The automated Dark Side

OK it's official. By Monday I will be the proud owner of a knitting machine. I am either going to buy one used from (KnitKing- that just sounds cheesy) or order one from Newton's Knits. Evidently the cheesy one is supposed to be a quality one. I'm not getting one to start knocking out sweaters. I only want one for all of my felting pursuits. Really.

New obsession project

It's going to get cold here soon. I need to make a gloves. Not just any gloves. I want something soft.. maybe cashmere but then again, probably not practical to have on my hands... but ooooo. So I am on a yarn hunt and a cute pattern. I dont want something bulky. Something slinky and fun...

Impulse web buying

I get the Interweave Knits and I see an ad for Kim Hargreaves. Ofcourse I think ooo foreign country must buy something from there... so soon I should be receiving...

2 scarfs and a jaunty beret. I can't believe I bought the beret as I know I think I will look goofy once I have it on, however, I have been obsessing over having a beret.


I justified the other kits because the one has small beading


and the other, I wouldn't be able to buy all the colors that I would need for it unless it was a kit.

Lost in the Library

OK, so I am not lost, but I wanted a pithy title. I am in one of the study booths which I actually kind of like in a Don Corleone Godfather kind of way. I am going to be here until 11:15 or so when the husband comes by and picks me up. This is my way of forcing me to study. As you can tell, it is less effective than when I first conceived the plan. But it’s not entirely my fault. I am supposed to be reading the Homer Hymns. OI!! Word after word line after line page after page of I love you Zuess for this I love you for that. I have to suck it up and start reading soon as I have to take a quiz on it by Sat.

I am also catching a cold. You know when you are at the point where you are just mildly uncomfortable, but you know you are going to wake up the next day feeling like shit? I am hoping that shot of “IMMUNITY” boost I had in my Jamba Juice will cure me in the next hour or so.

Secret Pal 6 Questionaire

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?
Yes, I am a yarn snob. Unless I am practicing a technique, I generally like to work with nice fibers. I dont mind mixtures for ease of care, but if I can't get it in a LYS, I generally don't like to use it.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I'm still dabbling in spinning, but I have been crocheting since I was 9.

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
NOPE!

4. How long have you been knitting?
For about 7 years.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
I wish I was that organized!

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
I like sweet warm smells, but I also like verbena. My favorite perfume is Index's Fig Apricot (for a scent pic of me)

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
YES! Chocolate, but pure chocolate... no mixing nuts or fruit... that just takes away space from more chocolate.

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
I'm not very crafty, so I try to stick to what I am good at it... I hope... but knitting and crocheting.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I like alternative, jazz and big band types of things.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
Greens and burgandies look best on me, but favorite pallatte is sea colors (carribean not N.England). Actually my new set of favorite colors and ones that I think will do better for me (ie OK for me to wear) are chocolate browns with the coordinating pinks. Like rich candy boxes.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
It's me, the husband, a dog, cat, ferret, and iguana

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
to be free enough to travel wherever I want and buy all the fiber I desire

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
I like Touch Me (working on a hat with it) would love to do a scarf or shawl with it, but it would have to be the perfect pattern since it is so expensive. I like cotton yarns. I like the smoothness of it. I also like chenilles and hand dyed stuff.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
scratchy stuff...

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?Color on Color scarf from Scarf Style. I wish elves would come by and finish it since I am so over working on it. Also, I have really been getting into felting (including needle felting) and shibori

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I dont have a favorite. I try to switch around.

17. What are you knitting right now?
Besides what the project on hold in question 15, I am crocheting a hat from Touch Me

18. What do you think about ponchos?
The fad is over, and they do nothing for peoples bodies.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
Circular

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I love my Denise's. I also like anything I can knit fast with (Bamboo is way to slow for me)

21. Are you a sock knitter?
YES!

22. How did you learn to knit?
From Barbara Walker's Afghan Square Book. One square/skill at a time.

23. How old is your oldest UFO?
See question 22.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
I like anything bulldog related.

25. What is your favorite holiday?
Does my birthday count? I like my half birthday, because it's a fun unexpected time to get a gift... ok enough about me, I like Christmas too... I guess you can figure out why.

26. Is there anything that you collect?
nope

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
Interweave, Vogue

28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?
Sooo many Under Cover, anything Nicki Epstein (except on the Edge 1, Embellishments, or Barbi), a Shibori book, actually I keep almost buying those Knitter's Edge afghan books. I have the AMerican and the kids one, but I would love the Aran and the North American one.

29. Any patterns you have been coveting, but haven't bought for one reason or another??
I am looking for a pattern to make a similar to the one Zooey Daschanel wears at the end of ELF, when she is leading everyone in Santa Claus is Coming to Down. I would love to make a hat like that!