Minuteman Pride...

Andrew Card was booed throughout the presentation of the advanced degree he didn't earn and doesn't deserve. Pretty amazing that the UMass administrators refused to acknowledge the almost university-wide rejection of this action. While I'm being a bit political, I would like to say that I'm truly bummed about Rosie stepping down from the View early. It was exciting to see a show honor the fact that some people are spitting mad about the actions our government. It did sometimes devolve into bickering but it was bipartisan bickering, from ladies, on daytime TV! Elizabeth made an excellent point--male pundits engage in the same sort of hotheaded arguing all the time but no one reduces their passion as a symptom of gender.

In keeping with my spring cleaning frenzy, I got rid of even MORE hair!



With the blue bangs it's looking a little Cookie A. which is funny because I just bought a few of her sock patterns at Webs--Flicker and Twisted Flower, both very botanical. Since I've finally mastered the short row toe/heel, my sock confidence is on the rise.


Gotta say, I'm not in love with the Fleece Artist Merino Sock. I love the non-pooling/striping variegation, as I've said before, but the yarn itself is almost wire-y. It could be because I'm knitting it on size 0 needles, my 1.5 Knit Picks are in use and it felt a bit loose on those anyway. I'm hoping a wash will relax it a bit. I can't wait to try the zig zag bind off on the toe!

Speaking of Webs, I'll be working there over the summer. That will probably mean a decline in yarn purchases arriving via post, but it's been fun to be a "civilian" yarn shopper this year. One of my favorite sites is so good I feel like I should keep it a secret, but that's silly. A lot of people are already fans of Handpaintedyarn.com. There is a link between Malabrigo and Handpaintedyarn.com...the main differences seems to me Malabrigo's focus on merino and the very good prices at HPY.com. I prefer the heartier wool over at HPY.com, it's still plenty soft and reminds me of Manos. By the way, how adorable is this tiger hat?!

This is Colonia in Madre Perla (top) and Marmol.


This is the lace weight wool in Lettuce:

And Emerald Viv:


All delivered within days, and for a song! So pretty it almost doesn't have to be knit...almost!

See some of you tomorrow in Cummington! Here's what a friend of mine had to say about it:

"I hope you have fun at your Sheep Versus Dog event. I think it's pretty effed up that you get such pleasure from seeing such cute animals rip each other apart, but who am I to judge? I'd put my money on the dogs."

Ha,

CR

Incongruous.

So, it's officially spring here in Massachusetts, and it is almost glorious. I say almost because I'm going through some love life tribulations that are sorta neutralizing my spring high. To be honest this whole year has been one big trial, with graduate school and relationships. I'm doing my best to keep my spirits up and that means a lot of walks, water, fruit (I've finally developed a taste for it, thank goodness) and of course, crafting! Between the AMAZING RAVELRY (are you on it? Let's be friends!) and Project Spectrum, I've got plenty to keep my mind off of sad things (and you know, my schoolwork...)

Speaking of Project Spectrum, here are some scraps...

My February/March project is finally done. Here they are, very pleased with these. If they look a little fuzzy it's because I've already worn them a LOT. They are the ever popular Jaywalkers in STR Lightweight, the Lucy colorway.Those who are sensitive to pooling might want to avert your eyes now...




YELLOW: I've just now opened a package from Blue Moon Fiber Arts and one of the skeins was looked like it would be brilliant sunny yellow, but it's actually more like delicious peach ice cream, a soft orange:


I can learn to love it, but I'm in a serious yellow phase and I am a little bummed. I'm so into yellow at the moment that I'm seriously considering getting some serious shoes in 'avocado'. I learned about Remix from the painfully adorable Emily and it was perfect timing since I've recently committed myself to wearing REAL shoes at least 80% of the time. My feet are too bad for flip flops and canvas flats. Anyhow, yellow is perfect when your wardrobe is mostly grey and black, something I have in common with the lovely Jenny Gordy.

I have some big plans for this golden yarn that may not have been the wisest color choice. I know I can't wear yellow, but that doesn't stop me from liking it!


GREEN: My love for green yarn is well-known, and it hasn't weakened any. I'm planning on doing some sewing tonight, a dress out of this lovely branch-heavy print. I'll be sure to post it when it's done. Oh, the STR Hoofle Foofle had a friend, Jade:


PINK: I started a sock in a colorway that might as well be called Project Spectrum April/May, because it's a lovely lemon yellow, a deep raspberry and a bright emerald. It's actually Fleece Artist Merino Sock in Paris, and it's lovely. The pattern was a freebie that came with a Hello Yarn order. Thanks to Ravelry I realized that I'm kind of knit-stalking poor Adrian, I've knit about 6 things inspired by her knits! You know what they say about imitation...



Another 'pink' thought I had was on avoiding sun damage. It's become more and more important to me over the years and I'm channelling almost all of my frivolous cosmetic money into my stash. After several CVS sales and coupon cash-ins I finally have the ultimate non-sticky, non-smelly, non-irritating, non-blemish inducing stash of sun protection. You can read all about it at my Flickr page.

In other news, I was the happy recipient of a random act of kindness from a UK blogger who sent me a little project bag after I mentioned I liked hers. It's adorable, and this was such a nice surprise to get in the mail. I love getting mail, especially crafty mail.

Speaking of surprise mail...I'm starting to understand why the Sockapalooooza is bumming some people out...I haven't heard from my secret sock knitter or from the person I have. I've emailed my pal and left secret comments on the blog. I have to be honest, I was a little perplexed by all the people freaking out when they didn't hear from buddies after a few days but now I'm starting to feel like a....loooza. Ha.

Okay, I have killed a good couple of hours with this post, it might be time for me to get back to the schoolwork.