A definition, a manifesto.

fa·tigue n.

1. Physical or mental weariness resulting from exertion.
2. Something, such as tiring effort or activity, that causes weariness: the fatigue of a long argument.
3. The decreased capacity or complete inability of an organism, an organ, or a part to function normally because of excessive stimulation or prolonged exertion.
4. The weakening or failure of a material, such as metal or wood, resulting from prolonged stress.
5. Manual or menial labor, such as barracks cleaning, assigned to soldiers

Emphasis mine. I am fatigued, in multiple ways. Starting from the top.

1. The day after LARPing is always a wasted day, because I am so tired, both physically and mentally. It was a good game, overall, which is probably part of the reason why I am so drained.  Plus, I got a tan!
2. Drama fatigues me. I know everyone feels the same, and has been there. I am tired of interpersonal issues, tired of worrying, tired of being filled with crushing anxiety at inopportune times. Most of all, I’m tired of people who do not think about how their actions may affect others (namely, me). I know I am not the center of the universe, it would be nice to have some consideration every so often. And no, I’m not talking to you, nor accusing anyone, just airing my feelings. I’m tired, so take it with a grain of salt.  All I want is for everyone to get along.
3. I have a new project, and new yarn, and want it to arrive right this second so I can start working on it right this second. But, I still have a sock to finish. I enjoy working on socks in general, and I have really enjoyed working on this particular pair of socks, but the newness of a shiny new project is really hard to resist.

I know my fatigue will fade, and I will feel better tomorrow.

I’m not knitting at work, no sir.

The above is sarcasm, in case there was any question. As it stands, Lori’s socks will not be done by tonight unless I sacrifice. I am a very bad girl, and decided that that the best sacrifice I could make would be to sacrifice my work productivity to work on the sock. I have an office, with a door, so I’m not worried about getting in trouble. Plus, I am generally able to do other things while knitting, so I can make some phone calls and knit at the same time.

In other news, I think I may have found my next sweater project. I feel guilty mentioning it, though, because I feel like a copycat. The Yarn Harlot linked to a modified Juno, which caused me to gasp and clutch my chest. Now, I too took note of this sweater when I first saw it, and also noted the bizzarely low collar. Not being an adventuous knitter at the time, I dismissed it. Now that I’m much more experienced and in need of a new project, I think this fits perfectly. Let the shopping begin! I know that I never would have thought of it had I not read about it, but I’m okay with being a sheep: sheep make yarn.

Progress?

I’ll tell you what, there are few projects that go faster than a pair of size 5 women’s socks, even when said socks are made from yarn that clearly hates me. After deciding on a lace pattern for the sock, I discovered that it didn’t look good with the yarn, and switch to Grumperina’s pattern, Rosa’s Socks (in Spring 07 IK). So, Lori’s first sock is done, and the second sock is well on it’s way. I have no hope that I will get Dave’s second sock done before XPI this weekend, which was my original due date. So, I decided to prioritize them based on whose birthday was first (Lori’s).  I still hold out a small hope that I can get both done by this weekend, but it is doubtful.

Of course, the fact that I keep getting distracted by my newly cast-on wedding shawl doesn’t help.  Damn you, 100% cashmere laceweight!

Serrano

 

Started: January 15(ish)
Finished: April 13
Yarn: Louet Gems Pearl, 5 skeins used, linen grey

While I didn’t have too many problems with this pattern, I do admit that it required attention. It was a fun knit, though, and went fairly fast, despite the sockweight yarn. I’m especially pleased with the way the lace pattern looks, and I suspect I’ll be using sockweight yarn for sweaters in the future. I wasn’t sure about the 3 needle bind-off used for the shoulder seams, but it worked out well. The only thing I’m not entirely pleased about is the hook and eye tape (still). I think I will be taking out one side of it and re-sewing it in. All in all, I like this sweater, and I know I will be wearing it quite a lot. In fact, I have been toying with the idea of making another, in a brighter color…

Now I have to start looking for my next big project, which probably will be my wedding shawl. Maybe I’ll make a fair isle something.

Sometimes small things have great power.

For example, right now, at this very second, I have a small piece of carrot stuck in one of the left bottom holes where my wisdom teeth used to live. It is driving me nuts. I swish, and it doesn’t go away. I went to the dentist this morning, who was impressed with how I was doing, and gave me the okay to use my tongue. So, I try. The carrot laughs, and gives me the finger.

Similarly, I got an email yesterday afternoon from Pick-Up Sticks, a very nice yarn store in Canada. The email said that there would be about 100 skeins of Sweet Georgia coming in, to be posted online at 5:00 EST. I was excited, even though I’m generally the type of knitter who only buys yarn when they have a project in mind (mostly).  Still, I figured I would go over to the site, and pick up a little yarn.  I went to the site at said time, and browed the yarn, though the refresh time on the website kept getting slower and slower…  In our eagerness, we overloaded the site.  Now, I’m not angry or upset about this, but amazed and pleased that I could be involved.  A few, small skeins of yarn caused this.  Knitters are powerful.

Some encouraging statements.

First, I’d like to thank everyone who has been leaving super awesome comments about my wisdom teeth surgery. Reading encouragement and advice from others really made me feel good. So, thanks. My mouth is doing well, and I’m scheduling a follow-up appointment tomorrow. I have developed a good swishing technique, and no food can survive (in the holes)!

I finished the first sock for Friend 1, and I’m quite pleased with the way it turned out. This is my first time working with Koigu, and it is very nice and squishy. There is one problem, though. I weighed the first sock after I finished it, and it weighed 49 grams. Then, I weighed the sock yarn that was left, and it weighed 45 grams. Badness. This means that I will probably not have quite enough to finish the second sock. Fortunately, I have a few tricks up my sleeve.

This ball of yarn is for Lori (Friend 2)’s sock. I’m very sure that she doesn’t read my    blog, so I feel no need to be all secretive. This is very nice yarn. It is a cashmere/wool blend, which is one of the few things that she isn’t allergic to, and it’s an acceptable color. This is a ball of yarn that does not want to become anything. I have tried starting many projects with this ball of yarn, including a hat, gloves, and currently two sock attempts for Lori. The yarn says, “No!” It will not defeat me. I have decided that I will cast on (again) for Lori’s socks, this time with a lace pattern (I already tried cable patterns). I will be victorious.

My mouth doesn’t hurt: Day 1

But I have holes in my mouth that get stuff stuck in them. The word “swish” is the bane of my existance. I have tried the regular swishing, squirt guns, and, when in dire need, a kleenex twisted into a point. I carry a flashlight around with me everywhere, so the second I finish eating something I peer into my mouth (and make my fiance do it too) to see how much swishing needs to be done. The holes on the right hand side are causing issues. There is always something stuck in there, it seems, and all the swishing and poking has made it continue to ache, even when the other side is fine. Ah well.

Here’s a picture of one sock, child’s first sock, from Knitting Vintage socks. All the other things I’m knitting right now can’t be shown on the blog; they’re suprises!

My mouth hurts: Day 2

Well, things appear to be going swimmingly. I’m not really in any more pain today than I was yesterday, and am currently only taking Advil every 6 hours. I aggressively iced my face all today, yesterday, and some of last night, and have minimal swelling as of now. Overall, it’s not an experience that I would recommend to others, but it’s not going as bad as I feared. The worst part is that I am so hungry, and unable to eat anything that really makes me feel full. We’re going to have mac&cheese tonight, so that will be good.

On other fronts, I got the hook and eye closures for Serrano, and attempted to sew them on. Apparently doing that sort of work should only be accomplished when fully…aware. I will be taking it out and re-sewing it this weekend. I’m glad it’s finally almost done, so I can wear it.

ETA: Dammit, I signed up for Sockapalooza 4.  Yay me and strangers! 

My mouth hurts: Day 1

So!  I had my surgery at 11:45, and it is now 5:25.  The actual surgery went well, and I spent the next few hours in bed after I got home, and felt good enough to get up and move around at about 3:30.

So far, nothing horrible appears to be happening.  My lower lip and chin are numb/tingling, and I get to walk around with ice packs strapped to my face, which impedes both my hearing and my peripheral vision.  Currently I don’t have any pain, although I took 600mg of ibuprofen at around 2:00.  My mouth tastes weird.  I am very hungry, but can only eat soft foods.  Currently I’m drinking a yogurt smoothie.  I am seriously considering sending out my fiance to get some “dinner baby food” (the meat type baby food), because I am already sick of fruit tasting things.  My goal for tonight is to stay awake long enough to watch CSI.  I know Grissom will make me feel better.

Should I join Sockapolooza 4?

Should I? I’ve been making noises about joining one of these sort of sock events, and this one has gone very well in the past. I am a dedicated lurker, though. For example: I’ve been a member of the Knitty forums since 2005 (and read said forum daily), but I only have posted 5 times. I read quite a few knitting blogs daily, too, and can’t bring myself to comment on those blogs either, even though I know they would appreciate it and it would also promote my own blog… I am quite sure that I could get a pair of socks done by August 2nd, since I know it only takes me 2 weeks average to finish a pair of socks. I might even sign up to be a Sock Savior, to make sure that everyone can get a pair. I just don’t know if I should join. New people are scary!

I’ll think about it.  In the meantime, I’m getting my wisdom teeth removed tomorrow.  The doctor said I should drink lots of fluids.  Despite the surgery, I am hoping to get one pair of socks finished this weekend (for Friend 1, birthday at the beginning of May), so I can start Friend 2’s socks, who has a birthday in two weeks (ack!).  Yay deadlines.