Long time no post

It's been a while since I've posted, mainly because I've been working on things that can't be blogged about in their entirety. However, I believe I can speak about some of these things as long as I omit details and photos.

I just finished knitting two pieces for a book Yahaira is editing, tentatively titled Sensual Knits, and due to come out in the fall. Writing the pattern was hard - there were set in sleeves involved, and charts, and the math made my head spin. Yes, I have a doctorate in physics, but sometimes I have trouble calculating the tip on a check (maybe I shouldn't be admitting this!). But I'm very proud of the projects for this book and I can't wait for it to come out. I'm letting the pattern sit for a day or two before diving back in to proofread it. Right now, I feel too close to it and the tunnel vision is making it impossible for me to spot any errors. I have to see it with fresh eyes.

Then, fairly soon, I need to get started on a project for Knitter's Magazine that's due in a month. I'll be using some luscious yarn that's pretty much an identical twin to one of my favorite yarns put out by Rowan.

Finally, two of my designs were accepted by a small, independent yarn company. I just mailed my contract for the first of the two projects back to them, so I'll hold off on revealing who they are at the moment. But, I'm very excited about working for them and joining their list of designers, many of whom whose work I've already admired before learning of the yarn company's existence.

This designing thing has been great fun so far. I'm learning a lot and much to my husband's dismay, have found something new to obsess about - although he is very happy that designing is slowing my stash enhancement rate. The hardest thing about designing so far is keeping mum on projects. My natural tendency is to share and it's really hard to not post pictures and talk about what I'm working on.

That's it for now, but to avoid making this a pictureless post, here's a photo of the Zelda Grand I just bought from Offhand Designs, a small company from the bay area (yay, bay area!) that makes unique knitting (and diaper and work) totes from vintage fabrics. Look at that wonderful green velvet on the handles and how the bag stays open on its own. The bag was a bit of an indulgence, but now I won't have to carry around my knitting in a brown paper bag (right, Hickory? ;) ).