Write (a blog)

I’m sorry, I can’t help it. I love memes. This one snagged from ContiKnitter on the KnittingHelp.com forums.

1. What are your favorite things to knit?
Baby things and socks. I love them both because they’re small, easy to tote, quick to finish and meaningful.

2. What yarn/fiber do you like most?
I really like the look of handspun yarns, but ironically, I rarely knit with them. I think they look fabulous in a hank. To knit with, I love a good quality worsted wool, in a DK weight. Worsted as in the way it’s spun, not the weight. But I also love cashmere yarns, I mean, who doesn’t love cashmere?

3. What needles do you tend to use (i.e. type/material)?
I like bamboo needles, but tend to use my KP Options as much as I can, so I guess those are my favorites. Actually, the material doesn’t matter as much as the points and and Options are super pointy… plus I way prefer circulars over any other.

4. Do you tend to knit more in one specific part of the year than others?
No, I knit all year long. I ALWAYS have something on the needles.

5. What style of knitting do you use?
I gravitate towards knitting English style, but I will knit continental when knitting rib or moss/seed stitch just because it’s quicker to move the yarn between the needles. I’ll knit both ways at once when knitting stranded colorwork.. one color in my left hand, the other in my right.

6. Do you consider yourself a “fast” knitter?
Yes and no. I think I’m an average speed for a good, comfortable knitter. I’m no Lily Chin, but I can finish a pair of socks in a few days and a (chunky) sweater in as little as 2 weeks.

7. Who is your favorite knitting author?
Nicky Epstein, Joan McGowan-Michael and especially Annie Modesitt. I love almost everything Annie has ever knit. (My thoughts are always with her and her family.)

8. What is your favorite by said author?
I don’t have a favorite, but I am chomping at the bit for Romantic Hand Knits by Annie Modesitt.

9. How long ago did you learn to knit?
Almost 7 years ago. I passed a “Learn to Knit” kit in Walmart and thought, what the hell. It’s since become my #1 hobby and past time. With all the crafts I’ve ever tried, this is the only one that has ever become such a deep love. I love knitting even more than drawing and graphic arts.

10. How do you knit small in-the-round objects? (i.e. double points, 2 circulars, or the magic loop)
Two Circulars is my favorite. It’s faster and easier than double points, but less “fidgety” than magic loop.

11. What is the most useful technique you’ve learned so far?
Knitting English and Continental at the same time for colorwork, and knitting cables without a cable needle.

12. Do you prefer to knit fine gauge items, mid-range gauge items, or large gauge items, or do you like it all?
I prefer fine gauge items, but I really do like them all. I’ve never met a knit I didn’t like.

13. How do you like to knit your sweaters?
Seamless top down raglans are my favorites, just because they’re as magical as turning the heel on a sock. But I have to admit I loved all the finishing and steeking of my Osterdalen Norwegian sweater. I appreciate the simplicity of a seamless top-down, but love the challenge of finishing a perfectly seamed sweater as well.

Another meme, this one from the KnittingHelp.com forum.

1. Do you knit continental or English?
Both. I knit English most of the time, but will switch to continental whenever the urge strikes me. I prefer continental when working rib or moss stitch. And I’ll knit both styles at the same time when working fair isle or colorwork.

2. How long ago did you learn to knit?
About 6 years ago when my friend Anna announced she was expecting her first baby boy.

3. First FO?
Technically it was a scarf for my daughter, but that was just practice for my first real project, a baby blanket for Hunter.

4. Favorite yarn?
My own handspuns, 100% alpaca, or baby mohair. Basically anything that is a real pleasure to work with. I don’t hate any yarns, even cheap acrylics. Everything has it’s place, but I do not like cheap acrylics or crazy novelty yarns.

5. Favorite pattern?
A generic top-down seamless raglan sweater pattern. I LOVE a seamless pattern!

6. Favorite pattern source?
The internet!

7. Favorite needles?
Knit Picks Options and Classic Circulars. I even sold my Denise Interchangeables!

8. Nicest thing you’ve ever knit?
Osterdalen, The Baby Norgi set, or The Great American Aran Afghan

9. Most hated project?
I’ve never knit anything I hated. If I hated it, why would I spend all that time on it?

10. Who are you going to pass this on to?
You!

I’ve been tagged by Lisa with the Seven Things About Me meme.

The rules: Each person tagged gives 7 random facts about themselves. Those who are tagged need to write on their own blog those 7 facts as well as the rules of the game. You need to tag seven other people and list their names on your blog. Then you leave those you plan on tagging a note in their comments so they know that they have been tagged and to read your blog.

1. My grandfather (Papa, who was my dad’s dad) was a sailor in the US Navy. He served 3 years in World War II. During those 3 years he carried 3 Indian head pennies on his person at all times. Years later, my dad (who is a very talented woodworker) built 3 handcrafted wooden gifts for his 3 grandkids, my 2 children and my sister’s son. Hidden inside each is a certain priceless Indian head penny.

2. My dad is a fantastic luthier who builds high end electric guitars. His guitars have been played by some of the BIGGEST names in jazz, and rock and roll and 2 of his guitars were played on stage during the hurricane Katrina relief concert in London England. Unfortunately due to the artits’ own contractual obligations to other guitar makers, we can not disclose who is actually playing a Ron Kirn Signature instead of a, say Fender guitar. Dad currently has several guitars for sale at Lark Street Music in New Jersey which is frequented by such names as Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, Rolling Stones, Robert Plant, Sheryl Crow, AC/DC, Brian Setzer, and Bruce Hornsby. I, of course, built his website and am sometimes called upon to help work on a particular guitar such as his replica of George Harrison’s famous Rocky guitar in which I hand painted the pick guard.

3. I have been the team photographer for a local hockey team in Jacksonville Florida. I was part of the team for the Jacksonville Bullets in the Sunshine Hockey League. The team is now defunct (not much ice in FL you know), but during the 3 years they were active I photographed nearly every game from the penalty box. I also designed two of the official team logos, hand painted the goalie’s helmet, named and published the team newsletter (The Hat Trick), photographed a player’s wedding, was a member of the booster club, and hosted team parties in my own home.

4. I can wiggle my eyeballs very, very rapidly. I strain the eye muscles which causes them to flutter back and forth like they’re vibrating. I can also cock my right eyebrow up and down, but can not move the left one. Hubby can move both of his eyeballs independently.

5. When I was a teenager, I spent my summers working in a Greek bakery owned by family friends. I learned to make baklava, spanakopita, dolmades, and all sorts of other authentic Greek dishes. When Pierre is very good, I’ll make dolmades and spanakopita for him. I don’t really need a reason to make baklava, but I try not to make it often because it just ends up on my hips and butt.

6. I’ve never flown in a regular commercial airplane. The only plane I’ve ever ridden in was the same one Pierre jumped out of. No, he didn’t jump because I was in the plane. We were at Skydive Deland and Pierre, his brother and his mom were skydiving. I didn’t want to jump, but did want to ride, so the pilot let me ride in the co-pilots seat. We flew up to 14,000 feet and they all jumped out of the plane. Once it was just me and the pilot, he turned to me and said “just breathe, deep breaths” as he took the plane into a nose dive. We landed the plane and I got out just in time to see Pierre touch down. He FELL, we FLEW and we landed before him. It was the best roller coaster ride EVER.

7. I have been on the internet for so long, since the early 90′s, I remember when there was no such thing as pop up ads or banner ads. We used to connect via a dial up modem at a 2400 baud rate. My first internet experience was on an old ANSI coded BBS called The Vampire’s Den. A guy Pierre worked with introduced us to it and he chatted online with his girlfriend at home. Pierre and I thought it was so cool. We quickly got hooked on the BBS, where I began my online persona as “Blackie”.

There you have it. 7 facts about me. I hope you enjoyed it.

I’m now going to tag:
Kemp, Ninabeena, Sandy, Necia, Pixie, Kim, and Becka. Some of them have already been tagged, but I’m tagging them anyway because I have to tag 7 people or the world will end.

I just finished writing “100 Things About Me“. Man.. that took longer than I thought it would. This is actually the second time I’ve done it. I wrote one before… several years ago though and now I can’t find it. Meh.

I think I may be a bit anal about my knitting bag. It is ridiculously organized and neat. But don’t let that make you think I’m all organized and shit. Cause I’m not, except for my knitting.

Here’s what I carry around with me everywhere I go:

3 projects on needles and a ball of yarn for each, all in ziplock bags to protect them.
My set of Denise Interchangable Needles
3 patterns and the latest copy of Knitter’s magazine
Elizabeth Zimmerman’s Knitters Almanac
LeRan Magnet Board and a magnetic line magnifier
A pen, pencil and mini notepad
12 different crochet hooks
A book light with clip and flexible shaft (for knitting at night in the car)
Light magnification reading glasses
Hefty Handy Saks (plastic bags)
Nail files, clippers, cuticle oil (for smoothing hands and nails so I don’t snag my cashmere)
Tweezers
Lip balm (I’m a lip balm ho.)
Extra batteries for my book light
Sheep tape measure
All my DPNs in their own case
Plastic makeup bag with all my miscellaneous knitting tools
My knitted sheep nametag (for knitting meetings)

All in my BagSmith Project Bag (which I LOVE). All of this stuff is surprisingly light. My bag is not overly heavy or cumbersome. And I’m ready for any knitting emergency, wherever I go.

So, what’s in your bag?

5

1. What housekeeping chore(s) do you hate doing the most? Laundry. Well, I guess that’s not entirely true. I just hate having to collect it all, and then fold and put it way when it’s finished. The time from when I put it in the washer until I pull it out of the dryer isn’t all that bad.

2. Are there any that you like or don’t mind doing? I like vacuuming, because even when the house isn’t spic and span, vacuuming it gives it the illusion of being cleaner which is pretty cool. Especially since we have this dusty blue colored carpet.. dark and light things show up alike. Plus I like my vacuum. It’s a Kirby.

3. Do you have a routine throughout the week or just clean as it’s needed? I clean as needed. I usually clean something everyday, but unless you happen to be here in the few minutes after I’m finished to witness such an event and prove that it was actually done, you probably wouldn’t know it.

4. Do you have any odd cleaning/housekeeping quirks or rules? When I load the dishwasher, all utensils must be in seperate spaces in the utensil holder. Small spoons together, large spoons, forks, knives, and the big space for oddball stuff like soup ladels, vegetable peelers and tongs. Everything is placed with their handles down, with the exception of sharp knives. They go pointy side down so no one hurts themselves… you know, like me.

5. What was the last thing you cleaned? The kitchen. That’s done every single damn day of my life. Unless I run away from home for the day.

5

1. How much time do you spend online each day? Well, technically, my network is online ALL day, but that doesn’t mean I’m sitting here all day. In total, I might spend an hour or two doing stuff online, unless I’m deliberatly wasting time.. then you never know.

2. What is your browser homepage set to? Nothing. AHHH. The speed at which my blank page loads just rocks to no end.

3. Do you use any instant messaging programs? If so, which one(s)? I have ICQ, but do not publish my number. In fact I have three ICQ numbers, the oldest is actually a SIX digit number. But, I only log into ICQ on in rare instances, and will beat anyone to a pulp who tries to IM me for free graphics.

4. Where was your first webpage located? Geocities. Back when it was cool, before Yahoo got a hold of it, and before it was all loaded with popups n shit.

5. How long have you had your current website? I’ve had “Silvers Place” for a looooooooooong time… about 7 years? My very first website (complete with animated rainbow bars, sign my guestbook graphic, and a “under construction” sign… quit laughing) was called, guess what… “Silver’s Place” and was located at geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/3705. And I have the coffee mug to prove it.