HSS3 questionnaire

The first two Hogwarts Sock Swaps were a lot of fun and I was saddened when I discovered that both blogs had been deleted. The former Headmistress is no longer running these, but we have had a wonderful woman step up and start a third sock swap. Here is my questionnaire for this third one, which I am very much looking forward to (and I am wondering what the chances are of me getting yet another book-color-loving Ravenclaw as my pal).

1. What Hogwarts house have you been sorted into?
Slytherin

2. List your favorite double-point needle brands, including size and length. Or would you prefer circulars?
KnitPicks - the metal ones; Inox; Brittany Birch, in that order of brand preference; I mostly have been using the smaller length sock ones lately, usually size 0-1-1.5

3. Would you like to try a new brand needle? If so, which brand? Size? Length?

I have decided that I want to learn magic loop for knitting two socks at one time. I love knitting socks on smaller needles (US0, US1, US1.5 are my most used for socks), and I think I want 40" cables, possibly longer, though I am not sure. I assume the 40" would be long enough to do two socks at once, so they should suffice. I do love the metal KnitPicks needles, and I've heard great things about the Addi turbos, so either would make me very happy.

4. If you are a RAVENCLAW, do you prefer the colors in the film or the book? Do you have a strong preference?

N/A

5. Do you have any allergies?

I am very sensitive to most synthetic fragrances, as well as high fructose corn syrup.

6. Do you smoke?

Nope.

7. Do you have cats?

Yes, one. He tends to be rather ambivalent about my hobbies, though.

8. Would you like and international pal if possible?

I'd prefer in the US, but can take international if needed.

9. Do you have a preference on the size of your stitch makers, fit a larger or smaller needle?

I normally don't knit on larger than a US size 8. I also prefer non-dangly stitch markers.

Simple Knitted Bodice, take 2

I restarted my Simple Knitted Bodice on January 7th as part of a stash knit down on Ravelry. The Stash Knit Down 2008 group has monthly challenges, the current one runs from January 5th through February 19 (so a bit more than a month for this one), and the goal is to knit a mile. As in 1760 yards of lovely yarn.

As a rough estimate, I figure I am somewhere around 600 yards to date, and my sweater, when complete should total roughly 1300 yards since I am making the large size. I think it will be over that amount, though, as I am doing modifications to it in terms of length and whatnot. With other random projects (I still haven't finished Harley's sock, the second one is about 2/3 completed), I should be able to make this mile goal.

Anyway, as of earlier today, I am on the chevron lace inset again, and am hoping it doesn't take nearly as long to complete as the last time. So far, it is looking great and fitting much better than the original.

Mmmmmmalabrigo Swap

My addiction of Malabrigo knows no bounds. I am currently participating in a Malabrigo yarn swap on Ravelry, and I happen to be one of the swap moderators. Not that moderation matters right now, though.

The above photo is missing one item from the package, a cd of music by In Our Cups. I am about to load it into the computer to see if it is what I think it is and yep... Renaissance-Medieval wenchiness. I love it. And looking at the inset, one of the lovely ladies in the group is my swap pal, Ravelry user FaithEllen.

The Malabrigo she sent? My formerly favorite colorway, Stonechat, just changed to the Vaa that she sent. Look at this beautiful goodness:



*drool*

I feel like Faith has known me for ages, she sent some of the most perfect things ever. Sushi tissues. A book (Knitorama) that I have wanted for a while (come on, everyone needs a pattern for a knitted ham sandwich!). Jasmine pearl tea (my one major consumable weakness). A new tape measure (funnily, I mentioned needing a new portable one in the swap group, and the next day I found mine - but the day after that it broke so I still needed a new one). A dashboard pirate (Yarrrrrrrr!). Wind-up sushi! And the wee little cutest plastic rubber chicken. Come on, look at this wee little cutie:



This is by far one of the absolute best swap packages ever. And I've done a lot of swaps in my time. Thank you, Faith!

Let it snow...

We had heard that this was supposed to be a really harsh winter. One filled with cold, snowy days. Shoveling. School closures (for Chris, it doesn't much matter for kids when you homeschool them). So why is it then, that I was taking pictures of him in his gator mittens on Monday in 65°F weather?



I even made mittens for myself after twice frogging fingerless gloves in progress (I will make fingerless gloves, and they will be perfect, but right now I need to settle on the perfect yarn first). I am not normally a winter accessory person, but I fell in love with the Malabrigo after using it for hats and mittens for the girls (er... only one got mittens, Harley likes her bulky polarfleece gloves). And now I have mittens.



I love my mittens. I was almost tempted to wear them today, but it hit 71°F earlier, I had the back door open so the breeze could come in through the screen door, and well... I just couldn't bring myself to wear mittens when it feels like May outside.

Come on, Old Man Winter, I want to play in the snow.

*specs - Chris's mittens are the Later Gator's from Stitch and Bitch Nation, modified to have 4 more stitches per mitten since he's got man hands, done in Cascade 220 Heathers #2429 and kool-aid dyed Lion Wool for the mouth (teeth are Caron Simply Soft, since it's the only worsted weight white I have in the stash and I wasn't going to buy something else for only a few feet of yarn). Mine are the Classic Mittens pattern, with modified decreases and a larger needle size because I have wide hands and didn't feel like making the men's size. Oh, and Malabrigo Merino Worsted in Stonechat, which is currently my all-time favorite yarn colorway.