breispace

Sorry for not posting for so long. It’s been a hectic couple of weeks leading up to the autumn half-term holiday, and blogging just felt too much like a chore. On the knitting front some things have been finished while others are on the brink of finishing. New projects have been started or wool purchased for them, my Ravelry page has been updated, more or less (apart from pics, but M has promised to give me a hand with that). Last week I bought the wool for M’s and mine Rogue Hoodie KAL (that’s Knit-A-Long for Muggles), which we hope to start after the SnB day on 3 November.

At work some problems are threatening to arise as there’s still no proper replacement for our hallowed-but-still-leaving Head of English, and many of us will have to teach extra classes and design planners to let groups work independently. Being compensated for it really doesn’t make much of a difference, since I just don’t feel I have the time to both teach more classes and spend enough time on my own studies. Oh, and knit, of course.

(You know, having an SO at this time would be lovely, but it would also go at the expense of my knitting. Although… watching TV together while knitting wouldn’t take a lot of extra time, and I wouldn’t mind having sex instead of reading before bed every once in a while, heehee… That’s me: always willing to make a sacrifice and thinking of new ways to multitask, even in not-as-yet-existing relationships )

More not-so-good things:
My washing machine broke down a few weeks ago, and last week I found out it’s going to cost me at least 350 Euri to have the parts replaced. And I’m only facing more breakdowns soon, as the thing is seven years old and these machines aren’t built to last more than ten. How sick is that? So I may have to buy a completely new one, which will set me back for at least 500. Yippee.

More good things:
Last Monday I bought a handmade Scandinavian pullover at the Noordermarkt for only 10 Euri; the shoulder part is made of dark grey Loden material, and the body and arms are knit in the round and steeked. I need to finish the inside of the collar (also a Loden-like, green woollen cloth) and move the hooks ’n eyes on the collar slightly outward so it doesn’t open once hooked. I wore it on a trip to the Ardennes last weekend, and whilst cycling through drizzle on Sunday, and it kept me snug and warm at all times. Plus it looks good with my enormously wide black and tartan skater trousers. Score!
Also scored: some orange and black woollen cloth in a fine fishbone pattern, which will make a nice new viking winter dress. A steal at 3 Euri a metre. Now I just have to find a way to get out the tiny unauthentic purple flecks.

After browsing the Westerstraat / Noordermarkt markets, M and I went to the Afstap anniversary sale where I bought Addi sock dpns, a needle measuring thingy cum yarn cutter, and bulky Rowan wool for a waisted pullover (“Erin” from the Ribbon Twist collection) in a beautiful purply-brown colour. I got the size 10 & 12 needles the following day and have already finished the back section; it’s only 33 stitches wide!

I’m on my half-term now, so I don’t have to stress out over things so much. Today will be set apart for some home chores, blogging and Stitch ‘n Bitch. On the National SnB day in two weeks I’ll be doing a workshop on fast knitting techniques so I can cram even more knitting into my ever-fuller days .

Beautiful apples are coming off my apple tree, and after pruning I’ll have some lovely wood for new nålbinding needles…

Ambivalent / both good & not-so-good things:
I have a lot more studying to do this week, as the first test assignment for Literature is due in a few weeks and I’m a bit behind on my other subjects. I’m starting on that tomorrow. There’s also some marking waiting in the wings, but that’s just part of my normal workload. These aren’t as complicated as the last test I had to mark, so I may ask M to give me a hand again.

Today is Sputnik’s 50th birthday! Google has incorporated the event that kicked the space-race into gear into their logo today. Happy birthday to the first skippy-ball in space!