Happy dance.

Wheeeeee. New books in the mail today. Crochet stitch bible and The crochet answer book. Happy fingers. New pattern stitches to try and diagrams and oh, so much more. On another note....I entered an even dozen things into the county fair yesterday. Hope I don't bomb. (=

Stash pictures for SP11 contest

Drawer 1 is my cotton. Mostly for when I go really nuts and decide to crochet lace. (=

Drawer 2 is all the other yarn. Really, all of it. Ok all the balls at least.


Drawer three is all the stuff still in skein.

And yes, cotton aside, there is only one skein of wool among the acrylics. The only other wool is being made into a hat and is in my desk drawer. That being where I work most often.
I really miss that camera.

Amazon wishing.

Things I have done or want to do.

If it is Bold, I have done it. Italic, I want to try it. Underlined, I have no Idea but maybe. Left plain, I don't think so.

Afghan
I-cord
Garter stitch
Knitting with metal wire
Shawl
Stockinette stitch
Socks: top-down
Socks: toe-up
Knitting with camel yarn
Mittens:
Cuff-up Mittens:
Tip-down Hat
Knitting with silk
Moebius band knitting
Participating in a KAL
Sweater Drop stitch patterns
Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
Slip stitch patterns
Knitting with banana fiber yarn
Domino knitting (=modular knitting)
Twisted stitch patterns
Knitting with bamboo yarn
Two end knitting
Charity knitting
Knitting with soy yarn
Cardigan
Toy/doll clothing
Knitting with circular needles
Baby items
Knitting with your own handspun
Slippers
Graffiti knitting (knitting items to be left on the street)
Continental knitting
Designing knitted garments
Cable stitch patterns
Lace patterns
Publishing a knitting book
Scarf
Teaching a child to knit
American/English knitting
Knitting to make money
Buttonholes
Knitting with alpaca
Fair Isle knitting
Norwegian knitting
Dying with plant colors
Knitting items for a wedding
Household items
Knitting socks (or other small tubular items)on two circulars
Olympic knitting
Knitting with someone else’s handspun yarn
Knitting with dpns
Holiday-related knitting
Teaching a male how to knit
Bobbles
Knitting for a living
Knitting with cotton
Knitting smocking
Dying yarn
Steeks
Knitting art
Knitting two socks on two circulars simultaneously
Fulling/felting
Knitting with wool
Textured knitting
Kitchener
BO ( I assume this means Bind Off, not stink)
Purses/bags
Knitting with beads
Swatching
Long Tail CO
Entrelac
Knitting and purling backwards
Machine knitting
Knitting with self patterning/self striping/variegating yarn
Stuffed toys
Knitting with cashmere
Darning
Jewelry
Knitting with synthetic yarn
Writing a pattern
Gloves
Intarsia
Knitting with linen
Knitting for preemies
Tubular CO
Freeform knitting
Short rows
Cuffs/fingerless mits/armwarmers
Pillows
Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine
Rug
Knitting on a loom
Thrummed knitting
Knitting a gift
Knitting for pets (cat nip toys)
Shrug/bolero/poncho
Knitting with dog/cat hair
Hair accessories
Knitting in public

And my preference is to crochet. =P

Time for pictures of FO's

Going to fix my picture sharing issues, then post them... I am learning by trial and "Oh, man, *what* did I do?

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

Uhhhh. Think I feel silly.

The hat. And more when I don't feel like such a comp illiterate goob.

Minor droolage.

I have decided that there are 2 magazines that I would like to get my hands on. One is CRAFT and the other is Interweave: Crochet. I have found that I only really knit under duress and I would love to find some crochet sock patterns so I can join ya'll in your sock-based insanity... But until then I will use the partial skeins and funky emnants of sock weight yarns I have collected for special little bags. Oh so soft and fluffy. I really will try to put up some pictures of the things I have been making to avoid working on what I am supposed to be doing. Bags, Headbands and more bags. Have a good night all.

Ya know,

One of these days I will be in a store that has a decent crafting section and I will actually buy a hook and needle gauge. I have a bunch of DPN's that I snagged from my mom and I honestly have no clue as to what sizes they are. Since for the most part I work from my head, it doesn't so much matter, but if I ever tried to write down what I did it would suck. No gauge folks, figure it out as you go.

On hook and needle.

I currently have 5 projects that I am working on. two of which are actually on needles. One is a pencil case for a teacher friend of mine. The other is a hat for hunny. He picked the yarn and the pattern so I get to attempt to make something that looks like the picture... I have three scarves in various stages of completion on hook. One for my mother which might get done by the first snow fall, one for myself in a cashmere and mohair mix that I restarted 4 times... also might be done sometime before snow. The third scarf is something I am making with the intention of letting my daughter steal. Green fun fur with a green acrylic for stability. Now I am wondering if I need to set up a schedule of doing Xnumber of rows on each project per day. Maybe I will be able to get around to finishing one of them (=
Also, I have been looking at tunesian crochet patterns recently and I may give myself an headache trying a few of them.

Touch it, touchie touchie

Went to a real yarn store for the first time yesterday. I spent over an hour touching the wools and cottons and wishing I could move in. Had bamboo yarn in my hands and had to restrain myself from making a pile to roll around in. I love my hunny.....He decided to humor me and asked me to make him a hat. I made him pick his yarn. He has good taste. I am still recovering from being in a place with that much yarn in it. There is only one real yarn store within 150 miles of me. even Michaels, JoAnne's and Hobby Lobby are about 120 miles from me. I have been stuck with the local wal-mart and the leavings at the thrift store for so long that when he told me where we were going I nearly had a heart attack..... REAL YARN STORE. with wool and cotton that isn't overpriced and off brand? WOW. Not only that but you are going to LET me buy some yarn!!!!!!
I bought one skein of a beautiful blue chunky wool to try to felt, one small ball of a chocolate brown wool that screamed at me and a shein of variegated cotton to make a bag with. Then hunny got his yarn. Nearly black worsted weight wool that will make a wonderful hat and be yummy to work with. Le sigh, now I have to wait for another couple of months before we might be able to make it back. I know, I will knit and crochet a little slower....Right, like that will happen.

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.

Picture for the day

Just a picture. Pretty colored dried plants. I took this in a small shop in Conn. and I like how the image came out. Just wait till I get around to the pictures of the Ocean. (=

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.(=