Some progress:

I broke through a "logjam" on one of the (probably too many) research papers I'm writing/rewriting. I got one of the Big Giant Horrible Bits of data re-analysis done on Monday (yes, I worked on Labor Day but I had taken Saturday entirely off, so it was okay). I'm actually seeing light at the end of the tunnel (well, at least temporarily, until my co-author and/or journal editor returns his comments) on this one.

And I realized I have something I can present at my state's Academy of Science meetings this fall (which I have to be at anyway since I'm an officer). It won't take much polishing up to get it in a workable state. It's something I never presented on but submitted to a journal, had rejected, and stuck on the back-burner because it was peripheral to my other research.

I'm also working (when I'm at home, that is) on sewing up the Greek pullover. I have the shoulder seams, side seams, and one of the sleeve seams done. I'm hoping this evening to do the other sleeve (mattress stitch is SLOW) and, I hope, get the sleeves set in. (My least favorite part of any kind of garment-making). Then it will be done!

(I decided not to do the little ruffley-doo-dads. Partly because the way they're written you have a RAW FRINGED EDGE sticking out, and the idea of a raw edge of fabric being exposed is like nails on a chalkboard to me*, but also because I couldn't find any chiffon at JoAnn's that wouldn't look like butt on the finished sweater. [sorry, but it's true.]. And also - ruffled cuffs and being a scientist don't really mix. [Oh, reference Newton if you must, but he was a THEORETICAL scientist. Big difference there.])

(*I also don't like those 'easy quilts' that you make where the raw edges stick out everywhere and fray all over the place. Yeah, they're supposed to look "country" or something - just not a look I can tolerate. I have enough frustration cleaning up raveled threads from fabric with all the quilt fabric I WASH before sewing it up to be able to stand it on a garment or a finished quilt. And - when I sew garments, I use French seams where-ever possible, or I've also been known to bind the raw edges off on the inside of the garment with that fine woven tape you can sometimes buy places. I just don't like raw ravelly edges for some reason - I mean, REALLY don't like them; it's one of my little personality quirks.)

I will say I like the neckline treatment on this - you just do a row of single crochet all around the top edges. Neat, clean, stabilizes the edge so it lies flat, easy to do, no silly calculations on how many stitches to pick up to make a collar.

If I get it done and my hair's not having too bad of a day (it's really humid here again, and also when I write, I have the unconscious habit of running my fingers through my hair, so it's all sticking up right now), I'll take a picture for tomorrow.

if not, picture Thursday.

And I'm really fighting the temptation to go home and cast on for the fitted vest-sweater tonight.

Making progress on stuff makes me happy. Not making progress on stuff - feeling like I'm hitting a brick wall, or that I'm trapped in "Groundhog Day" (without the fun of being able to drink 37 milkshakes in a day without it adversely affecting my health) - makes me depressed.

***

And dragonknitter - a package will go in the mail probably Thursday.

And thanks to everyone for playing; it was fun.