Knitted Bookworm

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

How I learned to knit!

In response to the contest being held by AJ for the SITM group, I'll try to remember details about how I learned to knit. I was probably about 10 years old and asked an aunt of mine to teach me how to knit. She was visiting from Arkansas and had brought knitting with her. I guess I just thought it looked like a neat thing to know how to do! I think I knitted a pot holder, but I have no idea where that is now. About 12 years later, I picked up knitting again as a newlywed and made baby blankets, baby sweaters and hats for friends. I pretty much re-taught myself by reading knitting magazines and just basically struggling through. I think that lasted about 3 years, until my own baby was born, then I didn't seem able to find the time! Over the course of many years, I've done a lot of crafty things, but really got hung up on quilting. That seemed to last the longest of them all. I returned to knitting, again, about 30 years later, when both my daughters became knitters. I guess the crafty gene is in us all! I think I'm in it for the long haul now. I currently have 3 pairs of socks, 3 sweaters, 1 scarf, and a clapotis on the needles!!!!!! School will start again in 2 weeks, and my knitting time will be reduced dramatically, so I'm going to knit like crazy for the next few days.

Thursday, July 05, 2007

Sock it to me swap

1. What are your foot measurements? Size US 10 Narrow shoe; 10.25 in. length; 8.5 in. circumference
2. How long have you been knitting? I started knitting about 35 years ago, but took off quite a few years! I returned about 2 years ago in order to keep up with my daughters, who are both knitters. I have been totally hooked since then! (You know, it's just like riding a bicycle...!)
3. How would you rate your experience? Intermediate
4. What is your favorite color? I love orange...burnt orange, rust, terra-cotta, etc. (also browns and greens) Your least favorite color? Probably, pink!
5. Do you have a favorite fiber? Wool
6. Do you have any allergies to certain fibers? None
7. Do you have an Amazon, or other type of, wishlist? None
8. What techniques, if any, would you like to learn? I'd like to try lace sometime.
9. Do you have a sweet tooth? What are your favorite snacks? Dark chocolate and anything with pecans in it!
10. What is your family situation? I'm married (36 years) with 2 daughters (neither still at home), 2 grandsons, and currently (but hopefully not for long!) pet-less.
11. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? I prefer metal circulars, or bamboo ones for plane flights!
12. Besides socks, what are your favorite items to knit? Baby things are on my list right now.
13. Is there a pattern, (sock or otherwise), that you are dying to try? I'm trying to get up the courage to try the sock featured on the cover of Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch. The one using a solid and a variegated yarn. I'm not sure I'm up to it yet!
14. Do you like to read? What are you reading currently? I love to read. I just finished We are all welcome here by Elizabeth Berg (for my book club), The Boelyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory, and am currently reading Born on a Blue Day: Inside the Extraordinary Mind of an Autistic Savant by Daniel Tammet. Next up, the new Harry Potter!
15. Do you collect music? (On an iPod or MP3 player.) Not yet!
16. What kind of music do you listen to? I enjoy classical and Italian pop
17. Is there anything you collect? Besides yarn? I collect snowmen and book related items (I'm a librarian, so no surprise there!)
18. What are your hobbies, aside from knitting? Reading, travel, gardening, quilting
19. Are you participating in any other swaps or knit alongs? I just finished two Monkey Sock Swaps and am signed up for Sockapalooza 4.
20. Do you have a favorite scent? Gardenias
21. When is your birthday? Aug. 23

Monday, July 02, 2007

Welcome home, Monkeys!

My Monkey Sock Swap package arrived...and what a wonderful treat it turned out to be!
Knitted cell phone bag, monkey key chain, point protectors, row counter, and lots of good snacks

Monkey journal, bookmark, stitch markers, and lovely recycled silk!

...and now for the wonderful, beautiful, exquisitely soft SOCKS!!!




My pal, Jeremy, is just the greatest, don't you think?