happy holidays
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!
Comments (35)
Good comments and good article, but I want to thank everyone for this labor could be so
Posted by YasamKadin | May 2, 2009 7:20 PM
um, o hai! your sweater also is tray tray adorbs.
also it's time for an update. srsly.
Posted by chelsea | January 16, 2009 10:13 PM
Hi
I love your blog.
Regards from Putrajaya, Malaysia
Posted by Natrah | January 14, 2009 9:17 PM
What a great knit. And the lace work around looks stunning.
Posted by Rima Aranha | January 11, 2009 12:30 PM
Hi! Congrats - great accomplishment. I remember getting my M.S. in Computer Science at age of 41 (yes that is right!) after having taken time off to raise kids. After teaching in Grad School full-time, working at IBM and Lockheed-Martin (defense dept work), and now retired and knitting as much as I can (when not teaching online in C.S. for Grad School), I am a happy knitter. I also got hooked on Charlaine Harris' Southern Vampire series which is on HBO. The casting is superb and I have completed the 1st 4 books in the series of novels and am reading number 5. They are so quirky and good that I don't like to rush it; I like to savor them and am keeping them to re-read. Some differences from Book #1 (Dead Until Dark) and 1st season on HBO. You'll see - I recommend getting the paperback books at either Target or Walmart - best price since they are rated best sellers and Amazon has them at full price.
Well enjoy knitting, reading and working.
Vi
Posted by HappyKnitter | December 28, 2008 4:11 PM
thanks, hapy new year 2009:)
www.kadinsak.com
Posted by kadınca | December 20, 2008 10:14 AM
Nice cowl! I made one of those two - the pattern was so much fun to follow...
Posted by Eklectika | December 19, 2008 9:50 PM
Hi there,
Congrats on your last class of your Masters!! I remember that moment very well, I finished mine in Dec 06. What a bittersweet relief, I loved going to school. When I finished my Master's was the time I took up knitting, I needed something to keep me occupied.
Just a note to say hello, I've stalked your blog for quite some time and enjoy reading your updates. Hope you enjoy the holidays and the extra time you will have to knit and enjoy other things now that school is complete.
Merry Christmas,
Jeanne
Posted by Jeanne | December 17, 2008 7:07 PM
Your Lily sweater is beautiful and looks great on you. The fit is wonderful, so lovely.
Nicely done!
Happy holidays,
firefly
Posted by firefly | December 17, 2008 7:50 AM
I'm in *love* with your Lily sweater! Raspberry-type colours are my favorite and when set off by such pretty stitch pattern side panels like that it's just divine.
Posted by Knitbug | December 13, 2008 10:14 PM
Congrats on finishing your MA!!! Crazy, I remember you starting it, too--was that really 2 1/2 years ago? Yikes!
And your Lily is Lovely! :) Happy Holidays! I'll be in the ATL for a week, if you get bored and want to do some yarnin'.
Posted by Jessica | December 13, 2008 1:16 PM
Lovely sweater. I know just how you feel about grad school. I'm on my third year...one semester to go and I'm dying to just have a job and no school. Of course I'm also loving the 5 week break where I only work at my GA occasionally over xmas too...
Congrats on finishing!
Posted by Cassy | December 11, 2008 9:57 AM
Lovely sweater. I know just how you feel about grad school. I'm on my third year...one semester to go and I'm dying to just have a job and no school. Of course I'm also loving the 5 week break where I only work at my GA occasionally over xmas too...
Congrats on finishing!
Posted by Cassy | December 11, 2008 9:55 AM
The sweater is beautiful. Congrats on your program!
Have a Happy Holidays!!
Posted by Natalie | December 10, 2008 3:27 PM
Beautiful sweater Carrie! Thanks for brightening my day on this rainy, tornado-y day!
And congrats on finishing your program!
Posted by kathy in sc | December 10, 2008 12:48 PM
Congratulations on finishing your program. This is huge. When's the party?!
Posted by Rosie | December 10, 2008 11:03 AM
Your Lily looks fantastic!
Posted by Amanda | December 9, 2008 11:10 PM
Carrie! That sweater is gorgeous! You are so inspiring! I want to congratulate you on finishing your Master's degree. What an accomplishment! You must be pretty proud. Are you going to celebrate it? I hope you have a lovely holiday - whichever you celebrate.
Love,
Me.
Posted by tana | December 9, 2008 10:57 PM
congrats on being done with the program!! i feel like it was just yesterday that you started so i totally feel ya on how time flies. lily is gorgeous as is your new camera! fantastic!
and really, JUST working is the best. the years that i was at HBO and just working and living were great!
Posted by gleek | December 9, 2008 9:06 PM
Congrats on finishing grad school! I'm currently just at the halfway point and I'm enjoying it, but feel like I need a break. I'm really happy for you.
Lily looks great as well.
Posted by Wanda | December 9, 2008 8:34 PM
You're done with your master's stuff? Didn't you just start, like THREE WEEKS ago???
/wanders off wondering where the time went/
BTW, congratulations!!!
Posted by Janice in GA | December 9, 2008 5:41 PM
Yaaaay! You're finished!! And you've defended yourself in style (um, literally and figuratively, I think).
I remember the first job I had after my chain-of-degrees-and-work.
I ended up going back to school in the evenings because I was sooooooo bored after work. (At this point, I didn't knit. And there wasn't an internet to speak of - well, not really, anyway.)
How different life would've been if...!
Posted by CraftyGryphon | December 9, 2008 5:02 PM
lily looks so awesome! what a great fit. congrats on finishing your masters, YAY YAY YAY YAY!!!! i remember looking forward to finishing so i could have my weekends all to myself. it's nice to know that you don't have study or do homework on your downtime! hopefully now you'll have more time for blogging :)
oh, and i watched the entire first season of true blood in a span of 24 hours this past weekend. SO. GOOD. i loved every single second and am so sad i have to wait until next summer for more :(
Posted by mai | December 9, 2008 4:15 PM
Ooh, cute cowl. I think I'm going to have to add that to my queue..
Posted by Stacey | December 9, 2008 3:57 PM
It scares me how quickly the time has passed. I feel like you started school just yesterday!
Posted by Gina | December 9, 2008 3:44 PM
The sweater and cowl are awesome!! And how cool is that, wearing your own sweater to defend your Masters portfolio?! Way to go!!!
Posted by Julie | December 9, 2008 3:32 PM
Congrats, girl! Proud of you! The sweater and cowl are GREAT.
Heeeeyyyy....does this mean we can work on my site now? Oh. Wait. The ball is in MY court. Crapcrapcrapcrap. :P
Posted by amanda | December 9, 2008 3:00 PM
I had a feeling you might be posting soon: I've been hitting 'refresh' over here for two days now!! :)
yay school's (almost) out for GOOD! :)
Posted by carolyn | December 9, 2008 2:51 PM
Wow, I've been reading your blog for a really long time!
I remember when you first wrote that post. Congrats on finishing! I'm too afraid to even start, so I'm properly impressed :D
Your Lily looks great too, I'm loving it in red!
Posted by Wanett | December 9, 2008 2:13 PM
The sweater is fantastic on you! Happy holidays to you!
Posted by tiennie | December 9, 2008 2:12 PM
Wow! Lily is GORGEOUS on you! Woo!
Posted by Jen | December 9, 2008 1:48 PM
Carrie, it looks beautiful! And congratulations on finishing your coursework. Happy holidays to you, too, friend.
Posted by Jen (Friender) | December 9, 2008 1:47 PM
Aww, you look so pretty in your Lily. The cowl is great too.
Posted by Marnie | December 9, 2008 1:26 PM
Your Lily sweater is really cute. Congratulations on finishing your program!
Posted by Emily | December 9, 2008 1:09 PM
Wow, it seems like you just started school! Are you going to do the graduation ceremony?
Posted by Jenn | December 9, 2008 12:41 PM