Tangles

Thank you Secret Pal

I received my first package of goodies from my new Secret Pal.  She did a great job of spoiling me!  There are 3 balls of Encore DK, 2 balls of Shannon by Tahki in a pretty purple/blue colorway, a "Vanilla Wafer" scented candle, and jumbo size bag of heart shaped Dove chocolates.  My SP really paid attention to my answers on the questionnaire.

Thanks again to my mystery pal.

This is what I saw after going out to the car at 8:00 this morning.  I had to use the wipers to clean off the windshield.  The temperature got down to 34 degrees.  You that live where it gets really cold may laugh, but this is So. California and I live 3 miles from the Pacific Ocean :(

This shows the frosty rooftop and lawn out front. 

Koigu Scarf

I finished a scarf last night using some pink Koigu.  The pattern was the Slanted Eyelet Scarf from the 2006 Knitting Pattern-A-Day calendar.  The patyern was designed by Sandi Rosner for Alchemy Yarns and is shown on their site. (Photo only, no pattern that I could find)

Here's a closeup of the stitch pattern.  Sorry the photos aren't better, but I didn't want to wait until Saturday to take them in natural light.  I knew I'd forget if it wasn't tonight.

The pattern was easy to memorize and worked up quickly on size 9 US needles.  Haven't a clue what I'll start next--maybe some more socks to send to CIC by January 31.

CIC Socks

See, I said I'd update more often.

Here's a photo of some of the socks that I'll be mailing to Children in Common at the end of January.

I bought a great new digital camera right before Christmas.  It is the Nikon D50.  I'm having a few problems getting used to the new settings and advanced features.  I signed up for an online class from  Betterphoto.com so that should help.  Wish me luck, o.k.?

For My Secret Pal

I haven't participated in the Secret Pal exchanges in awhile and thought it would be fun to start out the new year with SP7.  Here is my questionaire.  I promise to post updates more often.

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand?  I'm not exactly a snob, but I definitely avoid Red Heart and most 100% acrylics. 

2. Do you spin? Crochet?  Tried to learn spinning, gave it up.  I do some crochet, but it's not something I really enjoy any more. 

3. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?  Circulars and DPNs are in a storage bag from a fishing supply store.  Straights are in a zippered case by Artbin.

4. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?  I've been knitting off and on since the early 70's

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?  No

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)  Vanilla

7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?  Yes!  I love Jelly Bellies and Dove Dark Chocolates

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?  Scrapbooking, beading

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)  Most kinds--no hip hop or heavy metal, though.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?  Love red, yellow and purple.  Hate orange, seriously dislike teal and turquoise

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?  Single mom of 2 grown up and moved-out sons.  Living with my mother and 2 spoiled cats.

12. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?  Scarves-yes, hats, mittens or ponchos-no

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?  Noro Kureyon, anything Artyarns, Koigu

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?  I can't take the fuzzy yarns like mohair

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?  I'm making lots of toddler socks for Children in Common.  Just finished several lace scarves for holiday gifts.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?  Scarves and shawls

17. What are you knitting right now?  CIC socks and a couple of shawls

18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?  I love them!

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?  Circular or DPNs all the way

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?  I prefer Bamboo

21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?  Winder-yes, swift-no

22. How did you learn to knit?  I'm self taught from a variety of books

23. How old is your oldest UFO?  I have no idea--guessing 2 years

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?  Don't really care about animated characters.  I enjoy birding and photographing birds of all types

25. What is your favorite holiday?  Christmas

26. Is there anything that you collect?  Fenton art glass animals, Christopher Radko ornaments, digital scrapbooking supplies

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?  None right now--I don't knit sweaters (too warm here) so the patterns are pretty much wasted.  I will buy a single issue if it looks good, though.  Interweave Knits is my favorite.

28. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? Can I get back to you on this one?

29. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?  I cant think of anything.  I am considered an Aran-style afghan and some smaller cabled items.

30. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?  The socks I knit are not for myself, but I enjoy knitting them for CIC.  I generally use worsted weight wool or two strands of something lighter in weight. 

31. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)  June 22