Stella Knits

So yesterday, I felt like I fried my brain. I stayed at school all day from 9 AM - 7:30PM. It was cold and I didn't wear my coat, it got all misty & foggy, and I was so hungry by the time I got home. I took a hot bath, and the apartment was so cold, even the bath did not warm me up. It sucked. But then, this morning, I read Amy's account of -40C/F and I thought, hmm. That would be worse. Way worse.

But now I have so many new things to do that I may need to give myself permission to leave some of my projects unfinished. It's just too much pressure when I don't want to admit to myself that I'm overcommitted. In particular, the Estonian scarf/shawl, even though the yarn is so beautiful. I may need to work on that later. And, to be honest, I don't know if I'll have time to spin! I used to do that on the weekend, but now, I have homework, or CAD work, or I want to hang out with my honey. It has been 2 weeks of school and I have not even exercised! Not even ridden my bike. That's bad. It's not a habit I want to drop, but it's so easy. I never even go into the direction of the gym anymore. It's just not on my way. So I'm beating myself up about all this. I'll have to try to be kinder to myself. And I have a 3-day weekend now.

But I'm still making Rogue!!! Still waiting for color inspiration.

posted by Stella 6:37 PM

It's my day off from classes and I'm venturing into unknown territory. Today I researched how to get personal health insurance, how to apply for financial aid, and in general, got bored and realized that I will have enough time to do some CAD work on the side. Which is good. I just have to get some. I've gotten leads for 2 part time jobs, but I just want project work, not long term commitment. I have workphobia now!

I started knitting the Estonian wrap but I'm worried that I may not have enough yarn. So I may need to rip it and do the scarf instead. It's much narrower. Man, I hate ripping. But, the alpaca is sweet, and I'm definitely not wasting it.

The sock is progressing as well, but I think I will rip it, too. I'm doing it in K3P1 and I don't like that pattern going all the way around the foot part. Too skinny! So I'm redoing that. Here is the chart I mentioned below. I wrote Coats today to ask for permission to translate it so I can show it here. So stay tuned for some groovy sock knitting instructions straight from the source. If you read the comments yesterday, Uli has the same one - how cool!

Rogue, rogue, rogue, I can't wait! Stonemountain, my local source for 220) was closed when I left Bezerkeley on Sunday (I didn't want to leave someone special). Today I got a revision from Jenna - WOW. Now that is customer service. Awesome. Thanks, Jenna! And I joined the Yahoo! group. I'm set. So I don't have any yarn yet, but Stitches is nearing, and, even more exciting, I think I'll meet Rachael and Mariko there!

posted by Stella 6:37 PM

Here is something I thought I would never see (and you probably either):

The Saffron sweater! Yay! Needs a button band, of course, and a glamorous model shot. You can click it for a larger view without annoying moire pattern. I will be SO happy when I can take it off the WIP list. That shall be my reward and motivation.

Oh, and sock progress! I got a very nice German chart from Regia which lists all the important numbers for any size socks, i.e. # to cast on, # of rows for heel flap, # to pick up on the sides for the gusset, etc. It's very detailed. I'm thinking of translating it and posting it here, but I'm not sure about the copyright. Any legal advice out there?

The other little cast-on is the humble beginning of the Estonian shawl. :)

And then, I bought the Rogue pattern! I LOVE the cables. Classic but modern. I like that they are pointed. It makes me think of very old celtic copper decorations. Oh, and even the hat! I might have to reconsider my "I don't have hat face" attitude, and make it anyway. I mean, my head is cold many times (and CCSF is very foggy) but I just look so weird when I have a hat on because I have a big head and it looks odd without hair around it. My opinion, anyway. Maybe I should get over it. I found this via Rachael & Kate and I'll definitely be in the knit-along. My first time!

So I'm considering doing it in Cascade 220 (hellooo, Rob!) in some kind of natural, heathered color. I'm also tossing around the idea of purple in my head. Dark purple with little fleck of other colors. We'll see.

I don't know what happened but I woke up with a killer headache today. Ugh. I took 400mg of Advil and I'm trying to take it EZ. But the week went fine. The Physics class is actually cool, the Arch Design class is very groovy right after all the math, and the Freehand Drawing is something that's scaring me after all the CAD I've done. It's like I'm re-awakening some part of my brain that has been asleep forever. Kind of good for me. The History class is boring (millions of old slides) but what did I expect. The book is nice, though. On that note, time to get busy and call Mom and tell her of the 100 I got for my homework!

posted by Stella 10:41 AM

Thank you for your fantastic comments about Charlotte! You lifted me.

There is no further comment about knitting today, just talk about school and boys. Just a fair warning.

Great things about being a student:

1. Way less stress. No boss who reminds you of the scary guy in Office Space.

2. Nice and friendly people around you who feel just as confused but share stuff (like calculators and drafting tape).

3. In Basic Arch Design class, we went around the circle and introduced ourselves, and then got to give ourselves a hand. So I'm looking at all these nice kids who are in their first semester and are taking this class cause their advisor said so (so cute). I said, "I graduated 10 years ago (a LIE, actually 12), I've been working in Architcture/Engineering since then in administrative positions, as a CAD Operator, as a CAD Manager, and then I got so sick of it I guit and went back to school because I want to be the architect!" It just felt GREAT to get that applause, what a self-esteem moment.

4. I have time to do stuff like vacuum & keep my place nice, to knit, to practice the guitar, to listen to Jerry. And I think I'm going to have time to do groovy stuff like bake bread and cook, keep up my flowers at the entrance. Or maybe get a groovy job, like at the yarn store? We shall see.

5. I'm so into it right now, I'm looking forward to doing my Physics homework. (and I'm recording that thought just for future reference).

To be honest, I had the heebie-jeebies this weekend. Majorly. I had to sit down in the shower and cry. But somebody very sweet was there who didn't even have to notice and he made me feel much better just by being himself. Lent me his calculator and everything. So sweet. We made a lady in the grocery store smile when we kissed and she said, never mind me smiling, you two just look so cute together... awwwww. (I know, I will turn it down now.)

Now, I will actually DO my Physics homework. Promise.

posted by Stella 9:52 AM

You asked for it! I'm presenting Charlotte's Web in her finished glory. (And my lovely San Francisco bay window woodwork.)

I loved making this shawl so much, I've ordered the Estonian Garden shawl pattern from Threadbear. I have to declare my love for Rob (click here for incredibly cute doggie pic!). Who else would sell me a $5 pattern via mailorder and still give me a discount? I'm going to make it or a variation thereof from this lovely Alpaca yarn I found at Imagiknit. It says 3-ply medium weight, and it's natural undyed silver. Very beautiful. I wish I could see the actual animal! The pattern says to use lace-weight, but I want it to be denser anyway. I hope it will save my sanity while I'm studying Physics (ugh), Bay Area Architectural History, Freehand Drawing and Basic Architectural Design.

Yes, I survived the first 2 days at school! It's hella scary and stressing me out but I'm going to be ok. Suddenly everything is different, I have to deal with different situations and problems and boy did I feel overwhelmed today. But. It's a JC, for cryin' out loud. It can't be that hard! Right?

In the meantime, and to avert an anxiety attack last night, I started another pair of socks. Ahhhh. Socks. So soothing.

Oh, I forgot to mention Santa brought me some Birks for Christmas. No, actually, it was the Christkind. Teamwork, I guess (and they get, like, a 60% discount from buying right there in Germany). So these socks will look very cool with the new shoes.

Tonight I'm taking my neighbor Jane to dinner for taking care of my cats for 2 weeks. She rocks. What a huge favor she did for me! We are going to Suppenkueche, of course, to have some Schnitzel or Sauerbraten. YUM!

posted by Stella 7:08 PM

Last day at work! I thought I would be happy and excited. Instead last night I got the heebie-jeebies. Kind of a lost-in-space feeling. Like Major Tom. I'm trying to not slack off so I don't leave giving the impression like I just blew everyone off. There is a big, boring drafting project I'm working on and the last two days I was there late & the last person in the office. What's wrong with that picture?

I saw my first, live, Booga bag yesterday! I was walking home, and there was my friend Gina in the laundrymat felting it. It looks awesome. I kinda want one. It was blue, purple & pink and I like those colors. But now I'm a broke student and probably should not spend money on Kureyon.

Here are the 2 matching pairs of socks. Cute, huh? Charlotte's Web has turned into a temporary curtain and we are waiting for some natural light for me to be able to take a picture that shows her colors.

Oh, and I'm spinning! I have 2 phat spindles full of singles, so we'll be plyin' soon! And then, there will be progress on the VK sweater!

posted by Stella 8:08 AM

I forgot to mention the most important thing this morning! I got a guitar! It is so cool. I had NO idea how they work AT ALL. My lovely teacher helped me see the light in oh so many ways though. It was exciting to actually learn something completely new. I haven't been there in a while and it was a great feeling. Now I'm even more excited about going back to school.

posted by Stella 7:50 PM

3 more days at this j.o.b. While I was gone, my computer was infected with some weird spyware and now I have pop-ups galore, and it's acting weird and slow. But they don't want to fix it since I'm leaving, and they'll just wipe it clean for the next person. Oh well. Doesn't really do much to improve my mood but I don't care enough to want to fix it myself, either.

I finished the little baby socks! (But my socks are still at the laundry. A while ago I gave up on the laundromat and now I just take my clothes to wash&fold which is SO worth it. I mean, it's $.65/lb, they are clean, folded and you get to support a hard-working immigrant like me.) So here are the baby ones which I did in k4, p1:

Here is another now-finished pair which I gave to my brother. I never got to take a finished picture, but he was wearing them for Christmas.

And there is yet another pair I knitted and gave away before I took a pic, but I'll steal one back later. Lest this be turning into a sock-knitting blog, I bought some fabulous silver Alpaca yarn this weekend and I'm going to make another shawl. I want to make this one so I get to hunt for the pattern today! I don't have a picture of the finished Charlotte's Web but since Ms. Carolyn asked for it, I'll get it done soon.

The wheel is working! I showed it to my honey yesterday morning and it just did it's thing without further adjustment! So there'll be progress on the cable cardie. And, lets just say, a guy playing guitar, smoking the wacky tobaccy and spinning are just 3 perfect things that go perfectly together... how groovy can you get? Keep smiling, it's Monday. :)))

posted by Stella 8:21 AM

So I gave notice on Monday and the boss was really nice about it. Going back to school seems to be an acceptable reason, but going to the competition would be different! He announced it in the staff meeting and there were sad/surprised/disappointed faces all around. Awwww. I also got a big "good for you" from one of the principals which felt great. I'm working until the 14th. I'm telling myself it's for the money. But I'm really unexcited about it.

Getting over the jetlag. I went to the gym last night and stair mastered for about 30 min which killed me (very weak) and then lifted some weights. All I did on vacation was some Pilates - just to stretch and maintain my belly but jeez, not a good idea to totally cut our your cardio...

I'm knitting something very very cute! It's a pair of baby socks which match the socks I made for myself over vacation. I'm using leftover sock yarn. I cast on 40st and they go really fast. I'll post a picture of the 2 pairs together when I'm done. The Saffron sweater is slowly being sewn together. I have the shoulder seams done and one sleeve set in. Hey, maybe it will be done in time for school! The only other project I have right now is the brown VK hoodie and I'm not too excited about it anymore due to the problem with my wheel. It just drags. I wonder if it has to do with the freezing temps vs the heating in my living room. And, I'm tempted to make the Rapunzel sweater (like Bonne) but I need to find some affordable yarn first.

posted by Stella 7:58 AM

Happy New Year, people! I've got a new blog look and I think I like it. I deleted my picture on the left because I can't stand seeing myself in my office anymore. The cats may reappear but I like a cleaner look right now. I'm completely jet lagged so I fall asleep at 9 pm and wake up at 3 am. But then I feel really creative so I got to redesigning this page.

It was really really great to be at home with my parents and to see the rest of my family. Here we are, having eaten a huge German meal.

Being gone for 2-1/2 weeks with nothing to do is pretty strange. I knitted a LOT. (I also played Nintendo - a total brain vacation right there.) And, I scored big on sock yarn. I knitted 2 pairs - one for me and one for somebody special. Then I promised myself no more socks until I finished the Saffron sweater. Boy, was I sick of that project! It's in the finishing stages though, now, blocked and being sewn together. I also blocked Charlotte's Web and did the fringe. I skipped the crochet part. Not by design, but I had cut all my leftover yarn into fringe already when I read that part of the directions! Oh well, it came out great anyway.

Last night, I spun, but my wheel is acting weird. It's hard to treadle and I can't get the tension back to where it was.

When I came back, a wonderful guy picked me up at the airport with a dozen roses! Miles of smiles!!! We drove to Oakland and checked into our motel to wait for the Dead show. The show was awesome. I wore my Charlotte's Web shawl and it was fun to dance in. All the fringe shakes. The show had 3 sets. It was hard to believe but they rocked through them all. I had a hard time staying awake but I was bound and determined to have a good time! I was up for a total of 27 hours, and the last 5 of that were the show. It's taken me the last two days to recover but I do hope today I'll be productive in some sense.

About school? I've got my schedule and my books ordered! I'm going to write my resignation letter today and hand it in first thing tomorrow morning. Now, if I can show them that it will be just fabulous to give me part time contract work, that would be sweet. My parents and the rest of my family were totally supportive of my decision. I am so glad. Nobobdy discouraged me in any way. I'm still taking it one day at a time because it feelsl overwhelming but I'm very excited about it all.