iGraduated

I graduated from the UW iSchool's Master of Library and Information Science Program!

To celebrate I went to my instructor, Teen Queen's, home today for an afternoon barbecue.

Several of my fellow graduates were also there.



We discussed which lectures we actually listened to, and which ones we...well...skipped, etc.

Song brought up the fact that I used to knit during all of our residencies. I replied that I knit while I was listening to lectures at home as well.

Teen Queen looked shocked!

"Did you knit during my lectures?" she asked.

"Well...yes...but only when you were talking!"

Why I Love Grad School Residencies

1. I get a plane ride, plus all the lovely airport waiting time, in which to knit.


2. I get to visit new and exciting yarn shops that have opened since the last time I was home.


3. I get to buy stuff.


4. I get to knit DURING classes, and all the lovely breaks in between.


5. I get to visit yarn shops I have missed.


6. I get to buy stuff.


7. I get to spend time with former knitting pupils...


8. ...while knitting.


9. I get yarn as Easter presents.


10. I get to go to baseball tournaments, during which I can knit.


11. I get another plane ride back home, and all the lovely airport waiting time, in which to knit.


12. And I make a lot of progress!

Debbie Macomber's Shop

Not everyone may be aware of the fact that knitting books exist. (And by this I refer to novels about knitters, not instructional texts.)

People who are aware of their existence may not be familiar with the Debbie Macomber series about the "Shop on Blossom Street". I believe there are now 5 of them.

People who are familiar with the series might not know that Debbie Macomber is from Port Orchard, WA and recently opened a yarn shop there of her own called A Good Yarn.

I was aware, familiar, and knew. (Or at least, I knew once Mom told me.)

Since I am up in WA this weekend for grad school residency, Mom and I made the not-at-all-out-of-the-way trip to visit said yarn shop.

It was delightful.

I bought stuff.

Blimey! I Forgot About The Blarney!

So, after posting about the Bremerton Bamboo Stitch Socks, I realized that I never posted about the completed and beautiful Blarney Socks! HOW COULD I HAVE FORGOTTEN THESE GORGEOUS DARLINGS?!?!?

I worked on them during the spring grad school residency...and let me tell you, it is NOT easy to juggle circulars, yarn, and a cable needle on the bus.

I also worked on them while I had laryngitis last spring...thanks to Dad.

I am more proud of this particular pair of socks than any other pair I have ever made. In fact, I think I am more proud of them than I am of anything I have ever knit period!

Part of my pride comes from the fact that I developed the design myself. I took the pattern for the braids from my stitch-a-day calendar. I then infused it into the basic sock pattern that I got out of one of Mom's sock books. (I would give credit to the author, but I honestly don't remember...either Schurch or Bordhi...) So, while it is not an entirely original-from-scratch design, it is an original hybrid! (Kind of like rose breeders who don't try to reinvent the wheel...I cross pollinated!)

Anyway, I finished these before I moved...I think in May. Wish I had posted then. I took the pictures then.

Second Sock Syndrome...

I am not currently suffering from this malady...but I am wondering why the second sock always takes soooooo much longer than the first...

It's not as if I have one foot that is significantly larger than the other, but it seems like the second sock always takes twice as long to finish no matter how diligently I work on it.

Frustration.

I really want to get my current pair finished before my graduate school residency this weekend so I can pack a brand new project to take with me. I want to travel light...one project, one project only. (To get the full affect read the previous line in Sean Connery's attempt at a Russian accent!)