I’m just indulging myself a little before the grind starts and I have to work (I’m missing a meal with my mates tonight to study, but we plan a big bender after I’m done :D).
Here are my answers so that my pal can get the gist of me!
The basics:
How long have you been knitting?
I learnt when I was a wee bairne, round about 9 or 10 maybe. It was one of those childhood things that you give up when you realise your mates don’t do it, and I took it back up about 2 and a half years ago. Blimey. That’s a looong time ago now.
Do you consider yourself a beginning sock knitter, an intermediate, or have you been doing this so long you could probably knit a pair in your sleep?
I’m intermediate I’d say. I’ve knit a fair few pairs (I think I’ve done about 11 or 12), and designed a pattern with another one in the works. I can’t sit down and just knit one though – I have to plan it and have it on paper so I know where I am and all that stuff.
The measurements:
While your pal may ask for some additional info to ensure a great fit, please provide your shoe size, or any other fitting related info you think is pertinent.
I’m a UK size 4, which is quite small, but they are a little wide for my size yet flat. I think it’s my toes – I’ve never been one for pointy shoes, and you can’t get many nice work shoes without pointy toes now. Ahhh, for some work friendly Doc Martens again! Rocket Dog shoes make me happy tho. Ooops – wittering! Just make a size 4 and you’ll be fine 😉
(fiber related) Favorites:
What colors do you love?
Well, when it comes to socks, almost anything goes, as long as it isn’t too clown/lolly-ish (but as you’ll see when I post pics of my sock stash, I did kind of dye some that way when I was playing around the first time I Kool Aid dyed). Generally though I tend to go towards blues, plums, and neutral colours. Recently I’ve lusted after lots of greens though too… But you’ve seen that already 😀
Do you prefer solids or variegated?
I like both, but I’ve been trying to find some nice nearly solid colours recently because I seem to suddenly have loads of sock patterns with intricate stich patterns that variegated would drown. In garments and accessories though I go for full solid colours as a rule because the twins don’t go well with striping…
What fibers do you most love to knit with?
I’ll knit with anything if it is decent quality and isn’t plasticy or scratchy. But I confess I’m a bit of a purist – I love knitting with alpaca, and alpaca silk is mmmmmmmm especially my Elfine alpaca silk blend socks. And cashmere yummy yum yum. And merino. Those are the ones I LOOOOVE, but I will use cheap yarns if they are good (like Patons Washed Haze – that’s nice, and Sirdar Click is a good blend one too).
Who do you consider your favorite yarn vendors?
Oooo I have loads, but I mainly buy from Get Knitted. I have to say though that there are lots of places I look in to regularly, like Pure Knits, Posh Yarns, Hip Knits, and Fyberspates.
What projects (other than socks, of course*S*) do you most enjoy knitting?
I aim to make things that I can use, but sometimes my eyes are bigger than my belly, and I lust after lots and lots of trendy things that I’d never be able to make while they are still trendy and then would just look rubbish in them 😀 I seem to be making hundreds of scarves too for some reason – a scarf for each outfit nearly. NO skirts tho!
(fiber related) Dislikes:
What fibers can you not stand to knit with? To wear?
Eewwwwwwwwwwww scratchy ones and plastic ones like 100% acrylic. Ladder yarns are evil, and I’m not a big fan of those ones with bits sticking out like Sirdar Fizz (even tho I used them in the beginning. Please don’t ask me why I did that).
What colors would you never wear?
Mustard (which is a shame given it is THE colour now), pure white, and anything excessively bright and clownish, but I will wear bright colours on my feet or as gloves (as long as it goes with something) e.g. my red alpaca silk armwarmers with black winter coat – that works quite nicely 🙂 I don’t like knitting jumpers and stuff with brighter colours though because I prefer to try big colours on first. I’m afraid I don’t dress to excitingly :S
The Tools:
Plastic or Metal? Bamboo or wood?
Plastic if necessary, but not for chunky needles. Bamboo all the way otherwise 😀
Circs or Straights?
Depends what I’m knitting. I like to use both, but whatever fits the project really.
DPNs or Magic Loop?
Depends on the stitch pattern – if a plain one, magic loop, if complicated then probably dpns to keep track of it better.
Are there any knitting accessories you don’t have in your collection but would like?
I could do with a new measuring tape on a reel. I only have loose ones after my freebie reel one broke 🙁 And blocking pins too – I’m using some cheap freebie ones for that too, and I don’t see them lasting too long as they seem a bit to pliable and might bend easily. But freebies are fine by me anyway!
The Extras:
Do you have a wish list? If so, please share the link!
I do! It lives here at Amazon
Do you like sweet, sour or salty? (or all of the above? *S*)
Definitely all of the above! Mmmmm sour Jelly Belly beans 😀 Mmmmmm. And Mmmmm yoghurt covered pretzels…
Do you have any allergies your pal should know about? (Certain foods, smoke, pet hair, etc)
I’m asthmatic, so I prefer smoke free. I’m also wheat intolerant (and I suspect yeast too, but that’s not formal yet).
Favorite scents? Scents you can’t stand?
I’m a Chanel Allure gal, and also love Flowerbomb. In general, vanilla, coffee, honey, and fruity smells are good. I lean more to warm scents because I think a home in Yorkshire is always helped by getting some warmth from somewhere…
Do you collect anything (other than yarn and knitting toys of course)?
Not collect as such, but I do seem to buy whatever I can of Hello Kitty and Miffy stuff. And Bagpuss. And Mr Men. 🙂
When is your birthday? (month and day is fine!)
25th of May, so not in this exchange! Lucky you! I’ll be traumatised next year by a new decade. A young decade, yes, but still, that doesn’t stop it being scary. Aren’t I supposed to be all organised in life by that point? See – at it already!
Do you spin? Dye your own yarn?
I am learning to spin, which means I’ve made a little bit and haven’t really got it down yet, thanks to lack of time 🙁 And I soooo dye yarn! Still with Kool Aid, because it is cheap and easy, but I think I’ll buy some real dye soon-ish. Kool Aid is a bit too unpredictable given limited suppliers here, so dyeing with natural plant things would be cool. But also scary. Come two weeks time I’ll be doing looooots more…
Your favorite author/band/vacation spot, anything you think will help your pal know you better…
Blimey, that is such a bad question to ask me. I could go on forever. I like music by Stereolab, the Pixies, Franz Ferdinand and the Feeling. I read soooo many books, being an english graduate. I love Angela Carter and magic realism stuff, and Vikram Seth is excellent. Joanne Harris (a local lass!), Jeanette Winterson, and Barbara Kingsolver. Good stuff. I still lust after returning to Prague, but I want to go to Japan big time. I am obsessed. I was learning the language before I started studying, so I’ve forgotten everything I learnt by now but soooooon I will remember! I can remember a little bit (Watashi wa Ramsden Bryony. Hajimameshite! Arigato gozaimasu etc etc). I probably spelt all those wrong.
So Sockret Pal, let me know if you want any more info, and yay!
Look out for imminent pics of sock yarn, plans for sock patterns, and winter knitting. Woot!
