Major Knitter

Update on Goodies

Sunday in the City with Jane was great fun.  Did you guess that I took her to brunch at the Top of the Rock at the Rainbow Room?  It was such a civilized way to see the New York City skyline from the top of one of NYC's tallest buildings without standing in line forever and a day while carrying our heavy bags laden down with our purchases.  We sat, enjoyed the brunch and the view while catching up on each other's lives. 

Jane brought chocolate for the boys and for the adults.  Yum!  She was actually in the US for a conference.  As part of the motivation, they kept throwing out squeaky toys into the crowd for participation.  Jane quickly grabbed the pink dressed squeaky chicken for Wilma.  Awwww.  Plus she gave me her copy of The English Patient, which is perfect as I have not read this one.  Finally, she brought her odds and ends of fingering weight yarn for my Knit Notes.  I love these colors!  Yum.

Here's a picture of the Lorna's Laces Self Striping sock yarn I bought at Purl Soho.  I love the self-striping nature of this yarn and what's not to like about Lorna's Laces?  I thought these would make some extra adorable baby girl socks for someone down the road. 

Finally, yesterday I managed to finish two more miniature socks for the sock blocker key chains.  The pink and white one is from my first pair of pink and white socks with the aforementioned Lorna's Laces self-striping yarn.  I think it makes a cute miniature sock.  The rainbow yarn was a donation to my fingering weight collection.  Cute little thingies, aren't they?   

Secret Pals Reunited

Jane and I became Project Spectrum Secret Postcard Pals in 2006 I think.  We met when BF and I happened to be going to London exactly during the time that we were supposed to be mailing our Secret Pals their first postcard.  I coordinated with Jane and we decided to deliver ours in person.  We've been meeting up ever since - sometimes in London and sometimes in New York or Connecticut.  Today just happened to be in New York.

Here's a close-up of our meet-up knitting just lounging around.  Can you guess where I took Jane to brunch from this picture of the women's loo?

Jane is making a pair of socks from the Opal zebra sock yarn I gave her when she visited in October 2006.  I am knitting a pair of miniature socks using the Purl Soho pink & white self-striping Lorna's Laces sock yarn.  After our brunch we were ready to head out for some knitting adventures.  We were both surprised to discover that we suffered from a knitter's never-ending struggle with dry hands.  Oddly enough we both reached into our purses at about the same time for this remedy

I think it's interesting how the packaging is different for the UK (left) and the US (right) markets. After our brunch, we headed down to Soho for a visit to Purl (both the fabric store and the knitting store).  We each bought two skeins of the Lorna's Laces self-striping sock yarn.  Jane bought the mint/white combo and I bought the lilac/white combo.  Great sock stuff!  Outside the shop, we took a few knitting pictures.  Here are a few shots of Jane's magnificent Selvutter mittens in gray and red.  Click to get a better look at the amazing details of the front, palm and thumb of these mittens!

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Here's a close-up of the little pink sock I knit to put on a keychain as a little gift for Jane.   

I also gave Jane some of my Christmas stockings, some patterns and of course, some of my new favorite Cocoa Michelle chocolates from Westport.

Here we are at the end of the day posing with a second mini sock and some Opal zebra socks (WIP).  It was another great meet-up Jane.  Next time will probably be in NY or CT again as Jane has definite plans for a return and I don't currently have any plans to be in London.  But hey, you never know. 

Sundays Are Days of Pancakes and Farewells

I decided to make some wheat free and milk free pancakes for Jane.  I used Rice Flour and Rice Milk (from Trader Joe's).  I used some Nestle's chocolate chips (but Jane said those were OK).  See?

They turned out pretty good.  Primogeniture tried them without knowing that they were hypoallergenic pancakes and duly noted "these taste weird".  OK, so they didn't pass the child test.  Jane and I thought they tasted mighty fine.

After breakfast, we each donned our GOT YARN t-shirts for a farewell pose with Primogeniture, Secundogeniture and Wilma.

Jane of London

Last week we had lunch in London.  This week, Jane is here with me, visiting.  She is so sweet and brought me a very large bag of yarn for the PTA Knitting project and many wonderful knitting needles, too.  Plus there was chocolate and even a knitting project as a gift.  Nothing could be better!

We spent our first day together resting.  Jane was quite jetlagged, so we had a leisurely morning of sleeping in and a lazy breakfast.  Then we did what any rational girl would do - we went out for a manicure and pedicure.  After that, we had lunch and spent the afternoon at Knitting Central.  Jane confessed to suffering from a bit of Yarn Overload, which is easy to do at Cynthia's store.  We came home and knit in the afternoon followed by an Italian dinner at my favorite local restaurant, Tarantino's.  I taught Jane how to use the Knitting Loom.  She knit up some of the cashmere blend she donated into a hat.  Isn't it lovely?

In the end, Jane made the light and dark blue hats on the loom.  She also managed to knit up another light blue hat.  Finally, as if all her donations weren't enough, she also ordered these knitting needles and darning needles which were delivered straight to my doorstep for the PTA Knitting Project!

Tomorrow is our big adventure in Manhattan.  Check back for more adventures of Jennifer and Jane in the City.

Last Minute Lunch Across the Pond

Last April, Jane and I were secret pals for Lolly's Project Spectrum postcard swap. It happened to coincide with a trip BF and I had planned to London, so Jane and I met in person. I'm actually back in London today (got in late last night) and was able to have a spontaneous meet-up with Jane for lunch today. It was great. We compared some stories and managed to do a bit of knitting show-n-tell. Jane is working on a red Cascade 220 jumper and had a lovely light blue headband with a cable pattern to show off. I had my cable wrist warmers with the Posh yarn I purchased 2 weeks ago in Toronto. Here we are:

After lunch I went to Liberty (I love this store!)

I bought this sock yarn as my tourist yarn and some Classic for a baby hat and maybe booties to give as a future gift (to no one in particular).

 

Then some serious jetlag set in and I came back to the flat to crash. Which I'm going to do now. Sorry if my prose is somewhat incoherent today. That's what jetlag will do to you.

The Knitlette Artlette

Abby of The Knitlette was my SP4.  She was a great person to gift.  I've really enjoyed getting to know her through the SP4 program and since then.  Some time last year she had artwork for sale on her blog and I bought these three pieces.  I finally managed to get them framed this week and wanted to share them with you.  They're so special to me because of the connection to the artist.  Thanks Abby!

Shhhh! Secret Knitting

Honestly though, my true addiction is my knitting.  In fact, I'm working on some top secret gifts for knitting friends for Wednesday and Thursday gift giving.  I'm dying to share pictures with you, but I can't.  You understand, don't you? 

I'll be able to share the pictures after the gift giving is done.  Pinky swear.

Finishing Friday - My Final SP5 Gift

Finito!  Finally!  And it's Friday.  Here's the final gift for my Secret Pal 5.  It took me longer than I anticipated, but I think it was well worth the wait.  Can you guess who I had for a Secret Pal?

Focus People! Focus!

Here are the much awaited snapshots of the golly-gee-willakers gift I got from my Secret Pal 5. Sorry that so many of them are out of focus.  But this isn't about my photographic skills.  This is about Stacey. She was so amazing.  I can't tell you how much I enjoyed being surprised by her this summer.  Can you believe all this amazing knitter's treasure that she sent me?  I posted about the care and planning she put into every gift.  I am truly touched by her kindess.  I will have to take more pictures of the knitting bag she.made.for.me.  Can you see the camouflage straps and the little beadwork that says Major Knitter?  It is too cool for words.  I am already toting it around everywhere I go.  It's great.  Well, why don't you have a look for yourself.

Now for some close-ups (sorry for the lack of focus).  Here are the thoroughly thoughtful gifts that she sent me.

Not Quite Finished Friday

I don't have a picture to share with you today.  I'm trying desperately to finish my final gift for my SP5, but I'm not quite going to be able to finish it tonight.  I'm making a little something for her daughter - who happens to be the focus and namesake of her blog.  If you guess who my SP5 is - maybe I'll send you a little something, too! 

Of course, I could forego sleep in order to knit and finish it on Friday.

After reading the Yarn Harlot's new book, The Secret Life of a Knitter, I know that sleep is overrated, especially when you can accomplish so much knitting during those nighttime hours.  What do you get to show for 8 hours of sleep?  Why not survive on just seven hours?  Think of how many more things you could finish each week with an additional 7 hours of knitting time per week.  Think about it.  You can do it.

Sleep is truly overrated.  Except tonight.  I'm tired.  Zzzzzzzzz.  Maybe I'll do it next week.

My SP5 Has Revealed Herself to Me

Stacey from Sheep in the City was my Secret Pal 5 and I don't need to tell you how amazing she has been as a Secret Pal.  You already knew that. 

I can hardly wait to have a moment to myself to post pictures of all the amazing things she sent in the final package.  The most impressive part is how much thought and consideration she put into each and every gift.

1. hand-made knitting bag with great fabric AND camouflage straps and tiny Major Knitter buttons embellishing the front
2. yarn and the pattern for the one skein wonder.   PSYCHE!  I've been wanting to make this and I never even posted this thought.  I think my SP5 has ESP.
3. beautiful stitch markers in various shapes and sizes.  A girl can never have too much bling!
4. the pattern and the cascade 220 yarn to make a felted bag
5. a pattern for an entrelac felted bag and a magazine that focuses on entrelac (because I mentioned in passing in one of my posts that I had enviously looked at a friend's entrelac felted bag!!)
6. the coolest coffee mug in gorgeous patriotic reds, whites and blues - perfect for waking me up in my pre-dawn posting hours.

You'll just have to check back to see the pictures of the actual gifts.  They are so wonderful and I loved having Stacey as my SP5.  She was so sweet.  You can't even imagine how wonderful it was to get a gift from her with her wonderfully decorated envelopes, boxes and notes.  Fun!  Fun!

Thank you Stacey!  I really liked meeting you.  I look forward to continuing our friendship.

Vintage Velvet Scarf

Remember that beautiful blue yarn I received from my Secret Pal 5?  My SP5 sent me THREE skeins of Classic Elite Inca Alpaca in a gorgeous dark blue and suggested that it might be the right amount for a scarf that she had seen in Pam Allen's scarfSTYLE. 

I totally agreed, but I had another scarf in mind from that book.  I like the Vintage Velvet Scarf designed by Lisa Daniels.  I think it will turn out beautifully, but I'm a bit worried about felting it.  I'm not sure I want to do that.  Right now I've cast on my 34 stitches and managed to knit about 20 rows.  I'll post a picture when it's a little bit more interesting.  Maybe by later tonight or tomorrow morning.

I guess since the boys are getting ready to go back to school, I'm also getting ready for fall and winter by turning my thoughts to knitting scarves and sweaters. 

My SP5 is so Creative...

My Secret Pal 5 sent me a note while I was out of town.  Look at how cute it is.

The card has a To Do List on it

GOTTA DO TODAY

·      Send Card - √

·      Laundry

·      Knit on scarf - √

·      Dishes             

·      Vacuum            

·      Knit on hat - √

·      Groceries         

Don't you feel that way somedays?  You'd rather knit all day than do the important things on your To Do List?  I know I feel that way many days.  I also like the way my SP5 draws on the envelope.  On my last gift she doodled a ball of yarn and made it loop around my name and address like a piece of yarn wrapped around my name.  I've repeated that same idea on all my knitting packages recently.  It's fun and simple and makes the card that much more special.  Thanks Super Secret Knitter for the great card.  It made my day.

Happy knitting!

Secret Pal 5

Look what I'm sending off to my Secret Pal 5 - It's the pattern for the Alpaca Blue Sky Bobbi Bear.  It's the softest, most adorably, cuddly handknit bear ever.  You can get your own pattern, too.  Have fun!

Shrinky Dinks for SP5

Well... the Secret Pal 5 program suggests that you gift your SP5 over the course of three months with approximately $50.  Depending on how you see things, that's either a lot or too little.  Since I like to send nearly weekly surprises I have to be creative to keep under budget.  Today I decided to try my hand at making enclosure tags for my Secret Pal's knitted gifts.  I took her blog button and turned it into a gift tag, had to figure out how to print "mirror image" on my computer, added the following text "Handmade Especially for You by Jane Doe" (You didn't think I was going to type in her real name, did you?), print, cut, hole punch, and bake.  It took a lot of work, but not much money.

I had a dickens of a time getting a good picture, but here's a shot of the same tags I made using my button and name.  I'll get a very fine ribbon, in olive green of course, to string through my tags and attach to my hand knit gift.  I think I'll use white or light blue ribbon for my SP5's tags.  I hope she likes them. 

A Visit to my LYS and my LPO

I stopped by Knitting Central yesterday for the first time since my self imposed yarn diet (about 6 weeks strong already).  Never fear, I didn't buy any yarn (although I was seriously tempted!)  I was looking for a few tiny things for my SP5 to ship off this week.  Look what I found from Glamscience

These enclosure/gift cards with glittery knitting needles are just so adorable.  Don't you wish your LYS carried them? 

Then, I went to buy a pair of much coveted Heelys for my oldest son's birthday tomorrow (while he's away at camp). I had to hurry to my LPO (Local Post Office) and ship everything off to guarantee birthday day delivery.  I guess I needed a pair of Heelys with the built-in skate to hurry me along my way!

Oh, plus I recycled my book club books by shipping them off to my friend Joan.  I really prefer to send my books out in the world to be read and shared with others rather than leaving them to collect dust on my bookshelves.

• The Time Traveller's Wife
• The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Middle of the Night
• The Fourth Hand
• The DaVinci Code
• The Kite Runner
• Jemima J.

Yeah!  What a great day of errands and shipping.  I hope everyone gets their packages and enjoys them.  Now I'm going to work on my next surprise for my Secret Pal. 

Super-Duper Secret Pal 5!

Weeeeeee!  Look what I got in the mail today from my SP5 from Littleton, Colorado.  I am so excited.

Everything was so wonderfully personalized and knitting focused.  Oh... there were 2 bags of M&Ms - both plain and peanut.  I already ate one bag.  These are special edition DARK chocolate Darth Vader M&Ms.  Yum!  Yum!  The note pad and sticky notes "for marking patterns and books" were just perfect.  The hand balm - Healing Yew - is going to be perfect for keeping my hands soft and supple.  The Bazooka gum is perfect.  My SP5 didn't know it... but BF is a huge Bazooka fan.  There was such a wonderful note enclosed in my gift and the grand finale...  THREE SKEINS of Classic Elite Inca Alpaca in an absolutely adorable azure.  My SP5 recommended that the yarn would be ideal for one of the scarves in Scarf Style (which luckily, I own).  I can hardly wait to start knitting with it.  And... this scarf is definitely going to be for MOI.    Thank you SP5.  You rock!

Look who helped me wind my new yarn into balls -

George is such a great helper.  I hope the Man with the Yellow Hat doesn't find him and take him home.  What will I do without him?  He sure beats a swift.

Secret Pal Business

Wow!  What a great SP5 start.  I already sent off my first gift which was well received.  I've already prepared my 2nd package and will mail it today. 

Super Secret Knitter (who has me as SP5) has emailed me regularly and has actually asked me my preference for things (lots of little things/messages or bigger things).  Oooh.  How nice to ask!  I do like lots of emails - and the suspense of the Prezzies from my Secret Pal.   Most of all, I like surprises.

I made a photo album at right for the Secret Pal.  They include things I've received and things I've sent.  You'll need to be a super sleuth to figure out if I'm you're SP5.  I figure with over 600+ participants in this SP, I'm safe publishing a few generic pictures.

Happy knitting and surprising everyone.  I hope you all make lots of new friends with the Secret Pal program.

Guess Who Had Me as SP4?

Guess who had me and sent me the great "pick-me-up" packages?  It was Janelle of Nelly Knits.  She sent me some great emails and these fun packages.  Remember these?

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I just love the Red Heart TLC Amore yarn.  It's so soft.  I'm going to make a purple K2P2 ribbed scarf and hat for the upcoming Marienne Manor project I'm starting.  I'll work on other charity projects with the other Red Heart yarn.  The sock yarn will either be used for socks (Duh) or maybe another American Girl Doll project. 

I really need to make some progress on a few UFOs that are lying around the house begging for attention

• BF sweater
• American Girl Doll pink mock cable pullover
• purple ribbed scarf and hat
• many, many, many more

Hi Ho Hi Ho it's off to knit I go...

My Secret Pal is...

Did you guess who my Secret Pal 4 was?  Did you guess Abby?  If you haven't been to her site before, check out The Knitlette.  I know you'll love her blog.  Abby is in the middle of moving this week from Florida to Tennessee, so stop by and wish her good luck. 

By becoming a member of the SP4, I've discovered some great things from Abby. 

• Mother Bear Project
• Red Scarf Project
• RAOK
• Knit Picks

Plus, Abby has a great sense of humor and a wonderful voice.  She has not one, but TWO, mascots - one is a living, breathing, licking, barking schipperke named Chickie and a felted finger puppet that appears on road trips and such.  And... are you ready for this... she has a "wonderhubby" who learned how to knit and allowed himself to be posted about regarding his new-found hobby.  Gotta love that!  YEAH!

Finally, here's a photo montage of some of the things I sent to Abby during SP4

Secret Pal Strikes Again

My Secret Pal sent me these four skeins of Red Heart yarn for my Charity Projects, 4 skeins of "Sock It To Me" red yarn, and a packet of yarn bras.  I also got the book "At Knit's End" from BF's mom as a "Happy Blogiversary" gift to me.  What a nice gift to welcome me back home!  Thanks Secret Pal.  Thanks Ronni!

Purple Power - Look at this great scarf out of Red Heart's TLC Amore.  It's a wonderfully soft boucle yarn.  It's so nice to knit with that I might even buy some for me.  I have a new charity project starting in May that will involve purple knitting projects - hats, scarves, mittens, socks, blankets, afghans for women in Iowa.  I'll be revealing more about this project soon.  If you want to join, you might start looking through your purple yarn stash and any pattern you like for donations.

I just love my secret pals...

I'm having so much fun with the Secret Pal 4.  It's fun to give and receive.  I am communicating regularly with my Secret Pal (who hopefully doesn't know my true identity) and have had some nice emails back and forth with my SP4 plus that wonderful Valentine's Day surprise. 

My new goal is to try to peruse the other 300+ websites of SP4.  Maybe I'll try 10 new SP4 blogs per day.  I've really enjoyed getting to know other knitters and blogs that I hadn't previously discovered.  One thing I really enjoy about blogging is that you can find people who have common interests.  I'm not looking for someone who is exactly like me (how boring would that be?).   I just want to connect with others who share my love of knitting.  I think my experience in the military has exposed me to such an incredible cross section of America and I have taken that open-mindedness everywhere I go.  Hopefully that transfers to knitting, too.  I don't really care about background, orientation, politics, etc.  I just want to find someone who has a great blog voice, fun knitting, great ideas and wants to share information.  And that's the end of my blogging philosophy for the day.  Please let me know if you find a great blog that I've missed. 

Happy knitting!

Gifts Galore!!!

OK... I've been out of town for a few days.  What?  You didn't notice?  I pre-posted, that's why!!  Look what came in the mail for me from my secret pal...

Isn't that just the cutest card?  Thank you Palsy-Walsy.  My boys are going to love the gooey gummy worm that comes inside the chocolate apple.  Yum.  I'm in candy heaven! 

Secret Pal 4

Ooh la la!  My Secret Pal and I have exchanged emails a few times already and today SP4 told me that there's a package in the mail for me.  I'm so excited.  This secret pal thing is fun.  It's fun to give and to receive.  Next week I'll be able to post a picture of my first gift.

Speaking of Secret Pals... I made a little something at home last night for my SP4 and will ship it to her tomorrow.  She and I are exchanging email daily, so I'm learning a great deal about her.  She has a great sense of humor.  It's fun to really get into another person's knitting blog so deeply.  I like it.  I have a few more things in mind that I'll want to send over the next few weeks. 

Secret Pal 4

I sent a few things off to my Secret Pal and she already received the first package.  I've been dying to share with you what I shipped, but then, if I did that, it wouldn't be secret, would it?  Ooooh!  This couvert operation is killing me.  I have to confess to you that I'm not that good at keeping secrets.  I'm probably going to accidentally blurt out the name of my secret knitter.  I figure that one day I'll really slip up and post a link to her blog.  Ha!  Wouldn't that be funny?

Well, when it's all over I'll tell you all about the things I sent.  Sigh.  It's hard work keeping a secret that's this exciting!  I want to show you all the wonderful things going on.

You'll just have to wait, too!  You can participate vicariously in the SP4 through me.

Secret Pal 4

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer high-end/natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?  While my BF says I am a yarn snob, I knit with everything.  It’s true that I really get pleasure out of knitting with natural soft fibers, but it’s not uncommon to see me knit with synthetic materials.  This week’s myriad projects included cashmere, merino wool, silk and Red Heart… fortunately not in the same project!

2. Do you spin? Crochet?  Not yet… but maybe some day.

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.) I don’t like smoke or really strong perfumes (especially flowery or musky scents).

4. How long have you been knitting? Since I was in college - about 20 years ago.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? YES!  Caution:  Like everything else I do, it’s a bit obsessive and therefore comprehensive.  I’m going to update my list and add it to the sidebar.  Please check back.

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)  I like sandalwood, lavendar, pear,  green apple and other light natural scents.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Can you say CHOCOLATE, CHOCOLATE, CHOCOLATE?

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?  Cross stitch Christmas ornaments and minor craft sewing.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD).  Light Rock (it’s sort of embarrassing to actually write that down), Brazilian music, Elton John, Billy Joel, Bette Midler whatever’s on 106.7 Lite FM.  I don't have an iPod, though, and am not too computer music savvy.  I'm more of a radio/CD gal.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer?  Blues, reds, black, and white.  I HATE brown and other autumn colors for myself.  I’ll knit those colors for others, though.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? Currently going through a divorce and I couldn’t be happier.  I have 2 boys – Andrew is 10 and Michael is 6.  The boys have a cat and a turtle at their dad’s house and 2 gerbils at my house.

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know). I am so lucky to be living my life dreams.  I am with a man I love who respects, honors and cherishes me every moment of the day.  I have two beautiful children for whom I wish incredible happiness and fulfilment in their lives, I have a wonderful Marine Corps career, I get to knit whatever tickles my fancy, I get to lead my boys in Scouting and I also get to create new patterns (which I hope to publish and sell soon).

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? Today I picked up Rapture by Reynolds (a silk and wool luxurious blend) which I can hardly wait to knit more and more of.  I love all natural fibers and even some non-natural ones too!    

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?  I don’t have HATES on my list, but I do have some “KIND OF DON’T LIKE YARNS” I guess there are two kinds of yarns I don’t care for… Mohair fibers tickle my nose and (even though I like mohair) and variegated yarn (although I’m currently knitting 2 projects with it) is not usually one of my favorites

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s? Oh my – where to start.  I seem to be making hats and scarves for absolutely everyone in my family (and I’m the youngest of 5 with lots of nieces and nephews) so I have a lot to knit.  I had a whole felted bag phase.  Currently, I am just getting into a smaller sized knitting phase (using size 4 and smaller needles) as my boyfriend likes super fine knit.  I like to design for American Girl dolls and make up my own patterns for all sorts of knitting, rather than use patterns.  I'm considering color knitting soon.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Complicated patterns that I create that cause me to exercise my brain.  I love cables, as I feel like it’s a mystery that has to be solved.

17. What are you knitting right now? Have you seen my WIP photo album?  It seems endless… but here’s a start.  American Girl Irish Cable Sweater, BF’s sweater, Charity blankets for Warm Up America, Chemo Caps for several friends in need, a QUICK hat and scarf for my friend’s mom who is visiting from Brazil and afraid of the cold, a vest or a cardigan in variegated wool for my youngest son, socks, socks, socks, and more socks, ponchos, jazzed up jean jackets, and other original designs.

18. What do you think about ponchos?  I love a new fashion as it gives me something new to obsess about.  I made my fair share of them and made several for gifts.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? I like both depending on the project.  Generally, because of my commute on the crowded train, I use circular needles as I find them easier to knit in shoulder-to-shoulder crowded trains.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?   I have everything.  I prefer bamboo (straight, dpns, and circular) and Addi Turbo (circular).

21. Are you a sock knitter?  I have 4 pairs of socks waiting for me to sew the toes shut with the kitchener stitch.  You can see them in the WIP photo album… enough said.  I dream about being an incredible sock knitter who wears trendy clogs or mules that will show off my fabulous future sock knits.  Of course, I currently wear my BF’s socks and mules that look like slippers which I purchased at Payless a few years back.  But… a girl can dream, can’t she?

22. How did you learn to knit?  My Grandma Grace taught me one year in college when I spent Spring Break with her.  I think you can relate when I tell you it was the best gift she ever gave me.   I just love my Grandma Grace.

23. How old is your oldest UFO? Do I really have to answer this?  I’m certain it is not more than 5 years old, but it is possible.  I recently ripped out a pair of gloves (1 ½ pairs that I found in a bag with no chance of ever remembering what size needles I was using or where I could find that pattern.  I think I was into gloves in 1999 or maybe 2000.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?  Hmmmm.  I’ve never really thought about my favorite cartoon character.  My boys want a golden retriever (I do not).  I want an English bulldog – he’s the Marine Corps mascot and my BF’s favorite dog.  I guess I always liked Chip N’ Dale and those 2 crows… what are their names??

25. What is your favorite holiday? Everyone who knows me knows I adore Thanksgiving.  I really do.  It’s all wrapped up in good memories, smells, tastes, sights and sounds.  I can feel my Mom’s all emcompassing hugs and I miss her still.

26. Is there anything that you collect?   Interesting.  I hadn’t really thought of it.  I pick up pennies off the ground and put them in my piggy bank.  I teach my children the value of money.  I like to collect coins, the State quarters, YARN, board games, pretty hand blown glass vases (red and blue are my favorite colors).  I like to buy pretty buttons for future projects (that I NEVER seem to actually use).  I love to read books.  I like picture frames (4x6) and certain Marine Corps trinkets.  OH – I know… I collect and make Christmas ornaments.  There.  That’s really what I collect.  Christmas ornaments.  This year my BF’s mom sent me one with Tinkerbell on it.  I didn’t get it at first until I realized she was dancing on a hand held mirror with a spool of thread and a ball of yarn and 2 knitting needles.  How cool is that?