Yarnlove

Good things do happen.

This week I've cut my hair off. Just wonderful. I've been saving for two and a half year, and for what? Just a constant big blob of not knowing what to do with this girlfriend-ish hair mass. I feel so much better now, I don't even have to brush my hair in the morning.

Two hours after my locks fell off I was offered another year's substitute where I've been working since September. Hooray! One of the conditions I set up for myself in case I'd be here longer than April, which was the previous deal, was that I was going to finish my bachelor paper and get at least a bachelor's degree, if I don't make it to a master. To be able to accomplish this paper, I will however need a laptop. With another year of income secured, this is not a problem, and so today I've ordered my life's first and very own laptop! Iiix!

Also, I've signed up for a nine week weaving course. I've been pining to learn the noble art of weaving for several years, and finally the occurrence of both time and money coincided. Tuesday's my first weaving evening!

And, as if all this wasn't enough, I won the wine lottery at work today. Seven bottles of wine! I don't even know what to do with them, I don't drink that much wine, especially not when living alone. But still! I'm very happy. Winning makes you feel good.

I think I need a minute or two and just contemplate over how blessed I am. Seriously. And by posting this, I can always go back and remember this awsome week, if for some reason the next week won't come out as brilliant as this one.

I made a pair of mittens for a colleague. They're the same as the pirate mittens I made for Måns in october, apart from the main motif, but same yarn and basic pattern. The classic Norwegian star is surrounded by I don't know what, not very decorative, but just to fill out the space.

Not my finest piece of work, but everything can't be.

I've got a new order (just as I thought I wouldn't knit on demand again), so I went to Nysta and got some soft and shiny blue baby alpaca/silk for a pair of wristwarmers, and just around the corner they have a bead shop, so I got some matching beads. Let's see if I can figure out how to embellish without making silly.

Nysta is actually a very inspiring yarnshop, with luxurious yarns at decent prices. They had just got in a merino/silk 50/50 before which I melted like snow in springtime. I find it hard to buy yarn without specific projects, or at least a good idea. I'd hate it if I bought yarn, figured out a good project and then found I had too little yarn for it, or maybe even worse, too much, leaving me with one garment and too little yarn to make something else from, and then just enhancing my stash with a skein and a half.

Ah, the problems of the modern world.

After a few months of stand-by envy of those who joined SP9 I'm now throwing myself into SP10. I want yaaaarn!

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

To put it simple, I love natural fibres and detest synthetics and acrylics. And I hate multicoloured, self-striping yarn!

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

Umm… plastic bags and glass jars? (Yes, this is a problem area.)

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 knit on a regular basis for ten years, but manically only for about two or three. My mum taught me the basics in my early teens. I’m probably an intermediate knitter.

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

No.

5. What's your favorite scent?

Freshly baked cinnamon rolls...

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

I’m not very fond of candy. But of course, chocolate is always nice…

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

I sew, spin, cut, paste…

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

Mostly jazzier music. Mp3’s are not a problem.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

When looking at my FO’s, it seems to be lilac. If it’s not lilac, it’s blue/green. I’m kind of sick of lilac now. I don’t like bright colours, I’d rather like them to be a bit dusty.

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

I’m in a relationship but currently on my own, since my boyfriend is doing his internship abroad this semester. No pets.

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

Not ponchos, but the rest, yes.

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

Semi-small things.

13. What are you knitting right now?

Mittens, a short-sleeved top and wristwarmers.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Yes.

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

Circular and bamboo or plastic, but not metal. Slippery.

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

Both.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

Very old.

18. What is your favorite holiday?

Easter.

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Apart from yarn? Earrings.

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 have any subscriptions and I’m planning on getting part 2 and 3 of Vogue’s stitchionary. I’d love to have more circular bamboo needles and bamboo dpn’s (I only have 2.5 and 3 mm), and I’d also like to try bamboo yarn at some point. And I’ve glanced at Rowan’s Vintage Knits for years…

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

Not that I can think of right now, but probably. Intarsia maybe.

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

I have learned to knit socks since my last SP round, when I was paired up with a manic sock knitter. It’s quite fun. My feet are 25 cm.

23. When is your birthday?

10 Aug.

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