Secret Pal 6 has drawn to a close and not only did I get to find out who my secret pal was but I got one final package as well! My pal is Lynette and can be found here and here. My last package included a crocheted washcloth and small bag, homemade soap, bath salts and a bath fizzy and some yarn in my favorite color, orange.
Look, look, pictures - the pictures I said I would post weeks ago. Mmmmm yarn & chocolate.
I finally took some pictures of the things I got from my Super Secret Pal. First, a picture of the yarn and needle that were in the first package.
Next the most recent package I got from Secret Pal; 2 skeins of Knit Picks Sock Landscape (that I may use for gloves) and a bar of yummy chocolate infused with Early Grey tea (it almost killed me to wait until I took a picture of it so I could finally break into it).
Secret Pal 6 is now over and I had a great time. It was so fun to try and chose items for my pal that I though she would like and it was so exciting to get unexpected packages in the mail.
So my Secret Pal sent me my first package a couple of weeks ago and I have yet to properly thank her. When I first opened the package the first thing I saw was a picture of a terribly ugly crocheted vest. My first reaction was "I'm doomed!" Then I realized that my fabulous secret pal read my questionnaire and knew I'd like to learn some basic crochet. The vest was a pattern in the back of a publication called "Learn to Crochet in One Day." *relief* She also sent me a beautiful crochet hook and 2 balls of Debbie Bliss cotton angora and a lovely shade of light purple.
My computer is all fixed and at home and my camera is back from being lent out so I swear I'll post a pic soon...
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Secret Pal!
In other news the seaming class I took at Northeast Fiber Arts was great! I learned so much new stuff about finishing (even things that take place in the beginning like casting on), that I am in the process of frogging my entire Marilyn Sweater so I can re-knit it. So far I've re-knit one sleeve and am almost done with the back (I didn't put the cable on the back, I thought it was weird).
I also borrowed a book from Reba and knit my first pair of gloves for Elah and I've knit one oversized glove of a pair for my cousin Grayson (in LSU purple of course) that I plan to felt.
I feel like there's more but it escapes me at the moment.
I completely forgot to post my Secret Pal questionnaire to give my pal an idea of who I am and what I like. As a bonus it'll probably get rid of that creepy pic from Germany. If you already know me or just don't care, skip this post.
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 don't really care what brand it is as long as it doesn't feel like sandpaper against my skin. That being said I do tend to gravitate toward more natural fibers.
2. Do you spin? Crochet?
Not yet but I'd love to learn to crochet.
3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
No
4. How long have you been knitting?
I learned when I was a kid and picked it p for a minute when I was pregnant but didn't become obsessive or really even very interested until about a year ago.
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes but I don't think there's anything knitting related on there.
6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
I like lavender, I like Skin Trip coconut lotion because it reminds me of my mom when I was a kid. I tend to like darker scents, sagey, musky (not too musky!), sandalwoody, Nag Champa kind of smells.
7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
Yes, I like milk chocolate, almost anything with nuts, good coffee.
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
Well, after work, parenting, and homework the only DIY thing I can manage is dragging my ass to bed.
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 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 - I like it all. Yes my computer 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?
Orange is my favorite color but I don't think my own coloring lends to my being able to really wear it. What's the new black this season? Maybe that will be my new favorite! *snark* There aren't really colors I don't like except maybe dusty rose.
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I'm single with a daughter who turns five on 18/9. We have 2 cats only one of which goes outside.
12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
To be able to take naps, to not get so wrapped up in what I think I'm supposed to be doing that I miss out on my daughter's life, to be a super math nerd.
13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
I don't know that I have a favorite; Lamb's Pride is probably what I use most often. They have some yard made out of bamboo at my LYS that seems soft I may try soon.
14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Eyelash was fun for a minute but I'm pretty much over that one. I'm not a fan of a lot of acrylic but I have come across yarn that was secretly* acrylic that I liked.
*I would have sworn that the yarn was a natural fiber but it was just undercover.
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
I've done two first socks and that's going well, winter is creeping up so hats will come back into the mix, I'd like to make a pair of gloves (for the first time) this winter and finally do a whole sweater. I always love to felt.
16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I don't know
17. What are you knitting right now?
2 scarves, some socks and a hat.
18. What do you think about ponchos?
I prefer wraps but some ponchos are nice.
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
It depends on the job.
20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I use bamboo mostly but I do own both plastic and aluminum.
21. Are you a sock knitter?
Yes
22. How did you learn to knit?
Most recently I bought some books, ask my friend Jessica (who's been knitting since she was 5), and got together for a SnB at my house.
23. How old is your oldest UFO?
I have a scarf I work on when I have no other projects, that one is probably 4 or 5 months old.
24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
Hello Kitty is my favorite animated character. My favorite animals are frogs and octopuses (but realistic ones, not cartoony).
25. 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.
26. 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.
27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
None
28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?
My friend just got That Darn Yarn from her Secret Pal and it looks great. Last Minute Knitted Gifts looks interesting as does Weekend Knitting. Nicky Epstein seems to have some good books out. I also like the Yarn Girls and while I could go on forever, there's not anything I've been dying to get my hands on.
29. Any patterns you have been coveting, but haven't bought for one reason or another??
Not right now, the internet and one click shopping mean that my impulsiveness take care of that most times.
I signed up for Secret Pal 6! Remember when Margot did Secret Pal 3? I am a tingle with anticipation...
