Natalie Knits

Is it sad that a ball winder can make me so excited? I don't care, it does. I ordered one today, along with the yarn I'd like to use to make my mom a sweater. I'm planning on making it a birthday present, which isn't until November. That leaves plenty of time! I ordered one ball of the yarn last week, and when it came I was really pleased. I would like to buy the expensive yarn, but what the pattern recommends is roughly 12-14 skeins of Berroco alpaca, and then you double it in the knitting. So I was looking for something a little bulkier, that would get the same gague, but that I'd have to buy half as much. I finally decided that I'd give knitpicks a try-- I am a bit of a fiber snob, but they have this 100% alpaca that looked good, so I ordered one skein to give it a try, and it's wonderful! So I ordered more, and a ball winder to make it easier to use. I can't wait for it to come!!!

This has been a very long week, though finishing classes helps A LOT. Though it has also severely limited by ability to post on the blog, or to do much else for that matter. I like taking classes-- sometimes I wonder if when I am done with classes that I'll miss them. I'll be taking less in the fall, though I will be teaching, so it's always something. But I don't mean that in a negative way-- I think being balanced in some sense is VERY important.

Also, working on this sweater has helped me find some patience. I often feel frustrated with the details of a project, but working on this sweater I found that I wasn't frustrated, and when I had worked through some small piece it felt good, and helped me see the larger picture. Also, having to replace two of the zippers (and having to frog various parts of the sweater at various stages) let me see the value in taking my time to do something well, and understanding how investing the time and care on the smaller parts adds up to a good finished product. So as for the sweater, I am close to finished. And I am trying to take this lesson with me into other area of my life, particularly in thinking about the research projects I am working on and in the process of starting. I feel so frustrated by putting together the paperwork for the IRB, and finding the right measures, and making the contacts where I want to collect data. But seeing each piece as a small, important part of the whole has given me some patience, and a better perspective. There is something satisfying about finishing each little part, and I'm feeling good about my next research project and my next knitting project.

Ok, and I will post some pictures soon!