Yarnlove

I just saw that Zeph had posted a SP12-questionnaire, and I've been thinking about it not knowing when the next round would be, so I was very happy to see I made it to the signups just before deadline. I'm so excited!

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

Natural fibers, wool, alpaca, cotton, silk, bamboo…

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

Everything and nothing

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 since forever. My mum taught me, and I consider myself intermediate. Due to my short attention span I will never be advanced.

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

No.

5. What's your favorite scent?

Something fruity or flowery.

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

No, not really. I do like pastries though, but they’re not very mailable.

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

I’ve tried spinning but it never really got me going. I’m currently waiting for some quilt fabric and am very anxious to (have vacation and) try and make a quilt. I’ve been sewing since before I started knitting. And I also crochet occasionally.

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

My equipment can play mp3’s. I like all kinds of music, and anything jazzy in particular.

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

I like green, turquoise, blue, purple, pink, and earthier, dustier tones. I’m not into very bright and cheerful stuff.

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

I’m a single woman with no pets.

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

I wear lots of scarves, and mittens and hats in the winter. Ponchos not so much.

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

Small things that finish quickly.

13. What are you knitting right now?

Socks. (see above)

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

What kind of person doesn’t?

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

Bamboo circulars or dpn’s are my favourite.

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

Yes, both.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

Freakishly old.

18. What is your favorite holiday?

Easter.

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Earrings. And yarn. And I’m starting a little quilt fabric collection.

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. The only book that comes to mind is Barbara Walkers Treasury of Knitting Patterns, and the only pattern I can think of right now is Saddle Shoulder Aran Cardigan.

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

Nah.

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

I knit socks occasionally (and currently). My feet are European 39, which seems to be an American 7 or UK 6.

23. When is your birthday?

August 10.

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

Linster.

I finished my Wool peddler's shawl (from Folk shawls by Cheryl Oberle) the other night, and I'm very pleased with having finished it as well as being able to wear it. Though it could have been a bit bigger... Shawl measures 180x75 cm now, after some wearing and stretching.

I used three skeins and then some of my Cascade 220 (I can make a matching hat :-), knit it on 4.5 mm and it folds nicely around the neck. (I also give you a funny pic of myself concentrating on taking a picture of myself wearing the shawl. Out of ten pics, this was the best one...)

All in all it was not at all a bad knit, though my circulars were possibly too short (80 cm), since it was quite hard work pushing the stitches around. And it's not a brilliant train knit, since it barely fits into my bag. I'm happy it's done, I kinda liked knitting it and I'm glad I have a chunky wool shawl now that the Swedish summer is here.

And it was such an easy pattern I only messed up two things. Close to perfect.

So Linster, what do you do at work? Well thanks for asking, I'm currently blogging and updating my profile picture.

I need some input on this Wool peddlers shawl I've been working on for a while. I'm using the Cascade 220 Wool I got from my dear dear secret pal Melissa (hope you are well dear, long time no hear), and since it's a bit finer than the suggested yarn, knitting up at 18 instead of 16, I'm guessing (out of the blue) that my shawl will turn out smaller than intended. Since the thought of a small chunky shawl doesn't appeal to me as does a big, chunky one, I'm kinda puzzled on how to get there. I'm thinking I could either keep on knitting the lace edge until the shawl is big enough, since I have more yarn, or try and block it to desired size. But if I keep knitting, the border will be wider than the garter stitch "core" of the shawl. Will that make it look unbalanced? And how far can blocking take you? (Yes, far, I know, but how far?) Any suggestions from my dear dear blog readers?

Since I'm feeling generous today I'm going to share with you two tips for the summer. First: go buy "Last-minute patchwork + quilted gifts". It's just as pretty as the knit version. Next paycheck is gonna buy me a parcel from Purl and then I'll be a patchworker as well as knitter. Second summer tip: My friend Sofie sent me an email today where I was adviced to send one of my old pocket books to the person who sent the email to her, and then send the email to six of my friends who are now sending Sofie one pocketbook each, and when they send it to six friends each I will receive 36 pocket books!

("Mayday" is a great Rebecka Törnqvist song, about a day in May and/or possibly a cry for help. "You're patiently turning this winter to spring, and if it's not love it's a similar thing". I might have to start uploading her songs on YouTube so we can all share the wonder that is her music.)