Simple Elegance

Sock-ret Pal Questionnaire

Warning: kind of long and boring. To anyone other than my pal, I'm sure this is more than you'll ever want to know about me.

Sock-ret Pal Questionnaire

How long have you been knitting?

I have been knitting for 30 years. I began when my eldest son was a little boy as I wanted to knit sweaters for him.

Do you consider yourself a beginning sock knitter, an intermediate, or have you been doing this so long you could probably knit a pair in your sleep?

I suppose I am an advanced sock knitter. I was fortunate to learn to knit socks by Nancy Bush when she was just becoming the queen of socks. I was well taught!!!

While your pal may ask for some additional info to ensure a great fit, please provide your shoe size, or any other fitting related info you think is pertinent.

My shoe size is 6 ½ or 7, and usually patterns knit for a woman’s size medium fit just fine.

(fiber related) Favorites:

What colors do you love?

I really prefer cool toned colors – blues, violets, pinks, reds (not orangey reds, though), and blue-greens.

Do you prefer solids or variegated?

I love both!!!

What fibers do you most love to knit with?

Wool, of course. (LOL!)

Who do you consider your favorite yarn vendors?

Wow, how to narrow it down? My favorite local vendor is The Black Sheep Wool Co. in Salt Lake. Online, I love Kpixie, The Knitting Garden and Jimmy Beans.

What projects (other than socks, of course*S*) do you most enjoy knitting?

Sweaters, scarves and, lately, shawls.

(fiber related) Dislikes:

What fibers can you not stand to knit with? To wear?

I hate to knit with 100% acrylic, although I have found some really nice blends. Also, I do not like “designer” yarns like eyelash, fur, etc.

What colors would you never wear?

Orange, yellow (although I love yellow, I look horrible in it), lime green.

The Tools:

Plastic or Metal? Bamboo or wood?

I have quite a collection of needles in almost all kinds of materials. If I had to say just one, I prefer wood.

Circs or Straights?

Circs for anything but socks.

DPNs or Magic Loop?

DPN’s all the way!!!

Are there any knitting accessories you don't have in your collection but would like?

I am always looking for stitch markers. They are like paperclips; they continuously disappear!

The Extras:

Do you have a wish list? If so, please share the link!

I’ve never started a wish list online. Hmmmm, maybe I should do that sometime.

Do you like sweet, sour or salty? (or all of the above? *S*)

Gotta go with “all of the above.”

Do you have any allergies your pal should know about? (Certain foods, smoke, pet hair, etc)

I am allergic to cats and, while not allergic, detest cigarette smoke.

Favorite scents? Scents you can't stand?

I like fresh scents, not flowery or spicy. I love lemon, vanilla, lavender, and wear Philosophy colognes. Oh, and have you smelled Philosophy’s scented bath gels? They are to die for – Cinnamon Buns, Vanilla Waffle Cone, Berry Crumb Pie – all the fun without the fat!!

Do you collect anything (other than yarn and knitting toys of course)?

I’m not really a collector. I do love refrigerator magnets, colored glass, doilies, and anything Victorian looking.

When is your birthday? (month and day is fine!)

July 7

Do you spin? Dye your own yarn?

I am a novice spinner and would like to get into dyeing one of these days.

Your favorite author/band/vacation spot, anything you think will help your pal know you better...

I am vegetarian, into yoga, and love massages.

My favorite TV programs are Grey’s Anatomy, Numbers, and General Hospital.

My iPod contains mostly hard rock and alternative – not a hint of country.

I LOVE the mountains but yearn to swim in the ocean some day.

I like to read suspense novels, as well as the old classics.

I hope this helps!!!

posted by Kristy @ 5:52 PM Comments: 1

So, what's happening?

It has been so long since I have blogged. Lots of excuses, but none are interesting, so let's just pretend we're up to date -- 'kay?

Still not a lot of progress on the knitting front. Normally, I get all excited when the Fall knitting mags come out, but this year's offerings were not much to be thrilled about. I have begun a couple of new things, though, and have joined a couple of new KAL's. Hopefully, new projects and new KAL's will get my knit vibe going.

Norah Gaughan's Knitting Nature book was on my "to buy" list for quite a while. I drooled online over the book for a very long time. A visit to Border's during a lunch hour last week and -- "yay!" -- the book is now mine. I love so many of the designs in this lovely book and am fascinated by the knit construction. I began knitting the Hex Coat in some Lopi Lite that has been in my stash for years. Here is my progress thus far.



Moss stitch is one of my favorite stitches and I really love the look of it. The shaping on the front edge keeps my interest. After knitting the coat in moss stitch, stitches are picked up along the edges to knit each hex. Fun stuff!

I lost track of Summer and my trekking socks didn't even come close to getting finished. I still pick them up and knit a row or two once in a while. They will be completed eventually. I am knitting the Balance socks by Designedly Kristi. The little cables up both sides and the back of the socks are very cool, and the coloration of the trekking yarn is yummy! Here's a progress picture (in very bad lighting):



It was my sister's birthday on Saturday. A few weeks ago I inquired as to what she would like for her birthday, and she requested some handmade cards. I made a slew of them.





I altered a lunch tin with some gorgeous Fall colored papers, flowers, metals, and lots of ribbons, and put the cards inside. It turned out pretty cute, if I say so myself, and she was really pleased with it. The cards took a lot of my evenings, and that took away much of my knitting time. I hope to get much more knitting in as the Fall progresses.

I'll leave with you with a couple of very small FO's, but FO's just the same -- a couple of "warshrags" from Mason-Dixon Knitting.



I'm going to go moss stitch now!

posted by Kristy @ 7:44 PM Comments: 4