One Savvy Shopper

So as mentioned in a previous post, I will be leaving this Thursday to travel off to the Boston area. More specifically, the Cambridge area. More specifically than that, the Harvard area. No, I'm not transferring to Ivy League glory, but instead, becoming an honorary student for the 6 days that follow my arrival. I have been given explicit instructions to:

A. say I'm an Anthropology major (?)
B. tell everyone I'm Jewish (which I am)
C. let everyone know I'm originally from Wisconsin.

I've heard these things will make me friends, though I can't help but question why. Regardless, my best friend has drafted up an itinerary of events for me to complete while I'm there. One of the more substantial events will be a "90's" themed dance on Saturday night. My first thought? No PROBLEM! After all, I did spend my blossoming years growing up through 90's; in fact, it's the only decade I can claim as my own!

Trouble is, I was in ELEMENTARY SCHOOL through most of the 90's, and (believe it or not) none of my clothes still fit me. Heh. *Enter intense brainstorming period*

My [patient] friends helped me come up with a ton of costume ideas spanning from Clueless, to Full House-- Boy Meets World, to the Spice Girls. If I had had unlimited time to gather materials or create something, that would have been different. Heck, if it were up to me, I'd find a full sized animal costume, cut out a giant tag board heart and go as a Beanie Baby. Alas, the character I decided on had to be dreamt up in less than a week on a college budget. So, what's a girl to do? I went to our friendly neighborhood Goodwill of course! And I came home with...
A green [J.Crew!!] dress for $6.99...

A black belt half priced at $0.99...

A pair of white tights [unopened from Walmart] $3.50...

A pair of black patent mary janes [Clearance for $6.00!!]...

and lastly (the knitting part) the ever-popular Hallowig, in black. [priceless].

So. Can you guess what I'm going as? I won't declare this an official contest, but know that if you can successfully guess what I'll be, I'll be sincerely impressed with your 90's wisdom. Seriously impressed.

Also, check out what else this savvy shopper snagged while thrifting[!]:That's right. 7 glorious balls of super bulky mystery fiber (we think a wool/synthetic blend?). Pretty darn pleased with myself for finding that one. Chicklet's excited too. Once I establish yardage, I'll start brainstorming patterns...hoo boy!

Dear Wisconsin, please make up your mind.

I say this with deepest sincerity and warmest affections. Well, as warm as they can be on a day like today! Why my impatience? Yesterday the weather was sunny with a high of 45 degrees (balmy weather for January in Wisconsin) and today I had classes canceled due to winter weather advisories and a -30 degree wind chill! How is a girl supposed to knit under these conditions?In knitting news, I have decided to give myself a new strategy for tackling some of my WIPs. It has come in the form of organization which I took th liberty of doing over winter break. Let me introduce you to the mecca of all that is yarn related and pleasure inducing-- I give you YARN CENTRALNow, I should probably take this time to point out that Yarn Central is conveniently located next to Shoe Central--an area of slightly lesser passion in my my life, but definitely still pleasure inducing.

I also hate to point out that Yarn Central is somewhat closely related in proximity to Textbook Central, which is certainly not pleasure inducing. (I'm thinking some new zoning laws need to be passed on this area of my closet)Now to explain the awesomeness of my new layout. The set of two drawers each have their own category of contents, both of them yarn related. The bottom drawer contains the yarn of projects to come. Yarn that can continue dreaming to seize their own destiny. Well, until I seize it for them anyway.
The top drawer contains all of my works in progress. All of them! It is so much easier to take account of what i have to work on when it's all physically in one place to look at. So here is my vow: I solemnly swear that I will finish every single object in the drawer before starting something new. With the exception of ONE baby sweater that I have to knit for a close friend who's due in March. This is my promise to myself, to ultimately gain control over my projects.

Projects in Question include:

1. Wide Collared Vest
2. Tree Jacket
3. Back to School U-Neck Vest
4. Bird in hand Mittens
5. Forest Canopy Shawl
6. Embossed Leaves Socks
7. Le Slouch

Do you see why this has become a problem? I'll certainly have enough there to keep myself busy for the semester.

It also [unfortunately] means that I have to overlook all of the beautiful yarn I showed off yesterday until this mission is completed. Who thinks I can do this?

All my bags are packed

That's right, I have just completed the grueling (maybe not that bad) and tedious 4 hour drive back to school. Admittedly, it was a tight fit getting all of my belongings (read: all of my yarn) to fit into the back of my compact sedan. I wasn't thrilled with the idea of having my yarn basket loose in the backseat, so quick fix there:

(Well if you'd buckle up a cute child, why wouldn't you buckle up a cute basket of yarn?)

No trip back home is complete without a visit to Iris Fine Yarns. It was my one last hurrah before starting the semester, so obviously that meant stocking up on goodies to keep me busy over the next few months (who cares if that's what homework is usually for!)
The major purchase was 10 (count them, TEN) skeins of Elizabeth Lavold Silky Tweed. I had kept reading about how amazing this stuff was and I honestly couldn't figure out what the big deal was. Yeah. That was until I felt it. Talk about smooth and amazing, this stuff is incredible! So, why 10 skeins you ask? Because it's being made into this . That is the sweater "Patti" by Sarah Hatton. Granted, it is slightly more trendy than most of the stuff I wear, but I think it's cute enough that it won't matter.

Moving on, we have 3 skeins (I know only two are photographed, one was prematurely wound) of Blue Sky dyed cotton. I'm thinking of making them into this which is the Ribbed Lace Bolero by Kelly Maher. Who doesn't love an extra lacy shrug for spring?

Lastly, we have one [adorable] skein of Malabrigo Lace in Tuareg --This will definitely be made into a lace shawl of some sort, but I have yet to decide which one.

To close, As I was unpacking, I noticed that my collection of knitting books has expanded to the point of being considered an actual library. Admittedly, I have discovered that I love buying new knitting books almost as much as I enjoy knitting the projects inside of them. Hilarious. Click on the photo to see a more detailed list of titles, Twinkle & Jo Sharp are apparently too big to stand upright with the rest of the group...troublemakers.

Oh, my mom is on Ravelry now, check her out!

Holy Grey Yarn Batman!

Sooo, I realized this evening that my yarn stash is beginning to develop a pattern. That pattern (lately) has been grey. Let me take a moment to introduce you to my happy grey family:

Starting from the left, we have Cascade 22o in Silver Grey. This yarn's destiny includes a second go at the hat Gretel, since I love making the first one so much, I want to try doing it again in a different size with worsted weight yarn. As we travel around the back we see 5 skeins of Rowan Ribbon twist in Rocky. Their destiny has not yet been established. I keep changing my mind. I used two to make my Mercy hat, so a lot of sweaters went out the window at that point. If you know of any good projects that call for 5 or less of this yarn, let me know!

Next, on the far right, we have a ball of Rowan kidsilk Haze in Pearl. This ball represents quite a problem because, due to my skin sensitivity, I have an intense reaction if anything (we're talking anything) irritates or scratches my skin. It basically has to be made into a gifted item-but that's exciting! The next yarn selection we have is Malabrigo worsted in color Polar Morn. This yarn has Le Slouch in its future.

Last, but certainly not least, we have beautiful early Hanukah present from my parents! Tilli Tomas silk (3 skeins Pure & Simple, 2 skeins Disco Lights) in Atmosphere. This present came as such a shock (for those of you who aren't familiar with my longing for this yarn, read here , or just scroll down). My mom said that even though I was waiting until I was "established & successful" to make this sweater, that I'd need something to wear while I'm getting there. Gotta love parents for knowing you better than you know yourself sometimes. So, there you have it. My stash is grey and growing!