Problems

I've been suffering :( Not only did I have two impacted wisdom teeth dug out of my head a week ago, I have since developed dry socket leaving me with a gaping hole in the back of my mouth, my molar root exposed to the outside world, unable to eat or drink properly and in pretty much constant pain.

But worse than all that, I've found myself in the position where I have yarn and I have projects galore in mind, but I am sorely lacking in circular needles and as such AM NOT KNITTING ANYTHING!!!

So I bought these.

Almost as good as vicodin, but not quite.

The Hamptons, baby, the Hamptons

Ahh the life of a Grad Student. For the past three days I've been here, the Montauk Yacht Club for those of you disinclined to follow the link. It was so beautiful, with a private beach, marina and two outdoor pools. Bliss. There was of course some paltry mention of science during the three days of retreat, but mostly the time was to be spent bonding (via alcohol and frisbee) with our new peers, which of course I participated in with much vigour (the alcohol part anyways).
The beach trip also coincided with the completion of my (modified) hourglass sweater (Interweave Knits Spring 06), and allowed for some sundrenched, Hampton's inspired photography. I even wore the sweater in public, a first, which worried the heck out of my friends because they thought in my drunken stupor that I might forget it somewhere, like say the pool when we went for a 4am swim. But lo, I am a knitter. I might forget my name after 6 glasses of red and two large vodkas, but I'll always collect my handknits before the stagger home.

My modifications included:

• Removing all the integral design features
• Being scared of grafting
• Loving the folded hem

I made the front to match the back all in one piece, omitting the twisty-peephole because, if my sock knitting has taught me anything, it's that kitchener stitch is the spawn of the devil. When I started the sweater I had high hopes of having mastered grafting by the time the twisties were required, but three fudged pairs of socks put the kibosh on that. I also altered the sleeves by introducing a 4 stitch cable with a five row repeat, and a teeny three stitch folded hem to match the body of the sweater instead of the 360 twist in the pattern. Once again I wish I'd made it an inch longer, but it does fall at a much more acceptable length than most of my handguns attempts and so will actually go into the pile of sweaters to be worn, rather than the sweaters to be hidden in the back of the wardrobe until such time I can bear to throw them away.

Hurrah, victory is mine!

Mermaid Feet

My second attempt at designing my own sock has reached astronomical proportions! My little purple voodoo doll jelly baby could hardly believe my progress by Sunday, and by last night I'd finished up my third attempt at a toe and had created a fully functioning sock. (Whose yarn is Regia 4-Fach Haltbar and whose colour is more accurate in the first picture.)
Can you see the little fish tails? I've learned a whole heap making this sock, like, I'm not good enough to be designing a sock that doesn't require a whole bunch of fudging in the math department. And, I should really read and follow the toe instructions from Nancy Bush instead of trying to wing it, because she actually knows what she's talking about and I do not. But anyways, it works and I think my notes are comprehensive enough to knit the second one. Hurrah!

Yesterday

In the past few days I've moved house and dropped more cash in the process than I'd like to admit. I've thrown a brand new pair of AK shoes in the trash because I thought the box was empty. I've had sore muscles and moments of crushing self-doubt as I inch ever closer to starting this Grad School adventure. It's been stressful. I'm not sure how I'm going to fit in both physically and emotionally with my new housemates so I've been fighting the urge to hide in my room all day. I've relied more heavily on my established friends and they've pulled through amazingly without me even having to ask.
Yesterday my room developed it's own environment as the howling gale and pouring rain came streaming in through the airconditioner. Yesterday my friend gave birth to a baby. A large part of my belief that I will never have children stems from my belief that I will never find anyone who will want to have children with me. I thought I had once but I was very, very wrong. And now this baby is here sooner than anticipated and without the usual fanfare and excitement that a new, precious life brings. This baby is priceless and I am sure he will be loved immeasurably by his new parents, but my heart is broken for the one's who have chosen not to watch him grow. I want to sob for my friend, to wash away the pain but this is not my burden to bear as much as it was not my decision to make. She has been so strong and selfless throughout and I hope I can be the same for her if she wants me to be.