2015 certainly has brought me productivity so far, but mainly work-wise. I remember after graduating thinking that I’d spend my Christmas break laughing at the poor student that would still have to cram for exams, while I’d be relaxing and sleeping. I was so naive. This was my second Christmas break as a PhD student and I think I was about 12 hours into my break when my supervisor mailed me to ask how the new draft of my paper was coming along. Plus I had a very important presentation right after the break. So the 3 sweaters I thought I would knit during the break were of course a bit overambitious. Knitting has been slow, but steady. I haven’t even showed off my Christmas presents yet (scandalous!!!!). So let’s start with that.
It might have taken some non-subtle hinting from my side, but my family gifted me two gorgeous skeins of Spun Right Round SW Sock 80/20. One colourway is called Bug Jar and the other Martian got Moves. I’ve already dived into the Ravelry archives to see what I’ll make with them, but I haven’t found the perfect pattern yet. And for yarn this beautiful I will need an absolutely perfect pattern.
These socks, that I started right after Christmas, fall into the other category. Some parts have been reknit a couple of times because I was sloppy in reading the pattern and I’m pretty sure sock #1 came out without any mistakes. They look a bit crumpled, as lace knits tend to do pre-block, but I have a gut feeling that once they’re blocked and on my feet they’re going to be perfect. I love the rusty colour in combination with the openness created by all the yarn overs. The yarn I’m using is Eden Cottage Yarns Tempo 4ply in Copper Bucket.
One major achievement during the break was that I finally picked up a book again! For years I’ve been a very fanatic reader, reading everyday, even if it was just a few pages before going to sleep. But at some point during the beginning of 2014 that stopped. We often have the tv on in our house and I was good at blocking out the tv noise while reading, but at some point I couldn’t anymore. I guess during that time I was particularly busy and tired. So knitting invaded my reading time, because that was perfectly combinable with background tv noise. And my reading habit slowly faded away, until it was actually months of not touching a book at all. 2015 will have to change again, so I’m starting out with getting the reading before bed in my routine again, which so far is working fine. I’m currently reading The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell. He’s one of my favourite authors and it’s a very enjoyable read. I’m really hoping I can keep up with this, so maybe by mentioning in my blogposts what I’m reading every now and again I’ll have a better motivation to stick with it!
How was your start of 2015? Did you manage to implement some resolutions already?
Gorgeous gifts and WIPS! Keep calm and knit–whenever possible.
Thanks Monica! I feel like that is the best strategy, to just relax and whenever you find some knitting time use it.
I’ve already been reading more, and I’ve pulled out an old WIP from deep hibernation. I’m trying to ease into my other resolutions, but I feel pretty good about 2015 so far.
That’s great Kat! Hopefully my reading will pick up as well, and I definitely hope to finish some very old WIPs this year.
I’ve been reading memoirs lately after a long dry spell of book reading too….love how the socks look…the color is great…..
Maybe reading memoirs would be a good idea to get back in the reading game, any particular one you’d recommend?
Ooo very jealous of the gorgeous yarn. I loved the pair of socks you made with the graffiti yarn you had before – looking forward to see what pattern you choose. I’m a very prolific reader (need to read before I go to sleep). I like David Mitchell’s books too – not read his latest but my favourite has to be Cloud Atlas.
I enjoyed Cloud Atlas so much, although I think my favourite by him was Number9Dream. I have to say the new one is very good so far as well! I think I read most evenings before going to sleep so far, I really hope I’ll continue to do so.
I have yarn envy right this minute 🙂 I read only 21 books and my goal this year is more than that and better ones. I think we get complacent at times and I for one want to change that!! Good luck with your goals 🙂
I’d already be happy if I’d managed 21 books, I think I only read 6 or so last year. But let’s make this year better 🙂 I wish you good luck with your goals too!
Great projects! The gift yarns are gorgeous. Love the colorway names. 🙂
Those names are great indeed 😀 I always appreciate the yarn so much more if the colourway name makes me giggle.
I don’t think there is anything messy about your colourwork on your mittens, it looks great! I love those rusty coloured socks and the intricate lace. Fab projects!
Thanks Sarah 🙂 I’m really in love with the rusty colour. It was on my wishlist for quite a long time to make a pair of socks in a colour like this, so happy I’m finally getting round to it.
what absolutely gorgeous yarn – and the finished sock looks beautiful as well. I had the exact same thing with reading in 2014, all off a sudden it was no reading and 100% knitting, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but I do miss reading! So I’ve started 2015 as a I mean to go on, picked up Wolf Hall (Hilary Mantel) and even set myself a goodreads target 🙂 good luck with catching up on your sweaters! jenny xx
I just found your blog through Jenny and I love it! Really looking forward to reading more. Those mitts are awesome,great colours 🙂
Everything look so great! I’m jealous of your gorgeous skeins!
Have a lovely week!
Thanks, and a lovely weekend to you!
ooh, the new yarn is so pretty, I can understand why you want to find the perfect project for each. and the mitten and socks look great so far!
Thanks Julie. Still looking for the perfect pattern but I know it’s out there!
Your knits are looking beautiful. I am very jealous of your Christmas yarn – so lovely. I hate how Ph.D. work always gets in the way with knitting (and advisors have no boundaries!). I want to read The Bone Clocks, so I look forward to seeing what you think of it.
So far the book is really nice, especially if you already like some of his previous books. I sometimes curse all the work you have to do as a phd, especially when I have friends not working in academia that work less and earn way more. But I really love what I do, so I should count myself lucky 🙂
I’ve never read David Mitchell, but I’m seeing the Bone Clocks—everywhere! are you loving it? your projects are terrific….love the socks and the mitten, and that yarn!!! I’ve never received yarn from my family (unless you count the box of yarn that Freddy—my cocker spaniel–gave me for Christmas this year. He had serious help in picking it out)
You should really try one of his books then!! I especially loved number9dream. And Freddy counts as a family gifter as well, such a thoughtful dog! 🙂
Uh oh, I feel another yarn splurge coming on after seeing those gorgeous skeins of Spun Right Round! Love how that mitten is knitting up. Beautiful combination of colors. I think that your stranded colour work looks very even. I used to read a lot before knitting took over my spare time. Now I consider myself lucky if I finish one book a month. Although I still love to read magazines and blogs, of course.
Woops sorry! I’m such an enabler.. And good point about the blog reading, I think I started reading a lot more blogs last year. I hadn’t even considered that that invaded my book reading time as well.
ooo! I love the mitten – my favorite part of colorwork (and lace for that matter) is blocking and seeing all of the imperfect bits smooth right out.
That yarn is amazing, what a great gift!
I agree, blocking is such a rewarding thing. All things seem to be forgiven with a simple wash an dry.
Yes indeed, that beautiful Spun Right Round needs the perfect project. 🙂 They are beautiful. Progress on your knits is fantastic.
I agree, the perfect pattern is going to turn these skeins in one of m favourite knits, I just feel it!
Finally! I found your blog, for some reason it wasn’t that easy. Yay.
So much goodness here…swoon just love the mittens and the beautiful socks…you are a woolen wonder, that is for sure.
Have a great week!