LaDonna had mentioned she would like to see the Sumo salt and pepper shakers I mentioned in yesterday's post. So here they are in all their beauty.
This is actually my entire collection. I thought I had more, I've lost some in my various moves. Bummer.
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I am a yarn snob. I prefer natural fibers (especially alpaca). I love local yarns. I knit a lot of socks, but don't why you would make socks that are not machine washable.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have a basket for my straights, a vase for the longer straights. I use a mini wicker chest to hold my circulars and dp's. I'm in desperate need of better options
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I've been knitting for over 6 years. I learned in early 2002 and taught myself off the internet. I consider myself intermediate/advanced. I can do most techniques, but I could still learn a lot.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Esty favorites
5. What's your favorite scent?
I love fresh citrus scents. My favorite perfumes are Fresh Lemon Sugar and Elizabeth Arden Green Tea. I also like lavender and mint scents.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I have a major sweet tooth. I love toffee chocolate and mint chocolate. No raisins or licorice, but other than that I'll take anything. My husband loves gummies. Anything European would be great, especially English.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I sew and have done beading. I don't quilt or spin.
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 a lot of different music. I don't like country, except Johnny Cash. I love surf guitar. I mostly listen to alternative rock. I have an Ipod.
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
My favorite color is royal blue. I also love sea colors and jewel tones.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I am married with no kids (yet). We have a 7 year old Labrador.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I wear scarves, hats and mittens. I can't stand ponchos.
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I like to knit lots of things. I always have socks on needles as well as a larger project.
13. What are you knitting right now?
I am working on a pair of gloves, a pair of socks, a hat for my husband, an Odessa hat for my mil and felted clogs.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
I love to received handmade gifts.
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I like bamboo circulars, but I've just discovered how nice Addi's are. I have a lot of needles and probably don't need more.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
I own both.
17. How old is your oldest UFO?
I think my oldest UFO is 3 years old, but I'm pretty good at not letting old projects sit around unfinished.
18. What is your favorite holiday? What winter holiday do you observe?
Halloween is my favorite holiday. I celebrate winter solstice/yule and my husband and I celebrate Christmas. We are not christians, so please don't send religious items.
19. Is there anything that you collect?
I collect funky salt and pepper shakers. My favorite are my sumo wrestlers that attach at the stomachs with magnets. The only winter ones I have are snowmen. I also love Christmas ornaments, but prefer non-religious ones.
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 have some books in my Amazon wish list. I love patterns by Ysolda Teague. I only have her Snow White pattern and would love Little Birds. I would also love Rogue. I have a subscription to Interweave Knits and just recently got rid of my Vogue Knitting subscription.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I think I can do most techniques. I would like to try steaking.
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I am a sock knitter. My foot circumference is 8 inches and length is 8.5.
23. When is your birthday?
Nov. 12 (tomorrow!)
24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
I am on ravelry. My id is surfdonna.
Last night Daren and I watched Blade Runner. It was on the SciFi channel, so a bit edited, but still fantastic. I made the comment that Blade Runner is the best Sci-Fi film ever made. It's 26 years old and still doesn't look dated. He disagreed and said 2001 or Alien were the best. I still think it's Blade Runner. Alien is probably the best horror film ever made and 2001 as iconic as it is, looks dated. My question to all my couple of blog readers is, what is the best science fiction film ever made?
On a side note, I wish I'd thought of it before Halloween, but how bad ass would a Pris costume be!
I got the urge to blog about all of my current and future projects. So here it goes.
I've finished Bellini out of Noro Silk Garden Light. This pattern was from the Noro trunk show at Elegant Stitches in Miami. The sample of this sweater in particular was the one used in the photo shoot for the pattern book. We measured the sample and it was smaller then the extra small. How are we suppose to determine how a sweater is going to look on real people when the models are that small?
Despite that. I love the way it turned out. I ended up making the small because of the finished measurements. She still needs some buttons. I've ordered some vintage faux wood buttons off of Etsy. I wore it yesterday anyway.
I’ve seen these bangles everywhere. I saw them at Old Navy recently and had to make one. Then Vogue Knitting had some on the cover. I didn't use any of the patterns from Vogue Knitting I just used a simple 9 stitch braid pattern. This is such a quick project, it only took about 2 hours to make. I got the bangle base from Hobby Lobby for $3.50. It’s made from unfinished wood to decorate however you want. I used some left-over Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino from a hat project. It a great way to use up small bits of left-over yarn.
I started these mock cable sock on my flight to England in Sept. I'm almost done with the toe on the first sock, but I've realized they 'll be too big. I'm going to finish them the way they are and give them to my mom for Christmas. It's Lorna's Laces sock yarn in Lucky Stripe.
I am poorly prepared for the winter in Colorado. I spent the last 2 winters in Miami and before that about 10 years in the Bay Area. I haven't owned real winter clothes since I was a kid. I bought this beautiful Red Rocks Aspen sock yarn from A Knitted Peace, to make some gloves. I'm using the Progressive Gloves pattern from Interweave Knits Winter 2003. You can download the pattern for free on their site. It's a formula rather then a set pattern.
I'm very close to being finished with this hat. The yarn is hand spun wool and mohair that Daren bought from the Renaissance Fair over the summer. He actually picked yarn out all by himself! This is a basic 2x2 ribbed hat for him.
Once the Renaissance hat is finished I'm casting on Odessa for Daren's mom. It out for Wool Bam Boo and pretty emerald green seed beads from Ruth (Thanks Ruth!). Wendy asked me to make her a hat last time I saw her. She asked for black or another color. Since I can't remember what the other color she asked for, it going to be black.
I'm making felted clogs for everyone for Christmas. My great aunt Clara use to make the entire family knit slippers every Christmas. She's been gone for a while now and I thought it would be a nice to start her little tradition again, but with my own twist.
I've got the bug to sew again, and have a lot of patterns and fabric. I'm going to start with this dress pattern and silk fabric. Hopefully I'm not too rusty.
I also bought some Christmas fabrics to make aprons to sell on Etsy.
