SP11 Questionaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I really like the newer fibers but haven't gotten to try them...especially the sea silk, stainless steel yarn, and the corn fibers. I like wool and cotton. Not really fond of anything with acrylic because it hurts my hands. :(

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I use the knitpicks options needles now so I store them in the case that they came in. I store DPN's in a traveling toothbrush case and my straights are in a roll up holder with a ribbon tie.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I have been knitting for about 2 years now. I would say that I'm intermediate. There is a lot that I haven't gotten to try and I'm starting to dabble in lace now.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Hrm, no but that's a good idea, lol.

5. What's your favorite scent?
I really like vanilla

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I'm not really picky on candy. I DO love reisien (chocolate covered chocolate caramel) but can't seem to find it around here anymore.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I really just knit. I can crochet but don't enjoy it nearly as much. I got a spindle from SP10 but I'm having trouble and pretty much put it away for awhile. I'm going to try again soon!

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I listen to almost anything. I'm into trying anything new.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I like almost anything. I really don't have any that I can't stand. The one yarn that I saw that I decided was beautiful was rainbow but it was all pastel colors. No yarn stores near me either (explains my poor looking stash!) so I can't seem to find it.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I have a 3 1/2 yo son but no pets unless you count him, lol.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
But of course! Love them all.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I love to knit hats, socks, and now I'm into lace shawls. I want to knit a sweater one day too.

13. What are you knitting right now?
I'm currently knitting a pair of Rainy Day socks from Magknits and the Forest Canopy Shawl.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Of course I do!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I really like circs. Haven't been knitting with anything else recently. I use metal but I need to get some bamboo ones for my lace projects.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Don't I WISH!

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
Hrm...probably 1 - 1.5 years old, lol.

18. What is your favorite holiday?
Probably Christmas but every holiday has its own special things for me.

19. Is there anything that you collect?
YARN!!!!!!!! If I could turn my apartment into a yarn store I would...but I'd knit it all and lse money.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I don't have any mag. subscriptions but if I had the money for them I would. I love the mags and make special trips to walmart to sit there and check them out, LOL. I buy when there is a pattern in there that is just calling my name. As for the other things...maybe some circs in sock sizes that are longer so I can do magic loop. I'd really like to try magic loop on a sock. I'm dying to get my hands on ANY yarn but of course I want the softest ones, lol. I also want some Schaefer Anne because it's a dream to knit with!

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Hrm. FairIsle and Intarsia. It's really all I haven't at least dabbled in.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Sure am! My foot is a womens size 7 US. I'm not sure of the measurments and, of course, my tape measure is MIA...like every other knitters tape measure in the world, lol.

23. When is your birthday?
Feb. 11th

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
Not yet. I'm still waiting and I have more than 10k people ahead of me :(

Hope this helps my pal out. I can't wait to start this round of secret pal. It's so fun to get the surprise packages AND to send them out to your pal and see if they liked the items that you chose!

Kelly

It's HERE!!!! and Another Finished Object...

So last Saturday they arrived...in all their splendid glory! My KnitPicks Options set. WELL worth the 59.99 and I'm VERY happy!

The first thing I did with them...Taught myself magic loop in about 10 minutes and started the Christmas Tree hat for my son!

Finally finished...and my son refuses to take it off. Nevermind that it's not even Halloween yet. He's loving the hat. I think it's cute but possibly a bit embarrassing, lol. I'm going to put bells on the "branches" and a ribbon garland because I think that will make it more fun. Hopefully it doesn't look sillier that way, lmao. My neighbors all had a field day over this hat today when my son put it on and ran outside to show off.

Now it's time to start another project. I have to just sew up that Kipling Baby Sweater and it's ready to be sent off to my friend Ashley in FL. She's having a boy in 9 weeks and hand picked the pattern herself because she liked the collar on it, lol. It really IS cute but the 2 errors I found in the pattern as I knit it killed me. The pattern has been adjusted now and works well if anyone wants to try it again.

I'm going to be starting the Forest Canopy Shawl but I'm changing the yarn for the pattern so I emailed someone that made the shawl out of the same yarn that I plan to use to see what size needles she used. I want it to look good and not be too big. Hopefully that will help and I can go to town on it. I'm doing it along with another girl from KnittingHaven as a knit-a-long. YAY!

Ok all, wish me luck on my first lace project. I really want it to look good because I want to wear it this fall. Wish it was done last night and this morning as it was COLD for some reason. Wish it would cool off a little for good.

Kelly

Slow Progress

So here are the newest pics of the Rainy Day sock. I haven't really had all that much time to knit with my son running around and being sick but...it's here all the same, lmao. Hope you all like it.

More progress shots coming soon. Stay tuned :)

Picot Pics

Ok guys. I decided that I was going to get pics of the picot edge...I felt the knitterly urge to show it off as it's my first...then I saw the blinking red light on my camera when I went to turn it on. I also saw this light after robbing every AA battery from any toy, remote, and appliance in my home. I was outmatched...by a camera :(

Then I remembered...Hey! I have a webcam for these types of emergencies...and it's got a program in the software to take still pics. WOOHOO. After installing and restarting I managed to get some decent pics with a 1.3 megapixel, no light cam. I invented my own light. I took the top off my lava lamp, turned it sideways, and hurried to take the pics before it got to hot and tried to burn thru my carpet. LMAO!

So, here they are. The pics of the picot edge that I am SO proud of. Now that I've gotten them I can (finally) start on the sock. I was procrastinating simply because I wanted a pic of the edge just how it looked when I finished the last K2tog.

OMG....My Picot Edge!

Ok, so tonight I decided that I was going to be clever and knit a sock...but in a new way. I'm a fan of the "Plain Vanilla Sock"...and, my knitterly friends, that's all I've even tried to do besides a stab at some ribbed socks that ribbed down the front of the foot as well.

Tonight I got this bright idea that the Rainy Day Sock patter was the way to start my first nifty looking sock....think again. There is a picot edge! Very pretty! I think to myself...I can do that! Umm...not so. I spent the first hour knitting 5 rows of YO, K2tog...then realize, after finding a site to tell me how to "bind off" a picot edge...that I shouldn't have knit more than ONE row of YO, K2tog...and the other rows were supposed to be normal knitting....

Of course I let out an outrageous string of obsenities and then started to rip back. Thankfully this site was AWESOME and helped me see how it worked...and how it's possible to technically not bind off the edge...but fold it over and knit stitches together.

Ok, that's easy I say to myself again...but nope, try again! It's not at ALL easy...you have to catch these mystery stitches without losing them off this scrap of waste yarn and hope that you are folding right and that it's all working out. I took the cowards way out and folded...then grabbed the stitches on spare DPN's that I wasn't using (2 circs are my method of choice now) and then started painstakingly moving stitches from them to my left needle and knitting them together.

Well, it took me about 2 - 21/2 hours but I have a BEAUTIFUL...maybe slightly sloppy but BEAUTIFUL picot edge! WOOHOO and DAMN do I feel clever! I feel like someone just wrote and told me that I'm a master knitter, lol.

Ok all, now I have to start my first lacy patterned sock...hopefully it's a LOT easier than that dang picot edge! Wish me luck. I think I'll need it!

Kelly

My Final SP10 package

Well, it's sad but it's all over. SP 10 is done and I'm looking forward to the next round.

I am sending out my pals package here in a day or two...as soon as I get my check direct deposited so I can pay for postage, lmao!

-----------------------------

My pal was Heather! You can read more about her at http://www.knits-n-things@blogspot.com/

Here are the contents of my packages:

Heather SO spoiled me. I recieved a spindle kit that contained practice roving and instructions, Some beautiful merino/tencil roving in a greenish blue, Jelly Beans...omg, the jellybeans, lol. These actually taste like the flavors that it promises including but not limited to grass, soap, black pepper, bacon, booger, vomit (!), ect. lmao. Most didn't get eaten but my neighbors are going to unknowingly try them, LOL!

A puzzle postcard that you write or draw on then take it apart and it becomes a puzzle, small knitting needle coils, SOAK wool wash, handmade soad in lavander (yummmmm), a cute kitty keychain that was made by a family special...each one is different, and an amazing bag that spells out the word bag with a little man...I love it! So unique and I can't wait to show it off.

Thanks SO much Heather for being such an awesome pal. Not only have i enjoyed my gifts but I have already started using them! Below is a pic of what I got when I tried my hand at spinning with my new drop spindle that Heather got me! I know, it's bad...but hey, I tried. I'm sure I will get better with time!

Also, Heather, I know you said that you were going to learn to spin this summer as well and I didn't know if you needed some help...the instructions that came with the spindle weren't all that helpful to me because I need to SEE it to do it, lol. Here is an awesome link (for Heather and anyone) that shows the basics on how to work a spindle. I got so frustrated last night when I first tried that I ended up just breaking down and getting SUPER upset, then I threw it all on the floor and went to bed, lmao. I'm sure glad that I gave it another try!

Video of How to Use A Drop Spindle:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drXid5cT0y8

The New, Tanner, me!

I'm BaaaaaAAAaaaack!

I hear you all now..."thanks for the warning". LOL!

New computer but no pics on it yet so...I will let you all see what I'm working on and show some pics of me now that I've lost some weight and gotten a super tan, LMAO!

Hopefully I don't break anyones computer monitors with my scary pics!

Talk to you all soon. I'm looking to be blogging again with pics tomorrow!

Till then,
Kelly

Wow!!!

I was on the yahoo socknitters list reading the messages and I came across a few messages by a lovely lady named Sarah who told us all that she was about to meet Cookie A., a WONDERFUL maker of knitting sock patterns. I was so jealous!

Well, she let us all know that she DID meet Cookie AND got an autograph on one of her patterns...now I'm officially MORE tha jealous! Wow...what an honor to meet Cookie A and get to see the person behind the patterns. Cookie, if you are out there in blogland, your patterns are amazing and if there was anywhere that I could find them to purchase I would for sure. I just cant seem to find them anywhere and I know there is no way I could get it autographed either because there is no local yarn store around here in my little town just outside of Canton, Oh. Not too many knitters around here either. Oh well, hopefully I can get a pattern and make the terrific socks that I keep seeing on blogs and hearing about online!

All of us sock knitters LOVE you Cookie! Way to go!

Kelly

My Current Projects

Ok, so I was working on my knitting tonight and noticed that

A: I have a TON of projects that I haven't shared progress on with my blog readers....

and

B: None of the things I took pics of are things that I was working on before and need to update, lmao. It's all new stuff that you all haven't even seen before.


I promise to get more pics of the items you all have already seen and let you see some progress...and I will just be totally honest here and let you all know that I haven't picked up my halter top I'm working on since I moved it to take pics in the blog entry I put in here about a month ago. I dont know what the problem is but I guess I just lost interest there for awhile. I'm going to start working on it more asap! I really want to wear it this summer!

So here are the projects that I am currently working on that will be the"halter tops" of tomorrow (hehe):

These are baby socks for my friend Brianne. She's pregnant right now with her second child...a boy and she already has a girl so she is very excited. I am happy for her too and I intend to get sock 2 done tomorrow or the next day so I can get these in the mail.





This is a sock for MEEEEEEEEEE! I'm excited. Mostly I just want to get these hammered out so I can start a pair using the yummy yarn from my SP10 pal! You all know you drooled on your keyboards when I posted the pic of that yarn, LMAO! They are made of KnitPicks Simple Stripes in the Tropical Colorway and that yarn has sadly been discontinued :(






Ok, so I need to go and get to work on the second baby sock...I have it cast on and the first round done so I really cant even call myself a slacker! WooHoo! Bri might just get these baby socks soon!







Talk to you all soon!



Kelly

Look What I Want!

So, thanks to my SP10 pal, I'm addicted to the yarn harlot books, lmao.

She apparently has a new book out called Stephanie Pearl-McPhee Casts Off. I want it terribly, lmao. Hopefully I can get it around the end of this month. Until then this knitter is BROKE!

Yes, that means no new yarn, no notions, no nothing :( *cries*

Wish my luck and send the money fairy my way. Till later all.........

SP10

Yesterday I went to my door to go check my mail and was SO excited to see my first package from my secret pal in my door. YAY!

I took it right inside...forget the rest of the mail, that can wait, lol! My son was yelling "open it mommy" so...I had to do what he said ;)

Inside I found this:




WooHoo! Presents! LOL. My son decided that it was my birthday after seeing the presents and started singing Happy Birthday and asked me where my birthday cake was, lol.

After opening my presents this is what I came across:

1 skein of Anne Schaefer yarn in the Hot Shot colorway (YUMMY!), a bottle of lavender bath salts, Clover knitting needle holders, and Knitting Rules! by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee.

Do you think I'm excited? Hello?! Yes! Thanks SO much secret pal, you rock! Now off to find a pattern for this lovely yarn. I've been looking for patterns since I opened the package looking for the PERFECT one. If you have any suggestions please feel free to post!

Robin's SP10 Contest

Well hrm...I think my favorite yarn has to be Knit Picks Panache. I really like the feel of it while it works up and it's very pretty as well. The bulky weight makes things work up quickly and easily also.

As for my least favorite yarn...probably red heart yarn of any kind. For some reason I seem to always get blisters and/or sore fingers when I knit or crochet with it. I think the acrylic is just to harsh for my skin since there are no other natural fibers mixed with it.

I am currently making a sweater from the Knit Picks Panache in the cinnamon colorway. I hope that it turns out well. I really like all the colors so I may order more in the near future!

Thanks Secret Pal!

Today my secret pal 10 pal sent me the cutest e-card. I just wanted to say thanks and let my pal know that I appriciated the card very much :)

I think this is going to be a very fun swap. I cant wait to see what happens next!

Another Update

So, I finally got my digital camera up and running so I decided to get my pics of my projects up here.

This pic is what I have done so far for the curtain that I'm making for my kitchen. I'm going to stitch them together so the form and arrow like this ^ . Hopefully they turn out to look as good as I think they are going to, lol.



This is the pic of what I have done on the halter top I said I was doing. I haven't really gotten to it much lately or it probably would be done by now. Since it's starting to get really warm now I'm going to have to get knitting or else I will be waiting ANOTHER year to wear it and Im not all that patient, lol.

Diet

Ok, here it is...I'm overweight. Not hugely overweight but overweight none the less. I am currently about 150 which is too much for my 5'4 frame AND I'm a type 1 diabetic so ANY extra weight is a no-no so.....



It's time for that diet! Oh yes, I said the worst four letter word. Call the cops and lock the doors. I'm a girl on a mission. I want to lose 30lbs by the end of the summer. I know, I could lose it all in 2 months but I want to do it right and not have to worry about it all coming back.



The "plan" is pilates...but Im not sure how long that will last because...well, it's hard, lmao. I might just dump that when the weather is nicer and replace it with chasing my 3 yo son thru the yard...we all KNOW that's a workout better than pilates right?!



So wish me luck all...I'm going to do this thing!

KnitPicks Is Great

Today I had to call KnitPicks because I placed an order for some sock yarn and some beautiful ShineSport and a size 2 16" circular needle.

When I got my package I realized that one needle was bent. Tried to straighten it myself but you all know that it's impossible and Im sure that the nickel plating would eventually chip off in that spot and then probably rust.

I called KnitPicks customer service tonight and got the sweetest woman on the phone. She said she couldn't believe that I got a bent needle and I told her it was a size 2. She was like "Oh, a little one, that explains it" lol. She had me give her my customer number and looked up the order and told me that they are going to send out a replacement needle, no questions asked.

KnitPicks is now on the top of my list. Not only has all the yarn that I have ordered from them been high quality AND beautiful but they stand behind their products 100%.

If you want to order great yarn that you KNOW is going to be backed by the company I would suggest them. I am more happy with them then I have ever been before. The only other company that has made me this happy is Brittany because they also replace broken needles in the same fashion. This is great. Has to keep people knitting when they know that their stuff is going to be replaced when the quality isn't up to par instead of just losing money on their orders!

SP10 and My Newest Project

So I got my email yesterday from an SP10 hostess telling me that we should have partners by the weekend hopefully. I'm SO excited! I cant wait to start. If my partner reads this...I did post my questionaire...it's listed as such in the title of the post.



Now I want to let you all in on what I'm working on now! I am so excited to finally be working on this. I bought this kit when I had just started knitting. I saw it and fell in love. But then I started it and realized that I was lacking in skills at the time. Now, a year later, I am ready and I'm about 5in. into the pattern. Here is a pic of what I'm making :

Isn't that the cutest halter top? I cant wait to get it done so I can wear it this summer. This is the first thing (besides socks) that I have made that I will be able to wear. I'm hoping that it turns out as well as I think it will. Wish me luck all. Now I'm off to work on it some more. I will post pics soon but as of right now my digital camera is out of batteries. I will get more asap!

2 Hours Until My Birthday!

Since it's so close to my birthday...and being pathetic as I am and having no plans...I made buttons (see right sidebar) for the sock hop swap '07 and the Secret Pal 10. Just click and presto, you are there. So get signing up everyone! HAHA!

I've Gone Crazy!

So, it's official. I'm insane. I decided that since cuff down socks weren't keeping me as entertained as they once were that I would mix it up a bit and try a toe-up sock.

I managed to get the toe started after about 5 tries and provisional cast on is nothing to laugh about...I think I need someone that REALLY knows what they are doing to teach me a thing or two!

Then a started my increases and all that and I'm finally making the foot. Im not sure that it's going to fit because it might be to big where my foot goes in on the arch so Im going to look around online and see if there are some pattern on there that adapt for this. I don't want to try it on my own...but, again, Im making this sock with only instructions on how to cast on and how to make a short row heel so...maybe Im being daring enough there, HA!

Wish me luck...I will be posting pics as soon as I can. Maybe tomorrow if I can get enough done that it doesn't just look like a teddy bear hat (as the little girl that lives here calls it) and if the whole short row heel thing works out.

If anyone has any comments that might help me out PLEASE feel free to post! I am totally open to all new suggestions!

Till next time,
Kelly