Monday, May 29, 2006

In the time that you are gone, I will sing a million songs...

In the time that I've been gone, I've been a knitting fool! For instance, here is my 3 skein, 1 colorway Charlotte's web shawl:



I'm not entirely sure if I like it though. I found the pattern to be a bit "meh" and the colorway, once knit up, has too much of a grape Kool-Aid feel to it. Too much purple. Not enough blue. We'll see if the lace, at least, improves upon blocking.



I also finished Dan's sock! But now I have to make the other one. I need to get more reinforcement stuff...



But check out what I got at Sheep and Wool:



That's 2 skeins, 500 yds each, 100% mohair, and really super super soft, but not really hairy. It doesn't look like most mohair I'm familair with. One skein is a red and the other is a blue/gold. I initially bought them to make the chevron scarf from Last-Minute Knitted Gifts, but now I don't know... still thinking...

Thursday, May 25, 2006

I'm Here!

You know it's bad when the Secret Pal people are on your case to update and your knitting circle friends are leaving "where are you?!" messages for you.

So, my internet died for awhile there. This weekend, one of my plans is to update with a vengance. For instance, I cast on, knit and finished a Charlotte's Web shawl in the time I've been down. And finished one of Dan's socks. And the knitting bit of the Christmas stocking.

Also, I've been super-missing knitting and it's totally on my plan of things to do this weekend but 4 weeks ago, a friend and I finally got together after weeks of missed connections, then my parents came and I took them to Annapolis to see the boats, then I had to work, and then last weekend I kept puking so I stayed at home.

But this weekend! Stitch and Bitch (suck is So Fast So Sleazy!) Big update with pictures! Or stone me if I don't!

Thursday, May 04, 2006

Secret Pal Questionnaire

Hello Mystery Secret Pal!

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

My favorite would be Kid Silk Haze. I like wool. I don't like novelty stuff or acrylics that feel like plastic.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

Wine gift boxes.

3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I've been knitting for 7.5 years now. (I learned January 1999). I consider myself advanced.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Yep.

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)

I like really clean scents, or florals. Or spicy scents. My favorite perfumes are White by GAP and Chanel No. 5. My favorite discontinued bath products are Ginger Lily anything by Body Shop and the World Piece bath ballistic by Lush.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

I like all candy. Candy Candy Candy. But I have a weakness for Chocolate Covered Cherries.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

Crochet. Beading. Anything that involves my hot glue gun. I don't spin. I tried and I really really suck.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I like world music, modern folk, New Wave... I'm open to a lot. I can handle MP3s.

9. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?

Dark blue and light pink. I wear and use a lot of earth tones. I'm not a big fan of yellow, as it makes me look jaundiced.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

1 husband. 2 gerbils.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

Yes to all but the ponchos.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

I like sweaters.

13. What are you knitting right now?

A commissioned Christmas stocking.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

YES!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

It depends on the yarn and the project. Generally, I like hardwood needles-- Brittany, Lantern Moon, Peace Fleece...

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

Sadly, no.

17. How did you learn to knit?

I took a class in college. It's a long, cool story, but I've told it a lot on here.

18. How old is your oldest UFO?

Oldest UFO that I acutally plan on finishing is verging on 4 years

19. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas, followed by Thanksgiving

20. Is there anything that you collect?

Hobbies. Books. Music. Bruises (I'm very very clumsy)

21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

I'm in love with the RYC collection and want more of their books. I also need more Zimmerman. I subscribe to:

Rowan
Rebecca
Interweave
Vogue
Knit.1
Knit Simple

22. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

Not that I can think of off the top of my head.

23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

Yes. The ball of my foot is 9.25" and from heel to second toe (my longest toe) is 10". I wear an 8.5/9 shoe.

24. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)

07/27!

In other news... I mailed out all the baby stuff. I taped up all the boxes and then realized I had forgotten to take pictures! D'oh. Ah well.

My parents come tomorrow. Next day sheep and wool!

Monday, May 01, 2006

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

I hung out with Kelle from Ann Arbor this weekend. It was awesome!!!!!!!!!!

I don't miss A2 that much, but I miss Knit A Round and the I miss my knitting group (not that my knitting group here isn't ace, but I miss the Michigan one too!)

So... I've been working on this Christmas stocking for the lady from my training program at work.

The basic construction is...
1. Ribbing
2. White band with name
3. Red band with Christmas trees
4. Green band with Santa Claus
5. Heel
6. That bit that's the top of the heel with birth year
7. Red stripe
8. Green toe

I have completed the red band with the christmas trees and just need to finish charting out Santa... so, all in all, making good progress

I want to make a sweater for my sister for her birthday at the end of the month that I saw in the last Rebecca... it takes a linen yarn and I'm going to see if I can scare up something good next weekend at the wool festival!

Also, this weekend, I crocheted me some jewelry. It turned out real purty. When my computer comes back (14 business days!!!!) then I'll put some pics up and hopefully start selling it.

Also, last night, I had a friend over and she missed the last train so I had to drive her back to Virginia...

Can I just say how much I HATE driving in Virginia? So confusing. It wasn't as bad as it could've been, because it turns out that she lives near to where Dan works, so I at least knew where I was, but there was an accident on 66 blocking all lanes of traffic, so how was I supposed to get home?! It was way too complicated.

Also, I have to be the ONLY person in the DC area that relaxes when she hits the Beltway. I love driving on the Beltway. Well lit and NOT CONFUSING.