It's been one of those weeks. Well, last week was one of those weeks where you're so busy it's just 'go go go' and by the time it's all over you can't remember half of what you did. This week is just meh. It's been hot and humid, which makes it hard to motivate myself to knit, and still rather busy. Today was a not great day a work, and then I came home to try to make some supper. Only the chicken didn't quite smell right, the zuchini has some little slimey spots on it and the rice burned in the microwave.
I called Pizza Hut.
However, by some cosmic force, my SP5 person knew that it was a meh kind of week. On the up side of today I came home to find a package! Complete with the Twisted Sisters Sock book and two skeins of Lorna's Lace Sock Yarn in the purple-y/amethyst color. This are looking brighter all ready. I think I might have to get the socks I've got on the needle finished so I can get a start on those!
And maybe this weekend I'll actually have some knitting time again. *crosses fingers*
Friday, June 17, 2005
SP5!!!
Eeeeee!!! I have an awesome SP5 buddy, it has been decided (not that there was any doubt before, it's just been confirmed :D). I came home Tuesday (after a long day at work) to a great card from my pal. And a set of beautiful notecards with Georgia O'Keefe's Oriental Poppies on the covers. Just lovely. It completely made my day.
Wednesday was made with a trip to the bookstore and coming home to a package from the evil muse - who had sent that hank of yarn I sent her off to get me for my cardigan. Now I should have enough to finish that particular project, if I get back into my knitting grove. Which will probably not be tonight as the evil muse and I were up until 2:00 my time (3:00 her time) chatting away and the alarm clock went off at an all too early 6:00. Between a mug holding 8-10 cups of coffee (yum), two cans of Diet Vanilla Coke and judicious amounts of chocolate I've managed to make it this far. And it fifteen minutes a friend'll be picking me up from work to go for dinner and to see Batman Begins. Eeee!! Even dead tired there is excitement here. Just a little more subdued. :D
Wednesday was made with a trip to the bookstore and coming home to a package from the evil muse - who had sent that hank of yarn I sent her off to get me for my cardigan. Now I should have enough to finish that particular project, if I get back into my knitting grove. Which will probably not be tonight as the evil muse and I were up until 2:00 my time (3:00 her time) chatting away and the alarm clock went off at an all too early 6:00. Between a mug holding 8-10 cups of coffee (yum), two cans of Diet Vanilla Coke and judicious amounts of chocolate I've managed to make it this far. And it fifteen minutes a friend'll be picking me up from work to go for dinner and to see Batman Begins. Eeee!! Even dead tired there is excitement here. Just a little more subdued. :D
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Goodness
Has it really been that long since I last posted? The sad thing is I looked over my last post and I really haven't gotten much further. I did make it to the point on my bolero jacket front that I'm about to start decreasing for the shoulder, but that's about it.
Instead I've been reading and trying out my new drop spindle. The drop spindle came with some lovely roving, however it was too pretty for my sad attempts at spinning, so I bought some undyed roving at my LYS this past weekend and spun for a bit on Saturday. It's coming out sort of think, a bit thicker than worsted but not quite bulky, and sorta fuzzy, but I'm really liking it a lot. I'm already dreaming up things like Kool-Aid dye and maybe something felted to do with this. Not sure what, I'll have to see how far I get with it.
The reading has been my chance to finally tackle my summer reading list, though I added to it on Sunday. But I've already finished one of the added books and have gotten a start on the second, so I'm not feeling too bad about adding to the list. Though I may be singing a different song tomorrow when I get the sequel to the book I finished yesterday.
This evening, though, it going to be all about the knitting. I have a heel to turn on the travel sock and a front to my bolero jacket to finish. Hopefully I'll get one of those worked on. :D
Instead I've been reading and trying out my new drop spindle. The drop spindle came with some lovely roving, however it was too pretty for my sad attempts at spinning, so I bought some undyed roving at my LYS this past weekend and spun for a bit on Saturday. It's coming out sort of think, a bit thicker than worsted but not quite bulky, and sorta fuzzy, but I'm really liking it a lot. I'm already dreaming up things like Kool-Aid dye and maybe something felted to do with this. Not sure what, I'll have to see how far I get with it.
The reading has been my chance to finally tackle my summer reading list, though I added to it on Sunday. But I've already finished one of the added books and have gotten a start on the second, so I'm not feeling too bad about adding to the list. Though I may be singing a different song tomorrow when I get the sequel to the book I finished yesterday.
This evening, though, it going to be all about the knitting. I have a heel to turn on the travel sock and a front to my bolero jacket to finish. Hopefully I'll get one of those worked on. :D
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Knitting has, unfortunately, been at a minimum lately. My boss had budget money left over for the fiscal year, so she offered me the chance to work full time until my next round of classes begin (the 20th). So not only has my free time decreased, but I'm usually so tired when I get home that I just crash (but happily my insomnia is going away!). Add to that the fact that the cotton I've been working with is killing my wrists, there definitely hasn't been much knitting. But now that I've given my hands a break and I've caught up on sleep, hopefully I'll get the chance to pick it up again.
I did get some knitting finished since the last post, though. I've gotten to the heel on the travel sock, so I'll start turning it today at lunch. I'll work on the other front of the bolero jacket on the bus today, as well. Gotta get my knitting in!
I did get some knitting finished since the last post, though. I've gotten to the heel on the travel sock, so I'll start turning it today at lunch. I'll work on the other front of the bolero jacket on the bus today, as well. Gotta get my knitting in!
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Two posts at once!
Well, we'll see if it works. Wireless has been up and down my entire lunch hour. Makes me wonder just how great it is to have the most wired (or technically wireless) campus if you can't get a signal on the only side of the library where the electrical outlets are actually wired themselves.
Not a lot of knitting related accomplishments to regale. Though my buying yarn on Saturday was apparently the motivation I needed to get other knitting projects finished (probably has something to do with the potential 'can only buy yarn for one project once finish two projects' rule and the fact that I'm already 'in the hole' since I had the unexpected acquiring of yarn). In other words, I finally seamed that one shoulder seam and did the neckband of my vest. Still have another shoulder seam and then it's side seams (ick!) but I have made progress on a project that has sat at 90% complete for nearly two years. And I also have made enough progress on the travel sock that I'm nearly to the heel. Yay! As soon as I get those finished I'll have two projects finished and won't feel so guilty about yarn purchases on Saturday.
I also finally got that survey/meme thinger posted for SP5 (with a little helpful poking by my secret pal).
I had a great Memorial Day weekend. A friend travelled down to visit, and it was her birthday on Saturday. So we went to the winery and did a wine tasting. And then were thankful we had a DD, as we were just tipsy enough that we knew we shouldn't drive. There was supper at a cow palace, great big hunks of meat were consumed and margaritas were drunk. Sunday was a cookout, the THE - toss, hit and eat. Though actually the order was toss (lawn darts and horse shoes), eat (brats and salads and incredibly wonderful banana puddings) and hit (fizzball). Fizzball is an idea they pulled from a comic book years ago. Buy the cheapest, nastiest beer you can, someone pitches and someone else hits it with a baseball bat and sees who can get the best explosion. Very good times, though I now know from experience that Schlitz isn't fun to get in your eyes. Monday was hang out time before our friend headed back home, and then resting and working on the vest. So, in all a great time, though I was tired tired tired yesterday.
Well, lunch break is nearly over and I've got to head back to work. Hopefully I'll have some picture when I post next. Either of knitting stuff or maybe my new drop spindle I just won from eBay or of the weekend. :D
Not a lot of knitting related accomplishments to regale. Though my buying yarn on Saturday was apparently the motivation I needed to get other knitting projects finished (probably has something to do with the potential 'can only buy yarn for one project once finish two projects' rule and the fact that I'm already 'in the hole' since I had the unexpected acquiring of yarn). In other words, I finally seamed that one shoulder seam and did the neckband of my vest. Still have another shoulder seam and then it's side seams (ick!) but I have made progress on a project that has sat at 90% complete for nearly two years. And I also have made enough progress on the travel sock that I'm nearly to the heel. Yay! As soon as I get those finished I'll have two projects finished and won't feel so guilty about yarn purchases on Saturday.
I also finally got that survey/meme thinger posted for SP5 (with a little helpful poking by my secret pal).
I had a great Memorial Day weekend. A friend travelled down to visit, and it was her birthday on Saturday. So we went to the winery and did a wine tasting. And then were thankful we had a DD, as we were just tipsy enough that we knew we shouldn't drive. There was supper at a cow palace, great big hunks of meat were consumed and margaritas were drunk. Sunday was a cookout, the THE - toss, hit and eat. Though actually the order was toss (lawn darts and horse shoes), eat (brats and salads and incredibly wonderful banana puddings) and hit (fizzball). Fizzball is an idea they pulled from a comic book years ago. Buy the cheapest, nastiest beer you can, someone pitches and someone else hits it with a baseball bat and sees who can get the best explosion. Very good times, though I now know from experience that Schlitz isn't fun to get in your eyes. Monday was hang out time before our friend headed back home, and then resting and working on the vest. So, in all a great time, though I was tired tired tired yesterday.
Well, lunch break is nearly over and I've got to head back to work. Hopefully I'll have some picture when I post next. Either of knitting stuff or maybe my new drop spindle I just won from eBay or of the weekend. :D
Meme! Or something like that.
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?
In a perfect world I'd be a yarn snob, however on my current budget I pretty much have realized I can't be too picky. If Elann.com doesn't have it or a comparable substitute at a decent price then I start considering the nicer of the Lion Brand yarns. But my favorite yarn to work with will always be Brown Sheep.
2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I haven't crocheted an actual project in about eight or nine years and was just informed, when attempting to pick it up again at Christmas, that I crochet throwing the yarn like a knitter. But technically I do crochet and am attempting to pick it up again, though I definitely prefer knitting. As for spinning, I just won a drop spindle and burgundy roving on eBay, so we're about to see just how well I like it.
3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
Cigarette smoke for the most part. Some perfumes give me a headache, but that's just some.
4. How long have you been knitting?
I started knitting when I was 7 or 8ish I think. All I know is that it was a long time ago when my Mom was the 4-H knitting leader, but I wasn't old enough by family standards to join up yet. But the 'big girls' would come over to knit and I wanted to also, so Mom set me up with a couple of needles and a skein of cheap yarn and I think I knit on the same 30 stitches or so until I started my first 4-H project.
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Amazon.com - for books, music and such.
Wishlist.com - for yarn and whatnot that isn't available on Amazon.com
6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
From Bath and Body Works - Pearberry, which is unfortunately discontinued but I'm really loving their Chocolate Fondue scent and their Black Raspberry Vanilla scent.
Pier 1 candles - Love love love their Ginger Peach candles. A long time ago they had bubble bath and bath salts as well, but I haven't been able to find those for a good three or four years.
7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
Yes. Dark chocolate. Dark chocolate M&Ms are my crack (and nigh on impossible to find anymore). I prefer my chocolate sans nuts, but I won't turn up my nose if it has nuts. One of my favorite candy bars is the Love Notes Dark Chocolate with free-dried Raspberry bits. YUM.
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
Like I said above, I'm trying to relearn to crochet and I'm hoping to pick up spinning. Technically you could say I cross stitch, though I haven't picked up a project in ages. Otherwise the closest I come is cooking. Love to cook.
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I love most kinds of music, I'm not one to discount all in a genre of music just because there are a few songs/artists I don't like. Lately I've been on a jazz kick, listening to the Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald duets, but I'm just as likely to be jamming to the new Rob Thomas songs or Montgomery Gentry as I am to be listening to jazz. I am picky about rap, there are a few rappers out there that I don't mind, but for the most part that isn't my style.
10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
Purple!
And red and blue. But it will always be purple or red to first catch my eye. Pink has been growing on me, enough that it has made it's way into my wardrobe. I like bright or deep colors, I'm not all about muted tones. I think that if there was one color I'd have to pick out and say I don't like it'd be olive green or orange or something.
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I'm single, live alone with no pets. Though I've been told there may be fish in my future (I'd love to set up a salt water tank, so that may be summer project). Nearly everyone I know has been talking about their pets or getting new pets, though, so I'm currently experiencing major pet envy right now.
12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
Librarian at an academic science library. Possibly as a Map Librarian.
13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
Wool. My knitting repetoir is pretty much limited to wool, cotton and acrylic. And wool, especially some Merino I have, is pretty much my favorite.
14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I'm tempted to say cotton here, just because I'm using some cotton right now that's making my tendonitis flare up. But really it's probably just acrylic, though I am guilty of having some Caron Simply Soft in my stash.
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
Shrugs and short summery jackets. Not so much because they're the new fashion trend (I'm generally the least fashionable person in the world) but because we have dress codes where I work that say no backless shirts and wouldn't you know, my two favorite summer shirts are halter tops. So if I have something to cover my back while at work, I can wear those shirts the rest of the day. I'm currently working on two from the Summer VK, with yarn substitutions of course, because as much as I'd love to use Fiesta La Luz yarn, that's half a paycheck for me right now.
16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Anything cute? I've been enjoying making socks because there is no seaming to do, but I also love sweaters (especially if I can figure out alterations to do a three-needle bind off at the shoulders) in general. I have done more than my share of fuzzy scarves, so I'm ready to call it quits on those (and ignore the piles of eyelash still in my stash). What I've really been hankering to work on lately (and I completely blame working on that clover lace gauge swatch) is a lacy scarf, so I guess I haven't completely given up on scarves, but just the furry ones.
17. What are you knitting right now?
Right now?
Cropped Cardigan from Summer Vogue knitting, substituting Cascade 220 for the suggested cotton. Berry Bolero from the same mag, substituting Elann Sonata for the suggested silk yarn. Second in a pair of socks using the orange and pink striped Shepard's Sock yarn. A baby blanket that was supposed to be for my old neighbors, only they moved away soon after finding out they were pregnant so it's on hold until I either acquire another pregnant friend/neighbor/cousin. Vest out of Paton's Bella that just needs a shoulder seamed, neckband and finish seaming, a lace shawl I keep changing my mind on the pattern for and a Clapotis that keeps getting put aside for other projects.
18. What do you think about ponchos?
Have made two! One with a gorgeous Buotone from Handpaintedyarn.com in just plain stockinette and another in a dropped stitch pattern with Morehouse Merino in black. The black dropped stitch poncho is probably going to be frogged, though. It's beautiful, but it's huge and I'm clumsy. And nearly close-lined myself the first time I wore it, getting it caught on a fake plant just outside a public restroom. Oi.
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
I mostly prefer straights, though that may be because my circular needle collection is sadly lacking - I bought at least one of every size available when the So Fro (now JoAnn's I believe) in my town closed, so I have every size I need there. But circs have always been a 'buy when you need them' kinda deal and I have a hard time justify getting them when I have a perfectly viable straight needle set I can use instead. That said, I've been knitting more and more on the go, and I absolutely love the circs I have for that.
20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I'm so old-school it's scary. I was taught on aluminum (Boye to be exact, hated the Susan Bates aluminum) needles and do prefer them for most stuff. Though I love love love my Brittany Birchtoothpicks sock needles (except for when they snap on me while on vacation) to death. And I have a Clover Bamboo circular needle that I've grown to absolutely love, once I got past the fact that the sizing system for Clover is just a bit off. But plastic, for the most part, is a big fat no (I have and really like my Denise set, but there's just something about metal needles that feel more 'right' than plastic - I end up using the Denise's a stitch holders more often than not).
21. Are you a sock knitter?
My third pair is in progress, mainly used to occupy my hands when I'm on the bus or otherwise traveling.
22. How did you learn to knit?
My mother taught me.
23. How old is your oldest UFO?
Ummm... Eight years? I started it as a freshman in college before I realized I had no time to knit. Haven't worked on it since and I'm really not sure if I still know where the pattern it, since it wasn't with the yarn and half knit back piece last I checked. After that I have a sweater back and sleeve that needs frogging I started two years ago, then decided I didn't like doing the mental math that goes with using a different gauge on a sweater. And a vest that has been finished except for sewing together and knitting the neckband for a year and a half (lost the pattern and only just found it a week or two ago).
24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
Carebears. Yes, I know. But the little ruler I keep in my traveling bag of knitting supplies is a Carebear ruler and I love it (and the t-shirts and pencils and folders I have) to death.
25. What is your favorite holiday?
I could be selfish and say Groundhogs Day (my b-day) but actually I think it'd be Christmas. Not just the traditional food (yum! lutefisk! pickled herring!) and church services (I miss our old Julotta services) but also I love to give gifts. And the past two years I've given knitted gifts to people, which has made it even better.
26. Is there anything that you collect?
You mean besides yarn and needles? And books? I sometimes pick up Boyd's Bears village figurines, I have a few of those that I've been adding to over the years. And I pick up Georgia O'Keefe and Van Gogh and Raul Dufy prints if I see ones I like. (Though I'm also a big believer in just sticking post cards or calendar pages in picture frames and it's a heck of a lot cheaper.)
I'm not sure if you'd call this a collecting kind of thing, but I love to go to Goodwill and get sweaters to frog for yarn. For one thing, you get a sweater's worth of yarn for just a few bucks. But also, ripping a sweater apart is great therapy when you're having chronic car problems or under a lot of stress for different reasons.
27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I have a subscription to IK and am considering getting a subscription to Vogue. I grew up looking through Vogue knitting, but usually consider the patterns too edgy for my taste to actually want to knit (I want it to still be somewhat in style when I finish it). I considered IK to be more my taste, except there are two projects in the Summer VK I'm already working up and I'm rather meh about most of what's in the Summer IK.
28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?
Last Minute Knitted Gifts and A Gathering of Lace for knitting books.
In a perfect world I'd be a yarn snob, however on my current budget I pretty much have realized I can't be too picky. If Elann.com doesn't have it or a comparable substitute at a decent price then I start considering the nicer of the Lion Brand yarns. But my favorite yarn to work with will always be Brown Sheep.
2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I haven't crocheted an actual project in about eight or nine years and was just informed, when attempting to pick it up again at Christmas, that I crochet throwing the yarn like a knitter. But technically I do crochet and am attempting to pick it up again, though I definitely prefer knitting. As for spinning, I just won a drop spindle and burgundy roving on eBay, so we're about to see just how well I like it.
3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
Cigarette smoke for the most part. Some perfumes give me a headache, but that's just some.
4. How long have you been knitting?
I started knitting when I was 7 or 8ish I think. All I know is that it was a long time ago when my Mom was the 4-H knitting leader, but I wasn't old enough by family standards to join up yet. But the 'big girls' would come over to knit and I wanted to also, so Mom set me up with a couple of needles and a skein of cheap yarn and I think I knit on the same 30 stitches or so until I started my first 4-H project.
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Amazon.com - for books, music and such.
Wishlist.com - for yarn and whatnot that isn't available on Amazon.com
6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
From Bath and Body Works - Pearberry, which is unfortunately discontinued but I'm really loving their Chocolate Fondue scent and their Black Raspberry Vanilla scent.
Pier 1 candles - Love love love their Ginger Peach candles. A long time ago they had bubble bath and bath salts as well, but I haven't been able to find those for a good three or four years.
7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
Yes. Dark chocolate. Dark chocolate M&Ms are my crack (and nigh on impossible to find anymore). I prefer my chocolate sans nuts, but I won't turn up my nose if it has nuts. One of my favorite candy bars is the Love Notes Dark Chocolate with free-dried Raspberry bits. YUM.
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
Like I said above, I'm trying to relearn to crochet and I'm hoping to pick up spinning. Technically you could say I cross stitch, though I haven't picked up a project in ages. Otherwise the closest I come is cooking. Love to cook.
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I love most kinds of music, I'm not one to discount all in a genre of music just because there are a few songs/artists I don't like. Lately I've been on a jazz kick, listening to the Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald duets, but I'm just as likely to be jamming to the new Rob Thomas songs or Montgomery Gentry as I am to be listening to jazz. I am picky about rap, there are a few rappers out there that I don't mind, but for the most part that isn't my style.
10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
Purple!
And red and blue. But it will always be purple or red to first catch my eye. Pink has been growing on me, enough that it has made it's way into my wardrobe. I like bright or deep colors, I'm not all about muted tones. I think that if there was one color I'd have to pick out and say I don't like it'd be olive green or orange or something.
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I'm single, live alone with no pets. Though I've been told there may be fish in my future (I'd love to set up a salt water tank, so that may be summer project). Nearly everyone I know has been talking about their pets or getting new pets, though, so I'm currently experiencing major pet envy right now.
12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
Librarian at an academic science library. Possibly as a Map Librarian.
13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
Wool. My knitting repetoir is pretty much limited to wool, cotton and acrylic. And wool, especially some Merino I have, is pretty much my favorite.
14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I'm tempted to say cotton here, just because I'm using some cotton right now that's making my tendonitis flare up. But really it's probably just acrylic, though I am guilty of having some Caron Simply Soft in my stash.
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
Shrugs and short summery jackets. Not so much because they're the new fashion trend (I'm generally the least fashionable person in the world) but because we have dress codes where I work that say no backless shirts and wouldn't you know, my two favorite summer shirts are halter tops. So if I have something to cover my back while at work, I can wear those shirts the rest of the day. I'm currently working on two from the Summer VK, with yarn substitutions of course, because as much as I'd love to use Fiesta La Luz yarn, that's half a paycheck for me right now.
16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Anything cute? I've been enjoying making socks because there is no seaming to do, but I also love sweaters (especially if I can figure out alterations to do a three-needle bind off at the shoulders) in general. I have done more than my share of fuzzy scarves, so I'm ready to call it quits on those (and ignore the piles of eyelash still in my stash). What I've really been hankering to work on lately (and I completely blame working on that clover lace gauge swatch) is a lacy scarf, so I guess I haven't completely given up on scarves, but just the furry ones.
17. What are you knitting right now?
Right now?
Cropped Cardigan from Summer Vogue knitting, substituting Cascade 220 for the suggested cotton. Berry Bolero from the same mag, substituting Elann Sonata for the suggested silk yarn. Second in a pair of socks using the orange and pink striped Shepard's Sock yarn. A baby blanket that was supposed to be for my old neighbors, only they moved away soon after finding out they were pregnant so it's on hold until I either acquire another pregnant friend/neighbor/cousin. Vest out of Paton's Bella that just needs a shoulder seamed, neckband and finish seaming, a lace shawl I keep changing my mind on the pattern for and a Clapotis that keeps getting put aside for other projects.
18. What do you think about ponchos?
Have made two! One with a gorgeous Buotone from Handpaintedyarn.com in just plain stockinette and another in a dropped stitch pattern with Morehouse Merino in black. The black dropped stitch poncho is probably going to be frogged, though. It's beautiful, but it's huge and I'm clumsy. And nearly close-lined myself the first time I wore it, getting it caught on a fake plant just outside a public restroom. Oi.
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
I mostly prefer straights, though that may be because my circular needle collection is sadly lacking - I bought at least one of every size available when the So Fro (now JoAnn's I believe) in my town closed, so I have every size I need there. But circs have always been a 'buy when you need them' kinda deal and I have a hard time justify getting them when I have a perfectly viable straight needle set I can use instead. That said, I've been knitting more and more on the go, and I absolutely love the circs I have for that.
20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I'm so old-school it's scary. I was taught on aluminum (Boye to be exact, hated the Susan Bates aluminum) needles and do prefer them for most stuff. Though I love love love my Brittany Birch
21. Are you a sock knitter?
My third pair is in progress, mainly used to occupy my hands when I'm on the bus or otherwise traveling.
22. How did you learn to knit?
My mother taught me.
23. How old is your oldest UFO?
Ummm... Eight years? I started it as a freshman in college before I realized I had no time to knit. Haven't worked on it since and I'm really not sure if I still know where the pattern it, since it wasn't with the yarn and half knit back piece last I checked. After that I have a sweater back and sleeve that needs frogging I started two years ago, then decided I didn't like doing the mental math that goes with using a different gauge on a sweater. And a vest that has been finished except for sewing together and knitting the neckband for a year and a half (lost the pattern and only just found it a week or two ago).
24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
Carebears. Yes, I know. But the little ruler I keep in my traveling bag of knitting supplies is a Carebear ruler and I love it (and the t-shirts and pencils and folders I have) to death.
25. What is your favorite holiday?
I could be selfish and say Groundhogs Day (my b-day) but actually I think it'd be Christmas. Not just the traditional food (yum! lutefisk! pickled herring!) and church services (I miss our old Julotta services) but also I love to give gifts. And the past two years I've given knitted gifts to people, which has made it even better.
26. Is there anything that you collect?
You mean besides yarn and needles? And books? I sometimes pick up Boyd's Bears village figurines, I have a few of those that I've been adding to over the years. And I pick up Georgia O'Keefe and Van Gogh and Raul Dufy prints if I see ones I like. (Though I'm also a big believer in just sticking post cards or calendar pages in picture frames and it's a heck of a lot cheaper.)
I'm not sure if you'd call this a collecting kind of thing, but I love to go to Goodwill and get sweaters to frog for yarn. For one thing, you get a sweater's worth of yarn for just a few bucks. But also, ripping a sweater apart is great therapy when you're having chronic car problems or under a lot of stress for different reasons.
27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I have a subscription to IK and am considering getting a subscription to Vogue. I grew up looking through Vogue knitting, but usually consider the patterns too edgy for my taste to actually want to knit (I want it to still be somewhat in style when I finish it). I considered IK to be more my taste, except there are two projects in the Summer VK I'm already working up and I'm rather meh about most of what's in the Summer IK.
28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?
Last Minute Knitted Gifts and A Gathering of Lace for knitting books.
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