Another FO!

The Tori Socks are done. Only two years in the making. You might remember that I finished the first one the day I learned my second cousin, Tori, had finally succumbed to the cancer she had been battling for several years at that point. She was a beautiful little girl who loved horses and rainbows and butterflies. Although there is nothing special about these socks - other than the first one was my first sock ever, they are just basic, stockinette, toe-up socks - the bright and cheerful colors will always make me think of her. I don't know why I felt the need to finally make the second now, but I started it a few days ago and just had to finish it.

I also have the front and neck finished of the HP vest:

the only thing that's left is to do the armband ribbing and block it. I really really want to get this done, but I just haven't been able to bring myself to start picking up the stitches. And I have the sneaking suspicion that I am going to have to hit the LYS to pick up one more skein of the grey. Two armbands! Mrph! Maybe I can get it to work out.

Finished Clue 3 a few days ago, actually, but am just now getting around to posting a pic.
I'm going to have to add the length to it. It's only 23.5" long from tip to needle right now, which would make an approximately 71" stole. I'm 70" tall, and I think I'd want it a bit longer if I decide to make it for me. I have to figure out what I want to do about the edge bead sequence, though.

TKD stuff after the cut.
I had, for me, my first disappointment in class tonight. Well, technically, not in class, after class. I stayed after to work on my sparring segments and board break. I could do the blue board, the easiest board and the minimum requirement for testing, just fine. I could not break the brown one, the next hardest board, for ANYTHING. It was the first time I've not been able to break a board at all. Even after hurting my hand with the knife strike, I still broke the board eventually. This time, I didn't hurt anything, not really, although the ball of my foot was getting a bit sore. I just couldn't do it. Ma'am finally made me take a break - "Katie, it's too close to testing to risk hurting your foot more!" - but Mr. R promised we'd work on it again next Monday. I *think* it might have to do with where the board was held. I think it needs to be higher and flatter for me, which surprised me because I don't expect to kick very high, but I felt like I couldn't get a solid kick on the surface when it was lower and more angled. Like I couldn't extend as well. I didn't know that you could ask the holders to adjust the boards (within reason, of course), until Ma'am told me afterwards, so I will have to try that next week. I can do all the minimum requirements for testing, but my nature always prods me to do better than the minimum - I've always hated the idea of conforming to the lowest common denominator - and I want to do the most challenging things that I can. I'm finally comfortable with my form, surprising myself when I was able to do it without thinking about it the other day, and I'm comfortable with the self-defense for once. My second and third sparring segments need a bit of work, but I think if I snag a rehearsal room again a couple times this week, I'll get them. I'm a little nervous about the sparring, but I was able to talk to Sir about it last week, and he said I should do fine. Obviously they aren't going to judge my skills the same way they would a higher belt with more experience. I think Mr. M is mid-terming, so he might be my sparring partner for testing. That would be okay. I might still do a pickup, but I'll wait until after class next week to decide. It'd be kind of cool to not feel the need to do one, though!