We Had One Once, But the Leg Fell Off

I used to work for a designer who used to say that to denote a SNAFU, Train Wreck, or other Project Gone Sideways.  It was kind of like "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious"; the thing to say when you don't know what to say.

I've had a spot of bother the last few days, which I'm sorry to say left me blogless.  For one thing, the deadline for all the words in my book is Friday, which means I really need to be writing them.  Hey, no big deal, it's only the culmination of more than a year's worth of work.  Not stress-inducing in the least.  I can't find a coherent sentence with both hands.

Naturally, in light of that, this is precisely when another of my projects would derail.  It seems that a certain national yarn company who contracted me to design a certain knitted garment for them would like said garment to actually fit a human being.  Fussy, Fussy.  The pattern I wrote for them unfortunately contains math, so I'm thinking it's probably all my fault that the finished sample garment doesn't fit.  My relationship with mathematical concepts is casual at best, so it stands to reason that if I try to make a pattern without actually knitting it so I can correct my arithmatic along the way, there's ample opportunity for things to go badly awry.  And awry they went.  Somewhere between the yarn company (Them) and the designer (Me) and the sample knitter (Her) one or more wheels fell off the wagon.  Somewhere between Them and Me and Her, something went sideways, and a catalog deadline has been missed.

So it's okay, I tell myself.  And Them.  And Her.  I can fix it.  And I can.  All I need is more hours in the days.  And some kind of Deus Machina that can mimic exactly the movements of my hands with needles and yarn while fabricating perfectly perfect results that surpass both my skills and the laws of physics, while simultaneously cranking brilliant prose out the other end, while I lounge poolside with a martini.  I know that such a machine exists.  We had one once, but the leg fell off.
 

Change is Good

I'm excited about a number of things today.  In no particular order:

My sister Susie's birthday is today

Isn't she so sassy on her bike?  Happy Birthday Frog! I love your guts.

We're getting a new President

2 of these get to move to the White House.  Either way, History is made.

I am picking out new glasses frames this afternoon

Yes, I know...four eyes are not more glamorous than two, but I'm excited about being able to see.

I have a yummy new project on my needles
 

This is the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran I have been hoarding since last summer.  I'm making the Aran Accents Vest  From Patons Cables.  The color is better represented here:
 

A friend of my mom's used to call this color Lilac-y.  Not quite lilac, but not lavender either.  Purple is my desert island color; I never get tired of it.

So today is just a boring old Tuesday, except that it's overflowing with possibilities, and certain to change everything forever, even if only in little ways.  I wonder how often the days are this full, but I'm paying less attention?  I going to remember to be thankful for the changes, both big and small, that keep this life so interesting.  Will you?

The Teacher's Wife Rocks

This, my friends, is big fun.  There's a reason everyone and their dog is knitting this pattern right now:  It's wicked cool!

Here's me in it:
 

And the rear view:

I promised it would be trapeze-y, and it is.  I promised there would be ribbons, and there are.  Aside from a slight delay in finishing brought about by a diamond ring and three dismantled sinks, which I hope I never have to tell you about, I finished it pretty quickly.  
 

Gotta love ribbons.  Foofy is as foofy does, I always say.  Okay, I don't always say that, but I might start saying it.  I love the swing and drape of the lower body, the texture of the top and sleeves, the squareness of the neckline.  Hey Teach looks so great on everyone (go check out Ravelry to see lots of different bodies sporting lots of different versions) because it highlights the good bits and downplays the dubious ones.  I would wear this to work, out to dinner, to teach a class, pretty much anywhere except to muck out the stalls.  Think of the possibilities with different ribbon/button combinations and the mind will surely boggle. 

Check back here soon for my pattern modifications.