Almost Crafty

The packing continues. For this move, rather than scouring Craigslist for moving boxes, I went ahead and ordered some box kits to be shipped to the house just to make life easier. I purposefully ordered too many, figuring that boxes don’t go stale, and we’ll be able to use them at some point in the future.

Of course, now I’m starting to wonder if we’re actually going to have enough boxes. Mr. Martini believes so, I’m starting to wonder. Figures, right?

Between all of the packing, I was happily distracted by a package from my “Swap Sock Yarn from your Stash” swap partner, Karen. Here’s the loot:

Some Colinette Jitterbug yarn in a gorgeous bright blue, a fabulous lace sock pattern, some “Office” post-its, an SnB design journal, a handmade project bag, some handmade beauty supplies, a much-needed Chibi, a Jelly Belly candle and my absolute favorite Jelly Belly jelly beans.

This was quite a pick-me-up during the stress filled packing mode. Thank you, Karen!

You’d think, since I ended up having all of last week off, and won’t be working until after the move in a couple of weeks, that I’d be getting a lot of knitting and crafting done between all of the packing and organizing and preparations for the move.

Sadly, there hasn’t been that much knitting. Last week I was so on edge with worry about booking movers that I couldn’t even focus to knit. Finally, about mid-week, I had to do something to distract me from the stress, and started a super-bulky, garter stitch scarf on size #17 needles. It was just what the doctor ordered. I hadn’t used such huge needles for awhile, so while I didn’t have to think about the stitches, I had to pay attention to actually manipulating the needles.

Right here is where I would normally put a picture of the scarf, but I’m just not that together.

Instead, I put together this collage of all of the WIPS I have that I would LOVE to finish before the move (although we all know that probably won’t happen):

From the top: a shawl I finished knitting OVER A YEAR AGO that just needs blocked, an orange hat that’s done that needs photographed, a Caliormetry that needs nothing but a single button, a Tulip cardigan that just needs a final photograph, a shrug that Ruby is sitting in for, since I have finished the knitting but didn’t even get a picture of the yarn, a Baby Surprise Jacket that just needs two simple seams and five buttons, the smaller Babette blanket that just needs some seaming and maybe some edging, and (DEEP BREATH) that’s it.  Phew! (The final spot is a avatar I made at www.faceyourmanga.com that I though was cute - plus, I needed another photo to even out the collage. Although I could have put the super-bulky scarf there. Oh well.).

Yeah, none of that is getting done, not even the photos.

But that’s OK - because in a couple of weeks, I’ll be in Louisville, all unpacked and moved in and settled and back in my routine, and I’ll be able to sit down and knit and crochet and sew my little fingers off.

I can’t wait.

A few weeks ago, I saw this yarn at the Sonny & Shear site:

Miss Babs sock yarn. It’s lovely yarn, definitely. But would anyone besides me think it was exceptional? Magical? Lucky?

I wouldn’t have either, except for the name of the colorway: Bluegrass.

I had to buy it. It arrived a couple of weeks ago, and I immediately cast on for a pair of socks.  A very special pair of socks. I worked on these socks at home, when I was pondering something. I worked on these socks in a hotel room in another state, as I tried to calm my nerves.

Basically, I worked on these socks while Mr. Martini & I considered a move from Chicago to Louisville, and while I tried to stay calm as I applied for a new job, and while I was in Louisville for an interview, and I finished the first sock back in Chicago after I was offered and accepted a new job in the Bluegrass State.

In just a few short weeks, Mr. Martini and I will be moving everything (including the yarn stash and the sewing machine) to Louisville, Kentucky.

I figure the second sock will be cast on once we’re in our new home, as we’re bridging the gap of being Chicagoans to Louisvill…ians? I better check on that. That way the socks will remind me of my last days in the hustle and bustle of Chicago, and the days getting to know the (less frantic) hustle and bustle of a new city.

In case you can’t tell, I’m super excited. I can’t wait to show you both of these socks, especially since it will mean that by then, the move will be over and done with.