. I love Wikipedia and I use it pretty much daily. There's a long list of things I plan to do once I have a steady income and possibly extra money and donating to Wikipedia is definitely one of them. Even if Wikipedia gave me a job (something I don't know how to go about getting but I'm damn sure I would love working for Wikipedia because who wouldn't love to do research and fact check various things all day?) I would donate a part of my paycheck.

So, Jimmy Wales, if you find this in your random google search of your name, I would love to work for Wikipedia because pit vipers are badass.

----

In knitting today, I just worked on another hat for Christmas, my 2nd to last one, I *think*. I might do one more just in case I've miscounted or forgotten someone. This one is going to be a Creeper hat for my youngest brother. He likes Minecraft (or at least did the last time I saw him) so I'm hoping he likes it. If not, tough. I'll just take it back! Harumph. After I finish this hat, I will only have 3 more presents to knit which I'm pretty excited about since it's not even December yet. Look at me, all ahead and everything!

Breakthrough (Day 129 KEDfaY)

No picture today. I forgot to take one while the sun was still out. Silly thing is setting earlier and earlier.

I sat down today and decided that I needed to work on Supa Sekrit Project #1. I needed to figure out this one stupid part, so I went to Ravelry and looked at various patterns for inspirations and two hours later, I was fixing that stupid part. I am even almost done with that stupid part now, a part that is a much bigger hassle and chunk of the project than I foresaw. But it's looking great. I am finally happy with it again. Yesterday when I wrote my post for the day, I was so frustrated with that stupid project that I didn't want to finish it. Now, I honestly think I will be able to get it done by the end of the month so I can get full points to HPKCHC, because I'm a nerd like that. But I'm happy and I've been productive on it. I'm looking forward to finishing it now. Sometimes you just need a bit of inspiration to hit even if it does take it's time to get to you. It isn't lightning, it travels at its own pace.

Procrastin....I'll get to it later (Day 128 KEDfaY)

I am about 2/3 of the way done on another Christmas present. I figure I have 2 more hats to knit and then other assorted presents to work on. I'm pretty happy with how many Christmas presents I have done at this point. It isn't even December and I feel like I can go to my family Christmas gathering and not use the excuse of broke ass college student as the reason why no one got gifts. Since I'm not actually in college, I don't know if I can use that excuse any more.

I also have gotten some spinning done. I got a lot of the same color and content fiber from someone's destash and my hope is to get a 2 ply fingering weight out of it so I can make a huge shawl. That's the hope and so far it's going well. There is A LOT of this fiber so I'm going to be spinning it for ages. It is definitely in the "long term project" column. 

But really I'm just using these two projects to procrastinate. I REALLY need to be working on Supa Sekrit Project #1 but I'm still stuck on one part and I don't want to. I have 20 days to finish it. I know I can do it, I just need to figure out a problem first. Ugh. 

If you can't say anything nice... (Day 127 KEDfaY)

No picture today. I finished the test knit and I am very happy with how it turned out. I was afraid at one point of my color choices but I like how it looks now and I'm happy with it. I've had a very stressful weekend, something I don't feel like I can talk about because talking bad about people is wrong and I'm trying to be a better person.

So that's it. I hope to get some spinning done this weekend. I have plans for some fiber that I think will be awesome but I have to actually spin it first.

Uuuugh (Days 125 and 126 KEDfaY)

Started a new test knit last night and I am REALLY enjoying it. I'm enjoying it so much that I forgot to do a post so here I am doing another two days in one. Trust me, I did knit last night and I have knit today. I don't know how much more I'm going to get done since today is the Boyfriend's birthday and there are plans for today but I hope to get this section of the test knit done. It is really fun and I'm really enjoying it! 

Okay, that's all I have for today. 

Another one gone (Day 124 KEDfaY)

Finished the hat I started yesterday. Everything was in such a hurry to get done that when I finished everything yesterday, I sat for a minute or two and tried to figure out what I needed to work on next. Supa sekrit project #1 still needs to be worked on but I'm still mad at it so it's in a bag. SSP#2 needs to be worked on but might change depending on a possible test knit coming up. We shall see. In the mean time, I have at least two more hats to knit for Christmas presents, both of which should be at least a little fun because they're more entertaining than k1p1 forever and ever ad nauseum. I hope to spin a little bit this weekend but since the Boyfriend's dad is visiting, I might not. I don't know what the plans are yet if there are any at all aside from fancy dinner Saturday night.  

But another present is done! I only have 4 more to go which I think is pretty impressive! Now to just get the yarn for the one and decide what to do for the other one.....

Drug induced cleaning (Day 123 KEDfaY)

Started another hat for Christmas. I also finished my one project for HPKCHC and got that turned in so WHOO! I also spent the day cleaning and organizing for the Boyfriend's dad's visit this weekend. Nothing is dirty per se, just disorganized. We also have an excess of boxes but I blame the cat. She loves her boxes and won't let us throw any out. (Actually, the compactor for excess garbage is on the other side of the apartment complex and I don't feel like walking all the way over there to throw them out. It's a long ass walk and I am tres lazy these days.) 

I had a fun adventure in cleaning today though. I took a benadryl after the Boyfriend left for work because I have become super tasty to the wildlife around here and have a mosquito bite on my leg that has swollen to the size of a large orange so I was hoping it would help (it did, kinda). I then forced myself to get out of bed much later than I want to admit. I spent the next hour in a drug induced fog and haze and when I finally woke up there was a load of laundry in the wash and my desk was clean. In conclusion, I should take benadryl more often. 

That's it for me though on my side of the world. Nothing too exciting yet. We'll see how this weekend goes. Should be fun! 

One less thing to do! (Day 122 KEDfaY)

Completed sweater! Sorry for the crappy pic. You will survive.

Whoo! Sweater is done and has been submitted to the fair along with some of my handspun and my lace shawl. I REALLY want to get at least one ribbon because I think it would be super awesome to win something for my awesome knits but I don't expect to because there are a lot of other people in my knit group submitting stuff and they are also really good.

This week is major cleaning of the entire apartment week. Boyfriend's dad is visiting for the Boyfriend's birthday this weekend so I have to make this place presentable for someone besides us. It mostly involves doing all of the laundry piled up and actually putting away dishes but it gives me a reason to do something! I also have three more washcloths to knit for HPKCHC. I have started one today but I haven't gotten much done on it. I've been busying dicking around the internet which is a lot of fun, in case you didn't know. In fact, I think I'm going to go do some of that now!

Done (Day 121 KEDfaY)

My sweater is done! I'd show you but it's in the washer and I'm tired so it's gonna be washed then thrown in the dryer then I'm going to bed. I haven't knit with a lot of wool but I do have to say that acrylic is awesome in times like these.

Lookit that body! (Day 120 KEDfaY)

I got the body done on my sweater today! WHOO! I am very excited. I started the one sleeve and I'm about 2" above the elbow on it right now. I want to get it done, finished, washed and dried tomorrow so hopefully I'll be able to get there. As long as I stop running into problems then I should be fine but things like forgetting how to kitchener are causing me issues. I should know how to do that by now but it still alludes me half of the time. 

But in the mean time, I'm going to continue watching the Norwegian knitting marathon. You might call me a nerd but I'm going to be too busy watching them to care! Maybe I'll do a review of it tomorrow. Hmm.

Frustrating (Day 119 KEDfaY)

So I'm cruising right along on the Supa Sekrit Project #1 and then I hit a brick wall. I spent 4-5 hours today trying to solve a problem on it and I couldn't figure it out. Luckily I *just* made it to 50% on it so I can get points for HPKCHC hopefully.

Next up on the list is my owl sweater and then more washcloths. I can do this but right now I'm going to go read and go to bed. 

Quickie (Day 118 KEDfaY)

No picture because it's too late and too dark and my phone is in the other room and I'm lazy.

Today I finished the part of the supa sekrit project #1 that I've been having the most problems with and I am very happy. It's finally done so to get to 50% will be a piece of cake and I will definitely get it tomorrow. And then I can finish my sweater hopefully in time to be submitted to the local fair. I feel better now that I can see progress on things and things are finally getting finished. It's a nice feeling.

Doctor's appointment today was a quick one. He just looked at my face and basically said to keep doing what I'm doing and hope for the best and if it's not better in a few weeks to come back and we'll go from there. At least it's not flesh eating bacteria. That makes me feel better.

Just a quick update today. I want to go get some things done before bed. I've started reading the Game of Thrones series and it's actually pretty nice to read before bed although not many people have been brutally murdered at this point, just a few.

Itchy (Day 117 KEDfaY)

Please ignore the missing dresser drawer. I took it out to empty it and just hadn't put it back yet.

More knitting on SSP#1 today. I am 2/3 through this one part that I've had problems with and it's FINALLY looking right. I'll work on it more tonight. I don't think I'll get much done on it tomorrow since tomorrow is my trip to the doctor and an altogether day out. I'm really hoping I don't have the flesh eating bacteria. I can't afford to be in the hospital right now. Again, no necrotizing flesh on my face but this is the doctor who gave me an EKG last time I when I just needed my Pap for the year so who knows what he'll do. 

The worst part about this rash right now is that it itches like crazy and I can't help but pick at it and scratch it which means I'm washing my hands a million times a day. My hands are all dry and gross now because of it. I already had a thing about picking at scabs and now my face is a huge series of scabs that I just want to pick at. It's not fun. Hopefully the doctor will give me some helpful advice tomorrow. Who knows. In the meantime, I have a supa sekrit project to work on. 

Phantom-y (Day 116 KEDfaY)

Whoo! Something else to mark off of my to-do list! It didn't get mailed today. Why, you ask? Because I didn't want to walk to the post office. 

So my kinda being sick has been a really nasty rash all over my face. It's super unattractive, let me tell you. I suspect it's a bacterial infection because I've also been more tired than normal and I've had a feeling of just being sick without any symptoms aside from the rash that is threatening to take over my face. So, going out in public is not really a top priority of mine. I can deal with being stared at when I dress funny or when I'm making an ass of myself but being stared at for something I can't control like a seemingly incurable rash on my face would probably make me cry.

Last night, while getting ready for bed, I noticed, that, after a week and a half of various treatments, it hadn't gotten any better and in some places actually looked worse so I resigned myself to the fact that I have to go do the doctor to get this fixed. I have tried every home remedy and basic first aid recommendation I've found online and nothing has helped and some have made it worse. I didn't really want to go to the doctor because it's a hassle because I don't have a car but at this point, I need to. Add to the situation the fact that there is flesh eating bacteria 'round these parts, and I decided that I definitely need to go. Nothing looks like it's necrotizing at this point but one can't be too safe. Thanks, Florida

I scheduled my appointment for Wednesday and I'll mail out my commission then. Until then I have Supa Sekrit Project #1 to finish, my sweater to finish, and three more washcloths for HPKCHC to finish. All due at various points in the next few weeks. I'm sure some of those things would be done if it weren't for the disgusting rash on  my face. Once it starts healing, I'll probably post a picture but right now just imagine the Phantom of the Opera minus the singing and kidnapping of random teenage girls. 

Finish Line (Day 115 KEDfaY)

I am so close to finishing this dang hat. If it weren't for the pesky ear flaps it'd be done or at least to the point of just needing to do the poof. It has taken me a lot longer than I want to admit to working on this hat. I guess that's what I get for going and bragging about how awesome I am at knitting. The plan was to mail it out tomorrow but I don't know if I'll get it done in time and still have time to walk to the post office. I *think* I will but I don't know for sure. I'm going to try to finish up the ear flaps tonight so that all I have to do tomorrow is the poof. I hate doing pom poms. They're such a pain and I always feel like they're such a waste but a Cunning Hat wouldn't be the same without it. 

In other news, I have no other news. I made soup today. It was alright. It's not the best but it's not the worst soup I've ever made. But right now, I need to go finish a hat! 

Cunning (Day 114 KEDfaY)

Look! Knitting that I can show you! WHOO!

That should be exciting. I think it's exciting. I'm making a hat for a friend who has commissioned it. It is  a Generic Sci Fi Ear Flap Hat of Cunningness. It's an easy hat. I think I might actually spend more time walking to the post office to mail it than to knit it. I don't know for sure but I will definitely time it just in case because that would amuse me too much if that were the case. 

As for being sick, kinda, I'm still sick, kinda. I seriously didn't start knitting today until about an hour ago. It's just been one of those days, I'm sure you've been there. My exciting moment of the day was resetting my phone because it needed it. I've spent a good portion of the day trying to figure out what apps I need and where they were. If that doesn't tell you how exciting my life is right now, I don't know what will. 

Check! (Day 113 KEDfaY)

She is as surprised as you are that she's sitting on my lap

I finished my test knit and then instantly started feeling sick. That is how my luck is going right now.

Kinda sick-ish (Day 112 KEDfaY)

She is really bad at hiding. 

Ugh.

That's how I feel. I have a weird sick thing happening that I really don't want to talk about because it's kinda embarrassing and I'm not over how embarrassing it is yet. Once I get over it, I'll share but for right now I'm just going to remain sick. Trust me, I have a rough draft of an essay all about it already written, I'm just not ready to share with anyone yet. I can be private sometimes. No, really! I can!

I've worked on the test knit. It's slow going, which is something that Lee Meredith said when she sent out the test knit but it's slower than I expected. I consider myself an incredibly fast knitter (only because I've been told by lots of people that I knit quickly) so when I say it's slow going, it's slow going. I am enjoying it, I just don't feel like I'm getting anything done on it. It doesn't help that I had to restart. It is looking better now though and I'm 2/3 of the way done now, I just have to finish it up so I can get the rest of the stuff I need done. I go months and months without needing to do anything and then all of a sudden, 4 different things need to be done within a week of each other. Buh.

And I'm sick on top of it. Sorta. Again, more on that later.

You'd think I'd have some sort of system by now (Days 110 and 111 KEDfaY)

But no, I don't.

I blame not feeling well. Can I do that? I haven't been feeling too hot over the past few days and that's meant lots of naps and not a whole lot else. Well, except knitting. I've been knitting a lot. But it's all on stuff that I can't show you so...Just trust me here.

Restarted the test knit last night. I missed a huge pattern instruction and I wasn't liking how it was turning out so I decided to restart it. No big deal. Just have to focus my attention on that now instead of other things. Whoo, scheduling things!

Deadlines (Day 109 KEDfaY)

If she fits, she sits even if there is a bigger box that she fits in better just over there. 

Today, the yarn I ordered for a hat that I'm making for a commission FINALLY arrived. I ordered it last Monday and it just got here today. I guess I'm spoiled to really fast shipping but seriously. I hope to get that done and mailed out by this weekend but I have a few other deadlines I have to deal with first. The halfway point on SSP#1 is due on the 31st to get points for HPKCHC. The test knit I'm doing for Lee Meredith is due Saturday. My sweater needs to be done by the 1st ish so I can submit it for a local fair. I don't expect it to win but it would be nice to have a hand knit of mine recognized for its awesomeness. Supa sekrit project #1 is going much better now. A technique that Lee Meredith explains in the pattern I'm test knitting is actually coming in SUPER handy for SSP#1. I am very thankful for that. SSP#1 is also looking better and I think/hope I won't have to rip back again. *fingers crossed*

The good thing is that it's going pretty quickly. The bad thing is there's still a lot to go to meet the halfway point. 

The hat that I was commissioned for though should be quick, only a couple of hours. It's a simple hat but a darn cunning one, nonetheless. Now to just figure out how to get everything done on time! 

Busy (Day 108 KEDfaY)

This blog does not necessarily endorse the company on the mug, I just wanted to show off my new mug. I've had ones similar to it on my wishlist for about two years now. The Boyfriend got it free from work and since he doesn't use mugs hardly ever, he let me steal it.

Today has been busy with work on supa sekrit project 1. Since I actually have some deadlines for it, I figured it should get some attention this week. I actually have to schedule my time this next week because of various deadlines, which I'm enjoying. Scheduling something in my life that doesn't involve a tv schedule makes me feel like I have some importance.

Wow, this went dark fast.

Ehhhh (Day 107 KEDfay)

I honestly don't remember if I've used this picture before or not but it amuses me.

More knitting on supa sekrit projects. Not much else to talk about right now. Have a picture of a cat. 

SHHHH! (Day 106 KEDfaY)

No picture today. It's much too dark to try to get a cell phone pic and the cat has disappeared. I think she's moved onto the next stage of her attempt of murdering me. She's started being friendly towards me and has gone so far as to cuddle with me earlier today while I was reading. Obviously it's an evil plot.

Knitting today has all been supa sekrit knitting. I'm test knitting something for Lee Meredith which I have been sworn to secrecy about. I'll show you of course once I'm done with it but for now you just have to trust me that it's awesome and fun and I love it.

But for now it's bed time. Just wanted to pop in and do the post real quick. It would've been a no dialogue post if I had gotten a picture earlier today but I didn't because I forgot. *shrug* Oh well!

Supa sekrit (Day 105 KEDfaY)

She's got no legs! (Jkjkjk she does)

I finished two more parts of the 2nd supa sekrit project. The best part is that I'm not saying how many parts there are (there are four hundred ninety seven parts). 

I haven't picked up the first supa sekrit project again. It is now at a place of intimidation and frustration which is better than yesterday when I was just frustrated. It's an improvement I guess. I'm hoping by Saturday or Sunday I'll be willing to deal with it again. 

Supa sekrit projects for everyone! (Day 104 KEDfaY)

I have no explanation for why she looks terrified. 

Since I've started my second supa sekrit project, there will probably be more pictures of the cat. I'd tell you all about it but it's for my brother and he's a sneaky little shit (love ya!) and I don't want to take any chances of him finding out what I'm making him. It's awesome though, I will say that. 

As for the first supa sekrit project, I am frustrated beyond belief with it right now. I have to rip out a BUNCH of rows after I thought I fixed the problem. Well, I didn't. So. Yeah. I'm super frustrated.

In good news though, I have been commissioned by a friend to make something for her. It's not due until Christmas, so I have plenty of time to try to get other stuff done first. She posted on twitter today, a picture of a crocheted uterus. I then said that I could knit her one. She responded, "Could you make one with a chestburster coming out of it?" How could I say no to that? You can call my friends a lot of things, but "normal" is definitely not one of them. I have yarn, I just need to plan really. I have some ideas but nothing concrete but again, she's not getting it until Christmas so I have plenty of time. Supa sekrit project #1 though is on a much tighter deadline and it's being a super pain in the ass. It's in time out because I'm so mad at it. 

I might also be test knitting something in the near future which will also be supa sekrit knitting. So expect lots of pictures of the cat. Maybe I can get her to be playful one day and do a photo shoot so you don't have to deal with crappy cellphone pics of her.

Bra-less (Day 103 KEDfaY)

Today was definitely less productive than yesterday. I was probably just as productive, it just doesn't seem like I was productive. I finished my mom's Christmas present and it's currently blocking and drying right now. I figured out what I'm making my brother for Christmas and started planning that. I worked out for the first time in a very long time. I showered. I edited a rough draft a bit. Putting it in a list makes it seem like I accomplished more, but I don't feel like I really did anything. 

Maybe it's because I didn't put a bra on today. Who knows?

Productivity (Day 102 KEDfaY)

Pretty picture of the yarn I spun instead of what I worked on today because all I worked on was the Supa Sekrit Project. 

I spent most of my day today knitting on the supa sekrit project. Right now I'm where I was before I had to rip back and I am SO MUCH happier with how it's turning out even though it's going to make finishing a pain in the ass. I'm almost at the halfway point timewise for what I guesstimated on this project and I'm not even halfway done SO THAT'S ENCOURAGING.

But I've had some good news today. Not a lot but a little and you know what, it made me smile like a lunatic for about two hours. More information once I get it. I also did some writing today, outside of the blog. Once it's finished I'm going to submit it to all of the places I can in hopes that SOMEONE will publish it. I submitted another piece to a publication. It's already been rejected once from another publication but I really like it and I have faith in it. It just has to find it's audience.

You know what must be boring? Reading about writing about writing. It's pretty boring for me but that's all I have going on right now that I can share and so I thought I should share what I can. I also did laundry today but that was much less exciting and no where near as productive.