OH. I blinked and its now September. Back to school has turned into our daily routine. This year is looking a bit different, I was offered, and accepted, a long-term substitute secretarial position (until roughly mid-November) in the counseling office at my favorite high school. I love interacting with the students outside of class; and the job is really easy. More on this later.
YOP: Fiber arts stuff.
I finished my sweater back in August. Its been the temperature of the sun, so it remains unblocked. I also don’t have any finished photos yet. I gave it a ribbed split hem. I like it.
I decided to go with the cats fair isle. But I hate the white. I am going to rip it our and find a BETTER two color pattern for the body. I realized I don’t WANT to make a colorwork hat, they are unforgiving in their sizing.
I’m toying with the idea of an afterthought knit bat patch in black now (knit the shape, then attach).
Finally, I started this shawl after I completed the sweater. I’m making it out of a rainbow mini skein pack I got from the Flying Needles a couple years ago. I have a light black to do the second part of the shawl with. All yarns are Robin’s Promise- the colors are so bright and happy. I’m toying with the idea of naming it Lucky Charms or Luck of the Mini or some such cleverness. It’ll wake me from a dead sleep, I’m sure.
In retrospect, I would have used a 5 or 6 needle instead of the 4, but I really like the substantial feel of the fabric. As usual, I’m making it up as I go along, which is partially what designing is.
Life stuff eluded to above:
I am working 7-2:30 M-F, which means I don’t have many quiet home hours. Getting up at 5am has been an adjustment for me, but its only until mid-November, so its not that bad. However, I AM crashed by about 9pm these days.
The counseling office is part of student services (which is NOT IN our office and causes confusion) and also houses the school’s Registrar. Its really interesting to see the kids outside of class, and to see what kind of programs are available to the students. I’m learning all the ins and outs of the school, which will be helpful when I return to the classrooms as a sub later this year.
One of the things I need to work on is my ABILITY to communicate with more students. My school has a sizable English learner population, with varying degrees of English fluency. Many of these students speak Spanish as their first language. My Spanish is RUSTY and sub-rudimentary, and I am frustrated by MY LACK of knowledge. Instead of wishing I knew more Spanish, I decided to learn in action. Why wait for the “right time” to take classes at community college!?!? The future lives in my pocket; I have translated my most common questions and statements for ease of use. I can now ask students if they HAVE an appointment or would like to make one. Ask them to fill out the appointment request card. I can ask them to speak slowly and clearly with me. I’m excited to start using my “new” words and phrases Monday.
I even asked if we could make up some appointment cards IN Spanish for our emergent language learners. Don’t want kids to feel frustrated and unwelcome. And the handful of adults in the building who are fluent, they have other responsibilities that do not include translating basic requests. Knowledge is never wasted, and I will continue to be able to use this knowledge in the classroom and beyond.
That’s my update I guess. More work than play.
Miscellaneous Design Studio 
12 responses to “YOP: Y13-W7 thru 11”
The shawl is yummy. Those colors are so rich and gorgeous. I do like the cable running down the spine. Good luck in you new sub position. Sounds like a great adventure and very different from being in the classroom.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! The colors are SO bright! I had initially thought to make a sweater out of the minis and the solid skein, but didn’t think it was enough and held off. The great thing about shawls, they are ALL the right size (with a little help from a shawl pin)!!
This job does remind me why I don’t like office work: the SITTING. I’m bad at sitting! But it is similar to many other office positions I’ve held, so the learning curve is LOW. I think this position will be a great benefit in the future and I’m learning a LOT about how the school functions behind the scenes.
LikeLike
So good to hear from you. While I’m sure the cables add complication to the shawl, they really are soooo beautiful. Congrats on learning Spanish. I keep trying Duolingo but never stick with it. I have no excuse as my daughter-in-law is a Spanish speaker and her mother only speaks Spanish. Like I can’t find 15 minutes a day to practice!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Once I got past the first couple inches, the cables are just there. But that set-up was a BEAR!!
What has been holding me back from using what I know is my fear of pronouncing things wrong! But I decided to be brave enough to be bad at something new! And I will have A LOT of opportunities to practice at the school.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great idea about the cards in Spanish for your second language learners. Honestly even if you mispronounce words most speakers are just so thrilled you at least tried. Ask the kids to correct the pronouncation – they will love being an “expert” at something at school. Trying to learn in a second language is very hard.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have great empathy for the kids who are just learning! I KNOW I will say a lot of things wrong the first time, and after some giggles, I’ll eventually get it right. Being the expert in the room DOES feel good!
LikeLike
Oh wow that’s great that you’re brushing up on the Spanish, good luck with it. I am pretty terrible when it comes to learning languages, I find it so hard to get the vocabulary to stick in my brain! I’m also in awe that you can just make up your knitting on the go, it looks great. Good luck with the new job!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have forgotten almost ALL my vocabulary from HS. I figure if I’m USING words, I’ll remember them. And the kids will get the opportunity to laugh at my mistakes- we all win.
Sometimes I start with an idea: I want to use THIS stitch pattern to make THAT item. Sometimes its: I want to make a shawl. lets grab some yarn and needles and see what the yarn wants to be!
LikeLike
Wow, that shawl is very bright! I love it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! It is unapologetically rainbow.
LikeLike
Your sweater turned out darling and looks so nice on you. I love the brightly colored shawl and the color work hat is very cool! I’m surprised you got all that done while working too. I got a Spanish course and it is sitting unused on my desk….duh. You sound as if you are determined though so you go girl!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m beyond excited about the shawl, it think it might be the brightest yarns in my collection currently, definitely the brightest project on the needles.
I think it will be easier to learn if I’m using the language in situ. I’ve been wanting to get conversational for YEARS, but never did anything about it.
LikeLike