Stephanie Cake

I've been thoroughly rotten about taking pictures and posting stuff for SP11. But I have to go on record and say my secret pal, Alice has been the most awesome person ever!

She sent me far more groovy stuff than what I'm showing here. I'm truly grateful to have been partnered up with her.

Labels: good things, knitting, yarn

I've been wrapping up some UFO's lately. I have finally finished the Monkey socks. Phew! I like how these turned out and I love Panda Cotton. I recently got some Crystal Palace "Maizy" (made from CORN!) and it seems to be similar Panda Cotton although I think it comes in much better colorways. :o)

Labels: knitting

oh yeah... I finally finished these the other day. Yarn & pattern info is on the Flickr page (click the photo to go there).

Labels: knitting

Labels: knitting

The long awaited package from my KTE pal in Canada! Well, it turns out my "spoiler" was Miss Ewe!

Check out this bounty: Lana Grossa AND Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn (the colors make me drool!) along with a sock pattern. The Spring Issue of IW Knits (its in the pic but I think I put the sock pattern on top!). I also got a little notebook, some Burt's Bees goodies (i ♥ Burt and his wonderful products!), a sticky note pad shaped like an "S" (shameless self-promotion is ALWAYS a good thing - LOL!), a spool of sheep ribbon (perfect for the gift wrapping and adornment of hand knit gifts, right?!) and a sweet little sheep ornament.

And then there is the candy. This woman is my hero. She got me MAPLE SUGAR CANDY. Its not pictured of course because I ripped into it as soon as I opened the package (its not all gone yet but it will be soon). I like to think the streets of Canada are paved in Maple Sugar Candy.... I know... its insane.... but a girl can have her fantasies, ok???!!! She also sent milk chocolate coins which are always appreciated. And. Then. There are the Roger's Chocolates.

They are pictured at the bottom of the photo - the 2 pink bundles. Oh. My. God. I haven't eated the Blueberry one yet but the Maple one met its end shortly after I took the picture. I did some internet research and learned they are "Victoria Creams". Holy moly. These little treats must be descended from heaven. Seriously. I was in love with See's Candies for so very long. But these guys are more than 3 times the size of one of See's soft centers. Ahhhhhh.....

Ok, enough waxing poetic about chocolate candies. Thanks so much, Miss Ewe! You are my hero! :o)

Labels: knitting

Trying to catch up on recent events! I just got a nice little package from my SP 10 Pal in LV.... a note on a handmade card, a card making kit, a knitting DVD (haven't had a chance to view yet... but its always good to revisit the fundamentals) and some yummy smelling Black Currant tea. You can also see the PETA sticker that was on the package in the background - I've always loved that elephant illustration.

I know I've said it before but it really is nice to know someone out there is thinking about me! :o)

Labels: knitting

I'm a creep. Because I've been swamped I haven't acknowledged my SP 10 and KTE pals... both sent me cards in the past week and a half.

The KTE postcard (L) arrived while I was in CA and a note from my SP 10 (R) arrived a couple of days after I got back.

It's so nice to know that people out there are thinking of me!!! :o)

Labels: knitting

Its finished!!!! Yay!!!! I'm so proud!!!! I stressed over knitting this lace pattern forever but once I got on a roll it was a piece of cake.

It's made with Scarlet Fleece's Silk & Ivory - 50/50 silk/merino.... an absolute dream to knit with (and it blocks like a champ too). The colorway is Poodle Skirt.

Now I feel confident enough to start some more complicated patterns. I got the Victorian Lace book and there is this adorable little circular capelet.... it's significantly more knitting but I'm confident. :o)

Labels: knitting

Ok, I know I complain like a crazy person here but the thing is, I started this blog originally so I could just write and get things off my mind. Then I started posting pix for the family and then all the knitting and swapping stuff... I have a "craft only" blog but I have been way too lazy to wade through all the back end file stuff on my server to get it going. One day, I promise!

Anyway, the tiny little rant... I think everyone will agree with this one. So, over the weekend I ordered a few things from KnitPicks - the Victorian Lace Today book, The Magic Loop book for my SP10 secret pal and some white merino yarn (for Kool-aid dyeing!). I had expected it to show up by yesterday but it didn't. This morning I went to Connor's school for the 4th grade Wax Museum/Biography Project (stay tuned for those pictures - it was PRICELESS). I was only gone for about an hour or so.

Upon my return, there was a box sitting on my front stoop. Now, it had been misty today but not enough to even need an umbrella. However, it poured last night. The box was so soaking wet that it fell apart when I picked it up. I know that it didn't get that wet sitting outside for an hour this morning. My guess is that my crackhead mailman delivered it to someone else yesterday where it sat in the rain all night and then either he or the wrong recipient dumped it at my house while I was gone.

Needless to say I am so furious. The yarn was luckily wrapped in plastic and only one skein got wet - I think it will dry ok. The lace book is a little ripply on the edge but I guess I can deal with that. I know KnitPicks would probably replace all the stuff but honestly, I hate having to go through all the hassle. I have complained to the post office about this kind of stuff repeatedly and it has only gotten worse. Honestly, I'm somewhat afraid of my mailman - he definitely strikes me as the type to go postal. Ok, rant over... on to the good stuff.

So this week has been really good. Here's how it shakes down:

• I got a bunch of consulting work accomplished this week. Such a good feeling! I still have a few things to do today (although they will probably get pushed off to Monday because I'm waiting on other ppl).
• Connor's two big school projects (science fair and biography project) are DONE. Phew. School projects are hard for parents!
• I started... and am about halfway through (!!!)... a lace scarf! This is the Branching Out scarf (Knitty Spring '05, I think) that I tried to start awhile ago and kept getting frustrated with. Well, I put my mind to it and muscled through the first few repeats and now I'm on a roll. That's not to say that I haven't tinked about every other row but I'm still very proud of myself. :o) Word to the wise, don't watch engaging TV while trying to knit lace - the yarn-overs will suffer. I will try to post pix today - I'm knitting it in the handpainted 50/50 silk/merino that I got at Holly Spring Homespun a few weeks ago. The colorway is "Poodle Skirt" - its bubblegum pink with purple bits in it. Yay!
• I got a new camera! Its a 7 MP Canon Powershot Elph. Its so tiny and cute. My old Nikon Coolpix is still a great camera but its only 3 MP and the shutter speed is so slow and it has no ISO range... I've had it forever and it was time for an upgrade.
• I jogged... for a mile... without stopping. Ok... this one has sort of been a big secret. A few people know I have been doing this running thing but I have been loathe to post anything about it because I've been afraid of jinxing it. I started this running program for wimpy, lame couch potatoes about 2 months ago. I haven't been entirely consistent but I've honestly been trying and I can definitely see and feel that I'm making a tiny bit of progress. I'm still very wimpy and lame but a little less so than I was 2 months ago! :o)
• I'm headed to VA this weekend to take a knitting class with my momma... it's a Melissa Leapman class - Knitting on the Edge. Not entirely sure what to expect but I think its about trim/edging/borders/etc. The swatches I had to knit in preparation included some bobbles and some interesting looking ribbing.
• I'M GOING TO CALIFORNIA IN 4 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!! Long time readers (ok, pretty much just my mom fits in that category I guess -lol!) know that my friend Isabel moved back to CA in October. I've missed her so much and we've been planning for me to come out there for a little visit for months now. Well, time flies and next week is the week! I'm so excited I can barely contain myself. There will of course be lots of pix to post and crazy stories to tell when we get together. We are both magnets for drama and madness (or maybe we ARE the drama and madness).

Labels: good things, knitting, rant

One of the sections of the Managing Conflict training I do is called Causes of Conflict. One of the causes is the concept of Needs vs. Wants. The class always comes up with interesting examples for this one and, when necessary, I debrief using the examples of credit card debt ("I need to save money but I want these shoes!") and need/want confusion in children ("They need rest but they want to stay up late.")

I feel like a major hypocrite when I talk about this because I'm the worst offender of Needs vs. Wants... much to my own detriment (and the detriment of my bank account, pants size, yadayada...)

What's my point here? Well, I've been knitting socks for Mr. Cake using the Colinette Jitterbug ("Jewel") mom bought me. Its really sweet yarn so I checked out the Colinette website and then the Unique Colours site (their US distributor) and found all the other great colors that Jitterbug comes in.

It goes without saying that I headed over to eBay and found the "Toscana" and "Popscicle" colorways that I was coveting for a very decent price. You can probably guess the rest. A vicious bidding war ensued. But I drew the line at paying more than the stuff retails for. Some other sucker got both hanks of yarn and I'm super miffed about that.

You know where this is going. I don't just WANT more Jitterbug. I NEEEEEEEEEEED more Jitterbug! LOL! I'm like a spoiled little child. So, I'm off to Cloverhill Yarn today(Monday's trip to Woolworks was fruitless... at least as far as Colinette products go)... cross your fingers for me. (And say a prayer for my credit card.)

Labels: knitting, yarn

So I FINALLY finished the Lichen socks I cast on about 8 months ago. Not sure why I could never get them finished. Its a simple pattern and the Koigu I chose for them is awesome. Anyway, they are done! Just in time for flip-flop weather!!! LOL!

I also have been neglecting to post a pic of this delicious Colinette Jitterbug (in "Jewel") yarn my mom got for me at a fiber show a couple of months ago. Mr. Cake got his hands on it so it's going to be socks for him. :o) I have a couple of bids in on eBay for more... I'm smitten with the "Toscana" colorway. "Popscicle" and "Alizarine" are also very cool... someone keeps outbidding me on those 2 colorways. I may have to stay up late and do a little sniping..... Oh geez! The lengths I will go to for yarn!!!!!

Labels: knitting

So life has been nuts lately and I haven't had a chance to post much about my charmed knitting life.

First, the pirate baby sweater went to El and his lady. I think they were suitably pleased. I'm looking forward to the birth of the baby and I'm happy that I made something for him/her that turned out well.

I haven't had much time to work on any of my miriade of unfinished projects. On an unfortunate note, I realized that 2 skeins of Panda Cotton isn't quite enough to make the Monkey socks. And YarnMarket is currently out of the colorway. Poop. Its my fault for not doing the math. Mom said that she thinks Knitter's Cottage in F'burg has it so hopefully I can score some more when I'm down there in a couple of weeks.

Speaking of which, I think I already mentioned it but maybe I didn't... we are signed up to take a Melissa Leapman class - Knitting on the Edge. I think that is also the title of a Nicky Epstein book so I was really confused when Mom aksed me to take the class with her. Anyway, I'm almost done with my swatches and I'm looking forward to it!

I sent another package to my SP...

I made her Red Sox stitch markers (she's a huge fan) and a "Happy Opening Day" card. Also included the Malabrigo I scored for her on the weekend yarn store tour a few weeks ago. I think she liked it. :o) I love to come up with cool things for people so I think I hit a homerun (no pun intended!) with this one.

My SP also sent me a box of treats....

Lion Brand felting wool is some good stuff! :o)

Labels: knitting, swaps

The past week has been off-the-hook busy but I'm finally getting around to posting some things!

I received a nice package from my SP 10 secret pal early last week. Inside were some cotton Sugar'n Cream yarns - ironically a ball of pink which I was unable to find when I embarked on knitting the Upside Down Daisy baby hat! - some candies, tea, candles, a neat knitted cell phone cozy pattern, some handmade dish cloths, a tiny ME photo book, a keychain, some mango flavored pineapple, a lipstick case (pink!!) and a CD that I haven't had a chance to check out yet.

I'm excited about the yarn... so I can make that baby hat in the color I intended. But then they featured cotton bar towels on Knitty Gritty today and I'm kind of interested in trying some of those stitch patterns. Ahhh... so much to knit so little time!!!

I already sent my SP an email but a huge THANK YOU again!!! GRIN!

THE SP 10 TREATS

(I forgot to include the packets of tea in the pic... whoops!)

Also in the mail last week was a dee-licious ball of Opal sock yarn from the Friedensreich Hundertwasser collection. Apparently Hundertwasser, an Austrian artist, was asked why he wore 2 different socks and he replied "why do you wear 2 of the same?" A man after my own heart for sure. I'm planning on knitting a side-ways sock from the yarn. I'll post progress when I get around to casting on.

Also got some Brittany size 2 5" DPNs... one can never have too many of those!

IN VARIATION NACH HUNDERTWASSERS WERK...DER BLAUE MOND

I'm also taking a Melissa Leapman Knitting on the Edge class at the Knitter's Cottage (in F'burg) with mom at the end of the month. I need to get on the pre-work for it so I'm not all last minute... I have 5 swatches to knit!

Labels: knitting

So this weekend I went yarn store touring w/ mi mamacita. We went to The Yarn Lounge in Richmond (located in Carytown beside Luxor Vintage Clothing). I bought some Malabrigo there and a couple of pate d'verre buttons. They had a lot of Rowan yarns and I kept fondling the Cashcotton (soooooo soooooooft!)... I decided against buying any, and of course now I reeeaaaallly want some.

Our next stop was Holly Spring Homespun in Powhatan (approx 1/2 hour from Richmond). Here, we found lots of wonderful stuff including their own line of handpainted yarn. I bought some handpainted merino and handpainted silk/merino blend.

Dinner was Thai food back in The Burg and then we stopped by A.C. Moore for some beads (mom bought a beaded scarf pattern from The Yarn Lounge). I scored some Paton's Brilliant in lavender. After knitting those beaded bracelets, I'm really anxious to knit something bigger w/ beads. I also got a $10 Vera Bradley knock-off bag to use as a knitting bag (like I don't already have 12 or 35 "knitting bags").

Back home, I squeezed and fondled my new purchases and then pilaged mama's yarn stash and snagged some Knit Picks merino she'd bought awhile ago. She graciously gave up 2 skeins in the colorway "Geranium". Then I spent the evening winding my skeins and casting on the beaded evening bag w/ the Paton's Brilliant. And did I mention that I squeezed and fondled my yarn?

It was a great weekend with my mom. There's nothing like loving yarn with someone you love. :o)

See my Sexy, Sexy Yarn set on Flickr.

Top row, L to R: Crystal Palace Panda Cotton ("Red Cinnamon"), Scarlet Fleece Silk & Ivory ("Poodle Skirt"), WIP using Paton's Brilliant

Middle row, L to R: Scarlet Fleece Handpainted Merino ("Horizen"), a big hot yarn orgy, Malabrigo Kettle Dyed Merino ("Stonechat")

Bottom row, L to R: Blue Sky Alpaca Socks that Rock ("Foo Foo", "Fire on the Mountain" & "G-Rocks"), Socks that Rock closeup, Louisa Harding Kimono Angora

Labels: knitting

Not sure if its kosher to post pictures of what I sent my secret pal.... especially since all of our blogs are available for perusing. However, there are something like 600 blogs so something tells me the chance of her looking at mine and seeing what I sent her are slim to none!

So I posted some goodness to her today. I hope she likes it all!!! I have a bunch of other stuff planned - she seems like a really interesting person so I'm having fun thinking of fun stuff for her.

Well, off to PP. I'm taking the hoodie to work on.

Labels: knitting, swaps

So my SP 10 hostess has asked us, for fun, to post what we are currently working on. As luck would have it, I was already preparing such a post!

I've gone nuts lately. But of course we all know that knitting is more addictive than drugs PLUS all the new spring magazines are out so who can blame me, right? I just finished 3 projects - the pirate baby sweater, a pair of fingerless gloves and 2 beaded/knit bracelets. So, those successes have forced me to cast on 3 more projects - Connor's hoodie, a sweater from the Spring issue of IK and a baby hat.

Connor's Hoodie.... aka Kangaroo Duo from The Knitting Experience: Book Two (The Purl Stitch). This will be a test of stamina. There isn't much to this project other than the knit-in front pocket and the hood. Otherwise its just gobs of reverse stockinette. But this will be great for working on in front of the TV since I don't actually have to look at it to knit it! Hopefully I'll have it done before he starts college.




The Cable Down Raglan Sweater... from the Spring issue of Interweave Knits. This is a beautiful sweater. I cheaped out on the yarn since its my first "complicated" sweater... at least from my perspective... its still made out of wool but I decided not to invest in the Louet Gems Topaz that the pattern called for. I originally intended to get orange, coral or pink yarn for it but impatience forced me to go for what they had enough of! Its got a pretty diamond cable pattern and shaping that I think will be flattering on me.



The Upside Down Daisy Hat... from the Spring issue of BH&G's Knit It! This is totally an instant gratification thing. I just took the picture of the cast-on this afternoon and I'm almost done with it. I'm hoping to give it to my bro-in-law and his girl for their baby which is due in June. They are certain they are having a girl. I hope they're right or I'm gonna have to find another baby to give it to!



Along with these 3 projects are a couple of UFO's... 2 pairs of socks (1 of them ALMOST done.... really, I swear!) and a scarf that needs to be frogged so the yarn can be recycled.

Next on my drawing board are:

A shawl (a simple lace pattern in Spring IK that I'm hoping will help me actually get over my lace obstacles) - I have some perfect stash yarn for it.

A pair of socks for my SP 10 secret pal. She likes red and I got some Crystal Palace Panda Cotton (bamboo/cotton blend) in Cinnamon. Its got a little elastic in it so hopefully it will be nice for some summer socks.

A pair of fingerless gloves for my friend. She loves the ones I made back in the fall and I have enough Noro Silver Thaw yarn left over to make her a pair. Of course the relevance of the fact that its almost spring and she lives in Sacramento aren't lost on me... but who cares?! :o)

This is all so ambitious, no? I've been known to dream very big and accomplish very little. I've also been known to eschew food, showering, sleep and work in order to knit. I have confidence in my abilities. LOL!!!!!

Labels: knitting, on the needles, projects

I got my SP 10 partner... SO EXCITED for this one!!!!! My hostess (there are like 10 of them I think) is really on top of things, I wasn't expecting to hear from her so soon. Names are supposed to be out by this Friday... and they have 600+ participants. Holy Moly!!!

For my partner.... I created a link over there to the questionnaire ===>
Look at the top/right side beside the picture of little moi. I also have another questionnaire posted because I'm participating in another exchange. I'm looking forward to hearing from you! :o)

Labels: knitting, swaps

Whee! I love swaps and exchanges!

1. What's your favourite type of yarn?
I seriously heart plain old superwash merino. Cashmere blends, of course, are also very nice. I love hand painted yarns because it is fun to see how the colors knit up.


2. What's your least favourite type of yarn?
I recently found that I really don’t like to knit acrylic, after knitting a baby sweater – it splits and looks crappy. 100% cotton has given me grief too. But to be honest, I love any kind of yarn that is pretty and would give just about anything a chance!


3. What's the first thing you do when you visit a new yarn shop?
Squeeze and fondle the cashmere and angora blends. Or else run to the first bright color that catches my eye. Then touch everything else. THEN remember why I went there in the first place.


4. What other crafts do you do / would like to do?
I love to sew (total fabric whore!) and make jewelry (I’m a classically trained silversmith). I make mixed media art quilts and mixed media silver jewelry. I also love collage, assemblage and photography.


5. What magazines do you currently subscribe to?
Somerset Studio, Art Jewelry, ReadyMade, Bust


6. Put this type of magazine in order of preference:Knitting / Crochet / Other Craft / Food / Home / Fashion / Celebrity Gossip / Garden
1.) Other craft / Knitting
2.) Food / Home(Only buy these when something really catches my eye)
3.) Fashion / Celeb / Garden (I don’t really read or buy these)


7. What items do you like to knit / crochet?
I’ll try just about anything! My current WIP’s include: a knitted hoodie for my son, a baby sweater, a couple of pairs of socks, some free form stuff to use in an assemblage and a pair of hand warmers for a friend.
I also like to knit stuff to be felted – purses, etc. I’m not a big crocheter but I made a few amigurumi around the holidays and would love to find some interesting patterns for more of those.


8. Are you allergic to anything?
Nuts. (walnuts, hazelnuts (filberts) & pecans especially)


9. What do you like to smell of?
Citrus scents (grapefruit, bergamot, tangerine) and English lavender.


10. What's your favourite way to relax?
Napping and reading… and, although I know it sounds clichéd… knitting. When I’m super stressed out I knit a few rows on my least demanding work in progress.


11. You're stood in front of a Victorian style sweetshop, an Italian cafe, an old fashioned bakery and a dainty tea room. Where do you go first?
Oh gosh. That would be a very difficult choice – I’m certain I could find something wonderful in all those places. Probably the old fashioned bakery.


12. What do you come out with?
Brownies, fudge and cupcakes with thick buttercream frosting (or anything chocolate-y and nut-free for that matter!). Yum!


13. Where do you go next?
The Italian café, or course. What goes better with brownies and cupcakes than espresso??? Altho… a cuppa Earl Grey from the tea room might be nice too…


14. Any other words of wisdom for your pal?
I have no idea what to put here. I love surprises and I love swaps (it’s all about the joy of getting mail!!). This is only my 2nd knitting related swap but I’ve participated in a lot of other craft/mail/art swaps. I’m eternally grateful to swap partners who put a lot of thought into what they send – handmade items, regional treats, a little piece of themselves, etc. Several of my swap partners have become friends. :o)

Labels: knitting, swaps

Yay! A new swap op! (hardeeharhar) My mom sent me the link to the Knitters Treat Exchange - a one time secret pal swap. Based on the swaps I've seen thus far, knitters are far better swappers than some of the other exchanges I've been involved in so I'm excited about this one.

Its the small things in life that make the difference. A thoughtful piece of mail from a stranger can really make your day.

Labels: knitting, swaps

So my mom told me about the Secret Pal swap. I love swapping but haven't done any swaps in awhile. I got totally burned on a few swaps last year and rather disappointed on a few others. But the Secret Pal swap seems to be really well organized and sort of "upscale" so I'm excited about participating.

One of the requirements is to answer the questionnaire. I love talking about myself at length so swap questionnaires are always a bonus. Muahahaha!!! (seriously, I'm not that shallow, I'm just snarky)


2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? Currently in 2 skinny galvanized buckets. They work… but I would LOVE a handmade needle case that I can travel with. Winkwink.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I learned how to knit in college. It was a combination of figuring it out on my own and my mom showing me. I failed miserably in those early attempts but seriously came back to knitting last year. My mom is proud. I would consider myself intermediate in most knitting skills… I’m getting better every day!

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes! Amazon is my mecca. I love books like I love air. http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/12EDJH5EE3L93/

5. What's your favorite scent? Lavender, hands down! I am of the strong belief that one cannot have too many English lavender sachets. However, I’m not a big perfume, cosmetics, lotion, soap person because I have sensitive skin and a million nitpicky allergies.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Unfortunately for my waistline, yes. Milk chocolate all the way! Plain old Hershey bars or Lindt milk chocolate truffles make me very happy. I will also sell my soul for Vermont Maple Sugar candy. And I’ll commit crimes for See’s blueberry or pineapple filled chocolates (well anything from See’s for that matter!) Other candies are nice too – I love anything in the “blue” (blueberry? blue raspberry? bloo???) flavor variety (hahaha!). Swedish fish and gummy bears are nice too. IMPORANT: Sadly I’m allergic to most tree nuts… some are ok and others are deadly… But really, I don’t expect anyone to have to go to the trouble of analyzing ingredients on my behalf.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I love to sew – I’m a complete fabric whore! I’ve been making things since I was little – my mom is a very talented crafter and seamstress. Outside of knitting I’m primarily a mixed media artist so I love found objects, paper, trinkets, buttons, fibers… anything interesting! I learned drop spindle spinning in college (I have a fine arts degree) and would love to do it again as well as learn to spin on a wheel.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) My musical tastes are somewhat varied and complicated! I have a few things listed on my blog profile & my MySpace page. I can play MP3’s.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? I love retro-y colors. Pink + brown + orange + aqua + lime green…. but I really can’t say there are any colors I don’t like.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? Husband of 11 years and a darling 9 year old son. Sadly my kitty died a year ago and we aren’t ready for any new pets just yet.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Yep! I look stupid in hats but I wear ‘em anyway! Hehehe!

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I’ll try anything once! I like socks. I also love knitting with the intent to felt.

13. What are you knitting right now?
A hat my husband has requested (nay, demanded!), a baby sweater for my brother-in-law’s impending bundle of joy, 2 pairs of socks for myself.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes!!!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
All of the above? I use both straight and circulars as necessary. I prefer wood and bamboo needles most and plastic the least but I wouldn’t turn away a good lookin’ needle no matter what it was made of. I recently bought a set of Addi Turbo circulars… I don’t hate them but I’m not sure if I like them yet either.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?I don’t but my mom has a winder. I’ve trained the hubby to help me wind yarn the old fashioned way.

17. How old is your oldest UFO? Hah! Are you kidding me??? I bet I have unfinished craft projects from when I was a child! But my oldest knitting UFO is probably a scarf I started for my husband when we were dating… so 12 years old?

18. What is your favorite holiday?
My birthday! Hahaha! I don’t really have a favorite. I like ‘em all, especially if there are presents and/or good things to eat.

19. Is there anything that you collect?
I’m a packrat… so the question is: what do I NOT collect…. But I love vintage sewing notions, old buttons and squirrels (figurines and tchotchkes and such, not actual live rodent).

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
There is nothing I have a burning desire for. I sort of live for the moment and covet beautiful things as I see them. I have a few knitting and spinning books on my Amazon wish list.

I do love Brittany needles (I only have a couple of pairs)… or any wooden needles with the pretty little carved ends. I don’t have any magazine subs but I really like Spin-Off for the interesting info about wool and fibers and techniques, even though I don’t really actively spin at the moment (I know! I’m such a nerd). Otherwise, I only buy knitting magazines when something catches my eye.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Not sure. I’m really interested in lace patterns and I’ve tried a few but I’ve gotten frustrated with dropping yarn overs and keeping track of the stitches. Are there pretty lace patterns for the ADD afflicted??

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes! Love knitting socks! I wear a women’s size 9 shoe – my feet are sort of normal/average…. 9 ½ in length – 8 ½ - 9 in circumference

23. When is your birthday?
September 23. I’m a Libra.

Labels: knitting, swaps