Victory

Esperanza is complete. I have three rows of plain knitting, and then I cast off. I can't believe she's done. It's been hours of work, and I'm so happy with the result, so far. I can't wait to see her blocked! Completing Esperanza is extremely meaningful for me. I cast her on as a symbol of hope, and as she grew, so did I. Things are so much better in my life than they were the day I cast her on, and it's so wonderful to have a physical manifestation of all of the work that went into that change. I can't wait to share pictures of her, completely finished. My Green Hope has grown into something truly lovely.

Success!!

I just wanted to drop by briefly and let
you know that, as of today, Operation Barista is a success! I have been hired by Caribou Coffee! I'll be back soon with knitting things--as of right now I just have a slightly longer piece of the same lace scarf--and more news about my new job! Ben and I went out and celebrated our new jobs tonight, and enjoyed our first real cheeseburgers since moving here! They were divine. I have a very good feeling about October, y'all. Things are looking up.

Swimmingly

Well, my Adventures in Charted Knitting are going quite well! This much cabling means slower going than usual, but I'm really getting the hang of reading the chart, and it's starting to feel natural. Best of all, I absolutely adore this cable. I know I'm going to love the finished bag. I just hope my mods work out the way I want them to. I'm very pleased so far!

Charted Territory

I'm not always good with change, and sometimes that makes my life difficult. This is particularly true in the case of charted vs. written patterns. I grew up crocheting, and later knitting, from written patterns, and I've never made the leap to charted patterns. It started as simply a preference, but I think it is beginning to pass into the realm of fear, and so I've decided that it is time. There are literally dozens of patterns I haven't knitted yet because I don't read charts. But, I'm planning a totally epic Celtic cabled bag, inspired by the lovely evening I had seeing the movie Brave, as well as my love of all things Scottish. The pattern I want to use as my jumping off point has a charted cable pattern, and I've decided the time has come. Let's do this.