Quick Update

Just a quick update - I'm still alive but my car died :(

I've been trying to navigate homework, parenting, car shopping (and loan shopping) and supporting my stepmother while she went through an unexpected surgery and now, her recovery.

I have managed to knit jus a little and I promise that soon you will see a proper post from me.

Happy Hallowe'en!
(Does anyone know why Halloween used to be spelled like that, with the weird little apostrophe?)

Secret Pal 9

So I was going to sit out this round of SP but this one contains my birthday and I couldn't pass it up.

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I prefer natural fibers and have been wanting to try some silk. I’m not a big acrylic fan (the squeak of it across the needles *shiver*) buy feel is more important than content.


2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have a needle case, the top drawer of a yarn trunk and a vase.

3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I’ve been knitting about 2 1/2 years; I’d rate myself as intermediate.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes, it’s here.

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
I’m not s huge Yanke Candle fan but I do love the sage and citrus scent. I also like nag champa, white musk from the Body Shop, I like lavender, I like Skin Trip coconut lotion because it reminds me of my mom when I was a kid and sandalwood.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Yes, I like milk chocolate, almost anything with nuts, good coffee (straight joe, not flavored).

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
Well, after work, parenting, and homework the only DIY thing I can manage is dragging my ass to bed. I don’t spin and I am a beginning crochetier.

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 everything, well everything that doesn't suck. But seriously Fear Factor to Common, Amiel to Emmy Lou Harris, Nikka Costa to Super Cat, Miles Davis to Stereolab, Chromeo to Coal Chamber - I like it all. Yes my computer can play 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?
Orange is my favorite color but I don't think my own coloring lends to my being able to really wear it. There aren't really colors I don't like except maybe dusty rose and anything da-glo.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I'm single with a daughter who is 6 and a 19-year old cousin who also lives with us. We have 1 indoor cat. I have a lot of family and good friends in the area.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I actually wear all of them, the ponchos I wear (I only have 2) are more like plain wraps sewn up on one side.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I don’t really have anything that I love above all else or anything that I abhor.

13. What are you knitting right now?
I have a pair of socks, 2 scarves, a hat and a possible sweater on the needles.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
That’s a little personal don’t you think? I mean we just met.
It really depends on the project, they all have their pros and cons.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Yay! I do now.

17. How did you learn to knit?
My gramdmother’s friend taught me when I was a kid and I promptly put down my needles to go play in the dirt, I picked it up again when I was pregnant and knit 1 and 1/2 squares of a 9 square blanket and abandon it again. About two and a half years ago I picked up a book and got together with some knitters and have been obsessive ever since.

18. How old is your oldest UFO?
About a year old.

19. What is your favorite holiday?
Winter Solstice because we all get together to hang out, open gifts, and eat my mom's yummy grits for breakfast.

20. Is there anything that you collect?
I try not to do a ton of collecting because I have enough stuff but anything that catches my eye has the potential, I like dark woods, boxes, random trinkets from India, and I could go on and on, it's more about the item than the completion of or addition to a collection. The closest I come are items related to goddesses and female saints.

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’ve rated my books by preference on my Amazon wish list. I have a subscription to Craft.

22. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Not that I can think of.

23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes, I have huge feet; 8.5 in. around the ball of my foot and 10 in. from tow to heel.

24. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
11/30