Thursday, October 26, 2006

Everything you never wanted to know about me.

1. FIRST NAME?
Amy

2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
My mom was having a baby girl at the same time as the woman across the street, her friend. We were due virtually at the same time, so they said that the first baby would be Sara, and the second would be Amy. Needless to say, I lost that race.

3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY?
Probably last Friday - damn LSAT score.

4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
It's loopy and fun and unique.

5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT?
Roast beef

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Probably not.

7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL?
This one, and a LiveJournal.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yes.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Probably not, I thought rock climbing was freaking scary.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
TJ's Cranberry Almond Clusters

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
No.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
Physically, I can carry about fifty pounds without killing myself. I work in a huge glorified hardware store, and I started in paint. Moving paint around, especially five-gallon buckets, can build muscles fast. Now I'm starting in flooring, and the same can be said for packages of ceramic/porcelain tile. Have you ever lifted those things up?

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?
Ben & Jerry's Karamel Sutra.

14. SHOE SIZE?
8.5. That's a US size, it'd be a 39 in European, and I think a 6.5-7 in UK sizes...

15. RED OR PINK?
PINK.

16. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
Gaining weight after going on birth control. BLEGH.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
My social life, where'd it go?

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?
? No, that's ok.

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS, SHIRT AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Black pajama pants, black shirt, no shoes, as I'm still in my PJ's. No, I have never been accused of being gothic.

20. LAST THING YOU ATE?
Coffee! With delicious peppermint mocha creamer.

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
Bauhaus, currently "In the Flat Field"

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Lime green.

23. FAVORITE SMELL?
Cookies baking. Preferably my mom's chocolate chip variety. NOT when I make them.

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Mom.

25. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO?
They better be a skinny boy with black hair...

26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON YOU STOLE THIS FROM?
I pretty much just encountered her blog. It's interesting!

27. FAVORITE DRINK?
I despise any variety of soda or fizzy drink. Non alcoholic, give me coffee (venti peppermint mocha from Starbucks, regular coffee at home, mint condition at Caribou). Alcoholic, sangria.

28. FAVORITE SPORT?
I like to bowl and play tennis. I'm terrible at both. I never watch sports. Ever.

29. EYE COLOR?
Light grey/blue, then I have nice bright green contacts.

30. HAT SIZE?
Who knows their own hat size? Seriously...

31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
Both. I'll wear one or the other depending on mood.

32. FAVORITE FOOD?
Steve's risotto.

33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
I guess happy, since scary movies are only good to laugh at. (Snakes on a Plane!)

34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Summer, hands down.

35. HUGS OR KISSES?
Candy or physical gestures? Well, hugs to both.

36. FAVORITE DESSERT?
Gelato, cheesecake, oh boy, I could go on.

37. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING?
I don't get to read for fun these days. Luckily I graduate from college in December and can remedy that. For classes, I'm reading Hobbes' Leviathan, and Le Guin's Left Hand of Darkness.

38. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
I have a laptop, no need for one of those.

39. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV?
I don't have a TV. Well, that's not completely accurate, there's one, but there's a DVD player Netflix!) and video games hooked up to it. I never watch TV, as we don't have it.

40. FAVORITE SOUNDS?
Ummm, jeez... music, preferably by one of my faovrite artists. The oven makes an interesting clicky noise?

41. ROLLING STONE OR BEATLES?
Beatles, no question. I can't stand Mick Jagger, mostly because of that thing with Bowie. Way to ruin David Bowie for me, asshole!

42. THE FARTHEST YOU'’VE BEEN FROM HOME?
Australia - probably Tasmania, specifically.

43. WHAT'’S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT?
What, you mean like those dumb videos on youtube where people can stick a fork through their tongue or something? No thanks...

44. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Michigan

45. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
I swiped it from Pepperknit.

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Socks!





Hooray! I finished the Anastasia Socks! And to top it off, I've just started my first-ever pair of two-at-once magic loop socks. And wouldn't you know, I get it. This success is a surprise, because I already frogged my Deep V Argyle vest once - silly me messed up the ribbing on the very bottom. Oh well, three rows is certainly no loss.

Thursday, October 19, 2006

SP9, among other things

I got a really cute Halloween card from my Secret Pal. And then immediately felt like a dolt because I signed up with an old address. Oh well... I e-mailed her/him back so hopefully she got the right one now.

And I think I'm doing okay with my secret pal, er, doing the spoiling, that is. I try to send her things just as I decide to, since randomness is pretty fun. I've never done this before, and so I'm terrified that she won't like what I've put together for her. I mean... bleh, it's difficult. I hate to say too much in case she stumbles upon my blog. Let's just say I gathered all the parts for one of my favorite patterns and the materials, and hoping she goes gaga for it too. It's like buying for a difficult relative, but more difficult!

And everyone should go here and drool over the Foxtrot sock yarn. I'm tempted to order myself some. But no, I am poor, I can't be doing that...

I finished the knitting part of my silk corset. It's going to need aggressive blocking in order to fit. I mean, it looks tiny, but the rib pattern is so very stretchy. I just have to crochet around edges, weave in ends, sew on buttons, and BLOCK LIKE A MUTHA! This would be an ideal time to have a squishy dress form... Maybe one day...

But, the good news is, freeing up those needles meant that I got to cast on my Deep V Argyle Vest! Hopefully I don't ruin this thing, but I did take advice from the old knit along and NOT use merino style. I'm using the skinner, more DK-ish Telemark and some pink wool I got from the MI Fiber fest.

I'm afraid, though, very afraid. My swatch turned out OK, but it was a while ago, and I think maybe I should be using 5s instead of 4s. ... At least my Anastasia socks are almost done and quite nice.

Friday, October 13, 2006

My best FO?

Well, my SP9 hostess asked me what my favorite/best FO is. Choosing is a hard process. At first I was thinking my Clapotis, but since everyone has made one of those and it was pretty easy, I decided to stick with something that's a little more unique.

If you've been reading me for more than like four months, you probably remember this:



It's a beaded scarf I made for my grandmother's 85th birthday out of koigu and some bronze beads. She loved it, but probably in that "I'll only wear this for a special occasion" kind of way. I got the pattern from a co-worker at my LYS, who has been using it as a demo to teach classes on beaded knitting.



So yeah. Not hugely technically difficult, but made better by the fact that I know it was loved and well-received. Grandma was like, "Oh, these are my colors! How lovely!" and on and on because she's a talker. :-)

Monday, October 02, 2006

Secret Pal 9 Questionnaire

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

Favorites:
Malabrigo, koigu, lorna's laces, anything with modal in it (Knitpicks Shine, Berroco Touche). I don't hate acrylics - Encore, caron simply soft and whatnot are useful when washability is paramont. I also love sugar 'n' cream and lion cotton because I make too many dishcloths.

Least Favorites:
Red heart and knitpicks pallette. (Pallette was soooo splitty!)

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

A desk drawer. I've been meaning to sew myself a roll-up case because I have hordes of DPN's and straights flying around everywhere.

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

I learned when I was six, and I'm 21 now. I didn't knit constantly, but it's become my life with the onslaught of Stich 'n' Bitch and hot knitting patterns that weren't there before. I'd call myself advanced; I used to teach in a yarn shop and I don't think there's any technique that frightens me. (Except MAYBE steeking!)

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

Urrrrr, one that's so old it's barely worth mentioning. In fact, I won't.

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)

Vanilla, rose, lavender... You know, most candles and whatnot smell pretty nice, except for patchouli.

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

Ben & Jerry's is my weakness, but I don't think that can be mailed. I love, LOVE chocolate of all varieties and swedish fish. I'm not so much a fan of sour or cinnamon candy.

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

I have a drop spindle, roving, and a bit of frustration. I wish I could figure it out. I also sew myself clothing, or, attempt to.

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

My computer and stereos are quite capable! I really am into older music, 70s and 80s sort of stuff: Bauhaus, David Bowie, Devo, Duran Duran, Iggy Pop, Joy Division, New Order, Peter Murphy, Love & Rockets, Ministry, Nitzer Ebb, ELO, The Beatles... As for new stuff, I'm more limited in my likings: NIN, Franz Ferdinand... and I've just drawn a blank! The majority of my music collection honestly is on vinyl or in my ipod. I hardly use CDs.

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

Piiiiink! Hot pink and black is my favorite combination. I love lime green, too. I'm not much of a fan of... yellow? Color is good, in general.

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

No pets, unless you count my six Betta fish. I live with my fiance.

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

All of the above, except for ponchos. Cold weather accessories are the only thing I like about a Michigan winter - I mean, they're very necessary, and they can be very cute. I have so many scarves, but there's nothing cooler than a ridiculous scarf, is there?

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

I do like to make myself sweaters, but I've made far more gloves, dishcloths, and smaller things. I've been on a sock kick, lately, also.

13. What are you knitting right now?

Uh oh. That's a loaded question. I'm heading up the Dishcloth KAL, so dishcloths up the... Additionally, Annie Modesitt's silk corset, knitty's exchequered, many, many knucks as gifts (I've made three pairs already... Have yarn for two more), and the Anastasia socks. My next project is Eunny's Deep V Argyle Vest.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Sure!

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

I have no need for circulars, other than my beloved Boye set. I use needles of all materials, really, metal and bamboo mostly. Plastic was too grabby and annoying for my taste.

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

Nope. I've been meaning to invest in one, though.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

Two or three years, I'd venture to guess. I'm not sure though.

18. What is your favorite holiday?

Halloween!

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Not really, unless yarn counts.

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 don't have any magazine subscriptions, and my favorite knitting mag is Interweave. I used to get Vogue but it got rather ridiculous, to the point where an issue would come and I wouldn't want to make anything. The internet has given me more free patterns than I could ever hope for, and between my mom and I we have a nice knitting library...

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

I'm going to be trying steeking soon! Other than that... ? I've tried most every knitting technique in existence!

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

Yes, indeed I make socks. I'm a US 8 1/2, so my foot is about 9 1/2 inches long.

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)

June 30th.