Back to School Sweater...

I'm baaaaaaaaack.... (think Poltergeist). I know - it's been a while & I'll use the usual excuse that I've been crazy busy as is expected with the beginning of a new school year. So let's just cut to the chase & share with you a F.O. I've designated as my "Back to School Sweater" well - because I wore it on the first day "back to school". And yes - the school year is going well; classes are large, but my students seem to be a great bunch, thankyouforasking.

Project Details:

Pattern: Kiama by Berroco. This was "harlotized" earlier this year & I was fascinated by the drape and construction.

Yarn: Origami by Berroco in the "Canteloupe Freeze" colorway (I think...) Very interesting mix of fibers - acrylic (!), nylon, cotton, and Linen. I've yet to officially block the garment, so I can't report on how well it softens up. I can say that while the yarn has a different feel than wool, it wasn't hard on the hands & the finished garment has a nice feel to it.

Needle: US8

Size: S/M

Overall - I very easy knit. You essentially knit starting at one sleeve, increase for the arms, knit flat for the back & then decrease for the other arm. Arms are seemed together up to the armpits & then stitches are picked up & you knit back & forth in a ribbed pattern for the collar & skirt of the sweater. Pretty easy even though I'm convinced I've made some mistake somewhere as the ribbing on the shawl portion goes in a different direction than the collar/skirt portion. I think it's a little too long in the back & the Yarn Harlots suggestion of doing short rows at a certain part of the pattern would have been a good idea. Love hindsight and all that. I figure that with standing in front of teenagers all day having a slightly longer sweater certainly isn't a bad thing.

I think it looks fine & I've received plenty of complements. It fits well & is surprisingly 'in style' - I've notices lots of similar type cardigans being worn this fall - full & drapey in the front.

Of course - since it's the beginning of the school year (or at least it was - the first day of school around here was August 18) I must include the requisite first day of school photos in front of the fireplace (I planned ahead this year - no last minute shots in the driveway before we zip off to school!)

First - My 3rd grader:
Pretty cute photo if I do say so. He is often uncooperative with photos - perhaps I threatened him this time? Can't remember...

Next - my 5th (!!) grader. How is it possible I have a child who is 10 years old?

He is more comfortable and cooperative in front of the camera.

"Hey boys - let's get a photo of the two of you together":

Grrrr.... Fortunately this was really all in jest & that most of the time the following photo best captures their true relationship:

I'm a pretty lucky mom.

I plan on less blog silence and more knitting (another wee FO & test knitting FO to share) coming soon.

Ciao!

Summer's Over...

Summer, for teachers and students is over. While teachers returned to work last Thursday, summer's end didn't feel official until today. Today students returned to the classroom. Some teachers think today is the easiest day to plan for: hand out textbooks, go over class rules/expectations, etc. Not me. I think it's one of the most difficult, as I see today as the one day where I can really make an impression on whether or not a student is going to enjoy being in my class. So, I agonize over what I'm going to do. How is my class going to be different, more memorable, even perhaps, more enjoyable than the ones experienced earlier in the day, or yet to come. So - in chemistry I don my tie-dye lab coat, put on the goggles & sing "We Dig Chemistry" loudly and proudly. Some students joined in & others sat in bewilderment, wondering what on earth they were in for during this school year. I figure if I can take a risk and put myself out there, so can they. Success follows risk taking. I certainly find it's more fun than going over rules - I figure I can go over those later & incorporate my philosophies and expectations by examples by what we do in class. "Hi Johnny, Welcome to class - oh, back row, huh? Don't you think you'd rather sit closer to the front in the "learning zone"?" Sure enough - Johnny moves & realizes I mean business. It's all good. Hands on demos & an inquiry based lab & before we know it, class is over & I've taught (and learned) some, the students learned some, and we had fun. Not a bad days' work.

You can see from the photo above that my boys also headed back to school. My big 4th (gasp!) grader is on the left, my 2nd grader on the right. Where does the time go? These photos were a bit impromptu & quick as I'd almost forgotten to take the annual first day of school photos. I usually do this in front of our fireplace, but today - a quick jump in the front yard had to do. My kids are in combo classes (1/2 and 3/4), and loop with their teachers, so both were able to slide right back into school as if an entire summer's worth of fun hadn't taken place. I'm so impressed with how independent they've become and easily settle into the expected educational routine. Very nice and comforting to know they'll do well and be fine as I zip off to do my educational gig.

On the knitting front, I have an FO to show:

Details:

Pattern: Orion Sock (The official sock of Sock Summit '09). No longer available to download from the site, but I did notice at Sock Summit that Blue Moon Fiber Arts was selling hard copies of the pattern - perhaps you could order directly from them.

Yarn: Koigu (dark blue) and Shibui (light blue = "River Rapids") One ball each. I had to dip into a second skein of the Koigu just for the ribbing of sock #2. Can you say, Stash Busting! :0)

Needle: Mostly a US 1 (2.25mm). However, after the fair isle on sock #1, I decided to move up a needle size to a 2.50mm for the fair isle on sock #2. This made it much easier to put sock #2 on over my heel.

Project Dates: Cast on during July & knit part of the foot of sock #1. Working on sock during our Lower 48 vacation & finished up on the plane ride home from Sock Summit on Aug. 9th. Overall a very quick knit. I'd certainly knit this again.

Even though school has commenced, I plan to keep knitting away & hope to share more FOs very soon.

OTN: "Hey Teach" = only 1 sleeve left to knit & then seaming.; Jeanne shawl = edging left, In Season (July RSC kit) = finished foot of sock #1, February Lady Sweater = finishing garter portion (once needles are free from Hey, Teach, I'll be ready to pick this up again.

Enjoy the remainder of your summer & knit on!

Ciao!

Another First Day...

Tis the season to be jolly... Oh - wrong season. Yes - 'tis the season I head back to work and entrusted with educating the masses. I am always so worried and nervous about the 1st day. After 13 years you'd think I'd have it down & be able to breeze on through. I do know I'll be fine. I am confident in my abilities, however - I feel the first day is so important - first impressions and all that. I want the kids to know science - specifically chemistry and anatomy, is fun! I want them to know I mean business (No - you may not go to your locker!) I want them to leave excited about being in my class. So - what do I do on the first day? Go over the rules? Give them a synopsis of the course? Nope - I sing. Yes - I sing. Well, lip sync is more like it, but I always eventually let my real (horrible) voice shine through. I so love a captive audience. Michael Offutt has written and produced tons of songs about chemistry. Sometimes I sing "They Call Me A Chemistry Nerd", but lately (last couple of years) I've chosen the more upbeat "We Dig Chemistry (it really is a blast!)". I put on my tie dye lab coat & nerdy goggles & take the stage as soon as the bell rings. You would not believe the look on the faces of those teenagers. Wow. Usually by the end of the song after much encouragement from me - many students are singing the chorus. It's a great way to let the kids know they aren't just in any science class. We also discuss how music and rhythms can help us remember difficult concepts. I also use it to let them know that sometimes we have to take risks in order to move forward - if I can get in front of a group of teenagers I don't know very well, then they can take the risk & give Chemistry a chance. It's been a week since the 1st day and my students continue to ask if we're going to have more songs.

Ahh! I have no arms! (Wow - that really looks freaky!)

The boys have both settled into 3rd & 1st grade. I'm including the annual '1st Day of School Photo In Front Of The Fireplace' photo. Dang - they're getting all growed up. Orion says 3rd grade is going to be way more work - he's looking forward to the challenge. Iain claims 1st grade is going well & that the day is longer than it was in kindergarten. In our district, kindergarten is full day with very few exceptions, so he's on the same time schedule as last year. Perhaps the day just seems longer because they don't begin every morning with fun/free choice time - they get straight to work! Don't you love the plaid? Iain claims plaid shirts are the choice for school pictures. Every formal picture he's had in the last 3 years (preschool - kindergarten), he's worn a plaid shirt. He picked this one out for that very reason; at least it's a different color than last year's plaid shirt. So - what are the chances we'll make it through 12th grade with a plaid shirt every year? Hmmm.....

Even though the start of a new school year means I'm 'busier than a one armed coat hanger', I'm making time for knitting. Here a few F.O.s I promised to show:

"Patrick's Pumpkin" hat

Fiber trends pattern - well written & a very quick knit. I think I finished this in a day. I had a little 'goof' while attaching the 'leaves' to the rolled brim, but with a bit of fudging, I think it's all good. I used the Galway worsted yarn - great color selection & new-mom friendly. This hat is for the new baby of one of my colleagues. I think I need to knit a few more...

"Summer Seafoam Scarf"

This pattern is from the Churchmouse Yarns & Teas July-August newsletter. I used two skeins of Jo Sharp Soho Summer DK Cotton in a navy (can't find the ball band.) & a Addi Turbo #6 needle. Very simple & quick knit as well. I knit most of it on our return drive from Seattle to Anchorage & was able to wear it on the 1st day of school. Finishing a scarf is quite the accomplishment for me - I have the attention span of a flea, so I haven't finished a scarf (I get bored with the pattern too soon) since I knit scarves for my grandparents back in 1980!!

Here's a close up of the stitch detail. Dropping stitches on purpose was so fun because it felt like you were doing something naughty. I wonder if knitting the Clapotis gives you the same feeling.

Well - off to work on my impulse knit.

Ciao~

Back to Reality...

Yes - Monday arrived. More to the point, 5:30 am arrived - and way too soon. Today was our first day back at school after a glorious two week break. Ahhhh - As fortunate as I am to have all of this time off, it's still quite a shock to our systems to return to school. My students were zombies during 3rd hour (Hello? Hello? Anyone there? Hey? Is this thing on....) Yes - 3rd hour, as in 9:30ish am. Their poor bodies & minds couldn't believe they were actually out of bed, dressed, and expected to function prior to noon. Geez - what nerve! The looks on their faces when I expected them to actually do something was priceless. "Yup - we're going to work today." "Yup - please write a balanced equation... " They looked at me like I had grown a 3rd eye during vacation. How audacious of me to actually expect my chemistry students to write and balance an equation. Wow...

Anyhow - one of the great things about returning to work (besides my students - they are a lot of fun). Is that there is nothing to grade today! Who hooo! That translates into leaving the building before 4:00 and time to knit at home! yee Haw...

Speaking of knitting - other nifty things were awaiting me in the mailbox to help take the edge off returning to school:

Oooh - look at the pretty yarn that arrived from Sarah's Yarns. It's JaggerSpun Zephr 2/18 laceweight in lilac. The photo doesn't do it justice - it sure is pretty. If I waited for the perfect amount of natural lighting, I wouldn't be able to photograph anything until May. I think I took this photo around 4:15 - after shoveling the driveway. This yarn will be used for the Secret of the Stole ii. I've never knit a major lace project, so I'm pretty excited to begin. First clue is released next Friday (1/18), so I need to get working on my swatch.

These are new stitch markers I ordered from The Loopy Ewe. I just love the Loopy Ewe!! Sheri is so nice - she always writes a little note on the order & the turn around is so fast. One set of markers will be sent to my Vintage Sock Swap Pal who lives on the East Coast. Can't yet decide what set I'll send. Perhaps I'll have one of my kids do a random pick. Sorry about the quality of the photos - I really should take some kind of class on how to best photograph yarn & like items...

Speaking of my Vintage Sock - Here's a quick photo of sock #1:


Most of sock #2 is finished - however - I ran out of yarn near the heel. So - I jumped back on line & Jimmy Beans Wool saved my bacon!! I needed Colinette Jitterbug in the Marble colorway - Jimmy Beans had it & quickly sent it north. The yarn arrived today, so I can now finish the sock - I plan to have it off to my pal by the end of the week.

So - all in all, not a bad day. Now off to knit - it's quiet around here still - the kiddos aren't home yet. I'll report on how their teachers liked their new hats & perhaps show a photo of the last hat (actual 1st FO of 2008) as soon as I find where those photos are stored....

Ciao!

HaZaa!

I'm in! I finally received my invitation to Ravelry. Oh - what more can be said about Ravelry? It is soooooo cool! I've been 'stalking' the site to see where I was on the list. One day I was at 333, and then boom! my invitation arrived! Man, it's like being the nerdiest kid in school and being asked to the Prom by the cutest, smartest, and nicest boy in town. Very cool. My name on Ravelry is "Arctic Knitter" (duh) - hope to see you around! If you haven't received your invite, yet - be patient (like I'm one to give that advice) - it'll arrive soon...

As you can see from the photo above, fall is in the air around here. For us that means - cooler evenings, shorter days, and school is in full swing. I'm blaming my lack of posting on school - even though I reduced my teaching schedule to 80% to accommodate taking my sons to school, my work load certainly hasn't seemed to decrease. 100% means teaching 5 different classes - right now I'm teaching 4. Last year, one of my classes was math - this year, all 4 are lab-based science classes. Prep work for Alg. II was much less rigorous than prepping for chemistry or anatomy. Oh well... the kids are great - certainly keeps me entertained. :0)

Returning to school also means returning to the "germ factory". Let's face it, schools are full of all sorts of wonderful germs. I keep soap and Germ-X available in my classroom, and am almost OCD regarding hand washing. Still - I can't hover over every student who enters my room & inspect their hands. Needless to say - it's bound to happen that teachers catch 'something' during the year. I usually have a pretty strong immune system, but this year the 'bug' seems stronger than usual. Couple that with the fact I was exhausted after spending a night w/200 high school students during our annual retreat, and you have the perfect recipe for getting sick. Fortunately I didn't have to take a day off from work (which is more work than actually being there) - but I did have to alter plans so that I could rest my voice. By the end of the day my voice was practically gone - not so good when you're in the teaching profession. Some of my colleagues & friends called it my "sexy, sultry" voice; my students said I sounded like a man - not very sexy, or sultry at all when your all of 5 foot 2. (Unless that man happens to be Brad Pitt, Michael Ballack, or John Taylor (of Duran Duran).

OTN:

My Monkey Socks for my Monkey Sock Swap pal. I'd post a photo, but DH as absconded with the camera on his afternoon bike ride. I've worked through the 4th repeat on the leg (requires 6) and am working them via the Magic Loop Method (surprise, surprise) - 2 at a time. No Second Sock Syndrome for me! My pal lives down south, so I'm using Sockotta - a cotton, wool, nylon blend. Not my choice of yarn, but it is knitting up softly & should be comfortable in the warm environs of the south.

I've cast on for my Minimalist Cardigan. The pattern can be found in the 2007 Interweave Knits issue. I'm using Cascade 220 Superwash - quite the workhorse for knits, and a favorite of my dear friend Margaret. Although, I have to agree with Holly Jo in that the pattern is pretty mind-numbing (LOTS of moss stitch) and it takes work just to keep plugging away. I keep telling myself the sweater will be beautiful when it's done, and it'll be a good knit for in front of the telly.

Speaking of good TV - The Women's World Cup is currently underway. The US is doing well with a relatively new/young team. Abby Wambach is still playing - pretty amazing since at 27 she's considered an 'old' soccer player. For the record, let's all agree that 27 is NOT old by any stretch of the imagination. However, good ol' Abby is just amazing - during their game against Sweden, she scored one PK, and one very incredible half-volley goal from an over the head pass from Kristine Lilly (36 years old!). Just makes me want to be back on the pitch. Next match is against Nigeria, which should be an easy one for them & assure the US a #1 ranking in their group & a spot in the quarter finals.

Also - Survivor season premiere is this week (good knitting time) don't know about the return of The Amazing Race - another fave. Grey's Anatomy starts soon too. AND - big news - the new Duran Duran album, Red Carpet Massacre, will be released in the U.S. Nov. 13th - let the countdown begin! :0)

More pics next time... off to knit...

Summer is Over...

Yes - it's true. Summer has officially come to an end; if you are a teacher within the Anchorage School District. I know we get no sympathy from non-teachers, but going back to work after a long summer hiatus is still a shock to the system. I'm using that for my excuse for not blogging more this week & lack of any true knitting progress. Today was day #2 back at work - an 'inservice' day where teachers have mandatory meetings, trainings, etc. Like any occupation - some meetings, etc. are more beneficial/interesting than others. Today was no exception. One of the great things about the school where I teach & the department I'm in is our Weekly meeting at the local watering hole/pizzeria "The Moose's Tooth". Ahh - what fun to gather w/colleagues/friends & share a pint (or two). A good way to end day #2 of work.

Here's where I am on the knitting front:
I've made it to the gusset on the Jungle Stripe - 2 at a time - socks. That was the adventure, let me tell you! I was working in bed & just too comfy to jump up & search on the internet for the best way to pick up stitches along the gusset for 2 at a time socks. I quickly realized that when you turn the heel, you have to do one at a time since you work back and forth. That was no problem. The gusset was a bit more tricky, since I don't think I picked up stitches in the right order. So - I had to transfer stitches of the 2nd sock, albeit briefly, to a 2nd circ, pick up those gusset stitches & then put it back on the original needle. This was a bit unorthodox, but it seemed to work. So - just a few more decreases & then the foot & I'll be done with the pair. I still love thinking about that. I recently joined Monkey Sock Swap 3 (There's still time to join if your are interested) & am considering making the Monkey socks on one circular as well - guaranteed to finish a pair at the same time! :0)

I have been making progress on the 'Cindy' sweater. I finished the left side arm & started working on the right when I became concerned about how the 'V' was formed. So - I revisited the Yarn Branch where I originally saw the sweater made up. My 'V' is correct - hooray!
But... I apparently misunderstood the directions. If you look along the arm hole, you'll see a series of CR3 & CRL. When I looked at the made up sweater in the store, it only had a few of these & they didn't run all the way up the arm hole. Hmm... Now if the photo on the pattern would have been more clear about showing more of the details instead of the nifty necklace she's wearing, then maybe I could have avoided this error. Well - I'm just going to call it a new 'Design Feature'. I hope it doesn't affect the shape too much & that when I knit the sleeves, they actually fit. Arghhh... I am planning on singing up for a finishing class that is held in September to seam it together.

Well -