Here is the questionnaire for my secret pal…

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I love Socks that Rock, Malabrigo is awesome too anything silk or cashmere alpaca is good in my book too. Not a big Ackrylic fan or anything too scratchy.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? A vase with clear marbles in it
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?I guess I would be somewhere in the intermediate level.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? ETA: I do check the sidebar
5. What’s your favorite scent? Lime cilantro candles, good coffee, anything baking
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?I love chocolate (the good stuff) and red gummy stuff.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? Learning to spin (getting my first wheel soon) I bead (a lot ). I sew (would love to learn to quilt)
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) yes the computer can play mp3 as can the stereos. My music taste is kind of all over the place. Dave Matthews, Bruce, Bon Jovi, 80s stuff, some jazz. Love to hear other peoples suggestions.
9. What’s your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can’t stand? I <3 Tiffany blue (like the boxes) ,lime green, and light pink
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I am a single chick with an adorable puppy (he is a guest star on the blog)
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?scarves sometimes hats the occasional mitten no ponchos as a rule.
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? lots of Socks, Shawls depends on the day
13. What are you knitting right now?Socks, clapotis, and a Kiri shawl
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?Sure why not
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?circulars usually aluminum
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?Yes winder no swift (but I have an excellent spinning chair which fills in as a swift)
17. How old is your oldest UFO? not bad… I dont like letting things sit to long but there is a bag I took a class for that made me very frustrated (the bag not the class)
18. What is your favorite holiday?I love all holidays (though valentines this year kind of stank)
19. Is there anything that you collect? candles, yarn, and bumble bee stuff
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?always want more sock yarn. No mag subscriptions but I do generally go out and get interweave and some Vogues
21. Are there any new techniques you’d like to learn? trying to learn fair isle (I have some mitts to practice with) Would like to play with entrelac ( I covet Eunny’s knee socks from Interweave)
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? yep definately a sock knitter. I wear a ladys 8.5 ish
23. When is your birthday?April 4th

Yarn: Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock “Tuscany “ just over 1 skein
Pattern: generic toe up with a Turkish cast on
I love these socks. I know they kind of look like elf socks but that’s cool by me. They fit like a glove and the ruffly edge makes me happy.
And now for a gratuitous doggy shot cause well I can…
Here’s Josh ….

Quick post… Thanks for all the suggestions re gift for the best. Decided on some blue sky alpaca / silk and I think clapotis. In anticipation and practice for the clappy for her I decided I needed to remove my own from time out. Why did I ever have issues?? She has been smooth sailing so far so keep your fingers crossed I would like to have her finished. Kim suggested some STR in cotton too so I think I may need to make a phone call for some of that (and maybe some of the wool stuff for knee socks?!?) I am in need of some stash enhancement therapy in a big way so…. I also finished the Lorna’s Toe ups (will post the final pic when I upload to the computer.
That’s all for now
-D

I am craving normal… not a new normal, mind you ,my old normal which I just don’t think I will ever have. These last few days have been amongst the hardest I have ever experienced. My salvation has been my best friend who has proved more then ever who she is… Here is where my question comes in. I wanna knit her something… a hug if you will for everything. She has SEVERE allergies to wool and angora (as far as we know that’s all) I need a soft amazing fiber and a pattern to compliment it. So I am throwing this out there hoping someone can help. I need to do this and it needs to be incredibly special b/c she deserves NOTHING less.
-d

Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die!

~Mary Frye

Joseph Reiss 1926- 2007 you may be gone but you will NEVER EVER be forgotten.
-D

yeah I got nothing sorry. Lots to say but no title and not sure if I can do more then bullet points so thats what it’ll be.
* First impressions especially on the phone should be ignored. On second chance seems to be soo diff then I thought (in a good way) =)
* Toe up socks= very good for add knitter. By the time I realize I am getting bored I am almost done so why the heck not finish
* Having family “issues” is an energy sucking experience… which is really not helping with the whole trying to be upbeat and positive thing but what can you do.
* Saw Peertrainer via Lolly thought it was a good motivator so lets see if this helps… maybe we should start a team for knitters?? hmm something to think about
I think thats enough for now
-D

so I am actually gonna start dating. I met through a well known dating site had an interesting phone conversation and then felt somehow like I was being sold a used car. I know they tell salesmen to always be closing but gee he went for what I would call an assumption close. I think i am gonna see him this week though i am kind of nervous about it. I haven’t dated in quite a while and this blindish dating stuff is really really stressful. Def. send encouraging thoughts and wardrobe ideas my way.
-D

I think I spelled that right. The Lorna’s Laces toe up sock is done. My first toe up. Some pics for your viewing pleasure while I go make the second one (before SSS sinks in.)

So apparently direction reading in a wine induced haze is problematic! I goofed up my heel and now I am afraid to rip back cause I don’t wanna have to start all over again… what do I do? The only solution I can think of is to try and insert a “lifeline” and rip back to there and re knit but I am not sure so, if anyone is reading this and has an answer for me please share… Thanks
-D