OMG! I actaully cast-on stitches!

Yes! You read that correctly!
There is actual kniting in sight.

This Fall semester I am currently enrolled in a 5 credit algebra course & a 4 credit Chemistry. To round out the classes to a nice 12 credit load to be considered a full-time student, add one 3 credit English course. I needed that like I needed a new hole in my head.

Reconizing that I punished myself during the Spring semester by not allowing myself to knit at all unless I was completely up to date on all coursework. Is there a way to be completely up to date on college work? Jeez, I might as well of taken up the practice of publicly self-flogging myself. But don't we always punish ourselves instead of rewarding ourselves for what we have done!

Summer semester, I had dreams of knitting lace in all it's glory. Did I memtion that it's 16 weeks of work mussed into 10 weeks? And the lace on the needles was her Highness the "Rose of England"! Yes, I was delusional. I had signed up for 13 credits/4 classes. The summer from Hades is how it shall be known fondly in memory. I moved 3 times during the 10 week semester. ROE was frogged multiple times, as I desparately tried to get to part C of the pattern. Then as I was ready to start said "Part C" ROE met with a mishap by a well-meaning relative. SOoooo, they just didn't know that you don't grab a WIP on short dpn's and shove (read wedge) it into an already full knitting bag. Discouraged, I put ROE in a bag and admitted that it just wasn't the right time to knit her. Fate was against it. Do Grand Lace projects have birth charts? Need to make sure the stars are aligned next time I start again.

Anywhooo, I have decided as a way to remain sane and work towards an end product to knit Barbara Walker's Learn to Knit Afghan Book. You knit 63 different squares to create a sampler to be proud of. The book is set up to be used by knitters of all levels. It is a skills builder type of project.

There is Section 1: garter stitch in two colors, stockinette, Knit/Purl combos patterns.
Section 2: Mosiac patterns
Section 3: Slip Stitch patterns
Section 4: Twist stitch patterns
Section 5: Cables
Section 6: increase and decrease patterns. eg: bias stripes, ripple, trinity, cocoon, bobble and leaf, etc.
Section 7: Lace
Section 8: Special Techniques. I am looking forward to this section Short row stripes, parquet squares, Decreasing seamless square (knit in the round, outside towards bellybutton), Increasing Seamless Square (knit in the round bellybuttom outward)