Stuck in the middle

I recently read a passage in a book where the phone rings and the doorbell rings at the same instant, and the character, who has been eagerly awaiting both, can't decide which to go to and ends up going for both at the same time and ends up splayed on the floor between the two actions, unable to do either. I feel like this is happening to me, only I am splayed out between knitting projects. I am trying to stay dedicated to my sweater, but at the same time, the stash calls. And I just ordered some more yarn online. Some are projects that will be gifts for people that I really ought to start, and then I want to knit something for Owen, which I haven't done since he was born. Oh, and there are many sweaters I would like to knit for myself. I came close to starting something new the other night, but then I made myself start a sleeve for my sweater. I finished it last night (it's 3/4 length in case you think I have freakishly small arms).


Now I am halfway done with the sweater. Does this mean I can take a break from it and start something else? Or should I push through and try to finish the sweater so that I might get a chance to wear it before it gets too hot? I also having been saving the most fun part of the sweater for last (the lace v neck) in order to entice me towards finishing it.

Just picture me lying on the floor between my stash and the sweater trying to do both at once and accomplishing neither.

Harlot's in town

Just got back from hearing the Yarn Harlot speak at the Webs hosted event.
She did not disappoint (and I was glad to have figured out the sound box so people could actually hear her speak -- yep, I flipped the on switch)! She was wise, witty, and very funny. One thing I really love about knitting is how universal it is. When you meet fellow knitters or join a knitting group, you have this sense of belonging to large extended family, or maybe a secret club (or both). You could see it in the room full of nodding heads as we listened to Stephanie. Yes, we are all athletes!

Back at Webs after the talk, I joined the long line to have Stephanie sign my books. I bought all three (I've only read the first, having gotten a bit behind in my reading lately). I met this nice woman, Karen, in the long line. She knits and spins and supposedly has a blog too...
Her husband nicely took this picture of me and Stephanie.

Still here, still knitting

Gah! It's been a while. My sweet little boy doesn't like to nap during the day so my progress has been limited. He has been going to bed at 9:30 though and sleeping straight until 7:30 am so I can't really complain. Unfortunately, knitting doesn't always get the priority when I have free time from 9:30 until my bedtime. Hmm, better get my priorities straight (if I ever want to finish the sweater, that is)!

I did make it past the waist shaping, which turned out well. Too bad that is still the sweater back though. I'm only a few inches away from armhole shaping. I think I might do a sleeve next to mix it up a bit. The pattern has instructions for both a full length and a 3/4 length sleeve. I'm thinking I might do the 3/4 length because it is a spring sweater and because it will be less knitting time.

In other news, my mom and I were at the LYS this morning when I saw a notice that the Yarn Harlot is coming for a talk/book signing next weekend. I quickly signed up for it. Yay! I was sorry when I missed Stephanie when she came to Boston last year.
I also picked up some Cascade 220 (0n sale) for some projects I may or may not get to in this lifetime.