I hemmed and hawed over whether or not I should go to the Stitch ‘n Bitch group. I’ve been wanting to go since I got here, but either wasn’t really knitting something or just too lazy or just tired. Michael encouraged me to go so I went. It was really nice, there were 6 other people there. The group changes all the time, and this time, everyone except for me and one other person were beginners. I was able to help the British girl next to me (sorry, I forgot her name) with telling her how to tell if a stitch is a knit or purl stitch. It was nice to meet new people and just hang out and knit. I learned that I could get a job as an English teacher if I wanted to, the only qualification you need is that you are a native English speaker. I never thought of doing that. It seems like it would be fun, not a whole lot of time commitment and I work with different people every few weeks. Something to think about I guess. It doesn’t pay as much as a test job would, so that’s the only bummer. Don’t know what I would make as a tester either. Anyways, one of the knitters there has a blog and on it was a picture of hand painted yarns from a shop in Germany, pretty close to Munich too!!! I was so shocked and excited because this was exactly what I was looking for. So I’m going to order a few skeins to see if I like it and if I do…oh boy…that’s not necessarily a good thing.

Then I spent the late night internet surfing and found another cool yarn site - ScoutSwag. I really should learn how to dye my own yarns!

Hey folks, I am officially signed up to do SP10! Here is the questionnaire that we are all required to fill out.

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I love Lorna’s Laces and Mission Falls yarns. I do not like acrylic yarns at all!

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

I have a set of Knitpicks options that I keep in the case, and then I have needles kind of all over the place in various locations, some known, some not known.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I started knitting in 1991, so it’s been gosh, 16 years! But it’s been an on and off thing for me. I learned from a knitting book and a friend of mine corrected my stitches since I was twisting them. I would say that I am an advanced knitter, but now I only knit quick and easy things due to price and time commitment!

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Yes, I have a kaboodle list!

5. What’s your favorite scent?

Hmmm…that’s a tough one. I like pretty much anything that’s not overpowering and too flowery.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

Uh, do you even have to ask? Chocolate, of course!

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I sew and would like to learn how to dye yarn and spin with a drop spindle

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I’m not too particular with music, mostly listen to pop and rock

9. What’s your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can’t stand?

I like dark colors, I’m not a fan of very bright colors

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

Married with twin boys who are 2. No pets.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

I wear scarves, hats and gloves, no ponchos

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

I like to knit kids stuff, hats and as of late, socks!

13. What are you knitting right now?

A pair of socks for my husband - From the book ‘Socks soar on two circulars’ the Bavarian twisted stitch sock in Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock Blackwatch colorway.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Of course! Who doesn’t?

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Depends on the project. I generally prefer straight but since I knit socks, I love circulars. I am a huge fan of Knit picks and addi needles!

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

Yep, ever since I started knitting!

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

Ahem. I have no (cough! sputter!) UFOs.

18. What is your favorite holiday?

My birthday! Does that count? Second would be Mother’s day.

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Fabric and yarn. But I didn’t buy them because I’m a collector, more like a person who has and idea of what to do with it and then doesn’t and it just sits there and collects.

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 have some books on my kaboodle list. As for yarns, I just can’t get enough of Lorna’s Laces and I would like to try some Posh Yarns. Dee has some great colorways!

21. Are there any new techniques you’d like to learn?

Not so much for knitting, but I would love to learn how to dye yarns and spin.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

YES! My SP8 spoilee made it look so fun, I decided to give it a try and I made 4 pairs of socks since then!

23. When is your birthday?

In April, email me for more specifics

Knitting was fun today, I finished one side of the Bavarian Twisted Stitch sock that I’m making for Michael. It looks good on his foot. I didn’t like the pooling of the colors (made stripes) but Michael liked it so that’s all that matters. He immediately put it on and is now sleeping with one purple sock (the other one I made for him) and one black/green sock. I wonder how long these socks are going to last.

I’ve been knitting up a storm. I am now knitting “Bavarian Twised Stitch” socks from “Socks soar on two circular needles” book for Michael. I’m knitting it using Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock in Blackwatch colorway. I’m not all that crazy about the colorway, I think I liked it better in the skein. But Michael likes it, so that’s all that matters. I do like knitting with circs instead of dpns. I’m using my new circs from Knit Picks, and they are so awesome. Very pointy!

Simple Stripes completed!

I finally finished my Simple Stripes socks. I didn’t weave in the ends because I don’t have a crochet hook, so I’m saving that for later. The 2nd sock came out better than the 1st sock, I guess because of experience. Overall, I really enjoyed the fair isle part of it, but I didn’t like the heel turn part of the pattern. I think I like the gusset way better. Tonight I think I am going to do Pomatomus in Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock Jeans colorway. It looks like a really challenging and interesting pattern. I am really excited!

Since I’m getting so carried away with my stash and have-the-yarn-but-haven’t-started-knitting-projects, Michael bought me a knitting journal. I am really excited to use it - the first project was the Simple Stripes socks. I like it because it has a place to store notes as well as the knitting labels and a picture. I know I will enjoy looking through it years from now. I think it is also motivating to me so that I start and finish projects and not just think about them. I also ordered a bunch of Knit Picks circulars and dpns so that I have a complete set. Can’t wait to get them!

I am still working on Michael’s socks. I am done with the heel and slowly making my way to his toes on the 2nd sock. I swear this is too much work for a pair of socks! Since the knit is so tight, it takes for-ev-er. I’ll take a picture of it whenever it’s complete, hopefully tomorrow. I also have my unfinished baby bolero from the “One Skein” book (still waiting for my circs). I am also starting some secret projects for christmas presents soon. I bought the yarn for it today, can’t wait!