Presents!

I got presents in the mail. Its almost like its my birthday or something! (tee hee it almost is my birthday actually.) There was yarn and bath mitts and lotion and bath salts and yarn oh my! The body products are from Etsy and smell yummy. They are on my nightstand right now and I can smell them before I go to bed, and when I first wake up.

The yarn is delicious, it is Berrocco Ultra Alpaca. I am pretty sure that my secret pal is psychic (or a stalker) cause I have this yarn on my wish list at my LYS. And guess what my LYS also has: more yarn in the same dye lot! I am not sure how this happens cross country, but I was amazed. I bought more yarn and now I am making Something Red from Knit and Tonic. I hope my pal doesn't mind that I bought more of the yarn. I am soo excited that I got yarn on my wish list. Yay.

Also, while I was watching the Sox (YAY) sweep and win the world series I cast off my Tahki Vest. I will make a special post for it when it is properly photographed and blocked. I also was a bad kid and bought some lace weight Zephyr to make Muir from the fall Knitty. It will be my first foray into lace. At least lace that is lace sized, does a chunky weight afghan count? I made a gauge swatch and it turned out beautiful, but it took a lot of concentration. I think I will wait to cast on until I have my Christmas presents finished and have time to concentrate and knit at the same time. Ick, knitting I actually have to pay attention to. At least it will be something different.

Yay

Secret pals rock!

I am a bad secret pal recipient. I received a quite excellent package in the mail (thursday maybe??) and said nothing. Well here is the post. I got a skein of Nashua Creative Focus Chunky, a GIANT box of Baci and a cloche pattern to go with the yarn. YAY. I have tried to be well behaved and feed the people in my office the Baci, but I failed. So instead I am left eating it all myself. Which I'm sure was the general idea, but I am probably not supposed to eat it all at once. The yarn is lovely, and in the perfect Rose shade. However, I am in a cast-on moratorium. I am not allowed to cast on anything else until at least 2 other projects are finished. As soon as i am allowed to cast on something new this is the first thing to go. It looks like it will be a quick knit.

Sorry for the post delay.
mmmmmm baci.

SP11 Questionnaire #2

I don't know where this questionnaire came from, but many SP11 participants have posted it, so here I go.

1. What is the one knitting accessory you could not live without?
My j-shaped cable needle.

2. If you're heading on vacation, do you take knitting with you? If so, how much and what type of project?
Yes. Actually I hadn't touched a knitting needle in a year when i impulse purchased a knitting book, needles, and enough yarn for a large sweater on vacation. Although yarn is squishy, I wouldn't recommend doing that while backpacking in Europe. As far as what type of project i would take? I a not sure, probably a sweater, that would last me the entire trip.

3. Where have you travelled to that you'd consider your favorite spot?
Gaaaah, I only get one. No I am picking three. My latest favourite US locale is Charleston. Overseas, it is tied between northern Wales and Paris. They are tooo different to say one is better than the other.

4. What is your favorite knitting book at the moment? Do you own it?
I am really enjoying the Pure Wool Collection by Rowan, and i do own it. I know this isn't a book, but i would love to own all the patterns from Zephyr Style.

5. Do you listen to podcasts? Which is your favorite(s)?
This American Life. Ira Glass is my hero. I saw him live once and have never laughed that hard.

6. If you could only knit with 1 color for the rest of your life, what color would that be?
Hrmm,the bottle green merino that i have been using lately. I have stopped and started a zillion sweaters with this same yarn and i have yet to get sick of it, so i guess thats a good sign.

7. If you were far into a project and then noticed a mistake near the beginning what would you do?
It depends on the mistake. If you have noticed my last posts, i have to rip stuff out a lot.

8. Where is the most unusual spot you've ever knit?
I like to knit at my local pub. I They actually have quite good food and it is a nice place to get a beer and a good sandwich after work. I am not sure if this is a strange place compared to other knitters, but the other patrons seem to be startled by someone knitting.

SP11 Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I particularly like alpaca and alpaca blends. I will work with any natural fiber. I am in love with all Debbie Bliss yarns. Out of natural fibres, i tend to use more wools than cottons or linens. I don't like acrylic blends but have had to resort to it sometimes. eww.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have a pouch for my dpns and circulars. I am not so good at organizing my straight needles. They sit in a vase in my kitchen. That is on the (large) list of things to do.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
My mom taught me when i was 12 but i did not really pick it up again until i was in high school. I think i am an intermediate. I'm not sure.

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

5. What's your favorite scent?
Lavender. I like herbal scents, not a big fan of sweet or floral scents. I hate vanilla.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Yes! My favorite candy is Baci. They are from Italy.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I knit, dabble in sewing, and crochet some. I have tried spinning but it didn't work out so well. I also have woven (on a public loom, i don't own one) but i haven't had time to go to the arts center lately. I subscribe to Readymade Magazine and sometimes even complete a project.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Alternative indie pop, I think thats a genre, that is the closest i can describe my music. Stephen Malkmus, Elliott Smith, Talking Heads, Elvis Costello, Amy Winehouse, Cure. I love mp3s and am an ipod freak.

9. What's your favorite colour(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I have been on a green kick lately. I am not a big fan of orange, yellow, or pink. i also rarely use varigated yarn. i know thats boring but i dont like the look in sweaters. I dont use much more than a tweed. In socks striping yarns are great, and i already have some favourites picked out for when i venture towards that (click here, here and here), but in the meantime solids for my sweaters and accessories. (plus, i heart cables, and i think they look best with a nice plain colour)

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I am single and live alone. I looove dogs but am not allowed to have one in my current apartment. My parents have a dog which i still consider partly mine.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Yes, yes, yes, and no.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I like to knit small accessories and sweaters. I am not a sock knitter.

13. What are you knitting right now?
I am working on a capelet from Wrap Style, a sweater from Sublime, Glee from Zephyr Style, and mystery gift. (i am not sure if the person recieving the gift reads my blog, but you cant be too careful.)

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

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

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
No, but my mom lives nearby and owns both.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
2 years, but it is stalled for technical reasons.

18. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas! I love giving presents. It is one of my specialties.

19. Is there anything that you collect?
I am a bibliophile. My apartment is too small for knickknacks, and probably is too small for my stash.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I don't have anay knitting subscriptions but i love any rowan or debbie bliss patterns. I am still debating if i want to spend the money on Fitted Knits. I also really really want to make the Katharine Hepburn Cardigan from Lace Style and the Log Cabin afghan and Mitred Afghan from mason dixon knitting. I guess im too cheap to buy a whole book for one pattern.

***update. my mom said she wanted to make some patterns in fitted knits too, so i broke down and bought it. but with my borders coupons it came to only $11.09!

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I haven't tried entrelac before. Mostly because it is a bit far down on the projects list.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Nope. I wear a size nine. Is that what sock knitters need? I might be tempted to try them if some sock yarn showed up mysteriously (wink wink) but so far, nothing.

23. When is your birthday?
November 3rd. sometimes i get crappy presidents for my birthday.

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
I am still waiting for my invite, but i am pretty far down on the list.