OH MY! Busy am I!

First I just have to send a belated thank you to my SP Jeanine. She is just so awesome! She has sent me a subscription to Interweave Knits!!! I am so thrilled about that. I can't thank you enough Jeanine. You are just great.

Now, on to some knitting.

Thank you Ali for helping me to obtain this pattern for the "farmers market bag" I have been working on this one for a gift. It is made with Soy Wool Stripes and it going to be awesome. Notice, more stranded knitting!!

Aren't the colors just great? Wish it wasn't a gift!

These are the pair of peds for R. She asked for some of them for christmas. A super quick knit done in the Red Heart Heart & Sole yarn. Almost used the whole skein. Perfect.

This is the completed scarf for my brother for christmas. Done in Brown sheep Nature Spun. Love this yarn. Love that it's made in the USA! You should try some.

Here is the waffle scarf I made for my sister in law, Jill. It's a lovely color yellow. Also Nature spun.

I also did one in Victorian Pink for R. Also in Nature Spun!

NOW! Stash enhancement! These little cakes of Beauty are Berroco Ultra Alpaca purchased at the Cozy Cabin http://www.cozycabin.biz/ (hope that link works)

I also bought my first addi Turbo needles to try for some sock knitting. I have been told they are just awesome and I can't wait to try them.

Toni has had the store in her home since June and has done so well, that she has expanded to a store front! How cool is that?!! I think it's awesome! Plus she got in new yarns, AND she also has fabrics for quilters. She is getting more of those in in the coming weeks. It is all so exciting.

Yesterday was her first day in the new store and I went to cheer her on and sit and knit for a few hours. It was such a thrill to share with her and my knitting friends.

Oh, and I have to say thank you, once again, to Carolyn for letting me borrow her ball winder. It will get tons of use this next week as I make more of these adorable cakes out of my hanks.

I have updated my Ravelry projects and added some more of my stash, primarly the sock yarns. And boy does that eat up alot of knitting time!

Gotta go!

Rhinebeck!~

I just don't know where to start.

First, I have been so busy working on knitting that I haven't been blogging, and I haven't been visiting anyone's blog and I haven't been spending much time on Ravelry either.

SECOND, Rhinebeck was this weekend and it was just awesome! Carolyn, her mother and I left Friday night after work. Carolyn drove, thank you so much Carolyn!!! And we arrived at our hotel without any problems with traffic or directions.

We all talked and shared knitting stuff for a while before going to bed. After rising early and having a great breakfast, we stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Poughipsee, NY, which was very nice.

We got to the fair grounds about 8:50 with no lines for parking or entering and began our adventure. (I will not post pictures today ~ oh, and Barb I promise to have a picture of my nubby cardigan!)

We went through every barn, every stall, looked, touched, smelled, admired everything. The people watching was fun too. All the gorgeous things that people were wearing! Just wonderful.

Then, we ate lunch and began to walk around the "lettered" buildings and while in a stall getting ready to purchase some Lorna's laces and some Austermann step (like I need MORE sock yarn), I looked up and there was JEANINE!! My secret pal! We had hoped to meet, but both of us have been so busy working on projects we never finalized a place a time. I saw her right away and knew it was her, she is such a beautiful woman. Anyway, I said "Jeanine?" and she looked at me, and I said "catherine" then we both squeeled and hugged each other! It was so awesome! And I have to hang my head though, she finished her vest and I failed to comment on how lovely it is. Please take a visit over at her blog http://knittershaven.typepad.com/ and leave her a comment on how lovely her vest is. She looked so great in it! It was such a treat to actually meet her.

When we finally decided to leave, the three of us had felt we saw it all, we bought what we liked and wanted and we were ready to go home.

I had such a nice time, it was a lovely, fall day, cool but not cold. OH! And I wore my Nubby Cardigan, even though I didn't have buttons for it, I pinned it closed and even like that, I got several lovely comments from people.

Catching up to do!! Picture intense post!

I got a package in the mail from my SP 12 pal! How cool is this? I was looking at this DB magazine when it first came out (Linda at sit and knit was going to look for one and brought me one to look at too!) Anyway, I decided against buying it then, but never mentioned it to my pal. She thought I would like it.


Plus she sent along three skeins of Rowan handknit DK cotton. I have never knit with any Rowan before and this has to be the softest cotton I have felt to date. I also love the color. I have been into greens and blues and teals and even rusts and oranges. I don't know where my color palette is going, but I'm liking color lately.

Anyway, I have had the most awesome "angel" pal. You see, my original upstream, fell off the face of the earth. It really hurts when that happens and you don't know why. I can only say, that I feel bad and hope they are okay.

But, it all turned out.

AND, even though I am not sure yet if Jeanine received my reveal package (I am her upstream) Jeanine is my "angel" pal! How cool is that? I don't know if they did it on purpose or not, but it worked out great and we are hoping to meet at Rhinebeck!

Jeanine, I enjoyed getting to know you and having you for my first SP pal. I hope you enjoyed the goodies I sent you. It was great fun.

Now, here is my stranded stocking! Tonight is the last class, and I've been bad! I got the heel done but I haven't kirchnered it yet. (I don't think I spelled that right) Anyway, class has been an absolute BLAST and I have enjoyed every week and will miss going. I learned how to do an "afterthought" heel, and while I don't think I would ever do that for a sock, I will definitely do it for more of these stranded stockings. I also learned how the knit with two hands and two colors. OH! And I learned how to "pick" too. I am a thrower. Carolyn has done a great job as a teacher, always willing to jump right in with each one of us, no matter where we are at in our knitting and help us get over the "hump".

I am now planning on doing a few more stockings as christmas gifts.

Here is the dish cloth (the yellow one) I received from my friend Barb (Hi Barb!) I loved the pattern so much that I want to make more myself. BOY! Am I a tight knitter or what? I started out with a #5, got that far and decided it was too small, so went up to a size #7 and believe it or not, it came out smaller! So I ripped it back and I am going to try again!

Here is just the beginning of a completed project. I had bought this "honking" skein of kitchen cotton when it was on clearance, with the idea of market bags as gifts. like the one I eventually ended up with. Forgot to photograph it though. Anyway, I will probably make more, but do a different pattern.

Okay, I didn't tell you anything about the Fiber Festival Carolyn and I went to. This is just a small amount I am showing you. This is the sock yarn that I purchased from an Indie dyer. She names her yarns after movies! isn't that neat!? I fell in love with several, just for the names they were named after! Silly, I know.

We had an awesome time at the festival. It wasn't too large or overwhelming for me. Carolyn did the driving, and it was a rainy day, but we got there and I think we both enjoyed it very much. It was so nice to see the different animals and to pick up some new fibers to use. (I promise to post more of that on another day)

Alpaca! I am a touchy feely type of person. Alpaca! I could have stood there, eye's closed, arms out, and feeling Alpaca yarn ALL DAY! I bought enough of it to keep my happy for a while! OH! And Alpaca roving!! While I haven't bought any, if you ever, EVER have the chance to feel it! FEEL IT! It's like what you would imagine a cloud to feel like.

I still have not dealt with my nubby cardigan. I just haven't had the time. I talked with Carolyn about the slight tightness in the upper arms and I am going to gently block it first and then see if it loosens just a bit. If not, I am going to knit two gussets to put in just under the arm. I think it was the stitch pattern that makes it feel "tight". But, I think I will have time this weekend and hope to get to that project then.

I have not done much at all on my socks for september. Sad, but true. I did get them onto my new knitpicks needles and I am doing them magic loop. Which is fun so far.

Well, that is my update for this week and for the end of September.

The END is near!

No posts from me, as I have been using EVERY SPARE moment to get this collar on my nubby cardigan done! I am near the end and I can't be happier! About three more rows and I can bind off!! Yeah!!!!

I have had so much going on that I have neglected my blog, my SP, and my writing of anyone.

I promise, more to follow before the weekend and hopefully pictures of my finished cardigan!

My Secret Pal is Happy!

I got an awesome package in the mail. Quite a surprise. It is from my "angel" secret pal "happy" (That's what I call her anyway). You see, in the world of secret pal, you have someone who is your "upline" who spoils you. And you have someone who is your "downline" whom you spoil. Anyway, my upline, for some unknown to me reason, dropped off the face of the earth with just a post card and a few emails. Quite disappointing, considering that I had waited to join and was so hopeful after reading other peoples blogs.

ANYWAY, my angel Happy emails me alot and we are getting to know each other, which is just great.

She sent me this package that I received in the mail today. It is sockpixie yarn and it is Bambino, which is part bamboo and part supermerino in the colorway "LeCollier" Apparenly, sockpixie only makes so many colorways, names them, and once they are gone that's it! How cool is that? I have never heard of it before and I just think it's great that my angel thought to send me such great sock yarn in such a great colorway! I just love it and now I need to figure out what it will become.


Thank you Happy for making my day with such an awesome package!!

I am in the final stretch with my Nubby cardigan! YEAH! I have both sleeves done, finished the second one this morning and I seamed together the pieces today. I can't believe that all the modifications I made WORKED! And the seams look AWESOME! Now I am working on the button band and then the other side band and then on to the collar. So I figure MAYBE another two weeks and this one will be done! I can't wait. I have loved working on this project so much.

I also can't wait. I ordered some more knitpicks needles, circulars and I am going to go Magic Loop for socks now. I have a pair I cast on, on the 1st, on to the dreaded double pointed needles and I haven't picked them up since.!~

Well, gotta run! Thanks again Happy!

I have been bad

I haven't answered any of the SP12 questions lately.

So, here goes:

Question 6 : My favorite thing to take along is socks. When I prepare to travel, I always have more than one project with me. Mostly small things that don't require alot of attention. Love socks.

Question 7: Favorite place to knit. I usually knit at the dining room table in the quiet of the morning. That is when and where I can do my concentrated knitting. Is it my favorite place? Not exactly, it's just what I have that works.

Question 8: Favorite supper? summer? well winter or summer, I'd say it's about any meal that someone else fixes. I LOVE to cook, don't get me wrong. But when it comes to having someone else think of something, shop for it, prepare it and put their love in to it, what could be better?

Question 9: Entries in the fair. No, I haven't done this, YET. But I am considering going to our county fair this year and seeing what it is like. When we lived in NJ, the fair was just awesome. I could spend hours in the exhibit tent. In WI, well, I wasn't so impressed. I haven't been to the one here yet, it's been two years, I guess I should make a point. I would love a ribbon.

Question 10: Olympic event. That is a hard one, I am not an athlete by any sense of the word. No, no event for me or my knitting.

Question 11: best thing received in the mail? Hmmmm... I love mail, letters are great. They are a lost art. I have had many pen friends over the years, but haven't done that in a while.

Question 12: My proudest moment? Since I am mostly a self taught knitter, my proudest moment is whenever I learn something new and successfully complete it. Then I call my aunt and tell her "I have a sock!" She likes that, and so do I.

Well, that's all from me for now. It's going to be a busy weekend with lots of running around and knitting.!!

News! Pictures! Packages!

Okay, first things first. I came home today to not one but TWO packages. Both are from the dishcloth swap that I was in. The first package is a great cloth by beginknitter. Also included was a neat bracelet with the word "hope" on it. We all need that, don't we.

Next, a package all the way from Stafforshire England! The package says "royal mail" on it! I love it. Ceri included a cloth that is so squishy and not one but TWO skeins of kitchen cotton in perfect colors for my kitchen!


If either of you take a look at my blog, thank you so much. I enjoyed the swap alot and I hope that you did too.

Here is the beginnings of my CLAPOTIS. I am using Elsabeth Lavolds silky wool. I absolutely love it. You can see some of the stitch marker that I got from Glitterbear, from the odd ball swap. They came is SO handy and made me smile while knitting.



I finished the clap today, scarf size and I still have some stitches to drop, and to weave in the ends, but I just love the weight of it and the look. It is a definite gift possiblities to it.

This next photo is of the new Bartlett yarn I purchased at the Cozy Cabin (HI Toni) last night before going to sit and knit. Anyway, the colorway is "terra cotta" it is the 2 ply and I am planning to make the Obverse Jacket, by lisa shroyer from the fall 2008 Knitscene magazine that I bought last week.

There are so many FABULOUS patterns in this magazine. I really, REALLY want to make the nubby cardiagn by deborah newton, but I am afraid I am just not experienced enough for it. I am going to make it though. Because I just love the classic look of it.

I would also LOVE the big ivy scarf by christine lorin made of Aslan Trends Artesanal. It just looks so soft and cuddly.

Those are my favorites. but I like a LOT more of them!!! smile

I sent off my package to my downline SP and the tracking says it has arrived. I got an email from her this evening, but she didn't mention the package. GEE I hope no one stole it!! I'll be on pins and needles until I hear from her.

Pictures this weekend, I promise!

Well, last night was knit night at B&N and we had a nice crowd. Two tables! It was great!

I have managed to get to the decrease rows on my CLAP and I am extremely happy with it. I am already planning on a full size one. Now just to decide which yarn to use...........

Since I have been working on this, my socks are on hold, somewhat. But I will finish them right after this before I start the next project. I want to get back to a pair of socks a month.

I sent along a wonderful package to my downline and the tracking number says that she got it yesterday. However, she didn't post it on her blog yet, or email. I sure hope she received it and it didn't get stolen. These things make me worry! sigh...

Okay, tomorrow is Saturday and I promise (hand over heart) to put up some pictures of all the things I have been working on.

A Postcard!

Today I received a postcard from my upline in SP12. It is a picture of the Japanese Garden pond at the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens. She visited them recently for the firs time. She has lived in California all her life, I guess, as that is also the post mark.

I got some knitting done while on vacation. But not nearly enough. Spent too much time in the car. sigh.... long story.

I have finished my cowl, a scarf, that pair of socks and I have started another pair of socks in cotton, plus I have finally plunged into doing a CLAPOTIS and I am having fun with it. I am already planning more. This one is with Elsebeth Lavold silky wool that I had already. I wouldlove to do more in it and in some of the other fun yarns. I would love to do one in Noro, and in malabrigo as well as Kauni. I have to find a good deal on them I guess.

My depression has been bad, very bad these past few weeks. That's part of the reason why I haven't written or taken pictures.

New Questions

I know there are new questions to answer for the SP12. Mostly they deal with vacation. Where you like to go, what you like to do, where would you like to go.

Considering it has been nearly 10 years since we've done any kind of family vacation, I am not sure how I would answer.

The place I love most in the world is the ocean and the jersey shore. I grew up in the summer at on Barnegat bay in a bungalow. No heat, no air conditioning, no telephone, no tv, no shower, well water and the bay. Dad sold the house nearly 30 years ago and I miss it every summer. I wish that I had been able to help him with it more and being a teen had wanted to go more often. But as a teen I wanted to do "teen" things. Be with friends at home, not at the shore. So he sold and my heart has stayed behind there with all our happy family memories. Memories that I have not been able to give to our son. It makes me truly sad to think about.

Life goes on.

I need to see the ocean every year, preferably for a few days. It is my connection to happiness. I could sit at the bay or the ocean for hours, regardless of the weather and literally feel myself recharge from it's energy. Life energy. I love the colors, the smell of the water, the feel of the sand on my feet, whether hot or cold. The dampness of the air. The smell of the salt and the seaweed. The sight of the water coming in and going out. The sea spray. It breathes life into me, life that I don't get but a few days of the year.

Someplaces I would like to go some day are Savannah, Georgia. I had hoped to go there last year, but it didn't work out. I want to see all those old home and go to the water there. I want to eat at Paula Deen's restuarant.

Really, any coastal place I'd like to go to. I've never seen the Pacific. I'd like to go there someday, perhaps Seattle. Is that near the water?

I have also dreamed of some day seeing Alaska, on land, rail and cruise ship.

This year though, I am working. And I only get four days. I have to follow the guidelines of my employer. So I will have two days and a weekend down the shore with my Aunt and I will drink in as much of the water as I possibly can. I am hoping that Matt and I will be able to fit in one long weekend at Cape May in the fall. It is my other favorite place, because of all the old homes and architecture there.

I finished my socks! Yeah! I got a pair done for July. I am so very, very happy about that.

I have now started a roll brimmed hat for quad riding this fall and winter. I am using the Bartlettyarn that I got from the Cozy Cabin and I am absolutely LOVING it! I love the feel of it and the smell of it. Very natural. I am so pleased also that the yarn is from sheep from America and it is made in Maine and it has a very reasonable pricepoint that makes it extremely affordable. I am so in LOVE with this yarn.

On Thursday night I met Carolyn there and I got some to make a Cabled Hobo bag for myself and some to make a scarf with. Then I picked up some things for my Odd Ball Swap Partner. I am getting her package ready to go out this week. I can't believe how fast this month went by. I also have to get my SP 12 package ready to go out. It's not "THE" biggie, it is just another teaser.

Sorry there aren't any pictures this time.

A visit to the COZY CABIN

After work yesterday, and a quick dinner with dh, I took a run over to the "cozy cabin" our new LYS and met Toni the owner. The shop deals with quilting supplies and with yarn. She is offering a few classes beginning in September, that will be taught by Carolyn from our Thursday night knit group. Anyway, the shop is really very cute and the perfect size. She offers lovely choices in Wildfoote, which I have never used before and picked up two skeins to make a pair of socks with. It is in the colorway "mums". Then after much "touching and feeling" I decided on one skein of Bartlett yarn in 3 ply, 145 yards of Md. Sheeps gray. I'll be using this for a pull over cowl, and a skein of Bartlett yarn in 2 ply, 210 yards in Dark Sheeps Gray, for a hat. Both of which are for myself and for winter when we go quad riding. I like the color, as it is not really a gray, but more of a brown. I like it alot.

As a matter of fact, I liked a lot of the colors she offered. There was also some other yarns, but I had to be good and I went with the hat and cowl in mind and perhaps a pair of socks. So I stuck well to my budget and to my list. Though I would have loved to have purchased more! And probably will in the future.

I have also signed up for Carolyn's class that she will offer in October. It is making a gorgeous colorwork christmas stocking. I can't wait.

I heard from my SP12 spoilee, she got the goodies that I sent along. I can't really mention what at the moment, just in case she happens along this blog. Which, hardly anyone reads my blog, so I don't know why I worry or wonder, but I have been looking at everyones blog who has one listed on the website trying to think who could be my SP. My upline as they say. She must travel an awful lot for work. I have not heard from her this week and last week she told me that she had been to Mexico on business so that was why I hadn't heard from her. That must be hard to be away from family.

I find it very interesting reading other peoples blogs. It is so much fun when they are from another country and they talk about their home and the pictures! It's just great. I have always lead such a boring life, I just love being able to see what other peoples lives are like.

I had some "ripping" yesterday. Well, the cabled hobo bag had a noticeable mistake about 5 repeats back, so RIP. And continue on. Then, I had all the decreases done on my toe of sock one, and it would have been just a tad too tight, so RIP. All the way back and put in five more rows and then began the decreases.

I have to work tomorrow, but I promise to get some pictures on here. It's been too long since I've taken any. I want to show the yarn I got.

SP Question #4

1) What yarn (that you don’t have/haven’t used) would make your stash “complete”?

Let's see, I would have to say some of the garnstudioEskimo or Silke alpaca. I have never tried it and would love to.


2) What yarn do you never want to be without?**

For this one, I would say cascade 220. I love all the different colors. I would also add Elsabeth Lavold Silky wool

I Did really knit in June, didn't I?

I feel like the month has flown by and I haven't knit a thing.

I did one thing for my SP. That went out last week with some goodies in it for her. I hope that she liked it.

I have the one sock in progress, I am on the foot part.

I worked on the June bag, but I am mixed about the results with the yarn I used. I like the pattern well enough though. I love cables.

I am still working on my "Lace Ribbon Scarf" from the Spring 2008 Knitty. It's my second one and I keep going back to it.

I have been wanting to get to the Cozy Cabin. It is a quilt/yarn shop that has opened in a local ladies home, however, weekends are hard for me, and she is only open Thurs and Fri evening and on the weekends. I hope to make it there this week, I want to see some of the yarn and sign up for one of the classes. At least I am thinking about it.

July is nearly here. I am so excited to be having a few days away with my Aunt, that the whole month will fly by, and I fear it will be winter soon.

Isn't it terrible how we wish our lives away?

What would you consider to be the perfect amount of stash?

Yarn stash that is.

I never really thought about this, as I do have a yarn stash, not in my notebook though. I have 4 dresser drawers full, plus two drawers of one night stand, plus two underbed storage containers, plus two smaller shelf containers, plus a LARGE ziplock with my reclaimed yarn and yarn yet to be claimed. Plus there is the "sock" bag, with an additional three skeins, and a J.Knits back with about 8 skeins, plus a shopping bag with some kitchen cotton.

And I still feel the NEED for more!

Terrible as it is. I am on a yarn diet, and I have been VERY good. I have only purchased a few skeins that I needed to make a project or two since February. Otherwise I have been using what I have in my stash, and this is helping to keep me happy, and not broke!

My perfect size stash is whatever I need at the moment to get me through the moment I am in, so I guess, for right now, I have the perfect sized stash.

Question #2 and other updates...

Question 2 for the SP what did I look forward to most on summer break.

Our bungalow at the Jersey shore and reading. We had no tv, no telephone, we didn't even have a shower, you bathed in the kitchen sink. For a kid, that was heaven! Those are the memories that will always be burned into my head and my heart.

This weekend was a waste! I got absolutely no knitting done. I hate weekends like that.

We got TONS of yard work done though, which, I really shouldn't complain about. It needed to be done, damn weeds! I hate to use chemicals on them, and when I was home, I could keep after them, everyday for a few minutes, but now! FORGET IT! I had to put down some Preen after I weeded. I am going to have to put several applications down and then in the fall use something a bit stronger. I can't be spending hours weeding, and weed wacking.

Saturday night, I was so exhausted, I couldn't even enjoy the deck with DH. I ended up falling asleep around 7:30! That is a bit early, man am I getting old.

Since I last wrote, I have finished the cuff of one sock, and I have gotten 9 inches done on the June bag. It is working up a bit small, but I am hoping that it will soften up once I wash it. The cabling is just awesome on it.

Well, I haven't heard from my SP last week, I hope that she is doing well.

Summer Drink?

Well, this is the question for the week for the Secret Pal swap.

I drink coffee. Summer, spring, winter, fall.

It's a terrible habit, and I really need to drink more water. At one time, I had gotten very good about my water versus coffee intake. I have to get better at that.

So I guess I am going to say. My drink for summer is water.

(Even though my coffee in the morning keeps me going!)

I have finished my charity scarf.

I have made one gift, a small one for my Secret Pal. I hope that she will like it.

Every girl should have one, not that most NEED more. But I thought she might like a little something made just for her. I have to figure out though how to wrap it. I am a horrible wrapper. In fact, I HATE to wrap anything.

Yes, I know how to wrap, I just hate, dread doing it. But I want her to feel special so I am going to have to figure this out over the weekend and send it off next week.

Here's a little tip. I used a vintage button on it.

FO and frustrations

Here is a picture of my completed, modified Arnold bag. I didn't have the chunky weight yarn that was called for in the pattern, but I had some Patons classic merino in my stash that I wanted to us up. So here is the completed bag. I love it! It is the perfect size for carring my mindless, work, knitting, and my lunch and snacks in.


Next, we have the mindless, work, knitting. This is a scarf, made of Gleam, that will be sent to a charity group that will in turn send it along to a chemo patient. At work, I can fit in knitting here and there, but I can't bring anything that takes real thought. So I figured this time can be used well to knit for charity.

I don't remember if I showed this one well enough. This is the scarf I made from some of my reclaimed yarn. I love this pattern and how this one came out.

That I immediately cast on this one when I was done with the above one. It is also of reclaimed yarn, of a light weight, lambswool. It is a gray/purple shade with flecks of colors in it. I think the tag in the sweater said "woodland". I like the weight of this one. It will make a nice indoor scarf to help dress up some of my conservative bank outfits.

I feel bad about this next picture. The color is just not what it really is. I will have to take another one when I am done. In the picture, it looks gold, but really it is this wonderful shade of green. It is some of the J. Knits yarn in Montana colorway.

This pattern is "Falling Water Lace Scarf" by Bonnie Sennott. It is a great pattern and I have gotten through the repeat 15 times. I will probably do 25 repeats to make it nice and long. It is a fingerweight yarn.

I found out who my secret pal is and I am so excited to start this new adventure. I do not have a clue what it is all about, but I'll learn.

My spoiler has contacted me today as well. It is so exciting!

Part of my frustration is my work. Last week, I made a mistake, one that perhaps could have been avoided if I weren't new, if I could "hear" better, and if an additional hold had been placed on a check. I can't really say much more, but let's just say, the bank is out several thousand dollars because of a bad check and me paying part of it out. sigh.... The others have told me, they would have done the same, the hold was off of the check, the money was available. They would have given out the cash as well. BUT, they didn't, I was the one who did, and while it's not like I'll lose my job or anything, it is now up to my boss to track the person down, and to try to get the money back OR to go through all the paperwork to take this person to court. I feel and felt horrible.

I know I need to move on about it. Things like this happen. I try to believe that people are good, but you know what? People who are bad, shit on people who are good. And that's just the way things are and I should get used to it, I know.

But, I still feel bad, like it was my fault, like I should have known better.

I am now more careful about everyone, and every check. I check every account, and if I'm not sure, I call one of the others who are more familiar with the families and the customers.

well, that's enough bellyaching.

SP 12 Questionaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? This is really a difficult question to answer. I have not knit with tons of yarn or fibers yet, so I don't really have a true favorite, but I love knitting with J. Knits mernio yarns. Any natural fiber or fiber blend. I like to purchase from Little Knits because they have good sales for trying things.

What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I knit with all kinds, however, I am allergic to cats and rabbits, so all angora is out for me.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? At the current time, I keep them all in a seal tight lid plastic container, my spare ones, if I am using them, they just travel with me.


3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? I have not been knitting for very long, perhaps 10 years, however, I really began to learn and enjoy knitting about two years ago. Since then I have learned to knit socks and sweaters and tons of other things!

Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I would like to think I am an intermediate, however, I believe you can't know everything and that you are always learning.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? I will have to get back to this, I do have one on Amazon, and I would like to make another wish list. I tend to keep them in my head as I "window" shop.

5. What's your favorite scent? I love anything with sandlewood, but also like citrus.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Anything with chocolate, caramel and nuts.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? I crochet, though I haven't done much in quite some time. I used to scrapbook, but have given my things to a dear friend. OH, and recently I started to reclaim yarn from thrift store sweaters.

Do you spin? No, and I don't really think I will learn this craft.

8. What kind of music do you like? I like mostly 80's music, but I listen to just about anything rock.

Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I don't really know to be honest.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? As far as colors, I love ocean related ones. Blues, greens, purples. I have also been drawn, lately to colors I had never really thought about before, such as tangerine and coral.

Any colors you just can't stand? I would say neon and black.

10. What is your family situation? I am married and we have one son.

Do you have any pets? We have one dog, who is our "four legged" boy. Spoiled nearly as much as our son!

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? I am currently seeking scarf patterns. I recently started working and need to dress conservatively and thought scarves would be a way to add a little bit to my outfits. I do wear hats in winter, but not for fashion. Mittens are always great, would love some that are also fingerless gloves with the mitten over top. I am a not very tall, so I haven't ventured for a poncho yet. This is the one nice thing that I love about knitting, I can make my clothes to fit me!

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? I love to knit socks. Though, if you look at this blog, you will see I didn't get a pair done in May because of working on other things and because of now having a job, but I would say they are my favorite. Just too many yarn choices. Also, I love to knit felted bags. I feel as if I have been in a search, most of my life, for the perfect handbag. Making my own has helped alot, though I am still searching. I am currently carrying a Squatty Sidekick, that I lined, that is the near perfect size for me, now I just need to modify it a bit. There are tons of patterns in my queue.

13. What are you knitting right now? I am working on "Lace Ribbon Scarf" by Veronik Avery from the Knitty Spring 2008 issue. It is my second one. Though, it's not on my projects page. I recently started "Falling Water Lace Scarf" by Bonnie Sennott. I am using some J. Knits Superwash Me Sock in "Montana". I am really liking the way it is coming out.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? I love handmade gifts. To me there is no other sign of friendship or love that says it all.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? I have problems with my hands, wrists and elbows, and I have found straights are a problem, so I tend to use circulars for everything. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I have some in each, but have found that I really like the ones fom Knit Picks.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? My brother made me a simple swift, which has worked wonderfully, but I have no ball winder and have been searching for an inexpensive one.

17. How old is your oldest UFO? I would say two years. There is a scarf I started to learn how to do cables, and it is long enough for me, but it is still on the needles.

18. What is your favorite holiday? I don't really have one

19. Is there anything that you collect? yarn, yes, I could say yarn. I want to try new kinds, things I haven't tried before, so one skein is good. I say one skein because it is a good way to try out a new yarn to know if you are going to like it. With one skein, you can usually make something useful and fun without alot of expense.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? There are several patterns, Central Park Hoodie is one I can think of as far as patterns go. (There are some in my queue on Ravelry and in my favorites). Yarns, I would love to try are different sock yarns: Lisa Sousa for one, CherryTree Hill, Mountain colors. Any sock yarn other than Opal I guess. Though I do love Opal 6 ply. I don't have any solid color sock yarns and now that I am working a conservative job, I can't really wear the loud colors and stripes that I usually knit with. So some subtle handpainteds or some solid colors, but not black. I don't think the eyes could handle it.

What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? None, I would LOVE interweave knits. I have been buying these as they come out since last fall, so any back issues from 2006 would be nice also.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? I am slowly trying to learn how to do lace, but lace weight still intimidates me, so I have been trying with dk and fingering weight to learn. I am not sure that I will ever get below a size 2 needle. Even for socks in fingering weight I end up using a 2 because I do tend to knit tightly.

22. Are you a sock knitter? YES!

What are your foot measurements? I wear a size 7 shoe.

23. When is your birthday? December

24. Are you on Ravelry? Yes. If so, what's your ID? Knititall

I guess the only thing I would really add is that I am allergic to cats and rabbits, that nearly any kind of yarn (except maybe novelty, because I have tons of that in my stash already) in a natural fiber I would love to try knitting with. I am easy to please and I am looking forward to being a part of SP12