This is just wrong!

This month has just flown by, and I don’t think I’ve done any knitting during it! I should have been smart and had my knitting in hand for the 30 hours I spent in a car evacuating from Houston, but did I? No. I had it in the trunk because I was SURE I’d be in Dallas in a matter of hours and that I’d need to pay attention while I was on the road. Was I? No. I sat in traffic, barely moving, and apparently my blood sugar never got high enough to think about occupying my hands while I mindlessly stared at the unmoving cars in front of me. DUH!

I want to knit. I think I need the stress relief after the move, classes starting, and freaking hurricanes. I’ve got to pull myself out of this slump and start with the knitting again. I have a Clapotis to finish, several Christmas presents to knit, baby sweaters that need to be done, and projects I want to do for myself! I also just generally need the relaxation that comes with knitting! I know that Clear Lake (my new “home” area) has a knitting group that meets on Monday nights, so maybe I’ll stop by there next week.

September 30, 2005 | Filed Under Knitting | 1 Comment

SP 6 Questions

Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?
I’ve become more of a yarn snob. I do love Caron Simply Soft and Lion Brand Microspun, though. You just can’t beat the color variety of some of those Lion Brand yarns. I don’t like most Red Heart, though.
Do you spin? Crochet?
No and no. Crocheting confuses me and spinning is a sign that I’m not doing something else that I should be taking care of first.
Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
Smoke and wool. Yes, it’s terrible for a knitter to be allergic to wool. You should see me in a yarn store … I usually have about 10 minutes before my nose and throat close off. I can knit with some wools like merino — short fibers, not fuzzy — or wool that is clean and has been blended with something else, but even that’s not a guarantee. I’ve had my best wool-knitting and wool-wearing luck with merino wools. Stuff like Noro, though? No way. I just can’t handle it well. :(
How long have you been knitting?
About 12 to 15 years, but only seriously for the last four.
Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Of course! I have an Amazon wishlist that I sometimes forget to update, and I keep a list of things on KnitPicks of things I like.
>What’s your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
I love rain, aloe, and fresh scents in candles and bath products. I do like cinnamon and pumpkin smells, too … mostly in candles. Pier 1 has a candle scent called Wild Honey that I love.
Do you have a sweet tooth?
I have more of a salty tooth. I love chocolate, caramel, and peanut butter — especially together — but I love popcorn, chips, and pretzels more. That said, I can’t resist Oreos.
What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
I scrapbook and do distance education classes — college by internet is enough DIY for me!
What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I love music. I love everything from Russian Church Music to Snoop Dogg. Well, except country music and reggae. Right now I’m listening to Toby Lightman, one of my favorite new finds. I also have a not-so-secret weakness for the Statler Brothers and Chicago, and Adelle won’t quit teasing me about that. I can listen to MP3s and love them. My iPod is my best friend.
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 blues, purples, and aquas. I HATE orange and am not that fond of yellow. I’m more of a cool tone girl, even in the reds that I like.
What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I have two cats - Clive and Einstein - who are absolutely ~~annoying~~ helpful with the knitting. That’s it! The rest of my family is far away.
What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
I don’t even know anymore. Finish my degree, find a career that I really love, work with people I like, and live near or with people I love and love me?
What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
Lorna’s Laces Lion & Lamb and ArtYarns Ultramerino 8. Love, love, love.
What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Yarn that makes me sneeze. I hate Regia sock yarn, scratchy Noro stuff, and super-fuzzy yarn. I also don’t like a lot of novelty yarns … I’m pretty basic!
What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
I guess you could say Clapotis since I’m doing my third one now … it’s a therapeutic pattern! I also knit baby sweaters all the time because my friends won’t quit having children. ;)
What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Baby clothes. I’m getting better about knitting for myself, though. Baby items are such an instant sort of gratification, though!
What are you knitting right now?
A third Clapotis, a Christmas present for a friend, a Jayne Cobb hat, and a baby sweater. I need to weave in the ends and block a Cozy, too.
What do you think about ponchos?
Ugh.
Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
Circs! Straight needles end up hurting my hands and wrists.
Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Bamboo or some other form of wood, please.
Are you a sock knitter?
No way. I have tried and tried, and I still hate it. It feels like the worst part of knitting a sweater: the sleeves.
How did you learn to knit?
I taught myself from a book that my mother had, using cheap yarn and needles from Wal-Mart. I think I was 10 or 11.
How old is your oldest UFO?
I found a year-and-a-half old project while I was packing for the move. It was a wrap for a friend who died, and I can’t bring myself to frog it yet.
What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
Eeyore. If I must pick a favorite bird, it’d be Hedwig from the Harry Potter series. I love my kitties but I don’t have cat stuff absolutely everywhere. (Yet.)
What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas and my birthday (October 22)!
Is there anything that you collect?
Different language editions of Harry Potter books? Dust? Even more books? Anything to do with Alice in Wonderland?
What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
None! I just can’t find one I consistently like, and I never get around to reading most of my magazines.
Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?
I would love some of the Debbie Bliss baby books. I don’t know, actually … I could do more with recommendations for good books!
Any patterns you have been coveting, but haven’t bought for one reason or another??
Same as with the books … I think there’s so much out there that I don’t know what I might be missing. :)