Sock-ret Pal Questionnaire

The basics:
How long have you been knitting? Just over a year and a half.
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’m an intermediate sock knitter moving up quickly.

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 wear size 6 to 6 ½ US.

(fiber related) Favorites:
What colors do you love? I love fall colors and muted tones.
Do you prefer solids or variegated? I like stripe patterns, heathered, marled, or solids.
What fibers do you most love to knit with? I love knitting alpaca, it’s so soft!
Who do you consider your favorite yarn vendors? I like Claudia Handpaint, Lorna’s Laces and Art yarns for socks. I also like Step (the jojoba yarn) and Misti Alpaca.
What projects (other than socks, of course*S*) do you most enjoy knitting? I like to knit hats, scarves, wrist warmers and other accessories.

(fiber related) Dislikes:
What fibers can you not stand to knit with? I don’t care for scratchy Icelandic wool, or squeaky Acrylic. To wear? The same, plus too much fun fur.
What colors would you never wear? Neon anything, lime green, not many oranges, bright Christmas red.

The Tools:
Plastic or Metal? Bamboo or wood? Metal or wood.
Circs or Straights? Straights for scarves and circs for everything else.
DPNs or Magic Loop? Both!
Are there any knitting accessories you don't have in your collection but would like? There is this yarn tension thing that goes on your pinky from cro-knit(?) that I saw in the Patternworks catalog and no where else.

The Extras:
Do you have a wish list? Only in my head. Check back in a few days and I’ll try to have it posted. If so, please share the link!
Do you like sweet, sour or salty? (or all of the above? *S*) Everything in moderation, but I tend toward salty.
Do you have any allergies your pal should know about? (Certain foods, smoke, pet hair, etc) I don’t have allergies, but I prefer no smoking.
Favorite scents? Lavender, spiced fruits, citrus. Scents you can't stand? Musk, powdery florals.
Do you collect anything (other than yarn and knitting toys of course)? I used to collect elephants (not real ones), now I have a small Peter Pan/Tinkerbell collection.
When is your birthday? (month and day is fine!) December 15th
Do you spin? Not yet. Dye your own yarn? Not yet.
Your favorite author/band/vacation spot, anything you think will help your pal know you better...
I don’t have a favorite author, but I really like the Lucia series by E.F. Benson, my favorite band is U2, and my favorite vacation spots are anywhere on the Pacific Ocean coast or France.

No, my computer didn't crash

So much has happened since my last entry. I went to Utah (by car) to see my brand-spankin'-new nephew. The trip was long and as I was driving, no knitting was done except for a few stitches here and there when I stopped to gas up. I really miss my sister and would love to be closer to her, but I'm not sure I want to leave California. I needed a couple of days to recover once I returned, so hardly any knitting and no blogging for me.

Once I did feel like myself again, I became obsessed with finishing a new felted bag. The Striped Tote from One Skein. I made mine from Cascade 220 for the bottom and Noro Kuryon for the stripes. It still needs to be felted but the knitting is done!

I've also been working on a cabled tam, but the pattern was written for flat knitting (I'm trying to do it in the round) and it's not in American English so it's more difficult than I expected and takes lots of concentration. I have three lace shawls in progress...Leaf Lace, Flower Basket, and Meadow Flowers, and two pairs of socks I'm trying to finish.

Meanwhile, I'm organizing an outing for my book club. We will be going to the coast to discuss this months selection Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindburgh. I like to have a little background on the author and additional related material to move the discussion along so this means research and less time for knitting.

I also like to make cards and attended a workshop for new stamping techniques. Plus a friend invited me to her house to work on our scrapbooking last week. What with all that and wanting to knit as well (not to mention I work full-time) I chose not to blog. So, Courtney, this blogs for you.