Bird's Nest Knits

How much ass does my Secret Pal kick?

Much ass... let me tell you... MUCH ass.

I came home to a package which was filled with Valentine's goodness!  I saved it as a reward for after my run tonight - and it was a sweet reward indeed.

Not only did I get chocolate, it was gourmet chocolate, Moonstruck Spicy Dark Chocolate to be specific, AND a beaded necklace AND adorable knitting notecards AND Lorna's Laces  Sock yarn in a colorway that I have been coveting since Hilari bought the exact same colorway at the The Village Yarn and Crafts in Fallbrook.  *thud*  Lemme just say - the woman knows how to spoil a girl.

I did share the chocolate with Mr Bird - but the yarn is MINE ALL MINE  *evil cackling*

I was just informed that the "right way" to appreciate chocolate is to hold a piece against the roof of your mouth with your tongue and let it melt there.   Yummy.    I was JUST looking at Chuao's web site too looking at their spicy chocolate.  Must be a PMS thing.

I'm back on track with Lady Eleanor - reading the directions?  Highly recommended.   Thanks to Heather and Jillian for the help.    Speaking of Lady E...

I came home today to find my bag of Kochoran at the top of the stairs, while my dog goes bolting to hide in searing guilt, I find my hanks of Kochoran strewn about with one hank quite mangled.  The others look ok and I should be able to untangle the mess of the one she played with.

Naughty doggy.  Can't get mad at her though - if I wasnt good enough about keeping things that smell like bunny ass out of her reach - well - its my bad.

Sweat and gifts and knitting

... but not necessarily in that order.

I got my first gift from my Secret Pal (part 7 the revenge) and it is awesomeness.  I got a box of Luna bars - which have chocolate mmmm in them, and might even be good for me.  A great little card, some stitch markers - you can never ever have enough of these, and I think they are even hand made!  A bottle of Eucalan wool wash - PERFECT timing cause I need to set the twist on some hand spun I recently did, and last but not least - some DP needle holders.  Thank you very much!

I am very nearly done my Picovoli - probably another couple of inches to cover my round belly, and once Picovoli is done.. what to cast on next.  Since I'm doing the whole Two Steps Forward, One Step Back  dealio that Jeanie thought up - I think that the Traditional Hat and Picovoli have earned me the right to cast on guilt free... something in lace I think.

I've been on a house hunt - looking to move closer to work.  Last weekend was a bit of a downer because I found this house that was great - less than a couple of miles from work - close enough to bike.  Made an offer - and ended up being out bid by someone else.  Back to the drawing board this Saturday.

Ran tonight with the pup - its so much easier with her because she never gets tired and wusses out before I do.  I made a little mini goal of being able to run up this hill by my house without stopping and I made it!  Next goal is to make it around the block without stopping - which is roughly 600 yards ~ 1/3 of a mile by Sunday!  (yes I know I'm majorly out of shape - but I'm working on it)

Secret Pal 7 Questionnaire

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand?

Unabashed yarn snob.  I've decided that life is too short to knit with yarn that is itchy or flammable.  I started out with the Michael's/WalMart yarn sections when I first started knitting but have since given away that part of my stash to Goodwill.  I've found that I can get very nice yarn from places like KnitPicks for what I'd pay for the fuzzy eyelash stuff you see at Michaels.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?

I do spin - I have a Lendrum Double Treadle wheel which I love, I suck big time at drop spindling.  I have a drum carder and about a pound of unspun alpaca, 8 oz of camel, and superwash wool.. you can see where this is going.  I crochet enough to put edging on my knitting.

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

I have a little plastic notions bag that I keep all the odds and ends in.  I love those baskets from Lantern Moon.

4. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I learned how to knit about 4 years ago but only doing it seriously for the last 2 years.  I'd say I'm probably intermediate - I've done moderately difficult lace projects and socks.

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

I have a Knit Picks wish list that I can provide.

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)

Foody scents I tend to like, also most florals except for rose, and I do like sandalwood.

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

I love chocolate but I'm trying to stick to the sugar free stuff these days.

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

I used to stamp - I have various plastic bins that attest to this.  Someday I will get all crazy and EBAY that stuff to make room for my yarn.  I've just started doing more serious digital photography.

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

Hmm - I like just about everything except rap.    Lately its been country, angry women (Fiona Apple-ish) and a bit of old school No Doubt.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?

Love reds, pinks, blues, purples.  I can pass on anything the color of dirt or baby poop.

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

I've got 1 redhead and one boxer.  Neither really appreciate being called a pet though.

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

Not really - its kind of too warm in San Diego, and currently I am anti-poncho (Down with the ponchos!)

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?

Koigu rocks my world.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

Scratchy wool, any sort of fuzzy acrylic yarn that could be mistaken for slaughtered Muppet.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?

Socks!  So very portable, and I love me some Koigu.  Unfortunately I have enough sock yarns for a dozen pairs waiting to be knit right now.

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

Hmm.. just to not paint myself into a corner I'll keep it vague.  I like to knit anything with a relatively interesting pattern, that challenges my knitting skills.

17. What are you knitting right now?

Men's socks and Picovoli - I'm trying to be exclusive.  Waiting in the wings is Veste Everest from Fall 05 IK.

18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Love them!  I'm a sucker for pretty stitch markers - you can never have enough of those babies.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?

Circs all the way baby - between my Addi collection and my Denise interchangeables - well.. who needs straights anymore?

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Addi's, Lantern Moon anything (if I still knitted with straights I'd be collecting these they are so beautiful) then Bamboo.

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

Yes to both but I want a jumbo yarn winder - the plastic one is a little on the small side

22. How did you learn to knit?

Stitch and Bitch by Debbie Stoller   (Fie on all you that hate this book)

23. How old is your oldest UFO?

Uh... four years old.  Anyone out there like to do fringe?

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?

Foamy the Squirrel, and the angry Penguin from Hello Kitty.  (what?)

25. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas!  I love the songs and decorations and cooking and eating.

26. Is there anything that you collect?

Aside from yarn?

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

Rowan, Interweave Knits (I'm still lusting after Rebecca)

28. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?

Sweet Mary Jane Cardigan - adorable!

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

Mitered squares, entrelac (just to say I've done it)

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

Love socks!  I have an 8" size foot from heel to toe.

31. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)

December 19th - just turned 29 again.