Trenchwork

The SP9 folks want a whole slew of questions answered. For them, then, here ’tis. For everyone else, ignore it.
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1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I’m still in the process of figuring this out. So far, I’ve had limited access to yarn types. That’s starting to change as the local stores begin carrying a few new options, but I have an entire list of things I want to try. (If you think I’m kidding, read this post: Yarny Thoughts. The list has grown since then.) Most of what I’ve used has been pure wool, alpaca, or wool blends. I have a passion for soft yarns, mohairs included. I have a stash of Red Heart yarn in my closet from my crochet days and which I’ll probably turn into an indestructible baby blanket or afghan one of these days, but I generally lean away from purely artificial fibers. Not long ago, a friend asked for a pair of wrist warmers, and chose a suede yarn for them. The yarn felt great on its own, but I absolutely hated knitting with it. It had no give, no flex, kept hanging on itself, and I simply couldn’t get an even stitch tension. I’d bet it would crochet great, but I eventually gave it back to her and bought a cotton-silk blend to use instead.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
Hooks go in one case, needles in another. Both cases are handmade rollup thingies. Look here: Storing Pointy Sticks.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I’d think of myself as intermediate, I reckon. I’ve only been knitting for the past three four years, and most of that has been around studies, writing, and teaching. I actually picked up the basics from a book, then got my very patient Norwegian mother-in-law to explain what I was doing wrong with the purl. She and my knitting group have picked up the slack, but a large percentage of the process has simply been a matter of following instructions and looking up what I didn’t understand.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Nope. I have a shopping cart and “saved for later.”

5. What’s your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)
I’ve found I can’t use most scented bath products. I’m getting old and sensitive. (HA! I decided not long ago that I was going to turn into a cranky old wench who shoved people around with her cane as she navigated the halls of the nursing home in her wheelchair with the bicycle flag on the back.) For candles, I prefer spices and florals.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Oh, dear. You’ve GOT to be kidding! ME? A sweet tooth! ONE sweet tooth? Awwww, no. Right.

Seriously, chocolate is always good–unless it’s coffee-flavored, liquor-filled, or dark. Any other candy is equally good, as long as it’s not licorice. (I haven’t been able to convert to the Norwegian dark side about licorice. )

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I crochet, but had to put it down because of the extra stress on my hands. (It’s harder on your hands than knitting.) Similarly, cross-stitch has fallen by the wayside for the same reason; pinching a needle tends to really kick in the de Quervain’s. Spinning is next on my list of things to learn, but I’m waiting until I can hijack a fellow knitter for a quick tutorial. Non-yarny crafts are scarce at the moment, but I have a history of drawing and painting, and my own style of wood- and leatherburning.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I listen to almost anything, short of rap and hard rock. The computer does indeed play MP3s. As a PS, I have to admit that I don’t listen to much music these days. I’m rotten at listening to music and responding to student (or other) writing, and for me, work focuses on text. I just can’t do the two things at once.

9. What’s your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can’t stand?
I’m pretty flexible. I love jewel colors and rich earth tones; I’m a fan of colors that have depth. I’m not keen on yellows and grass greens.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
One remaining and very frail GSD (german shepherd dog).

Update. This changed on 10 Oct 06.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Yep. Er, actually, I haven’t worn a poncho since I was a kid, but that doesn’t mean they’re off my vocabulary list.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Everything. I’ve been seriously bitten by the bug. At the moment, though, I have to say that I’m fascinated by lace.

13. What are you knitting right now?
On the needles at this moment. A pair of mittens for the mittens swap, and a Norwegian sweater. As soon as the mittens go out, I’m starting a lace shawl.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Of course.
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I tend to use metal circulars, but a recent swap introduced me to a bamboo circular and the difference in weight has put me on the track of some rosewood circs.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Nope, but half the yarns I want seem to come in hanks so it’s on my shopping list.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
The sweater currently on my needles is about a year old. I bought the yarn for one pattern about three years ago, then realized I couldn’t wear it because of the turtleneck and ripped it out. I bought a new pattern for it last summer and started it in the fall before my schedule and dissertation insanity threw anything remotely resembling knitting and fun out the window.

18. What is your favorite holiday?
If I’m home and stateside, Thanksgiving. Otherwise, Christmas.

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Not really, no. I’m working on collecting yarn. Does that count?

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
Um, see #1 above? No magazine subs at the moment.

21. Are there any new techniques you’d like to learn?
Are you kidding? Everything! I still feel like a total greenhorn. Lace is on my plate at the moment, but aran is around the corner.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes, although it’s been a while. I’ve picked up a couple of sock books and will cast on a couple of those as small projects as soon as I have the sweater and mittens off the needles. Standard women’s US 7.5-8 medium, european 38. Length = 22.5cm (9″), 9.5cm (4″) wide at the ball of the foot, 7cm (2.5″) wide at the heel.

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
Jan 4.