Recently in Exchanges Category

Godzilla!

(That song has been in my head for days!)

Today I had my first meeting at my new job. It went well and I found out more about the job. I have some stuff to work on and prepare, but I'm in a bit of a waiting period until the university puts through all the paperwork.

I got home early enough from the meeting to go and do laundry (FUN!). After I got back from the laundry mat, I was walking up the driveway with the laundry trying to avoid bumping into our front neighbors' cars, and I scraped my knuckles against the concrete of the house. I was cursing in my head and angry, but I opened the door to see a package for me!!! It was my KSKS package!!

(Oh, and my camera has taken its sickness to an entirely new plane of weirdness. Instead of greened, everything is now pinked).

Here we see the yummy goodies! My favorite Ferrero Rocher!! There are two kinds of Tastykakes in that box (I love me some Tastykakes, I grew up eating lots of Kandy Kakes, we have them up here, but by the time we get to the aisle with Tastykakes, we've already picked up a bunch of sweets, so this is a nice treat!). The Jolly Ranchers have already been eaten and the M&Ms are likely gone by later tonight. There's also a RingPop in there. And in non-food items, there is some hand cream/sanitizer and Eucalan Woolwash!

Look at this bag she made! It is too cute (I need this sewing pattern!). And it is blue and orange, just like the Mets colors (this is definitely coming with me on Saturday to the game!). And there's a K on it!

And that's not all! Inside the bag is a smaller orange bag full of goodies! And 2 skeins of Lorna's Laces (which is awesome because I've never tried Lorna's Laces). My pal also sent me a pattern for Elfine's socks, which looks really cool (and I'll definitely try that Russian bind off!).

Thank you so much Karla! Your are a super fantastic pal!!!! (Since you're a Philly person, are you familiar with The Hooters? I saw your name and immediatley thought of the song "Karla with a K". There's too much 80s music in my head!)

1. What are your favorite colors?
I'm very open to all colors, especially for socks. I like bright, vibrant colors best.

2. Are you a new sock knitter? How long have you been knitting socks?
I'm nearly up to 20 pairs, so I don't think I'm a newbie.

3. Do you prefer solid or multicolored yarn?
I can go either way. I don't like to knit patterns very much in multicolored yarn. If the pattern is elaborate, the colors should be simple.

4. What fibers do you prefer in sock yarn?
Wool, wool, wool (ok, cashmere would be nice) and I'm open to cotton. But no acrylic!

5. Where do you usually knit socks?
Where don't I knit socks?!

6. How do you usually carry/store small projects?
Plastic bags, whatever is available.

7. What are your favorite sock knitting patterns?
Simple ribbed socks.

8. What are your favorite sock knitting techniques?
Short rows, toe up, 2 circulars

9. What new techniques would you like to try?
I'd like to practice 2 socks on 2 circulars more.

10. Do you prefer circulars or dpns for sock knitting?
Circulars by far.

11. What are some of your favorite yarns?
I'm not too picky, I like trying new things.

12. What yarn do you totally covet?
Something cashmere, maybe?

13. Any pattern you would love to make if money and time were no object?
Not off the top of my head... I'd like to make some more knee socks.

14. Favorite kind of needles (brand, materials, straights or circs, etc)?
Addis

15. If you were a specific kind of yarn, which brand and kind of yarn would you be?
Interlacements Toasty Toes

16. Do you have a favorite candy or mail-able snack?
Ferrero Rocher

17. What’s your favorite animal?
Alpacas

18. Do you have pets? What are their species/names/ages?
Unfortunately, no.

19. If you were a color what color would you be?
Blue

20. Describe your favorite shirt (yours or someone else’s)..
Mets sweatshirt, warm and cozy and comfy

21. What is your most inspiring image, flower, or object in nature?
Nature, inspiring? That place with all the gross bugs?

22. Tell me the best quote you’ve ever heard or read.
"This is war, Peacock!" I'm not good at signficant quotes, I prefer funny ones.

23. Do you have a wishlist?
Not up-to-date

I decided to join in the Knit Sock Kit Swap. This sounds like a lot of fun: make a bag and fill it with all the goodies to make a pair of socks! I've already got some interesting ideas brewing. If you want to join up too, hurry up because sign-ups close in less than 24 hours!

I've been slowly knitting along on Ms. Marigold. I've joined the body and come to the point of knitting knitting knitting and no progress. So because I got mad at that I started some new socks for Kevin, but not with that evil Regia yarn that produced a too small sock, that's still on time out. The yarn I'm using is some hand dyed that I picked up at MDS&W. I'm doing the 2 socks on 2 circs again. I'm a bit worried that there isn't going to be enough yarn, but I'll just keep my fingers crossed.

The linen towel remains untouched still somewhere around halfway finished.

I didn't knit much over the weekend because Kevin and I were busy cooking (well, not really cooking... oh I explain in a minute) and cleaning. On Saturday we started the 2 day process of making our own beef jerky! We used Alton Brown's recipe from Good Eats. Simply, cut up some flank steak, marinade, and dry in furnance filters strapped to a fan. Want to see it in progress?

13 hours later, you have jerky!

We also made sangria on Saturday. And then on Sunday we cleaned out our storage room and now I can easily get my bike in and out (which hopefully means I'll start riding it more!).

So while not a knitterly weekend, it was productive! Now if only I can be productive about school work this week...