One Skein Loveliness

Woo hoo! I received my June package from my One Skein Secret Pal - a beautiful skein of Koigu Premium Merino in colorway 2230 (of the Very Berry family). Another yarn that I've only read about, but finally I can touch. (So goes the life of the knitter with no nearby LYS.)

Thank you, SP!

What to knit? What to knit?

Secret Pal Goodies!

I got mail! Okay, I admit that I actually got it last week. I kept thinking that I would take pictures and figure out how to post them here, but no such luck. One day. My Secret Pal sent me yarn goodies: 1 ball of Moda Dea Tutu in Grape and 2 balls of Caron Feathers in Color 3 (purple and turquoise, if you're interested). I'm not sure what I will do with either yarn, maybe trim a bag with the Tutu and make some kind of narrow drop-stitch scarf with the Feathers (it is so soft) - perfect for the bohemian look this fall. Anyone have any other ideas?

Thank you, Secret Pal!

An Almost-FO Post

I'm so excited - my Booga Bag is currently in its second wash cycle. My first felting project! Actually, this project represents a lot of firsts for me: first non-scarf/poncho project, first time following a pattern more complicated than cast on/knit 'til you finish/bind off, and first time using circular needles (love them!). I would say my first time using DPNs, but i-cord probably doesn't count. I'll settle for my first DPN purchase.

Oh, yeah, first i-cord experience too. Hate it. E. vil. I feel, though, that after six and a half feet of the stuff, I've put in the time. I will definitely be looking for a knitting spool/corker/whatever when I visit my not-so-local yarn store this weekend. I'm hoping they have a nice wooden one. It helps if the tools are pretty. ;-) Please let that be easier than using DPNs. (If it isn't, don't tell me. Not yet anyway.)

In other knitting news, my Handpainted Yarn is finally on its way! I'm torn between being excited (the laceweight will be here soon!) and being a little annoyed (it was supposed to go out yesterday). *sigh* Oh, well. I knew when I ordered it that it might take a while. Hopefully, I'll be able to catch up on the Mystery Stole Along without too much trouble. I also hope that I'm not getting in over my head. Does attempting to knit lace at this point qualify me as an "adventurous beginner"?

Maybe I'll just start Unbiased in the meantime.

Greetings and SP5 Questionnaire

I have been considering a knitting blog for a little while now. Secret Pal 5 finally tipped the scales. In honor of SP5's catalyst role, it seems only fitting that the inaugural post should be the questionnaire with my answers.

* * *

1. 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 love the natural fibers that I've used, so far just wool, and I don't mind acrylic. My Lion Brand Homespun poncho was fun, although I have found myself avoiding Red Heart on the yarn aisle of the craft store.


2. Do you spin? Crochet?
   
   I've never done any spinning, but I have crocheted a little.


3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
   
   Nothing that the meds can't control. ;-)
   


4. How long have you been knitting?
   
   About 6 or 7 months.
   


5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
   
   I've never taken the time to set one up before, but this seems like a good opportunity. Stay tuned. I finally got an Amazon wishlist set up. Just search for yarnomine[at]hotmail[dot]com. It doesn't have many items on it yet, but I'll keep adding. :-)
   


6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
   
   Rose, almond and honey, anything clean/fresh smelling, nothing too overpowering.
   


7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
   
   Of course. I adore dark chocolate, but I do try to limit myself.
   


8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
   
   I have done some beading, just a few pieces of jewelry, and origami. I've been thinking about trying fabric origami.
   


9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
   
   I like most music: pop/rock, classical, country, jazz, blues, etc. Rap is probably my least favorite, although I do have/like some of it too. I can play MP3 CDs.
   


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 jewel tones, purple and blue especially.
    


11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
    
    I'm single and have a couple of roommates to share my house. Between us, we have a German Shepherd, a Yorkshire terrier, and a cat. Luckily everyone gets along.
    


12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
    
    I would love to make a living writing fiction.
    


13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
    
    From my limited experience, my favorite would be Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride. I'd love to try fibers like bamboo and hemp.
    


14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
    
    Again, I have very limited experience, but the project I least enjoy involves Red Heart.
    


15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
    
    I wouldn't call it an obsession, though it has potential, but I am looking at a lot of bag patterns lately.
    


16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
    
    Right now, bags.
    


17. What are you knitting right now?
    
    On the needles now, I have a Booga bag with Noro Kureyon, a cotton swatch-that-will-become-a-washcloth, and a Harry Potter Gryffindor scarf with the Red Heart. I also just joined the Mystery Stole-Along, so that will hit the needles as soon as the yarn from Handpainted Yarn arrives and I figure out which size needles I'm going to use. The idea of lace is a little intimidating, but I'm excited about the project.
    


18. What do you think about ponchos?
    
    I like them. I knit one from Homespun and enjoyed wearing it before summer set in with a vengeance -- ah, life in the Deep South.
    


19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
    
    Both. The Booga bag is my first circular project. I finally got the hang of the circs, and I love them.
    


20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
    
    Bamboo.
    


21. Are you a sock knitter?
    
    Not yet, but I do intend to try knitting socks eventually.
    


22. How did you learn to knit?
    
    I bought a kit and thought the instructions were confusing. Soon after, I caught Knitty Gritty on DIY and saw someone demonstrating Continental knitting. A lightbulb went off, and I looked for other resources. Stitch 'n Bitch has been helpful, as have several online resources.
    


23. How old is your oldest UFO?
    
    Hmm, I think I bought the HP scarf materials and the kit over a year ago, even though I didn't actually start the scarf until about last Christmas.
    


24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
    
    Harry Potter (okay, so that's not exactly animated). Hello Kitty, especially the Sanrio characters other than HK. As for favorite animals, I would probably choose dogs and dragons.
    


25. What is your favorite holiday?
    
    Christmas.
    


26. Is there anything that you collect?
    
    Books. Dragons -- figurines, stuffed animals, not the real thing. :-)
    


27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
    
    Creative (Easy?) Knitting.
    


28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?
    
    I ordered Bags: A Knitter's Dozen, but it was backordered. I'm dying for it to arrive. I'd also love to have Folk Bags, Knitting without Tears, and Weekend Knitting.
    


29. What do you do for a living?
    
    I'm an editor and technical writer.
    


30. What's in your stash?
    
    Mostly acrylic stuff that I've bought on sale. I also have some recycled sari silk that's destined to become Unbiased from Knitty.

I'm really looking forward to SP5. This should be fun!