Sunday, June 25, 2006

KSKS Questionnaire

What are your favorite colors?
Blues, blue-reds, cream, black, purples, greens, oranges. Just about anything for socks.

Are you a new sock knitter? How long have you been knitting socks?
At least 10 years, but I can't remember when I started.

Do you prefer solid or multicolored yarn?
Yes. (sorry) It depends on the pattern. I prefer a solid or nearly-solid yarn for a fancy, detailed stitch-pattern.

What fibers do you prefer in sock yarn?
A little bit of nylon for strength is nice but I'm willing to knit merino down to a smaller gauge for better wear.

Where do you usually knit socks?
Everywhere.

How do you usually carry/store small projects?
They normally get shoved into my purse or bag.

What are your favorite sock knitting patterns?
My stand-bys are toe-up, short-row heel (although this heel flap turned out really nicely) stockinette socks with a ribbed cuff. I love knitting patterned ones as well though.

What are your favorite sock knitting techniques?
I'll try anything once, but I quite enjoy trying out new techniques.

What new techniques would you like to try?
I'm intrigued by the two-circular technique but I think I would find the dangling ends irritating. Maybe one day.

Do you prefer circulars or dpns for sock knitting?
Metal double-points are my favourite.

What are some of your favorite yarns?
Socks that Rock, Regia wool or cotton blends, Trekking, Opal, Bearfoot by Mountain Colors.

What yarn do you totally covet?


Any pattern you would love to make if money and time were no object?
The Eleanora socks look fascinating. I would love to knit those at some point. Lucy Neatby's Bicycle Socks or Fiesta Feet are fascinating beautiful but I don't know if I'd actually knit them.

Favorite kind of needles (brand, materials, straights or circs, etc)?
For socks, nice, rigid, 6" double pointed needles. (Addis or the elusive Holz & Stein circulars for just about everything else.)

If you were a specific kind of yarn, which brand and kind of yarn would you be?
Uhhhh?

Do you have a favorite candy or mail-able snack?
Dark chocolate covered almonds or ginger or orange peel. Yum.

What’s your favorite animal?
Depends on their personality.

Do you have pets? What are their species/names/ages?
None.

If you were a color what color would you be?
??

Describe your favorite shirt (yours or someone else’s)...
??

What is your most inspiring image, flower, or object in nature?
Changes too quickly!

Tell me the best quote you’ve ever heard or read.
I'm starting to feel like this is a game of name that tune and I haven't listened to the appropriate radio station.

Do you have a wishlist?
No.

Anything else you’d like to share with the group today?
Not yet!

Friday, June 23, 2006

Backtack received

Many thanks to the wonderful Molly for my lovely softie. She did a great job on him and he's going to be a valued addition to my collection. Isn't this just the cutest use of a thrifted and felted wool sweater?


I'm still waiting to see if my softie has reached Oz yet, but it seems like my recipient is travelling so maybe it will be there when she gets home? If you aren't Kate, you can have a sneak peek.

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

For Claudia



Alpaca/silk with a little shimmer from clear, silver-lined beads. For scale, the squares are about a foot across.

Want a chance to win this? You know what to do.

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Living on the edge

Started : (Re)teaching the Flame how to knit so that we can both contribute to the afghan for friends getting married.

Worried : That this could ruin a good thing, there might not be a boyfriend sweater curse in this relationship, but there might be a boyfriend knitting curse.

Worried Disclaimer : The Flame is actually quite a competent knitter (some early knitting tension issues, but those should resolve with practise) but it's like teaching your boy/girlfriend how to drive.

Saved : Found a very West Coast piece of pottery for the lovely couple instead on our first trip to the Ladner Village Market. Strawberry/Rhubarb pie for breakfast, fresh cheese curds, many lovely plants found, a relationship back on solid ground.

Phew.

Today, Zipper Search 2006, The Final Chapter. Digging will be delivered tomorrow even if I have to use my treasured and diminishing stash of pewter clasps.

Saturday, June 10, 2006

Look familiar?


This is going to be a prize for the lovely, orange-loving, bike-riding, fund-raiser extraordinaire for MS. Any guesses? I figure you've got a couple of days to figure it out before I unveil it.

Thursday, June 08, 2006

Itty bitty stitches

It has been ages since I did any hand-sewing and it was truly enjoyable to make my softie for Backtack 3 this way. Teaser picture only as it's en-route to Australia and I don't want to spoil Kate's surprise!

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

I have a problem


A couch worth of Blue yarn


Blue sock yarn (not included in above photo), see my Trek-Along yarn hiding in the middle?


Blue fibre

I like blue a LOT.