Secret Pal 11—perfect and perfect timing!

Amazon boxes on my porch are.. ummm.. not exactly a rare occurance.  With one exception- I USUALLY know they are coming- and WHAT will be in them.  Not this time!

 A great surprise was inside!  My SP 11 sent me 3- count them 3 knitterly surprises!  2 Debbie Macomber books- AND The First Book of Modern Lace knitting;) YES!

 Thanks Sp 11- for rockin my day!

Hmmm what to knit what to knit…….;)  Will keep you posted-

 

secret pal 11 and knitting update

 Hunting socks for my guys- big and small;)

Thuja pattern from knitty.

 I used Moda Dea Washable wool-

Big socks- US #6’s as per pattern

For the tiny socks- I used US 3’s- cast on fewer stitches and knit to foot measurements- just use a multiple of 4- np.

 

 Easy to adapt- and finished both pair in just a couple of days.

Now- they will be ready for Noah’s first time out hunting with the big boys;)

(Daddy has taken them into the woods for the first time when they turned 5)  May need to make a Noah hat with some more of this wool- and probably mittens too;)  Can we really carry the matchy thing too far?  I think not

All the gooodies this weekend were not for someone else;)

The happiest package arrived from my (new) SP 11!!!!

A gorgeous new journal - (love the tooling on the cover) and beautiful silk bend mystical creation lace-weight!  There WAS chocolate… but well… there isn’t anymore;)

There is also an adorable yarn ball/ knitting needles stitch marker- WAY cute- THNX so much!  SP !!!!!!

 

secret pal 11

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Love KSH, wool silk blends…. noro silk garden light, sock yarn;) Laceweight, would LOVE to try Sundara. Really prefer natural fibers.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? Needle rolls made by my sis in law- ;) CHeck out her etsy shop!

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? Oh, bout 4 years (the addiction is clouding my sense of time) prob intermediate- to intermediate advanced… I fear the steek. and haven’t done much color work…. but lace is a fav.

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

5. What’s your favorite scent? Lavendar, vanilla, rose,

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Dark chocolate.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? Spin. Photography and am learning watercolor painting.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) like a pretty eclectic selection of music- everything from classical to U2. My Ipod is my friend;)

9. What’s your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can’t stand? Love jewel tones… reds blues purples. Not a huge fan of orange and yellow. Pastels pretty much make me look ill. (olive complected;) )

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? Married for 19 yrs. 3 sons 18, 15 and 5 (surprise!) 2 cats and one bad beagle- who is sweet- lucky for her rabbit chasing self.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? scarves, mittens not so much hats or ponchos… I don’t get ponchos- they are like wearing a blazing arrow that point to your butt. Something I try to avoid after 3 kids;)

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Whatever my current project is- all the while dreaming of my next one— the next hit is always better, isn’t it?

13. What are you knitting right now? Mystery Stole 3. Monkey socks in Trekking Pro-natura, and the invisibility shawl from Charmed knits. Also on hold is my second Central park hoodie.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Love it.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Right needle for the right project. Mostly wood- but love addis and knitpicks options too;)

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

17. How old is your oldest UFO? Prob 6 months. (MY CPH)

18. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas

19. Is there anything that you collect? Mccoy pottery(usually white/cream) , Longaberger baskets and tin/metal chocolate molds.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? Grafton Fibers circs. (or other needles) Lacy little knits. Sundara yarns.

21. Are there any new techniques you’d like to learn? Colorwork,

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? Yep. I wear a 6 1/2

23. When is your birthday? August 31. YAY me!

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what’s your ID? soltrcy see you there;)

 

Mystery Stole 3 at row 120!

Black Alpaca With a Twist
Black glass seed beads-
US #3 plymouth bamboo circs (24″)

I have markers placed- but just at each side of the center stitch.

I’m using a life line- (threaded through stitches while they are on the needle- between charts. This one is placed between chart one and two. I remove them after adding the new lifeline.

Close up of the center motif in clue #1

Looks Thai like to me…but I have no clue what the theme may be.
I’ll just keep knitting along…

With clues- yet somehow- Clueless;)

For more about MS3 visit Pinklemontwist- she’s the brains behind the mystery! The group is now closed- but the pattern will be available for sale after it’s completion!

SP 10 has wrapped up- my final pkg went out the pal I’ve been sending too… I hope she likes it- Loopy ewe sock blockers… Claudia handpaint sock yarn and Lantern Moon Sox Stix… with misc other goodies too;) Will let you know WHO I’ve been sending to….after she receives it;)

I haven’t heard who was sending to me yet… maybe soon. Maybe I won’t, stuff happens… it’s ok.. I really do like sending goodies;)

 

Secret Pal 10- Questionnaire

The Questionnaire

What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? Natural- although some blends are great.

What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? Squeeky acrylic. Yuk. Don’t like cotton unless it’s blended. I love soft. Soft,soft;)

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I love needle rolls- my SIL makes beautiful ones- that I keep most of my needles in.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced 3 years..? Probably: Intermediate.

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

5. What’s your favorite scent? Lavendar, vanilla- vanilla/berry

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Dark chocolate……yum.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? Scrapbook- spin- mostly- I knit;)

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) Contemporary Christian, usually- with some U2- Coldplay, etc- huge audio-book listener. Have Ipod- will listen;)

9. What’s your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can’t stand? Jewel tones- Fuschias- Purples blues black- chocolate brown. Not a fan of orange yellow or green.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? Married- 3 sons- from 5-17 2 cats and a bad beagle.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Scarves- yes, hats- no, mittens yes- ponchos- NO.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Lace. But have been on a sweater kick lately. Somewhat cowl, Central Park Hoodie, and now Something Red.

13. What are you knitting right now? Just finished Central Park Hoodie- and working on “Something Red” from Knit n Tonic/ The Garter Belt.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yep;)

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Rt needle for the project. Mostly like wood- Lantern Moon- my favorite;) but have the Knit Picks options- and like them as well as Addi Turbos.

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

17. How old is your oldest UFO? Not sure… I like to look forward - not back;)

18. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas and Easter

19. Is there anything that you collect? antique/vintage choc molds… esp flowers- rabbits.

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 Interweave knits- would like spin-off. I’d like to try quivit.

21. Are there any new techniques you’d like to learn? stranded knitting…. everything!

22. Are you a sock knitter? Yes;) What are your foot measurements? wear a 6 1/2-7

23. When is your birthday? 8/31