The not so happy hooker...

Technically speaking, I have 5 weeks to finish my stealth knitting (if you want to see it, you'll have to deduce where it is on that page.  I figure the recipient won't go looking).  One would think five weeks is quite enough time, but things are getting in the way.  Things like earning a paycheck, entertaining the dog, cleaning the never ending dust bunnies, laundry, and eating (which requires shopping and cooking).  You know.  Life.  The list of tasks are endless.

I have a good 300 stitches on the needles now, and it's growing.  By the time I finish the next 12 rows, there should be 413 stitches.  Still, it will grow.  As I approached the completion of the first 12 repeats of chart 1, I threw up a poll on Ravelry.  Should I continue to bead, or stop beading in the midsection and pick it back up at the end?  The consensus seemed to think I was being a whiny knitter and should continue what I'd started and maintain beading throughout.  Some felt that since I was creating what will surely be an heirloom, I shouldn't sell it short.

I decided the hive mind was correct.  I was being whiny. It's so tedious!

The beads are added one at a time by placing them on the tiniest crochet hook first.  The hook only holds 3 size 8/0 seed beads at a time and rather precariously at that.  If I hold the hook any way but upright, the beads fall off.  The sofa cushion is likely a treasure trove of beads right now.  If I run short, I'm going bead hunting there before I go back to the bead store.  Anyways, don't tell Dr. K, but against professional advice, I have been using my teeth as tools when I hold the hook there between bead applications.  Hopefully I won't break any because I don't have time for a dentist right now!