Ingrid, Sabine and I in Stash

My very first show!

Ooooohhhh, look at the stuff that was waiting for me!

My London Haul

Aren’t they purrrdy???

Sock-It-To-Me package!!!

Everything has been such a blur since I came back from London on Sunday. I had a wonderful time, even though I constantly complained about the prices and the Underground. You have no idea how hot and stifling it is down there! And there were a few times that I had to take *3* trains to get somewhere. THREE! OK, I know London is a big city and Munich is tiny in comparison. But still. I like to complain. :)

I spent Wednesday and Thursday nights in a Hostel - the ACE Hotel. It is a very nice place and I paid only like 50eur for 2 nights. I specifically picked that place because it was on the same underground line as the Knitting and Stitching show! Even though it is on the same line, it still took an hour to get there. First I had to walk to the station, buy my ticket (7+ pounds ouch!), take the train, figure out where the free shuttle bus was (follow the stream of knitters), then ride the bus.

On Friday, I took the 2.5 hour bus ride down to Bristol, where all I did was go to GetKnitted. I don’t know what I was expecting, but it was kind of a let down. They do have a lot of yarns, but they also had a lot out of stock, or low inventory. And it was expensive. You would think it’s because they took some to go to the K&S show, but they didn’t have that much there either. I ended up buying even more Sublime yarn and some Knit Picks needles because I desperately needed 2.5mm circs! I sat and knitted for a little bit but then kinda got lonely because there was no one else knitting. So I took the bus back to London, got something to eat, and then went over to Ingrid’s.

The next day, Ingrid, Sabine and I went to Stash to hang out, buy yarn and knit. We stayed there for a good 3 or so hours. It is a really great store, I liked it much more than GetKnitted. They have a more warm, family feel and they are happy to help you with whatever problems you have. I couldn’t resist getting some Koigu, even though it was expensive. I decided that the Bellatrix socks looks just plain awful on my gargantuan calves that I decided to frog it and make Firestarters with the yarn (Wollmeise Poison Nr. 5).

That evening, we knitted even more, had a great dinner and I had to say my goodbyes to the kids. Ingrid also has twins + an older child, and I think they all grew a foot since last year! They are so full of life and I enjoyed talking to them a lot and listening to their stories. Lily nearly cried when she had to say goodbye, it was so sweet!

The next morning I had to get up at 4:15am so that I could take a taxi to Liverpool St. Station, where I could take the train to the airport (stansted). I am never leaving that early again, I don’t know what I was thinking. I got all my stuff together the night before, even changed into my clothes so all I had to do was basically brush my teeth, hair, put on my jacket and go. It was a good idea because my alarm didn’t get me up, but about 10 minutes before the taxi came Ingrid woke me up and I flew out of bed. I made it! It took 3.5 hours to go across london and get on the plane. Everything went smoothly.

Michael picked me up and we had a very leisure day together. Then the next day he left for the states for his father’s memorial and also for work (1 week each). 2 weeks. alone. with twin monsters. oy! Thank goodness for kindergarten!!!

Anyways, I came home with a lot of yarn, not as much as I’d hoped - I really did restrain myself. But then, I had packages galore!! It was like Christmas in October. First, I got a Tortilla maker that makes the best tortillas (if anyone has tips on how to keep the edges moist, please leave a comment), then I got my swap package/KU gift from AuntlyH, then I got my Sock-It-To-Me pal’s package, then I also finally, finally got my MadelineTosh yarns, which I ordered in like April, the package got lost, so she replaced the order.

So, first things first, thanks to AuntlyH who gifted the KU with a wonderful and oh-so-appropriate book called “Yarn Cocktails”. The other two haven’t seen it yet, but will on Saturday, when we record next. She also sent me some Shi Bui sock as well as some Dream in Color, which I swapped her for some Wollmeise worsted weight. She also sent me my huge order of Knit Picks needles (one of which is the new Harmony needles)!!! Thanks so much, AuntlyH!!!

Now…my Sock-It-To-Me pal, finally revealed! It is Rebekka in Denmark! She made some really cook pink/purpley ribbed socks with a Cookie Millicent foot. Very cool and it fits me oh so perfectly! Aren’t they purrrdy? I’m wearing them right now and my feet are nice and toasty. She was even kind enough to send the leftovers in case of repairs. How thoughtful! Geez, I don’t do that - I just throw mine in a bin. I’ll have to remember to do that next time! She also knew that she would never be forgiven if she didn’t send me more Green & Black’s chocolate, so of course she sent me TWO bars! Then there was this little bag filled with the softest fiber EVER! It is this cute little bag filled with silk fiber. Now I’ll really have to learn to spin… And then she also sent me a skein of Karen Noe silk/cotton(?) blend yarn in a teal/blue. It is really pretty! What to make with it though? I always have this problem because I’m so damn picky with my patterns. Montego Bay, maybe? And then there was this red card - a calling card? I dunno, it wasn’t in English. Rebekka, can you leave me a comment on what to do with it? :) Thanks so much for the wonderful gifts from Denmark, it’s been fun doing a swap with you! Now on to reading your blog!

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My first SP11 package came!

OMG, today I received a package from my Sock-It-To-Me pal! She is really on the ball and apparently from Denmark! Oh and she knows me oh so well. Green & Black’s almond chocolate! I had a hard time not eating it before I took the picture. And now it’s gone. Poof! She also sent me a gorgeous bit of roving, with dark purples, browns and a little blue. It’s kinda pushing me to actually sit down and learn how to spin. *sigh* I feel like I’m under so much pressure to knit a billion things right now - christmas, gifts, swaps, etc. that I think the only time I will be able to sit down and do it is when I go to Benediktbeuern. But I have a bunch of roving to test out so I’m set! She also sent me a big pin thing (sorry, don’t know what it is, maybe a stitch holder?) with some cool buttons, one of which is a cute pink elephant!

I *finally* sent out a package to my Sock-It-To-Me pal. I hope she likes it. Nothing knitted in it (cast on for it today, yikes!), but some knitterly goods and some sweets.

And I cast off my second Montego Bay and it is blocking as I’m writing. I am out of silk so didn’t cast on another one. :( I’m trying to be good and not buy any…but…oh…love…Marisilk! Where are the pictures, you may ask? Yeah, don’t have any…yet.

I finally bought my ticket to go to London in October for the Knitting and Stitching show. I am soooo excited! I also bought my tickets to go to the show, I will be attending a Rowan runway show!, I made my arrangements at the hostel so I’m good to go! This will be my first knitting show and I am so excited! Although who knows how much money I am going to blow there. Kinda scary!

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This is for the Sock-It-To-Me Sock Swap questionnaire. I need to say why and how I learned how to knit. I know I’ve written something very similar to this, but I have to post it again if I want to win that gift certificate for STR yarn!!!

I was 20 years old and working for the Space Sciences Lab at UC Berkeley. I was just a lowly old “Principal Clerk” doing various administration tasks like answering phones, making copies, typing email, letters, faxes, etc. One of the women who worked there (KathB) was my idol. She was really smart and nice and worked her way into a programming job from an administrative position. She had 2 boys who were the most well behaved and smart boys I ever met, and basically I just wanted to be her. I tried my best. Now, 16 years later (gasp!) I also got a programming job at Microsoft, although now I’m a stay-at-home-mom of 2 year old twin BOYS! I don’t have her beautiful blond hair, blue eyes, fair skin, and thinness though. Damn. I hear cosmetic surgery is coming along though. Look at what they’ve done with Michael Jackson! ;)

Anyways, she brought in her knitting one day. I remember exactly what she was making. She was making afghan squares for a friend and it was of various San Francisco landmarks. I particularly remember one of the Golden Gate Bridge. I thought it was really neat and I liked watching her knit, it was mesmerising. Do I sound like a stalker yet?

That didn’t get me to start knitting though. Another day, she brought in some dishcloths or maybe I saw it at her house. I thought they were the coolest thing ever. I don’t know why. They were just dishcloths. She had a huge pile of them and she always gave them as Christmas presents. Well, that just made me squeal with delight and I immediately bought a book, yarn, needles, whatever and started to learn how to knit.

I got really serious about knitting then and hammered out a sweater in a week. I was quite impressed with myself. I still knit the dishcloths though and give them as Christmas presents. A lot of the people I knit them for usually has raggedy earlier versions of ones I gave them and felt too bad to ask for more. That makes me happy! I like useful knitting.

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Here are my answers!

1. What are your foot measurements? (Please give shoe size, length and circumference.)
I wear a 7, and I have fairly wide feet. I also have a semi-high instep and usually short row heels do not work with my feet. FC=9in, L=9.5in

2. How long have you been knitting? How would you rate your experience? (Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced.)
I have been knitting about 16 years, off an on. But it’s only been in the last year that I’ve been feverishly knitting socks!

3. What is your favorite color? Your least favorite color?
Oh, I love lots of colors! I love deep, rich colors - blues, purples, dark reds, earthy browns, greens. I’m not a fan of pastels, and I don’t like black or white in my socks.

4. Do you have a favorite fiber? What type?
I love natural fibers - merino especially. And I’m a yarn snob - no acrylic for me!!! :)

5. Do you have any allergies to certain fibers?
Not that I know of.

6. Do you have an Amazon, or other type of, wishlist? (If so, provide the link.)
Yep, My kaboodle list

7. What techniques, if any, would you like to learn?
As far as knitting is concerned, I think I’m pretty much satisfied with what I know. But for related things - I would like to learn how to dye yarn!! I’ve tried unsuccessfully! I also would like to learn how to spin with a drop spindle.

8. Do you have a sweet tooth? What are your favorite snacks?
My previous pals have gotten me hooked on Green&Blacks dark chocolate w/almonds. Oh my god, so yummy! But of course, that’s only in England. But I’m willing to try any chocolate, especially dark and/or with almonds! mmmm….I want chocolate now!!!

9. What is your family situation? (Children, Husband, Pets…etc.)
Married with twin boys (2.5 yrs)

10. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Metal, plastic or wood?
Definitely circs! I haven’t used straights in a looooong time. I use Knit Picks options needles as well as their classic circs.

11. Besides socks, what are your favorite items to knit?
scarves, baby things, anything small and quick to knit

12. Is there a pattern, (sock or otherwise), that you are dying to try?
Hmmm…I guess not really. I have a ton of things queued, but it’s all a matter of time…

13. Do you like to read? What are you reading currently?
I do, but haven’t in awhile, too obsessed with knitting. I will, however, put down the needles to read the new Harry Potter coming out soon!

14. Do you collect music? (On an iPod or MP3 player.)
No, not really.

15. What kind of music do you listen to?
Rock, top 40, whatever

16. Is there anything you collect?
Not really. Yarn! :)

17. What are your hobbies, aside from knitting?
Photography, movies, traveling, internet surfing, shopping, podcasting!

18. Are you participating in any other swaps or knit alongs?
SP10 just finished, but I signed up for SP11, also The Truly International KAL, and Summer of Socks 2007

19. Do you have a favorite scent?
Not really, I like pretty much anything except for a really strong floral scent or powdery (if that makes any sense).

20. When is your birthday? (You don’t have to add the year if you don’t want to, LOL.)
In April, ask for details…

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Well, yesterday was the official end of SP10. My upstream pal has sent me the last package, but it hasn’t arrived yet, due to the postal strike. It should get here this week, I can’t wait to get it. My, the time has just flown by and I had a lot of fun this time around. My downstream pal, Tini, is such a great person. I really enjoyed reading her blog and figuring out things that she would like. You can see what I got for her here, here, and here. I really hope I get to meet her one day, especially since she’s not that far away!

My upstream pal has been really good about keeping herself hidden. BUT just last week, she made a mistake and posted a comment on my blog using her “real” email/