Oh boy! A happy Halloween to you, and a FO for your viewing pleasure...
I am very pleased with these. My first socks! The second one must be a little smaller than the first, since I didn't run out of yarn. In fact, I have this much left:
Pattern: Grumperina's Jaywalkers, larger size
Yarn: Artyarns Ultramerino 4, colorway 127
Needles: Size 1 Susan Bates Quicksilver (set of 4) and 1 Brittany 5" dpn
No modifications
My secret pal is the best!! I got this package on Friday! It was a skein of Noro (am I spoiled or what??), some yummy smelling 'sea grass' candles, 4 beatiful stitch markers, peppermint chocolates (all gone!), and a card with some yarn from something she's making me!!
I am so lucky :) I hope my pal likes what I'm getting her half as much as I like what I got...
So, I'm toodling around the web and just found this awesome blog, and the most perfect jacket.
It's from Phildar Tendances #456 (Autumn 06).
I. Must. Have!
I can't believe it's been a week already! I am trying to post more frequently, but the only time I can take photos of my progress seems to be the weekend. And posts without photos are boring... so there ya go.
We had a fun, fun weekend. It was the man's birthday, so we did manly things.
First we went to the Haight - to go to Amoeba.
Then, since we were right there, we went to Golden Gate Park and rode the carousel,
and looked at flowers.
Ok, now what you're really here for:
SP9 is going well! I am really excited to buy things for my pal. It's going to be tough stretching it out until January, though! I want to buy a bunch of stuff and send it to her now! but I must restrain myself. And my pal sent me a note saying that my first surprise is already in the mail. This is so exciting!
The never-ending baby blanket is still unfinished, even though the baby was born on Friday (the 13th). He will be getting it as a Christmas present! Or, at this rate, a high school graduation present... I realize now that I made it too wide. The thing is 45" wide when stretched out. It's 35" long now, but looks weird since it's not square. The pattern says to make it 60" long, but I think squaring it up will be enough!
The Hex Coat pieces are finished!!! I completed the back last weekend and am almost finished putting it together. Now I just have to knit the hexagon border. Woo hoo!
My mom was up this weekend and we went to Noe Knit and I bought this lovely skein of fingering weight natural alpaca for my stash. I'm thinking a nice shawl/scarf. This one skein is over 650 yds! I am currently attempting to bribe it into becoming the Swallowtail Shawl from the Fall Interweave, but with little success. *sigh*
And, since I'm now officially addicted to knitting socks, I bought some Lorna's Lace Shepherd Sock.
ok, so everybody's doing it...
1. FIRST NAME? Larisa, but nobody calls me that. I prefer Risa.
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? When my mom was in college, her Spanish prof's wife had a baby, and they named her Larisa. My mom filed the name away in her memory bank ... If I had been a boy my name would have been Ty Gregory.
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? At my wedding, a month ago.
4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Yep.
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? Salami
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Definitely
7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? You're looking at it.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yep
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Probably not.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? I don't really like cereal...
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Never, but it always makes me mad when I try to put them back on.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Strong willed. Not physically strong, though I pretend to be.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Anything Ben & Jerry's
14. SHOE SIZE? 8
15. RED OR PINK? Red hair, pink clothes.
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? Lack of confidence.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? College friends who live far away.
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? Post it to your blog!!
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS, SHIRT AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Brown slacks, green sweater, brown shoes
20. LAST THING YOU ATE? bagel with cream cheese
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? the scanner in the cube in front of me (I'm at work - don't tell!)
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? green
23. FAVORITE SMELL? rain
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My husband
25. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? eyes
26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON you stole THIS from? Everyone? I like everyone...
27. FAVORITE DRINK? Lemonade and root beer are competing for the top rank. I'll have to get back to you.
28. FAVORITE SPORT? Although I can't do it anymore, I was a pole-vaulter in college. Woo hoo!
29. EYE COLOR? green
30. HAT SIZE? no idea
31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Glasses. I work on computers all day and now I have to wear glasses again. Drat!
32. FAVORITE FOOD? pasta, mashed potatoes :)
33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Either one. I love movies
34. ?? Somehow question 34 disappeared. How about I make a new one? Ok... FAVORITE MOVIE? Garden State.
35. SUMMER OR WINTER? summer
36. HUGS OR KISSES? yes please!
37. FAVORITE DESSERT? anything with chocolate!
38. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? don't know
39. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? don't know
40. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? An Instance of the Fingerpost by Iain Pears
41. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE Pad? nothing, it's black
42. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? I don't have a TV.
43. FAVORITE SOUNDS? my husband's voice
44. ROLLING STONE OR BEATLES? beatles
45. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? Farthest geographically - Italy. Farthest culturally - Tunisia
46. WHAT'S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? Knitting :)
47. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Central Coast of California.
48. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? stolen from everybody's blog...
My first sock is complete! The mate should will be done some day...
The pattern is the ubiquitous Jaywalker from Magknits by Grumperina, made with Artyarns Ultramerino4 in color 127 (watermelony).
Just wanted to let you know that I'm back from a wonderfully relaxing honeymoon, and the man and I have finally made it official! We had a perfect wedding day in my parent's back yard. They did so much work for us; it was amazing!
I hope to have pictures both of the wedding and of my knitting (I'm making socks!!) soon. Maybe there'll even be a shot of the clapotis in action!
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I really like wool and wool blends, but I won't turn my nose up at anything. I'm not a big fan of acrylic, but other than that...
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I think a vanity bag would be the best way to describe it. It zips open and has a compartment on each side. One for the needles and one for the other stuff. I also have a Denise set which is, of course, self contained.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I have been knitting for about 10 years. My mom taught me the basics and I have taught myself a lot. I like to consider myself intermediate to advanced. I like complicated stitch patterns, but I need to work on my finishing skills!
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Yes, I have one at amazon.
5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.) I like low-key scents, like cucumber, over really 'sweet' smelling things.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Oh yes! I always love chocolate, but really anything will do!
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I haven't yet ventured into spinning, but I would love to some day. I like to do counted cross-stitch and make beaded jewelry, but I mostly knit.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I love old jazz, especially Ella Fitzgerald. I also like bluegrass. And yes, I can play MP3s.
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? I prefer cool colors - greens, greys, blues, nice browns look best on me. I never wear red or yellow, but I do like pink. Who can resist the happiest color?
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I live with my husband (that's such a new and exciting word!). We, unfortunately, don't have any pets at the moment.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? I love scarves, but mittens and hats aren't really practical on the California coast.
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? I knit mostly sweaters, but I'm making a new venture into socks. I have made a few scarves, and would love to make a fun lace shawl or scarf someday soon.
13. What are you knitting right now? Ha! I'm in the middle of the Hex Coat from Knitting Nature, my first Jaywalker and a baby blanket. On deck I have socks for the man and the Cambridge jacket from Summer 06 Interweave, also for the man.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Who wouldn't!!?!
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I almost always knit on circular needles. In the past I used plastic a lot, but I'm starting to like aluminum more.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? No, I still have to use my knees!
17. How old is your oldest UFO? Um, I try not to keep track. There is a vest I designed and started knitting about two years ago...
18. What is your favorite holiday? Definitely Christmas. I wish the holiday spirit could last longer!
19. Is there anything that you collect? You mean besides yarn and needles? Not really.
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I have been yearning for Handknit Holidays and Knitting Without Tears for a while. I subscribe to Interweave Knits.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? I just bought the Knitters Book of Finishing Techniques - I am looking forward to refining my finishing skills.
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? I'm starting to be! My foot is 9" long, and 8.5" around.
23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) 5/12. Yep, I'm a Taurus.
