Dec 29, 2011
End as You Plan to Begin
I fell short of my NaKniSweMo goals in November, and I got caught up in the preparations for the holiday and wrapping things up for the vacation at school. (There was also a rigid heddle incident, from which im still recovering. . .but that's another post.)As I look over the goals I set for myself, I find myself reaching high, and not always reaching my goals. So I'm going to try something a bit different as I look forward to 2012.
I'm going to end strong.
I'm working on finishing up what I started. Cleaning the palate, so to speak. I have a shawl blocking that I started in August, and next up is a stole I started last December. I do have some design work that needs to be completed, and I'll keep at it, but I'm going to end the year by cleaning up lose ends, and spend 2012 doing the same. To think it will take a year to do that seems ridiculous, but there are many loose ends. To say my chi is blocked is an understatement.
I'll make a dozen pair of mittens this year, and work towards finishing my UFOs and using stash. . .all god things, yes?
But my real focus will be on ending. Finishing strong. Staying the course to see all of the projects that need my attention get exactly how much attention they need until the finish line is crossed.
How about you?
Nov 17, 2011
So Far, So Good
Knitting brought to you by sleepless nights and bad TV...
Just sleeves to go, and I'll have a new sweater!
Nov 16, 2011
Nov 14, 2011
Can't Stop
Apparently, I shouldn't stop knitting and leave my sweater sitting for long. Mookie likes it!
Have the back completed and have started working on the fronts. I'm hoping to finish the fronts and collar and get a good start on a sleeve before the weekend.
Since I've gone rogue and am no longer following the pattern, I'm a bit leery about the neckline. I've consulted a few design books, have calculated stitch counts, and looked at samples of other patterns... And am hoping all will go well. I'm shooting for a shawl collar.
To get there, I cast off about four inches of stitches at the center front, and will gradually decrease along the neck edge until I have the number of stitches left on the holders for the shoulders. Then I'll unite the shoulders with a three needle bind off to give them plenty of strength. For the collar, I'll pick up along the neckline and work a wide band of ribbing that will overlap in the front and (hopefully) fold gracefully over into a shawl collar. I think it'll work, but I have to keep knitting to see for sure.
If you've got a better suggestion at how to attack this, pipe up!
Ps, Harriet, keep knitting on the Henley, you will be so glad to have a clean slate when you cast on your PW sweater!
Have the back completed and have started working on the fronts. I'm hoping to finish the fronts and collar and get a good start on a sleeve before the weekend.
Since I've gone rogue and am no longer following the pattern, I'm a bit leery about the neckline. I've consulted a few design books, have calculated stitch counts, and looked at samples of other patterns... And am hoping all will go well. I'm shooting for a shawl collar.
To get there, I cast off about four inches of stitches at the center front, and will gradually decrease along the neck edge until I have the number of stitches left on the holders for the shoulders. Then I'll unite the shoulders with a three needle bind off to give them plenty of strength. For the collar, I'll pick up along the neckline and work a wide band of ribbing that will overlap in the front and (hopefully) fold gracefully over into a shawl collar. I think it'll work, but I have to keep knitting to see for sure.
If you've got a better suggestion at how to attack this, pipe up!
Ps, Harriet, keep knitting on the Henley, you will be so glad to have a clean slate when you cast on your PW sweater!
Nov 12, 2011
Progress
House power washed? Check.
Leaves raked? Check.
Garage cleaned? Check.
Yummy food in refrigerator? Check.
We both got a lot done today, and still had time to meet with someone to coordinate installation of a gas fire place, watch Grey's Anatomy on Netflix, and get a lot of knitting done.
NaKniSweMo is coming along just fine. I'm ready to divide for the arms, and since the yoke will be all black, I think I might just pick up some speed!
Oh, and Harriet? I say cast on the Philosopher's sweater... I'm shooting to have mine done by November 25, when I can cast on another with the rest of the guild. Will you be ready by then?
Leaves raked? Check.
Garage cleaned? Check.
Yummy food in refrigerator? Check.
We both got a lot done today, and still had time to meet with someone to coordinate installation of a gas fire place, watch Grey's Anatomy on Netflix, and get a lot of knitting done.
NaKniSweMo is coming along just fine. I'm ready to divide for the arms, and since the yoke will be all black, I think I might just pick up some speed!
Oh, and Harriet? I say cast on the Philosopher's sweater... I'm shooting to have mine done by November 25, when I can cast on another with the rest of the guild. Will you be ready by then?
Nov 10, 2011
Falling Behind and Catching Up
Do two posts in one day help me make my four posts a week goal? I'm thinking not.
It's been a crazy week at school. Students receiving special education services have an annual meeting to review their progress. We call them IEPT meetings (Individualized Education Planning Team), and they're sort of like parent teacher conferences on steroids. As a special education teacher, I need to review the work each student on my caseload has done, see if they are indeed closing the gap between them and their peers who don't require specialized instruction, write a nineteen page document that explains where they are in their progress now, where we'd like them to be next year this time, and how the school team plans to help them get there. Then, we hold the meeting, and I explain all of that to the family and the student. Typically, we like to spread them out. . .give teachers a bit of a breather between each one. . .allow them to carefully consider all that impacts how a student is progressing.
This week? I have had four IEPT meetings. Four. In addition, I have had to teach my classes and score all of the assignments my students have turned in. Tomorrow, I have to teach a training for other staff members in our district, attend a department meeting at lunch, hold the final meeting of the week, and get all of my paperwork completed and mailed out after the training. And I have to write sub plans tonight so that my students are learning while I'm out of the classroom all day.
I love my job. I take what I do seriously. I am SO proud of the progress students in my class are making, and of the students who are on my caseload who are making such good strides. I think I work in a great school district, and that the teachers in my building work hard to help close the achievement gap.
But.
(and you knew that was coming, right?)
I'm tired. It has been a long week, and tomorrow will come early and will only make me more tired by the end. I'm not complaining, really, I'm not. I just want a bit of time for knitting this week, and I don't think it's coming as soon as I'd like.
I'm really looking forward to tomorrow at four when I can walk into my house with papers to grade and know that most of the weekend is mine.
I'm looking forward to my NaKniSweMo sweater. I can see a lot of couch knitting time and bad TV in my future. . .Hopefully I'll have pictures for you on Saturday, and you can oooh and aaahh over the beautiful colors. It hasn't changed much since last weekend. . .but it will soon!
How is progress on your sweater coming? What are you working on now? I'm holding tight to the idea that others are working with soft fibers and feeling creative as I continue to plod through the work week.
I won't be behind on my knitting for long. . .I see a warm and wooly sweater in my future. And not a moment too soon, there are snowflakes flying around outside the window at my back! Sweater season is here!
It's been a crazy week at school. Students receiving special education services have an annual meeting to review their progress. We call them IEPT meetings (Individualized Education Planning Team), and they're sort of like parent teacher conferences on steroids. As a special education teacher, I need to review the work each student on my caseload has done, see if they are indeed closing the gap between them and their peers who don't require specialized instruction, write a nineteen page document that explains where they are in their progress now, where we'd like them to be next year this time, and how the school team plans to help them get there. Then, we hold the meeting, and I explain all of that to the family and the student. Typically, we like to spread them out. . .give teachers a bit of a breather between each one. . .allow them to carefully consider all that impacts how a student is progressing.
This week? I have had four IEPT meetings. Four. In addition, I have had to teach my classes and score all of the assignments my students have turned in. Tomorrow, I have to teach a training for other staff members in our district, attend a department meeting at lunch, hold the final meeting of the week, and get all of my paperwork completed and mailed out after the training. And I have to write sub plans tonight so that my students are learning while I'm out of the classroom all day.
I love my job. I take what I do seriously. I am SO proud of the progress students in my class are making, and of the students who are on my caseload who are making such good strides. I think I work in a great school district, and that the teachers in my building work hard to help close the achievement gap.
But.
(and you knew that was coming, right?)
I'm tired. It has been a long week, and tomorrow will come early and will only make me more tired by the end. I'm not complaining, really, I'm not. I just want a bit of time for knitting this week, and I don't think it's coming as soon as I'd like.
I'm really looking forward to tomorrow at four when I can walk into my house with papers to grade and know that most of the weekend is mine.
I'm looking forward to my NaKniSweMo sweater. I can see a lot of couch knitting time and bad TV in my future. . .Hopefully I'll have pictures for you on Saturday, and you can oooh and aaahh over the beautiful colors. It hasn't changed much since last weekend. . .but it will soon!
How is progress on your sweater coming? What are you working on now? I'm holding tight to the idea that others are working with soft fibers and feeling creative as I continue to plod through the work week.
I won't be behind on my knitting for long. . .I see a warm and wooly sweater in my future. And not a moment too soon, there are snowflakes flying around outside the window at my back! Sweater season is here!
Nov 6, 2011
A Lazy Day
Maybe it's work avoidance, knowing that a crazy week is ahead, maybe I'm just sleepy after a full day yesterday, but I haven't been really productive today.
I finally finished one repeat of a twisty cable swatch.
And made a bit of progress on my NaKniSweMo sweater.
Answered a few emails, graded a few papers, played with Toshi, and napped. No laundry, shopping or cooking.
How was your weekend?
I finally finished one repeat of a twisty cable swatch.
And made a bit of progress on my NaKniSweMo sweater.
Answered a few emails, graded a few papers, played with Toshi, and napped. No laundry, shopping or cooking.
How was your weekend?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)