Krafty1

Worth Waiting For

This weekend, the mailman stuffed my mailbox with this box.  A Priority Mail shoe box.  Who knew these even existed?  Not me. (Though I've ordered some for myself now.)

Unlike another recent parcel, this one was from my Secret Pal and was ripped into right away!!!  I've been watching on Ravelry and in blogdom as one person after another has posted about their Secret Pal parcels.  I've impatiently waited.

And what was inside?

A geocache!!! What a perfect parcel!!  My pal has done a bit of research and discovered that even though we've found a number of geocaches (140), we haven't placed any yet.  (Currently, there are roughly 625,000 caches worldwide with more being added every day.) So he/she put together a container for us to hide and register as an official geocache.

We'll have to search out a good location to hide this container in the next week or two.  Owners typically give them fun names.  (Go to Geocaching.com, enter your zip code and look at the names...you don't have to be signed up to look at the names.)  Any suggestions?  If we have enough of them, another survey may appear in the very near future.

Oh, but wait, there's more.

Inside this geocache were my very own "First to Find" prizes for me to keep: Vanilla Mint Chapstick, Davco "coffee" socks, Dark Chocolate Espresso Beans, bath gel in the cute sheep shaped container, Lorna's Laces in Franklin's colorway AND a Sheep Geocoin!

Geocoins have a code so that they can be tracked as they travel the world.  (Hmmm, we could have a "Name the Sheep" contest too and release the sheep in the new geocache!)  Omigosh....my Pal nailed it with this parcel!!! 

Now I'm curious, does my Pal geocache as well...or did he/she read up on it? (My guess is a fellow cacher.)  Curious too; is my Pal a member of the Ravelry Geocachers group?  There are more than 200 in the group...and I'm not about to snoop to see if I can figure out if my Pal is in there.  I like surprises too much!

This was far and away a parcel well worth waiting for!!! Thank you Pal!

Questions, questions

Secret Pal 12 is in its 7th week.  Each week my mind comes up with a question that the entire world can share in answering.  Unfortunately, I've been lax in answering my own questions!  A bit of "catch-up is in order.  Hopefully, this week my answers will accompany the question post haste.

Week 5

1) Where is your favorite place to go for vacation/holiday? This is one of the most difficult questions for me to answer. In the UK, I fell in love with Stirling and was totally at peace walking the Highlands.  For years, Doogie and I were prepared to move there...that was until my trip to the Netherlands.  The people, the culture, even the language came easily for me there and I want to go back...mostly with Doogie to see whether he could choose between The Highlands or The Netherlands.

Closer to home, the place that truly relaxes me is Fairy Godmother's place loving known as "End House" or "Knit Camp".  SO much nature! 

2) Where is one place you’d like to go?  In the US: Seattle, WA (I've heard there are excellent knit shops in the area.)  In the world: Prague or Oslo

 

Week 6

What is your favorite type of project to take along on holiday/vacation? I bet you can guess what I take along for traveling...hint: rhymes with rocks. 

Tell us about a time that you packed too much knitting or were stranded without knitting. A time...one time...typically, the packing includes three times as much knitting as could possibly be done in the length of the trip!  Plus, a trip to a LYS at our destination adds to the project pile!  Guess that makes me normal!

 

Week 7

What is(are) your favorite place(s) to knit? My comfy chair or a coffee shop are where I mostly knit.  However, in the company of other knitters is my FAVORITE place to knit...even if it means that there isn't as much knitting completed. 

What supplies (besides yarn & needles) make the setting perfect for knitting?  A cup of coffee or glass of wine and good lighting are all I need to be happy.

Stash

Each Wednesday, my job has been to post a "Question of the Week" for SP12 participants.  Oops, this is week five and I haven't answered my own questions yet. Time to do a bit ofcatch up!

Week 3: "What would you consider the perfect amount of stash?"

This is nearly all of my current stash. (The rest, three sweaters worth, is in the footstool.)

There are days that "this" feels like too much. I used to think it would be cool to stockpile enough sock yarn in order to be able to walk in, grab a skein, and begin knitting.  Now I wish that there was a bit less on the shelf so that I could go to a yarn shop (or online shop), see something wonderful, buy it, and not feel guilty about all the yarn that is sitting on the shelf waiting for its turn on my needles. (No wonder so many knitters keep their yarn hidden!)

The feeling comes and goes.  Sometimes, it's so easy to look at the shelves and know exactly what would be perfect to knit with next.  Other times, I look at the shelves and NOTHING appeals to me. Those are the times that it all seems like too much stash. My current goal has been to get my "visible" stash down to four cubes instead of six.  My sweater yarn, on the other hand, is and always will remain at three sweaters worth.

Week 4: "What yarn would make your stash complete?" and "What yarn do you never want to be without?"

Don't start with me!  Sure, the previous paragraphs lamented my bounty of stash.  However, if one more could be added, currently (because a knitter can be fickle afterall!) it would have to be Franklin's Panopticon exclusive LL colorway.  Hey, what would one more, itty-bitty skein hurt!?!  Okay, so it would have to be two skeins because that's what you need of Lorna's Laces to make a pair of socks. 

It should be no surprise then that Lorna's is the one brand that'll never be missing from my stash.  They produce everything from laceweight to chunky yarns.  Every pair of socks I've knit in the past with Lorna's, has been a pleasure!  Currently, there are two pair of socks worth of Lorna's in-house. Two pair, that's all that's left in my sock stash!  There should always be at least two pair in the stash of Lorna's...my rainy day mood booster!  Maybe it's time to restock!?!

Mail (Mixed) Bag

There are days that opening the mailbox can be a mixed bag.  Today happened to be one of those days.

Did you see the new Summer Knitty last week? There have been three skeins of Popsicle Blue Cotton-Ease in my stash since knitting my World Cup sweater.  BYOB looks like the perfect way to use them up! 

But, instead of running to the store to buy contrast colors, off to Ravelry to check if someone had a skein or two for sale.  Knitlet had loads  of the stuff she was getting rid of. A couple of emails later and "Hello, Mr. Postman", there are three contrast skeins to accompany the blue.  Now I can't wait to get started on the bags.

Also in the mail today, was a parcel from my partner for the small ($15 dollar limit), one time Ravelry swap:  "A Few of My Favorite Things".  My spoiler was from NC and these were her favorites.  My spoilee was SomeBunnysLove.  She received my parcel yesterday...a combination of the things I love with a few bunny items (her fav) thrown in.

The last bit of mail addressed to me has me puzzled.  Why am I receiving information for permanent sterilization?  What mailing list kicked my name out for this one?  With all the medical confidentiality laws...what's up with this?

As far as I'm concerned, the only compelling reason to keep the ad is the sweater the woman in it is wearing.  Love that design!!  Some days the mail really is a mixed bag!!!

One, Two AND Three

Week One: Secret Pal has begun.  Since my group has several new bloggers, it seemed like a good idea to come up with a "Question of the Week" to help them with blogging topics.  This week's question: "What is your favorite summertime drink?"  Well, to my surprise, the other hostesses were thrilled with the prospect of a "Question of the Week". 

Bloggers globally are answering the question!  It thrills me to see it on blogs everwhere!!! Now each Wednesday, throughout the exchange, I'll post a new question/topic to the SP12 blog and Ravelry Group.  Feel free to play along.

What is my favorite summertime drink?  Sweet tea just screams summer to me.  As a kid, my grandmother would brew iced tea with sugar in her blue pitcher.  I"d ride my bike to her house and, upon arriving, go straight to the fridge for her iced tea!  Sometimes, when riding my bike to meet friends, I'd make sure my route took me past Grandma's house, just for the tea. 

Now the pitcher is mine and I know that Grandma's iced tea is what other people know as "sweet tea".  The sweeter the better.  And now, my bike route could go past the home of the "double arches" for a glass.  But, when if it did, it'll just remind me of the blue pitcher.

Week Two: 52 Pair Plunge is right on track. Anastasia in Galaxy yarn  was quick and easy and totally toe-up.  Nothing better in my book.  That makes two women's size 11 socks in two weeks.  I couldn't be more pleased to be on track with the Plunge.

Week Three:  On the heels of week two is week three!  Blue ADT asked me to write up my toe-up version of Ampersand. The writing is complete and the test knitting is currently underway.  With any kind of luck these will be finished early in the week.  Even though the pattern was free on Kristen's blog, I'll be asking her permission before posting the toe-up version.  Stay tuned.

Have a good week!!!

SP12 Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? Sock yarn, lace, and alpaca: Lorna's Laces, Cherry Tree Hill, Plucky Knitter, Yarn Chef, Misti Alpaca are among my favorite brands.  I dislike novelty yarns.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? A DellaQ pouch for my circs and a friend made a needle roll for my dpns.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? Self-taught in 2003 but jumped right into the deep end with socks & fair isle.  At this point, my skills are considered advanced and, occasionally, I have the opportunity to teach others how to improve their abilities and passion for knitting.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Loopy Ewe
5. What's your favorite scent? Grapefruit, Lemongrass, anything citrus
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Yes, a sweet 'n salty tooth, actually. Favorite candy? Take 5, Mr. Goodbar  anything chocolate w/ nuts or w/ fruit.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? I like to make cards, play with rubber stamps, and occasionally sew. Do you spin? No...I'm afraid it would cut into my knitting time.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I have strong feelings about sharing music but would be happy to fill my pal in as to likes if asked.
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? My favorites are blues, preferably Robin's egg or turquoise.  I can't stand rusts and golds.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? 1 Hubby, 2 daughters and 1 dog.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? LONG scarves, hats and mittens in the winter. Never, never, never a poncho.
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?  Socks, cowls, stoles/shawls, sweaters/vests.
13. What are you knitting right now?  Socks and a vest.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?  It depends
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?  Addi circs
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Yes, both.
17. How old is your oldest UFO? 3 months
18. What is your favorite holiday?  St. Nicholas
19. Is there anything that you collect?  Shaun the Sheep
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?  Cookie A, Anne Hanson, and Ron Schweitzer/Yarns International patterns What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?  Interweave Knits
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?  Double knitting
22. Are you a sock knitter? Habitually What are your foot measurements?  Women's US11...10.625" length, 9.25 circumference
23. When is your birthday?  Feb 28th
24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?  Rav ID: Krafty1

For more details: Secret Pal 8 answers, Secret Pal 9 answers, Secret Pal 10 answers, Secret Pal 11 answers

Valentine's Love

February 14th...such a wonderful day!  It started with a delivery of flowers, tea, and chocolates to my Grandma.  Then on to deliver treats to the office.  Suddenly it was like I was a little kid again...and a memory came to me.

First grade: at recess we were to place our Valentines in the recipients' construction paper hearts.  I was SO excited about the party that would follow recess.  And then it happened;  I tripped, fell, and cut open my knee...enough to require stitches and make me miss the party entirely! 

Fast Forward to now: There was a Valentine's swap on Ravelry that I couldn't resist signing up for...in the international group.  My parcel arrived awhile ago but until today had remained unopened. (Willpower!)

Loopy lives in Malaysia and filled the parcel with all kinds of goodies.  She'd asked if there was anything special from her part of the world that she could send: a bento box of my very own was my only request.  Check out the cover she crocheted for it!  It's SO cool!! 

And it's a HUGE bento...we could pack a small family picnic in it!  Check it out; the two levels each held 3-50 gram balls of Japanese cotton yarn.  So SOFT!!!  She also included a Japanese pattern book for crocheted slippers that Panda and Special K have been pouring over this evening.  Thank you Loopy!

My own pal, Sobrina, lives in Finland. She loved her parcel as well.  It's so much fun having international partners...it's nice to spoil partners with "local" items.  And since it was for Valentine's Day...it was just that much easier to come up with something fun!

Of course, Mother Nature had her own Valentine for us today.  Eight more inches of the white stuff!  Special K is shown here to give you a bit of perspective as to how much snow we have alongside our driveway.  The next two days will be cold and then Sunday there is another snowstorm predicted.  What a Valentine!?!

But all these Valentines have me thinking...could my love of Valentines be the fault of missing that first grade party? 
Nah.   

Tea and cozy socks

There is progress on the "craft room clean-up" front.  Details (and photos) later in the week.

There is also a finished project; these socks.  Remember #16? They went to live with Robin.  The Stansfield 196 design was so much fun and I had another skein of Sockotta that now I have my own pair. Cotton summer socks...what could be better?  Knitting on the deck with a glass of sweet tea.

Tea.

You're probably wondering about the post card, too.  Remember Shaun's trip to the tea fields?  Six days later a post card with Japanese tea fields (and Mt. Fugi in the background) arrives on my doorstep FROM Japan!

Believe me, I checked the stamp and cancellation to be sure.  (Especially after I my attempts to confuse LaDonna, my SP10 pal, by enlisting others to mail postcards for me from all over the country!)  But, Shaun is most definitely in Japan.  My ClustrMap has a big, red dot in Japan that hasn't been there in the past.  Thanks for the post card Shaun & Hostie.  Think I'll make some tea, put my feet up while wearing my new socks and dream of faraway places.

Shelby's Contest

Shelby, my SP hostess for this round, has asked us to each answer a few questions.

1) What is the one knitting accessory you could not live without? Tape measure...that could explain why there are so many in my house...just making sure that I'm never without one...including in my purse, knitting bag, knitting tool bag, on my desk, next to my knitting chair. You get the idea.

2) When heading on vacation, do you take knitting with you? Absolutely If so, how much and what type of project?  Generally, I take socks along; there are portable and can be worked even without a pattern.  How many depends on how long I'll be gone and whether or not there are any "knitting destinations" along the way.  Socks are my favorite trip souvenirs!

3) Where have you travelled to that you'd consider your favorite spot?  Stirling, Scotland.  Doogie and i visited here in 2000.  We liked it so much that we went back and can't wait to go back again.  If we could manage it, we'd move there.  I wasn't a knitter when we visited so I don't have any souvenir socks from there; maybe next trip

4) What is your favorite knitting book, at the moment? Do you own it?  I love and own More Sensational Knitted Socks because it has toe-up versions.

5) Do you listen to podcasts? What is your favorite(s)? Yes, Cast On and Knitters Uncensored

SP11 Questionaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I love sock yarn...any sock yarn! I'm also a big fan of Dale of Norway (Heilo and Baby Ull)…most any worsted weight or finer wool.  I'm not crazy about chunky/bulky, fun fur, novelty and acrylic yarns and haven't been "bitten" by the cotton dish cloth craze.  However. I have been bitten by the lace bug recently.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? Most of my needles are stored in their original packaging in plastic, zippered pencil cases/pouches for 3-ring binders.  My DPNs are in a great case that 3rd Daughter gave me.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I taught myself to knit January 2003 while on winter break from my Business Masters classes.  The first thing I knit was a Harry Potter scarf for my niece's birthday.  Until last year, it was the only scarf I'd knit.  My next project was a pair of socks and I have been consumed by knitting (especially sock knitting) ever since.  My first sweater project was an Alice Starmore.  Socks and stranded knitting is my passion.  Other knitters consider me an advanced knitter though I believe that there are ALWAYS new things to be learned.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? I have a Wish List "photo album" and an Amazon wish list on my sidebar.

5. What's your favorite scent? Rosemary, mint, anything "citrus" (especially grapefruit) or labeled "refreshing".  I am ALLERGIC to lavender- that eliminates anything labeled "calming" or "relaxing".

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Not so much a sweet tooth but definitely a "salty" jones.  For me it's all about chocolate covered nuts (or fruit). I love dark chocolate truffles; especially the ones with raspberry or other fruity fillings or the liquor variety such as Grand Marnier. (How else do you think I relax without lavendar in my life!?!) 

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I do a bit of scrap booking/card making.  I used to quilt but now mainly open my sewing machine to make clutches, purse liners and other utilitarian projects.  I'm afraid to learn to spin: it fascinates me but I fear that, once I learned, I'd be consumed by it and would lose "valuable" knitting time.  Instead, my dear hubby is learning to spin.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I can play MP3s but I DO have strong personal feelings about breaking copyright laws. As to music, I am mostly stuck in the 80's; Fleetwood Mac, Eagles, Aerosmith, Def Leppard.  I also like Will Smith, Gwen Stefani, INXS, Indigo Girls...some new age, jazz (Harry Connick Jr, Manhatten Transfer) and have been known to sneak a bit of country (Mary Chapin Carpenter, Heather Wilson, Texas) into the CD rack.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? My favorite colors are purple, blue, fuschia, and red.  Back when having your color analyzed was in vogue, I was told that I'm a "winter".  I am NOT fond of "fall" colors- rust, gold, tan, brown.  It's pretty to look at out the window, but I don't have it (nor want it) in my wardrobe.  It makes me look "ill".

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? My DH and I celebrated our 20th anniversary last August.  We have two daughters- ages 9 and 15, and a dog.

11. Do you wear scarves (occasionally), hats (frequently), mittens (in the winter...ALWAYS), or ponchos (NEVER)?

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Socks, stranded items such as those by Dale of Norway, Ron Schweitzer, and Alice Starmore, mittens, socks, Gansey sweaters and (did I mention?) socks. As mentioned about, lace is my newest "obsession".

13. What are you knitting right now? Socks (as usual) and lace (a new love), plus I still need to finish the  , and soon I'll be starting mittens and hats for holiday gift giving.
Knit Picks Fair Isle Cardigan

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Sometimes, it depends on the giver and the gift.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Crystal Palace 6" DPNs and Addi-Turbo circs and Knit-Picks circs

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? I'm a lucky gal whose DH gave her both.

17. How old is your oldest UFO? The Knit Picks Fair Isle cardigan that I started on August 12, 2006.

18. What is your favorite holiday? St. Nicholas (Dec. 6th) is my favorite because not everyone celebrates it and you can give/receive Christmas-related items and enjoy them all month.  It's not at all commercialized and it pays tribute to my Dutch roots. I am also a huge fan of Mardi Gras and the 4th of July.

19. Is there anything that you collect? Sheep, of course.  But especially Shaun the Sheep from Wallace & Gromit.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? If there are, I'll be sure to make sure that they are in my Wish Lists. I subscribe to Interweave Knits and Schoolhouse Press' Woolgathering.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Currently, I'm diving headfirst into lace. 

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? Quick answer: yes- see #12.  Long answer: read my blog.  Measurements to follow.

23. When is your birthday? Feb 28th.

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID? Yes; Krafty1

Owl Mail!!!

It's here!

It's here!

My Owl Post is here!!!

Who sent it?   Carol sent the owl. 

Look at those Ravenclaw socks.  I LOVE them!!  I love the fact that the toes, heels, and cuffs are fraternal instead of identical!!! 

Carol was my SP9 spoiler so she KNOWS of my affinity for Shaun the Sheep.  Instead of Potter items, she sent my other favorite Brit...a pen topper and a wind-up walking Shaun.  The English Rose soap made everything smell so wonderful when I opened the parcel!  Carol knows how to get right to the heart of things.  Thanks again pal!!!

Blown Away

...by global kindness. The mailman brought more "love" my way. 

First, another postcard from Eva's travels.  This one from Shetland.  Eva could use some love herself right now.  Upon her return from her "woolen retreat holiday", she was informed that she may be one of 70 employees who will get their pink slips on Monday.  She could use some good thoughts sent her way now.

Next, Ms. B sent a lovely hostess "thank you".  Wollmeise sock yarn in Pfauenauge colorway.  Plus a cute sock blocker keychain.  Thanks to both of you, I'm blown away!

I've been mailing parcels as well.  My Coffeeswap pal, Knitting Knurse received her parcel while in the midst of moving.  AND, my Harry Potter Sock Swap parcel for Erin ended up getting forwarded to WI because she is in the midst of moving.  Unfortunately, I didn't take photos of what I sent, so am anxiously waiting until they post to their blogs.  I'm hoping that I'll receive my Harry Potter socks before the book release party.  I hope the Owl Post hasn't been blown away too.

Thanks

On Tuesday, the postman left a note in my mailbox that there was a parcel waiting for me; and wait it did.  Since yesterday was a holiday, today was the first that I could go and pick it up.

Look at all of those stamps!!  One of my co-workers collects stamps.  I can't wait to give her the lid from this box!  She'll think that she hit the jackpot.

But, when it comes to "jackpot", it's all mine!  Check it out.  How could I resist!?!  (But, I see coffee!!!!!)

Look at it all!  Wow!!!  This is how Muoriska says "thank you". (See correction below: the parcel is from the entire Finnish group!)  Three different kinds of sock yarn (all in blue or with blue).  I'm not quite sure what the white yarn is for...but it's from Finland.  Same for the pink and purple.  Several postcards, a blue tiara, a cat necklace, a wood cut reindeer, "reindeer poop" (licorice tabs), white and dark chocolate bars, the coffee (which smells SOOOOOOO good!!!) and a coffee candy bar.

I'm often amazed at the kindness of strangers.  It restores my energy to put forth more good into the universe than what the universe provides for me.  Muoriska has now upped the bar.  Tonight, I'll inhale the scents of coffee and admire the sock yarn.  Tomorrow, I have my work cut out for me.  Thank you SO much!  (It was my pleasure to help.)

Correction: This morning I received word that the parcel is from the Finnish contingency of my SP group.  When I was matching the group up, the Fins asked not to be matched with each other because they all knew one another.  There were 9 Fins in my group, Muoriska says the parcel is from 7 of them.  I'm not sure who all to thank, so here are the "nine": Hanna, Katja (who contributed the white sock yarn), Hanne-Maria, Pikku-Kettu, Heidi, Jenni, Heli, Anja, Hanna, and Mouriska.  Thank you Ladies so VERY much!!!  I hope you all had a good time and enjoyed meeting your non-Finnish pals.

The Big Reveal!

Today is the end of SP10.  I can now, finally, share the links to the 70 knitters in Europe whom I've gotten to know a bit over the last eighteen weeks.  I've spent Sunday mornings reading each of their blogs, seeing if they were keeping up with their weekly postings and if they'd received any goodies from their pals. 

One graduation, two weddings, three trips state-side to NYC, a couple of health scares, no new babies...it's been and interesting few months! 

Agneta, Alex, Alice, Amber, Angie, Anja, Anne, Britta, Carol, Christina, Clare, Claudia, Dawn, Dominique, Dorothee, Elsa, Emilie, Emma, Fabienne, Fran, Fred, Glenda, Gurli, Hanna (1), Hanna (2), Hanne, Heidi, Heli, Jaana, Jane, Jen, Jenni, Jo, Jon, Julia, Julie, Karin, Karina, Katherine, Katja, Kirsten, Kris, Lene, Liia, Linn, Luciana, Marianne, Marion (1), Marion (2), Marylyn, Maylin, Melissa, Myriam, Nicola (1), Nicola (2), Nicola (3), Nicole, Paula, Pauline, Pikku-Kettu, Regina, Robert, Ruby, Ruth, Sandra, Sibille, Susan, Susanne, Ysolda, Yvonne, Zeph

Each time I've hostessed I've come away "richer" from the experience.  Thank you one and all....

"Royal" Reveal

Look at all of that purple!  I feel like royalty, and it's all thanks to Sherrill.  Her packages have each had a theme or project and this final one was no different.  Along with the sock yarn she included Ann Budd's Seduction socks pattern.  (Great minds think alike...it's already on my "to-do" list.)

The Irish Hiking Scarf pattern was with the five skeins in the back.  But, the moment I saw that purple spun goodness, I wanted to see if it could be used to make the laptop cover or some other "bag".  I'm a little "scarfed" out. (Anyone have any other ideas for a worsted/bulky worsted weight yarn?)

It's so much fun to finally be able to read my spoiler's blog.  The woman even has chickens and built her own English-style coop!!!  I want an English-style coop with chickens.  Maybe my new neighbors wouldn't mind...a few sheep (for lawn mowing, right!?!) and some fresh eggs.  Guess I'll just have to live vicariously through Sherrill and Chrissy. 

Thanks for everything Pal!!!  I'm ooking forward to keeping up with all of your pursuits.

Note: In case you live under a rock....the new Knitty is up!!!

Photo shoot "finds"

First, Branching Out is finished.  My clever Secret Pal sent "lessons" this round.  It's been a blast to try new things!  I can honestly say that Kid Silk Haze would not have landed in my "shopping basket" anytime soon if it weren't for SP10.  Its fine, fuzzy strands meant that it could only be worked under the "best" of conditions.

As SP10 nears completion, it's somewhat melancholic to think that there won't be anymore packages arriving from this pal who has really taken me down some interesting paths.  Thank you for that.

Now, would you like to hear the "find" part of this photo?  The piano is a nice place to display finished items.  However, the piano (confession time) doesn't see the dusting towel as often as it deserves.  (Hey, there are priorities...like knitting!) This morning, I wondered if I could snap a photo or two without showing the layer of dust on the top of the piano.  (Because, of course, dusting it first wouldn't be the logical step, right!?!)  I managed fairly well and then noticed a paper object in the corner of one of the frames.

Lo and behold, the paper object turned out to be the massage gift certificate that I have been looking for the past couple of weeks!  A massage, I get to have a massage!  If my pal hadn't sent the scarf kit, there'd be no scarf that needed a "finished" photo; it may have been a LONG TIME before the discovery of the massage card! Imagine what might be found if I finished the cardigan!

Kind of Scary (but in a good way)

Today, while doing my daily Bloglines "blog jog", I fell in love...with Pat's new socks.  They are gorgeous and just the kind of thing I'd like for this summer.  The pattern: yet another from More Sensational Knitted Socks!  That does it..."the book" will be mine this weekend!

Then I checked out the yarn...Crystal Palace Panda Wool.  Hadn't heard of it. (Can you believe it!?!  A sock yarn I hadn't "met" yet?)  Hmmm, need to check that one out.  In the meantime, I was already contemplating which stash yarn to use to knit a pair of Crosshatch Lace socks once "the book" makes its way onto my shelf.  Hmmm, maybe the Regia Bamboo Color; the pink one. 

Now for the scary part...there was a parcel in the mailbox this afternoon from my Secret Pal...it contained RED Panda Wool! (shown here with a few of my Panda's panda collection.)  Does my Secret Pal have a crystal ball!?!  It's just so strange.  Anyone know of any planetary alignments that are going on? The woman has a real "sense" about her!

This week has been a real zoo...Hippos & Monkeys and now Pandas too.  There is a book in my future thanks, in part, to yesterday's $18.66 "fleecing".  It's going to be a Panda weekend!

More Secret Pal Lessons

My Secret Pal has sent a lot of lessons, but she's also sent sock yarn.  This is Lorna's Laces Ice House.  I've wanted to knit Pomatomus for awhile.  It was time for a change and, in the spirit of the Secret Pal Knitting School, a challenge.

At first, it's a bit intimidating when the pattern prints out at 6 pages including 2 charts, but once you get in the swing of it, the pattern has a real flow. At this point it's flying off the needles!  I'm also quite pleased that Ice House is not pooling or striping the way that so many sock yarns do.  Pomatomus is such a neat design, it would be sad to see the design distracted with "flashy" yarn.

Speaking of Secret Pal lessons, each week I "travel" around the world checking the blogs of those in my group.  This weekend, the mailman brought me a surprise from one of them.  A post card arrived from Finland!!  How cool is that!?!  Casey receives post cards from around the world when my boss travels, but never from Finland!  The sender (I can't share the sender's link with you yet) included facts about Finland in her note.  We love to learn about new places in the Krafty1 house.  We love to travel even more.  When we can't, post cards are a fun substitute.  Thanks friend!

Secret Pal Lessons

I have an amazing Secret Pal!  She has "enrolled" me in her own personal Secret Pal Knitting School.  First, there was Cozy; finished.  Then there was Fetching; incomplete (next on needles). Next came Branching Out; incomplete (but started).  I haven't decided yet if I prefer following the written or charted instructions.  However, I have them each blown up so that I can "see" the instructions.  (I've learned this always comes in handy!)

This week, a new parcel arrived and the latest lesson is dyeing.  She sent yarn, dyeing drink ingredients along with a great color chart as well as some great instructions.

I had hoped that we'd have an opportunity to complete this "lesson" this weekend, but it looks like it'll have to wait until next weekend.  However, what a GREAT idea for a secret pal!  May have to order some wool this weekend to put together a similar parcel for my downstream pal.  In the meantime, I have a bit of knitting to do to make sure I get my Secret Pal Knitting School "diploma"!  At least graduation isn't until June 30th!

May Day! May Day!

I'm in serious trouble...LOOK!

Jo was my Knitters Treat Exchange pal.  Look what she sent...Wollmeise, chocolate espresso beans, AND Shaun!  The very first Shaun the Sheep comic  and the Feng Shaun book.

I don't know what to be most excited about: the Wollmeise or the Shaun items.  I've wanted to try Wollmeise since seeing it at Eva's.  I entered her contest without any luck.  But now...jackpot!  Now to figure out how to get the subscription of the comic sent to the US since it's a UK publication.  Oh Chrrrr-iiiisss; maybe my brother will know how to hook me up with a store near him.

Thank you Jo for everything!  Coincidentally, the parcel arrived ON Jo's birthday...I'm sure she'd enjoy an extra birthday wish or two...

And finally: seeing that April is over, I should announce that Kristin submitted the 900th comment.  As promised, she wins a 4-pack of the notecards.  We are very close to getting the store set up.  Stay tuned..

Filled with Glee!

She did it again!  My Secret Pal has spoiled me yet again!  This arrived on Friday and, once again, she has sent a project.  She has named them "SP10 Productions"...this one features Rowan Kid Silk Haze in pearl and Knitty's Branching Out pattern.

In the midst of all of the things I was attempting to accomplish this weekend, I also cast on this project. (Just what I needed this weekend, another distraction!)  However, after knitting merely 7 rows and not liking the results, it was frogged and set aside. 

In addition to the project, the parcel contained hand creme, ginger shortbread, Glee gum, and a sheep pin that the Wild & Wonderful  Washington Woman (aka SP) made.  The gum is great!  There is even a gum-making kit that my youngest, Casey (formerly known as KC) wants to get for a "summer break" project.  Thank you Pal..you really have me figured out!

While on the topic of SP10, Shelby (my hostess) has asked our group to submit photos of our stash.  Since sock yarn is not supposed to count as stash (ask anyone, they'll tell you), I thought I'd show the dresser that holds my sock yarn stash.  The three, large, lefthand drawers are home to my sock yarn. (The right hand drawers are home to my paper and card supplies.)

Okay, okay, someone is bound to ask to see inside the drawers, so here's a peek for all of you.  The top drawer is home to skeins, the middle one has balls and the bottom has solid color yarns.

Now, because there are bound to be more questions...I didn't do the stenciling, my mother did.  She had this dresser in her guest bedroom.  It has been in our family since my brother was born.  Back then, this doubled as a changing table (back when changing tables didn't have straps) for him.

Thankfully sock knitting has returned to some sort of regularity around here.  So the drawers have some wiggle room for more sock yarn. (That and recent card making is cleaning out a drawer on the right...just in case.)  Three "glee-filled" drawers! Thanks for asking Shelby.

Knitters Coffee Swap

Since coffee is my other passion, what better place than the Knitters Coffee Swap to combine both of my passions!!!

Questionaire:

1. Whole bean or ground?  Whole bean goodness.  We grind our own...one week's worth at a time.
2. Fully-loaded or decaf?  Our "daily" coffee is 50/50. When not purchasing our "regular" stuff, definitely fully-loaded.
3. Regular or flavored?  Not a fan of flavored coffees.
4. How do you drink your coffee? Cream, no sugar (sweet enough, already!)
5. Favorite coffee ever?  Each November we look forward to the release of Caribou's Reindeer Blend (we have ONE bag left!)  At a coffee bar, my beverage of choice is a grande non-fat latte (sometimes with a shot of valencia:orange).
6. Are you fussy about your coffee or will any old bean do? Not overly fussy, but I've an appreciation for a GOOD cup of coffee! (Not a fan of "cheap" coffee.)
7. Favorite treats with your coffee?  Cranberry or currant scones.  Almond biscotti.
8. Anything else about your coffee preferences? ask me for clarification, if needed
9. Yarn/fiber you love?  You'll notice that a minor obsession with sock yarns.
10. Yarn/fiber you hate? acrylics and novelties
11. What's on your needles?  socks and a sweater
12. Favorite colors? blues, reds, pinks....most any "cool" tones.
13. Allergies?  Lavender, bee stings...oh wait, you wouldn't send bees, would you!?!
14. Anything you really love, really don't like, or just need to get off your chest?  Maybe.

Karmic Boomerangs

If you stopped by the Harlot last week, you may have noticed a few chickens roosted. (They clucked on over to Cookie's place too.)  Kelly has talked about her NEED for a knitted chicken ever since.  She is not a knitter.  She wants a knitted chicken, DESPERATELY!

Knitting a chicken was not anything that I was looking to do.  The least I could do was make sure a pair of chickens made it to her desk.  These two will have to do until she can find some other pleasant soul to knit her a chicken. (Any volunteers?)

I sent the gift of chickens out into the world this morning.   This afternoon, there was a karmic boomerang package at my front door.   No, it wasn't chickens.  It was my Secret Pal. (No, she wasn't in the box!)

The box contained: a mini-scrapbook, a floral rubber stamp, chocolate covered sunflower seeds (a favorite in our house), lemon verbena soap (I LOVE lemon verbena!!), Lorna's Laces (Ice house colorway), and A Collection of Small Knitting Projects pattern book.

This book is great!  It has hats, socks, scarves, and kilt hose patterns with British/Scottish/Irish "roots".  Stirling and Edinburgh look promising for upcoming projects at Chez Krafty1 for both Doogie and me.  Pal, you sure have me figured out.

Last night I finished the thumbs for the Fiesta mittens.  My fourth pair of them! Today I was thinking about finding some new mitten patterns. Another karmic boomerang parcel in the mailbox took care of it.

In March, Terri wrote about Selbuvotter.  I ordered it and forgot about it...until today when it showed up.  So many mitten choices!

That's how my life works...release something positive into the universe and positive always comes back...though, not always this quickly or fabulously!

Hogwarts Sock Swap Questionaire

1. What Hogwarts house have you been sorted into? Ravenclaw

2. Shoe size? US 11

3. Foot Length? 10.5 in (26.5 cm)

4. Foot Circumference? 9 in (23 cm)

5. List your three favorite double-point needle brands, including size and length.

• Crystal Palace US1.5 (2.5mm) 6"
• Brittany Birch US 1.5 (2.5mm) 5"
• Brittany Birch US0 (2mm) 5"

6. Would you like to try a new brand needle? sure, I'm willing to try most anything If so, which brand? Blue Sky Alpacas Size? US1 Length? 5"

7. If you are a RAVENCLAW, do you prefer the colors in the film or the book? I like them both Do you have a strong preference? Normally, I would say blue w/silver but this year blue w/brown is (in fashion) quite popular

8. Are you willing to have an international Hogwarts Sock Pal? absolutely

Happy Easter!

When you open your mailbox and see a rabbit's tale hopping away from you it can mean only one thing…my Secret Pal has been at it again! Upon further inspection, it was an Easter "basket" of sorts. Since the parcel arrived on Wednesday, that meant patience was required. Patience….not one of my "inventoried" virtues…four days worth!!!  (That may also help to explain why I become "obsessed" with a project until it's finished.)

Today, Easter, I could finally open my "basket".  Thank you again Pal for making my day!  I haven't had an Easter basket in a very long time...make them up, but hardly ever receive.  Thanks Pal!

Regia cotton yarn, a chocolate bunny, and the smallest Brittany Birch needles I've ever seen!  Spring will hopefully be around the corner and then I can knit some cotton socks for the warmer weather. 

BTW: For those of you who were looking for a new photo of me with sheep on Friday...notice that I already have a few hanging out on my desk!

Knitters Treat Exchange Questionnaire

1. What's your favourite type of yarn?  German Sock Yarn

2. What's your least favourite type of yarn? Novelty yarns of any sort

3. What's the first thing you do when you visit a new yarn shop?  Breath deep, get a lay of the land, slowly take it all in and pay special attention to the sock yarn and accessories area.

4. What other crafts do you do / would like to do?  the occasional paper crafts like card making and scrap booking (especially with coffee and knitting themed rubberstamps)

5. What magazines do you currently subscribe to?  Interweave Knits

6. Put this type of magazine in order of preference:
Knitting / Crochet / Other Craft / Food / Home / Fashion / Celebrity Gossip / Garden Knitting, Time magazine, Food, Travel, Home

7. What items do you like to knit / crochet? socks, gansey/guernsey sweaters, socks, fair isle designs, socks, mittens

8. Are you allergic to anything? Lavender

9. What do you like to* smell of? citrus and "refreshing"- like grapefruit, rosemary, or peppermint
(*This is not a typo. The question is: What do you like to smell of)

10. What's your favourite way to relax?  massage

11. You're stood in front of a Victorian style sweetshop, an Italian cafe, an old fashioned bakery and a dainty tea room. Where do you go first?  The Italian cafe

12. What do you come out with? Double nonfat latte' and tiramisu

13. Where do you go next? The bakery

14. Any other words of wisdom for your pal?  Thanks for playing along.  Enjoy the exchange and don't be afraid to ask questions.  I have questionaire answers for SP10 in the sidebar.  If you happen to be from Germany/Europe...I'd love to try Wollmeise sock or lace yarn.

Wonderful, Woolie, Washington Woman

What's in my mailbox?  Really, again!?!  Sure enough, I have a WONDERFUL Secret Pal!

A few days ago she wished me a "fetching" week.  I tried not to think about it, but was pretty sure that it meant that something related to Knitty's Fetching might be on it's way.  OR, it was a hint. I'll admit, when she commented, I checked to see if the designer of Fetching and Cozy were the same.  Who knows, maybe my Pal is involved with Knitty.  Or, maybe she's a fan.

Sure enough, a fetching parcel indeed!  The pattern and the yarn to make them with.  The weather has turned to the chilly side again, so these may just be this weekend's project.  I love the notecards my Pal has been sending!  Isn't the sheep stamp great!?!  In the black pouch were the postal tape measure, an Almond Roca bar (yum) and some Bertie Botts jelly beans.  Obviously, my Pal has also figured out that we are big Potter fans around here.

In fact, I took the quiz test (sorry, but with over 100 questions to answer it's a test!) and discovered:

You scored as Albus Dumbledore. You are very wise, observant, and analyctical. You have a very "well-organized" mind, which makes you function in a calm and fair manner. Though you get angered easily, its rare of you to ever act out of temper. You are constantly seeing the good in people and are naturally forgiving because of it. You're easy to please and a great person to learn from. Albus Dumbledore 72% Sirius Black 69% Luna Lovegood 63% Ron Weasley 56% Hermione Granger 56% Oliver Wood 53% Harry Potter 50% Remus Lupin 50% Lord Voldemort 47% Severus Snape 44% Percy Weasley 41% Neville Longbottom 41% Bellatrix Lestrange 41% Draco Malfoy 16% Harry Potter Character Combatibility Test created with QuizFarm.com

Very cool!  Thanks Pal for being so Intuitive!  Have a Cozy, Fetching weekend my Wonderful, Woolie, Washington SP!

What I know about my Secret Pal

No, I haven't figured it out but, I did get a parcel ALREADY!

Not one, but two kinds of wool.  Four balls of Baby Star red yarn with a pattern suggestion for Cozy.  To help me stay "cozy" she also included chocolate covered cherries, blueberries, & strawberries (yum) and french vanilla cappucino mix along with two skeins of Elann Sock It To Me in Puzzle for socks for my tootsies.  Thanks for everything!

Now the clues...

• the handwriting is feminine (sorry if you aren't!).
• The return address is Washington state.  That could be real, but it could be an attempt to throw me off.  If it's real, I'll need to plan a trip in the future, to meet the "west coast" bloggers, including Yvonne and Chrissy.
• 

Pal has a rubber stamp or two.  She also has markers to color in her rubber stamp images.  My parcel was covered with a dozen of these cute little guys!  I LOVE the stamp.  Too much fun!  (I'm guessing she made the card in my parcel as well since there is something scratched out on the backside of it.)

• Pal either has large feet like mine (though mine are still larger) or she knows another female with "full-sized" feet. I also found the company intriguing...Simple Shoes.  They have some really neat shoes.  I am going to spend a little time shopping their site the next time I need some casual shoes...that could be very soon.
• With regular blog comments, emails and now this super parcel, I also know that my pal truly knows how to spoil someone!  Thanks Pal!!!! (I hope someone is being as fab to you as well!)

Another good mail day

It was a good mail day.  A catalog, a magazine, plus a card and yarn from my SP9.  Regia Bamboo Sock yarn in color 1061.  I'm thinking it'll make up nicely into some "spring" socks for me.  The notecard is an artist's rendition of the original Connecticut State House.  On the back, the artist's name is scratched out.  KC and I are guessing that my Pal may just be the artist.  Only a few more weeks and I'll find out who she (I think it's safe to say) is.  Jan. 31st is the end of round 9. Can you believe it!?!

My 2nd issue of Craft magazine also arrived today.  We are having the best time going through it.  There isn't much knitting in this issue, but there are any number of things that the kids want to build or make.  I'll have to share once we narrow it down.  The cover photo is a fruit bowl made up of needle-felted "fruits. (We won't be making those.)

The latest KnitPicks catalog arrived today.  It was fun to leaf through it with all of the cabled designs in it however, this was not the delivery from KnitPicks that I am watching for.  Eva placed her order on Jan. 1.  Since she lives in Belgium, and KnitPicks won't ship overseas, she is having it shipped to me.  Then I'll post her parcel off to her.  We've worked out a swap and I'm happy to do it for her.  But, dang, it's still not here!  I'm hoping that now that I've written about it, tomorrow it 'll show up.  Then it would be ANOTHER good mail day!

Let me introduce you to...

...a few of the my favorite reads from the past few months of hostessing for SP8.

1) Fluffbuff is originally from Italy but now living in the US.  Usually, once a week, she posts a fabulous recipe or cooking technique.  I've loved her tips and can't wait to see what else she adds to her site.  She also has turned me onto several books that I may never have known about if it hadn't been for her.  I'd love to add In Stitches and Tessellations to my library.  Thanks for having great taste in food, books, and fiber!  I'm hooked!

2) Knittin Coop has a great sense of humor.  Her posts are always filled with great photos or graphics; or both.  She was very clever with her answer to the "your stash was stolen" question.  Her site always brings a smile.

3) No Fear Knitting- the name says it all.  During the course of SP8, Jen has changed the look of her site (looks great).  She started blogging because of SP8 and I think she is totally hooked!  We share similar traits in that we both love fair isle and are passionate about learning something new.  During the exchange, her pal encouraged her to begin spinning (something I would like someone to show me to do).  I can't wait to see what she tries next.

4) Annie Knits always has some new sock to check out.  It thrilled me to see that she was the lucky recipient of a needle bag by Trek from her Secret Pal made from fabric that I'd given Trek.  Talk about "paying it forward"!   I love to see how the universe uses the things we send out into it!

5) I've already introduced you to Annarella when she held a contest that I won.  Anna's spirit reminds me of Panda's.  If Panda is a parallel to Anna; the future looks bright for my Panda!

6) My Nephews Knit. First of all, how cool is that!?!  They actually DO knit.  Secondly, she's an American living and teaching in Japan.  Totally cool!  I only wish that I would have known ahead of time that she was planning to be in Chicago for Stitches.  That would have pushed me over the edge to get there, just so I could meet her.  She TOTALLY spoiled Fluffbuff!

7) Tangelled Angel was almost my choice for my pal (sorry) and is a friend of Isobel (my pal).  I was so glad when Angel was placed in my group so that I could get to know her as well.

There were many more in my group, but this is a sampling of what I had the pleasure to read each week as I checked into my group's progress.  Though it was a lot of work (and I'm glad to have my Sundays free again), it has been a pleasure!  I will not be hostessing for Secret Pal 9, but will be participating (sign-ups now open).  I will be taking on new duties at work that will need my full attention (plus some additional classes) and wouldn't be able to do my hostess duties justice.  I wish you all THE BEST!!!!

(Note to Laura- sorry to bombard you with so many great, new sites to check out!) 

Secret Pals Revealed

Do you hear it?  So many pals worldwide discovering who their pals have been the past few months. I've been spoiling Isobel.  She lives in Dublin, Ireland and I've had a blast being her pal!  One of the perks of being a hostess for SP8 was that we got to pick who we'd like to spoil.  I looked at many but settled on Isobel because of her intelligence, wit and the fact that she shares a birthday with one of my best friends.

In the early part of May sh