New Project!

Greetings, and Dear Cynthia,

Well, I've been waiting for a sunny day to take some pictures outside, but I'm going to have to wait some more. The gloomy, rainy weather continues. Last night, we had tornado warnings, so right when the kids were supposed to be going to bed, we were all taking cover in the basement. Today, less ominous, but perfect weather to be indoors knitting.

With my Sapporo blocking right now (and with the zipper/shock cord kit on order), I started a new project yesterday. I'm going to continue the tradition of giving my Godson a handknit sweater every year for a birthday gift. I started this tradition two years ago, when I had the idea for it exactly one week prior to his birthday party...so I knit Elizabeth Zimmerman's Tomten Jacket for him in that one week, which was very stressful and somewhat painful with the raw skin on my fingers, etc., and not something I'd recommend. Last year, I got started with about two months to spare, and made him his "Big A" sweater. This year, I'm giving myself a full three months... Here's what I have so far:This is my own variation of the "childHood" sweater. My modifications are the addition of the kangaroo pocket (followed directions for the hoodie pattern in The Purl Stitch book, which I just happened to check out of the library last week), sleeves which will be knit in the round from the shoulders down (after the first two inches, as these are "modified drop" shoulders), and pullover instead of cardigan. I'm using Patons Classic Merino which I had in my stash, so my gauge is a bit tighter, and I'm making a larger size than those given in the pattern. I guess, I'm really not following the pattern much at all....but I thought the stripy-ness was really cute on the sleeves and hood on the Knitty pattern, and I liked the garter stitch trim, too.

Now it's back to studying chemistry. I took first semester chemistry 25 years ago, and in order to apply to a graduate school program, I must take a second semester of chemistry. In order to get clearance from the professor to take the class, I have to take a first semester final exam to show that I know enough to take the next class. Well, it's coming back to me, but I'm basically starting from scratch as I re-learn all of the material, so it's taking some time for me to do this...and I've been having some issues with motivation, though it still beats housework!

Warm regards,
Laura (YarnThrower)