Another sock

Okay, so it's not much of a sock, so far, but I think I like it. It's Sheri's Lace Socks by Sockbug. It probably won't show off the stripes in the Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock Lucky Strike as well, but I like it. I modified the pattern a bit -- I added a repeat to accomodate my fluffy ankles and replaced the ribbing with a stockinette (roll) cuff. I'm slightly worried about the socks staying up, but I'm hoping the lace pattern is stretchy enough to work without ribbing.

I usually knit socks on 5 needles,but I'm doing this on 4, because I've got 6 pattern repeats, so that distributes nicely over the 3 working needles. But it's driving me crazy! My hand expects the needles to be in a square, not a triangle. I may try redistributing the stitches over four needles.

I spent today in a conference, and will be there tomorrow and Saturday morning, too. I took Seraphim, since I'm still in the stockinette section. I think I'll get this part done tomorrow. I think the next section, where the lace begins, is simple enough that I'll be able to do it while listening to speakers. That first lace section just has a few K2tog/yo combinations every few rows. Judicious use of stitch markers should keep me on track!

The weirdest thing happened today at the conference. It's a nursing conference, but I'm on the planning committee, so I know no one there except the other planning committee members. At lunch, I sat down in the only empty chair at a table of 9 strangers. According to the name tags, everyone at the table was from either Tennessee or Texas, but once we started talking, several of us turned out to have Illinois roots. And what's really weird was that the woman on my left and the man on her left both knew of my teeny little central Illinois hometown (population 800)! Both had gone to small colleges nearby, although the guy had transferred to the University of Illinois and -- are you ready?? -- was in college there at the same time I was! ....cue Twilight zone music..... (Although, really, being at the same 35,000 student university at the same time isn't nearly as unusual as them both knowing my hometown.)

No Socks

Those pretty Lorna's Laces Jaywalkers in the previous post? No more...... I had knit the cuff (1 inch) and about an inch of the pattern, but had developed a ladder between two of my DPNs. I had never had that happen before, so I frogged back to the cuff and started the pattern again. I got maybe an inch again and started having a weird problem with dropped stitches. I decided to again frog back. This time, though, once the frogging began, I just didn't stop! The sock is now a ball of yarn impaled with rosewood needles.

The Jaywalker pattern really showed off the stripes in the yarn, so maybe in a few days I'll start again . But I'm also going to look through Sensational Knitted Socks to see if I find another pattern that appeals to me.

For now, I'm going to work on the Seraphim Shawl, which has been ignored now for weeks.

Socks and a Meme

Ewwwww! Google Analytics says that someone found my site by searching "porn and socks." I'm trying not to think about it.....

Of course, maybe this is what they had in mind -- the cuff of a Jaywalker in Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Lucky Stripe. Certainly a sock, and what could be more yarn porn than Lorna's Laces? The colors are really a sort of corally-rose and citrus orange. And I'm make the larger size that Grumperina has posted, since my feet are big and my ankles, at least recently, are on the fluffy side.

Susan tagged me for this meme:
Is there a song that you hear on the radio or from an old CD that immediately carts you off to a summer of your past, either way far away or pretty recent? One where you can hear the first few notes and feel the emotions you felt on the day the memory was happening? Then post an account of the memory along with the song's lyrics.

Like Susan, there's an entire album -- actually, it was a tape -- that does this (so I won't be posting the lyrics!). And like Susan, I was a newlywed, married less than 2 years. In the spring of 1982, my now-ex-husband and I were stationed in Germany, just outside of Nuernberg (don't know how to do the umlaut over the u, so I'll do the ue -- the English spelling "Nuremberg" really annoys me.). We had just bought our first brand-new car, a silver Volvo sedan -- and it had a sunroof! It seems like every evening that summer, we cruised the countryside -- the autobahn and backroads alike -- in the Volvo, sunroof open, and playing the soundtrack to the movie, "Grease." I don't know why we were so fixated on that album, but I do know that when we got divorced, 8 years later, the only things we really argued about was custody of the cats and who got the "Grease" tape. In the end, I got the cats, and he got the tape, but now I think I need to buy myself the CD!

So -- what about you? Is there a song or album that just screams "summer!" for you? I'm going to tag Kim, Amanda (look at her gorgeous new Clapotis!), and Marisa, a.k.a. Imbrium.

What's in here?

(I messed around with the color, in the hope that it would look closer to reality. I guess it does, but it also looks like my living room carpet is blue, which it's not!)


Why, it's a felted laptop sleeve containing my iBook!

Yes, after blocking all weekend on the cake pan, the laptop case is big enough for my iBook. It's exactly as I imagined it -- a close-fitting sleeve to give a little extra protection to my computer when I'm carrying it around in some sort case. The store-bought sleeve that I have for it goes a little overboard on the padding! However, now that it's all done, I do wish it was long enough for me to cut a slit for a handle, as it's shown in the pictures. I probably wouldn't ever carry it that way, but it might make airport security maneuvers with it a little easier.

Despite that, I'm very please with it! For now, I'm leaving the 'fringe' around the open edge, although it's dreadfully uneven. If i get tired of it, I can always trim it off!

I've been rather remiss in posting the specs of FOs lately, so here ya go....
Pattern: Laptop Case (smallest size) from Alterknits, reprinted in the Fall 2005 Interweave Knits
Yarn: Lamb's Pride Worsted (85% wool, 15% mohair) in Lotus Pink, RPM Pink, and Violet (less than one skein each, although it was close with the Lotus Pink, which I used as Color A)
Needles: US 10 Denise Circulars, which gave me a gauge of 13 stiches and 19 rows/4 inches
Notes:

• The patterns says it will take two skeins of each color, but for the smallest size I only needed one each.
• My slightly looser gauge meant that I got the desired length before I finished all the color repeats.
• The Lamb's Pride felts fast! I wish I had taken it out around 15-16 minutes, rather than 18 or 19.

Felt Up

So last night I seamed up my felted laptop bag and sort of wove in the ends. This evening I threw it into the washer. It seems odd, but I've never felted (don't bring up that felted bag I've been working on for the last year!). I thought it would take longer -- the bag spent about 18 minutes in the washer and it was done! In fact, it probably should have come out a couple minutes sooner. I was worried about it not shrinking enough, since the finished size was supposed to be a couple inches wider than I wanted it to be. In fact, it shrunk more.

So here it is, stretched over a Nordic Ware 9x13 pan, which will hopefully stretch it out just a little more. The picture doesn't do it justice - the colors blend very nicely. And yes, it's pretty fuzzy -- the mohair in the Lamb's Pride really shows up. That stuff along the open edge are unwoven ends, so I'll need to trim a little -- or call it fringe!

Speaking of Nordic Ware, have you seen these? Mine is the red one with the heart on the front. I'd like to get the brownie pan, too, with the farm scene. What's really cool is that, not only is the top engraved, the bottom of the pan is engraved with your name, too, so no one at work can take it home, thinking it's theirs.

Minor Stash Enhancement

Two packages were waiting for me when I got home this evening, delivering these goodies!

From Greenwood Fiberworks, there was a skein of cotton/lycra sock yarn in a color called Shocking Lipstick. I love this color - it's somewhere between bright coral and red. It reminds me of a 1950s lipstick color. And with the sock yarn -- for free! -- was a sock pattern! How cool is that?

The other package was from Amazon, and included a copy of Montse Stanley's Knitter's Handbook. I've read lots about how comprehensive this book is, and a quick glance through certainly verifies that. Along with Montse was a copy of Kris Kristofferson's All-time Greatest Hits (which somehow didn't make it into the picture), just because I read about how Kris was turning 70 (!!!!) this month. That made me check my iPod, then my CD collection, only to discover I own nothing by him. I know a lot of people don't like greatest hits compilations, but this included every song I wanted: Me and Bobby McGee, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Loving Her was Easier, Help Me Make It through the Night, and more. Yes, he wrote all of those songs, and was a Rhodes Scholar to boot. Not to mention, he's still not bad looking! About 12 or 13 years ago, I saw him perform at Willie Nelson's 4th of July celebration in Luckenbach. It was hotter than hell (literally) but he and Willie were amazing to watch!

Opinion Piece

Yes, two posts in way less than 24 hours, but I need to rant.....

Eunny is one of my favorite bloggers. She's an absolutely amazing knitter who designs gorgeous pieces which tend to be very different. And by "different," I don't mean like that shawl in WrapStyle that has fringe hanging off unusual places. Eunny's designs are classic and gorgeous, beautifully designed. And you have to admire her sense of steeking adventure!

But she's also 23 years old. I think of she was 43, what's happening to her now might not be happening. She's taking flak from some readers who consider her a snob for having a different sense of style. Most of these readers seem to be young -- age does tend to have the advantage of making you understand that you aren't the center of the universe. Nevertheless, this sort of reaction seems to be the norm now.

I'm going to be 50 in less than 2 months. Sometimes, I can't believe the way the world is. What happened to free speech and saying what you believed - and having the rest of the community accept the fact that your opinion may be diffferent? The Internet has made this so much easier to do, but at the same time, it is so much less accepted. This was made absolutely clear during the 2004 election, when those of us who didn't support the current president were branded traitors and when those of us who didn't agree with him (and sign a document stating our agreement) weren't even allowed to hear him speak in person.

When I was younger, I thought the world would be changed when I 'grew up.' Vietnam was over by the time I got to college, but I thought the protests and activism had proven that we could all speak our minds and had a right to an opinion. But that didn't happen -- not only are we not supposed to speak our minds on politics, there are people who don't want us to speak our minds on knitting and other things that are, in the broad scheme, trivial.

I tend not to read the blogs of people I don't agree with and I certainly don't comment on them -- frankly, I've got more to worry about than the fact that some strangers hold opnions that don't agree with mine. But I guess there are lots of people out there who seek out the blogs of those they don't agree with, in order to insult them. Why does there seem to be this huge contingent that doesn't understand that holding different opinions is not a bad thing? That the entire world does not have to, and will never, agree with them? I don't get it.

More than anything else, it's the manner these opinions are given, as if theirs is the only one that matters and that you are either stupid or evil to not agree with them. I guess that's the heart of the problem here - lack of tolerance, rudeness, the 'only me' attitude. They must have missed the day sharing was taught in kindergarten.

Knitting News

Yes, I have been knitting. I really want to get back to Seraphim, but for now, how about this? It's progress on the Laptop Case from the Fall 2005 IK (as well as from AlterKnits). It's in three colors of Lamb's Pride Worsted -- Lotus Pink, RPM Pink, and Violet. Eventually, it will be 44 inches long - right now it's at 26 inches. Once its done, it's sewn into an 18x22 inch bag, then felted. I think it will be my project this weekend. I'm not really going to have much knitting time, though, so it won't get finished.





I want to get back to Seraphim, but I'm also trying to decide what to do with this: 400 yards of Schaefer Yarns Laurel (100% mercerized pima cotton) in the Emily Dickinson colorway. It's 8 ounces, and the gauge is listed as "4 - 4.5 st/in," with no clue as to needle size. I'm thinking about Backyard Leaves from ScarfStyle. I think the colors would be nice - they remind me of flowers and leaves. Or maybe Ruffles? I can't decide how that pattern would do in cotton. I guess I need to swatch.

Any other ideas?

Oh - and if you haven't wished Susan a Happy Birthday, you still have a couple hours (in central time, at least!).

Yummy Goodness

In this case, real yummy goodness, no yarn involved, because the laptop sleeve is just a huge piece of pink and purple stockinette and the other thing I'm working on is a secret. Seraphim is currently on vacation while I finish up the other two projects.

My favorite early-summer dessert is this Apricot Cherry Tart. Martha calls it Apricot Cherry Bake, but I think that's awfully boring for something so yummy. This only has a top crust, so I guess technically it's not a tart, but still.... Both of the recipes below are based on recipes in the June 2003 issue of Martha Stewart Living.

Here's my version -- you can vary the amount of fruit, depending on what you've got and what you like. My version uses more cherries than Martha calls for. (And, by the way, one of these makes cherries a lot less trouble.) If you use much more (or less) fruit, you will, of course, need more (or less) flour and sugar.

2 1/2 to 3 pounds small ripe apricots (about 16-18), sliced into sixths
3/4 pound cherries, pitted (about 1 1/2 to 2 cups)
1/2 cup flour
1 cup sugar

Pie crust dough for a single crust pie (see below)
water
4 teaspoons sugar

Butter a 2 1/2 quart baking dish and set aside (again - vary this depending on how much fruit you're using. The fruit should fill the dish about 2/3 full.)

In a large bowl, toss the fruit with the flour and 1 cup sugar. Place in prepared baking dish.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out crust into a 12-inch round (so says Martha -- it doesn't need to be round). Cut into pieces about 3 inches square. Place over fruit mixture in a patchwork pattern. Refrigerate about 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 400°. Lightly brush dough with water and sprinkle with remaining 4 teaspoons sugar. Bake until crust is golden brown and the juices are bubbling, 50-60 minutes. Best served at room temperature.


Pâte Brisée (Sweet Pie Crust)
Makes enough for 1 9” single-crust pie

1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1/4 cup ice water

Place flour, salt, and sugar in food processor; pulse a few times to combine. Add butter; process until the mixture resembles coarse meal, about 10 seconds.

With machine running, add ice water a tablespoon at a time through the feed tube, just until dough holds together.

Turn out dough flatten to form a disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least an hour or overnight.

Random Sunday

Any day can be random, right? Knitting has been done, but it's not worth showing. The laptop sleeve is one giant, brightly-striped flat thing, the gift can't be shown, and I'm ignoring Seraphim while I try to get the other two finished.

• I keep forgetting to tell you about a funny knitting-related encounter at the conference last week. I was working on the leg portion of the second sock, so all I had was a multi-colored tube. The acquaintance on my left apparently gave a look to the friend on my right, who said, "It's a sock!" The woman on my left said, "OH! A sock!! You know how my mind works...." Hmmm.... well, I didn't realize that woolen items were ever worn on the appendage she had in mind (this not withstanding) but I guess if they were, the sock would be fairly impressive, if you know what I mean.
• I still have not seen anyone in the kitty tube; however, when I got home Friday, it was in a totally different place in the living room and the purple catnip mouse I had placed in it was gone, so something's going on.
• Did I mention that I got the insurance money for the storm damage? Now I just need to find someone who can dispose of a dented-up metal shed for me..... I'm not replacing the shed, but instead am going to use the money to do something about the state of the back yard, which was pretty sad before but is even worse now (a shed lying in random places in the yard doesn't help the lawn's health). My brother's going to help me (or, more accurately, I'll help my brother) build a new patio cover next time he visits. That was going to be around August 1, but he's just started a new job, so the visit may be delayed.

Gotta go - I need to replace the flapper in the toilet (or, as we say here in Texas, the commode) in the guest bathroom, then it's off to Sunday afternoon knitting group....

Kitty Toys

One of my co-workers told me about this great 'kitty tunnel' she found at the dollar store for only $4 (something ironic about that price - maybe it should be the 'multiple dollar store'). It sounded like something Harley and Simon would enjoy, so I picked one up after work this evening.

Hmmmm, what's this?

I think I'll just ignore it.

And you thought your kids were difficult.....

On the knitting front -- progress but nothing fun to look at. Oh, and remember this? I finally got the check from insurance. Now I just have to figure out who you call to cart away a slightly damaged 8x10 foot metal shed!

Socks!

I finished the Sixth Sense Socks (part of the Six Socks KAL) yesterday, and I'm very happy with them. Here's the beauty shot:



And here's the action shot:

Yes, propping up my feet on my computer is action around here!
and, yes, my right ankle is swollen.....

Pattern: Sixth Sense Socks (available only to those of us in the Six Sox KAL)
Yarn: Koigu KPPM colorway P717, purchased at Hill Country Weavers in Austin
Yardage: just under 2 skeins
Needles: Colonial rosewood US2 DPNs
Comments: This was my first short-row heel, and was done in garter stitch, which I understand helps with the hiding of any wrap-and-turn holes. I found it harder than the heel flap/gusset method, but it's prettier. And I thought heel flaps were hard the first few times, so I'm sure this will get easier. Also, I've probably said this before, but I love the rosewood needles!

Saturday I stopped by my LYS to pick up a little something for my Secret Pal and bought no yarn at all! However, I did pick up a couple patterns: the Karabella Gossamer Cardigan - I've got some Kidsilk Haze in my stash, which I think I'll use for this (someday) - and the Noni Baguette purse pattern (plus the separate pattern for the chrysanthemum embellishment). I have no idea when I'll knit these -- after I finish the Seraphim shawl, the knitted laptop case, the surprise project for someone who reads this blog (yes, all 10 of you can wonder if it's for you!) and the Brooks Farm feather and fan scarf, and perhaps the other felted bag and the pink mohair cabled shawl, all of which are currently on the needles!

I need to knit.....

What I Do When I'm Not Knitting

It's funny that I rarely write about my day job, because being a librarian really defines me. I can't imagine doing anything else. Librarian is one of those jobs you do for love, not money, although I don't like to complain about the money part - I do well enough to own my own home (in a city where you can still buy a decent house in a safe, although not fancy, neighborhood, for $125k).

Specifically, I'm a medical librarian. Medical or health sciences librarians are librarians who work in hospitals, medical schools, pharmaceutical companies, or, like I do, health sciences centers (specialty universities usually granting the MD degree and other health science professional degrees - mine has schools of medicine, dentistry, nursing, allied health professions, and masters and PhD programs in things like microbiology and biochem). We're not the people who manage medical records, although they are sometimes called librarians, too. Like other professional librarians, the vast majority of us have masters degrees in library and/or information science.

Medical librarians are, on the whole, more like academic librarians or special (corporate) librarians than public librarians, although inevitably, we are all big supporters of the public library, even if we don't think we want to work there!

Librarians in general are wildly misunderstood. That stereotyped timid mouse of a librarian is rare, although I guess I've met a few. Although I don't like to talk in generalities, some of the characteristics librarians tend to share are:

• intelligence
• curiosity
• compassion
  
• commitment to serving others and the belief that doing so is important
• the belief that everyone has a right to the information they want or need (and the government has no right to interfere with this)
  
• the desire to teach people to find information, not necessarily to find it for them
• a love of techy stuff
• the belief that the internet is not doing away with our job, but is just making it better
• liberal politics
• and a lot of us knit, too!

Computers don't scare us; in fact, we can't imagine doing our jobs without them. Libraries have been using computers for much longer than many other professions. My library converted to an online catalog in the early 1980s, and, in the mid-1970s, when I was 'student help' at the University of Illinois Undergrad Library, I helped with the conversion to an online system which had originated at Ohio State's library. It's the rare library today where you'll see a card catalog, unless it's there as a conversation piece. (It's funny, though - I know many librarians who like little boxes and drawers - it must be our compulsion to organize stuff!)

If you really want to know more about medical librarianship, or even librarianship in general, there are lots of librarian-bloggers out there. One of the best is T. Scott's. Scott is a medical library director, former editor of the Journal of the Medical Library Association, and founder of the Bearded Pigs, an all-librarian rock band. This combination doesn't surprise us in library land at all! My friend Stewart's is good, too, with an emphasis on library use among Millenials. I've known Stewart since he was a 'baby librarian' in Oklahoma. I'm not always sure that I agree with the idea that different generations have to each be served differently, but I do like a lot of what Stewart says. (I'm a baby boomer - back in the 70s, our parents thought we were outrageous. Now we're the parents and even grandparents.... My point is that it all seems to come around eventually, with every new generation thinking they'll change the world. The world is not convinced.)

So - welcome to my world! I should have written this months ago, I guess. I promise knitting content next time!

Yet More Yarn

I was in Phoenix for the annual MLA conference (that's the Medical Library Association, not the Modern Language folks), but got there a day early -- early enough to drive out to Scottsdale to go to Knitting in Scottsdale. It's a nice shop, although with perhaps just a little too much novelty yarn for me. Of course, that could just be me, and there was really nice stuff, too. So I bought some!



Here we have 3 skeins of apple green Baby Alpaca Brush by Plymouth, 3 balls of Feza Tango in black, and one great big (400 yard) skein of Schaefer Yarns Laurel, in the Emily Dickinson colorway. It's 100% cotton. I have no idea what I'll do with it, but I loved both the name of the colorway and the actual colorway itself, so I had to buy it. Really, I have no idea what I'll do with any of this yarn, although my friend, who I made these for and who I dragged out to Scottsdale with me, fell in love with a triangular garter-stitch shawl they had knit up out of the Tango, so that may be its fate.

There was another yarn shop in Scottsdale called Jessica Knits, but it was farther off the beaten path, so we didn't make it there.

In addition to buying yarn, I've done a little knitting, too. I worked on both the second sock and the shawl during a couple plenaries. Although I've seen knitters at MLA before, they seemed to be everywhere this meeting - during one plenary, there was one in row behind me and one just in front of me! I also had loads of quiet time to turn the heel last night during my 4 hour lay-over in El Paso. It was only supposed to be an hour, but delays meant that, instead of taking off at 8:25 p.m., we left at about 11:30. I got all the way home around 2:45 this morning. My poor sister, who had planned on picking me up at the airport at 10:45, came for at 1:45 instead!

Quickie

Just a little post to let you know I'm still alive. I'm in Phoenix at a conference - I'll be home late tomorrow night. I did manage to do a little stash enhancement here, at a yarn shop called Knitting in Scottsdale. Pictures later this week.

Oh, and you know the "it's a dry heat" thing? Well, remember that the inside of your oven is also dry heat, but you don't live in there!

Cat Blogging

It's been a while since I posted any cat photos, so here ya go -- a picture of Harley, the 'big girl' kitty.



You can't tell it from this over-exposed picture, but her left front paw is tan, which I find absolutely adorable! In fact, it was that paw that convinced me that I had to adopt her, back when she was a scrawny, almost-feral, living-in-a-parking-lot kitty.

I usually post pictures of Simon because he's so friendly. Harley, on the other hand, is shy and, for some reason, scared of the camera. Here's what most of my pictures of her look like.

Knitting and Frogging

Or maybe that should be "frogging and knitting." Here's the (blurry) re-beginning of the Seraphim Shawl.

I was about 2/3 of the way through the first section, but so many of the yarn-overs looked sloppy, and a couple of them were really hideous, beyond what I could hope to fix in blocking. So this morning, aided by a fit of PMS, I frogged the whole thing.

And here's the first Sixth Sense Sock and the cuff (the hardest part) of the second. This will be my knitting next week during my Phoenix trip -- although I think I'll probably take the shawl, too. Colorwise, this is probably the best depiction of this pretty Koigu that I've managed.









And, finally, my latest project:

You may be thinking, "Oh, my god! What is it???" It's going to be the felted laptop sleeve from IK (and from AlterKnits). It's Lamb's Pride, in Lotus (bright) pink, RPM (light) pink, and Purple. These colors are off; however, even if they were "on," it would still be mighty bright. The felting should tone it down a bit, and besides, I love the idea of a pink and purple laptop sleeve! I'm really looking forward to finishing this, but won't take it to the conference next week - it's a little bulky to drag around, plus the unfelted colors might shock some of my colleagues!

Look what I got!

Yes, it's a Mother's Day card from the cats! It was signed by my cat Harley, my sister's cat Schuster, and, of course, the infamous Simon, who my sister and I share.

I'm pretty sure that they talked my sister into mailing it -- and addressing the envelope, of course. None of them write very well!

Yarny Goodness

While some of you go to exotic places like MdS&W, NHS&W, and even Shepherd's Harvest S&W, I went to Oklahoma City. No, no fiber festival there (at least not this week). Sometimes life just takes you places and this week it was OKC. However, I did have enough time for a brief yarn crawl. (No pictures of the actual yarn crawl -- I didn't even think about taking my camera!)

Oklahoma City has two yarn shops, twice as many as San Antonio, which is more than twice as big with only one LYS. Both are apparently fairly new, but I'd be happy to have either of them as my LYS. I think I liked the yarn selection more at Carol's Knitting (no website?), but Gourmet Yarn Co. had a wonderful pair of couches where you can sit and stitch. Gourmet Yarn Co. also seems to have more 'accessories,' although it may only seem that way because by the time I got to Carol's I didn't need more accessories!

After consulting both Mapquest and a real map, I went to Gourmet Yarn Co., on the north side of OKC, first. There, I bought accessories: Kookaburra wool wash, circular needle tags, and a Knit Sticks Sack for dpns. (The Eucalan was bought at Carol's, later in the day. Why two wool washes? Because you CAN'T buy either one at my LYS!)

After a quick stop at Penn Square Mall, I made my way to Carol's Knitting, on the south side of town. Carol's had a really great selection of yarns, although I definitely had to control myself. She doesn't take credit cards!

From the right, you see one skein of Opal Petticoat sock yarn (farbe/color 1290), two skeins of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Lucky Stripe, and 4 skeins of Lamb's Pride worsted -- two pink and two purple. I can buy Lamb's Pride worsted at my LYS, but Carol's had more colors. Unfortunately, I want to make the felted laptop bag from the Fall 2005 IK, so I need two more skeins. Fortunately, I need those two skeins in a third (undetermined) color, so I'll be picking that up Saturday afternoon.

In knitting progress, I finished the first Sixth Sense Sock and will be casting on for the second tonight. I'm also making nice progress on the Seraphim Shawl -- I'm a little more than half done with the stockinette section.

Secret Pal 8 Questionnaire

Possibly more than you really want to know about me.....

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Merino, alpaca, mohair – anything wooly. Cotton is okay, but I like the stretch in wool. I’m pretty anti-acrylic, although I’ve used an acrylic blend recently for a baby sweater.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have a nice needle roll made by my mom for my straights, but I need to find something better for my dpns and circs.

3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I’ve been knitting for a little over two years this time, although I first learned as a child. I’d say I’m somewhere between beginner and intermediate.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Amazon and WishCentral

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
I love vanilla-based scents and in the summer, I like citrus-y scents, too. At the moment, I really like orange/tangerine.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Chocolate!!! (any kind, and I think I may be addicted to peanut M&Ms)

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
No, I don’t spin and I don’t really want to learn. I have enough hobbies – I also scrapbook and stamp. I know how to crochet, although I haven’t done much in quite a while. And I used to cross-stitch a lot, and at one time knew how to tat. On the non-crafty side, I also work on my family history,

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Because I am old, my favorite music is 70s rock, but I really like almost everything, except maybe rap (although some hip-hop is okay). And I have an iPod.

9. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
I love pinks and reds and everything in between. There aren’t really any colors I hate, although in general, browns and earth tones aren’t high on my list (although I do like greens).

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Single with two kitties.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
No ponchos, but I like shawls, scarves, hats, and mittens, despite the fact that I live in South Texas.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Right now I’m into socks.

13. What are you knitting right now?
Well – socks! And a Seraphim shawl.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Of course!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Circs, I guess, although sometimes I feel like I just have to knit with straights. Mostly I use bamboo, although I have a one set of rosewood dpns that I love and a set of Denises I use regularly.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Yes to both.

17. How did you learn to knit?
Grandma taught me to both knit and crochet as a child. At the time, crocheting “took” and knitting did not. About two and a half years ago, my sister decided she wanted to learn to knit, so we took lessons at our LYS.

18. How old is your oldest UFO?
I have a cable shawl in mohair that I’ve been working on for about a year and a half. It’s very pretty, but awfully warm to work on during all but the coldest months.

19. What is your favorite holiday?
I guess I’ll be boring and say Christmas, but I do really love the decorating and the presents and the cards and the seeing of family and everything else about it.

20. Is there anything that you collect?
Old or unusual cake stands and “Pink Daisy” pyrexware. I used to collect teapots and still have a soft spot for them.

21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
The only subscription I have is to IK. I’m always jealous of knitters with good LYSes that carry those “exotic” yarns, like Lorna’s Laces and Koigu. There’s lots of sock yarns out there I’d like to try.

22. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I have really bad knitting form – I just sort of grasp the yarn in my right hand and toss it around. I’d like to improve my form, but that may be impossible. Ideally, I'd like to learn to knit Continental, since it looks so elegant.

I'm also a beginner at lace knitting, and at the moment am enthralled with it.

23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes. I wear a woman’s size 9 shoe. My foot is about 9 1/2 inches long, and I have a rather high arch and, a, ummmm, sturdy ankle.

24. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
July 30.