Tag: Swaps

My Sock-ret Pal sent me an (early) birthday e-card! Thank you!!! It made my day because today was rather rough at work and I really needed the smile :o)

In related Sock-ret Pal news, everything has been set straight with my pal and I now have someone to spoil! Wooooo!

I’ve been working on Branching Out lately. I keep having issues counting stitches today and I think it’s because I was feeling a little stressed with the new changes going on at work. Turns out it’s pretty hard to follow a lace pattern when you’re mind is pre-occupied. I need a “mindless” project for times like this. One that I can just pick up and knit and not think too much about it. I miss having socks on the needles and at the moment I’m trying not to cast-on for any. I’m trying to hold out until I’ve got Branching Out done, but I don’t know if I can hold out much longer!

I’ve got two days off, which I’m quite thankful for! I’ve got a few things I want to pick out for my KTS 2 Pal so that I can get the package in the mail this coming week. I’m crossing my fingers and toes that what I’m waiting for in the mail will arrive on Monday so I can go to the post office and get the package in the mail since I work Tuesday to Saturday and I don’t want to have to wait until NEXT Monday to get it in the mail. We’ll see what happens.

No new or interesting knitting photos today, but I did see a really cute knitted sweater on a little girl today. It was ribbed and cabled. I thought it was really cute (even though it was something store bought) and for a moment wished I had a kid to knit for. I could knit something for Nathaniel, but what? He doesn’t wear scarfs or mittens. I already knit him a hat (which he loves and proudly shows off during colder months). I’ve thought about a sweater, but at the rate he’s growing, I’d have to make it rather large so that it fits him for more than a few months! And besides, you don’t knit cute things for a nearly 14 year old boy.

Alright, I’m back to knitting I go :o)

I know it’s only been a few days, but I must admit that I’m getting just a little bit worried. I haven’t heard from my Sock-ret Pal (no questionaire post and has not responded to my email). I’d love to get started on a package, but I don’t want to until I know what their preferences are.

When should one begin to worry?

Edited: hehe, my Sock-ret Pal has contacted me :o) Silly me thought I allowed anyone to comment on my blog here, but I forgot that I had changed my settings when I was getting spammed quite a bit (even with word verification!!). I have changed it to allow anonymous comments. Still a little worried about the person I’m to spoil, though!

The basics:
How long have you been knitting? About 3 years.
Do you consider yourself a beginning sock knitter, an intermediate, or have you been doing this so long you could probably knit a pair in your sleep? I could probably do it in my sleep even though I’ve only completed 3 pairs of socks (and working on my 4th)…. perhaps intermediate leaning towards advanced.
The measurements:
While your pal may ask for some additional info to ensure a great fit, please provide your shoe size, or any other fitting related info you think is pertinent. I’m a US size 7 wide shoe. As for measurements, I’m 8 in (22 cm) at the widest part and 9 in (23 cm) from toe to heel. If you need more than that, let me know :o)

(fiber related) Favorites:
What colors do you love? Pink, purple, blueish greens, pastels (all colors), fall/autumn colors, red (all sorts of shades, but nothing too bright)
Do you prefer solids or variegated? I’d say both, leaning more toward solids. I like solids with lighter and darker shades of the same color (if that makes sense).
What fibers do you most love to knit with? Natural fibers (with the exception of angora because of allergies). I knit with quite a bit of wool. Cashmere and silk blends. Soft yarns (I know some people like knitting with yarn that’s a little scratchy – not me!).
Who do you consider your favorite yarn vendors? Hmmm… A few of the ones I like Debbie Bliss and Rowan yarns and of course Noro, Cherry Tree Hill, Lorna’s Laces, Knit Picks, and Elann.
What projects (other than socks, of course*S*) do you most enjoy knitting? Lace, felted projects, cables, fair isle… anything that’s complex and interesting so that it holds my interest.

(fiber related) Dislikes:
What fibers can you not stand to knit with? To wear? Angora (allergies!), itchy wool, acrylic (feels like plastic in my hands), mohair, any sort of novelty yarns (fun fur, eyelash yarn, etc)
What colors would you never wear? Neon colors or black (I really don’t wear much black at all).

The Tools:
Plastic or Metal? Bamboo or wood? Bamboo all the way.
Circs or Straights? Depends on the project, but I’d say I use circs more.
DPNs or Magic Loop? DPNs. I haven’t mastered the Magic Loop and I can’t say I’m that interested to.
Are there any knitting accessories you don’t have in your collection but would like? Some nice stitch markers for socks/lace. Most of the ones I have are just too big for such small projects. A better way to store the necessities would be nice. A retractable tape measure.

The Extras:
Do you have a wish list? If so, please share the link! I have multiple wish-type lists: My Amazon Wishlist, My Amazon Knitting Wishlist, and My Wists List
Do you like sweet, sour or salty? (or all of the above? *S*) All of the above! But I suppose it really depends on my mood. Usually I’ll want something sweet followed by something salty.
Do you have any allergies your pal should know about? (Certain foods, smoke, pet hair, etc) Angora, rabbits (yes I know angora is the same, but there’s severe bunny allergies in my home), cats, dogs, and smoke.
Favorite scents? Scents you can’t stand? I don’t like strong scents. I do like light fruity scents, vanilla, and rose.
Do you collect anything (other than yarn and knitting toys of course)? Postcards, Military Challenge Coins (mostly US Navy ones), and Build-A-Bear stuffed animals.
When is your birthday? (month and day is fine!) October 2nd. I’ll be 25 this coming Monday.
Do you spin? Dye your own yarn? I’ve tried my hand at spinning and I’d love someone to teach me how to do it better (with a drop spindle) and I keep meaning to get around to trying to dye yarn with kool-aid, but I’ve not found much of a selection of kool-aid around here.
Your favorite author/band/vacation spot, anything you think will help your pal know you better… This is my About page. I’m sure it will help my pal quite a bit :o)

I’m excited! Sign ups for round 2 of the Knitter’s Tea Swap is finally open! I was so bummed that I didn’t find out about it until after it was over, so I’ve been anxiously awaiting another round. It’s here!!

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In other knitting news, I would be posting photos of all my recent progress, but my camera is acting lame and the flash isn’t working. I’m charging the battery since it was nearly dead and hoping that works. If not, I’ll be taking over Nick’s camera, so either way I should post some knitting progress photos soon :o)

I got my package in the mail from my Lace Swap Pal, Amy! I love everything :o)

Here’s what I got: some very pretty pastel purple JaggerSpun Zephyr Wool-Silk with a total of 1200 yards, two patterns – Mountain Peaks Shawl and Shetland Garden Farose Shawl (which I had recently been drooling over online – you read my mind!), a flower calendar for 2007, Ghiradelli chocolate (mmm toffee!!), chocolate covered apricots, stitch markers, and At Knit’s End: Meditations for Women who Knit too much by Stephanie Pear-McPhee (the one book I don’t have by her!). You did a wonderful job and I love everything! Thank you so much!! :o)

Here’s everything:

Here’s a close up of the stitch markers:

Shelia arrived in the mail today with some goodies from my swap partner (Little Visitor Swap from Craftster.org). I was so excited! She came home in the cutest dress, the most awesome scrapbook (that was made from a book!), some souvenirs, and some treats.

Here’s everything:

Here’s a closer look at the scrapbook:

The scrapbook was made from the book Gulliver’s Travels. It has some of the photos in the book showing with some phrases that tie into the rest of the scrapbook (photos and places they went). It’s really neat and I have to say that I was going *squeeeeeeeeeeee* the entire time. I had the best swap partner! I have to admit that I’d been missing Fred and Ginger since I sent them back to Amy. I’m glad to have Shelia home and I can’t wait to see what my partner’s reaction is to the goodies and scrapbook I sent her. Hopefully she’ll like everything I did as much as I liked what she did for me. I am totally going to do this swap the next time it comes around! (Once I know she’s received, I’ll post photos of what I sent to her.)

I sent off the package to my Lace Swap Pal, but I won’t be posting anything about that until I know she’s gotten the package (just in case!). It’s got a few thousand miles to travel, but should arrive next week. I hope she likes everything I sent her!

I had an interview today and it looks pretty promising. I won’t hear back about it until mid-next week because there’s a lot going on in the store and she won’t be able to do my reference checks until Monday. I’m crossing my fingers for this one. Good vibes welcome ;o)