SP 12 Questionnaire

This is my first time taking part in a secret pal swap. Be gentle with me.

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I’m still on a journey of discovery regarding yarns. I don’t like scratchy ones, and not that keen on boucle or eyelash either. When my other half pointed out how silk was made I was devastated so avoid that now :o(

Thinking about the yarn I’ve worked with, I really liked Rowan RYC Cashsoft Chunky, Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky, Lion Brand Jiffy, Trendsetter Yarns Yosemite, Cherry Tree Hill Potluck Bulky, Manos del Uruguay 100% Wool and also really loved Noro Iro but that’s off the list due to the silk thing :’o( I love the way the colours change in Noro yarns.

I find narrow gauge hard to work with due to my arthritic hands. I’ve found 7mm needles to be quite a comfortable size and don’t often use smaller that that. Anything that knits up on 7mm-20mm is good.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

I’ve got a big cardboard tube for my straights, I’m partway through knitting a cover for it. I’ve got a gorgeous needle roll for my other needles.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I was taught by my Gran when I was little, but never got away with it. I asked my Mam to show me the basics just over a year ago and this time it sunk in. I taught myself a lot of techniques using books and the web. It has become the most time consuming and expensive hobby that I’ve ever had!

I think I’m an intermediate. My Mam (who has been knitting all of her life) now asks me for help! Too weird!

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Nope.

5. What's your favorite scent?

I’m not keen on strong perfumes, I used to work with someone who wore so much it would make my head ache! I currently wear Cerruti 1881 but once this bottle is finished I want to find something more natural with greener packaging (I’m on a ‘reduce-plastic’ thing at the moment and have just converted to shampoo and conditioner bars to avoid throwing away all of those empty plastic bottles), I’ll probably go for something patchouli based, I also like lavender and rose.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

Yeah, fairly :o) but I’m trying to cut down because I need to loose some weight. I’m a fan of Green and Blacks milk chocolate, I adore Turkish delight but I’m a vegetarian and it’s not often I see any that I’m able to eat as gelatine is often used which isn’t veggie friendly – that goes for a lot a jelly sweets too, I used to love those!

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I’m generally quite a practical, crafty person but don’t actively do much about it – knitting is the exception. If I had more time, energy and far far more talent I’d love to draw and paint, or sculpt or have a go at silversmithing or other metalwork. I have GCSE Woodwork so would be good to do something down that line too! My stupid arthritis doesn’t help with this kind of thing, my hands are quite weak.

I’ve been thinking that spinning looks like good fun and the videos I’ve been watching on youtube make it *look* really easy...

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I’m mainly into rock and alternative, with a bit of indie and classical thrown in. Can’t stand a lot of the music that’s in the charts...

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

I’m a fan of rich, dark colours and muted tones of purples, reds, oranges, some blues and green, and of course black and silver :o) I’ve lately been getting into brighter colours such as pink and rainbows, not sure where that came from as I used to be a bit of a goth lol! I’m not a fan of pastel shades or gold.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I live with my boyfriend and he has two boys (7 and 9) who come round regularly.

We have no pets (we live in a rented house which forbids it) but we would love a couple of cats.

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

Scarves and mittens yes, hat sometimes, but not ponchos – although I do have poncho UFO...

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

Not really thought about this before, but I think I’m quite fond of bags and hats, they’re generally small and quick so boredom doesn’t kick in, and you don’t have to make two!

13. What are you knitting right now?

I have lots of WIPs but the main two main ones I’m working on are a Clapotis, and my first pair of socks.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Yep :o)

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

I’ve tried all kinds, each new thing becoming my new favourite, but once I tried an Addi turbo I fell in love with circulars and smooth metal. This led to me trying the knit picks options – I didn’t buy a set, but a selection of tips in both the wood and metal. I adore the metal ones and can’t imagine using anything else – ever (apart from their metal dpns which I’m using for my socks, I adore those too).

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

Not yet, but I hope to one day.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

About a year old.

18. What is your favorite holiday?

At the moment, just not going to work would be the perfect holiday! But if we’re talking going-away holidays I love the Lake District, Northumberland and Norfolk in the UK. I love the going to the coast in all seasons and weather conditions – bleak is good. I’d like to go back to Italy too, I fell in love with Venice and would like to take my boyfriend there.

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Not formally, but we do have a lot of dragony things around the house, and our CD collection has far outgrown our CD storage! Does yarn count? I have a fair collection of that.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

No books spring to mind and I’m fairly well set up with needles. New yarn is always welcome (by me at least, the boyfriend isn’t so keen), especially stuff that’s not available in the UK – I don’t have anything specific in mind as I’ve not really looked.

I used to subscribe to Simply Knitting, but it turned out that it wasn’t my thing; I rarely liked any of the patterns.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

Crochet, I need to learn how to do that as there are some fab toys I want to make, I have a basic learn-to book and a set of hooks but have tried and failed to follow a pattern a number of times. I can do freeform though! I made a pot and a peg bag by just going for it – and they both turned out just like the pictures I had in my head – I was astounded.

I’d quite like to have a go at natural dyeing too, well, any kind of dyeing but using natural dyes appeals to my green side.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

I’m a wannabe sock knitter, but not sure if my hands are going to let me. My shoe size is UK 6.5.

23. When is your birthday?

24th November

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?

von

Not Knitting

...but sinking under a report I need to write. It was supposed to be finished yesterday. I spent the whole weekend working on it (usual avoidance tactics apply). I may get it finished this weekend. It's for a qualification I'm not even sure I want. I'm not having fun but I've done too much work towards it to give up now (I keep telling myself). Knitting will hopefully resume shortly.

Clapotis and socks

I've not actually made any progress with my clap today, but this is how its looking so far...



...see what I mean about the colours? They're lovely, but...predictable. I'm making it with Wendy Fusion (got it v. cheap) and I'm getting a little concerned about how it's going to work out. I've not long since started my third ball and the colour changes aren't all contained within one ball but carry across two. The first ball had the dark pink and green as its main colours, with smaller sections of purple and blue. The second ball had purple and blue as it's main colours with small sections of pink and green - but I made sure the colour started in about the right place by unwinding a bit of the start of the ball (can't remember what colour it started with, but it wouldn't have looked right). The third ball is like the first. Looking at the rest of the balls, they all start with the same colours, so this two ball repeat thing may not last. I hope I've explained that ok(?). I'm trying not to worry, it could just be me being paranoid.

The only knitting that I've done so far today is starting my socks again. Only a few rows in, but it's progress :o)

Not much going on...

It's been a bit quiet on the knitting front lately. Just as I was getting my oomph back my arthritis has decided to start playing silly-beggars. I'm hoping it's starting to settle down but my hands, although not overly painful, feel a bit swollen and aren't working as well as they might. Tsk.

My socks have been frogged and are waiting to be cast on again. As well as making a mistake with the toe increases (which I was going to live with) I made quite a few mistakes once I got into the pattern. It got to the point where it would be easier to start again that try and fix it. So, that's what I'm going to do. I was surprised at how well I got on with the tiny needles, so as long as that continues, I'll have a pair of socks...in about a year ;o) Oh and Sarah - thank you so much for offering to finish them off if I don't make it, that was such a lovely offer! Although I'll keep it in mind, I really hope I don't need to take you up on it :o)

In other news, I've started work on my first Clapotis. I had a strong start, but things have slowed because of my stupid hands. I'm still doing a few rows each day, it's good exercise. I love the colours of the yarn I've chosen, but not so keen on the uniform colour changes. Pictures to follow. I've just done my third drop stitch. It's on 6mm needles and those don't seem too bad to work with.

I've got another project in mind. More details when I've got more time but briefly, it's a pattern that is for a discontinued yarn. I've not been able to find a suitable sub but did manage to lay my hands on enough of the right yarn in the wrong colour. I'm going to dye it black. This will be my first dyeing experience.

Lastly, I've signed up for Secret Pal 12. Other than Pay it Forward, I've never taken part in a swap before. Hope it goes well!