Luscious Fibers, Food and Family

Secret Pal Surprise and New Yarn

I came home from a tiring all day meeting to a wonderful surprise. My fabulous secret pal sent me a spring/easter package. It was filled with some beautiful Manos...the colorway is gorgeous! There were also some peeps, which brought a huge smile to my face and then the sweetest surprise - a Sophie bag! I love it, love it, love it.

In other news... I received the yarn for my summer Clapotis, as well as the original yarn I ordered from Hand Painted Yarn that was suppose to be for my Clapotis (it took over a month to get it). So, let's look at the summer yarn first. After much research into what other people had used for the Clapotis, and believe me there are a lot of choices, I appreciate all those who have lead the path and wrote about it, I decided to go with Artful Yarns - Fable in the colorway Gingerbread Man. I love how the color names are all fables.

I didn't step too far out of the box with this color choice, but the blue and salmon colors are new for me.

Now onto the original pick. Many Clap knitters have used Hand Painted Yarn's Pure Merino and people really liked it - so I went with that. Let me tell you it is SO soft and the color, and screams me all over it (the colorway is named "wonderful" and well it's true. I'm not entirely sure what I'm going to do with it yet, but for now I'm content just gazing at and touching it every so often. Isn't she gorgeous?

In regards to actual knitting, I hope to finish up my bunny today and also start on my Clapotis. I also need to do some work on my neglected socks - wish me luck with that one - ugh. I hope you all have a relaxing weekend full of knitting, eggs and Easter treats.

Secret Pal Surprise

I got a package from my secret pal. It was full of wonderful things. A beautiful sock yarn which I can wait to use. One of my favorite yarns - silk garden - perfect for a silk garden beanie. There was also some chocolate, a stitch holder, a knitting card and needle covers. It was a great surprise and a feel very lucky to have such a thoughtful secret pal.

Secret Pal 4 - About Me!

Names will be sent out soon so I thought it would be a good idea to provide the person that gets me with some information!

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer high- a nd/natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?  Generally I like natural fibers. I guess I avoid Red Heart, but there is some Lion Brand that seems nice.
2. Do you spin? Crochet? No, but I'm fascinated by idea of spinning.
3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.) None
4. How long have you been knitting? About a year and a half
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? I do now...on the right side.
6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.) I like the more subtle, classic, natural scents.  I don't like vanilla.
7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Of course!
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? I do a number of things...paint, rubber stamp, a little sewing...I'll try anything that has me using the creative side of my brain.
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I LOVE MUSIC!  All kinds...my least favorites are rap and country, but even then I like bluegrass.  My most favorite are folk or "alternative adult" at least that's what my digital music station says.  I love dance music, dance remixes, 80's revived.  Yes, I can play mp3s. Muscians I like...Dave Matthews, Patti Griffin, Sarah McLachlan, They Might Be Giants, and many others.
10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? My favorite colors deep greens and purples.  I love deep, natural colors...olive, sage, purple, red...fall colors. But I also like when unexpected shades are mixed in with those colors...so the darker colors mixed with a hit of pink, lavender, or light blue.
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I'm single, but in a relationship. No kids, but two fabulous cats. Oliver and Kuba
12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know) To own a yarn store and knit all day...no, seriously.
13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? Manos, Lambs Pride, Noro Silk Garden...I love hand spun/hand painted yarns and I'm hoping to explore yarns made from plants (corn and soy).
14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? Yarns that are unforgiving - I'm still a new knitter. Really scratchy yarns.
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s? Flowers, socks and felted bags
16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? not sure yet
17. What are you knitting right now? Socks, a scarf, a tiny sweater, mittens, and a purse.
18. What do you think about ponchos? I knit one and I love it.  I don't think I'll do any more, but there are a couple wraps I want to try.
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?  circular, probably...but use both.
20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Bamboo, but I'm trying aluminum with my socks and it's working out well.
21. Are you a sock knitter? I think I've answered that. :)
22. How did you learn to knit? A friend the first time...Stitch and Bitch book the second time when the light bulb went off.
23. How old is your oldest UFO? A purse from the first Stitch and Bitch book...about a year and a half old.
24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird? My favorite animal - cats, but I'm an animal friendly person. In regards to birds...cardinals and blue jays are beautiful.
25. What is your favorite holiday? I don't think I have one, but I'll think about it.
26. Is there anything that you collect? Other than yarn and craft supplies - I don't think so.