Domestic Bliss
It's like you're unraveling a big cable-knit sweater that someone keeps knitting and knitting and knitting and knitting...
Rhinebeck, schminebeck.
Of course S.A.F.F. is nowhere near the size of Rhinebeck, but that's okay - it took us about two hours to see everything (well, we skipped a few booths like the one that only sold purses, but we stopped at most of them) and while we were tired, we weren't exhausted. There were more booths than you can see in the photo; we got there 5 minutes after they opened and some people were still setting up. (The canvas partitions in the center were classrooms and the fleece judging areas.) I really wish I could have taken the beginning spinning class, but it filled up before I even decided to attend the fair.
I managed to buy several wonderful things without breaking the bank:
Black alpaca roving from Whirlwind Ranch. This came from two alpacas named Qiqi and Esmeralda. I bought this from the first booth we saw.
Cranberry merino roving from Shepherd's Corner. This is amazingly soft.
Bargain of the day: Cotton & EcoSpun from Little Barn. It was on special for 99 cents! The EcoSpun is made from recycled soda bottles - it's hard to believe that considering that it's actually pretty soft. I thought this would make a good string bag.
Another bargain: a linen blend (blended with what, I couldn't tell you since there were no labels) from the sale table at Yarnsmiths. $2!
Also from Yarnsmiths: camel sock yarn. I never even thought about yarn coming from camels, but then again, camel hair coats used to be very popular. They told me this stuff gets to be almost as soft as cashmere after a few washings. When I bought it, I thought the main color was blue, and it certainly looks blue in the photograph. In the light of my living room, it's actually purple. Either way, it's pretty.
After buying all that roving, I decided I should probably learn how to spin, so I bought a "Learn to Spin" kit from Spinner's Ridge. It came with an Ashford spindle, an instruction book by Interweave Knits, and three colors of wool roving.
Now if only I had time to start spinning! But that will have to wait. My parents are coming over this weekend and we're not quite done cleaning the house. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!
Not about knitting. (Well, not much.)
48 Things You Couldn't Care Less About (unless, of course, you are my Secret Pal and are trying to tap into my psyche so you can figure out what to send me):
1. FIRST NAME? Heather.
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? No. Mom wanted to name me after her sister Margaret, but my father overruled her.
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? The other day, out of sheer frustration. I'm in the middle of a massive housecleaning before my parents come over, and it just doesn't seem like I'm going to get everything done in time.
4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Yes; I'm often complimented on it. My handwriting changed a lot after I took drafting class - being forced to print everything in block capitals for a year will definitely change the way you write.
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? I'm not a big lunchmeat eater, but I do enjoy maple-glazed ham.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Sure - it would be great to have someone to talk to who shared all of my interests. But we'd probably fight a lot because we'd be too much alike.
7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? Currently it's just the blog. I've kept written journals in the past.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? No, they were removed when I was 3. Actually my earliest memory is asking my father about what the operation was going to be like.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? No.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? I have several favorites, including Rice Chex, Crispix, Special K Red Berries, Raisin Nut Bran, and Cocoa Pebbles.
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Ankle boots and new sneakers, yes. Well-worn sneakers, no.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? That depends. If we're talking about physically strong, I have a lot of strength in my arms and shoulders (I can carry quite a bit of weight if I hold it above shoulder-level or over my head) but not much in my hands (or really anywhere else). Psychologically, I guess I'm somewhat strong; I have plenty of emotionally fragile days but I've never cracked up completely (yet).
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Really high-quality vanilla. Tied for second: Haagen-Dazs Pina Colada and Ben & Jerry's Mint Chocolate Cookie.
14. SHOE SIZE? 9.
15. RED OR PINK? Both!
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? I take things personally and I'm not good at putting past humiliations behind me.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My friend Tim, who was killed in a car wreck several weeks ago.
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? No, posting the answers on your blog will suffice. Then everyone can see them!
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS, SHIRT AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Blue jeans, black t-shirt, and no shoes.
20. LAST THING YOU ATE? A bowl of orange sherbet.
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Nothing - for once the house is quiet.
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Midnight blue.
23. FAVORITE SMELL? Hazelnut coffee.
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Syntax.
25. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? Intelligence and geekiness. (I like the geeky.)
26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON YOU STOLE TIHS FROM? I have yet to meet Kate, but I think I would like her a lot!
27. FAVORITE DRINK? Vanilla egg cream. Of course, you can't get those here in the south, but I make a mean one.
28. FAVORITE SPORT? Other than Olympic Knitting? Hockey.
29. EYE COLOR? Dark brown.
30. HAT SIZE? 22" around, or thereabouts.
31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Yes, since college. I love my lenses and would feel lost without them.
32. FAVORITE FOOD? Coconut shrimp.
33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Of those two choices, happy endings. But the ending doesn't have to be happy if the plot is well-written.
35. SUMMER OR WINTER? Winter. I don't like the heat.
36. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs. Kisses are nice too unless they are wet (ugh).
37. FAVORITE DESSERT? See #13.
38. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Stacey, since she tagged me the other day.
39. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? No idea.
40. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? Made in America by Bill Bryson and The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls.
41. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? My mouse. (Yeah, I'm sure this question is about the design, but mine is just a generic blue one.)
42. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? Heroes (on TiVo).
43. FAVORITE SOUNDS? Hard rain and the ocean.
44. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Definitely the Beatles.
45. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? Moscow, in what was then the USSR.
46. WHAT'S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? Knitting, of course! Oh, and I can touch my nose with my tongue, and also seal my nostrils with my upper lip. I am gifted.
47. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Fairbanks, Alaska.
48. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? I swiped it from Kate.
Chilly.
We had our first really cold day recently, which means it's time to put away the sandals and break out the wool socks. I decided that I should work some more on my Electric Lizard socks so that I can wear them soon; after working a few rounds I realized something. I've been using my beloved size 0 Addi-Turbo needle to knit these, but now that I've spent so much time knitting with my new KnitPicks circs, I realized that I now prefer the KPs to the Addis. I never expected that to happen! This is a very good thing, as the KPs cost about 1/3 what the Addis do. It's mostly because of the tips; the KPs have tips that are pointy enough to really get into the stitch (I bet I could even knit lace with them), but not so sharp as to cause injury (unlike my size 1 Inox, which punctured my index finger twice and left me unable to knit until it healed). The KP's cables seem to be more flexible than the Addis also - I didn't have to boil them to make them relax. The one thing that the Addis still have over the KPs is that the cables come in more sizes; since I do so much Magic Loop I really like a 40" cable, and the KP circs only come up to 32".
That reminds me - it's time to place another yarn order so I can get started on some more Christmas knitting. Yarn shopping without guilt! Hooray!
Another yarn quiz.
What Kind of Yarn are You?
Baby Alpaca. You are beautiful and soft, if sometimes a little difficult. Nothing but the best for you, etc. Quality, but out of the league for the rabble.
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But am I Denise or Boye? Maybe I'm Options!
What kind of knitting needles are you?
You are interchangeable.Fun, free, and into everything, you've got every eventuality covered and every opportunity just has to be taken. Every fiber is wonderful, and every day is a new beginning. You are good at so many things, it's amazing, but you can easily lose your place and forget to show up. They have row counters for people like you!
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Red, we hardly knew ye.
One of my favorite blogs to read before its demise a couple of months ago was You Knit What? Fortunately, the archives are still there, so if you missed this one while it was active, go check it out.
I thought about YKW the other day when I was leafing through the October issue of Glamour, and found this photo in the Dos & Don'ts column. Now we know what happened to all of those cute little Fraggles after their show got cancelled. (Sniff. Poor Red.)
Hello Secret Pal!
I decided against doing Zimmermania - I know it would have been fun, but I have too many commitments (knitting and otherwise) right now to participate. Phooey.
But I am excited that Secret Pal 9 has started! This is my first time doing the knitting SP, although I've done SP on 3WA many times and it's always fun. Here are my answers to the questionnaire:
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
Merino, cashmere blends, alpaca, microfiber - really, anything nice and soft.
What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Plasticky acrylic or anything stiff or itchy. And I'm not too keen on most novelty yarns.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I mostly use circs that are stored in plastic bags. My short straights are in a fabric needle caddy, and my long straights are in a cylindrical wine box.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I've been knitting on and off for 26 years, but I've only been doing it seriously for about the last 4. My mom taught me when I was 11 (see my last entry for more about that). I would consider my current skill level somewhere between intermediate and advanced.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Indeed I do. You can find it here.
5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)
I like rose, lavender, gardenia (well, most florals, actually); I also like peach, citrus, and other fruity scents (as long as they're not sickly sweet).
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Mmmmmmm, candy! I love caramel and vanilla things, and chewy sour things. Chocolate is good too, but I prefer milk to dark.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I've dabbled in a lot of crafty areas, but these days I stick to knitting. I plan to start spinning soon; at the end of the month I'm planning to go to S.A.F.F. and I have it on good authority that I will not be able to resist buying spinning tools.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
My tastes are pretty eclectic; I like current and retro pop, new wave, swing, baroque - a little bit of everything (except heavy metal and gospel). My computer will play MP3s.
9. What's your favorite color(s)?
Blue, blue-green, burgundy, dark purple, pink, grey, and black.
Any colors you just can't stand?
Not crazy about most shades of orange and gold, although sometimes they're nice in variegated colorways.
10. What is your family situation?
Married, no kids.
Do you have any pets?
Sadly, no. I'd love a kitty but the landlord says no.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I do wear scarves, hats, and mittens. I don't wear ponchos.
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I like small projects I can finish quickly. Socks and hats are fun.
13. What are you knitting right now?
See sidebar.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Oh yes - I love to see how creative people can be.
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I like metal circular needles.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Yes and yes.
17. How old is your oldest UFO?
Well, while I was cleaning the house this week I found one that's about a year old. I may have other older forgotten projects lurking about...
18. What is your favorite holiday?
Any paid holiday from work will do!
19. Is there anything that you collect?
Not right now, unless books count. And yarn. And knitting gadgets.
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
There are lots of books I'd like - when I find one I stick it on the wishlist. I currently subscribe to Knitter's, Interweave Knits, and Cast-On (because I joined TKGA).
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I'd like to learn entrelac. I've tried learning it from a book to no avail; I think I need a class.
22. Are you a sock knitter?
Yes. Hooray for socks!
What are your foot measurements?
Foot = 9 1/2" long
Ball of foot = 9 1/4" around
Ankle = 10" around
23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
July 7.
(And if after reading that you still want to know more about me and my knitting habits, read my entries of 9/26 and 9/7.)
