is it seriously December? because this year has FLOWN by.

school + work has been keeping me totally busy. Yesterday was my last class of the semester, which also means it was my last class of my Master's program! It's only taken me two and a half years to knock out all of my coursework. I remember starting and thinking how cool the program was going to be, and it definitely has been a great experience - it resulted in the job I have now, which I sort of love.

I am really looking forward to JUST working, though. No work, then two hours of class, and homework, and group projects...just. work. I can't wait! I see more knitting and sewing in my future very soon...

I actually do have some knitted stuff to show you! For starters, I finished Lily from the first issue of Twist Collective:

happy!

I managed to finish it in time to wear it for my Master's portfolio defense! I really love this sweater - it's super flattering and wearable. I knit with this with a little bit of negative ease so it would be fitting. The pattern is also great to knit - it's extremely detailed. I needed some help understanding what to do when I joined the sleeves, but a few posts in the Ravelry Twist Collective group cleared that right up. I probably should've made it just a bit longer (which is my normal issue when I knit sweaters), but it's totally wearable as is. I've already worn it a bunch! My project details are on Ravelry, if you want more pics and progress shots.

close up front.

The only thing I changed was the collar. In the prototype sweater that Marnie blogged about, she knitted a ribbed collar, and I decided to go for that one instead of the plain garter stitch collar. I'm really happy with how it turned out.

Aaaaand, another finished object: the Darkside Cowl.

sorry for the totally crappy Photobooth shot.

This is knit out of Noro Maiko, which I really like. The colors are SUPER bright, so I don't know if I could handle a whole sweater out of it, but it's perfect for accessories! I used a smaller needle sine this yarn is smaller than what the pattern calls for, and I added one repeat. This cowl will be mine. or maybe someone else's. My Christmas shopping hasn't started yet, so we'll see what happens.

So now I'm working on another cowl for a possible Christmas pressie, and maybe another quilt. I've been occupied with finishing up all my last bits of schoolwork, so once I turn in my last assignment, I'll be a holiday crafting/shopping fool.

Gah, what else? So much to tell! NotScarlett and B came to visit and we had a total blast; I met up with Anne and had more fun times [including a trip to the Georgia Aquarium]; I watched the first season of True Blood (love); I got a new camera (!)...things are really great.

I just wish I was blogging more, for real. I love being able to look back at my old posts and remember what was happening (like, for example, when I started my Master's program, or when we bought our house, or our wedding). It's just nice to have that stuff documented. And of course, it's always awesome to talk to people via comments. I have to just be okay with my new blogging habits and maybe once I'm really, truly graduated, I'll have some time to revamp my blog and start up again.

yay! so I'm hoping this isn't my only December post, but just in case, happy holidays, y'all. hope you're having a great December!

Posted by Carrieoke at 10:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (35)