Secret Pal 12 Wrap-up

If you were told you could never again buy yarn, what would your last yarn purchase be?

About three tractor trailers packed full of wool and woold blends. And a new garage to put it in.

If you were told you could never knit again, what would be the last thing you’d knit??

A pair of socks for my husband. He loves them so much!

In a given year, how many times do you buy yarn? And what is your favorite place to buy yarn from? A festival? A shop? Online? Dish your favorite places!!

I usually buy my yarn online. Knitpicks and WEBs tend to be where I go first. I do shop at my LYS, but their selection isn't quite as broad as I'd like, so sometimes I just have to go online.

Lastly, with Fall in full swing in many areas, what is the one thing you look forward to most?

• Fall colors are my favorite, so autumn is great for me
  
• Cool weather for sweaters
• Halloween!
  

I just sent out my third package, and of course, I forgot to take a picture of the knitted item I sent out. Isn't that just great? It was cute too.... Oh well.

Busy Busy Busy

My mom wanted to go visit her sister, so this last Saturday we drove her out for a visit. It was a beautiful day for a trip, and we all enjoyed the little outing. She's having a good time, and that's good!

I've been doing a little secret pal knitting. No details or pictures, just in case she's figured out who I am already.

I did a scarf for my father-in-law. It's ready to be mailed, but I'll try to get pics before it heads out in the mail. I hope he wears it!

I hurt my back over the weekend and stayed home today. It's a good thing too; my stomach has been all upset. I wouldn't have wanted to be stuck at work today. Yuck!

Secret Pal Pic

Here it is, the SP12 package. There was a magazine in there too, but it's already joined my knitting bag downstairs.

In the back, you see a cute little knitting, great for storing small items, which I tend to lose! Inside were some dove chocolates -- there's one sitting out there, lucky to have lasted this long. There's a bear shaped tape measure -- very cute and handy.

In the little bag are some of the cutest double-pointed needles. They're only about 5 inches long and very small and delicate. I can't wait to try them out!

Then there's a bath bomb (love those things) and a foot scrubbie that I've never tried. It looks really cool though. There's a picture mouse pad and a magnetic notepad. I use those on the fridge to keep my grocery list.

And in front, a skein of Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn. I LOVE that yarn brand. If I had to name a favorite sock yarn, that would have to be it. How did you know? The color is Mountain Morning. The picture here really doesn't do it justice. Imagine autumn colors, reds with a little gold and teal. Beautiful! This is going to be a pair of socks for me, very very soon!

Thanks SP buddy! You did fantastic!

Teasers

I just finished doing some patterns and other work for an online site. I'll provide the links when they're up and going. In the meantime, here's a pic to peak your interest.

This is a scarf pattern I did. It's got a rounded, scalloped edge that's a bit different but still easy to do. It's in garter stitch, so it's a super-easy knit.

I'll post more pictures later, and links to where you can find the patterns as soon as the site is up. I also did a hat, some wrist warmers, and a gift bag.

Right now I'm completely in love with this pattern. It's a top down raglan cardigan that, so far, is so easy and fun to knit I can hardly express how much I'm enjoying it! And since it's top-down, you can get the size right. Take a look at some of her other patterns as well, very nice.

I'm re-using the yarn that I had picked for the perfect sweater. If you remember, that one met its end this spring when I finally realized I'd missed gauge so profusely that my husband and I could probably wear the sweater at the same time. Talk about knitter's denial. What the heck was I thinking? I promise progress pics of that too.

My other big project is another shawl, this one for my mom's sister. It's in a dark blue yarn with flecks of green, and it's the same pattern I used for my mom's, the North Sea Shawl from Folk Knits.

And one final tease... I got my first SP12 package, and it's fantastic. We were out of town, so I actually got it a bit late, andI haven't had time to do pictures yet. She included a skein of cherry tree hill yarn. I love their yarns, and she picked out a very pretty colorway in a sock yarn. That is definitely becoming a pair of socks for yours truly.

SP questions catch-up

Have you ever entered your knitting (or anything else) in the fair? Would you ever consider it?

No, I’ve never entered, and I don’t think I would want to. I usually knit for my own pleasure or for gifts, so trying to win something at the fair would make the knitting not so much fun.

What is your favorite supper for a hot summer evening?

I love my crockpot! There’s something about coming home to a hot cooked meal that I didn’t have to stand over and cook. Even in warm weather, I still enjoy a “real” meal that’s hot and freshly made. Sandwiches and salads are nice some nights, but there’s no better comfort food than a big pot of soup after a hard day.

What yarn (that you don’t have/haven’t used) would make your stash “complete”?

I love wool/silk blends. As soon as I buy it, I typically use it right away so it doesn’t last in my stash very long.


What yarn do you never want to be without?

Wool! I love wool yarns in general, whether 100 percent wool or blended with other fibers. Worsted weight wool and sock weights are my two favorites – I can do just about anything I want out of those.

What would you consider the perfect amount of stash?

You can NEVER have enough stash! I love getting an idea and being able to rummage around and find some yarn that’s appropriate for it. Since I don’t have a lot of yarn shops locally, I almost have to keep a good amount of stash (yep, it’s a necessity!!!) or I have to wait to get something in the mail. When I’m feeling inspired, waiting is the last thing I want to do.

SP12 question

This week's question is what we liked most about summer vacation.

I enjoyed having the summer to do what I wanted, for a change. Although I was good in school, I tended to be pretty bored as well, especially in the lower grades. I spent the year doing lessons and then waiting quietly (yeah right).

When summer came, I checked out stacks of books each weekend. We'd drive to the library, and I remember how cold it was inside. Our car didn't have air conditioning, so the building was an absolute haven. Quiet and cool, it fairly beckoned.

It was a wonderful Saturday afternoon ritual, and we still keep it in a manner of speaking by heading to the bookstore.

Secret Pal 12

Secret Pal 12 is getting underway. Here is my questionnaire.

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

I like just about any animal fibers. I don't like acrylic.

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

A bag for small needles, a vase for long ones.

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

I've been knitting about five years. I learned the basics in a class, but I've taught myself most of it. I'd consider myself intermediate.

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

Not really.

5. What's your favorite scent?

Citrus scents and lavender.

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

Dark chocolates.

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

I'm just learning to spin.

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

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

Autumn colors, especially orange, yellow, rust, brown, etc. I don't like pink.

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

We have several pets.

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

Scarves, hats and mittens - yes. I don't wear ponchos.

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

Just about anything really, but I keep socks on the needles practically all the time.

13. What are you knitting right now?

Scarf, socks, sweater.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Yes.

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

Circular. Bamboo.

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

Yes, my husband!

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

About 10 months old.

18. What is your favorite holiday?

Halloween.

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Gargoyle and sheep figurines. (My husband got me started on the latter)

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

Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitting Workshop. I don't have any magazine subscriptions.

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

Button bands for cardigans.

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

I wear a size 8 1/2 shoe. Yes, I knit socks.

23. When is your birthday?

May 6

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?

jkay