I finished the tzarina wrap this weekend. I'll post a picture when I give it to my aunt.

I'm working on finishing up a seed stitch coat from Fall 2005 Vogue knitting. It's a bit boring. I think I am ready for something new. After I make the vest for my mom (Olympics project), I think I am going to give socks a try. The idea intimidates me, because the work is so small. We'll see.

I'm interested in this idea of a "knitting lifestyle." What does that mean exactly?

So how to I get this image over to the side?

I've joined the Knitting Olympics! I'm planning a vest for my 85-year-old mother.

Almost finished with Tzarina. I'll have to find something to fill in the gap between now and the start of the Olympics. Maybe I can finish (or work on) that Vogue magazine coat pattern I started last fall. It's almost spring, so I should be able to wear it.

I'm about about two-thirds done with the Tzarina wrap from Wrap Style. I figure if I buy a book, I really need to work it.
I'm making it for my aunt, who picked out a malabrigo yarn. It is wonderful to knit with, but I don't really like the varigated pattern.

I guess it reminds me of the 70s. I remember seeing a lot of stuff like this--usually in orange. Some people are sentimental about that period, but it makes me cringe to remember how arrogant and self important we were.

My aunt picked out the yarn, so she obviously doesn't share my feelings!

With my son Ben and my lovely new wrap

I finished Twisty Turns and spend hours trying to put it together. I felt like such an idiot. I'm sure the directions make sense to someone who knows how to READ directions, but I was doing everything wrong. I went over to Knitorious, which is without question the best yarn shop in this town, and Sandy helped me figure the whole thing out. I'm pretty proud.

So winter break is almost over and I am racing to finish this twisty turns project. Next I am committed to a Tzarina cape from Wrap Style for my aunt, a scarf for my son, and completion of a coat project from the fall Vogue magazine. Not sure why doing more than one project at a time has such appeal.

I am looking forward to getting back to work, an emotion I am sure I will lose quickly. I miss being on a more regular schedule and seeing my students.

Row after row.

I like the way this Twisty Turns project is looking, but I am getting a bit bored with the repetitiveness of the pattern. I'm sure it will be worth it eventually.

After a non-work related meeting yesterday, I asked the chair if she was offended when people pulled out their knitting needles in the midst of budget discussions or whatever. She admitted that she was. I'm glad I didn't take out my project.

A new year, an old addiction.

It seems to be time to write about knitting. I'm not sure why anyone would be interested, but I read other blogs about the subject, so why not?

I've been knitting sporadically since I was about 14. My grandmother was a talented knitter, but not a teacher. My mom sent me to a kindly neighbor for lessons.

My needles lay dormant for decades, but last year I began again, knitting the obligatory fun fur scarves for co-worker holiday gifs.

Since then, I've become obsessed. I consider myself only an advanced beginner, but I'd like to try new and more difficult projects.

Right now, I'm working on Twisty Turns, a shawl/wrap from the Wrap Style book. I'm working in Nashua Creative Focus Worsted, and just ripped out 40 rows to begin again. There was a flaw I couldn't stand.

Thoughts, responses? Anybody out there?