On the Sticks, In the Sticks

Secret Pal 11 Revealed

My Secret Pall 11 package actually arrived last Wednesday...life has just gotten in the way of me sharing it with you! My great pal has been Shanna. She's from Michigan, and has the most adorable son! Go check out her blog!

Shanna has been the best Secret Pal, and since I'm so new at this, has really given me a great example of how to be a Secret Pal. I plan to stay in touch, which is one of the cool things about Secret Pal -   getting to meet other crafters out there in the blogging world that you might not otherwise find, getting to know them, and becoming friends.

So here's (most of!) my final package:

Shanna picked out

(in my absolute favorite colors)

2 skeins of KnitPicks "Essential" in Meadow Multi (a superwash, sockweight, in variegated brown green and purple

3 skeins of Sugar 'n' Cream cotton in Hot Purple (which is really a beautiful lavender), sage green, and Country Side Ombre

Christmas cookie cutters

A crocheted dishcloth in the Country Side Ombre colors - isn't it pretty. I waited to use it until i took the picture, but today I'm going to put it to work!

And several of the candy-filled candy canes. As you can see, only one remains...the rest met an untimely, but delicious end mine and the kids bellies on the way to and from homeschool group.

Thank you so much, Shanna. i have so enjoyed being your Secret Giftee.

Odds 'n' Ends

The other day I finally picked up my sweater that sat languishing for a few weeks, waiting to be put back on the needles. I had ripped it back several inches so I could smallify the body and left it, with all it's stitches on scrap yarn, waiting to be put back on the needles. So, the other morning, while waiting for pictures to load, I got it all back on the needles, and now I'm dividing for the sleeves, so I can start working the body again. I wanted to get it going again, not only so I can wear it sometime this winter, but because it's a really good mindless project for the most part. The body will be miles and miles of straight knitting in the round.

An FO:

I finished this scarf the other day. I was going to add a purple stripe to it as well, like I had seen in the original scarf I admired, but couldn't find the plum or eggplant color I'd hoped for in this yarn. I used Morehouse Merino yarn that I had bought a few years ago for this project, and #7 circular needle (to hold all 250 stitches). I knit it sideways, obviously, in garter stitch with about seven ridges between color changes. It's nice and thick and warm. It'll be good for keeping warm at Shane's hockey practices.

You can also see the result of our pumpkin carving there. We had lots of fun. I declared that the little pumpkin, third from the left in front there, takes the prize for the funniest name - Shaker Baker. Every time they say it, I crack up! They named all of the pumpkins the other night and played Pumpkin School with them. The Tall one on the right with the black on top of his head is Big Poppy (Go Red Sox!) That's a baseball cap on his head, with a B on it! So anyway, Shaker Baker reminds me of Shake N Bake, but actually got his name because, when we shook him, before he was carved, you could hear his seeds shaking around inside.

I got some Cherry Tree Hill yarn the other day in "Peacock" colorway, and have started a pair of socks for Billy's aunt for Christmas. Yum! (No pictures yet.)

Other than starting the socks, I really want to finish a lot of the UFO's I have floating around. The number has become enough that I really don't feel like starting any new projects (besides those socks:)) until I finish up a few.

Then, last Wednesday, my second package arrived from my Secret Pal 11 pal. Thanks Pal! She sent some beautiful Lion Brand bulky yarn in my favorite colors, yummy candy for Halloween along with flavored cocoa mixes. Mmmmm! A pattern book to tempt me out of finishing my UFO's :), and some Halloween stickers which Winter and I love to create pictures out of.

YES!!!!! I just heard the Red Sox won the World Series last night!!!!! I was too tired to stay up till the end last night. WOOHOO!!!!!!!Way to go Red Sox!

Stash Revealed

I've got lots of things to let you in on before I head out tomorrow for Maine! I won't have computer access up there unless I get a chance to stop by the local library, so things'll be quiet around here until the end of next week, but I'll have pictures and stories when we return!

First, I sent off my pal's package for the Knitter's Virtual Vacation yesterday. I hope she likes it. I had a lot of fun finding things to send. I figure I'd better not say anymore until I hear it's arrived.

Like I said, I entered my Fractured Lattice Sock in the Chatham Fair (aka the Columbia County Fair), which started yesterday and continues through Labor Day Monday. I've never entered something in a fair, but I really wanted to try it this year. Last year when we walked around the Woolbooth at the Fair, my interest in knitting had really picked up again, and I found myself thinking, I want to enter something next year. I'm not really looking to win any prizes, it's more to have just entered that I'm enjoying.

Here are my finished socks. I really like how they came out. I wrote up the pattern and I'm going to enter them in the Summer of Socks Design Contest. Why not? It's the first pattern I've ever done, and it's something I want to get into even more, so this seemed like a fun challenge for myself.

I joined Secret Pal 11 and for a contest Christine is running for our group I get to show you pictures of my stash!

Warning: you can skip this part if you're not interested in boxes of yarn :)

There's the yarn that lives in my bedroom closet.

Two big bins...         

and a smaller bin and a bag...

Then there's the nice basket 'o'  inspiration by my bed...

and a lone skein of Opal sock yarn on my bedside bookshelf. And there you have it.

I'm off to bed now...trying to get an early start in the morning to avoid some of the holiday weekend traffic. "See" you when we get back!

Secret Pal 11 Questionnaire

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

I love to knit with soft stuff but I'm not really picky. I like wool and wool blends, but I'm not opposed to other stuff either. I recently knit a pair of socks with Regia Silk Color that I love. I don't really like  the glitzy, fluffy, fake fur type stuff, though.

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

I have two vases on my bedside bookshelf, one for straight needles and one for dpns. I keep my circulars in a bank money bag my mom gave me years ago, more out of habit than anything...and it zips, so they can't get out!

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

My mom taught me to knit when I was about 8...then there was a gap there and I picked it up again when I was in college and I've knit on and off since then over the years. The last two or three years have been my most avid time, since my kids are getting just a little bit older (8,6, and 3) I have a little more time to knit.

For skill level, I would say I'm at least intermediate...maybe when I try something like steeking I'll start to think of myself as getting advanced. I kind of figure there's nothing I can't do if I set my mind to it. Some things I don't really want to try, but I think I could probably do them if they caught my interest. How's that for long-winded?!

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

No, I haven't done that yet, though I should!

5. What's your favorite scent?

I love anything citrusy - lemon, orange. I also love rose, and lily of the valley...but nothing too perfumy or strong.

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

Definitely have a sweet tooth...my fave is anything with peanut butter and chocolate mixed, like Reese's Sticks or Mini Reese's PB Cups,  and Lindor Peanut Butter Truffles (when I want to treat myself!)

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

I don't spin yet, though someday I want to try it. I can sew, cross-stitch. I'm pretty crafty, but right now those have all taken a back seat to knitting.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I like a lot of different kinds of music...country, blues, folk, Celtic, etc.  I don't have an MP3 player. I can play CD's at home. Just have a tape player in my car right now.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? I love purples and greens - esp sage greens -  the most. Don't usually like the combination of purple with yellow or orange, and don't really go for red either.

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

I'm married, have 3 kids ( a dd8, ds 6 and ds 3), two cats and a dog and we homeschool.

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

Scarves, hats, mittens, yes.

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

Right now it's socks. I also like to do hats and sweaters, though I haven't very recently.

13. What are you knitting right now?

I've been finishing up a sock of my (first) own design with Tofutsies, and I'm hoping to cast on a new sock, again with my own design idea to try in Reynolds Soft Sea Wool. I also have a simple garter stitch shawl OTN in laceweight merino.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

They're the best!

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

Usually circular, like for sweaters, but I'm not that picky. With double-pointed needles I'm just realizing I prefer aluminum, with other kinds of needles I'm not sure.

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

No, not yet.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

A couple months ago I cleaned out a trunk and found a fisherman's knit cardigan I started when I was in college - I graduated 20 years ago ( Ack!) Sadly I lost or used the last skein to finish it...so there it sits.

18. What is your favorite holiday?

I love the Christmas, the gift-giving, though not all the commercialism. And if my birthday counts as a holiday, I love my birthday! :)

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Besides yarn? (smile) No, not with intention, but I do like folk angels and snowmen, and Native American and Celtic stuff.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

Wow, this is like making a wishlist! Ummm. I know there are lots of good books out there I've thought about getting. The ones that come to mind right now are More Sensational Knitted Socks and Cat Bordhi's new book...is it New Pathways for Sockknitters?  Yarns? I don't know... I've heard of so many good yarns out there. I've been meaning to check out the KnitPicks circular needles I've heard people raving about, but haven't yet. And I've been thinking about learning to knit socks on two circs, but haven't yet. I recently subscribed to Interweave Knits. I also like Knitter's magazine.

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

I've been really enjoying learning new techniques this year. I love learning new stuff because it's like figuring out a puzzle, which I love to do...I want to learn to knit socks on two circs, cabling without a cable needle, more ways to knit a sock heel, more twisted stitch patterns, anything that's a bit of a challenge.

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

Yep, I'm on a sock-knitting bender lately! Though I wear a size 10 shoe, I fit into the average size sock pattern usually, so I'm hesitant to give my leg and around-the-foot measurements because the average fits even though my measurements are larger.  My foot length is 9 1/2 inches.

23. When is your birthday?

February 27th

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?  No, I'm not on there yet. I'm only mildly curious so far, even though i've heard good things about it. I just don't know if I'd have the time to keep up with it!