Doily madness again

Well folks, my tam was a bust.

I got the right gauge on the main part but for whatever reason, my the corrugated ribbing section came out huge. It was inches too big for the intended wearer's head, which was disappointing because I thought it was rather pretty.

So today I frogged it and I am going to try again. I seem to have trouble getting corrugated ribbing to be tight so I am going to just knit the tam with regular ribbing in hopes of getting a snugger fit. This is now stashed in my travel knitting bag to work on while traveling tomorrow.

I did manage to finish something and lemme tell you, I am on a roll with this thread crochet stuff....

Over the weekend I also managed to crank out an awesome doily for my mom. Stats: Royale crochet thread size 10. Size 7 steel hook (I prefer Boye hooks to Susan bates. They just work better for me.)  The pattern is from the American School of Needlecraft's "Learn to Make Stunning Doilies" booklet and its called "Lacy Bouquet Doily."  I haven't blocked it yet, but I am taking it home to my mom who is really good at blocking and starching doilies, and she will do the honors.

Overall, it wasn't too hard, and I am proud that I seem to be catching on well with the thread and tiny hooks. I have plans to make a few more doilies while at home, as well as some crocheted coaster sets, and bookmarks (gifts.) For my knitting, I have the tam, my pi shawl and my  Fleece Artist Celtic Vest (which I haven't started yet.) All of it is packed and ready to go- but it seems like not enough to keep me busy for 2 weeks, probably because it does not take up much room in materials. Crochet thread and lace-weight yarn take up no room at all...

So I am off to LA in the morning for the Christmas holiday. I have an early flight and will hopefully arrive in Los Angeles mid-morning (west coast time.) I am pretty much packed except for last-minute stuff, and I have done the mundane thing like throw out the trash and everything else....

The semester ended quietly. I graded all the final papers, and entered my student's grades. Overall, I had a fantastic semester. I had great students, a class that I designed to teach myself that was in my specialty, and a ton of fun. They taught me a lot and  hopefully they left my class having learned something too. They were good kids, and the whole experience just solidified to me how much I love teaching.

So while coming upon this holiday season, I realize I am grateful for many things. I am grateful for my students, every last one of them, who have taught me important lessons. I am grateful for the four-legged companionship of Milo and Chloe, and the aquatic persistence of the Amigo (a minnow that has lived with me for 6 years now. He is legendary as far as fish go.) I am grateful for my family who are trying to get me through the PhD with lots of help, and good humor. For my friends, all of you out there, who have just well, been my friends (and have put up with many phone calls where I vent my nervousness over a job.)   For my on-line knitting friends, and blog readers, who keep me connected to a community that I never thought I would be a part of.

This holiday season, while the job and dissertation issues seem to overshadow everything else, I try to think of the little things. Like the soft snoring of Chloe at night as she sleeps peacefully with her head over my feet. Like the kindness of a Thai neighbor (who I don't know so well) who sent me Thai coconut cake after the run-in with the wasp. ("To make you feel better" she said with a smile.) Like the fishmonger who remembers my favorite fish who puts in a bit extra "for the cat"- and always with a smile.  Like the little old lady who held the door at the post office for me today ("Come on honey" she said "Its too cold to be outside!")

Its easy to get caught up in all the shopping and craziness this time of year, but really, just take the time to smile, or hold someone's door or to just be nice to someone. It might just make their day, and it will definitely make you feel better.

Happy Holidays all! Blogging will resume when I get back in two weeks.

Comments

[Kat with a K]

Have a great holiday! I'm very impressed by your doily. Maybe I'll put those on my "to learn" list for the new year...

[Judith]

I think the doily is lovely, maybe you have found your Knitting (crochet) groove!Happy Christmas.

[Rebekah]

What a shame the tam was too big, its adorable. I love tams, haven't ever knit one, but its on my plan soon.