Finishing

Well actually, not finishing. I took Devan off the blocking board, but only so I could block the Onde tank. Then I was off to Peterborough and I needed a good take-along project. Thankful for the stash, I dug out three balls of Kureyon in 128 to make a Booga Bag. I wasn't driving so I'm almost done--just the i-cord bind off (I like how it makes the edge of the bag more stable) and the evil i-cord. I see my finishing pile growing--and I'm not crazy about that. This week I have to finish my thesis revisions and get the penultimate draft out to the oral examination committee who get six weeks to read it before the defense (September 10). After that, I'll take a stab at those projects, this week I want easy knitting.

This bag is a gift for someone who has been an important mentor in my life (who also reads this blog occasionally so I'm not naming names). She's a knitter who doesn't have access to a close and ready supply of yarn so I'm going to add some fancy sock yarn like Koigu and some 2.25mm needles and a good pattern--a sock starter kit.

So knitter's out there--is it a good thank-you gift? I do like to make knit gifts, but I know they're not for everyone. Right now, I knit for people I know will appreciate it. Because she's a knitter I know she'll like it, but I'm thinking of making some things for my thesis committee too--multi-directional scarves with Silk Garden or something like that. I'm just not sure it's the right kind of gift. Any thoughts? I really do want to acknowledge them for all the support they've provided, but I'm just not sure this is the way. That being said, I can't think of anything better.

About the job. It's a post-doctoral fellowship in the Faculty of Physical Education and Health at the University of Toronto. I will be managing a series of five research projects examining the inception, production and reception of physical fitness information in the Canadian news media. So I will gathering the data for the researchers and collaborating with them on papers etc. It's a great opportunity for me to continue my research on health and media and provides me with good professional development toward an academic career. I'm super happy as this is the opportunity I was looking for. And it doesn't mean much of a life change for me or my family. I'll be working at the university instead of at home, and I'm really happy about that. That's about the only change. Oh, and I'll have an income. It'll probably cut into my knitting time a tad, but I'll have a bit of money to buy yarn, so it's a good trade off. And thanks for all the congratulations--all your good wishes are so fantastic.

Comments

[Nathania]

WowWowWow! Congratulations! Fantastic news about the job. Love the Booga as a thank you gift. She will definitely appreciate it. And I love the colors!

[chris]

I think it's a great thank-you gift! Nobody appreciates knitted gifts like other knitters! And koigu? Always an appropriate gift! ;)

The postdoc sounds really interesting -- isn't it nice to finish grad school and actually have a JOB lined up? Kinda makes all those years of education worth it if you actually get a job in your field . . .

[jenna]

(selfishly glad you're not leaving town for your job. not yet, anyway.)

[Aven]

I think scarves (or something similar) would be good thankyou gifts -- something tangible that can remind them of you and your gratitude whenever they use them, instead of a dinner or something like that. But then, I might be biased, because I'd always love to get a gift like that!

[Melissa]

I think that sounds like a wonderful thank you gift - the combo of something you made yourself and the supplies (and Koigu... yum) that she can use - perfect!

[Margene]

Great news! The bag looks good, too. We must have jobs to support the habits but they should be things we love.

[Emma]

Many congratulations on the job.It sounds great.See,it was all worth it ! ;-]
The Boogs bag sock kit is a wonderful gift for a knitter.I'm sure she'llappreciate the thought you've put into it...and the Koigu.
:0)

[Jaimi]

Hmm, I'm really liking the orange in the #128. Nice!