It is a long time (for me anyway) since I last posted, and there are a few reasons for that. I won’t tell you right now – I’m going to save it because I have some cool things to post, with pictures and everything, so I might as well bore you and then make up for it with the goodies 😀 The main point of this post is to get my OS questions out and published before I forget and it gets to August without me posting…
1. Which yarn is most like your personality (you can be specific or general with your answer- brand, type, color, fiber, whatever)?
That is a very tough question to start with. I suppose Alpaca represents me quite well – sturdy yet soft, a jack of all trades (but master of none), and willing to work with whoever you put me with (although I might complain a little later on).
2. What is your favorite color yarn to knit/crochet with?
With socks, anything goes, but no neons or ‘fashion’ yarns. Overall I like colours from nature – sky blue, rose pink, olive or moss green. Most of my stuff at the moment seems to be in greens or purples. One of my fave sock yarns is a blend of heather purples, with mossy green, and a little brown.
3. Have you ever used variegated, or magic, yarns?
I’ve used both, but I’ve gone off magic yarns (along the lines of Opal or Regia sock yarns). Variegated are good in the right pattern, and I usually would only use them for socks, scarves and other smaller accessories.
4. Do you tend to favor certain fibers when choosing yarns?
I seem to be buying a lot of Alpaca at the moment! I don’t have a particular preference for fibre, but I veer away from 100% acrylics unless they have a good soft texture.
5. Do you prefer to work with center-pull or traditionally wound balls of yarn?
Ooooh I don’t care 😀 If it is nice yarn and it knits up ok, then it is fine by me!
6. Have you ever worked with organic yarns or are you interested in trying them?
I haven’t tried them before, and to be honest I wasn’t aware they existed, but I certainly wouldn’t mind trying them out 😀 I’m always open to trying new stuff in the knitting world.
7. How many and what projects have you made in the last year?
That’s a bit tough. This year has been a bit odd because of the studying I’ve been doing. I’ve worked mostly on socks this year because of that. Lots of socks. Elfines, River Rapids, plain ones in Diakeito Diamusee, some chunky slipper socks from Knit Scene and Jaywalkers in Fyberspates Foxglove sock yarn. I’ve also made Clapotis, some arm warmers from Alterknits in DB Alpaca Silk, and a few scarves. In terms of proper garments, I made the Lace Leaf Pullover from Loop-d-loop, which I loved, but hated the yarn, so I’ll be reknitting it in something else for next winter. I’ve done Angelica by Glampyre, which I also loved, but was short on yarn. I’ll be making it with full length sleeves in contrast to the short sleeved one in the first version! I also made Bloom from Rowan 36. Loooved that one – it is the most wearable thing I’ve made, in terms of proper clothing (if I ignore all the accessories!). That surprised me! I never realised I’d made that many things!
8. Will you be knitting any gifts this year?
Depends! I don’t have many people who would appreciate knitted gifts I’m afraid 🙁 I decided that I would only knit for people who knit themselves, or who actually ask for something because I knew they would appreciate it, so I’ve been making socks for friends’ birthdays (easy to size, quick to make if studying takes over my time). I’ll have to consider something a little more time consuming now that I’ve received my first handmade jumper from a friend though 😀 I’ll see how things go, but I do like gift knitting – I just need more people to knit for who appreciate it.
9. What is your favorite one skein project?
Weeell, if you hadn’t guessed, socks are a good one 😀 I also love hats and skinny scarves for using small amounts of yarn up. Otherwise, I’ve never really thought about one skein projects very much for a couple of reasons. I order most of my yarn online, which means ordering one skein isn’t all that practical in terms of postal costs. I also prefer to know what I’m going to make in advance of buying yarns, so that I can give it a reason to be in my stash. Taking part in this will help me think a lot more about what I can do with yarns, and how to be creative in using them.
10. How much yarn do you have in your stash and how do you store it?
Ermm, a bit. I have two plastic crates, one large leatherette storage box (which holds sewing projects, and some superchunky black yarn), and one small one that holds WIPs. I’ve got enough yarn in the stash to make LOTS of socks, at least 7 pullovers/cardis, and quite a few scarves/mittens/accessories…
11. Do you have a yarn in your stash that you love so much you can never use it or part with it?
I currently feel that way about some 100% cashmere sock yarn from Hip Knits. It is truely stunning in a very simple kind of way. I want to find the perfect sock pattern for it, but it is pretty difficult to decide which would be best, so I always set it to one side and wait.
12. Do you knit less or differently in the summer?
I am trying to be more strategic in my knitting. I’ll always have socks on the needles, just for something quick and portable, but I want to aim to knit something in summer yarns for summer. It sounds obvious, but at the moment, my studying means that I still have scarves on the needles, so it is my big aim to match what I knit to the weather to come.
13. Do you belong to any knitting groups (online or offline)?
I’ve signed up to a few knitalongs, but I’m not part of any groups. There is one in town, but again, the studying scuppers my ability to attend (or just triggers my guilt off!).
So there you go. Pal, if you have anything else you need to know, let me know 🙂
More news later, but first I have to get ready, vac the house, and then go shopping with my mum (at Up Country with a bit of luck…).