I wasn’t happy with the Regia sock. So I’m jaywalking.
Because, you know, I’ve realized I’ve changed over time, and so have the questions.
1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand?
I prefer natural fibers, but I’ve come to realize, after spending time with my young nieces, that there’s a time and place for good acrylic.
2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I’d like to learn to spin at some point. I used to crochet as a young girl, but I’ve probably forgotten how to by now.
3. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
Erm. Yeah. DPNs are in a needle roll and/or a little case from Knit Foundry. I don’t do straights. Circs are half in the case from my SP7 angel, and half just sitting in my knitting bag. The husband has vaguely agreed to get me some sort of storage for my birthday.
4. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
On and off for awhile. And I don’t know what I am. I’m not afraid to try anything. I might not like it, but I’ll do it.
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes, under tina@foogrrl.com.
6. What’s your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Vanilla. Mmm.
7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Oh, yes. And chocolate, mostly chocolate dipped pretzels or fruit.
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
I’ve tried just about everything. Origami, chain mail, cakes, soap making.
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Just about anything. I have a short tolerance for rap or country, though. And yes, it can.
10. What’s your favorite color? Or–do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can’t stand?
I love purple and black. I also adore rainbowish things. That, in my opinion, is one of the rare times yellow is acceptable.
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Husband of nine years, four incredibly stupid cats.
12. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Scarves, hats, and mittens. I don’t get ponchos. I really don’t.
13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock. And half of KnitPick’s things. Mainly the alpaca ones. Mmm.
14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Bad acrylic or cotton. Cotton makes my hands hurt.
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
Lace. And to a certain extent, socks.
16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
So far it’s been a ton of socks. But I adored the lace scarves I knit for Christmas. It was just…magic.
17. What are you knitting right now?
At this very moment, I’m still untangling the Knot of Death(tm). I also have one sock on the needles, and the very beginning of the Adamas Shawl from KnitPicks.
18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Oh, yes!
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
I always have to go with the snarky answer of DPNs. But circulars, since I have wrist problems.
20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I’ve lately discovered that I really like the Bryspun needles. Very pointy. And I adore Brittany Birch DPNs.
21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Would die without them. Or possibly need a new husband.
22. How did you learn to knit?
Knitting books/internet/those cheap “learn to knit” kits. I.E. - I have no idea. I’ve “learned” a few times.
23. How old is your oldest UFO?
Not very. I have to attempt to stay disciplined with my knitting. So it’s probably the pair of wristlets that I’m working on, from a few months ago. These may end up getting completely frogged, though. I’m not happy with them at all.
24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
I really don’t have one. I don’t watch TV often at all. I will, however, admit I have a thing for Darth Vader and Stormtroopers, though.
25. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas, if I’m with the small children in my family.
26. Is there anything that you collect?
Not so much, anymore.
27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
Interweave Knits
28. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?
Not really. I’m still pondering a Charlotte, but that might pass.
29. Are there any new techniques you’d like to learn?
I’d like to try my hand at entrelac and shadow knitting this year. And colorwork. And basically anything I haven’t tried yet.
30. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Oh, yes. And I’m a weird foot size. I generally wear a women’s 8.5 shoe, but because I have a wide foot, and it’s hard finding wide shoes. Well, without going to a real shoe store.
31. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
02/06
My Secret Pal 6 disappeared on me. Luckily, an angel came to the rescue. Thank you, Julie!
Apparently I’m coming down with Round 2 of whatever it is (up all night with a fever - ugh!). However, wouldn’t this make any knitter feel better?
Hm, what do we have here?
Ooh. KnitPicks Wool of the Andes in Winter Night and Pumpkin. And Andean Silk (*drool*) in Olive. Peaches & Cream cotton in Winterberry, and Sugar & Cream in Faded Denim. I was just going to buy some cotton to play with, too…
Also a bath bomb, a teeny candle that I want to eat, and which has a cherry inside it (it’s cake scented. Oh. My. God.) Chocolate covered blueberries, yum! Plus a size 8 circular, and a nifty case for needles and things.
I’m really overwhelmed. Honestly. And I might take the Andean Silk to bed to snuggle with. I’ve been wishing I could keep some of it for myself, after using it for Christmas gifts, and now I have my very own. What to do, what to do?
Oh, and apparently even the box is spiffy. At least according to Aurora:
The box had been on the floor for maybe 90 seconds. She’s claimed it as her own fort now. Let’s see if the others try to take it away.
Honestly. This is getting stupid.
Third night of raging insomnia. And by that I mean that the past two “nights” have seen me getting to sleep at noon or later. Mix this with a generous dash of having plans with other people (let’s say, the in-laws), and it’s not a happy thing at all.
Tonight was fun, though. Spent the evening with Katie and Adam for dinner, small talk, and yarn untangling. And I volunteered for the untangling. Heh.
It started with Katie posting a plea to the LiveJournal Knitting communtity. It seems she received a hank of lovely hand-painted yarn as a Christmas gift. However, with no swift, it quickly became unmanageable, even with a very patient husband who was willing to sit and hold yarn. I (laugh with me now) posted a reply telling her I’d come over with my swift and winder, and we’d quickly show the yarn who was boss.
As a note - I have a swift and winder because Mike is nowhere near as patient as Adam. Which is why he bought the swift. We knew there was no chance of him sitting quietly, holding yarn. You’d have more luck with a small child.
So, Mike and I, after getting over whatever Death Flu we had, made plans for tonight. Excellent dinner, lots of fun. Then Katie pulled out the yarn.
Regretfully, I didn’t get a picture then. After spending half an hour looking for an end, we decided to cut. And spent two or so hours working from the cut end. So, what do I have now?
Click for the full horror.
Yeah. That’s my desk. It was decided that I’d take it home to work on, as everyone but me had to work in the morning. If I get this finished, I reserve the right to call it a Finished Object.
Becky, where are you when I need you?
And in the present tense?
Yeah, I thought so. Insomnia. Yes, it’s almost 1pm. Yes, I’m still awake.
I think I’ll do laundry, since I don’t think I’m capable for much else. Of course, since the light bulb above the washer has burnt out, it’s a really good time to do laundry. I need to get Mike to change it sometime soon. I’m too short.
Oh, and extra brownie points for whoever (other than Erin) knows where the title and first line are from.
I got back to development work on the Row Counter software. I think it’s going to need a new name - it does a bit more than count rows now. It will do more in the future.
We’ve found the missing gift sock. Thank goodness. I had actually ordered yarn to knit another pair of socks. The theory was, if the missing sock showed up, it could be given as intended. If not, I’d knit another two socks, so Mike would have a pair when we found the stray. But now Mike will have a pair when I get around to it. *grin*
Not a lot of knitting has been going on. I’ve just picked up the gusset stitches on the sock I showed last time. Whatever this bug is, it’s left me entirely drained. I got half a round done tonight. 32 stitches. That’s it. And that’s the most knitting I’ve gotten done since New Year’s.
But I think I’m feeling more like myself. Finally. 
Oh, and no, this won’t stay my blog design for long. I just got frustrated with it and picked a default for now. Nothing else was working.
I saw this idea somewhere, but I forget where at this point. But since most knitters have spent the past weeks or months knitting for others, it’s good to take some time and knit something for ourselves. Here’s mine:
The yarn is Regia. Mike, predictably, thinks it’s hideous. While I know deep down it is, it also makes me happy to work on, which I need right now. Especially after working with lots of dark colors. And it’s something I can do while we play Dragon Quest VIII