So, I may have alluded to the fact that recently I’ve been under rather a lot of stress. I’ve been applying to 18 different graduate school programs, (yes, they are mostly done now, thanks for asking) and that has lead to me needing to either knit a lot or take up chewing gravel as a hobby. (I think we can all agree on which option is the more attractive one.) I’ve done almost no spinning, because when I’m taking breaks, I want my hands and my mind to both be occupied, so I’ve been mostly reading and knitting at the same time.
It turns out that if you’re using knitting medicinally, things get done really really fast! So I have a shawl. (photo credit goes, once again, to my lovely brother Luke.)
Apparently in this one I look “like I see a spaceship.” (according to my little brother) I think the thing on my neck is supposed to be some kind of alien laser in this scenario.
Also my hair “is very inconvenient.” But it’s forgiven because apparently it does good things in the right lighting, and lets Luke “take hipster pictures.” He would periodically stop during the photo shoot and say “Oh yeah, that is SO HIPSTER.” When I told him that I wasn’t sure I liked him making me into a hipster, he just cackled at me. *sigh*
The yarn comes from the Cloudlover yarn club. I won a three month subscription to it as part of a Socks with Sarah giveaway, and I love all three yarns I got. However, this one was my favorite. (I mean, it’s a 50/50 merino/silk blend. What’s not to love?) Usually variegated yarns move me not, but this one I love fierce and unreasonable. I’m not completely sure why, but I think that the colors are beautifully blended and look more speckled than striped. The shawl pattern is Light and Up, (free on Ravelry) and I think it was an ideal match for this yarn. I’ve worn it for a little bit basically every day since I finished it. The tassels are completely charming, and it’s a nice big shawl/scarf out of only one skein of yarn, which is always a win. It’s very cozy, and the silk content means that it will keep me warm even when winter starts to suck the joy out of everything. I remarked to my mom as a joke that it’s all the colors of a proper Ivy League education. In all seriousness though, it’s navy and gold and maroon and forest green and brown and cream, and these are all colors I associate with fancy college. It gives me a little giggle when I wear it. My favorite thing about knitting is that you get to take your stress and turn it into cool stuff.
My next project is also a shawl (anyone sensing a trend?) and it has BEADS. I adore the beads, am charmed by the beads, and can’t get enough of the beads. I. Love. Beads. But you’ll have to wait for pictures of it, since it isn’t anything like done. I should really get going on my Christmas knitting, but beadsssssss…
Until next time lovelies!
I was asked for a shawl closeup, and I’m happy to oblige! Pretty colors, non?
