Fuzz to Finish

Giveaway Winner and KAL Question

2011-05-20T21:00:00.002-04:00

A winner has been selected in the giveaway. Lorraine from NY will be getting the Butterfly Twirls kit.

I'm excited by this pattern but it seems to have generated very little buzz in the larger knitting community. At this time, I'm wondering if it's worthwhile to expend the energy necessary to start and run a KAL or if I would be better served putting that energy into new designs and other endeavors. Cast-on in the KAL was/is slated for tomorrow but I haven't heard of anyone who is definitely participating. If you are planning on participating, please sing out in the comments so that I know if I should carry on or not.

Butterfly Twirls KAL and Giveaway

2011-05-15T12:02:00.005-04:00

The Spring 2011 issue of Knitcircus magazine launched last week. To celebrate the inclusion of my Butterfly Twirls toddler dress in this issue, I'm hosting a KAL and a quick giveaway!

KAL (KnitALong) Details:
The Butterfly Twirls dress uses an innovative top down construction that allows for a seamless garment. Unlike other top down methods, however, the piece is first worked flat and then joined to be knit in the round. Knit along with me as we explore this creative construction. I'll be using Knitpicks CotLin yarn and a bit of fabric from my stash. I'll post as I finish each section of the pattern (front, shoulders, back, etc.) and will include lots of pictures so that you can see how I perform each technique. Cast-on next Saturday, May 21, and you could have a finished dress in time for Memorial Day!

Giveaway Details

This short term giveaway will give one lucky reader all the materials needed to make their own Butterfly Twirls dress in any of the sizes given in the pattern. You will receive four (4) balls of SWTC Terra yarn in Citrine and Nancy Mims Organic Cotton fabric to make the skirt of the dress. You'll need to pick your own small buttons and provide the knitting needles and sewing equipment or Stitch Witchery necessary to assemble the dress. You may earn one additional entry by joining the Fuzz to Finish group on Ravelry.

Contest is now closed!

Contest Winner

2010-11-15T20:53:00.001-05:00

The winner of the yarn giveaway is LoverofallEmo! I've contacted her directly to arrange shipment of her prize.

Yarn Giveaway!

2010-11-03T21:28:00.003-04:00

I'd like to take the opportunity to share my excitement over having my Bookman Blanket pattern published by Interweave Knits.

1 lucky winner will receive 6 balls (enough yarn to make the small size blanket) of Mission Falls 136 Merino Superwash in color #28, just like the sample in the magazine.

To enter, please leave a comment including an e-mail address, on this entry. Contest will be open until 11/12/2010. Contest open to US residents only.

Bookman Blanket

2010-11-03T21:24:00.002-04:00

This is my Bookman Blanket from Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts 2010. I am very excited as this is the first time I have had a pattern published in a major knitting magazine or website.

Children of Lir Shetland Square

2010-11-03T21:06:00.003-04:00

$5.00

This is the finalized version of the wedding/christening shawl that was my ongoing project for many, many months. I hope it is as enjoyable and meaningful for each of you as it was for me.

Special thanks go to test-knitter and photographer Carolina

Materials: 1200 yards laceweight yarn; US size 5 circular knitting needles

Test Knitter?

2010-02-26T10:12:00.002-05:00

I'm looking for someone to test knit a new shawl pattern. You need to be an advanced lace knitter (I will ask to see photos of your work.) and be willing to have the sample done in a maximum of 4 months. I will provide yarn for the project in the form of 5 skeins of Knitpicks Gloss, Shadow or Alpaca Cloud lace yarns in the color of your choice and a $35 shopping spree at Knitpicks (so it all ships in one box with free shipping) as compensation. Here are some in progress photos of the shawl that I knit as I designed the pattern. This is fundamentally what your finished shawl will look like BUT the panel of roses and anchors will be inverted, so that the anchors are actually right side up.

This shows all segments of the shawl.

This is a detail of the corners.

Saphira Cardigan

2010-01-19T20:28:00.004-05:00

download now

Materials: 786 - 1441 yards of SWTC Saphira and one set of US10 circular needles.

2010-01-19T09:45:00.001-05:00

Swap is over!

Starry Night Socks or Stocking

2010-01-16T20:45:00.005-05:00

$4.00 USD

This pattern began life as a mystery knit-a-long in the Thrifty Knitters Sock Club. I will be happy to gift a complete copy of the pattern to individuals who were members of TKSC on or before November 9, 2009.

Materials: 200 yards EACH of two colors of either fingering weight (for the socks) or worsted weight (for the stocking) yarn. US1 (for the socks) or US7 (for the stocking) double pointed needles.

Afternoon Outing Baby Cap

2009-10-06T09:43:00.004-04:00

I designed this pattern to go with a sweater for a friend's new baby.

Materials: 65 yards of Emu Superwash DK and a set of US #6 dpns.

download now

Custom Knitting

2009-08-16T22:43:00.003-04:00

I am starting to do some custom knitting. If you are interested in a custom piece, please contact me to discuss details. The information on this page is given as an example only.

PRICING

Plain Socks - $22
Patterned Socks - $32
Toe Socks - $25
Striped Socks - $32
Fine Gloves - $25
Heavy Mittens - $22
Patterned Mittens - $32
Fingerless Mitts - $16
Tobogan Hat - $22
Patterned Hat - $27
Felted Slippers - $32

Patterned items might have lace or cable patterns, multiple colors or other customizations. See examples in the photographs below or contact me for more details.

COLORS

The colors on the pages linked below may vary depending on your monitor settings. If in doubt about a color combination, please contact me, as I have samples of each color and can tell you how they work together.

Other colors, included variegated colors, are available by arrangement but will be more expensive.

Plain socks, patterned socks, toe socks, fine gloves and patterned mittens

Heavy mittens, tobogan hat, patterned hat

Mitts

Felted slippers

Striped socks

PHOTOS

Bridesmaid's Bags - Erin

2008-12-16T15:01:00.005-05:00

Gauge: 20sts in 4" in stockinette

Materials: 1 skein of Louisa Harding Nautical Cotton
US #7 double pointed needles
2.5" square of plastic canvas (optional)
a small remnant of coordinating fabric (optional)
coordinating color of sewing thread (optional)

Bottom of Bag

Cast on 4 sts. Join to knit in the round.
Row 1: KFB in all sts (8 sts)
Row 2: *KFB, K1 repeat from * four times (12 sts)
Row 3: *K1, YO, PM, K1, PM, YO, K1 repeat from * four times
row 4: Knit
Row 5: Knit, making a YO after each marker - each round will increase by 8 stitches.
Alternate Rows 4 & 5 until you have 44 sts
Next Row: Knit
Next Row: *Knit 5, YO, K6 repeat from * four times
Next Row: Purl

Sides of Bag

Round 1: KFB, knit to end
Round 2: Knit
Round 3: *skp, K2, YO, K2; *repeat from * to last st, K1
Round 4 and all even rounds: Knit
Round 5: Repeat round 3
Round 7: Repeat round 3
Round 9: K3, *YO, K2, K2tog, K2; repeat from * to last 4 sts, Yo, K2, K2tog
Round 11: Repeat Round 9
Round 13: Repeat Round 9
Round 14: Knit

Repeat Rounds 3 through 14 twice more.
Knit two rounds.
Next Row: *K2tog, YO, K4, YO, SSK repeat from * six times, K1.
Knit two rounds.
Bind off loosely.

Cord

Cut a length of yarn 70" long and fold it in half.
Twist these strands until they double back on themselves.
When the strands are tightly twisted, fold this length in half and knot the loose ends.
Make sure the cord is evenly folded and then knot the folded end.

If desired, you may stiffen the bottom of the bag.

Cut a piece of plastic canvas 2.5" square.
Cut two pieces of coordinating fabric into 3" squares.
Pin your fabric together with the right sides facing each other.
Whip stitch the fabric together on three sides.
Turn the fabric right side out and slide the plastic canvas square inside this pocket.
Fold the raw edges of the fourth side to the inside and use an invisible stitch to close the opening.
Turn the bag inside out.
Using a coordinating color of thread and making sure that the corners of the squares are lined up with the stitches between the YOs, baste the covered plastic canvas to the bottom of the bag.

Weave in your yarn ends. Thread the cord through the eyelets. Tada!

Bridesmaid's Bags - Amy

2008-12-16T14:50:00.003-05:00

Gauge: 20sts in 4" in stockinette

Materials: 1 skein of Louisa Harding Nautical Cotton
US #7 double pointed needles
2.5" square of plastic canvas (optional)
a small remnant of coordinating fabric (optional)
coordinating color of sewing thread (optional)

Bottom of Bag

Cast on 4 sts. Join to knit in the round.
Row 1: KFB in all sts (8 sts)
Row 2: *KFB, K1 repeat from * four times (12 sts)
Row 3: *K1, YO, PM, K1, PM, YO, K1 repeat from * four times
row 4: Knit
Row 5: Knit, making a YO after each marker - each round will increase by 8 stitches.
Alternate Rows 4 & 5 until you have 44 sts
Next Row: Knit
Next Row: *Knit 5, YO, K6 repeat from * four times
Next Row: Purl

Sides of Bag

Round 1: K2tog, knit to end
Round 2 and all even rounds: Knit
Round 3: K3 *YO, skp, K6; repeat from * to last 4 sts, YO, skp
Round 5: K1, *K2tog, YO, K1, YO, skp, K3; repeat from * to last 6 sts, K2tog, YO, K1, YO, skp, K1
Round 7: Repeat Round 3
Round 9: Knit
Round 11: K7, *YO, skp, K6; repeat from * to end
Round 13: K5, *K2tog, YO, K1, YO, skp, K3; repeat from * to last 2 sts, K2
Round 15: Repeat Round 11

Repeat Rounds 2 through 15 twice more.
Knit two rounds.
Next Row: *K2tog, YO, K4, YO, SSK repeat from * six times
Knit two rounds.
Bind off loosely.

Cord

Make a crochet chain 16.5" long.
Single Crochet in the second chain from hook. SC in all following chains.
Fasten off.

If desired, you may stiffen the bottom of the bag.

Cut a piece of plastic canvas 2.5" square. (see template A)
Cut two pieces of coordinating fabric into 3" squares. (see template B)
Pin your fabric together with the right sides facing each other.
Whip stitch the fabric together on three sides.
Turn the fabric right side out and slide the plastic canvas square inside this pocket.
Fold the raw edges of the fourth side to the inside and use an invisible stitch to close the opening.
Turn the bag inside out.
Using a coordinating color of thread and making sure that the corners of the squares are lined up with the stitches between the YOs, baste the covered plastic canvas to the bottom of the bag.

Weave in your yarn ends. Thread the cord through the eyelets. Tada!

Tannenbaum

2008-12-12T08:33:00.002-05:00

As a newlywed, I spent our first Christmas trying to find the perfect miniature holiday trees to decorate our tiny apartment. I never found anything that I liked so I spent the next summer thinking about designs for a knitted holiday tree that would be easy to make and durable. At an after Christmas sale, I found short strands of miniature lights on clearance and decided to incorporate those lights into my design. These are fast enough to make a wonderful knitted gift for teachers, gift exchanges and similar events. Or knit up a whole forest of them to use as the centerpiece of your holiday dinner!

Drops of Spring

2008-12-12T08:27:00.003-05:00

Bridesmaid's Bags: Colleen

2008-12-12T08:14:00.005-05:00

Gauge: 20sts in 4" in stockinette

Materials:
1 skein of Louisa Harding Nautical Cotton
US #6 double pointed needles
2.5" square of plastic canvas (optional)
a small remnant of coordinating fabric (optional)
coordinating color of sewing thread (optional)

Bottom of Bag

Cast on 4 sts. Join to knit in the round.
Row 1: KFB in all sts (8 sts)
Row 2: *KFB, K1 repeat from * four times (12 sts)
Row 3: *K1, YO, PM, K1, PM, YO, K1 repeat from * four times
row 4: Knit
Row 5: Knit, making a YO after each marker - each round will increase by 8 stitches.
Alternate Rows 4 & 5 until you have 44 sts
Next Row: Knit
Next Row: *Knit 5, YO, K6 repeat from * four times
Next Row: Purl

Sides of Bag

Round 1: Knit
Round 2: Knit
Round 3: *k1, p1, k1 into next stitch, p3tog; rep from *
Round 4: Knit
Round 5: *p3tog, k1, p1, k1 into next stitch; rep from *
Round 6: Knit
Repeat Rounds 3 - 6 six times
Knit two rounds.
Next Round: *K2tog, YO, K4, YO, SSK repeat from * six times
Knit two rounds.
Bind off loosely.

Cord

Cast on 4 sts.
Work in i-cord for 16".
Bind off.

Finishing

Weave in your yarn ends. Thread the i-cord through the eyelets.

If desired, you may stiffen the bottom of the bag using the following directions.

Cut a piece of plastic canvas 2.5" square.
Cut two pieces of coordinating fabric into 3" squares.
Pin your fabric together with the right sides facing each other.
Whip stitch the fabric together on three sides.
Turn the fabric right side out and slide the plastic canvas square inside this pocket.
Fold the raw edges of the fourth side to the inside and use an invisible stitch to close the opening.
Turn the bag inside out.
Using a coordinating color of thread and making sure that the corners of the squares are lined up with the stitches between the YOs, baste the covered plastic canvas to the bottom of the bag.

March for Babies

2008-04-12T08:22:00.003-04:00

This post is going to stay at the top of the blog for awhile.

I am thiiiiiis close to finishing the Spring Shawl Surprice lace project that I've been working on for months. My shawl is 100% merino wool with some clear glass seed beads in it. The color is "Hollyhock", an intense, deep pink that reminds me more of azaleas. I will post pictures of it as soon as it is finished. After reading Lul's explanation of the shawl design, I decided that I needed to use this shawl to benefit a charity. As some of you may know, March of Dimes is my charity of choice. This year, I'm partnering with Billie over at Micro Preemie Twins to raise money for March of Dimes.

Everyone who donates money to Billie & Holland & Eden's team in Walk for Babies will get one chance to win the completed Spring Shawl Surprice. This is retroactive to everyone who's donated prior to this post, too - you even follow the same rules. Here's the rules:

1) Make a donation (click the banner at the top of this post). Not sure if you want to? Go here and watch Billie's montage and then tell me you don't want to make a donation. Even a dollar will help.

2) Send an e-mail to dzaackML7820 at gmail.com (with the obvious removal of spaces and conversion of symbols. Tell me your name, your blog address and your e-mail address.

3) Team Holland and Eden walk on April 26, 2008. On April 25th, I will draw one name at random as the winner of the shawl. I'll mail it to you by USPS Priority Mail.

More Magic Loop

2007-11-29T11:43:00.000-05:00

I would like to take a moment and offer up some thoughts and (perhaps) helpful pictures regarding magic loop. In the past few days, quite a number of folks have asked about magic loop and how you keep it from becoming a giant tangle, especially if you're working two items at a time. The short answer is: It always gets to be a sort of tangle. The longer answer: With a bit of attention, you can keep the tangling to a minimum and whiz right along through your knitting.

Basic Tips:
1) Use a long needle with a flexible cable. I prefer Addis or Knitpicks needles with at least a 32" and preferably a 40" cable.
2) The first couple of rounds will look like utter crap. This is acceptable and will sort itself out as you go along. If it doesn't start to perk up by round 4, pause and look for errors.
3) In this method of knitting, laddering between the needles is best prevented by a good sharp tug on the yarn at the beginning of each half round.

Magic Loop (One Item at a Time)

The cast on
Using whatever method you desire, cast on the total number of stitches for your item. Slide all of the stitches onto the cable of your needle and find the mindpoint of your stitches. At the midpoint, spread the stitches apart, pinch the cable and pull the cable between the stitches. You should now have your circular needle folded in half with 50% of your stitches on each side of the needle. Slide all your stitches back down to the tips of the needle and, like so:

you are ready to knit.

Knitting
In order to keep from a)twisting your work and b) turning the whole shebang into a tangled mess, always make sure that your working yarn runs OVER the cable of the working needle, like so:

Pull the needle with the working yarn attached throught the stitches (so that all the stitches are on the cable and turn it around to make "rabbit ears" and begin knitting your stitches, like so:

At the end of your half round you'll end up with all of your stitches back on the tips of your needles.
Turn the work, repeat the pulling through and work back across to complete the round. Remember: You have to work both sides of the work in order to complete a round.

Magic Loop (Two Items at a Time)

The Cast On
To cast on for two items at a time in Magic Loop, you need to cast on in a specific order. Using whatever method you so desire, cast on 50% of the stitches needed for item A (in this case, the gold yarn). Drop yarn A and cast on 100% of the stitches needed for item B (in this case, the dark blue yarn).

Push all of your stitches onto the cable. Find the midpoint of the stitches for item B and do the pinch and pull described above.

Now cast on the other 50% of your stitches for item A

And you're ready to begind knitting!

The Knitting
Always make sure that your working yarn runs OVER the cable of the working needle, this will keep your yarn from getting tangled up through the center of the items your working on and between the items. (If you do get tangled up, fix it as soon as you notice it. If you're knitting from two seperate balls, I find it most effective to go back to the ball and follow the yarn through the tangle. If you're using both ends of the same ball, you'll need to look very carefully at where the tangle is - often you'll have to finish a half round of one or both items in order to get to a point where you can get the needle out of the midst of the tangle.)
To work two items at a time, you'll use the same pull through, turn to "rabbit ears" and knit across method described above. However, you will knit a half round on item A AND on item B before you turn the work. I find it most expedient to hold only the yarn for the item I'm currently working on.
In this image, I've just finished a half round on item A and have dropped the yarn to move on to item B:

When knitting two items at a time on magic loop, the yarn will get wrapped around one another (as it often does in fair isle or other colorwork knitting). The most expedient way to untangle this is to hold your knitting by the working yarn (between the ball and the tangle) and to dangle the work off the side of your chair. It should spin around and untwist the yarn.

For my Sock Class

2007-11-04T20:48:00.002-05:00

As promised, pictures and directions from the Two Socks On Magic Loop class today.

Gusset pictures:

Here, I've knit across the remaining heel flap stitches and picked up stitches along one side of my gusset. I'm about to knit across the stitches in the top of the sock.

This is the bottom of the sock after picking up the stitches on the second side of the gusset.

This is the working view of the sock after picking up the second side of the gusset. The heel needle has far more stitches than the needle holding the stitches for the top of the sock.

Heel Options for Toe-Uppers (and some that would work for top down, as well)

My personal favourite, the short row heel, works with both toe-up and top down socks. Working on your heel stitches only....
Row 1: Knit to last stitch. Move yarn to the front, slip the last stitch, move yarn to the back and slip the stitch back to your left needle. You've wrapped your working yarn around this stitch. Do Not Knit this stitch.
Row 2: Purl to last stitch. Repeat the slipping and wrapping.
Row 3: Knit to last unwrapped stitch. Repeat the slipping and wrapping.
Row 4: Purl to the last unwrapped stitch. Repeat the slipping and wrapping.
Repeat rows 3 and 4 until you have 2/3 of your heel stitches wrapped (1/3 on each side), end with a purl row.
Row 1: Knit across the unwrapped stitches. Pick up the wrap that is around the next stitch and place it on your left needle. Knit these two stitches (the original stitch + the wrap) together. On the next stitch, repeat the slipping and wrapping from above. This stitch should have 2 wraps.
Row 2: Purl across the unwrapped stitches. Repeat as above.
Row 3: Knit across the unwrapped stitches. Pick up BOTH wraps from the next stitch and place them on your left needle. Knit all 3 stitches together.
Row 4: Purl across the unwrapped stitches. Continue as for Row 3.
Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until all stitches are worked. You will not need to work a gusset, simply continue into the leg (or foot) of your sock.

Another option is the toe-up heel flap:

Row 1: S1, K1 in the purl bump, k to last 1 stitch, k1 in purl bump, k1
Row 2: S1, purl across
Row 3: S1, knit across
Row 4: S1, purl across
Row 5: S1, k2, ssk, knit to last 5 stitches, k2tog, k3
Repeat rows 4 and 5 until 14 stitches remain
Next row: S1, purl across
Work shortrows
Row 1: S1, k2, k2tog, k4, ssk, TURN
Row 2: S1, p4, p2tog, turn
Row 3: S1, k4, ssk, turn
Row 4: S1, p4, p2tog, turn
Row 5: S1, k4 ssk, turn
Row 6: S1, p4, p2tog, turn
Row 7: s1, k4, ssk DO NOT TURN. With right side of heel flap facing you, k1 through the slipped stitch immediately below the stitch you just knit, TURN.
Row 8: S1, purl across, p1 in slipped stitch below the last p2tog.
Row 9: S1, knit across, k1 in next slipped stitch
Row 10: S1, purl across, p1 in next slipped stitch
Repeat rows 9&10 until all slipped stitches are worked
Next row: Pick up and knit one stitch in the ladder between the heel flap and the body of the sock. Knit across the top of the sock. Pick up and knit one stitch in the ladder between the body of the sock and the heel flap. Knit across the heel stitches.

You could also use a peasant heel for either toe up or top down socks.

Let the SP Round begin...

2007-01-21T17:58:00.001-05:00

For fun and general information, I post herein my questionnaire for the Knittyboard Secret Pal 8 swap.

All about you:

1. Do you have skillz? (beginner/adv. beginner/intermediate, etc): Advanced.

2. How long have you been knitting? 13 years

3. What are your favorite fiber colors? Tealy blues and greens. Or any jewel tones.

4. Are there any fiber colors that make you want to hurl? If so which? Pink.

5. Other than bran, what are your favorite fibers? Alpaca/Wool or Mohair/Wool blends

6. We all know you love your stash children equally but, what is your favorite yarn to knit with and why? Lamb’s Pride Worsted has been popular recently. It feels lovely in my hands as I knit and makes wonderful Finished Objects for felting or cabling projects.

7. Do you prefer stripes, solids, heathered, or some other kind of color combo (or lack thereof) that I didn’t think of? Heathered or lightly variegated solids. I am not a fan of stripes.

8. Other than fiber glass, do you have any unwelcome fibers (stuff you just don't need more of or like?) Cotton!

9a. What is your Dream Yarn, the yarn you would marry if only the government would approve of your love? Weeell, I don’t think I love any one yarn quite that much. I do enjoy laceweights in general and alpaca laceweights even more than that.

9b. Is there a yarn that you loathe and despise so much that the very earth may open up and swallow the place where it’s produced? If so by all means, warn us! Pretty open to anything.

10. Novelty yarns: super cool or blight on the earth? How about the stuff made with them?
Novelty yarns are useful as trim for otherwise simple projects. I tend to use them on hatbands and the tops of felted purses.

Random Question #1. What do you want to be when you grow up? A Neonatal Intensive Care doctor.

11. Do you prefer straight or circular needles (are there any sizes you really need)? How about DPNs? Circulars or flexible straights. I got the KnitPicks options set for Christmas. I would love to have any sizes below a US 2. I knit all my socks on Magic Loop so the 40” lenghts are best. I don’t use DPNs if I can possibly avoid it.

12. Bamboo, aluminum, nickel-plated, plastic, or birch? Have you perhaps found some new needle material to covet? I’m loving the nickel plated right now but I’d love to experiment with the various woods and bamboos.

13a. Do you spin and/or crochet? Yes to both. I’ve been spinning regularly for the last year or so and crocheting for 13 years.

13b. If you crochet, do actually enjoy it or is it a means to an end (like for finishing)? I usually use crochet for finishing but I do also crochet for the sake of it. I just started a crocheted afghan.

13c. If you spin do you use a wheel or spindle? I use a drop spindle right now but I’m saving for a wheel! A Kromski if I have my way about it.

14. What is the next thing you want to learn (techniques etc)? Entrelac. I’d also like to experiment with double knitting.

15a. What item(s) do you knit the most? Socks for quantity, lace shawls for most WIPs.

15b. Anything you’ll never knit again? Not yet!

16. What are your favorite items to knit? Lace anythings. I love the magic of blocking this mess of yarn and watching it turn into a gorgeous FO.

17. What are you knitting right now? A Diamond Pattern shawl from LionBrand, fingerless gloves in my own design, socks in my own design, the Nina Shawl from Mason-Dixon, a lace scarf of my own design, Fuzzy Feet, the Besotted Scarf.

18. Any projects you haven’t gotten to yet? Stop laughing, regain composure, we’ll wait. Okay seriously, what are you dying to knit that you haven’t gotten to yet? Intolerable Cruelty, the Cobweb Christening Shawl from Jamieson & Smith, Ballet Cami from MagKnits, several tops from various Interweave Knits magazines.

Wants and Nots:

19a. Do you have any food, fiber, smoke, pet allergies your SP should be aware of? Horses. Horses are very, very bad for me.

19b. Do you smoke, have pets, or process peanuts where you store your yarn? If so, please declare them here: No, no and no. My yarn is stored in plastic bags in nice, clean dresser drawers that, believe it or not, have never held anything other than yarn.

20. Do you have an Amazon.com wishlist you'd like to share with your SP (please add URL if applicable)? No wishlist but if we’re talking books I love the Valdemar books by Mercedes Lackey!

21. Anything you’ve been longing for or would really love to get (knitting or not)? Wooden cable needles, a swift, nutritional yeast (I eat it with popcorn but it’s ridiculously hard to find in the middle of nowhere Virginia).

22. What about stuff you don't need at all? Chocolate or other sweets.

23. What about knitting accessories? See above about cable needles. I also could use point protectors

24. Do you have hobbies other than knitting (tv, sports, collectibles, favorite things)? Reading

RQ#2. If a tree fell in the woods, and there was no one there to hear it, would Tom Cruise still have a career? He’s a bit overhyped and not much of an actor but he is yummy to look at!

25. Carpe bibliotheca! Uh, any books you would like (knitting or not)? Anything about knitting folk shawls or heirloom lace.

26. Any magazines you would like (knitting or not)? I’d love to try Rebecca or Rowan magazines.

27. For those of you who live outside the US, is there anything you'd like that you can't get your hands on?

28. In the event your SP lives outside the US, is there a particular yarn ,etc. you can't find in the US?

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things:

29. Who/What is your favorite...
a. Chocolate: 80% cocoa or more is better!
b. Muppet: Animal
c. Cartoon Character: Monterey Jack from The Rescue Rangers
d. Flower: Iris
e. Ice Cream flavor: Vanilla Bean
f. Fragrance: Lilac
g. Shoes to wear: Barefeet!
h. Type of garden: Dye garden
i. Animal: Kittens
j. Beverage: Tea
k. Author: Mercedes Lackey
l. Musician: Ummmmm
m. Holiday: Twelfth Night
n. Time of Day: Morning
o. Bath or Shower: Bath
p. Country: Ireland
q. Number: 5
r. Card game: Don’t play
s. Candy: Starburst

RQ#3. Where's the beef? On the cow

Getting to know you, getting to know ALL about you:

30a. How did you learn to knit? My grandmother handed me some old knitting needles and yarn one day while we were cleaning (well, they were cleaning. I was getting underfoot) and told me to go sit on the couch quietly and figure it out. No one ever really showed me anything I just took the partly done piece and fiddled with it until my stitches looked like hers. I think I was 7 at the time.

30b. What made you into a Knitter? Sheer perversity. After teaching me to knit, my family decided I was “too little” to really knit proper things. The best way to make me do something is to tell me I’m too little/weak/young/a girl...

31a. What is your oldest UFO and how old is it? Diamond Shawl from LionBrand and it’s been in progress for 10 months now.

31b. Why haven’t you finished it? I keep screwing up the pattern repeats.

32. What is the most exciting this that happened to you this month, year? This month I got a very nice bonus from work. This year I got engaged.

33. What is your favorite thing to do to waste time? Read novels.

34. The things that make me the happiest are: Family, sunshine patches in the living room.

35: If you were a space captain, what would you call your ship? TIGS Lady Adventura III aka “This Bucket of Bolts”

36. If you were candy would you be sweet, sour, or cinnamon? Sour

37. If you were a fruit which would you be? Pomegranate

38. Are you a Java Junkie? How about a Tea-totaler? Tea. Tea is safe. Megan on coffee is, ummm, hyper. Hyper and talkative. Very, very, very talkative.

39. Your birthday, in case it falls during the swap and your SP wants to send you a card: August 26

RQ#4. If you could flip a switch that would wipe any band or musical artist out of existence, which one would it be? Britney Spears

40. Do you have a personal mantra? Put on your big kid panties and cope!

41. This space is for rent. How much? Do you have advertising morals?

42. How do you feel about holidays? Will you be celebrating any during the SP round? I like nice, quiet holiday celebrations. I’ll be celebrating Lent/Easter during the SP round.

43. How do you really feel about socks? Addicted!

44. What is your shoe size? More specifically, if your SP were to make you some socks, what is your ankle circumference and foot length? Shoe Size is US 9.5 or 10. Measurements below are in inches.
Ankle: 9.5
Instep: 9
Length: 10
Toes Across: 3

45. How do you feel about ponchos? Ewwwwwwww

46. What kind of music (and/or which artists) do you listen to when you are happy? The classic rock radio station.

47. Rate yourself on a girly/fruh fruh factor from 1 - 10: 4

48. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I’m recently engaged and preparing to move my fiance from New York to Virginia. We don’t have any pets (and won’t until after the move) but I looove fish and want to have a big fish tank in the new house.

49. What are a few of your life dreams? Hike across Ireland, see the Phantom of the Opera in a theatre and get a knitting pattern published.

RQ#5. Wax on? Or Wax Off? I avoid wax. It’s messy.

50. What languages do you speak (besides English, Pig Latin counts)? Spanish, a smidgin of Italian and French

51. Hey baby, what’s your sign? How about the Chinese Zodiac? DO you read your horoscope or do you think it’s all bunk? Anybody think it’s bunk and read it anyway? How many questions was that? Virgo but beyond that I don’t pay any attention to it at all.

52. If you could live anywhere, where would that be? Wales or Ireland.

53. If you could do anything for a living what would it be? Be a work at home housewife with a business planning and leading knitting tours.

54. If you could have any "super power" which would it be? Healing

55. You're given $10,000 for traveling. Where do you go and why? Switzerland to see the Alps and Lake Geneva and then to Ireland for that hike I mentioned up there.

56. How frequently would you like to hear from your SP, and what kind of contact would you prefer? Weekly for both, or else I’m liable to forget what’s going on.

Winter Cheer/Spring is Here SP questionnaire

2006-12-22T14:29:00.001-05:00

I'm just posting this for posterity/interest/future reference.

Knittyboard user name: Megweaver

All about you and knitting:

1. What's your knitting skill level? (beginner/adv. beginner/intermediate, etc): Intermediate/Advanced

2. How long have you been knitting? 13 years off and on 7 years pretty steadily

3. What are your favorite fiber colors? Teal and blue

4. Are there any fiber colors that make you want to hurl? If so which? Barbie doll Pink. I can handle a very little bit of light pink and I love the darker Fuchsia type pinks but that bright, glaring, 8 year old girl, Barbie doll pink just makes me cringe.

5. What are your favorite fibers? I love them all in some format

6. Do you have any unwelcome fibers (stuff you just don't need more of or like?) Eyelash yarns

7. What is your Dream Yarn, the yarn you are desperate to get your hands on? Would love to try some Bamboo or Seasilk

8. Novelty yarns: super cool or blight on the earth? How about the stuff made with them? Ok for the occasional trim or accessory but mostly blight.

9. Talk about your needles! Do you prefer straight or circular needles (are there any sizes you really need)? How about DPNs? Bamboo? Birch? Ebony? Do tell! I work pretty much exclusively on circular needles. Looking for size 1, 4, 9 in at 29” lengths. I’d love to try some Knitpicks needles.

10. What is the next thing you want to learn (techniques etc)? How to do Intarsia properly

11. What item(s) do you knit the most? Shawls

12. What are your favorite items to knit? Lace shawls

13. What are you knitting right now? Socks (x 2 pairs); Nina Shawl; Diamond Pattern Shawl, Cozy, Besotted Scarf

Wants and Nots:

14. Do you have any food, fiber, smoke, pet allergies your SP should be aware of? Allergic to horses.

15. Do you smoke, have pets, or process peanuts where you store your yarn? Nope

16. Do you have an Amazon.com or knitpicks.com wishlist you'd like to share with your SP (please add URL if applicable)? Nope

17. Anything you've been longing for or would really love to get (knitting or not)? Marks & Spencer Extra Strong Black Tea.

18. What about stuff you don't need at all? Chocolate

19. What about knitting accessories? Row markers; textured/bent cable needles (I’m forever having the stupid things slide under the bus seat....)

20. Do you have hobbies other than knitting (tv, sports, collectibles, favorite things)? Sewing and medieval recreation/reenactment.

21. Are there any books you would like (knitting or not)? Best of Knitters Shawls and Scarves; Knitting on the Edge; Knitting over the Edge; Stitchionary (any)

22. Any magazines you would like (knitting or not)? I’d love to see an issue of Rowan

23. No matter where you live there's bound to be something you'd like that you can't get your hands on. What is it? Dietary Yeast (we used to eat it on popcorn when I was a wee sprout and now I won’t eat popcorn without it. I haven’t eaten popcorn in ten years...)

24. Who/What is your favorite...
a. Chocolate: Must involve dark chocolate and mint for me to even consider it.
b. Muppet: Animal!
c. Cartoon Character: The Roadrunner
d. Flower: Irises
e. Ice Cream flavor: Vanilla
f. Fragrance: Sweetgrass and Lilac
g. Shoes to wear: None! I’m a barefoot gal.
h. Animal: Birds
i. Beverage: Juice
j. Author: Mercedes Lackey
k. Musician: Boston Pops Orchestra
l. Holiday: Christmas
m. Time of Day: Morning
n. Country: I’d love to visit Wales
o. Number: Don’t have one
p. Card game: Don’t play
q. Candy: Skittles or Starburst

25. How did you learn to knit? Someone handed me a set of knitting needles and a 1960s “How to Knit” book as a way to get me to stop prattling.

26. What is your oldest UFO and how old is it? Surely there's a story behind it! Nina Shawl (4 months). I bought the yarn on vacation last summer at the Delaware Beaches. It’s been laid aside for a bit because it’s a very, very springy color grouping and I just can’t be in the mood to work on it when it’s too hot or too cold.

27. What is the most exciting thiing that happened to you this month, how about this year? Got a compliment from Dr. Cohen, my poetry professor. This year: I got engaged!

28. What is your favorite thing to do to waste time? Knit

29. The things that make me the happiest are: Flowering houseplants in my clean living room in the early morning while I sit in my comfy chair with a cup of tea and watch the sunrise.

30. Are you a Java Junkie? How about a Tea-totaler? Tea-totaler for years and years. Coffee is for when I need to be awake for at least the next 36 hours (and then I have a little paper in my wallet that I dig out and hand to the server.)

31. Your birthday, in case it falls during the swap and your SP wants to send you a card: August 26

32. Do you have a personal mantra? Put on your big kid underpants and keep going.

33. How do you feel about holidays? Will you be celebrating any during the SP round? Holidays are understated in this household. I’ll be celebrating Advent & Christmas this year. I avoid the New Year’s festivities however.

34. I would like my package to be: Winter Themed – winter is more “rain and slush season” here than the snow I grew up with and I miss that true winter. The kind where it snows in October and stays snowed until April.
a. Winter Themed
b. Spring Themed

35. What kind of music (and/or which artists) do you listen to when you are happy? Pretty much anything other than rap. Carbon Leaf; Altan; Shania Twain; JoDee Messina; Classical anything;

36. Rate yourself on a girly/fruh fruh factor from 1 - 10: 2

37. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I’m engaged but living by myself for a few more months. No critters per the request of my landlady.

38. What are a few of your life dreams? The pipe dream: Discover that I’m really royalty and can spend the rest of my life knitting and making appearances at openings of things. The maybe I can: Become a neonatologist. The next year: Survive my M.Litt and MFA degrees and have a beautiful wedding unhindered by drama from Her Most Important Magestic Self (Her MIMS for short) my Mother in Law.

39. What languages do you speak (besides English, Pig Latin counts)? Spanish, read some French, German and Portuguese.

40. Hey baby, what's your sign? How about the Chinese Zodiac? Do you read your horoscope or do you think it's all bunk? Virgo and don’t know about the rest of it. I don’t pay much attention but that’s because I’m lazy.

41. If you could live anywhere, where would that be? Ireland

42. If you could do anything for a living what would it be? Be a neonatologist

43. If you could have any "super power" which would it be? What would you use it for? Nerve Control to soothe upset, pained or angry people.

44. You're given $10,000 for traveling. Where do you go and why? The Greenbriar Resort in West Virginia for a week of lounging, spa treatment and pampering with my fiance.

45. How frequently would you like to hear from your SP, and what kind of contact would you prefer? At least weekly. It’s always fun to get stuff in the mail but I’m also happy with e-mail and PMs