Finally, A Trip to the Yarn Store

I made it to my LYS. It was great.

The yarn for my shawl was waiting for me. If I didn't have my son with me, I would have probably returned home with more than I did. Instead, I went home with Zephyr in Ivory, stitch markers, a small skein of green yarn for my son, and a crochet hook.

I left the camera in the car and I'm too tired to go get it right now. Otherwise, I'd post a picture, of the aforementioned yarn.

I took the pattern, yarn, and notions to my mom's house today. She gave the seal of approval on the shawl, so I thought everything was going to run smoothly. Then, I read over the pattern, for the first time, and realized I did not remember how to to a provisional cast-on.

So....

The shawl will begin tomorrow. This should give me sufficient time to make sure I can perform the cast-on properly. I'm comfortable with all the other stitches and abbreviations. The chart makes me slightly nervous but I have worked with charts before.

I'm very excited about this project.

Hopefully, things will go smoothly from now to the end...

One can hope.

Aspirations and Inspirations

I know it seems like I packed up my knitting/crocheting supplies and ran away. Unfortunately, I've just been so doggone busy. Every time I sit down to write a post, it either gets eaten or I get interrupted.

I've started working full-time again. It leaves me exhausted but I like the idea of making more money. More money means more yarn.

I'm entertaining the idea of a shawl for my mom for Mother's Day. She mentioned to me that she would like for me to make one for her in a not-so-subtle fashion. I have a few different patterns so I'm going to try to see how much I can get done over these next two weeks. I have yarn on hold at Knitting Sisters, so I'm hoping to pick it up tomorrow so I can at least swatch, so I know which pattern will work well and travel well.

Then Sunday, it will be time to dive into to the work. Even if I can only knit for an hour a day, that will mean some progress to show her, if not a finished garment by the actual date.

WISH ME LUCK. I get the feeling I'm going to need it.

I'm also thinking of taking a few non-credit business classes to brush up on some of my MS Office skills. I'm toying with the idea of just buying the text books and teaching myself but I haven't decided what I'll do. We upgraded our software at work and there are functions that do not operate in the same manner. I'm doing fine but I hate having to "figure it all out" while trying to do something in a timely fashion, especially if I used to do the same function with no problem.

I'm working diligently on our family reunion as well. It has proven to be a large undertaking but I'm hoping to get a few more things done this weekend. I'm hoping to get some hotel rates, souvenir prices, and price paper and printing for our souvenir booklets by the end of the month.

I had considered crocheting an afghan with the family crest/logo but I'm not comfortable at all with intarsia. I'm still toying with the idea but I don't think time is on my side for it right now.

All in all, I'm just trying to juggle so many things and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. Still, I need to make time for knitting, crocheting, and reading because I miss them so much.

I'm also wondering if it's time to change "blog stations." I have NOT changed my template yet my blog seems to have changed. I've also, as mentioned earlier, been having trouble with lost posts.

Hoping to post pictures of my swatch tomorrow night.

Blogger Ate My Post...Again

I wrote an entry yesterday evening. It was mostly about the new Spring/Summer edition of Knitty. I'd still like to mention I enjoyed Techniques with Theresa. She even ripped out a neckline in order to be able to properly illustrate for Knitty readers. I did like a few patterns and was pleased to see they offered a pattern W, which had sizes for up to a 40" chest. Other than that, let's just leave any other comments about the current issue lost.

Since at least one person in my family seems to have been sick almost every day in the month of March, it was hard to do anything. I miss my knitting and crocheting terribly.

I missed my knitting meeting again this week. The extra hours had me worn out and my back didn't feel like it could take the sitting in the B&N chairs.

In positive craft related news, I picked up a new magazine and learned a new decreases. I did have high hopes of making it to Knitting Sisters tomorrow. Unfortunately, my schedule is booked solid for the weekend, so I will not make it there.

Tomorrow, I'm repacking my knitting/crocheting bags with small portable projects. I'm hoping to catch a few crafting moments, even if it's just a few a day.

I'm also trying to meet up with my cousin who crochets soon to compare notes and get a little advice.

Thanks again to Lu, Maureen, and Michelle for your encouragement. I'm hoping to get back to some relaxing stitches, complicated stitches, or even just monotonous stitches in the very near future.

What I really need is a vacation. I'd like to get a way and just read, knit, crochet, write, and sleep. I think I'll start planning this vacation now. I may never get to take it but at least planning it means there is hope.

If I

If I were really a knitter/crocheter, I would be knitting/crocheting; wouldn't I?

The thing is, I was a lot of things before I became a knitter/crocheter. Lately, those things have been kicking crafts to the side.

I've been working more hours, we seem to be taking turns at my house at being sick, and there just doesn't seem to be time to do anything.

I still keep thinking about winding my shawl yarn into a ball. I think about knitting my Backyard Leaves scarf. I think about crocheting my ripple afghan. I think about knitting baby shower gfits. I think about knitting sleeveless tops for the spring and summer.

Right now, all I want to do is sleep. Hubby and son were sick last week and now I'm exhausted.

The yarn is calling me. I wish I could find the strength to say yes.