Not done yet

But maybe by the end of this week.  Master’s degrees are hard.

However, I thought you all might appreciate some pictures while I’m trying not to go crazy.

This was spun from fiber purchased from All Spun Up.

600 yards of Merino goodness

And of course, here’s a closeup.

3-ply loveliness

This was actually finished up during our recent visit to Ragged and Cynical’s abode.  Ragged and I attended a local spinning get-together.  It’s quite possible Ragged will be joining the spinning ranks soon.

And once I get all my work done on my degree, this is the reward I get to start spinning.

ASU falkland - actually much deeper and darker in real life

You would think that would be enough motivation, now wouldn’t you?

I don’t want to be a grad student anymore.  :P

 

Is that a glimmer at the end of this tunnel?

Both comps done, don’t think I sounded like a complete idiot. Hoping that’s enough.

On to the paper and project.

I think I can, I think I can . . . .

Progress update

One four-hour comprehensive exam down, one to go.

Plus a 50-page research paper.

Plus designing a complete orientation to online learning.

All good thoughts greatly appreciated.

 

A little something to tide you over

I have some stuff to share, but I am brain-noodlely from all the stuff to be done, so why not watch some punkin-blamming while you wait for me to come to my senses?

Whoops, it’s November

I just knew that Phat Fiber Box would be nothing but trouble.

Witchy silk from Wooliebullie

Yes, I had to place an order from Wooliebullie.  And let me tell you, that’s some niiiiiiice silk.

Oh yeah, and I finished another pair of socks before Socktoberfest was over.

Barcelona socks from Patchwork by Black Bunny Fibers

Love these.  They feel so good and sproingy.

And I’ve started more socks.  Surprise.

Hayrick socks from Knitspot in Fearless Fibers BFL

I think I’m jet-laggy from the time change.

Pumpkins go BLAM!!!!

Ramblin’s two favorite seasons are Halloween and deer.  Here’s what happens when the two collide.

Phat Fiber Box – all the cool kids got ‘em

What’s a Phat Fiber Box?  It’s the brainchild of Jessie at Phat Fiber – a collection of samples from Indie dyers brought right to your doorstep.  And when your doorstep is a mere three hours from Phat HQ, it gets there really fast.

That was fast!

The “F” stands for ‘fluff’, which is all spinning samples.  The “S” stands for ’stitches’, which is all yarn samples.  There’s also a mixed sampler, which I could only guess would be “M”, but I didn’t go after that one.  The super-secret date they go on sale is announced, and they are posted to Etsy two times that day.  I wouldn’t recommend delaying 5 seconds, ’cause they are going to be gone.  So Saturday, I was able to grab an F for me, and later an S for Ragged.

What’s in the box?

Box 'o Mystery

Mystery revealed

Well, allow me to introduce you.  (sorry for some blurry pics – I was losing light fast)

“Oh Donna” BFL - Alisha Goes Around

“Passion” merino - It’s a Colorful Life

“Fagiano” Aus. merino, firestar, and angelina - Crystal City Fibers

“Harlequin” merino tencel (and the fun gold thread to ply it with) - Twiggi Knits!!

"Carnivale (light)” tussah silk - Wild Orchids Yarns and Fibers

“Cafe au lait” milk fiber - Feeling Sheepish

“Venetian Butterflies” mohair, alpaca, wool, and glitz - Silver Sun Alpacas

un-named rambo, bamboo and polypay - Desert Garden Farms I think I'll call it "Sweetheart's Masquerade"

“Masquerade” alpaca, mohair and angelina - Fiber Divisions

“Tangerine” merino - From Ewe to You

“Squash Blossom” organic merino from Natchwoolie and “Souron’s Flaming Eye” milk fiber from Dragonmaille in The Fiber Artist’s Paint Box from SpindiesFiber

“Queen of Hearts” bamboo - Polyartgirl

“Jareth” organic merino, silk, carbonized bamboo, and angelina - Ambrosia and Bliss

“The Fiber Unmasked” baby alpaca - Anzula Luxury Fibers

“A Silken Masque” sari silk fiber - eXtreme Spinning

“Venetian Mask” merino - Sheepy kitty

“Candy Mix” merino - Alaskan Sass

Oh but wait, you have to see the back of this:

Wicked Remedy

Topless Mittens pattern - Kira K Designs

So, the idea is that once you can see and fondle these mini bits of heaven, you will want to buy more.  And that works really well.  To feed that, many of the sellers give discounts to the Phat Fiber box buyers.  Like you needed another excuse.

And since it’s Socktober, here’s a pair of socks.

Midsummer Nights Dream from Knitty in Knitting Notions Thyme

The Non-Un-Club Sock Yarn Club aka The Other Club

Here’s something else I can discuss for Socktoberfest (which, btw, is way better than Cacheslashfest) – the second shipment of the Fearless Fibers Sock Club.

September Fearless Fiber Sock Club

Up first is another squooshy skein of the Superwash Merino:

It feels as good as it looks

The other skein is Superwash BFL, the first of two skeins I will be receiving.

Blue Superwash BFL

My final shipment will be another skein of BFL and one of Tight Twist.  I’ve been thrilled with the yarns so far, so even if the last shipment was completely off (and I don’t think Deb is capable of dyeing a bad color), it’s been a great experience.

Weekend at lightspeed

Okay, so it’s four days into Socktoberfest.  Even though I haven’t been posting here, rest assured I have been sock-knitting.  (When am I not sock-knitting?)

Leaves of Thyme socks

These are Midsummer Night’s Dream using Knitting Notions’ Classic Merino Superwash Sock Yarn in Thyme.  Yes, I am finally using the Sock Yarn Unclub pick from April.  Since Socktoberfest has no rules, I decided a good goal would be to use the yarns Ragged and I have acquired in our un-club.  Speaking of the Un-club, this month is Ragged’s pick.

And speaking of Ragged, we spent our weekend as guests of Ragged and Cynical, with Jenny from the Blog along for the ride.  As detailed on Ramblin’s blog, it got off to a bumpy (clattery-bangy) start.  But once we arrived, it was wonderful times that just never last long enough.  And Mud Pie Mojo from Cold Stone Creamery is amazing.

The socks above are actually quite a bit further along, thanks to some opportune porch-knittin’.  But I have to save some stuff for the rest of Socktoberfest.

It’s Socktoberfest!!!

Sorry to be gone for so long, but I just had to resurface to celebrate that greatest of months – the month of Halloween and socks!  (not necessarily in that order)

Pictures of socks and stuff to follow.