Adventures in Graduate School

I am in my final two semesters of a graduate program focusing on Nursing Education.  I can't wait to graduate since life is a bit chaotic with three major things to balance: school, house & kids, and a job/career. January was also a hard month: my son had hand, foot, and mouth disease, and he shared it with me.  We have also experienced a copious amount of snow in New England.  Today, the governor suggested that all non-essential personnel not report to work.  Last February, there was a driving ban after the state had 18+ inches of snow.
Moving on, my amazing preceptor is coordinating a plan for me to teach first semester nursing students and participate in the clinical experience.  We are meeting soon to confirm everything.  Really, I can't wait to get started.  The quiet is nice at times, but I'd rather have the kids at home.
My plan is to knit and catch up on reading that I did not complete in previous courses.  I know it sounds like a lost cause, but the assignments are to help foster an understanding of concepts in education.

Now to reading... I hope I can finish the book tonight!

Knitter's Almanac: January

Keep Calm & Knit On.

Hopefully, 2014 will be less stressful than 2013.  Nothing brings more stress than grad school with a new born, moving, and renting out our second house.  So, how did I do this month with projects?  Let's take a look:

• Finish toe socks

I have to admit, this was one of my least favorite projects to knit.  So I don't think I will start another pair of toe socks, even if I am feeling ambitious.  I custom-made them for my DH, so I needed him to "test" the fit several times.  This was annoying for both of us because he would try them on after I begged him several times between raids (while gaming, ugh).

• Finish R's socks 

I knit two different sized socks for my DD, so I have to finish two pairs for her know.  Oh no!!!!  I hope to finish both by the end of March.  Academic items are cropping up :)

• Finish the DH's mittens (oops... forgot about those!) 

Um... so the DH decided that what fit him (after testing) was now too small.  So I have a pair of mittens for myself to finish.  Needless to say, I think I am going to have to find a pattern rather than trying to ad lib knit for him.  So... I think this one will carry over for the year until October arrives.  Why?  Because that is when we start to get brisk weather in New England.

• Knit a hat for someone at day care 

Instead of a hat, I decided to knit a headband Elizabeth Zimmerman style.  Honestly, I think using a wrap and turn after each "break" would help hide some of the holes I noticed while making this little ditty.  Additionally, using a provisional cast-on might make connecting the seams at the end a bit neater than just "sweing" them off.  This project was easy to knit, but a pain to bind off!  It took a little longer than expected because of the amount of stitches that need to be "sewn" off.

• Knit a Christmas gift (how bout a beaded ornament?) 

I started one ornament and have yet to finish it.  I decided to start a few additional projects this month.  Why? IDK... maybe I really wanted a pair of socks.

• Start & finish the back of a sweater for the hubs 

In a recent article I saw posted on the Drudge (via Twitter), the hand-made sweater is the new vogue item to purchase.  I have to laugh because of the amount people will pay to be fashionistas when all you need is to know someone who will knit you a sweater and where to purchase some posh yarn.  I'm not knitting an angora-silk-mohair-linen-name-your-fabric-here type of sweater.  I'm going for the basics: Cascade Eco Wool in a grey color.  and nothing fancy in design.  That will come later if I get around to knitting him a vest from Jane Austen Knits, Fall 2013.

For this pattern, I elected to knit something I can make for the entire family since we all need a matching design.  KnitBot has a sweater pattern that can be knit for the toddler to adult.  I am almost complete with the back.  I believe I have 3 more inches to knit before I can bind off and start the next items for this sweater.  The nice thing about this project is the size: knit on size 9 & 10 needles.

Random objects I started:
A pair of Mitts for another teacher at Day Care.  I'm exactly 50% done.
Georgiana Darcy's Fancy Shawl.  Yeah... I might have to tink or frog this one (again).  Looks great, yet I continue to drop or pick up extra stitches.
Socks for the C-man.  He's adorable.
Another sweater for my daughter.  Yup.  I need to add that one to the project list...

Chances are that I would have completed everything that I needed to complete had I not started on some other items...
Oh well... On to February.

Knitting Toe Socks

For some reason, the DH loves wearing Vibram shoes.  Not my thing but whatevs, right?  So, I decided to make toe socks for a Father's Day gift.  I have yet to finish a mate for a sock I started so long ago.  It took six months for me to get past being annoyed by knitting all those toes!!  So, almost six and one-half months later, I completed the project.

They are designed to fit my husband's feet, size 10.  Each toe fits him like a glove since I had him try on the sock each time I wanted to measure his toes with what I was knitting.

Thank goodness they are complete!