Oct 30 2006
Coming Up Roses
The view from here is quite pleasant. The goal I have been working towards for over two years is nearly complete: I finished my Library School comprehensive exams successfully on Saturday afternoon. While I will not officially find out the results until after Thanksgiving, I am not terribly worried as I feel pretty good about what I wrote and what positions I argued in my essays. Most importantly, it is over. If all goes well, and as planned, I will graduate this December with my Masters degree. Things are "coming up roses"!
Life is definitely good.
Exhibit A: Without a weekly study group to attend, I had the whole Sunday free to do whatever I pleased. So, Kris and I made a nice breakfast, I read a book in its entirety, and I knit for most of the afternoon and evening. It was absolutely cathartic. It was still hard to break the thought that I should have been doing something else (namely, studying!)… because that was not the case!
… and this is what I accomplished yesterday afternoon…
This is the Basic Mitten pattern from last fall's Family Circle Easy Knitting magazine. It is such a fast and easy pattern, and I couldn't be happier with the way this one turned out. The yarn has been in my stash for so long - it is the beautiful Ironstone New Wool in colorway 5011. I bought it over two years ago - that is ancient history in my stash - and I was so excited to cast on for a project with it. After using it, I wondered why I waited so long. The colors are magnificent. Now for mitten #2 and then I will have Warm Hands!
My, how Fetching! Yep, I joined the craze - I saw these little darlings popping up all over the blogosphere, so I gave it a whirl. A few hours later, I had an adorable mitt! This pattern is fun and addictive. More in my future, no doubt. I am using a random ball of Karabella Aurora 8 that I picked up a few months back, and wow, what a yarn. I had never worked with this before. I love the "sproing" of the yarn. It is so cushy. Very cozy. Needless to say, I didn't waste any time casting on for its mate.
Yes, I realize they are not socks 
Exhibit B: Knitty rewards for hard work. It's good to give yourself a little "pat on the back" after you accomplish something big, right? So, to congratulate myself for completing my grad school work, I treated myself to a pretty Fair Isle knit kit.
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When I asked you back in September for some advice on where to start with colorwork, many of you mentioned that a hat was perfect for a first project. So, I listened. After seeing Keri's beautiful Flenten hat last week, I decided a Bea Ellis kit was the way to go. I chose the Kristen hat, as I really liked the snowflake motif. My colors are slightly different than the model, more of a navy and an ecru. I hope I can do it justice! I am very excited to try this!
My other big reward comes this weekend, as I will be going to Stitches East on Saturday and Sunday!
I don't have an exhaustive shopping list or anything - I am really hoping to find some Noro (Norovember, anyone?) for the beautiful Lady Eleanor wrap from Scarf Style, and some laceweight yarns.Of course, if I see something else that stops me "dead in my tracks", I reserve the right to purchase it. Going to Stitches? Let me know! and say hi if you see me, I would love to meet you!
Exhibit C: I leave for vacation in 10 days! Kris and I take one big vacation a year, and this year we are headed to San Francisco and Napa Valley. I am very excited to see this part of the country - I have only been to SF's airport! I am looking forward to exploring the city, checking out some museums, yarn shops, and hopefully meeting some knitters! For the latter part of the trip, we will be staying just outside of the town of Napa. I will celebrate my 26th birthday with some delicious wines and beautiful scenery!
Exhibit D: I think I found my life's calling. I am not saying that lightly! It may require some more schooling… but that is something that I am completely willing to do if I can make my passion my life's work. I am so excited about this opportunity. Yes, I know this is all very vague, but I feel this is the best way at this point so I don't jinx myself! More details as they come in, my friends
Exhibit E: Socktoberfest has been an utterly amazing project: Fun, successful, inspiring, rewarding, and educational. I could not have hoped for anything more. Thank you - strike that -
THANK YOU!!!!!
for the wonderful month. Yes, I know it is not over, but I just couldn't post without saying how grateful I am for your participation and support.
…and finally, one more exciting reason why life is good right now: I am going to see one of my favorite bands tonight! The Decemberists are in DC and you bet your bippy I am picking up their new "Sublime Stiching" limited-edition embroidery kits! I can't wait
*Knit, crochet, and be merry, my friends,
for tomorrow Socktoberfest is over!*
Congratulations! And enjoy your celebrating and vacation.
Congratulations on finishing your exams! Love your mitten and mitt.
Yeah! More time to knit now!
You should treat yourself for all the hard work!
Congrats on finishing exams and finding your life’s calling!!! I love the mitten and Fetching — I am planning to try Fetching soon with some Malabrigo. I also can’t wait to see how the Fair Isle hat goes. I may get the courage to try it myself after seeing how yours comes out. Hope to see you in San Francisco!
Drop me an e-mail and let me know when you plan to be at Stitches on Saturday and we can set a rendezvous point. This time, we WILL meet! hee!
Thanks for mentioning (and joining) Norovember! A good word from Lolly is the best advertising out there!
Congratulations on finishing your exams! I’m so glad you are feeling confident about how you did on them. That’s always a good feeling. I am curious about your life’s calling though.
I hope you have fun both on vacation and at Stitches East.
I really enjoyed all the tutorials, interviews and pictures throughout Socktoberfest. You did a really good job with the whole thing. Maybe next year I will actually finish more than an inch or two on a sock.
Congrats on finishing your exams! The mitten looks great - you could join my mitten KAL ;o). I haven’t done any hand/wrist warmers yet, but I plan on doing some. You did a great job on yours.
At Stitches Midwest there was a vendor selling Noro for $60 a bag. Chances are they’ll be there again.
sweeet! you can now relax and enjoy yourself!
life’s calling? can’t wait to hear more!!!
Congrats! From someone who has done postgrad studies, I understand that joyous relief! That guilty feeling should pass in around…oh, three years. Unfortunately now you have the study bug, you’re stuck with it, but it sounds like that might be handy for your secret squirrel plan… Also, your fetchings look great!
Congratulations on finishing your exams!!! Enjoy the extra knitting time.
Thank you for hosting Socktoberfest! I have had a lot of fun and have knitted several socks (both pairs and singulars).
congratulations on everything
but i want to know what your life calling is. since i’m still searching for mine.
oh i cast on a sock this morning — so i made the deadline for soctoberfest.
Ooh, I like The Decemberists, and they’re from ’round here. And how I miss the 9:30 Club. Have fun!
Hurray for finishing your exams!!!! Thx for hosting a wonderful Socktober!
Wouldn’t you know it, I’m getting a Kristen hat kit myself! I chose different colors, but, like you, it was the snowflake motif that dragged me in. I’m happy to hear that you’re so… happy!!!
The old librarian says, “Yahoo!” I knew you’d do it. My Socktoberfest was successful. I knit one sock, will cast on #2 tonight. Old librarians knit slowly.
Congratulations! I cannot believe that you were able to host Socktoberfest while preparing for your comps! You’re amazing.
Thanks for a wonderful month. All my socks will be given away (Sock Wars and Socks for Soldiers), but it definitely rekindled my love for sock knitting.
Congratulations! Yay for you!!!
Beautiful mitten, too. I love the yarn you used. I better get started with mine.
You rock for organizing Socktoberfest.
Congratulations Lolly! That is so awesome that you can say you are done! Remember “The World is your Oyster” Let see what the future holds for you:)
Congratulations on finishing your exam!! Great news. (I’m within a month of finishing my book, so I can’t wait to celebrate with you!)
Even though I did not finish a single pair of socks, I loved Soctoberfest. The interviews and tutorial information was fantastic!
Yay for finishing exams! I’m waiting to hear how my comps went, still…
Congratulations on finishing your graduate work, I’m sure you passed your tests with flying colors!
I can’t believe Socktoberfest is already coming to an end. I’ll finish my Dublin Bay socks tonight, I was hoping to do another pair but it wasn’t in the cards.
I’m glad you got yourself some knitterly gifts, you deserve them!
Happy upcoming birthday, have a great vacation, and congrats on the epiphany regarding your life’s calling - all great news! Cute mitten too!!
Congratulations! There can never be too many knitting librarians.
I can’t believe your LIS program has comps! I was thrilled that my program didn’t, but maybe that’s a Canadian thing…
Also, thank you for putting together Socktober. I had so much fun.
Yay!!! Congrats and take a bow for all your hard work. Seriously cool! Now you can get to knittin’
Oh, I love the Decemberists! Take me with you!
And congrats on finishing your exams, and the pending completion of your Masters! I’m definitely looking forward to this time next year, when I’ll finish my M.S.
Thanks so much for Socktoberfest too! It’s been a blast. I don’t know how you managed to organize so many informative and fun blog posts about the wonderful sock, all while studying for the comps. Kudos!
How cool that you are coming to the Bay Area. I live 30 mins South of the city, so if there is a get together of knitters, I’d love to come. Please keep us posted.
Congrats on the near completion of Library School! I am about to start down that path - I start my second masters in January here in Boston.
Thank YOU for hosting a wonderful KAL, I wish that I had settled on a pattern (and knit it) at the beginning of the month, but I am sure by the New Year I will have finished my Soctoberfest socks.
I may be able to pull one out in the wee hours tonight…a finished pair of socks I mean!
enjoy your concert!
love the mitten kitten!
I can’t wait for Stitches either - we should try to meet up! It’s funny you mentioned Noro for a Lady Eleanor - I just bought 10 skeins of Noro to make that! I got them on sale in New Mexico - $5 a ball!!!
I did go to La Lana while I was in Taos - but couldn’t bring myself to pay $20 for a 70 yard skein of the wool used in the original Lady Eleanor.
it comes out to about $360 for the wrap using their yarn - Noro is definitely a more budget friendly choice!
Congrats again on finishing your exams!! yeah!
I’m jealous - have a great time at the Decembrists! They aren’t coming to NC on this tour… boo hoo! Also, I am intimidated by your fair isle.. though I’m sure you will trounce it. Congrats on the end of exams!
That wonderful news! I hope it all works out the way you want it to. I still haven’t found my life’s calling yet!
Your mitten and Fetching are lovely. Sometimes it’s nice to make something small that isn’t a sock.
Hey there Madame Librarian! Congrats on finally finishing school - such a relief!
I’ll be at Stitches - I think Paula and I are going to try to go one of the two days (or both, who knows). Let’s pick a time to meet!
Congratulations, so happy for you!
Thank you for the sweet hat mention, I can’t believe how fast your kit came and I really love the colors you chose! =)
Love the fetching…for some reason this year socks just weren’t working for me, I hope next time I can actually finish a pair of socks in socktober (it’s tougher than it sounds! =))
Congratulations on being done with your exams! Woohoo! I definitely know what you mean with feeling like you should be studying even though there’s none of that left to do. It’s disorienting, but in a good way!
Also, that’s one lovely mitten you have there. The colors are just gorgeous.
Here’s hoping I can get my second sock done in time for the end of Socktoberfest!
Congrads Lolly!!!!! I can’t wait to hear what you have planned next.
Your fetching gloves look fantastic. I love your mittens too, very pretty colorway. Congrats on finishing your studying, and I hope you enjoy your holiday, it sounds like it is long overdue. I cannot wait to see where you go on your trip. I like your hat kit, the colors are very nice.
We should all be sending you a huge THANK YOU for organizing Socktoberfest and all of the great interviews, tutorials and photos, all while completing your exams! You are so sweet to have made this so much fun for so many people, while you must have been crazy busy! Enjoy Stitches and your vacation - you certainly deserve a fun and relaxing break.
Oooh! I love that hat. It matches my Winter dishes. No. I’m not kidding! LOL!!
I did my first colorwork just this month for some “Warm Hands” mittens. I used a pattern from KnitPicks. The whole pattern had 5 colors and i found it to be very easy. I’m sure you’ll just sail through that hat! I can’t wait to see it finished!
Congratulations on all of your exciting school news!
Hmm. I didn’t realize “Stitches” was this coming weekend. Wonder what Deb’s working and if i can talk her into going? If i talk her into it, i’ll email!
~Suz~
Congratulations!!! I took MIS comps 3 years ago (UTK) and I really do understand what you’re going through right now. The waiting for results isn’t nearly as stressful as the week before and day of comps, though. Most comps are pass/fail, so don’t worry. Have fun at Stitches East. I wanted to try to go, but just can’t get away. I live in the Richmond, VA area, so it wouldn’t have been as far as some, darn it!
Thank YOU!
Congratulations on finishing your exams. Library school is a great thing to have behind you.
I’ll be at Stitches this weekend - probably Saturday. Maye I’ll see you there!
Congrats on your almost Masters! That is definately an accomplishment! I’ve had mittens on my to do list forever, yours are great! And fairisle? Love. It.
Great mitten and mit.
Congrats on finishing your exams! 
And you are going to *love* that hat kit. Just make sure you have the right length needle as it can be a real pain otherwise. Lots of people in my SnB have done/are doing Lady Elinor and they are beautiful. Have fun at Stitches!
How funny - I perused the recommendations in your comments from back when you asked for fair isle advice, and went to Bea Ellis, and bought the exact same kit. Yay!
And double YAY for comps. Finishing them is the BEST feeling. I felt great after my written exams too. (I hated the orals, on the other hand - hopefully you don’t have to endure those.)
Congrats on finishing your exams. What a great way to reward yourself by knitting something fun and quick. Hopefully, your new calling will make wonderful use of your library degree.
Thanks for making Socktoberfest such a fun thing to participate in. Enjoy your trip, SF is beautiful and wine country is so fabulous.
Thank you so much for a wonderful Socktoberfest! Even though I didn’t manage to finish my socks (almost there!), I really enjoyed it and was continuously inspired.
Yay for finishing exams, I bet that is a huge relief.
I have knitterly friends coming in from Iowa, New York, and Canada to join me in my first Stitches Experience. We’re having a slumber party and everything. I can’t wait!
Congratulations on finishing your exams. I am sure you did well.
Now, back to your regularly scheduled knitting!!!! (and reading)
Hip hip hooray!! You must be on cloud 9. You do deserve a big pat on the back.
Amy
OHH love the mitten and the fetching. I was thinking of make a few pairs of the fetching mitts for my nieces. (I have 3 in college) Does it just take one ball of the Karabella for a pair?
Congrats on being done with school!!!! I rember ho happy and smart i felt when I finished my masters!!!
Socktoberfest was great fun! I did complete 3 socks…1 complete pair, and another that’s mate is in timeout! Hope to start another pair tonight!
Congrats on finishing your exams! All your knits look great.
Congrats on finishing your exams!! It sounds like we will be joining the ranks of the MLIS at around the same time.
Let me know if you need pointers to great LYS’s in SF.
What a post! What a weekend! Congratulations on finishing your comps, and thank you for hosting another fabulous Socktober. You really outdid yourself, Lollygirl!
What a wonderfully happy post! Congrats on all rosie things, Lolly! I’m so excited and happy for you!
It takes a while to get used to that free time, I’ll tell ya. But it’s great once you do! Congratulations!
Master’s degree?! Awesome job, Lauren! Seriously. Have a blast at the Decemberists tonight, I’m very jealous
wow! lots to respond to …. i think saushine is going to stitches east. i have a good girlfriend from nc going as well, she’s a crocheter.
fair isle. yep. i have a small project with the same yarn to try my hands at stranding yarn! my pattern is for socks, but i think they might end up being leg warmers instead.
lady eleanor? sign me up! i put that down to make the hoodie, and i need to start over because my gauge changed when i began to knit and purl backwards (vs. turning).
vacation … i am jealous.
socktoberfest is/was too short! i haven’t finished a pair, but may post two finished singles tomorrow
fetching is very cute … it’s on my to do list, from stash (yeah right!).
take care!
i am so jealous that you’re going to the Decemberists tonight (even though I just saw them last night ha!) well, you know, jealous is a good way. They were totally awesome and I’m sure you’ll have a great time! Next time they’re in town we should go on the same day (or both days) yay!
Can’t wait to read what your life calling is. Maybe a professional knitalong coordinator?
Socktoberfest has been so awesome. Thanks for all the work. Norovember sounds like fun! I think I have some in the stash….
Have fun at Stitches. I am already anticipating Stiches West in February. Every time I get a little down, I think to that and get a nice fuzzy feeling.
Congratulations on completing your exams! When you go to Napa be sure to go to the Artesa winery in the Carneros district (between Napa and Sonoma valleys). It has fabulous wines, great views toward San Pablo Bay and a really good tour also. If you want more Napa winery suggestions, just email me. We live only 40 miles away, so my husband and I have gone there many, many times.
You sound much more relaxed, together and happy from a few weeks ago, which is wonderful. I’m glad that this chapter (haha) of your life is over and you can have more time for knitting, reading, and hanging out with me
I LOVE the colors in those mittens, what a perfect match. Also, I can help you with your hat now that I have colorwork skillz.
YAY, excited for Saturday!!
Yay for no more studying!
You know, say what you want about FCEK, but I actually USE the patterns in there more than any other mags combined. Glad to see I’m not the only one who gives them a look.
congrats on finishing up! that must be a load off your shoulders for sure. i remember, right after i graduated college, how sunday nights i always felt anxious. it was hard to get over that whole feeling of “don’t i have homework due tomorrow?”
i’m curious how much aurora 8 it took to make the one fetching. i have some aurora 8 leftover from my zigzag scarf. maybe there’s enough to make a pair?
Congrat’s on getting to the end of library school. I don’t thing anyone who hasn’t been there really understands what it takes to be one of us. I think it is the greatest profession a person can strive to achieve. It is not always easy, but it is always worth the effort and sacrifice. If you can knit too, well that just show that we are indeed a superior race…………….
hey there missy! hope things are well for you these days!! i just posted a new blog on my site, you should check it out…there is a video from the show
much love!
-jami
Thank you for organizing Socktoberfest….I have really enjoyed all the interviews and tutorials on your blog. Thanks for putting in that time to benefit all of us.
congrats on finishing shool (for now). i’m excited to hear what your life’s calling is! you’re lucky to have found it at such a young age.
have a wonderful vacation! and thanks for another great socktoberfest:)
Congrats on hitting such an awesome milestone! Love that you knit one mitten and one fingerless glove, but not a pair of either
SO SAD that I can’t go to Stitches this year. First time in like 7 years I’m missing it, and this year I’d have been able to meet up with bloggers!! Boo.
YEAH. Finally someone I know will be at Stitches. I hope to see you there. I’m taking a class Saturday and maybe going to the Student Banquet. Let me know what you have planned.
Thishas been an amazing month. Thanks so much for all your hard work in hosting this amazing KAL. Please say this will be an annual event.
Congratulations!
I remember what it was like ten years ago when I was finished with my state board exams. It’s such a strange - but good - feeling to suddenly have a lot more free time. Enjoy it! You deserve it!
I finished my socktober socks just in time! I can’t figure how to upload them to the flickr group, but there are photos on my blog. Thanks Lolly, this will probably be one of the very few knit-alongs that I do. I love it!
Love the mitten! Love Fetching! And love the snowflake hat - looking forward to seeing how it turns out!
I’m hoping to go to Stitches on Saturday, so hope to see you there!
OOH, that Fetching is fetching, and I suddenly have a brilliant idea for what to do with some gorgeous scarlet Arucania Naturewool that’s hanging out in stash! Thank you, Lolly, for the inspiration!
hi! I´ve made some socks and they are in my blog, if interested…. the last picture is published today….
Congrats on your masters degree and enjoy the free time you have now! Well deserved free time, I might add. I had great fun this socktober and my hubby totally agrees: he has a pair of socks now!
Bravo for all your achievements!:)
and just under the wire I’ve got one more socktoberfest sock to report: http://stoneview.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/side_view.jpg
http://stoneview.typepad.com/stoneview/2006/10/happy_halloween.html
Happy Halloween!
Absolutely perfect mitten…it looks as though it fits and stays on your hand as a mitten should. And fetching???? I’m interested, but cold fingers? I’d love to make them, but worry I’d have chilly finger tips.
Congrats on finishing your degree! I can’t wait to hear more about the great career move.
I’ll be at Stitches on Saturday. I’ll be working for my friend Susan at the Y2Knit booth (#624) from 11 to 12 while she and her sister, Jill, teach a class. Stop by and say hi if you can or maybe I’ll run into you somewhere. It’s my first time at a yarn show so I’m sure I’ll be a little dazed and confused, overwhelmed by the smells and the colors.
I’ll probably be wearing my pink Icarus Shawl. See you there!
lolly, congrats on another successful month! you do so much for blogland, really.
i have to tell you that last night i dreamt that you won the U.S. open against justine henin. it was really strange …
Yay for finishing school! And so many other reasons to celebrate… reading a whole book? Ah, I remember the days when I would read for fun instead of for class…
Good for you! Congrats on finishing! I know when I completed my MBA it was like a HUGE weight lifted. To this day It took a while to accept the fact I didn’t have to be studying or writing every minute of my free time!
Love the mitt and fetching - I have to make a pair of those!
You will love fair isle - I’m itching to do some more soon. maybe I’ll find a kit at Stitches!
You have lots going on - finding what may be your life’s calling! That is incredible. I truly hope things flow and work your way - it is a special thing to even have a clue as to what it is, so I wish you all the luck in persuing it!!!!!!!!
Can’t wait to see you on Saturday!!!!!
Congrats! On the knits, the school, and life’s work!! Thanks for a great post.
Congrats to you! I just purchased one those fair isle hat kits too even though winter isn’t every harsh where I live, but I thought it would be good practice in the technique.
Thanks so much for Socktoberfest!!!! I really enjoyed it and learned so much (and brought tons of sock yarn too).
Well?!? How was Colin?
Congrats! I can’t wait to hear about your life’s calling, I’m sure it will be fantastic!
I can’t believe The Decemberists have a stitching kit?! I simply MUST have it!
Way to go - I knew you would do great on your exams! I can’t wait to hear about your “life’s calling” - the perfect job, perhaps? Also, thanks for letting us know about Norovember, what a fun idea!
Sounds like life is good! Hope your life’s calling works out for you! Happy upcoming 26th birthday, birthday twin!
My birthday plans involve bowling and maybe a nice dinner in DC 
Congrats on finshing up your exams and finding your life’s calling. I’m still trying to figure out what I want to do when I grow up! We must be on the same knitting wave length, though! I just finished a couple of pairs of Fetchings and I am knitting Lady E in Silk Garden for Norovember! Have fun this weekend at SW and on your birthday trip. I live in SF—you’ll have a blast here and in Napa. You probably don’t need any more recc’s for the city or Napa, but my two fave restuarants in the wine country are Bouchon in Yountville and Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen in St. Helena. Enjoy it all!
I wish I were going to meet you this weekend, but I’ve decided to stay home and nest, since I’ve just moved apartments. Thanks for hosting Socktober, it’s been informative and good motivation!
Thank you Lolly for socktober 2006! i´m looking forward to see you all here again in socktober 2007!
Congratulations on finishing your exams! Great job on your Fetching and remember, Socktoberfest is just a guideline:)
I did it! I knitted my very first real pair of “adult” socks during Socktoberfest. I have done baby socks before, so to make it a challenge, I used a non-picture pattern for the Mystery Sock KAL too. Thanks for inspiring us all!
=:8