Now, I know I said I'd show you a completed back

Well, it's official - I'm on break!!! Thank goodness because I really need a break. Today, I am happy to say that I did nothing. Well, not nothing - I did a little knitting...but nothing for work. Of course, that's quickly going to change - I have a lot to get done during break..but I figured that I deserved one day truly "off". I haven't had a day of no work since probably winter break - so it's long overdue.

So, onto the knitting...I know I promised I would show you a completed back for the Harvey Kimono. Well, I actually have something better! I finished the back AND the front!! That means that all I have left is the sleeves, edging, and seaming. Here's what it looks like so far:

Doesn't it look great? I love the color - the picture is a pretty accurate depiction - it's this very soft subtle pink. Do you see the picot trim? I just love it.

In terms of the knitting itself, I'm really enjoying working on the kimono. It's not the fastest baby sweater to knit (like this or this) but it's very enjoyable to knit. So, I think that's why I was able to whip through the front of it. Anyway, this pattern definitely gets my two thumbs-up because it's so cute and very fun to knit.

In other knitting news, I forgot to mention a few of my new finds. First, I got that new Favorite Socks book. If you haven't gotten it, you should. It has so many very very lovely patterns. As soon as I get out of this baby knitting, I will definitely knit up some of those pairs.

Also, I found a new site that I thought would be of interest. If you haven't seen it, check out The Walker Treasury Project - at this site, people are contributing color photographs of swatches from the Walker treasuries. As much as I can appreciate the treasuries, the black and white doesn't quite do it for me. So, this project is just very very cool. Enjoy!

Just Two Knotty (Hats)!!

I had a few free moments so I thought I'd take the time to post. Thanks for all of your comments about the future baby projects. I actually have decided to do them all - it is family, afterall!!

I started working on the Harvey Kimono. It's in the most precious pink color - I love it. Actually, I'm really enjoying the pattern so far. I'm almost done with the back - my plan is to show you a picture when the back is done..so I'll keep you in a little suspense until then. But, I just love that picot trim. So adorable!

In other knits news, since I last posted, two new knotty hats have been brought into the world. Check it out - Erin did hers in Rowanspun DK:

Lovely!

But, that's not all. Get this - blogless Beth did a second knotty hat (she did the previous knotty hat post, the first) because she liked the pattern so much...but used a St. Patty's day theme!!!

Just fantastic!!

In non-knitting news, school has been pretty busy as usual. Lucky for me, this is my last week before our spring break. I can't wait - I certainly need a bit of a break - especially with the glorious weather - it's giving me a bit of spring fever. I don't have any big plans - just plan on sleeping in, getting some extra work in, and do lots of knitting. Can't wait!!!

Ahoy! New knits ahead!

Yes!!

They're done! They're finally done! No more baby booties. Both pairs are now officially ready to go. I mean, they are very adorable..and I am sure that they will be a big hit with the new mommies...but it was a lot of work for something that probably won't be worn very much.

So, what's next? If you remember, I have yet another family baby to knit for. A girl! Yeah! There will be no baby booties in sight. So, what am I thinking of? Well, I will be knitting two items from Natural Knits for Babies and Moms by Louisa Harding. Specifically...

The Harvey Kimono for girls with the picot trim and

The Amelie Dress

Also, I thought I'd try another one from Itty-Bitty Hats since the Pumpkin/Apple Hats were so successful. So, this time, I'm doing something a little more girly and I've chosen the Marshmallow Bonnet.

So, what do you think? Now, I just need my yarn to arrive. I can't wait to get started!

It's that time again!

Yes, it's that time again - paper time! Do you remember last semester, I was complaining about being in paper grading hell because I decided to assign two papers in each of my three classes and gave my students the opportunity to hand in early drafts? Well, I still decided to give them the opportunity to hand in first drafts for comments and preliminary grades..but there's only one paper in each class - and they're slightly more spread out. So, this round isn't nearly as bad as last semester. I'm already more than halfway through this group of drafts. So, the end is in sight - but this gives you a little sense of what my weekend will be like.

In other news, I'm almost through with the last pair of baby booties. All of the knitting is done - I've just got sewing to do..which is my least favorite part. I just heard today though that family baby # 3 is actually a girl! I'm so excited. So, once these gender neutral gifts are out of the way for two of my cousins, the third will be a whole lot more fun. I'm thinking a knitted dress will be in the works!

So, I think I'll leave you for this week with a really snuggly picture of Frodo.
Is he too cute or what??!! He's snuggling up to the cushion!!

Ok...it's time

My weekly post is a bit late, I'm afraid. What's worse - I have to follow up my lateness with a less than satisfying blog post. You see...I'm still at work (more on that later) and hence, camera-less. So, no pics to brighten up my post. I'm hoping you'll forgive.

It's just been one of those weeks - and it's not over yet.

On the knitting front, I finished one of the bear booties...so 3 down, 1 more to go! I'll tell you - it'll be a long time before I knit baby booties again! Especially booties on bamboo size 1 straights (don't ask).

I also was at Purls of Hope last week and taught a bunch more people how to knit - plus, I'm working on another hat pattern for them...which I will probably post on this blog as another free pattern when I'm finished. It's a lovely cable and rib hat b/c I've been seeing a ton of cable and rib hats recently. Is it just me or is there some kind of cable and rib trend? Anyway, the news on the hat front is that it got me to learn a new skill. Yes! I can now cable without a needle!! I knew it wouldn't be much of a problem..I just needed to find the time to sit down with that tutorial. Which tutorial? That tutorial. Very useful if you haven't seen it.

On the non-knitting front, it's been hellishly busy at school. Yesterday, both TAs for my lab class were sick so I had to fill in for both of them which meant I was at school very late. This was the same day that I heard from one of my students that the student club (which I advise) would be having a "Career Night" tonight at 8pm. So, I feel like I'll never be getting home. Which is exactly why I'm blogging now - because it'll just never get done otherwise!

But, there is good news - one of my papers that was under review is getting published. Hooray! And, it couldn't have come at a better time b/c my yearly faculty review is due Friday! This is certainly one time when procrastination comes in handy!