SP 10 Contest

My SP10 host asked us to participate in a 2 part contest. In the first part, we need to have our questionnaire easy to find on our blog. (See sidebar under "Knit It".) For the second part we need to post about our favorite current projects and why we love them, along with yarn and pattern info. I recently posted about several things on my needles, but I'll post about the "MEO Simple Shell" that I've been working on for a long time. Well, I worked on it and put it away for a long time and just brought it out again. I'm using Lana Gatto Labrador yarn (good luck finding some) and it's acrylic but good! (Yes, I realize that's a bit of an oxymoron, but in this case it's true.)

My favorite thing about it? It's for me! I'm not one to knit for myself and this is my first garment for me (unless you count a poncho), so this seems decadent. I'm hoping to get it done before it's too hot to wear it, so wish me luck on that one. Otherwise, I'll shoot for wearing it in the fall. I just picked it up after years of not touching it and it's miles of stockinette, so wish me luck.

In writing this post about projects on needles, let me just say I have too many. I'm a bit embarassed about it, but I'm working on finishing some of these UFOs (UnFinished Objects). Why do I have so many? Well, the answer is threefold. First, I love to start projects. It's like a first date with its newness and excitement. So I wind up starting projects before I'm done with the knitting that's been around the block a few times with me. Second, I hate finishing. No, not the melancholy that comes with the end of something beautiful. I wish that were me. I don't like seaming, weaving, non-knitting ending stuff. Third and most frustrating, I get stuck. I sometimes feel like I have no concentration and really should just knit scarves, but ugh, that's no fun. So, I wind up needing to pick up stitches or kitchner stitch and you might as well tell me I'm to do brain surgery now. I freeze and need to find something else to knit, but I'm stuck on every other project too. But. I. Must. Knit. So, I begin something new.

I checked out this book from the library the other day and found a 'purl' of wisdom at the back of the book. It was a little essay entitled "What Would Laura Ingalls Do" and the general gist was what did the women do who knit in a little house out on a prairie somewhere with no LYS (local yarn store) nearby? They would have to figure it out themselves. I even have many reference books, but I always seem to do better with a flesh and blood knitter right next to me. However, point taken. I shall work on my projects and get past the stuck parts. My favorite current projects? The ones I will soon finish.

SP10 Questionnaire

Well, my last Secret Pal (9) went so well that I've decided to do Secret Pal 10 (SP10). Kathy from bread_and_circulars was my spoiler from SP9 and now I'm truly spoiled for my next spoiler! Robin from Yarn Crawl was my spoilee and she was a whole lotta fun to spoil. So, if you want to participate, you need to have a blog, be a knitter or crocheter, be willing to spend $60 on someone you've never met and post 4 times per month and one of those posts needs to be related to crocheting, knitting or fiber. Without further ado, I present my SP10 questionnaire (many of the answers were taken straight from my SP9 questionnaire) ...

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I love soft wool, merino and alpaca. I also enjoy working with cotton blends. I'm interested in unique fibers like bamboo and silk blends as well. I'm not a big fan of acrylic unless it's added to something else to make it washable, or soft. I used to work in a yarn store and I confess, I'm a bit of a yarn snob.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I have a Lantern Moon "wrap" for my straight needles, a case with zippered pouches for circulars and dpn's, along with the hard cover case that came with my Denise needles.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? My husband bought lessons for me approximately 4 years ago and I knit with my teacher and several others twice a month. I guess I'd put myself in the advanced beginner, beginning intermediate category. I have much to learn.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Yes! I will be happy to share that information upon request, Secret Pal.

5. What's your favorite scent? I love lavender but I also enjoy vanilla, lemon verbena, cinnamon. However, when it comes to flowery I'm not such a fan unless it's a really good quality jasmine or lilac.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Does a knitter like yarn? Uh, yes I have a sweet tooth and I go crazy for good quality chocolates like Knipschild or Belgian confections of any sort. However, I'm pretty darn happy with a Hershey bar too.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I don't spin and for right now, it doesn't interest me to do it. I love to take photos and I'm hoping to get back into doing some simple scrapbooks as well.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) Oh, music, music, music! Yes, I am MP3 capable. I really love world music especially (but not limited to) African and Cuban music. I'm always looking for Chinese music as well. My taste varies, but I like anything from Erasure to Joan Armatrading, REM to Ella Fitzgerald, Abba to Indigo Girls, The Beatles to the Doors, movie soundtracks to Broadway soundtracks. I'm not too into country, although I think Patsy Cline is a goddess and rap ain't my thang although there have been some songs that I enjoy. I enjoy classical and opera, but unfortunately not very knowledgeable about either.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I tend to stick to cool colors like blues, greens, purples and pinks for my wardrobe. I also like most reds as well. Although I enjoy them, extreme muted tones never look good on me (not that my knitting is all about me) but I would be willing to try them. I guess I'd say nothing too over the top for me like bright orange or super uggo green. The main floor of my home is done in butter yellow with sage green and has a little bit of red thrown in for good measure. My bedroom is a deep shade of lavender.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? Hubby, daughter "Buttons" and our fluffy grey cat "Dee Dee".

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Yes.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? It depends on my mood and concentration level. For mindless knitting, I go for scarves and washcloths. A little more fun is hats and felted handbags. I really liked knitting the stocking for Buttons along with a recent sweater for her.

13. What are you knitting right now? My first pair of socks (toe-up), a felted hat, a Wallaby sweater for Buttons, a sleeveless shell for me, a washcloth, and probably 3 other things I can't remember.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes, please!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I like the versatility of circular, however, the Lantern Moon straight needles make me a bit weak in the knees. I love my set of Denise Needles, but in general bamboo are my favorite. Iused Addi Turbos (Size 9, 16") on Buttons' stocking and really enjoyed working with them.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? No, but there's always hope, right?

17. How old is your oldest UFO? Maybe 2 and a half years?

18. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas.

19. Is there anything that you collect? Trying to simplify, but I just love knitting books and cook books. Recipes for yarn and food. I also enjoy Christmas ornaments, especially miniature knit items for the tree.

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'm interested in "Scarf Style" and "The Purl Stitch" and any book by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. I would love a subscription to Interweave as well. I'm on a "stash diet" right now, so I'm not allowed to purchase yarn, but may receive it as a gift. (Ah, loopholes.) As far as needles go, Lantern Moon straight needles in a size 7 (short) would be a luxurious way to make washcloths. 16" Addi Turbos in any size between 5 and 15 (except 9) would be a lovely way to make a hat.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? I'd love to get better at finishing. I come to the end and then just seize up and hope I somehow figure it out through osmosis.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? Gosh, I guess I am a sock knitter. However, I don't know my measurements. I'm around a size 7 1/2 shoe and the width of my foot is probably a bit above average.

23. When is your birthday? Late November.