PUNK ROCK EXCHANGE

THE QUESTIONAIRE

Here it is....THE QUESTIONAIRE....its long and involved. Take your time, cut and paste it with your answers, on your blog on or before March 4th, please! The better your answers are to the questions, the easier it is for your pal to send you a great box. It is the best way for your pal to get to know you in the short time before that first box arrived on your doorstep - April 1st....

1. How long have you been knitting/crocheting/spinning?
I have been knitting/crafting for 40 years. I don't spin yet

2. Do you consider yourself a beginner, novice or experienced yarn artist?
I am at an advanced level

3. What fibers (materials) have you knit/crochet with?
I am not fond of 100% acrylic, mixes are fine, I seem to be using wool lately

4. What are your favorite yarns?
Noro, Berocco Ultra Alpaca, Cascade 220

5. What fibers are you dying to try?
DH just gifted me with some Kilkarra Donegal Tweed straight from Ireland, I am very excited about it

6. Do you prefer solid, self striping, or handpainted yarns?
No preference

7. What fibers do you dislike?
as above

8. What are your favorite colors?
purple,green

9. What are your least favorite colors?
pinks and pastels

10. How did you learn to knit/crochet/spin?
Self taught with some help from books

11. What projects are you currently working on?
Too many to note, just look at KALs>>>>>>

12. How old is your oldest UFO? What is it? Will it ever be finished?
This is second time today I have answered this and yes now it will be definitely get finished. 5.5 yrs ago on honeymoon started a crocheted(acrylic)pansy afghan

13. What is the most heartbreaking project that you ever frogged?
The first time I found out we were pregnant(DH and I)I started a sweater, after 4 losses I frogged some of the pieces

14. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
Either

15. Do you own a swift and/or a winder?
Yes as of last week

16. Where do you keep your needles?
In a tall basket and ziploc bags

17. Do you enjoy helpful hints about your knitting or does it just piss you off?
Hmmmm...I am not sure, guess it depends who is making them

18. What techniques are you still a virgin in (lace, cables, ect.) and are you interested in trying them?
Socks on circular needles, but I am going to try it this week

19. What knitting magazines do you subscribe to?
none

20. Are there any books, needles, yarn, patterns that you are dying to get your hands on?
I am sure there are, but right now my list is pretty well taken care of

21. Do you enjoy knitting socks? How big are your feet?
Well of course, I run from a 6.5-7.5

22. Do you have a wish list?
In my head
23. What are your non-knitting, crochet, spinning hobbies?
trying to get back to running....skiing, cycling,antiquing

24. How do you feel about sports?
Eh

25. What is your favorite season? Least favorite season? Why?
Winter is favorite, I like to be cozy, summer is least favorite, I think it is the excess of unneccessary nudity

26. What is your favorite holiday?
Valentine's

27. Do you like handmade gifts?
SURE

28. Do you wear jewelry that isn't real?
Costume? Sure...I am fortunate to have a lot of "real" but love silver and there is a lot of beautiful not real out there

29. What are your favorite foods? Scents that you love?
Hmmm...I really like chicken, omelttes, not red meat very often...I seem to be into cookie and baking scents


30. What is your family situation? Do you live alone?
I am happily married for 5.5 years to a wonderful guy, we have two sons 17 and 22 and are blessed with "daughter" dating older son.

31. Do you have any pets?
No pets, younger DS has some fish

32. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3's?
Hmm..I like Celtic alternative, folk and AFI(thanks to younger DS)

33. What are your favorite movies? TV shows? Actors?
I don't really have favorite actors, not into that..I don't like stupid comedy

34. What do you collect?
Bikes,depression glass,

35. What do you do in real life -- besides knit and blog?
Work a lot, travel whenever possible..try to enjoy family

36. When is your birthday? Is it a national holiday or just another day?
It is just another day in february(16)...I like to make the boys' bdays big deals and they all try to reciprocate

37. Do you have any allergies, medical conditions or disorders that your pal should be aware of (ie. diabetes, food/pet allergies, ect.)?
I don't like smoke or pet smells...my DS is allergic to latex,rubber

38. Are there any scents, phobias, or sensory thing (ie, the way certain objects feel) that your pal should be aware of?
No nutty smells please, DS is allergic

39. What is the most difficult thing that you have ever knit/crochet?
DH is 6'6" and wore a kilt for our wedding, he wears a 16eeee shoe and I knit his kilt hose.

40. What is your personal style? Is there a time period/fashion movement that you take your cues from?
I am all over the place, punk, victorian, folk, bohemian, classic

41. Anything else that you would like to say?
Thank you for organizing this and letting me participate

I have a Boston Accent

What American accent do you have? Your Result: Boston   You definitely have a Boston accent, even if you think you don't. Of course, that doesn't mean you are from the Boston area, you may also be from New Hampshire or Maine.
The Midland
The West
North Central
The Northeast
Philadelphia
The Inland North
The South
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

Isn't that funny since I am from Boston all my life,(the immediate area)

They Are At It Again

I am sitting here knitting on Dale Fox, Socktopia Socks and Vintage Socks watching Law and Order SVU, trying to psyche myself for working extra tonight, may snow which means busy or quiet and can knit, and then I hear it. The three "children" are together laughing. Older son(22 getting masters in a few months)DGF(22just received Bachelors) were giggling and younger DS(just 17 graduating high school) hears and joins in. I would give up my ability to knit, all UFOs, WIPS and just about anything else in my life to hear that. Brings a smile to my face and my heart.
Now I am not sure if I mentioned it before but sons have extensive medical histories and IMHO have every right to be whiney self pitying people, but they are not. They love life and one another and their dads and I are lucky enough to be included.
OK back to knitting.

Secret Pal 10 Questionnaire

The Questionnaire For Secret Pal 10
Here are is the questionnaire for SP10. Please be sure to post it in a spot on your blog where your pal can easily find it. Since your pal will use this to help create your packages you'll want to have it posted to your blog no later than the last day of February.

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I am using a lot of wool lately, I have fallen in love with NORO and just used CASCADE for the first time for the DOT bag.....I am not fond of 100% acrylic although a mix is terrific for children, afghans..
2.What do you use to store your needles in
I have a tall Peterboro basket and ziploc bags

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I have been knitting for 40 years, I learned on my own after an aunt kept buying me the little knitting kits....I am an advanced knitter...I am hoping to persue my masters certificate this year

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

5. What's your favorite scent?
I like cookie scents

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Hmmmm.....I think after Valentine's Day I am candied out, otherwise jellybeans

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?I do not spin, yet, I do all crafts

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 Celtic alternative music, folk music, my computer can play MP3s

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?I am not a pink person, I love greens, purples

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?I live with my terrific husband, two sons

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

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Lately socks, although I loved doing the tote and I am an Aran knit maniac, of colorstranding is also a passion

13. What are you knitting right now?
There isn't enough room here to list everything, look at all those KALs

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
I believe so, I haven't often as I am the maker generally

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I really like cirs, dpns, metal then bamboo

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Yes and yes, this week DH presented me with them for birthday

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
I believe it would be 5.5 years...I started a pansy afghan on our honeymoon and want to finish it before our next anniversary

18. What is your favorite holiday?
Valentines, hearts, purple

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Hmmmm....so much...antique English bikes, depression glass, KALs lol

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 subscribe to any, I like the thrill of the bookstore purchase...I have received most of the books I was craving DS and DSGF bought me the Untangling Cables for bday

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Knitting socks on circulars, I have the books, the circulars if someone could give me the block of free time, LOL

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
YES....I am a 6.5-7 sometimes a 7.5



23. When is your birthday?
February 16....just passed

February 24 Partial Update

OK, so I am posting early, will add to post on Monday. Have been diligently working on socks, bags, sweaters. My DOT bag was sent out to its new home, hopefully the recipient will enjoy it. Speaking of recipient , I received my first ever package from a pal in the YFC ....there is Starbucks coffee, a lovely mug, purple heart pin, 3 skeins of Noro Kureyon, an herbal back wrap, a glass ornament, nail file with knitting theme, there were foam conversation heart heart strewn thoughout the lovely wraped items. I feel very spoiled by Carol. Thank you so very much.



I received some lovely gifts on my birthday from my family. Among the gifts were these two books from sons and DGF, I coveted the cable book after seeing it on Rebekah's blog

, and have been wanting to read The Tale of Two Cities for all the knitting references.




My DH gave me a winder and a swift, I post action shots later...and ordered me some Kilkarra yarn....woohoo, no used day for me, heehee...I have used the February day, not the Jaunary day.

I am working on finishing my Socktopia February Socks and the Vintage Socks for the Feb/March challenge. The Dale is moving along and after a bit of finishing on another pair, well the colorstranded pair of Fetching for younger DS I post another FO.
OH the Tote Exchange, I am working on that bag which is flying along, yea for size 13 needles and bulkiy yarn!!

OK It is a worknight but I wanted to thank Carol again.

I will finetune this post Monday. Yes I know I will add a pic or two of Ireland in the next week or so....

More Finished Objects

OK so here is my finished Coronet tweaked hat, my DOT bag for the International Tote Swap and a smaller Tote waiting for a zipper. This one has no home right now but has been waiting to be fulled, so it is.




Turning 50
OK, no I did not, next year I will. That is the first time I have put it in writing, scary. Anywho...I am hoping to accomplish some things this final year of fortydom
Lose 50 lbs...more than I need to, but will give it a go.
Complete 50 projects..I am not counting anything except from birthday forward ..so far count is two..it's a start.
Save $5 a week and donate $50 to each of 5 charities
Ride 5 50 mile minimum charity bike rides, last year I rode a 62 and an 80.

I think that is enough.

Happy President's Day all.....

Which Hogwarts house will you be sorted into?

I Am Back.......

First...Happy Birthday to Me! Heehee

Second....I had to remove my lovely KnitPicks circular needle and leave it behind in Shannon. I was fine all through the trip, knitting away, having a blast thinking the three projects taken would have a little bit of Ireland in them and then at the very last check point where they hand search your luggage(we had them remove their latex gloves as son is allergic) they grabbed my Dale sweater, No this would not be allowed...yet the socks and the bamboo circular were ok. Now mind you the sock DPNs are longer than the ends of the circular but NO...ok so check it...(in my head I am yelling are you crazy) but I declined the offer and ripped the needle out of the 300+ sts and handed it over. I truly think they though it was a full length needle as the security lady seemed mesmerized by the needle once I handed it over. She thought me clever to have saved all my sts onto it. Go away, take my needle and leave me alone. I just set up my bag so the next colors needed would be easily reachable. Poor sweater had lose some sts and needed 2 inches of frogging. I am still putting the sts back on needle....now I would have done nicely and moved sts to another piece of yarn, but this was literally 15 minutes before boarding the plane and you know at this point I didn't have any scissors. I did manage to nearly complete one of the bags for my swap...trouble is I love it!! LOL...I will post pictures perhaps tomorrow morning after I offload the Ireland pics. BTW no yarn worth mentioning in west Ireland. We went to the supposed number one yarn place there and I have more yarn in in WIPs, than they had. I am very spoiled by the accessibilty of yarn via the internet. The Donegal they had was Debbie Bliss(she had been there a week or two previous) so when we return in June we will go right to Donegal County and hopefully get some Kilkarra...which is widely available on Ebay. The other yarn spots had primarily acrylic yarn, Wendy, Patons, some light mixes..there was a sweater store who had some lovely plum Donegal that had just arrived but they were not ready to sell...they seemed quite perturbed that I asked if they would. They took me to a secret closet that had natural, burgundy and grey, NO we do not measure yarn in metres rather by weight and it will taked 800 grams for a sweater, right lady so when the yardage runs short .... On Inish Moor? one of the Aran isles we went to the Aran Sweater Market and Museum and the museum was closed and I think that is where their yarn is. I will post pics as you cannot imagine the different colors of sweaters...glorious, she did have some Tivoli Aran yarn but nothing impressive and was natural and after seeing the colors and knowing I had Queensland Kathmandu at home in several colors...I did purchase three sweaters though so I may purchase some Kilkarra today from ebay and use my free day as such...actually since I have all the yarn money still I may purchase more on this day as birthday giftee to me. It rained everyday, which we hoped it would and the places we went other than the Mohr Cliffs would not interest the youngsters so I am glad we did this trip the way we did.
Ok, we update photos in a bit.

Goodbye for Now

OK, another week, another FO, I needed a hat for Ireland so here we have a tweeked version on

Coronet

. I wanted the cable wider so I doubles it...I like the look, the cable was so pretty I wanted more. This was knit from yarn from my stash, Durango...something...The hat will be in the Fall Cable KAL and the Tweeding ALong KAL. I might, when I have nothing to do, make a matching scarf by tripling the cables..
ALso, I may before I get on the plane, have the two color stranded cabled Fetchings to post as finished.
OK so I am bringing along to Ireland, the Fox Dale sweater, a pair of socks and the red and black Berocco bag for the swap. I am hoping to come back with the bag done, body of Dale significantly done and one sock done as I will have the man with the very large feet there with me to try it on as I go....we are planning on visiting the Aran Isles, Waterford Crystal, and I believe he has found 4 , yes 4 yarn shops...I actually am hoping to find patterns more than yarn.
OK then, I am of course at work and will post pics when I have had some rest, as I am back to work tonight home tomorrow to pack(no sleep) and then off we go.

I will be back at the end of the week...
Be safe, be happy...

Fun Things

Posting on blogger not fun...
These things fun

I am new to KALs and to exchanges and swaps. I have just sent off some lovely ?????? to my pal in YFC....would show it but haven't heard from her and she has three months to figure out who I am...last week sent off 4 skeins of sock yarn to YFC as well as donation...they will be added to a treasure chest for a grand prize at the end of three months. I am not winning as each month we are allowed one day to buy yarn, which also loses one entry into drawing, I have had to use this months and I am planning on visiting yarn shops in Ireland so....there are two other months to be good.
SO any ways, these are the two totes for my exchanges...




The Eskimo is mostly from stash, the Cascade is not.

Also, I have started my February sock for Socktopia, chocolate(white chocolate)theme,Ivory yarn is from stash
AND I needed a hat for Ireland so Sun night at work started this, yarn is from stash, it is a quick knit, maybe 6 hours when it is doen, will post more details when FO is posted.





OK off to food shop, do laundry, clean, start packing, nap and then go to work to knit...

WOOHOO
Three out four pals DO exist....yippee!!!!
This is a very good day :)

This just went to a very very good day, all pals are accounted for, YEA!!!!!! There aren't too many things that you can be at 100% in life.....

Monday February 5th UPDATE

OK, it has been a busy few weeks, besides working extra I have a few FO..I am in 2 Sock KALS and each had a sock due by Jan 31. I finished the French Child's Sock from Nancy Bush's Vintage Sock Knitting, and Beaded Elegance from Heartstrings for a theme of Snowflakes and Starry Skies. I was surprised how much I enjoyed the beaded knitting and have actually started the February challenge socks also with beads. I must have some gypsy in my soul..LOL. My DH designed the lovely moose hat which he refers to as The Dark Side of the Moose and that is finished. Working with the Noro Silk Garden was a pleasure and I am definitely going to repeat that experience after a few more FO's. I am plugging along on my Hidcote Shawl, not quite ready to post a pic and am into the main design of the Fox Dale, not quite photo ready yet either, surely by week's end. I am having a very good time planning/knitting the two totes for the exchanges I am in, have amassed a bit of things for the Colorswap, and have sent off sock Yarn for the Yarn Forward Challenge. As always I must say out loud how blessed I am with the men in my life. They tolerate the knitting madness and oooh and ahhh appropriately. DH and I will be going to Ireland at the end of the week and I have to take a hiatus from stashing and challenges as he has planned stops at a few yarn shops while there. Short trip, much longer one in June with children. OK, I am blogging from work so will load pics when I get home. Hope everyone has a grand week...When I post at least the Dale progress I also hope to have two more FO...

I'm It for now

I've been tagged by Monica for the 5 secrets meme. This is how it works:* Get tagged by someone * Write down 5 things that have never been revealed on your blog before* Tag 5 others
1. I didn't see Bambi until I was an adult...and...I DIDN'T cry...
2. Altho I can rollercoasters all day non stop, no holding on, the ferris wheel terrifies me and I have had the ride stopped so I could get off it.
3. I can't twist...I had my spine fused at a lower level and now can not do the twist....
4. I can't read a map...
5. My sons call me by my first name, always have, always will...my oldest started when he was 10 months old and the younger followed suit...When they were younger there was no Mother's Day, it was Cheryl's Day

OK now I have to tag 5 people....I will think on this and tag them in a bit. I am at work right now...

OK I have done the dirty deed and tagged 5 poor souls..that was tough...
The victims are

Lia

,

Kim in NJ

,

Samuel

,

Rorra

and

Dawn