What's that, you say? Why, that would be my HSKS2 Package from Beth. The bag is a quilted drawstring bag with two outside flap pockets. I'm trying so hard to figure out the construction of it, cause it's just so nifty! But anyway - included was an addi turbo (I do :heart: the addis!) a cute little pen, two different Fibertrends Patterns, some Exploding BonBons, and Yarn. Pagewood Farm hand dyed. I've never heard of the dyer, but I'm glad that's remedied. The dye job is an amazing semi-solid green (it's got tones and shades and greengreengreen) and it's nice and light. I'm thinking lace, maybe some Horcrux socks. Or Pomotomaus, or Hederas.....
What didn't make it into the picture? The weekly planner notepad was immediately snapped onto the fridge and put to use, and the small black sheep tape measure (never have enough!) was spirited away by LittleMissV, and is presumably in her room, being played with even now. (I suffer no illusions - she is the reason I'm always having to get more.....)

Labels: HSKS2, swapping

1. What Hogwarts house have you been sorted into? Slytherin Rah-rah-rah!!!!

2. List your three favorite double-point needle brands, including size and length. Double points? Um, I'm a metal girl, so probably Inox, Knitpicks, and addi turbo, but I prefer circulars with the kidlet running around. Just not safe to try to knit with her on my lap with so many pointy things. That said, I have tried bamboo DPNs (granted cheap bamboo) and I guess I just grip my needles too tight. They feel like they're going to snap like twigs.

3. Would you like to try a new brand needle? If so, which brand? Size? Length? People say good things about Crystal Palace, so I guess I would like to try those, but it's nothing urgent. I just got my knitpicks and I lurf them. I guess I would also like to try the addi lace needles, but again, not so urgent

4. --skipped--

5. If your pal decides to send candies or chocolates are there any that you don't like? Coconut and marshmallow.

6. What are your favorite scents? Fruity things, and heavy musky stuff. Nothing floral or flighty. I like spicy too. It helps to have something to smell: I like the pear stuff from Victoria's Secret, and Lancome Poeme is my favorite 'spensive perfume.

7. Do you have any allergies? Nope!

HSKS Trivia of the Week - Voldemort
I screwed up last week cause I didn't know to post on the blog, and I didn't email anyone my answer. :(

Labels: HSKS, Questionnaire, swapping

So I'm gone for about five days. I come back? I'm swamped in mail! It was like that holiday where you get a bunch of stuff, only it was better cause it was yarn!!
First up, my RSC shipment for April. I won't post spoilers, everyone else already has. But it's yummy!! I have it hanging on my wall now. (Did I mention that I hand skeins of yarn on some hooks on my wall? 'Cause they're so purty!) I'm not so sure about the handwash only part, kinda puts me off of making socks. The laundry monster (aka MathMan) has a tendency of "helping" with the laundry. It usually involves something being not white anymore or shrunken to doll clothes.

Next up, my L&V Pr0n Package. Two (count them, TWO!!!) skeins of awesome sock yarn, also hanging on the wall. STR lightweight in Lemongrass, and RubySapphire in Calista. Also, Kookaburra woolwash (over a year into knitting and I still don't have any woolwash...) yummy body lotion, colorful gel pens, and TWO (!!!) Knitpicks circs in sock size! I can finally try two at once on two circs! (What didn't make it into the picture? The candy -eaten-, and the cute little magnets that got buried in my bag when I was getting things together.)

The Magic Yarn Ball. Let me 'splain. Not, is too much, let me sum up: You take a skein of yarn and some goodies, wrap the former into a ball while randomly inserting the latter. Then mail. You're partner should uncover little treats as s/he knits. But hey, I'm a gemini. I'm impatient. I unrolled!
It's lovely Colinette Jitterbug in Joy, I believe. As I was winding I kept coming across pinky and lavender and yellowy and greenish bits that hide themselves until you get close. I can't wait to knit with it! There was a little sheep (!!) full of body wash, two star beads, and a cute little lollipop. Then I got to unwrap the yarn! There was some bizzaro but super yummy candy called Shrimps and Bananas that I had to fight the hubbs for, more star beads, some hand cream and lip balm, more body wash and lollipops, hot cocoa, a cute little ring, some tea, sparkly beads, and two different metallic nail polishes (one of which is MIA due to girlie seeing-wanting-taking-running)! I was so spoiled! Thanks, pal (who I still have not figured out...)!!!
Then, the Chum. The temporary, but Oh. So. Enjoyable. lapse in judgment, or at least in finance. The L&V Sock Yarn.Here we have, in order, Boing the Rubber Boy, Curiosity Shoppe, Dancing Girl Nell, and Fiji Mermaid. I vaugely remember someone on the L&V MB saying that the etsy shop was being updated, and clicking a link, but that's all I seem to remember. Then this wonderful package shows up, and something starts to come back to me. Yes, I *did* click on a few of those colorways MissV had up. Yes, I *did* drool a bit. Yes, things were beginning to disappear, quickly. Yes, I *did* put four skeins in my cart and click checkout. I tell you now, I don't regret a thing!!!!
Oh, yeah, one more thing. Some cute little stitch markers that I'm testing the design of for the Knit Stitchery. Adorable. I'm going to use them on the RSC socks that I'll likely start tomorrow.

I did manage to finish one of my "Sparkle socks." I'm writing out the pattern now, then I'm going to knit the other from the pattern to make sure it's right. After that, I'll have it up, possibly in PDF.
I have cast on a sock in Trekking like four times now. I just don't think it's ready to be knit yet. No matter what, the sock is huge. 9st/in, 72 st, 9 in around my foot, and the sock is huge. MathMan can't even explain it, and he does theoretical math. It's a "statistical anomaly." I just say it hasn't decided what it wants to be when it grows up. So there.

Labels: etsy, pushers, sock club 2007, stash, swapping, yarn pr0n

So. Have I mentioned I got a BMFA Rockin' Sock Club membership? Well, I did. Got the first package about a week ago. The yarn? My first experience with STR. I love the feel - smooth and silky, squishy, and lush. The colors aren't something I would have picked out for myself, but once I wound it into a ball, they really screamed me! The pattern is definitely different. Not the type of toes or heels that I would normally have done, but that's half the point - doing and getting things I wouldn't normally. I haven't started them yet for two reasons - I have an RPM sock halfway through the toe, and I want to at least finish the one first, also, I need a few more circs. I want to do these socks two at a time on two circs, and it calls for several different sizes to get a good fit. So, I have one Addi turbo (my first) in size 0/32, and one each of size 1 and 2 in 24 inch Inox. Maybe I'll place an order through Knitpicks for a few more needles, something closer to 30 inch. Then again, not to presume, but I am in a swap right now, and I did answer a few needle questions in the survey. Maybe I'll wait 'til that's over so as not to step on any feet. (I'm not expecting, just trying to not ruin surprises!)
Speaking of, I'm having lots of fun shopping for my pally in the L&V Pr0n exchange. Loads of stuff on order, and I couldn't help but slip a few things in for myself, as well.
I think I'm going to drop out of the Saturday Sky ring. I just don't have the time to update the pictures, or even take them most of the time.
I found my camera after like two months. I need to find the cable now. I don't know what's up with me lately. I'm not getting anything done! The MIL purse is still in limbo, as is the FIL scarf. The purse is fine to knit, but the cotton yarn makes my hands stiff tensioning it, while the FIL scarf has hideous colors and terrible yarn, I don't want to work on it.
I'm watching Serenity right now. I love this series/movie. For the past two years, every one of my email signatures is a line from one or the other. In fact, I think it's time to change it up again. What will it be this time?
I've been playing around on Etsy, finally. It's funny, I did a search for sock yarn and started saving all my favorite colors, and I'm all over the board! The yarns I didn't so much as care to save, just the colors. I know I need superwash, and possibly with something for strength (tencel, nylon, etc) but the colors were gorgeous! I would link, but I can't figure out how! My swap pal asked me if I wear jewelry. I have found so much beautiful jewelry on Etsy, but I just don't wear it. Kinda sad, since I gripe to MathMan that I don't feel very girly/feminine, but I know that if I do try to wear it, it'll just bug me. MathMan has gotten me two very pretty bracelets, and they've both only been worn once - when he puppy dog eyes me and asks why I don't wear them. Oh well.

Labels: sock club 2007, socks, swapping

Alright. I know. I'm not updating like I should. But there are mitigating circumstances, i.e. a bona-fide walking now 11 month old. (she started really walking just before new year, at 8 months. Eek.) I have not the time for the pointy needles when I have to race around behind her keeping her from danger. So the knitting as well as the blogging is falling behind.
Not that I haven't been knitting, I just haven't been able to do much. I did finish my dad's trigger finger mittens, just in time for his hunt that was canceled about twenty minutes after I sewed in the last end. Grr. But they looked real nice!
Well, I just figured I'd say that I have joined up. I'm officially a member of the L&V Pr0n Exchange! Yay me. So, here's my questionnaire.


1. What kind of fibers do you prefer? Just about anything, so far. Haven't tried much other than wool, cotton and wool/nylon, and I've gotten sick of 100% acrylics, but otherwise...
2. What kind of weight do you prefer (sock, worsted, bulky)? sock. or worsted. I desperately want the time to knit my girlie up a pink tweed Weasley, but other than that I love the sock.
3. Do you spin? I have (several) spindle(s), and some roving, but no, not really
4. Do you crochet? Since I was 6, but now that I found knitting, crochet is relegated to edgings
5. Are there any books, patterns, magazines would you like to own that you don't? That one sock book by Priscilla GibsonRoberts that everyone says you should have, the Interweave Favorite socks book, and of course the L&V book
6. Are you participating in any themed a-longs like the Project Spectrum? Yeah, I set aside time for that in the 27th hour of the day (in other words, no.)
7. Do you have a wishlist on Amazon.com or Half.com? (provide a link) I do, but it's only set up cause the in-laws have no brains and can't shop without someone telling them what they like to the letter, so don't bother with it.
8. Any Etsy stores that you would love to get something from? Sure....I just don't know which ones
9. What other crafty things are you involved in (quilting, drawing, painting)? I've tried it all, but knitting is the best (due to the whole takes-no-time-to-set-up-or-clean-up thing, and the portable thing.)
10. What is your favorite sort of scent? I like fruit scents, like pear and melon and mango, but not vanilla or flowery. I would mention my favorite perfume, but the husband gags when I wear it (not because it smells bad, but because he smells "$$$$", if you catch my drift...)
11. Do you have a sweet tooth and what kind of sweets do you like best? yes. yes. yes. Since the little bit, I have become a real chocoholic. I guess I'm making up for all those years not liking it.
12. What kind of music do you like? Tori Amos, Sarah McLaughlin, Emilie Autumn...should I go there? Yeah - Cradle of Filth....I'm a strange one.
13. What do you like to knit? And for whom? Socks mostly, highly portable, small repetitions, different parts.
14. What sort of things do you like to collect? I have a decent collection of "Tea-for-one" teapots (the one where the cup and the pot are together in one unit)
15. Do you want needles? And what kind do you prefer? I REALLY wanna try knitpicks circulars. Not the options thing, just the circs. I like my sock needles to be some sort of metal for strength. I snapped bamboo in like three stitches...twice.

Labels: FO, survey, swapping

So, I've done some major catching up today. MathMan took MissMonkeyToes (I need to find that girly a shorter nickname...) this morning, and I got caught up on her blog, so now I can truly focus on a real post for this blog. (BTW, I'm so excited I'm telling everyone I can: MMT cut her first tooth last night!!!!)
So, in knitting, the FIL scarf is still not done. Could it be the colors? That hideous mix of orange, black and white? Could it be the yarn? That hideous acrylic? Me, I think it's a combination of both. But I plod along. (Oh, and aside, I came close to finishing nothing for christmas, so all handknits became birthday gifts.) My dad's trigger finger mittens are almost finished. He was going on a hunt this weekend, so he was going to get them early. I knitted a blister into my hand finishing them, then the day he was supposed to leave, he tells me that it's been canceled. Worse than if I knitted like mad and didn't finish them. So, they need half a thumb and some ends woven in. He's getting them in two weeks.
As it turns out, I am turning into a choco-holic (yes, I'm going somewhere with this, bear with me.) Before pregnancy, I would have preferred Smarties to a chocolate bar, but now, it could be the worst quality chocolate out there, and I. Want. It. So, the MIL and I were talking about chocolate. The highest quality she's ever had is Hershey's. I, of course, had to extol the virtues of Dove. Sooooo creamy.... sorry, channeling Homer J there. So, MIL is getting a new gift, as hers is the only one I hadn't even started. She's getting a modified Promenade bag full of good chocolate, Dove included.
MathMan got me a swift and ballwinder for christmas! Yay! I spent an evening winding all my sock yarns into balls...even the ones already in center pull skeins. I haven't gotten to do anything else yet, but there will be another evening full of Rowanspun 4ply and lots of laceweight. I can hardly wait! I got myself an after holiday prezzie, as well: I am now the proud owner of "Mac & Cheeze," my very own iPod. I just listened to my very first podcast today, three actually, all knitting related. Two bored my socks off, but I won't name any names, however, I am in love with Lime & Violet! I still have a few more to test drive, but I may have spoiled myself by listening to them first.
I want to join a few "alongs." L&V have a Sock Marathon they're doing, and Project Spectrum is doing a 2.0. But tell me people, why does this always have to be flickr!?! I hate flickr with the firey passions of 1000 deaths, but that's all that seems to be used. I have nothing against your choice of flickr, I just detest it. So, until I find an along that doesn't use flickr, I'm going solo.
The only FOs I have since, well, since before Thanksgiving are dishcloths. I was in the Winterwonderland Swap, as evidenced by the previous post. I'm still waiting for my pal to say she got my package, which she should have done days ago, but I understand overstressed and overworked. I made my first miter, and garterlac too! I tried doing a log cabin dishcloth, but that really didn't work out.
The in laws really surprised me this year. Usually they get me strange little offerings from one of their many trips to Istanbul, or Kukamunga, or wherever the heck they go, but this year they got me knitting books. Gads of knitting books. Big Girl Knits, and Stitch and Bitch Nation, and Folk Shawls, and Yarnplay, and Inspired Cable Knits, and Finishing Techniques for Handknitters, and Pursenality Plus, and the all time fave: Mason-Dixon Knitting. I could not believe it. I could not lift it. I was very appreciative, sadly so much so that I knew they could tell the difference between "Thanks for the reindeer leather moccasins from Finland" and "OMG! MDK!!!"But, what the heck, it's all good.
As soon as I find my camera amidst all the chaos that is now my living room (My GOD, did we buy a ToysRUs and move the entire inventory DOWNSTAIRS???) I will post pictures.

Labels: stash, swapping

but it's high time I blogged about the grand swap package Alice sent to me in the Winterwonderland Swap. Here's a shot, minus the chocolate, of course:So we have the cutest little egg cozy you ever did see, two round dishcloths, and once ballband dishcloth (my fave - the colors are just so.....something, but I love it!) and the sweet little card. I agree, I have no idea what the egg cozy is actually *for*, but it's adorable! And the little mini-hanger? So cute it almost gave me a heart attack! Thanks Alice!!!

Labels: swapping