1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely not like? Any natural fibers that have some give or elasticity to them. I prefer not to knit with 100% cotton as it makes my hands ache.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I have a double sided Binder Bag from Bass Pro Shops. I love it! While it's supposed to be a tackle box, it's great for storing circular needles and all the little knitting do-dads.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? I’ve been knitting since 2003. I learned by taking a class at the union of the local university. Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? Probably intermediate.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? No.
5. What’s your favorite scent? Cinnamon, vanilla, citrus scents, cedarwood, frankincense.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? The upper are sweet, the lower are salty/crunchy. Favorite candy? Milk chocolate (Kitkat, Reeses, Snickers, Lindt milk chocolate bars), Cinnamon Altoids, citrus-flavored hard candy.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Counted cross stitch. This last year I got back into it after ignoring all my projects once I started knitting. Do you spin? No. Like to watch other people spin – but I have no interest in learning and no room in my stash for unspun fiber.
8. What kind of music do you like? Most any except country western, club/rave, and heavy metal. I love Christmas music. My ipod actually has no music on it – just podcasts from the Stephanie Miller Show, “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me,” “This American Life,” and a bunch of knitting podcasts. Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) Yes.
9. What’s your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can’t stand? I love autumn colors and jewel tones - brilliant, deep blues, reds, greens, golds, rich tans and browns. I’ve been told I would look good in corals and to avoid yellow and anything with too much yellow-tone to it.
10. What is your family situation? Married, no kids. Do you have any pets? Two cats.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Yes; sometimes, but I’m more of a wimple kind of gal; yes; and NO!
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Scarves – because they’re easy “company knitting,” lace projects, sweaters if I don’t have to do too much math.
13. What are you knitting right now? I’ve got multiple WIPs – sweaters, scarves, hats, a pair of socks, shawls, baby sweaters.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes.
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Circular and I use all types to fit the yarn I’m working with. I do prefer metal and wood circulars.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Both.
17. How old is your oldest UFO? I think since 2004. I had some older ones but I froggged one and got rid of the other when I moved.
18. What is your favorite holiday? What winter holiday do you observe? Christmas and Christmas.
19. Is there anything that you collect? Yarn. I love to travel and find yarn that is local to the area I’m visiting. Items with sheep on them.
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? Stitch ‘n Bitch Superstar, Heirloom Knitting Simply Stunning Collection, Poems of Color. I’m in the process of updating my queue on Ravelry to indicate which patterns I have already. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? Interweave Knits and Vogue Knitting.
21. Are there any new techniques you’d like to learn? How to adjust a pattern to fit me if it isn't in my size, better finishing techniques, entralac, Intarsia, Fair Isle.
22. Are you a sock knitter? Yes, just working on my semi-first pair (first sock project was frogged.) What are your foot measurements? 12 WW.
23. When is your birthday? July 18, Nineteen Hundred and something.
24. Are you on Ravelry? Yes. If so, what’s your ID? Stashhaus.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
The Rest of the Visit
Our time in Helena was cut short by a snowstorm. We didn't want to be driving in it and couldn't stay longer than we had planned, so we fled Montana ahead of the 6-12 inches of snow. We were lucky as Interstate 90 through South Dakota was closed on the day we would have traveled across the state.
We did see plenty of wildlife...
in Helena.
A mule deer took command of the swingset in the back yarn (click to enlarge for a better view of it's rack)
People shoo them from their front yards like they're shooing cats out of their flower beds.
Non-fiber related activities included snowshoeing at a local golf course and swimming in 2 outdoor pools here. Oh, how I wish there were hot springs close to where we live!
I left DH and his family at home while I went to the nearest gas station to fill up the tank, wash the salt and grime off the windows and headlights, and then took a little 2 mile detour to Sweet Grass.
Patti has wonderful items and a tempting room full of yarn, books, and patterns on sale. She is also a vendor at events all over the country - a schedule is listed on her website.
There is also a lovely looking shop in the downtown area called Spun Mountain that looked lovely (and has open knitting on Wednesday evenings) but I was with family and, more importantly, an active toddler, so I didn't go in. It's located on Last Chance Gulch Street. (Love the name of that street.)
We did see plenty of wildlife...
in Helena.
A mule deer took command of the swingset in the back yarn (click to enlarge for a better view of it's rack)
People shoo them from their front yards like they're shooing cats out of their flower beds.
Non-fiber related activities included snowshoeing at a local golf course and swimming in 2 outdoor pools here. Oh, how I wish there were hot springs close to where we live!
I left DH and his family at home while I went to the nearest gas station to fill up the tank, wash the salt and grime off the windows and headlights, and then took a little 2 mile detour to Sweet Grass.
Patti has wonderful items and a tempting room full of yarn, books, and patterns on sale. She is also a vendor at events all over the country - a schedule is listed on her website.
There is also a lovely looking shop in the downtown area called Spun Mountain that looked lovely (and has open knitting on Wednesday evenings) but I was with family and, more importantly, an active toddler, so I didn't go in. It's located on Last Chance Gulch Street. (Love the name of that street.)
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Christmas Outside the Haus
We are a long ways from the Haus. About a 20 hour drive west of the Haus - Helena, Montana to be specific- to be with DH's brother, SIL, and 2 nephews. There is nothing like having a three-and-a-half year old wake you up because IT'S CHRISTMAS!
At this point in our stay, I have no pictures of the kids that are not blurred. This was the best of the photos so far - taken in the dark while they are momentarily not in motion emptying their stockings.
This was about 17 hours into our drive, somewhere west of Sheridan, Wyoming. I was surprised that we have so much more snow in Wisconsin than here.
Even though we are not at home for Christmas, we still got a tree last weekend. Here are two of my favorite ornaments. The first I received after my maternal grandmother passed away. I had no idea she had made ornaments from pictures of her grandchildren. I won't say how old this ornament is. I think I was about 3-4 years old in this photo.
The second is a crown made by my mother for the top of our tree.
The cats were particularly helpful in the run-up to Christmas, helping with both wrapping gifts
and decorating the tree.
Wherever you are and however you celebrate this time of light returning, I hope your day has been filled with joy and love, family and friends, good food and drinks and, of course, fiber.
At this point in our stay, I have no pictures of the kids that are not blurred. This was the best of the photos so far - taken in the dark while they are momentarily not in motion emptying their stockings.
This was about 17 hours into our drive, somewhere west of Sheridan, Wyoming. I was surprised that we have so much more snow in Wisconsin than here.
Even though we are not at home for Christmas, we still got a tree last weekend. Here are two of my favorite ornaments. The first I received after my maternal grandmother passed away. I had no idea she had made ornaments from pictures of her grandchildren. I won't say how old this ornament is. I think I was about 3-4 years old in this photo.
The second is a crown made by my mother for the top of our tree.
The cats were particularly helpful in the run-up to Christmas, helping with both wrapping gifts
and decorating the tree.
Wherever you are and however you celebrate this time of light returning, I hope your day has been filled with joy and love, family and friends, good food and drinks and, of course, fiber.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
The State Of Things
The Christmas knitting continues.
I'm pleased with the progress - helped along by another winter storm this past weekend.
Hat and fingerless mitts for the foreign exchange student - Done.
All with less than one skein of Malabrigo worsted. I've cast on for a ruffly scarf with the second skein.
If you're looking for quick and easy fingerless mitts,
Fetching is a great pattern. If I had knit for a solid day, I could have completed them both in one day. And I am not a fast knitter.
I wouldn't mind making a pair for myself, but I would have to significantly adjust the pattern as I've got large hands.
The BIL's scarf - one skein done, three to go.
The SIL's wimple. Nearly done with the first of two skeins.
The color is much richer than the photo shows - but I just couldn't get a true color photo in the winter light.
Anything on your needles for Christmas?
I'm pleased with the progress - helped along by another winter storm this past weekend.
Hat and fingerless mitts for the foreign exchange student - Done.
All with less than one skein of Malabrigo worsted. I've cast on for a ruffly scarf with the second skein.
If you're looking for quick and easy fingerless mitts,
Fetching is a great pattern. If I had knit for a solid day, I could have completed them both in one day. And I am not a fast knitter.
I wouldn't mind making a pair for myself, but I would have to significantly adjust the pattern as I've got large hands.
The BIL's scarf - one skein done, three to go.
The SIL's wimple. Nearly done with the first of two skeins.
The color is much richer than the photo shows - but I just couldn't get a true color photo in the winter light.
Anything on your needles for Christmas?
Friday, December 10, 2010
Miscellany
First - the winner of the Thanksgiving yarn - which is a skein of the desperately sought after Wollmeise goes to Susan R! I'll be popping that in the mail to you.
The last couple of weeks have been full of work, baking, and holiday functions.
Last weekend, my friend "Ivy" and her sisters "Holly" and "Berry" had a few of their friends over for a Christmas Tea. It was a wonderful time.
As you can see, they went all out in the costume department. I only had a flashing necklace so I felt a bit underdressed. I'll have to start planning for next year.
I don't know why but I've been in a baking mood. Last weekend was our first snow storm, which means that I knitted and baked about 8 dozen cookies on Saturday while listening to Christmas music. Meanwhile the snow fell until we had 8 inches on the ground. We got another 3/4 inch yesterday and we're looking at another 2-4 inches tomorrow.
I found the best way to soften up butter. Ten minutes and it's ready to mix into the batter.
I like to avoid knitting under the pressure of deadlines and especially avoid the whole gotta-get-X-Y-Z-knitted-before-Christmas knitting. Except for this year. Our friends have an exchange student from Frankfurt who is returning home later this month. Her favorite color is orange, so I have knit her the Flower Bud Beanie and am half-way finished with a pair of Fetching made from orange Malabrigo worsted weight.
I've also started Christmas gifts for my brother and sister-in-law as we'll be together at their house in Montana for Christmas (weather-permitting, that is). My MIL and SIL will each get Lauren's Wimple made from Mountain Colors Weavers Wool and my BIL will get a scarf made from Blue Sky Alpaca. I'd like to get these done before we leave. Even though I'll have lots of knitting time in the car (at least 11 hours if I do half of the driving), I don't want to have to block these at their house as they've got 2 boys under the age of 4 running around.
I'm happy to report all the yarn is from stash. I've added a ticker as I'd like to see how long I can go without buying yarn (other than for a swap - I'm not counting yarn I'm buying as a gift for another person.) We'll see how long my resolve can hold out.
The last couple of weeks have been full of work, baking, and holiday functions.
Last weekend, my friend "Ivy" and her sisters "Holly" and "Berry" had a few of their friends over for a Christmas Tea. It was a wonderful time.
As you can see, they went all out in the costume department. I only had a flashing necklace so I felt a bit underdressed. I'll have to start planning for next year.
I don't know why but I've been in a baking mood. Last weekend was our first snow storm, which means that I knitted and baked about 8 dozen cookies on Saturday while listening to Christmas music. Meanwhile the snow fell until we had 8 inches on the ground. We got another 3/4 inch yesterday and we're looking at another 2-4 inches tomorrow.
I found the best way to soften up butter. Ten minutes and it's ready to mix into the batter.
I like to avoid knitting under the pressure of deadlines and especially avoid the whole gotta-get-X-Y-Z-knitted-before-Christmas knitting. Except for this year. Our friends have an exchange student from Frankfurt who is returning home later this month. Her favorite color is orange, so I have knit her the Flower Bud Beanie and am half-way finished with a pair of Fetching made from orange Malabrigo worsted weight.
I've also started Christmas gifts for my brother and sister-in-law as we'll be together at their house in Montana for Christmas (weather-permitting, that is). My MIL and SIL will each get Lauren's Wimple made from Mountain Colors Weavers Wool and my BIL will get a scarf made from Blue Sky Alpaca. I'd like to get these done before we leave. Even though I'll have lots of knitting time in the car (at least 11 hours if I do half of the driving), I don't want to have to block these at their house as they've got 2 boys under the age of 4 running around.
I'm happy to report all the yarn is from stash. I've added a ticker as I'd like to see how long I can go without buying yarn (other than for a swap - I'm not counting yarn I'm buying as a gift for another person.) We'll see how long my resolve can hold out.
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