Thinking About Retirement

OK, I'm nowhere near old enough to retire, but I can't help but think about it in the summer, when I can spend tons of time on creative pursuits instead of rushing off to school each weekday. Also, a lot of my friends are older than me, and they are retiring.

And yet, I do like my job. Yesterday I went to the courthouse to support a former student who had been charged with felony battery and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. I adored this young man and just couldn't see him hurting anyone! Turns out, my instincts were right. He did not commit the battery and the court dropped that charge.

I am so upset about the drug charge. This young man just graduated from high school -- which is a real victory. School is not his style! He's enrolled in a trade school. I told him I'd try to help him get through the criminal justice system.

It is an honor to get know young people and to feel -- once in a while -- that you've actually helped someone. My days at school are hectic and intense, and I often feel that I'm treading water. It's easy to forget that I am lucky to be a part of a larger community.

The End Of Monogamy

Seeing as I'm almost done with a pair of socks -- and I'm over the halfway point with my Garland Shawl -- I decided it was time to cast on something new.

This is the Ericka Scarf from Sock Yarn One-Skein Wonders, a book I just happen to own. It's an easy 2-row pattern -- perfect for traveling. I chose this pattern because it's portable and it can be done on circular needles. In a couple weeks I'll be heading for Spain, and I don't want TSA to take away my knitting!

I spent quite a while on Ravelry, reading about other people's experiences with flying to Europe. It sounds like the folk in the EU are stricter than in the US. If anyone has any advice for me, feel free! I haven't been to Europe since 1985. (Yes, I am that old.)

The yarn, which is so yummy, is Manos Del Uruguay Alegria. It was an impulse buy at a LYS. I hope it doesn't pool, but the colors are so beautiful that I'm not sure pooling would ruin it!

In Progress

This is not an FO Friday, but I do have projects in the works, including:

Any guesses on what this is going to be? It won't be used as a flat picture.

I am not going to share my sketch from yesterday. I went out sketching with Marsha and Tsela again, and my drawing was absolutely awful! In the future, though, I should try to get copies of their pictures. They are both really talented.

I started the decrease half of my Garland Shawl. I'm looking forward to having it go faster as the rows get shorter!

WIP Wednesday: The Trouble With Monogamous Knitting

You've seen a photo similar to this:

But what is a monogamous knitter to do? I've been knitting steadily on my Garland Shawl, and today I hit the halfway point!

Monogamous knitting is not typical of me -- and I think that blogging is part of the reason. Really. Who wants to see the same project over and over, with just a few more inches each time?

I could probably be 75% of the way done if I haven't had to frog and re-knit so much. I don't know why I've been making so many mistakes. I can't blame the designer as the pattern is very clear. I guess it's just my ADD brain.

Is it my imagination: The garter section looks ragged. Hopefully it will all block out!

I've finally gotten on board with Tami Amis's Work-In-Progress Wednesdays. You can join in the fun here.

Very Dramatic Colors

My latest piece of original jewelry:

Don't those colors just pop? I love the way the whole piece came together.

These are not "my" colors. I tend to stay with the traditional jewel colors, which is a mistake. Working with a different palette is fun. It's also got to be a good business decision. It's not like the whole world shares my taste!

This piece was inspired by the beautiful glass disk beads I found on Etsy. They are handmade by Patty Miller of CabariBeads. She does beautiful work in metal as well as glass. I'm quite sure I'll be ordering more from her!

BTW, the piece will be up in my Etsy store later today. Just saying.

KAL Coming Along

My Garland Shawl is coming along beautifully. I'm on the eighth repeat for the edging, out of (I think) 19 total.  The border seemed hard the first time I worked through it, but it turned out to be fairly easy -- I'd recommend this pattern to a fairly new lace knitter.

The beads do slow things down -- but I think they are totally worth it. The shawl's designer, Michelle, has come up with a perfect way to contain and use beads using an Altoids-type tin. You can see it here. But if you decided to knit it without beads, it would go very quickly.

I've mostly knit this sitting on our front porch -- my main way of getting outdoors. However, I am walking a little more each day. As I've said before, I do not recommend breaking your leg. It is nowhere near as fun as you might think!

Today thunder and lightening fill the sky, so I'm glad I went sketching yesterday:

We had a great time, just talking and drawing and painting, and we agreed we need to do this agai. I'm going to hold them to that!

WIP: Second Sock

I'm trying to make more progress on this:

It's a 2x2 ribbed sock for a man (one of my brothers in this case). This is definitely a labor of love because it is SO boring. Fortunately, it is the 2nd sock, so I know that I will finish it. But then, I have to get to work on a pair for my other brother!

Back to Beading

It's been quite a while since I beaded a peyote-seed base, but I've actually sold out of them! This is the one I'm working on now:

Working with a free-form, as-you-go pattern is quite meditative, although it does take concentration. I'm enjoying the color combination of purple, lime green and orange.

The fabulous focal disk beads are from Etsy seller CabariBeads. I love finding components on Etsy and buying from Etsy sellers. It has a great community feeling to it.

Monday Mistake

Here it is: the first Monday of summer vacation. And it feels ... odd. I forget from year to year that it takes a good week to switch to a vacation mood. It still seems like there must be children at school waiting for me!

The weather yesterday was beautiful -- warm, blue sky, not too humid -- so I spent a chunk of time sitting on the front porch and working on my Garland Shawl. Apparently I was a little too relaxed because I knit a few stitches of garter stitch into a stockinette section. Can you see it? I'll have to go back and rework those stitches.

Note: I tried to circle the mistake in Photoshop Elements, which I was able to do. However, Blogger wasn't able to upload the altered photo. I wish they'd come up with a Photoshop Elements for Dummies program.

I know I don't thank my readers often enough for their comments, so let me do that. You guys are awesome. And you help me so much. For example, Alicia of Woolen Diversions pointed out that I should provide the link when I mention my Etsy store. Duh! How did I fail to think of that?

At any rate, my Etsy store is right here.