Current favourite

My SP10 host Shelby asked participants to post their favourite WIP so here I go. I just started a couple of new projects and this one is my new favourite:



The pattern is the Winding Cable Socks, I got it when I subscribed to the KnitsNews newsletter. I love it because I'm using my new favourite sock yarn ever: superwash merino wool from Fearless Fibers. This one is the raspberry colourway. I liked it a lot when I saw it online, I loved it when I received the yarn and I want to marry it now that I've started knitting with it. It's the softest sock yarn I've ever used.

I've also recently cast on for Isabella with the black cotton I had in my mini-stash. I don't have a picture because I left it at my boyfriend's. I'm not sure I'll keep working on it anyways. I had to go down two needle sizes to get gauge, which means I have to use size 1 (2.5mm) needles. It looks like it'll take forever to finish.

I was supposed to go to a knitting meetup tonight but I ended up not being able to make it. I'm pretty bummed as the yarn faeries from Ariadne were supposed to bring some Lorna's Lace. I've never worked with that yarn and I'm sure I wouldn't have been able to resist. I guess my wallet is happy :)

Feet on fire!

I finished the Ripple Weave socks:



Pattern: Ripple Weave sock by Charlene Schurch, from the Fall 06 issue of Vogue Knitting.
Yarn: Fleece Artist Merino. Like I said, it was too busy for the pattern, but I still like the way it came out.
Needles: 2.75 mm bamboo DPNs. I usually use 2.25 mm for socks, but I wanted big fat ones. They're very comfy.

Next on the needles: a pair of socks with some Fearless Fibers yarn and (probably) Isabella from the latest issue of Knitty.

We wants it!

I went shopping for my Secret Pal and got the most gorgeous sock yarn. It's beautiful. The colours are fantastic. It's... perfect.

And now I want to keep it for myself.

But I won't. It's for my pal. She'll love it I'm sure. And I don't want to buy new yarn for me until I make two more pairs. *sigh*

Oh and I'm not going to tell you what it is or post pictures in case my Secret Pal sees my blog (who knows just who reads this thing).

Also, in case some of the Montreal knitters are interested: Effiloché stocks Colinette Jitterbug sock yarn (no, it's not what I got for the pal) and it looks BEAUTIFUL and is incredibly soft, but it's a bit pricey (25$). I'm sure I'll treat myself and buy a skein someday though.

Bleh blah bluh

I haven't been feeling well this week. Everyone is sick around me so I may have caught something. I don't know. I'm just *really* looking forward to the weekend (I'm going to my mom's, yay!)

I received an email from my Secret Pal (HELLO SECRET PAL!!!). She said "I hope you like alpaca". I have a feeling she'll be a great pal. ;)

I've been knitting quite a bit, mostly on the ripple weave socks:



(Colour is really bad on that pic). I can't wait till I'm done, especially since I'll try the Fearless Fiber yarn I ordered a while ago next.I'm almost decided on a pattern too.

I was looking through my sort-of-stash and I decided I needed to make something out of the cotton I have. I'm really liking Isabella. I may wait until I get the new Vogue knitting though. Have you seen the preview? There are cute things in there...

Ok. Now I'm off to start the seaming on the blue cardigan. Yes, I'm going to seam. It's time. I just hope I don't ruin the thing...

SP Questionnaire

I haven't participated to a Secret Pal exchange in a while so I'm very excited to be part of that one. Thanks to Robyn for her help with my registration.

So, here's the questionnaire:

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I love good ol' wool. Of course, I've also enjoyed cashmere the one time I used it ;) Like many people, I don't really care for scratchy acrylic.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
Store? ;) Most of my DPNs are in a bag. My straight needles (that I pretty much never use) are in a sort of vase. I use mostly my interchangeable circular sets (Denise and Knitpicks) which are in their own cases.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I've been knitting for a few years now. Maybe three or four? I learned from books and the Internet. I'd say my skills are intermediate.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
I don't! But I recently made a post on books I'd like to own (though I can now scratch the Book of finishing techniques from that list since I'll get it from Mona tomorrow).


5. What's your favorite scent?
Good question. I don't have a favourite, but I prefer fruity scents to flowery scents.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Yes, yes, yes. I'm addicted to jujubes and jellybeans. And I love chocolate.


7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
Knitting is my hobby of choice. I want to learn to crochet someday. I don't spin but I'd like to learn.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I love all kinds of music. Most of my current favourites are French-Canadian artists (you all really should check out Malajube, they're great). I also LOVE Tori Amos, Björk, Fiona Apple and other strong female artists. Other than that, hmmm, let me check my little iPod: Arcade Fire, Arctic Monkeys, Coldplay, Franz Ferdinand, FrouFrou, Beck, Garbage, Green Day, Metric, Mobile, Nirvana, No Doubt, Placebo, Radiohead, R.E.M, The Dresden Dolls, Weezer...

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I love blue, red and pink. I rarely wear green (it doesn't look good on me) and yellow. Except on my feet. Any colour is good there.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I live by myself and will move in with my boyfriend in the summer. Unfortunately, I'm very allergic to most pets so I have none.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Yes, yes, yes and no.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Socks! I also like hats. I'd love to knit more sweaters but my seaming skills leave a lot to be desired.

13. What are you knitting right now?
Socks :) I also just started a hat. I need to block and seam a cardigan. And I have a shawl UFO that I need to get back to.


14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Of course!


15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I much prefer circular needles. I love bamboo but I'm totally in love with my Knitpicks options set.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Sadly, no. It's on my list of things to get.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
It's my shawl and I started it in May. Every other object that I haven't finished have been frogged.

18. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas!


19. Is there anything that you collect?
Sock yarn ;) No, I don't even have that much. I try not to collect things cause I'm a big clutterer.

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'd like to get old issues of Interweave Knits. My oldest one is from Summer 2004. Patterns? Hmm. I've always wanted to make Rogue. I'd like to make the Simple Knitted Bodice as well as Flicka and Cherry from My fashionable Life. Oh and I also love many patterns from White Lies Design. I don't have a subscription to any knitting magazines. And yarn? Oh my. There are MANY brands I'd like to try. I've never used Socks that Rock, Koigu and Lorna's Lace, to name a few.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I want to try colour work. Actually, I've tried fair isle before but my knitting was too tight. I need to give it another try.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes, I'm a sock knitter. My feet are small, I wear a size 6.5 (that's in Canada, I don't know if it's different from other parts of the world).

23. When is your birthday?
December 3 (I'll turn 30 this year!!!)

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Robyn mentionned a tattoo meme on her blog. Here's mine (sorry for the bad quality):



It's on my right shoulder blade. I had it done in 2001. I don't think I'll get a second one but if I did, it would probably be a fleur de lys.