it's a cardi
Believe it or not, this is a cardigan! The ribbed section is the neck and the wavy cable panels (1 down, 1 to go) actually form the shoulders. I am amazed at how fun this is to knit--and unlike the tiny stitchwork required for socks, it's going rather quickly, which is unusual for me. And I think this particular acrylic yarn is not bad--I don't think the casual observer (as I guess I was at the market in Bolivia where I got the yarn) will even notice that it's synthetic.
I'm having trouble keeping up with all the activity over at the Everyday Cardi Knit-a-Long--everyone is really coming up with some nice stuff. Go check it out!

teaching materials
If this gig at the LYS works out, I imagine I'll need some handouts on knitting techniques and stitch instructions. Since I don't have any current students, I'll use you as guinea pigs--what sort of "cheat sheets" would be most useful for you? I will create some PDF materials and post 'em here free, to show my appreciation for your opinions. What say ye?

well, blow me down!
You guys won't believe this, I'm still pinching myself! Here's the scoop: I toted my DH's shire scarf over to my LYS (where I bought the yarn) because the ladies who work there had asked to see it finished the last time I visited. So after the salespeople and some of the customers checked it out, I was minding my own business, looking for some goodies to send to my secret pal, and one of the salespeople comes up to me and says "would you like to teach a knitting class here?" As is very unlike me, I was nearly speechless and all I could squeak out was a tiny "sure!" Apparently the classes are starting to fill up and overwhelm the existing staff--and they need some help. And here's the part I still can't believe--if I teach, *I* get to keep *90%* of the student's class fees, which are nothing to sneeze at! I never thought I'd ever make any kind of real money knitting--it's incredible. They are moving down the street in a couple of weeks to (thank goodness) larger digs and after the move, they want me to start! Can you believe it? I hope it actually works out--and I'll keep you posted.

gib's cardi-along
I posted my progress over on the classily-designed Everyday Cardigan Knit-a-Long blog, if you are so inclined, check it out. So far I'm enjoying the synthetic yarn more than I thought I would. I can't wait until the collar is finished and I can start doing the saddle shoulders. A very interestingly-constructed sweater.

Is anyone else getting (finally) some spring weather? We are finally starting to see some daffodills, forsythia, and buds on the trees. Hooray! Have a great weekend everyone! xoxo

slo-o-o-w as molasses
I told the future recipient of these socks that they might be finished just in time for summer. Bah. I've got my mind on too many other things right now! I enjoy knitting socks, but they get monotonous after a while.

secret pal
I've sent my secret pal two packages and she seems to be happy with the stuff, judging by her comments on her blog. Tee-hee, this is such fun! Third package to go out tomorrow.

gib's cardi-along
I feel like I'm breaking the rules, since I'm not knitting the perfectly good everyday cardi. When you have a stash the size of mine, it's important sometimes to knit with what you've got instead of --sigh-- doing the fun thing and ordering some new Peace Fleece and following the crowd. I'll post some photos of just exactly what it is that I *am* doing later today, or tomorrow. Happy Friday, everyone! xoxo

think pink!
The color pink definitely seems to be the "in" thing this season--and I've got pink fever too! But what the heck am I doing with the sassy shade of cotton-ease? Choose from the following:

• another dishcloth
• a bag
• a vest
• a cardi for Gib's cardi-along
• none of the above, you sneaky thing!

march madness!
And it has begun, fellow knitters: that special time of year many of us call basketball heaven--first the glorious ACC tournament, then the NCAA! Ah, what's better than shouting at the TV for hours on end, while working a few rows (or rounds, as the case may be) of that latest knittin' project? That's right, nothing! For those keeping score, my team is the NC State Wolfpack. This is my alma mater, and a earnestly-proclaimed default choice of "team-to-root-for" at my house. Either them, or whoever's playing Carolina! May the best team Wolfpack win!

yayay, I like surprises!
Just lookie at my first surprise from my knittin' secret pal: some awesome Burts Bees hand salve! My husband swears by the stuff--his doesn't smell as good as this though!

best monday ever?
In addition to the fact that I got the above in the mail today, we had a storm here last night and the power was out at my office all morning! So I've been home knittin' on my BIL's sock. I'll have some photos tomorrow of my progress. Unfortunately I just got the call that the power is back on, so off to work I go. Try to have a Monday as good as mine, OK?

wowza!
Check out Jessica's smashing just-completed elle! She used Sierra by the Peruvian Collection and I must say Jess: your elle does look swell! Jessica has chosen the Vogue Knitting Quick Knits book for her prize for being the first person to complete elle (for more details, see the elle-along page)! The MinnowKnits book remains--anyone? A sincere thanks to Jessica for forging through the elle pattern--I will add your elle to the gallery tonight!

meet kay and ann!
I had some fun with the dishcloth cotton I received from the ladies over at Mason-Dixon Knitting--pick up your own free pattern by clicking the link at left under free patterns or click here. It's been a while since I worked with this yarn and it's inexpensive and fun! xoxo

finally: dead-on!
At long last, a quiz result that seems to fit me:

What color of sock yarn do you prefer?
brought to you by Quizilla

ah, spring
Words cannot express how happy I am that spring seems to finally be on its way. Autumn used to be my favorite season, but as I get older, I look forward to spring more and more. And proof that our winter seems to have lasted longer than it should've this year: we got hit with almost a foot of snow on Thursday night (it's already almost all melted, yay) and the forsythia hasn't started blooming yet (usually this happens at the end of February).

secret pal
Another reason I'm happy--the knitting secret pal program, conceived and administered by my not-so-secret pal, Sandy! What a great idea--I can't wait to send goodies to my secret knit buddy. It's just a fun concept. Can you tell I'm in a damn good mood?

blog recommendation
Through Marcia's excellent blog, I have gotten wind of another good blog which has nothing to do with knitting. Check out wandering hillbilly--the "life n pinions of buddy don" is very clever and reminds me of my upbringing in the rural mountains of North Carolina.

Happy Monday, everyone!