so much happy
Well hello there! Thanks for the love on my last post. It's nice to feel like someone's reading, even if it's not the ONLY reason to post, ya know?
I have recovered from the nasty crud cold that was going around (and of course gave it to everyone in my office). Theraflu + tea = my friends. and also SLEEP. I realized that I'd been running on basically no sleep since the Christmas holidays, and my body just couldn't take it anymore. So, I'm trying to make it to bed before midnight these days, which is hard for me, but so far, so good. I've noticed also that my bedtime directly correlates with what time I arrive at work. Later bedtime = later work arrival time. Now I know that correlation doesn't necessarily equal causation. BUT, I'm going to make an assumption here that earlier is better.
We celebrated my mom's birthday this weekend! Yay family time. Got to hang out with the Big Head Schmoo and my absolutely adorable stepnephew Mason. Here's my mom with her two favorite grandkids:
So much happy.
Mason on the left, Bradypants in the lap. CUTE.
They are schmoos, all of them. We had yummy lasagna and played catch outside. Then my sis and her husband came up to Athens for fun times, which meant tapas and beers. and wii, of course.
Nerds.
It was a lovely weekend. It's a good thing that the crud went away and I had a nice weekend, because this semester has already started full swing. I'm taking two classes with major projects in both (don't you love group work in grad school?) and then I have to, ya know, work. Luckily, I really, really enjoy what I'm doing and work and grad school are closely related, so it's like one big mashup of technogeek fun. Hooray!
And then when I come home, there is the knitting.
Sleevecaps.
As you can see, I'm still working on the sleeves of my Drops sweater, and I did try the short row set in sleevecap method in Knitting from the Top. My first effort (to your right, above) was, um, rather large. I did the math required in the book, but you base all your calculations on the first measurement, which is "measure around your upper arm." So, that raises all kinds of questions - how much ease? what part of my upper arm? - and I realize now that she probably covers these questions in the first part of the book, but OF COURSE I DIDN'T READ THAT. So, I did the best I could and got a huge sleevecap.
The good thing is that once I saw how it works, I could tweak the measurement to fit how I wanted (see Sleevecap 2, to your left, picture above). I think this one is going to work out great, and man, it looks SO NICE. Much nicer that a seamed sleevecap, or at least, much nicer than MY seamed sleevecaps.
So hooray! I think I really, really like this method, and I think once I've figured out the numbers that work for me, I'll use it all the freakin' time. It just looks really clean and pretty. Yay for new techniques, and learning from your mistakes and all that.
I should probably go prepare for class tonight. Next time: my new sewing nook with my new sewing machine and my new sewing table that my schmoo husband helped me build. YAY.
Comments (24)
BIG HEAD SCHMOO IS GETTING SO BIIIG!!!!! aww~
If I go to sleep BEFORE midnight, next morning = easy.
If I go to sleep AFTER midnight (even by just MINUTES), next morning = NOT so easy.
I'm definately more likely to get out of the house on time if I got to bed pre-midnight. so wierd.
Posted by Lara | January 29, 2008 12:23 PM
Hey Carrieoke this is a great blog, I've been reading since I first started knitting (about 3 weeks ago) and it's great. It's been realy good looking back and seeing how you've done. thanks as well for all the links to great patterns and where you get your yarn from. xxxxxx
Posted by Adele | January 24, 2008 12:13 PM
I've been reading your Blog for a few years too, and am so happy to see all the incredible new things in your life! I just wanted to let you know that I'm giving you the blog MakeMyDay award because your writing never fails to put a smile on my face! I just wish you wrote more often! What? A new marriage, new house, new graduate program, new nephew, and a job are taking up al your time???? heehee
Your blog program doesn't allow me to leave the actual award icon in your comments, but you can go to my blog to view and pick up this Make My Day award icon to display in your blog....
here's how it works:
Give the award to up to 10 people whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration and make you feel so happy about Blogland! Let them know by posting a comment on their blog so that they can pass it on. Beware! You may get the award several times!
Posted by Sophia | January 24, 2008 9:48 AM
Wait... you built a sewing table? I must have missed that! Do you have details - please,please,please???
Posted by Celia | January 21, 2008 1:51 PM
I love those sleeve caps! I am trying to learn to knit. TRYING. I was OK til we got to Purl and then I fell apart. Well, your blog will keep me inspired!
Posted by Cakespy | January 20, 2008 2:30 AM
Grad school and 40 hours working for me too... I wonder sometimes how I ever have time to knit and sleep. Good luck this semester.
~ginny
ps. great nails!
& congrats on getting married. I've been following your blog for a few years now and it was awesome to see you guys tie the knot!
Posted by ginny | January 20, 2008 12:19 AM
wow, that sleeve looks awesome! i've seen those instructions in knitting from the top and often thought that i need to figure them out. i'll have to come to you for help when i do! :)
Posted by gleek | January 19, 2008 11:06 AM
Been following your blog since I started learning how to knit last fall. Just doing a scarf, but hope to graduate to cool sweaters, etc. soon
Yours is one of my favorite blogs - one of few I always read - always puts a smile on my face. I just turned 30, work in a web/tech field, and am thinking about grad school (but still mostly terrified of it), and it just inspires me to watch all that you do. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by Sam | January 18, 2008 5:12 PM
Everytime I need to take a picture of myself I try and do a bathroom mirror pic like you...but I never quite get the angle right. Hmmm. I need a new strategy.
Posted by Stacey | January 17, 2008 9:03 PM
I so hear you on the going to bed too late thing. But then, when to knit?
Posted by Paige | January 17, 2008 7:57 PM
Hey!
I love those earrings you're wearing in the picture with your sister. Lovely.
And lucky you on the sewing nook. :-)
Posted by Holly | January 17, 2008 5:34 PM
Fun with kids is always . . well . . FUN!! Your mom is looking great - happy birthday!! Your sleeve caps (like so much of what you do-duh) 'specially the right ones is just perfect. I went and got a new sewing machine Tuesday - my old one ticked me off Monday night (it is 19 years old) so I just splurged. Can't wait to see your sewing nook and table so I can get sweetie started on one. Hmmm - I need to post a pic of my new machine now that I think about it - seeing your new one probably had some part in how easy it was for me to go get a new one!! HA!
Posted by robin | January 17, 2008 3:03 PM
Long time lurker de-cloaking to let you know that I enjoy your blog very much. Thanks for sharing and please can we see that new sewing machine and table someday you're not too busy?
Posted by dorkyquilts | January 17, 2008 2:08 PM
I, too, have to do a group project in grad school this semester...really? Group projects? I'm not in third grade...plus, we all work, so I know how easy that's going to be to get together. Blurg...sometimes i love school, sometimes i hate it. I, however, absolutely love how your sleeves look!
Posted by Hilary | January 17, 2008 10:10 AM
Glad you're feeling better...and now I'm feeling REALLY guilty for assigning group projects to last semester's grad students. But you all have the best ideas!!
Posted by Heather | January 17, 2008 9:45 AM
Ugh - group work in grad school was SO unfun. I always seemed to end up in these groups that liked to meet at 10pm, and I am SO not a work at night person.
Hang in there!
New sewing machine? New nook? OH! Do tell... :)
Posted by Amanda | January 17, 2008 8:19 AM
i have the exact same issue. time i go to bed directly correlates to if i am on time to work (and how much of a bitch i am when i get there). so last night i went to bed at 9:15. you know. to try and improve the general situation of a week already shot to hell. yay! you posted again! yay! ;)
Posted by carolyn | January 17, 2008 8:16 AM
Your sleeve cap looks so pro.
Wow, Big Head Schmoo is growing quickly! Cutie pies!!
You're such a champ to handle grad school and work at the same time, AND make time for knitting. Totally inspiring.
Posted by Val | January 17, 2008 8:13 AM
I just stumbled upon your blog, and love it. I'm learning knitting this week, on my own with books and internet stuff.
Posted by Lutheran Lucciola | January 16, 2008 11:24 PM
I get the value of group work and all that, but it doesn't change the fact that I hate it! I was lucky and had a good group for some of my grad school work, which made it tolerable. The husband got a really bad group last term and he eeked out a B in the class.
Posted by sarah b. | January 16, 2008 9:18 PM
Sewing nook! Lucky! The joy of shoving shit off the dining room table in order to sew has worn off...
Posted by sil | January 16, 2008 8:38 PM
Thank you for your exciting blog. I love watching the things you do. I have given you a "You make my day" award in my blog :)
Hugs
Frida
Posted by Frida | January 16, 2008 8:20 PM
Agh! I just had my first grad school class of the semester. I have a paper AND a group project due on the same day. The week after my 30th birthday. And, to add insult to injury, I didn't even get to pick my group -- it was assigned to us. Urgh.
Posted by Danielle | January 16, 2008 7:38 PM
What's your nerdy outlet of choice for grad school/work? I'm always amazed how many crafty peoples are tech-y peoples too.
Posted by Kathy | January 16, 2008 4:43 PM