Info for Sock It to Me Sock Swap

• What are your foot measurements? Usually size 8.5, but last few times I've been shopping I've been hovering between an 8 and an 8.5.
• Length of foot: 9.75"
• Circumference of ball of foot: 8.5"
• How long have you been knitting? A year and a half
• How would you rate your experience? Adventurous beginner
• What is your favorite color? I don't have one specific favorite, but I like blues, greens, plums, as well as rich earth tones
• Your least favorite color? Burnt orange. Yellow-y greens. Neons. I'm iffy on pastels.
• Do you have a favorite fiber? Superwash for socks. I'm more of a texture type of person, I like soft fibers that make the knitting process as much fun as the end product. I also prefer natural fibers, although I am curious about some of the tencel blends and sea silk/sea wool yarns.
• Do you have any allergies to certain fibers? Not that I know of. I'm not fond of pure mohair but blends seem to be fine. Again, texture is key.
• Do you have an Amazon, or other type of, wishlist? Not at the moment.
• What techniques, if any, would you like to learn? Lace and entrelac (and right now, short row heels which are frustrating me). These will be a bit down the road however because I have quite a few projects queued up for after I graduate in 2 weeks and they are mostly socks :)
• Do you have a sweet tooth? What are your favorite snacks? I am on a fitness/eating program plan which is working very well for me. Please don't send me any snacks- I don't want the temptation and it takes me a while to get back on track if I indulge. If you really enjoy sending food items, I have an adorable pup who loves treats.
• What is your family situation? (Children, Husband, Pets...etc.) Living with my best friend (G) and sharing a springer spaniel/black lab rescue named Gypsy.
• Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Metal, plastic or wood? Right now, I love Options and Knitpicks Classic Circulars. They are pointy and slick, and I love the cords Knitpicks uses on their needles. I use 2 circulars for my socks, not DPNs.
• Besides socks, what are your favorite items to knit? Right now, I'm really into socks. I could have three different socks going and be extremely happy. I'm hoping to try beginner lace at some point (my goal is before the end of the year).
• Is there a pattern, (sock or otherwise), that you are dying to try? Monkeys or one of the Cookie A sock patterns. Eventually I'd love to try Sahara but that will be once my weight stops fluctuating, so probably 2008. I may try some Mrs. Beetons for myself and some holiday presents.
• Do you like to read? Yes. Although with my schedule and schoolwork, I haven't read for pleasure as much as I normally would.
• What are you reading currently? (please note, I am much more interesting than this list makes me sound- at least I hope I am!) On my nightstand:
  
• 'Propaganda' by Edward Bernays
• 'Dyer's Companion' by Dagmar Klos
  
• 'Shut Up, Stop Whining, & Get A Life: A Kick-Butt Approach to a Better Life' by Larry Winget
• Browsing through several career books by Robin Ryan ('60 Seconds & You're Hired', etc)
  
• I just finished 'Tipping the Velvet' by Sarah Waters.
  
• I love rereading Sharon Shinn's Archangel series.
• Do you collect music? I *heart* my iPod. Absolutely.
• What kind of music do you listen to? Right now, I'm playing the heck out of the new Amy Winehouse CD. Other favorites include Garbage, Dido, Sarah McLaughlin, 80s music (Billy Idol, Dead or Alive, old Madonna, Prince, Depeche Mode, that sort of thing), some alternative, Spanish guitar, some oldies. And 80s big-hair bands :) I'm not really into a lot of the pop that's out right now.
• Is there anything you collect? Recipes. Unfortunately, any other collections, especially knickknacks, seem to turn into 'clutter' with me.
• What are your hobbies, aside from knitting? Dyeing. Cooking. Reading. Working out. I am a fulltime marketing guru, fulltime grad student so hobby time is limited but I will be (hopefully) graduating in two weeks. When I get some free time, I'd like to start up bellydancing again.
• Are you participating in any other swaps or knitalongs? Sockapalooza 4, debating on the next Secret Pal (11) exchange.
• Do you have a favorite scent? Soft linen/cotton types, light scents of vanilla and lavender. I like cucumber-melon and mandarin orange scents, too. I prefer clean, fresh scents- nothing too sweet, spicy or cloying.
• When is your birthday? Last week of October.

A lack of willpower (and goodies)

I found out this morning that one of the yarns on my "to try" list is being discontinued in the particular colorway I wanted (Trekking XXL, color 107). I finally decided I liked it enough to order it, and went shopping.

I feel a bit bad about my lack of willpower but I've wanted that colorway since I started knitting. So I'm terrible at sticking to a yarn diet with discontinued items.


I received some awesome packages yesterday, courtesy of the exchanges I'm doing on swapbot.

This is handdyed wool (Cascade Eco Wool) in absolutely gorgeous rose, creams and greens. It's perfect for spring- it reminds me of flowers and gardens. I don't have anything like this and I'm going to really think this over before I use it. Thank you, Paula!

I also received a package from Singapore (!!) for my international sassy sock yarn swap. My swap partner sent me some Patons Patonyle, which is incredibly soft and the colors are really pretty. I know I'll enjoy wearing these socks! Thank you, Chrissie!

Secret Pal 10

1. a.What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
Currently, it's sock yarn. But overall, my absolute favorite so far has been Watermark, by Fiesta Yarns. It's amazingly soft, and was the type of yarn I had to stop every three rows to pet and sigh over. Other favorites include: Lorna's Laces, Cherry Tree Hill, Classic Elite Lush, Knitpicks Shine and Ambrosia, Lamb's Pride.

I have some Knitpicks Gloss and Lisa Souza sock yarn that I am dying to knit up- they are both incredible to the touch. I adore variegated colors and interesting textures, and have a preference for natural fibers, particularly alpaca, merino wool, wool/mohair or cashmere/wool blends.

I've only been knitting for a year and a few months, so my exposure to different types of yarns is limited- its one of the reasons why I enjoy the exchanges so much.

b. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I don’t like really harsh acrylics that hurt my hands, and I’m not fond of eyelash or novelty yarn. Some cottons are hard on my hands as well. Softer acrylics don’t bother my hands though, but I prefer natural fibers.

Texture and color are both very important to me.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
A plastic three drawer box, and my Options case. I'd love to be more organized in my knitting storage (needles and notions and stash) but I never seem to get to that point.

3. a. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn?
Dec 2005. Self-taught through internet (especially knitting help videos) and learned socks from DVD. I do better with visuals than just text.

b. Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
Adventurous beginner.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? There's a yarn-y wishlist in my margin, but its mostly to remind myself of interesting yarn as I come across it.

5. What's your favorite scent?
Clean fresh scents (cotton, linen), vanilla, lavender, cucumber melon, mandarin
Nothing too cloying, overly floral or sweet

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Please, nothing edible. I'm watching what I eat and need to avoid temptation at all costs.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I'd like to learn how to spin but that is quite a ways off. I have found I love dyeing yarn, though. I use the Jacquard acid dyes.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Yes, it can play Cds and mp3s. I like 80s music (Duran Duran, Madonna, Depeche Mode, U2 assorted long hair bands). Billy Joel and Rob Thomas. Garbage. Soft female singers like Loreena McKinnett, Sarah McLaughlin, Dido, etc. But not Mariah Carey or boy bands.

9. a. What's your favorite color(s)? I love rich chestnuts, wines, plums, blues, greens, dove greys, smoky blues, corals. I also love Caribbean colors, cornflower blues, aquas, clear greens, that sort of thing.

b. Any colors you just can't stand? I’m not a big fan of 70s style mustard brown or pea green in general. Yellows/Beige look terrible near my face. Neons (with the exception of bright colors on my ballband washcloths)

10. a. What is your family situation? Live with my best friend.

b. Do you have any pets? We share Gypsy, who is our lab/springer spaniel rescue.

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

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?I've recently discovered socks and I'm hooked. This is my year of the sock.

I also enjoy knitting fuzzy feet and washcloths, and make baby items for various charities. I work fulltime and attend graduate courses in the evenings, so I like small, portable projects I can work on easily in the free time I can find... at least until July 2007 when I graduate (and finally get my weekends and evenings back again!!)

13. What are you knitting right now?
Socks for my Sockret Pal, and about to start children's socks for afghans for Afghans.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes, provided it is something I would use. I'd hate for someone to go through the trouble of making me a tea cozy when I don't drink tea, etc. I've not had that happen yet, thank goodness :)

15. a. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
Circulars (Options)
For socks, I use two Knitpicks Circulars.

b. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Nickel plated. Gypsy eats bamboo ones.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Yes, I have both. Next, I'm hoping to get a small niddy noddy.

17. How old is your oldest UFO? Irish Hiking Scarf from July. I just got burned out and can't seem to want to pick it up again.

18. What is your favorite holiday? The New Year. For me, it’s a chance to reflect, and renew my spirit.

Also, I'm a fan of International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Yarrrrr!

19. Is there anything that you collect? Recipes. Otherwise, I try not to collect anything that may someday turn into clutter (which can easily happen with me). I'll probably be moving once I graduate so I'm trying to keep extra 'stuff', including knick knacks, to a minimum.

I am a scented candle and lotion fanatic, though, and I never have enough purse sized hand creams.

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'm dying to try Apple Laine yarn
Otherwise, a pair of size 0's Knitpicks classic circulars
I never have enough small crochet hooks to pick up stitches, or tape measures.
I'm good on books, though.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Entrelac (so I can one day make a Lady E stole), and being able to follow more complicated patterns.

I'd also like to eventually move on to sweaters so a future project will be a couple of child/baby sized sweaters before I move into adult size. And learning how to use DPNs for socks, right now it is just awkward.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Size 8.5 Womens (US). I can be more specific in email if you tell me what you need to know.

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) October 28

24. Extra: I'm earning my Masters degree in the evenings and work full time so my knitting time is primarily relaxation/stress relief, at least until July when I graduate. I don't have a local knitting group so the internet's been a wonderful way to talk with people who share the same interests I do.

Knitalongs, Swaps

I've joined the Sock a Month KAL which should hopefully keep me on track to completing my socks and making sure I actually make pairs of socks, and not just random single ones. My goal is to complete 6 pairs of socks, one for each month from February - July. So my February pair will be my Sockret Pal pair, so that I can gift my pal with socks around the first of March in my final package/reveal to her. I'm using the basic ribbed pattern from my other sock knitalong (for novices).

Project Spectrum 2.0 started in February... the colors for Feb/March are blue, white and grey. In April/May, the colors are yellow, pink and green- I'm thinking the Watermelon Tourmaline sock yarn my sockret pal gave me will be perfect for that, and will also fit within my Sock a Month goals. I also have some green sock yarn I was planning to use for the informal green sock KAL, so I think I'm set. Although seeing how gorgeous this Fleece Artist colorway ("Rainforest") knit up into socks, I may have to set that aside for my splurge later on in the year.

My current swaps on Swapbot include a dyed yarn exchange and a scarf kit, both which end this month. I've found the pattern and yarn for the scarf kit. Now all I need to do is get the assorted goodies to accompany the kit (including a mug and hot beverages), and that should go in the mail tomorrow. I'm still deciding what direction to take with the dyed yarn. I'm also doing the international sassy sock yarn swap later this month.

Finally, some pictures!

My camera, finally, is working again!

I enjoyed my gorgeous Saturday sky (the first blue I've seen in about two weeks... lately everything's been in various muted tones of white and grey as it's snowed everyday).

While relaxing, snow and grey skies can also be depressing after a while. So the sun and blue skies are an instant mood lifter.

I also retrieved the pictures of the cute Knit Mit Kit Swap package I received from Terry-Jo. She made the cutest bag which has been really useful as I've been trying to bring my knitting to the office to work on during lunches . The yarn is a blend of Alpaca and Merino bulky yarn, with natural dyes. Sooo pretty! (thank you, again!)

International Sassy Sock Yarn Swap

I swap with Swap-bot!

Knit Mitt Kit!

Yesterday I received an awesome package from my Knit Mitt Kit pal, Terry-Jo! I had postponed writing about it until today since my camera is still not uploading pictures properly. But it would not upload at work, either! So I'll update this with the photos I took as soon as I can get my camera working.

The package was wonderful- the bag she created was fantastic! It was a tiny red felt tote bag with a snowman scene sewn on it, and immediately I put my current sock project in there. There was some yummy chocolates as well, a very nice card, and a pattern for fingerless gloves which looks easy enough for me to try. And then the yarn... was simply decadent. Alpaca/Merino bulky yarn, naturally dyed in beautiful shades of soft blues and lilacs. Incredible.

Thank you so much, Terry-Jo!!

KMKS gift (mailed out to pal)

I mailed out my Knit Mitt Kit Swap gift yesterday. Here's a sneak peek at it:

Felted Sheep Tote (pattern by Fiber Trends)

Mitten Knitting Notecards

Hand cream

Hand dyed Lamb's Pride (by me!)

Pattern, needles

Extra skein of Cashmerino Aran in teal tucked inside since my pal had mentioned wanting to knit Fetching with the recommended yarn