skrillaknits (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} skrillaknits) wrote,@ 2005-05-23 12:59:00 |
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Secret Pal 5 is starting soon! We all have to fill out surveys so that when the parcels arrive we're all happy. This sort of gift giving is great, I find it really hard to buy gifts for people and love having a little help. Since I love to talk about knitting, I was really thorough, I hope this doesn't scare my pal ; )
1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?
I like a bargain, and I don't think it's wise to knit in super luxury fibers. I'd say Brown Sheep is my staple brand, it's high quality and all natural and affordable enough to not cause anxiety while I'm wearing it. My splurge yarns are Noro, Jo Sharp, Manos...I do love those =) I have high hopes for Knitpicks yarn, but I haven't tried them yet.
2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I don't spin yet, and I have basic crochet skills. Right now I do a lot of crochet edgings and I'm hoping to put my 200 Crochet Blocks book to good use and make a big blanket.
3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
None of those.
4. How long have you been knitting?
Since I was a child. I had a long break for adolecence, though. I'd say I learned around 7 and picked it up again in high school, but the latter half of college is when it really took hold.
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
I just threw one together, I'll email it to my pal if they want it.
6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
I tend toward the vanilla/foodie ones. I also like clean/citrus/herbal ones. Nothing too berry or floral.
7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
Heh...uhh, yes. A lot. If I end up with a secret buddy in Germany, I would LOVE some authentic gummis. Specially Haribo Cola Krachers, these things are like crack to me. Other than that, I've been trying to cut down, but I can make an exception for gift candy I guess. I'm not too huge on chocolate, but I like it best when paired with MINT!
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
I really prefer knitting over almost everything. I like to cook and I do a little bit of beading but nothing fancy.
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Yes. I like mostly music of the indie rock variety. Bjork, Mates of State, Rilo Kiley, Mirah, Bloc Party, Death Cab for Cutie, The Killers, etc. Anything that would show up on a Wes Anderson soundtrack, including The Rolling Stones, Cat Stevens, David Bowie, Nico, AND anything sung in Portuguese. I also LOVE Indian music, especially bhangra and Bollywood soundtracks. I also like somewhat vanilla stuff like John Hiatt and stuff that could be heard during sappy moments of WB family dramas, or some uplifting girl power movie.
10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
I find it really hard to pick a favorite color because each of them has so many variations. Generally I stick with earthy colors, I just love olive green, brown, rusty oranges, etc. But I also love reds, anything from dusty pink to deep wine. And green---green and I are like two 10th graders with their braces stuck together. If you look at my version of Glampyre's Minisweater, which I made out of green scraps I have, you'll see the level of the obsession.
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I am shacking up post-graduation with a grown-up Boy Scout and we'd really love a cat or two but our landlords disagree.
12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
I'm really hoping to be an academic in the field of cultural studies. Learning about personal finance is an ongoing pursuit of mine. I'd like a family but I don't see that in the near future. I just want to be happy and healthy. I've lived abroad and want to explore even more of the world, especially India, Japan, Canada, Iceland, Austria, Norway, Sweden, etc...
13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
I have loved blends of wool, silk, microfiber and/or cashmere, in any order or amount. I love merino, and just plain old wool. I totally love Jo Sharp Silkroad Tweeds, DK or Aran. They're beautiful and produce a really natural, slightly slubby, soft and springy fabric. Holy alliteration, Batman. I love most tweeds, and this one is tops in my book. I totally adore anything that has a little bit of silk in it--like Noro Cash Iroha. The subdued shine of silk is a thing of beauty.
14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I don't care for most novelty yarns. They're too busy, I think they obscure the beauty of the knit stitch. I've touched very soft synthetics, so I can't say I hate those. I get a little irritated when working with Lopi or something really heavy/scratchy. Beyond that, I just like things that are beautiful AND hard-wearing. I may like angora, cashmere, alpaca, etc. but you won't see me knitting with those too often. I like luxury I can take to the grocery store like the 15% mohair in Brown Sheep.
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
As far as design, I like simple classic shapes. I like wit, like puffed sleeves or high collars, anything that looks like it's taken from another era. I love the mini-sweaters and shrugs, I think they're flattering and very unique. I'm getting into lace details, developing my sock skills and this winter I hope to delve into fair isle. This is dorky and Virgo of me, but I'm also concerned with my technique. I've been sloppy in the past and invented methods for doing things, but I'd like to learn the 'proper' ways, and also slow down so that my finished products are nicer.
16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
It used to be scarves, but I have way too many and imposed a casual ban on knitting those. I like making garments, and I'm liking the minisweater/shrug craze a lot. I don't usually like knitting 'crazes' but I have alway loved abbreviated pieces like that. Beyond that, I like sweaters and socks.
17. What are you knitting right now? On the needles: Under the Hoodie from Stitch and Bitch that I've been working on FOREVER, Branching Out lace scarf from Knitty and a pair of Regia socks. Coming up next is a felted bag, maybe a Teva Durham tank, a Weasley sweater, a self-designed cardigan...and on and on! I knit too many things at once!
18. What do you think about ponchos?
In the words of an old Molly Shannon SNL character, "Do NOT get me STARTED". If that's too vauge...I don't like them.
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
It all depends. Usually circular, but sometimes I don't mind straights, in fact sometimes I kind of crave it, if the project seems to like them.
20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I thought bamboo was where it was at...until I tried Addis. I thought they looked cold and robotic at first, but they really do increase speed. I was knitting up a camisole on some bamboos recently and everything was sticking. I stopped by Northampton Wools (one of my LYSs) and told the lady about my recent Addi ephiphany and the sticking nonsense. She said that once you reach a certain level, bamboo holds you back and you're going to need metal. I still think it depends on the yarn, Brown Sheep just begs to be knit on bamboo or wood, in my opinion.
21. Are you a sock knitter?
Yes! I recently learned and I love love love all the Regia and Regia-type yarns. I would love to learn new methods.
22. How did you learn to knit?
My grandmother taught the basics, but the rest was all me and my library card.
23. How old is your oldest UFO?
I started and Under the Hoodie in September of last year and haven't finished it yet, but I've very close!
24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
I love monkeys of all sorts. And pug dogs. And uh...Meatwad from Aquateen Hunger Force. And the mean Power Puff Girl who dresses in green.
25. What is your favorite holiday?
I really like Thanksgiving. I love autumn, I love food and ever since I entered cultural studies, I've found Thanksgiving to be one holiday that isn't riddled with consumer obligation, or religious overtones. I know religion is there, and that there are doubts about how brotherly our ancestors really were, but today I like that it's just about enjoying conversation and food.
26. Is there anything that you collect?
You mean besides yarn? Not really, I am always trying to pare down the level of stuff I own and collecting seems to be counter-intuitive. But I guess tea? I like to keep a wide variety in the cupboard because I often use tea to relax, settle stomachs, headaches, cold symptoms, etc. It's my all-purpose medicine!
27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
None, but I usually get them at the newsstand. Usually Interweave Knits, Vogue Knitting and Vogue K1. Sometimes I get Family Circle Easy Knitting.
28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?
Anything Elizabeth Zimmerman! This Noro book. The Tweed Collection by Debbie Bliss, Vintage Style from Rowan, really anything from Rowan. Back issues of Rebecca.
Here are two more finished knits. These were finished and photographed awhile ago, but with the graduation and moving duties, I haven't had a chance to post until now. I give you, My Dinorific Minisweater:
I totally love this knit, Glampyre rules. It's the funniest looking thing I've ever knit and kind of my favorite. I love all of these green yarns and now they're together forever! I did do the spikes, but only on the neck and they need a blocking to be more pointed. I did a crochet edge on the sleeves to make a teensy ruffle. I love crochet edges!
This is Simply Marilyn from Interweave, they've made the pattern free on their website since it was so popular. It was supposed to be in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Superchunky...softest yarn on Earth. I did it in a Norweigan wool from elann.com, Gjestal Naturgarn. It's light but kind of scratchy...I think this will be a house sweater, because a large bulky sweater worn off the shoulder just looks kind of funny outside the pages of artfully styled knitting magazine. I should've listened to Maggie Rhigetti and Elizabeth Zimmerman, they both tell us to not be swayed by stuff like lilacs, puppies and soft focus lenses!
The contrast is really high because the cables weren't showing up.
The wool is so stiff that Eric observed that when the collar is up I look like Bjork in her 'Who Is It?' video.
Lastly, this is my Branching Out scarf from Knitty (can't really see the leafy lace) and two balls of German yarn that I picked up for a few dollars at Webs, turquoise and chocolate brown. The label says, auf Deutsch, "The volume, without the weight". I have three in each color I'm hoping I can make a striped funnel neck tank out of it. I don't know why, but I love leaf patterns in cables, fair isle and lace. Maybe it's fitting since I'm also obsessed with green...
That's all for now kids! I start at Webs tomorrow, woot!
Over and out,
CR
CR
1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?
I like a bargain, and I don't think it's wise to knit in super luxury fibers. I'd say Brown Sheep is my staple brand, it's high quality and all natural and affordable enough to not cause anxiety while I'm wearing it. My splurge yarns are Noro, Jo Sharp, Manos...I do love those =) I have high hopes for Knitpicks yarn, but I haven't tried them yet.
2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I don't spin yet, and I have basic crochet skills. Right now I do a lot of crochet edgings and I'm hoping to put my 200 Crochet Blocks book to good use and make a big blanket.
3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
None of those.
4. How long have you been knitting?
Since I was a child. I had a long break for adolecence, though. I'd say I learned around 7 and picked it up again in high school, but the latter half of college is when it really took hold.
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
I just threw one together, I'll email it to my pal if they want it.
6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
I tend toward the vanilla/foodie ones. I also like clean/citrus/herbal ones. Nothing too berry or floral.
7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
Heh...uhh, yes. A lot. If I end up with a secret buddy in Germany, I would LOVE some authentic gummis. Specially Haribo Cola Krachers, these things are like crack to me. Other than that, I've been trying to cut down, but I can make an exception for gift candy I guess. I'm not too huge on chocolate, but I like it best when paired with MINT!
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
I really prefer knitting over almost everything. I like to cook and I do a little bit of beading but nothing fancy.
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Yes. I like mostly music of the indie rock variety. Bjork, Mates of State, Rilo Kiley, Mirah, Bloc Party, Death Cab for Cutie, The Killers, etc. Anything that would show up on a Wes Anderson soundtrack, including The Rolling Stones, Cat Stevens, David Bowie, Nico, AND anything sung in Portuguese. I also LOVE Indian music, especially bhangra and Bollywood soundtracks. I also like somewhat vanilla stuff like John Hiatt and stuff that could be heard during sappy moments of WB family dramas, or some uplifting girl power movie.
10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
I find it really hard to pick a favorite color because each of them has so many variations. Generally I stick with earthy colors, I just love olive green, brown, rusty oranges, etc. But I also love reds, anything from dusty pink to deep wine. And green---green and I are like two 10th graders with their braces stuck together. If you look at my version of Glampyre's Minisweater, which I made out of green scraps I have, you'll see the level of the obsession.
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I am shacking up post-graduation with a grown-up Boy Scout and we'd really love a cat or two but our landlords disagree.
12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
I'm really hoping to be an academic in the field of cultural studies. Learning about personal finance is an ongoing pursuit of mine. I'd like a family but I don't see that in the near future. I just want to be happy and healthy. I've lived abroad and want to explore even more of the world, especially India, Japan, Canada, Iceland, Austria, Norway, Sweden, etc...
13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
I have loved blends of wool, silk, microfiber and/or cashmere, in any order or amount. I love merino, and just plain old wool. I totally love Jo Sharp Silkroad Tweeds, DK or Aran. They're beautiful and produce a really natural, slightly slubby, soft and springy fabric. Holy alliteration, Batman. I love most tweeds, and this one is tops in my book. I totally adore anything that has a little bit of silk in it--like Noro Cash Iroha. The subdued shine of silk is a thing of beauty.
14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I don't care for most novelty yarns. They're too busy, I think they obscure the beauty of the knit stitch. I've touched very soft synthetics, so I can't say I hate those. I get a little irritated when working with Lopi or something really heavy/scratchy. Beyond that, I just like things that are beautiful AND hard-wearing. I may like angora, cashmere, alpaca, etc. but you won't see me knitting with those too often. I like luxury I can take to the grocery store like the 15% mohair in Brown Sheep.
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
As far as design, I like simple classic shapes. I like wit, like puffed sleeves or high collars, anything that looks like it's taken from another era. I love the mini-sweaters and shrugs, I think they're flattering and very unique. I'm getting into lace details, developing my sock skills and this winter I hope to delve into fair isle. This is dorky and Virgo of me, but I'm also concerned with my technique. I've been sloppy in the past and invented methods for doing things, but I'd like to learn the 'proper' ways, and also slow down so that my finished products are nicer.
16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
It used to be scarves, but I have way too many and imposed a casual ban on knitting those. I like making garments, and I'm liking the minisweater/shrug craze a lot. I don't usually like knitting 'crazes' but I have alway loved abbreviated pieces like that. Beyond that, I like sweaters and socks.
17. What are you knitting right now? On the needles: Under the Hoodie from Stitch and Bitch that I've been working on FOREVER, Branching Out lace scarf from Knitty and a pair of Regia socks. Coming up next is a felted bag, maybe a Teva Durham tank, a Weasley sweater, a self-designed cardigan...and on and on! I knit too many things at once!
18. What do you think about ponchos?
In the words of an old Molly Shannon SNL character, "Do NOT get me STARTED". If that's too vauge...I don't like them.
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
It all depends. Usually circular, but sometimes I don't mind straights, in fact sometimes I kind of crave it, if the project seems to like them.
20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I thought bamboo was where it was at...until I tried Addis. I thought they looked cold and robotic at first, but they really do increase speed. I was knitting up a camisole on some bamboos recently and everything was sticking. I stopped by Northampton Wools (one of my LYSs) and told the lady about my recent Addi ephiphany and the sticking nonsense. She said that once you reach a certain level, bamboo holds you back and you're going to need metal. I still think it depends on the yarn, Brown Sheep just begs to be knit on bamboo or wood, in my opinion.
21. Are you a sock knitter?
Yes! I recently learned and I love love love all the Regia and Regia-type yarns. I would love to learn new methods.
22. How did you learn to knit?
My grandmother taught the basics, but the rest was all me and my library card.
23. How old is your oldest UFO?
I started and Under the Hoodie in September of last year and haven't finished it yet, but I've very close!
24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
I love monkeys of all sorts. And pug dogs. And uh...Meatwad from Aquateen Hunger Force. And the mean Power Puff Girl who dresses in green.
25. What is your favorite holiday?
I really like Thanksgiving. I love autumn, I love food and ever since I entered cultural studies, I've found Thanksgiving to be one holiday that isn't riddled with consumer obligation, or religious overtones. I know religion is there, and that there are doubts about how brotherly our ancestors really were, but today I like that it's just about enjoying conversation and food.
26. Is there anything that you collect?
You mean besides yarn? Not really, I am always trying to pare down the level of stuff I own and collecting seems to be counter-intuitive. But I guess tea? I like to keep a wide variety in the cupboard because I often use tea to relax, settle stomachs, headaches, cold symptoms, etc. It's my all-purpose medicine!
27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
None, but I usually get them at the newsstand. Usually Interweave Knits, Vogue Knitting and Vogue K1. Sometimes I get Family Circle Easy Knitting.
28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?
Anything Elizabeth Zimmerman! This Noro book. The Tweed Collection by Debbie Bliss, Vintage Style from Rowan, really anything from Rowan. Back issues of Rebecca.
Here are two more finished knits. These were finished and photographed awhile ago, but with the graduation and moving duties, I haven't had a chance to post until now. I give you, My Dinorific Minisweater:
I totally love this knit, Glampyre rules. It's the funniest looking thing I've ever knit and kind of my favorite. I love all of these green yarns and now they're together forever! I did do the spikes, but only on the neck and they need a blocking to be more pointed. I did a crochet edge on the sleeves to make a teensy ruffle. I love crochet edges!
This is Simply Marilyn from Interweave, they've made the pattern free on their website since it was so popular. It was supposed to be in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Superchunky...softest yarn on Earth. I did it in a Norweigan wool from elann.com, Gjestal Naturgarn. It's light but kind of scratchy...I think this will be a house sweater, because a large bulky sweater worn off the shoulder just looks kind of funny outside the pages of artfully styled knitting magazine. I should've listened to Maggie Rhigetti and Elizabeth Zimmerman, they both tell us to not be swayed by stuff like lilacs, puppies and soft focus lenses!
The contrast is really high because the cables weren't showing up.
The wool is so stiff that Eric observed that when the collar is up I look like Bjork in her 'Who Is It?' video.
Lastly, this is my Branching Out scarf from Knitty (can't really see the leafy lace) and two balls of German yarn that I picked up for a few dollars at Webs, turquoise and chocolate brown. The label says, auf Deutsch, "The volume, without the weight". I have three in each color I'm hoping I can make a striped funnel neck tank out of it. I don't know why, but I love leaf patterns in cables, fair isle and lace. Maybe it's fitting since I'm also obsessed with green...
That's all for now kids! I start at Webs tomorrow, woot!
Over and out,
CR
CR
