Finally, a finished project!

Hurrah, two finished socks and a bit of knitting mojo regained. These lovely gems were started back in March. The lush yarn is Handmaiden Casbah sock yarn, colourway Paris. 80% Merino, 10% Cashmere, 10% Nylon. I used 2mm Knitpicks wooden dpns, and a basic pattern from Knit Socks! by Betsy McCarthy. My goal with these was to produce a tight fitting sock, because so many of my knitted socks have come out too loose. Only problem is that I cast on far too tightly so they are a real pain to get on and off. But I suppose every project is a learning experience, right? My newest socks have been cast on very loosely. Now, does anyone have any solutions for pilling? I have worn these twice and a couple of times in bed- not washed yet (I know, yuk)- but they are already pilling. I had a dream about using a sweater de-piller the other night... in the dream someone told me that all socks had to be shaved down several times! Ha ha! So, what do I do? Or could it be because of the cashmere content?

to PhD or not to PhD...

Well, after much thought, I am slowly turning away from the idea of starting a PhD right now. I've done my proposal, sent it to one of the lecturers for an opinion, but yesterday I had one of those 'aha' moments. I've been really stressed about it for the last month, trying to make a decision about whether or not to pursue it, and how much time to devote to it (f/t vs. p/t). But for some reason, yesterday I realized that Isabella is going to be 14 months old next week and we both want one, possibly two more children. I think there was something about the realisation that she's 14 months old- something about that number- that made me realize how FAST time is going. If I start a PhD now, I might just get so pre-occupied that my children's early years will pass me by. So, I think... (and this is only my train of thought for this very moment).... that I want to pass on it for now. Stay with my current job, which doesn't require me to work at home, and just enjoy every moment. Live in the present. Stop trying to always aim for the next thing, and instead slow down and savour each minute I have with this sweet little girl and her future siblings.

The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, nor to anticipate troubles, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly.- Buddha

happy garden!

This year I've got myself organised and have been trying to get the back garden in shape. For the last three years I have been staring at a big green patch with huge potential, but had no idea what to do back there. So, this year, I have finally planted a border on one side and have made a big vegetable patch on the other side. It looks spartan now but hopefully everything will grow and spread out by summer. The shrubs at the back will definitely get big, and I've planted some bulbs that will come up in July/August. As for the veggies- I had some plants out in a mini greenhouse and they all started to die because it has been soooo cold! So I brought them in and planted some new ones, too- they are all safe and sound on our windowsill. I have some tomato plants, french beans, courgette, pumpkin, and a tray full of sunflowers.

And, to make me happy while I stand at the kitchen sink- Buddha sits below the trees at the far end of the garden and watches over us. We gave him a 'welcome' offering of incense, fruit, flowers and some coins. I'm really superstitious after living in Japan for two years! I've always wanted my own little stone buddha. Now, I'd better go ask him to help me concentrate on finishing my Handmaiden gorgeous sock yarn socks that I am nearly done with...

PhD update

I've been in to see the head of the PhD programme and got more information on what to expect if I start this September... and I was really pleased with what she told me! There is far more support for PhD students than I expected, and everything she described excited me rather than filling me with dread. I left with a really positive feeling and a real desire to take on the challenge! So, now I just have to write a research proposal and submit my application. Because I studied in the department before, she said she doesn't foresee any problem with being accepted for this autumn. The real challenge is going to be juggling motherhood with the somewhat un-family friendly world of academia. Things like popping into the library are going to be difficult with Isabella in tow- I will have to organize my schedule really well. But I'm really excited now.

Yum yum.

Little pasta face. Looks like she is growing a beard like her dad.

This week we are battling the dreaded upper respiratory/throat infection. What that means is, no sleep for anyone in the house... poor little girl has been crying and upset for days now. I do hope she's feeling better tomorrow, after starting her antibiotics. I'm so tired...

Still thinking about applying for a PhD. Although I'm a little nervous about spending too much time in solitary confinement studying. I'm keeping my eyes peeled for an interesting job as an alternative. Meanwhile, let's hope this rain stops soon. I'm beginning to feel like a wet noodle.

Yarn Thieves...

Stumbled across this funny news article from a couple of years ago, on an Atlanta news website. What cracks me up is the value of the yarn. Makes me wonder how much my stash is worth.

Women Accused of Stealing Yarn

WOODSTOCK, GA -- A grandmotherly-looking woman is one of the two people accused of stealing thousands of dollars in yarn from stores in metro Atlanta.
Skeins and skeins of yarn has become the target of thieves in Woodstock.
“She looked like your typical grandmother,” says Debi Light.
Shop owner Debi Light says one of the accused thieves is 68-years-old. Light says the woman looked at yarn, pretended she needed to go to her car for her pattern and check books – she never came back.
“We looked all over the store for all the yarn that she was holding in her hand, and it was nowhere to be found,” says Light.
Ms. Light told police that a second woman in her mid-40’s got away with a whole lot more – a little bit at a time.
“She was actually the friend of a lot of people here and would come in quite regularly,” says Light.
One of the most expensive pieces that either lady took – a silk skein – they cost just under $40 each.
The trail led to thefts at other yarn stores in Dunwoody and Roswell, where police arrested the 2 women. Woodstock Police haven’t added additional charges because they’re waiting on Ms. Light.
“She hasn’t made a decision on whether she wants to press charges against these subjects or not,” says Lt. Will Merrill with the Woodstock Police.
Ms. Light is perhaps indecisive, because the husband of one of the accused thieves invited her to his home to recover her yarn.
“We came back with 12 great big, huge garbage bags full of yarn,” says Light.
“We thought, maybe, you know, a couple of thousand, but we totaled it up and Debi and I both just went white,” says shop manager Caryn Southwick.
Shocked because the total was almost $13,000!

Sorry, no pictures today. I'm busy reading and doing research- I am thinking of applying for my PhD, to start in the fall. So, I have to get my thoughts together because I'll have to write a 500 word research proposal. I'll be looking at family-friendly art museums... what makes them friendly? Why are art museums so intimidating for people with children? What are they doing to make them more accessible to families? This all stems from a visit I made to the V&A in London with Isabella. They've introduced some kid-friendly exhibits, but overall I still felt like I shouldn't have been there with her. Meanwhile, the Science Museum next door was heaving with little kids. So, my mission is to find out why, and what are they doing to change it...

Bookworm Baby

Yes, she's brilliant. Reading novels at one year old.

Been spending a lot of time putting things back where they came from, due to Isabella's burning desire to remove things from their places. Socks, laundry, books, toys, you name it. I may have to do something about the underbed boxes that contain a lifetime worth of yarn. Once she figures out how to open them, I'm in trouble.

Been sock knitting mainly these days. Also got out in the garden over the weekend, even though it snowed on Easter. I've planted lots of things this year and am in the process of making a raised bed for vegetables. Last year was a disaster with slugs and the shady spot I chose for the veg patch. This year, I have decided to plop a raised bed right in the middle of the lawn where the sun shines the most. Hopefully we'll have a better selection of veg this year.

My Harmony dpn's from Knit Picks suck. They are all splitting already and I have only knit 3/4 of a sock with them. I might as well have bought bamboo skewers for knitting with. I've never had wooden dpns do this, because I don't knit all that much. I would expect after 10 pairs of socks for it to happen, but not after half a sock. Grumble. As Grandpa T would say: "You buy cheap, you buy twice!"

I have stick legs. Or at least stick ankles.
I thought that knitting a pair of ribbed socks on 2.25 mm needles would be the answer to my baggy sock problem. But, no. Combined with my loose knitting, I have still ended up with socks that I have to wear with another pair underneath. They're very pretty, don't get me wrong. But they're loosey goosey.
Anyway here are the details:
Pattern: Ribbed Adult Sock Pattern from One Skein Wonders (p. 174)
Cast on 56 stitches
Yarn: Cherry Tree Hill supersock bought on trip to NY last year
Needles: 2.25 mm Knit Picks Harmony needles

My next socks are on 2mm needles, casting on 48 stitches. I'm going to skip the ribbing this time- I think my purling skills are the problem! I'm going for a boring basic stockinette pattern. If this one works I can then use it as a template for future (more exciting) socks!

gherkins and yarn

Look out London, here we come.
It's been a year and a half since I last stepped foot in London, unless you count having to transfer planes at Heathrow. I can't believe how I have managed to pack everything for me and Izzy into a backpack... I'm sure I've forgotten something. (Lampshade? Houseplants? Dining room table?)

I am going to do 'kid-friendly' London... Science Museum, bladeeblah. I am also going to conquer the Tube with a sling and a very light buggy. Dum, da dum dummmmmm.

For Mummy Time I am going to hit Stash in Putney and get myself something pretty for the yarn collection. Of course I won't have time to knit it, so I have every excuse in the book to buy something completely impractical.

I will report back soon. Off we go.