I am not a yarn snob and I'd not look down my nose at another knitter's choice of yarn, but I am very particular about what I like to work with. I prefer "skinny" yarns: 4ply, laceweight. DK maybe. Very rarely I'll play with aran weight. Mercenized cotton is my favourite to work with but there is a limit to what I can make out of it. I like things with good crisp stitch definition. I have a slight allergy to 100% wool so tend to go for mixes. I don't like anything slubby, fuzzy, snaggy or likely to shed - I'm not much of a mohair fan. I don't really like verigated yarns for anything other than socks - even then I prefer semi-solids or light variegation. I *hate* anything boucle, whatever the fibre content.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
We have a second for dpns and circulars (can you spot the shadow?) and a plastic cup for hooks. It suits us, I like them.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
Seriously, since early 2005. My mum taught me when I was little, but I soon forgot and was distracted by paint, sewing and beads. My flatmate re-taught me the basics and went away for a week, leaving her copy of Stich & Bitch out on the kitchen table... I knit a lot so even though it's been less than two years, I'd say I'm intermediate. My garment construction and fair isle isn't up to "advanced" levels.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Nothing up to date.
5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)
I tend to avoid scented things. They are too likely to make me sneeze.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Chocolate. liquorice. I don't have an especially sweet tooth, although I bake a reasonable amount it tends to be based around fruit or chocolate rather than simply for the sugar. I'm lactose intolerant, which limits me a bit.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
No I don't spin and have no desire to learn, I crochet a bit and I used to bead.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s?
I don't like one kind of music. But then there is lots I don't like... probably best avoided.
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I don't have favourites in colour, all colours are nice in the right context. That said in terms of colours I like to wear, I tend to go for more muted shades.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I have a boyfriend but we don't live together (doesn't stop him leaving his football kit for me to wash, grumble grumble). I share a flat with my oldest friend which is obviously lovely, especially when she makes me lovely things like this skirt:
(sorry, off topic, but I've not shown it off here yet). My mum, brother and grandfather all live in London too, so I see them a reasonable amount but my dad died this summer. No pets.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Yes to all but ponchos. I don't really like hats or mittens unless it's REALLY cold. I have too many scarves (yes you can have too many, trust me, I tried to get a photo of them all but it was too dark in my room this morning).
12. What is/are your favorite items to knit?
I love knitting socks. Anything small, because I mainly knit to give me something to do on the bus - it has to be portable - but I like a challenge, nothing too mindless. I like lace knitting.
13. What are you knitting right now?
Above, a lace tablecloth from soysilk. I'm about a third of the way through. It's quite a challenge, but I'm enjoying it. Below, and in complete contrast a mindless bit of simple st st for knitting on the bus. It's a scarf I'm going to felt. You can keep up to date on my sidebar.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
I have some very special ones from close friends and family.
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I heart my addi turbos. I actively avoid straight needles, mainly because I find them too long to work with on the bus - I have some shorter ones though, with smily faces on.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Nope. That's what boyfriends are for.
17. How old is your oldest UFO?
About a month. I'm quite disciplined about such things.
18. What is your favourite holiday?
I *love* Christmas.
19. Is there anything that you collect?
My PhD is on children's science books.
But on the whole I try not to collect anything - I'd rather travel light. I'm constantly fighting against my yarn and bead stash.
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'd really like to see what all the fuss is about Socks that Rock. Also, this might sound weird but being in the UK I can't try knitpicks yarns or patterns - they have a couple of fair isle sock patterns that look really nice. I had a Rowan subscription this year but won't renew it. I've got one of my patterns in the new Yarn Forward magazine.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I'd like to get better at fair isle.
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I knit socks, perhaps too much. My feet are 24.5cm circ, 26cm long. Big feet.
23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
13th of April.
4 comments:
This isn't strictly related to your current post but I'd meaning to leave a message for a while! Thanks for the calzone ideas - I might give the morrocan one a whirl!
I think your teaching/research blogs are really interesting. I read the post about google and the society of useful knowledge and was really sad I missed it on Radio 4. I did my MA on 19th century studies but mainly about the representation of Science in periodicals and literature - Your communicating science course sounds really great. I love steve jones - I was really sad I missed him at Oxford's literary festival this year.
Anyway, hope you are ok - very impressed by the lace tablecloth action.
Lara x
P.S The only podcast I have found which doesn't make me cringe with the cheesy-ness was Jarvis Cocker reading bedtime stories. Craft sanity is good but still has the odd cheese moment i think.
Your PhD topic sounds really interesting! :)
The informative nature of the article was what made thing more clearly about the topic. You did a great job.
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