No, not THAT Clap. This Clap, or Clapotis.

I had to rip back a few rows due to a mistake, and was able to fix it with ease. And I think it's looking super nice, can't wait for it to be finished!!


Lorna's Lace Worsted Weight, Red Rover, on size 8

It's been a busy week, I organized a training session for the department where various departments came in to discuss all things grant related. It made for a long, but very informative Tuesday. The rest of the work week was spent finalizing and rehashing what was discussed. The turn out was better than expected and the attendees said they look forward to any future sessions. YAY!!!

Classes also started this week, I'm taking three this term, Perspectives in American Education, Teaching and Learning II, and Teaching Second Language Reading & Writing. The last class is online, it's the first one I've ever taken, it'll be interesting to see how it goes.

I'm still knitting away, trying to keep up with it even though school's going to encroach more and more on my life. I'm currently working on this, for my niece's birthday.


I've until March to get it done, so finger's crossed I'll be able to get it finished in time.

I should be working on student journals, but I'm not, and I'll be cursing myself later for it, but right now I want to share with you the new yarn I bought! I love yarn.




It's super soft and I've no clue what to make with it, but I don't care, it's lovely. Sorry the photos are fuzzy, if I had taken them wish a flash they would have looked worse.

Edit 4/1/2008: Sorry I should have given specs on the yarn, it is 100% wool, but oh so soft, I think it's DK weight. I bought 500 grams and am making this with it, but I don't think a) it's going to be big enough and b) I'll have enough yarn. I really should swatch.

This past week I took a break from working on Lady Eleanor to make the One Day Beret. But because my schedule's been so buy with teaching starting up, it took me a couple days.

The first one I made didn't come out so well.

I didn't knit enough rounds so it wasn't floppy enough, and then when it came time to reduce the number of stitches for the brim, I didn't reduce enough, so the brim's way too big.

The second one came out much better.

 

I started this knitting project in January, and am still working on it.


I think it's the longest I've ever worked on a project continuously. (I've a knack for starting a project & then stopping.) It's still not done, the pattern calls for it to be about 5+ feet long and I don't think if I follow the pattern it'll be long enough for me because my shoulders are so broad, so I'm knitting and knitting away. Of course by the time it's done, I figure, the weather will be warm and I won't be able to wear it. .

I finally finished B's scarf last week, her belated Christmas present, and completely forgot to take a photo of it. Luckily for me, she stopped over the other night & I was able to snap a photo.



Pattern: Midwest Moonlight, from Scarf Style, knit on size 7s, some random Chinese yarn, 70% wool, 30% acrylic. I liked it so much I almost kept it for myself.

When Niels and I began packing for our first year in China I had to decide which of my small selection of knitting books I'd bring with me. I was working on a pair of socks for my Dad's birthday at the time (still not finished) and the pattern was from Knitting Vintage Socks, so bringing that was a no-brainer. I'm completely in love with my copy of Mason-Dixon Knitting so that also came along and I've a scarf thing so I also brought along Scarf Style. All three books have gotten quite a bit of use during our stay here.

Unfortunately, I no longer have Knitting Vintage Socks with me. I took it home this past summer because the plan was to finish a pair of socks while in the States (what was I thinking) and am now down to two books. I now have three pairs of socks on needles waiting to be finished, and godknows when that's going to happen.

I'm currently making the Midwest Moonlight scarf out of Scarf Style for one of the other foreign teachers, and since it's so close to being finished I'm starting to look for something to make that will match my new coat and I feel lost with out being able to look at knitting books.

I know I could find patterns on the Internet, but there's something about flipping through an actual book, oohing and ahhing over patterns that I just don't get from looking on the Internet. Knitting books are impossible to find here. In a way it's not surprising, most of the sweaters I've seen at the yarn market are all variations of each other, nothing with much creativity. Knitting here seems to been seen as a way to make functional things, not an outlet to be creative and functional. Which also explains why the yarn selection is mostly comprised of yarn that's 70% wool/30% acrylic. The upside is that I can buy lots and lots for a little amount of money and it's all still pretty decent.

I just want a decent knitting book. Is that so much to ask??

Niels & I have done some shopping the past couple weekends. We bought a new desk and chair for the office so I have my own work space. A photo of that will be forthcoming, right now it's too messy to photograph.

We also bought these to help brighten up the apartment:

It's been a rough week. Our best friend Chinese friend,Yiqiao, left for Singapore on Monday for the next 11 years. She was accepted into a very prestigious program that allows for her to go to school for free, receive a stipend, and be guaranteed job placement in Singapore once she graduates. So we are quite sad she's gone.

I've been feeling a little burnt out this week. We've not had any time off since the beginning of October and won't for another month. With all the teaching I'm doing, I'm in need of a holiday.

Yesterday I woke up to "drip, drip, drip" sounding from the office. The ceiling in the office in leaking. We told the school about it when we first moved in, but they didn't seem too concerned about it. But now someone is actually living above us, it is a problem. And this being China godknowswhen it'll get fixed. So we've taken somethings out of the office & have covered up what we can't move.



I was to be meeting with a former student, Dream, today, but we've not had a weekend to ourselves for over a month, so yesterday I sent her a message asking if we could reschedule. She called me back immediately saying that "she had to do something" so it's ok that we postponed. That other something? Preparing for her father's funeral. He was killed Thursday in a car accident. Dream's only 14, her Dad was in his early 40s, I am so sad for her and her Mom. This news put me over the edge for the day. If you can please send a good thought her & her Mom's way.

There was some good things that happened this week, although. I finished the take two on my mittens. The first pair were just too big and not warm enough, so I doubled the yarn, cast on 50 stitches, and knit them on size 4 DPNs, and they fit perfectly.

I finished these changeable fingerless mittens last week. They're chock full of mistakes but will keep my hands toasty warm nonetheless.







Knit on size 5 DPNs

Edited: November 25, 2007

Niels, L & I got together today to go to the Foreign Bookstore (yes, that's what it's called) and so I could be shown the Yarn Market. We didn't stay long at the market because most of the shops were still closed due to Spring Festival and well, I didn't bring enough money with me.

Next time I go, I will take photos because it is a sight to be seen. I did get these beauties while there and it only cost me 32 RMB for all of it ($2.45). So cheap it's no wonder so many people make their kids sweaters.



They're 70% wool/30% acrylic, (I'm hoping to find yarn with no acrylic next time) and there's about 1000 yards there. Most shops sell yarn by the kilo, not by yardage, that will take getting used to.

Spent the past couple evenings working on this pattern from the new issue of Knitty. I loved the pattern, unfortunately, as you can see from the photos, the choice of yarn wasn't right and it came out too big.



So, I'm going to rip them apart and use the yarn for something else. I started a new one yesterday with some delicious Alchemy yarn and it's almost done.



(No, I'm not on drugs, I was just really tired when I took the self portrait.)

ARGH!!

The Internet ate the original post!!!

Of course I've no memory of what I wrote, but I do remember that I posted pictures of the package Stacy sent (the Oreos are all gone) and the yarn that I bought with a Chinese friend of mine. The original post didn't have comments enabled (I've no clue why).






And to answer your, question Stacy, unfortuntely I've not seen any yarn worth buying for you, yet. :(

It's finished!

I finally finished my niece's Peppermint Swirl blanket! I am very happy with how it came out.

I'm too hungover to write anything of substance, so instead I give you an updated photo of one of the log cabin blankets I'm working on.