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Wednesday, January 11, 2006 

Regrouping

Ooohsiboy.. (gotta love Will & Grace).

Revelation that I have some projects that are just NOT working. HP scarf being one (multitudes of slipped stitches), MP3 cover being the other. So I'm going to frog them and start over. It's a good thing, really.

Plus, I kinda want to bring my WIP's down to no more than 3 at a time. So I'm going to concentrate on:-
  • Scrunchable Set
  • Socks for DH
  • 3D Lace Angel
After that, I'll do DH's Ribbed Set, the HP scarf and another bag.

Why do this? I'm finding I'm getting to distracted by having SO many WIP's, and not finishing any. So a finishing I will go :D


Tuesday, January 10, 2006 

Secret Pal 7 Questionnaire....

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand?
I definitely prefer natural fibres to acrylics. I LOVE fine merino as it's so soft. I've not used alpaca or cashmere before, but am keen to try it.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I don't spin... yet... but I do crochet, I've also started Tunisian Crochet.

3. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
At the moment they're in a cane basket, but I have started to make a couple of needle rolls.

4. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
On and off for most of my life (I learned when I was about 7), I would say I was about intermediate, as I am pretty good with stitches, have knitted lace, but not yet made a sweater.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
I don't have an Amazon one, as the shipping from the US is quite expensive. I am looking through a couple of Australian alternatives.. ;)

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Chocolate. ;) Or Vanilla. Whiteblossom, but not Jasmine (am allergic).

7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Chocolate ... hmm... but DARK chocolate, like 70% cocoa dark chocolate.. yummmmmm.

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
Apart from my knitting & crochet etc, I sew mostly.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I'm a jazz fan, but I really do have all the music I need. I have a very extensive CD collection.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
Jewel tones are my favourite "palette", blue-reds are my favourite colour, followed by pinks then greens then blues. I do NOT however, like yellows and oranges, or orange based reds...

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I'm married, no kids yet, and no pets. I'm allergic to cats. I would like to have an angora bunny one day, though.

12. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Yes? I haven't up until now, I guess.. but I'm back into my knitting.. so who knows?

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
As I've not tried everything, I really can't comment. But really, It depends on the project. the only yarn that I don't knit with often (besides icky acrylic), is mohair, because it's hard to frog.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Acrylic... and most novelty ones, actually... I'll only use fun fur as an accent on something for my niece or in a handbag, but other than that....

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
Handbags... and shrugs... possibly socks too :D

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Anything that's 'quick' gratification, and preferably takes less than 5 skeins of yarn to make.

17. What are you knitting right now?
I have several projects on the go, including a couple of scarf/hat sets, a HP PoA Gryffindor scarf, a 3D lace angel, socks and a shrug.

18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
I don't know, I've never really received a handmade gift, but I know I love to give them... I guess a big part of it is that I'm rather particular, probably to the point of annoyance to my DH etc.. LOL. But I'll say, yeah.. why not? :D

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
I'm a bit of an AddiT phreak, so I guess circulars. I LOVE my AddiT's, oh, and my Boye Needlemaster set :D

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Bamboo is great for slipperies, and my AddiT's & Boye set are good for the stickies. I prefer not to use plastic if I can help it, but some of the HUGE needles only come in plastic...

21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Yes. To both.. :D

22. How did you learn to knit?
Initially by my mother and grandmother. When I re-picked it up last June(ish), I went to KnittingHelp.com to refresh my skills, and move to Continental style knitting, which is soooo much faster :D

23. How old is your oldest UFO?
In knitting? That'd be my HP scarf, which is only really a couple of months old... as it's all ST ST, it's my knitting in between projects or when I'm watching TV type knitting.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
Animated character? Well, I love Classic Pooh if that counts. I also love teddy bears :D

25. What is your favorite holiday?
As in Seasonal holiday? Not following a Christian Calendar in the religious sense, I don't really have one. But I love springtime.. :D

26. Is there anything that you collect?
Too much yarn/material/books?? Hehe.. Not really, I'm not really a trinket person.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
None, can you beleive it? If I were to get one, it would probably be the Yarn Magazine, which is an Australian publication.

28. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?
Ooh, YES!!! the Fibre Trends Clog pattern, and some WOTA from knitpicks.com in Tulip, Violet, Blue Bonnet & Spruce.. unfortunately KP doesn't ship directly overseas :(. Mind you, there's a LOT of their yarn that I'm kinda keen to try... Although, it might be best that I don't, otherwise I'll fall in love with something I can't get my hands on on a regular basis.. LMAO.

29. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I'm about to start some Tunisian Crochet.. just so I can say I've done it, really :D

30. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I'm starting to be :D I'm an 'average' foot... I'd have to measure my foot for socks though :D .. I'll get back to you on that :D

31. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
February 10th, I'll be turning 30!