In Which We Take A Prisoner

Can you feel it? The weight of the semester pressing down on you? Well I sure can. If you can't I'm going to assume you're not a college student. I see my classmates shuffling around campus, backs hunched. If it's not the literal weight of their backpacks weighing them down, it's the figurative weight of upcoming reports and presentations. When the semester gets like this, I'm even more overjoyed for the weekly release that is Stitch 'n Bitch. Last Tuesday we had a particularly entertaining bunch of people gather. Madeline double sweatered it.

Oh Madeline, will your hilarious shenanigans never cease?!

Thanks to Kat's knitting devotion, Aric is halfway to a pair of warm hands. I don't know what I expected from the couple that defied the sweater curse.

Gloves are the sweaters of knitted accessories. I wouldn't even knit myself a pair. No loved one should expect me to fiddle with individual fingers. Mittens for everybody!

My friend Cate stopped by to pick up her new hat. Just look at the excitement my camera captured! Take note. This is ALWAYS the appropriate response for a knitwear recipient. 

After knitting this pattern twice, I'm really in love with it. I think it's about time I made one for myself. You know, after all the holiday knitting is finished.

Seating arraignments in the HUB are variable. I usually try to arrive to Stitch 'n Bitch 15 minutes early to secure enough seating. If no large groups of chairs are free, it's sometimes best to sit in the general area of one of the large groupings and hope that everyone else leaves before 7pm rolls around. This usually works fairly well,  but last week there was a bit of confusion. As chairs were getting pushed around, an innocent studier was incorrectly incorporated in the knitting circle. As the first person to sit down, I of course knew that this girl had not come to learn a fiber art, but everyone just assumed she was a new face this week. The most surprising part, however, is that this girl stayed for most of the meeting. I wasn't bold enough to take a picture of the circle formation casualty, but I did take a picture of her stuff when she went to get a drink!

Thank you, Mystery Girl, for being such a good sport. We're sorry we forced you to join the knitting circle against your will. Of course, after she left I regretted not sliding some of the beginner materials towards her. If you're reading this Mystery Girl, PLEASE COME BACK! I'll teach you how to knit!

Before I return to the crippling weight of tests and deadlines, I'll leave you with one last sweet shot. I got to hang out with my buddy JD last weekend when his mama was out of town.

I'll admit he took up a considerable portion of my bed. Worth it. 

Of Bicycles and Stuffed Equines.

Four days later, I've finally come to terms with reality. Midterm break is over. In my future: two tests next week. Tests that will require loads of studying. Harumph. Break was so good, though, that I'm hoping to ride its good vibes until Thanksgiving rolls around. We'll see how that goes.

Surprisingly, I didn't knit a single stitch during my four day weekend. This might surprise readers who recall that I knitted an entire sweater during midterm break of last semester. There was no time for sitting and knitting, folks, because it was:

Boeckmans On Bicycles Weekend

Part III: All I Needed Was This Bike!

(The tagline is a rather obscure reference from Grey Gardens. I suggest watching it, if only so you can reread this post and giggle as if you were privy to a Boeckman inside joke)

Although no knitting was accomplished, a lot of knitwear modeling went on. This is pretty much a guarantee when my sister gets ahold of some of my work that wasn't made especially for her. There's always a lot of, "Ohhh, I loooove this one! Could you pleeeeeease make one for me?" Her flattery usually results in a handknit. I am weak. 

Knitwear modeling. Totally fab. 

Now, the weekend was titled Boeckmans on Bicycles so I should at least give you a bike shot! Here's the crazy contraption Jackie and Gina rented. 

Cruisin'

In the past few days back in Kirksville, the weather has really taken a nosedive. I'm only able to type this with comfortably warm hands because Madeline and John were kind enough to lend me their space heater until my housemates and I turn on the heat. We are frugal college students. It could be awhile. So basically, I've been hiding out in my room. It's cozy. There's Netflix. Basically I've just been watching whatever looks moderately interesting and knitting like a fool. My latest project is a pair of manly wrist warmers made out of scraps (for a pair of cold Coloradan hands). I'm fairly certain they'll fit, but gift knitting can be such a gamble! 

When yarn supplies run low, bring on the stripes!

The actual Stitch 'n Bitch meeting this week went by in a blur of yarn and youtube videos, but I did manage to snap this shot of Megan's latest project. It's a pony for her cousin who loves horses. Or a horse for her cousin who loves ponies. One of those. Anyway, it's one fine looking equine. 

Cuddle worthy, no doubt about it.  

If I keep up with this knitting pace, I'll have a large selection of winter accessories to share with you next week. You know, if those two tests don't cramp my style. 

Oh happy day!

I've been doing a lot of knitting for other people recently.

 A hat for a cold head in Colorado.

Gift completed two weeks ago and still not mailed. Fail.

Another for a  friend who desperately needed a handknit pick-me-up. But at heart I am a selfish knitter. I can only go through so many projects for other people before I get a hankering to make something for myself. I suppose it makes sense. Who could better understand the hard work and care that went into crafting the item? With all this hat knitting I had started imaging the sort of thing I'd like to knit next. Something with a bit of slouch. Nothing too crazy with the stitch pattern. A color scheme that would go with nearly everything. Dreaming of my perfect hat kept me pleasantly entertained as I clicked through unacceptable patterns online.

Cut to a mountain biking trip last weekend. I was digging through my gear box for my gloves when I stumbled upon something that made me gasp. My dream hat! That's right, I had already knit it this summer. Then promptly forgot about it for two months. It turns out I have too many handknits to keep track of. I had completely forgotten I had made this little beauty out of the yarn leftover from the Hedgehog Hat.  I must admit I'm a tiny bit embarrassed to have forgotten about a hat I really adore. But mostly I'm just thrilled to have it back on my head. I'm sorry slouchy, stripy hat. I'm sorry I forgot about the love we shared in my freezing cabin up in the mountains. Let's never be apart again.

Reunited and it feels so good. 

I think I'll be able to knit at least two more gift projects before the selfish urges come back.