The newest contest...

List your favorite:
Actor - James Marsters
Actress - My Daughter, Crocodile tears and all. Jodie Foster
Animal - Owl
Band - Styx
Book - Ones with pictures. But seriously, Stranger In A Strange Land
Bubble Bath - With what time? Ok, Epsom Salts and vanilla oil.
Candy - Caramel or birch mints, the pink ones.
Color - Hmm, Neutral right now. Black and dark browns.
Flower - Iris or morning glory
Food - Rice with butter and salt.
Lip Balm - Berry Blistex
Lotion -Coaco Butter
Movie - Hehe, Breakfast club, Labyrinth, Legend, Others that would be a bit too telling if you haven't met me.
Song - Spam,spam, spam and eggs.
TV Show - Farscape right now
Vacation Spot - Anywhere but my house?

Sort of a picture of me....(=

Today's topic.

The difference between Knit and Crochet to me.
I tend to crochet much more than I knit because of the instant gratification factor. While the texture that a knit can provide is pleasing, the ease with which I can work with a hook keeps me calmer. I don't do counting very well and rows tend to escape me so the simple things I make are never the same twice. I can follow a knitting pattern and can even knit lace, but I generally only knit under duress. I will start a project and have to stop to crochet several times befor I have finished. I have made several scarves for people and was stressed while doing so. The only thing I have found that I enjoy knitting are hats....Because they are done in the round and can be made to fit....So I can stop whenever I want and say it's a cap. (= My favorite way to knit a hat hac been a bit of a surprise though. I start with my straight needles and do a few rows of double knit which creates a pouch shape, then I switch it over to eithe my DPN's or circulars. This gives me leave to make it as long or as short as I like and I don't have to finish a seam at all.
So, in short, if you want a hat knit let me know. Anything else will have to wait for a really wild hair.

SP11 Questions

For those that might be curious, and for the SP11 group. And if you have *ANY* other questions, feel free to ask though I reserve the right to not answer or to answer in either a sarcastic or extremely vague way. (=

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I am texture conscious. I love smooth cottons and fluffy boucle. The fiber content is not so much an issue just as long as it isn't rough texture or one of those acrylics that feels crunchy or greasy.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I use a bag that I made and lined with felt for my hooks and I have a toiletries travel bag that I store most of my needles in. I have my DP N's and my short needles in another bag that I made.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
Knitting has been about 4 years and I would classify myself as intermediate. I know how to use a cable needle but I'm not up to intarsia (yet). Crochet on the other hand, I have been doing for approximately 15 years and I can read and understand most any pattern, which doesn't mean I can make them. I am mainly freestyle or patterns in my head. The largest thing I have made is a shawl.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other on line wish list?
Yes and I will put up a link to it and tag it appropriately.
5. What's your favorite scent?
Amber resin
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
More of a savory. Peanut butter cups, Peppermint Patties, Caramel and Coffee flavored candies.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
Um. better to ask what I *don't* do but here goes. Just about anything relating to paper though I haven't yet made any of my own yet, if you want specifics please ask. Jewelry making (earrings, necklaces and bracelets made with glass and stone beads) and repair. Polymer clay beads, sculpture and covering things to make them look pretty. Sewing , both new things and repair of old. Cooking.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
80's, dance, "classic" rock, Musicals, Jazz ..... Ok, how about just saying ... Not country or rap please. Just about anything else I would be happy to listen to at least once. Yes my computer is my stereo and video center. This way I can watch something besides Disney rated shows.
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
Jewel tones. I don't like neons or pink. I adore Variegated yarns and can even enjoy pink in them, just not on it's own.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Married with a daughter. No pets at the moment.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Depending on the weather, yes. Since it does actually get cold enough for about two months out of the year here.
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Knit... Scarves, hats and pouches. Crochet... Hmmm. Favorite would have to be pouches and potholders, but I'll try anything with a hook.
13. What are you knitting right now?
Nothing on the needles right this minute but crocheting bags like mad.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes, when there is thought behind them.
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Straight, Double pointed bamboo. Short bamboo needles. Bamboo hooks. But I like them all. I even have an old (really) set of Boyle aluminum interchangeable point circulars that I adore because they came from a friend. I use them for hats and they work beautifully. Anything interesting and unusual. I would love a bamboo G though. (=
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Not yet.
17. How old is your oldest UFO?
After a couple of months I give up and frog them. Currently I have a scarf that I have been working on for two weeks but I am going to keep at it till it is finished.
18. What is your favorite holiday?
Halloween.
19. Is there anything that you collect?
Yarn (ha ha). Vintage suitcases. Buttons. Frogs, Lizards and Turtles. Craft Books. Patterns for all my fiber related crafts.
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I would like to try a hardwood hook. I would like to try real wool yarn that has a label and I am not just guessing at the contents. Books.... I have a passion for OLD pattern books. the older the better but some of the ones from the 60's and 70's can be a riot. I always pick up new ideas. I have a wish list for newer books. I do not have any magazine subscriptions.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
As many as I can. I can use any information that will help me try new things or get better at things I already know.
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Not at this time. I am working on crocheting socks and slippers. Size 8 1/2 wide .... Shoe size, I'll measure later
23. When is your birthday?
April 8th
24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
nope.... not sure about it yet.

Oh, a-traveling we will go.

I am getting on a plane for the first time in at least 10 years. I am taking my hooks and I will be making things just to keep my hands busy. This will also be my daughters first flight ever....Hoooray for gameboy and many little things that are going in her backpack. We (the Family) are going to Conn. for a week and we get to wake up at 3am tomorrow morning in order to make it to the airport in time to *check luggage* and get to the proper gate at the proper time. I got happy news which will help keep me on a more even keel, I was accepted to the Secret Pal group. YAY. I will hopefully have acess to the net while I am away and might be able to make a few more posts today for your reading enjoyment. I haven't left yet and I already want to come home.(=

To begin

At the beggining. I have just decided to try to share some of my craft insanity and I have found that this is the place to do it. I have no pictures to post at this time but I probably will at some other time.
The project currently being obsessed over is a pair if fingerless mitts. I have almost finished them and then I can go back to the "leftovers" shawl I have been working on. Oh, I should probably mention that I am DEEPLY immersed in crochet right now but that I do dozens of different crafts. Sometimes I do them all at once which is when My hunny takes the bat out and threatens to whack me....Kidding. But It does get a bit wiry and I can easily forget to do things like the dishes or laundry.