back again.

I don’t mean to keep dropping out of blogland for weeks at a time, but I just can’t seem to keep up lately. I’d like to get in the habit of writing here more regularly again. So, here goes.

So, what have I been up to lately? Well, being really sick, for one, but also visiting NYC for a conference. It was my first time in NYC, and the weather was absolutely amazing, so despite being sick, it was a wonderful trip. The conference went well (I presented a couple of posters and got really good feedback), and I got to spend time with several of my NYC knitting friends! Most especially Tina, who was kind enough to offer me a place to stay, and was the most wonderful hostess. I got to see The Blanket in person, and it is even more amazing than it is in photos, let me tell you! I also got to take a break from the conference to go to lunch and Purl with Kim and Karen, which was a blast! I picked up a little bit of yarn to bring home with me as a treat:

Apparently I was very much in the mood for green! I got a couple different shades of green in Spud & Chloë Fine, and a skein of mottled green Koigu. The Spud & Chloë, I intend to use to make a double-knit hat, and the Koigu, I think I will make into some fingerless mitts.

The third day of the conference was also our 5th wedding anniversary! I was really sad to be stuck on the other side of the state for our big day, but we’re planning to make up for the missed celebration with a trip down to a B&B near Ithaca towards the end of April.

My last day in NYC, I got to go out for brunch with Tina, Limonene and Anne-Marie, and then take a nice walk through part of Central Park, before hauling all of my stuff down to Penn Station to take the train back home. I really enjoyed spending time with them, and getting see Central Park, which I previously only knew through Law & Order episodes. Since getting back, I have been completely and utterly swamped with grading and other work for the enormous class I’m TAing, so I’m only just now getting a chance to catch up on things a little bit.

While I was on the train, I sketched out the pattern for the Neuron Socks, which are coming along quite nicely (after a few rounds of ripping and reknitting, of course, but that’s how it always goes when you’re making up patterns rather than following them!). I am so absurdly excited about this pattern, you guys! I seriously cannot wait to share it with y’all. My only worry is that I won’t find the time to knit both socks in time for Elinor’s contest. I’m just so busy! But it’s my first crafty priority at the moment, so here’s hoping I can knit two pairs of knee-high socks in less than 20 days. Oy.