Secret Pal 6
SP6! I have been working on my quesionaire all week and have not yet posted.....I even got fussed at by my SP. Sorry! So here's more that you ever wanted to know......
1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?
I like natural fibers best, no denying it, but I am open. I usually find fantasy/novelty yarns more difficult to knit with and they irritate me. BUT sometimes the finished product is worth it.
Red Heart is NOT a favorite. I did the Red Sweater Project and knitted 7 sweaters for it. I had wanted to do more but I just dreaded knitting with the RH. It feels like the petroleum product that it is.
2. Do you spin? Crochet?
Nope. I have crocheted some sweaters together and made some crochet flowers. But I would have no idea how to follow a pattern.
3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
No allergies. I do not like the smell of Patchouli—I associate they smell with someone I did not like.
4. How long have you been knitting?
I’ve been knitting almost two years—well, kinda. I learned Fall of 2003, but did not make my first project until January 2004. After a month, I was OBSESSED.
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Amazon. Its full of knitting books!
6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
My ALL TIME favorite is Lavender—real woody versions, not the fake stuff I get here. When I go to Ireland I usually load up but its never enough. I love the smell of citrus-y things, like orange/tangerine/lemon as well.
7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
Not really. I like white and very dark chocolate but do not eat it very often.
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
Knitting for me is all-encompassing, rather than a gateway craft. That may change though. I have tried scrapbooking but I found it tedious.
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I like alternative stuff. Pixies are my all time fave, but I think I have all their gear. Radiohead, U2 and techno in general are real favorites too. And being a child of the 80s I have fond memories of New Order and The Jesus and Mary Chain.
I do not like country. I REALLY mean that. No offense meant.
I can play MP3s.
10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
I like brights—like magenta and lime green—but not orange really. I wear a lot of purple/turquoise/pinks. I love black but I am trying to get away from it. Pastels wash me out and make me look tired; khaki makes me look like I died. So I avoid wearing those colors.
I am a SAHM and a grad student so my wardrobe needs are minimal and very casual. And I love bright socks! And to add to the cliché, I do wear the socks with clogs.
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Two kids, two dogs, one spouse. It’s a full life.
12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
I’d love to write a book—I love to read and I am going to Library School right now. I read everything—except for scary stuff. I have enough imagination to scare myself every day.
13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
I love wool and cotton and all that fun stuff. I like novelty yarns a lot less. I made a sweater for my grandmother with undyed handspun from Holly Spring Homespun and it was LOVELY.
14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Red Heart, anything that looks worse and feels worse after you have knitted it up.
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
For the last few months I have been on a self-imposed yarn diet and have been doing my Xmas knitting to use up some of my stash. My stash is not big and I do not buy yarn just because I like it, I have to have a project in mind to purchase the yarn. But I have loads of yet-unstarted projects, or leftovers from other projects.
For Xmas I am making knitted things for my kids and for all their cousins—I have made 5 buttonhole bags (love love love them) and now I am making things to go in the bags like scarves, hats and fingerless gloves. Great use of stash!
16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I love making hats, though I never wear them! I make them as presents and for the kids and for new babies. I love working in the round.
Simple socks are another favorite. Love to wear my handmade socks.
And I make a lots of things for kids—mine and others. Kids look great in handknits!
17. What are you knitting right now?
I am making a cardigan for myself in Summer Tweed (stash, my dad brought it back from the UK) based on Ann Budd’s book. I use her other book for everything! I get her books out of the library so often, I really should own my own.
I just finished a novelty shawl for my mum out of ribbon.
I am working on the last of the two socks for Melanie’s test-knit pattern. It’s a great one!
I am nearly done with a baby cardigan for a two-year old out of Arcania Nature Cotton. Its green and beautiful.
The Silk Corset by Annie Modesitt, which sadly I frogged last week. I was making the 36 size and it was at least 2 inches too small—and I know my GIRLS are not that bodacious. My guage must be very off. So its in balls waiting to be remade. Very sad for me.
And next in the que—a denim jumper for the JumpingGirl. Alison’s was so beautiful….and isn’t imitation the sincerest form of flattery?
18. What do you think about ponchos?
I have two and that is enough. They are nice for small kids though. My nieces want them desperately.
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
Circular.
20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I love my Denise Interchangeables! They have saved me from awkward needle mistakes thousands of times. And they are a great value.
I love bamboo when Denise will not work—in only goes as small as a 5. I have DPNs for most of the small sizes and am starting to collect the bigger ones as needed. The circs are great too.
21. Are you a sock knitter?
Love to knit socks—they are my walk-around/playground/Drs Office knitting. I usually have one going all the time.
22. How did you learn to knit?
I taught myself in college from a book but did not really “get” it. I took and Adult Education class about 2 years ago and the bug bit me soon after that.
23. How old is your oldest UFO?
The Annie Modesitt corset that I just frogged. I usually try to finish everything, but I always have multiple projects going.
24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
I like dogs.
25. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas and Halloween are fun. My spouse and I met on Valentines Day.
26. Is there anything that you collect?
Nope. My dad was a packrat and we stumbled over his “collections” of old magazines for years. Stuff I buy has to have a USE--I always have a use for yarn and pattern books.
27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
IK.
28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?
I have been waiting for the Vicki Howell book New Knits on the Block for awhile. I hope it does not disappoint! I get most of my knitting books at the library.
29. Any patterns you have been coveting, but haven't bought for one reason or another??
Eris looks good, and Cutaway. BUT in tune with my non-stashing rules, I will not buy the pattern OR yarn until I am ready to start the project.
ETA: 30. What are your foot measurements, and what kind of socks do you like?
I wear a size 8.5. We have hardwood floors so I do not wear slipper socks. I love the feel of wool and cotton—I am not very picky about my socks. I am waiting for my Sockpal2za socks…..I love surprises!
Cindy Crawford and Kate Moss appearing here!
Well, they are the supermodels of my backyard at least. We had friends over to play today (always a party) and the girls modeled some of the Xmas presents I hve been making. Five
buttonhole bags now, which means I could be finished, but they are so addictive to make and so cute I may have to think of an excuse to make a few more.
All of them used a mix of new and stash yarn; the project was designed to use up stash and odd ends of wool that I have. Mixing up the bits and odds and ends was really fun!
For each girl who gets a buttonhole bag I am also making a small item to go inside. Some will have scarves, some hats, maybe some mittens or fingerless gloves.
Thing2 here modeling one of the scarves I have made (all contents and shape to be determined
by stash leftovers). This one is Soft Touch Wendy from a
baby hat held together with some now-legendary Cotton-Ease. Its slightly soft and super fuzzy, perfect for any girly-girl under 10. I crocheted the flower on the edge too (more Cotton Ease) and slapped an odd button on it. Viola!
Any ideas for the 12 year old brother? A really punk hat and fingerless gloves with a skull? Though even I might not appreciate that if it was given to my kid.......
