Swap info again!

You guys know all about me, but just in case (and since I’m another swap):

The basics:
How long have you been knitting? 3 years this time

Do you consider yourself a beginning sock knitter, an intermediate, or have you been doing this so long you could probably knit a pair in your sleep?

intermediate — I haven’t done magic loop or toe up but I can do cuff down really easily.

The measurements:
While your pal may ask for some additional info to ensure a great fit, please provide your shoe size, or any other fitting related info you think is pertinent.

My shoe size is 8 US. My feet are about 10 inches long.

(fiber related) Favorites:
What colors do you love? red and black

Do you prefer solids or variegated? both, but not the fake fair isle stuff.

What fibers do you most love to knit with? soft wool, alpaca, silk

Who do you consider your favorite yarn vendors? Lisa Souza, Brown Sheep, Cascade

What projects (other than socks, of course*S*) do you most enjoy knitting? sweaters and bags (but I’m not into felting).

(fiber related) Dislikes:
What fibers can you not stand to knit with? To wear? I don’t like to knit with unstretchy yarn, like straight cotton.

What colors would you never wear? pastels.

The Tools:
Plastic or Metal? Bamboo or wood? metal or bamboo

Circs or Straights? circs

DPNs or Magic Loop? dpns

Are there any knitting accessories you don’t have in your collection but would like?
I can’t think of anything. I do like to try out different needle brands, though.

The Extras:

Do you have a wish list? If so, please share the link!

Amazon

Do you like sweet, sour or salty? (or all of the above? *S*) sweet

Do you have any allergies your pal should know about? (Certain foods, smoke, pet hair, etc) no

Favorite scents? Scents you can’t stand? chocolate, coffee, vanilla, plumeria

Do you collect anything (other than yarn and knitting toys of course)? covers of popular music, knitting patterns and magazines and books, oh and of course chocolate

When is your birthday? (month and day is fine!)March 26

Do you spin? Dye your own yarn? I don’t spin but I do dye.

Your favorite author/band/vacation spot, anything you think will help your pal know you better… My favorite author is Roald Dahl, I have tons of favorite bands, mostly indie pop and rock, and I like to vacation in cities.

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You guys know all about me, but just in case (and since I’m another swap):

The basics:
How long have you been knitting? 3 years this time

Do you consider yourself a beginning sock knitter, an intermediate, or have you been doing this so long you could probably knit a pair in your sleep?

intermediate — I haven’t done magic loop or toe up but I can do cuff down really easily.

The measurements:
While your pal may ask for some additional info to ensure a great fit, please provide your shoe size, or any other fitting related info you think is pertinent.

My shoe size is 8 US. My feet are about 10 inches long.

(fiber related) Favorites:
What colors do you love? red and black

Do you prefer solids or variegated? both, but not the fake fair isle stuff.

What fibers do you most love to knit with? soft wool, alpaca, silk

Who do you consider your favorite yarn vendors? Lisa Souza, Brown Sheep, Cascade

What projects (other than socks, of course*S*) do you most enjoy knitting? sweaters and bags (but I’m not into felting).

(fiber related) Dislikes:
What fibers can you not stand to knit with? To wear? I don’t like to knit with unstretchy yarn, like straight cotton.

What colors would you never wear? pastels.

The Tools:
Plastic or Metal? Bamboo or wood? metal or bamboo

Circs or Straights? circs

DPNs or Magic Loop? dpns

Are there any knitting accessories you don’t have in your collection but would like?
I can’t think of anything. I do like to try out different needle brands, though.

The Extras:

Do you have a wish list? If so, please share the link!

Amazon

Do you like sweet, sour or salty? (or all of the above? *S*) sweet

Do you have any allergies your pal should know about? (Certain foods, smoke, pet hair, etc) no

Favorite scents? Scents you can’t stand? chocolate, coffee, vanilla, plumeria

Do you collect anything (other than yarn and knitting toys of course)? covers of popular music, knitting patterns and magazines and books, oh and of course chocolate

When is your birthday? (month and day is fine!)March 26

Do you spin? Dye your own yarn? I don’t spin but I do dye.

Your favorite author/band/vacation spot, anything you think will help your pal know you better… My favorite author is Roald Dahl, I have tons of favorite bands, mostly indie pop and rock, and I like to vacation in cities.

Reunited

Another Thursday, another episode of “The Office”. I didn’t even laugh like I did last week, so I’m really worried that it will not come back after this season.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed this episode, and I really like how they are handling the characters, but not being laugh out loud funny is not characteristic of this show and I hope it picks up and stays popular.

In the British version the “Pam” character, “Dawn” did get married, and moved to the States with her husband. At the end of the reunion episode she and “Tim” (known as “Jim” in the new version) hinted at getting together. I really like the way that the current, American version pulled Jim to another city, but brings him in often. That way we can see Jim reaching his potential without fawning over Pam since she told him no, twice (he says that to Michael today). The actors are just amazing. The look on Jim’s face when he walks in on Angela in Dwight’s room is classic! I will continue to watch it, and hope it sticks around.

I didn’t get any knitting done, though, because I didn’t want to miss a second!

More in “The Office”

Another Thursday, another episode of “The Office”. I didn’t even laugh like I did last week, so I’m really worried that it will not come back after this season.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed this episode, and I really like how they are handling the characters, but not being laugh out loud funny is not characteristic of this show and I hope it picks up and stays popular.

In the British version the “Pam” character, “Dawn” did get married, and moved to the States with her husband. At the end of the reunion episode she and “Tim” (known as “Jim” in the new version) hinted at getting together. I really like the way that the current, American version pulled Jim to another city, but brings him in often. That way we can see Jim reaching his potential without fawning over Pam since she told him no, twice (he says that to Michael today). The actors are just amazing. The look on Jim’s face when he walks in on Angela in Dwight’s room is classic! I will continue to watch it, and hope it sticks around.

I didn’t get any knitting done, though, because I didn’t want to miss a second!

Gifts

Help! I just realized that not only is my friend’s housewarming party this Saturday (I got her a great surprise from Edible Arrangements already — shhh!), but it is to celebrate her 30th birthday. I really need to keep a basket of finished gifts, but I don’t have anything appropriate to give her right now. Any suggestions for a quick gift?

How about for my stepfather-in-law? He’s turning 70 this year. There aren’t too many knitted gifts for men that I can think of, and I already gave him a tie for Father’s Day a couple of years ago.

Speaking of gifts, I’ve got to get something to my Punk Rock Gift Exchange Pal, and soon enough to my Sock-Ret pal. I think those are the only two exchanges I’m in.

I’ve had to put aside my Poppies socks because I have until October 15th to finish the second sock of a pair I hope will be included in the 2008 Stitch and Bitch Knitting Calendar. I guess I’ve got awhile to find out, but I should finish the sock and pattern anyway.

The Fanatic

A week later I’m almost done with my new shows for this season. I watch a *lot* of tv, and our second tv broke last week so it’s been hard to get through the new shows with lots of work, and very little tv time since we are now sharing one tv with 5 people! Anyway, here are my thoughts:

Sunday: Nothing. Luckily the house flipping shows are all weekend so I end up with a lot to finish up then.

Monday: “The Class” — they said it was like “Friends”. I never did get into that show, but “The Class” is okay. I’ll keep watching it for now. I haven’t watched “Men in Trees” yet, but I’m not a big Anne Heche fan so we’ll see. The jury is still out on “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip”. I like Matthew Perry but the show didn’t draw me in. I’ll keep watching for now.

Tuesday: “Boston Legal” — I really like this show. Even though it’s over the top, I do enjoy it. “House” — I skipped when his ex-wife came back last year, but I”m back into it now. I’ll keep watching, but this is yet another show I wouldn’t miss if it weren’t on the air. I love Ron Livingston (from “Office Space”, not from “Sex and the City”) but I didn’t even finish the first episode of “Standoff”. It was awful. Oh yeah, “Criminal Intent”. I like the original partners and I *love* Chris Noth (mostly from L & O but the Sex and the City part wasn’t too bad either) but his new partner? Yuck!

Wednesday: Nothing. Until “Lost” comes back.

Thursday: “THE OFFICE”. Last week’s episode notwithstanding, I love this show and would gladly give up every other show to just watch this one over and over. Okay, there are of course other Thursday shows. God forbid they put shows on any other night. I really like “Shark”. It is definitely “House as a lawyer”. “ER” was really a bit much last week, but I still enjoy it. They lost me last year on “Grey’s Anatomy” and because of their stupid scheduling it until 10:02 and us only having one two-tuner TiVo, I missed it last week. I much prefer “Shark” and “ER” but may end up watching it again. Meredith is just such a lame character, and I hate Chris O’Donnell.

I was all ready to write off ABC again (I had a boycott going of them a couple of years ago when they cancelled “It’s Like … You Know”, the funniest show ever, next to the American version of “The Office”, but then I started watching a show here and there, and I’m sort of back.) until I noticed a new show for this week — “Ugly Betty”. Who wants to take bets on how long it takes for America Ferrera to lose the weight? Sara Rue finally did it after “Less than Perfect” so I definitely expect America to do it eventually. Anyway, I’ve got two words for you — _Eric _Mabius. If you’ve seen “Welcome to the Dollhouse” you know why I am in love with Steve Rodgers. I finally found him on “Eyes” last year and they cancelled it! So love it or hate it, Fat America or Skinny America, I’m watching “Ugly Betty” until it’s cancelled.

Friday: “Numbers”. I like this show, but wouldn’t miss it if it was gone. And I tapered off of the original “Law and Order” last year, so moving that to Friday was the real kiss of death. I give it the rest of the season. Remember when they scheduled “Freaks and Geeks” on Friday nights? It barely survived, and I think this day is where good shows go to die.

Saturday: Not surprisingly, also nothing. But there’s always those house flipping shows! Check out “Property Ladder”, “Flip This House” and “Flip That House”!

This rant brought to you by Elspeth McKee, M.L.S., M.A. (expected) in Radio and Television (so I’ve got some authority, right? ) I know, Tom Shales I am not.

More TV

A week later I’m almost done with my new shows for this season. I watch a *lot* of tv, and our second tv broke last week so it’s been hard to get through the new shows with lots of work, and very little tv time since we are now sharing one tv with 5 people! Anyway, here are my thoughts:

Sunday: Nothing. Luckily the house flipping shows are all weekend so I end up with a lot to finish up then.

Monday: “The Class” — they said it was like “Friends”. I never did get into that show, but “The Class” is okay. I’ll keep watching it for now. I haven’t watched “Men in Trees” yet, but I’m not a big Anne Heche fan so we’ll see. The jury is still out on “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip”. I like Matthew Perry but the show didn’t draw me in. I’ll keep watching for now.

Tuesday: “Boston Legal” — I really like this show. Even though it’s over the top, I do enjoy it. “House” — I skipped when his ex-wife came back last year, but I”m back into it now. I’ll keep watching, but this is yet another show I wouldn’t miss if it weren’t on the air. I love Ron Livingston (from “Office Space”, not from “Sex and the City”) but I didn’t even finish the first episode of “Standoff”. It was awful. Oh yeah, “Criminal Intent”. I like the original partners and I *love* Chris Noth (mostly from L & O but the Sex and the City part wasn’t too bad either) but his new partner? Yuck!

Wednesday: Nothing. Until “Lost” comes back.

Thursday: “THE OFFICE”. Last week’s episode notwithstanding, I love this show and would gladly give up every other show to just watch this one over and over. Okay, there are of course other Thursday shows. God forbid they put shows on any other night. I really like “Shark”. It is definitely “House as a lawyer”. “ER” was really a bit much last week, but I still enjoy it. They lost me last year on “Grey’s Anatomy” and because of their stupid scheduling it until 10:02 and us only having one two-tuner TiVo, I missed it last week. I much prefer “Shark” and “ER” but may end up watching it again. Meredith is just such a lame character, and I hate Chris O’Donnell.

I was all ready to write off ABC again (I had a boycott going of them a couple of years ago when they cancelled “It’s Like … You Know”, the funniest show ever, next to the American version of “The Office”, but then I started watching a show here and there, and I’m sort of back.) until I noticed a new show for this week — “Ugly Betty”. Who wants to take bets on how long it takes for America Ferrera to lose the weight? Sara Rue finally did it after “Less than Perfect” so I definitely expect America to do it eventually. Anyway, I’ve got two words for you — _Eric _Mabius. If you’ve seen “Welcome to the Dollhouse” you know why I am in love with Steve Rodgers. I finally found him on “Eyes” last year and they cancelled it! So love it or hate it, Fat America or Skinny America, I’m watching “Ugly Betty” until it’s cancelled.

Friday: “Numbers”. I like this show, but wouldn’t miss it if it was gone. And I tapered off of the original “Law and Order” last year, so moving that to Friday was the real kiss of death. I give it the rest of the season. Remember when they scheduled “Freaks and Geeks” on Friday nights? It barely survived, and I think this day is where good shows go to die.

Saturday: Not surprisingly, also nothing. But there’s always those house flipping shows! Check out “Property Ladder”, “Flip This House” and “Flip That House”!

This rant brought to you by Elspeth McKee, M.L.S., M.A. (expected) in Radio and Television (so I’ve got some authority, right? ) I know, Tom Shales I am not.

Training!

I had a fun weekend. Yesterday was D.L.’s third soccer game and I taught a new knitter! His teammate’s older sister wanted to learn, so I brought her some supplies and started her off on a garter stitch scarf. I won’t make it to next week’s game, but I can’t wait to see if in two weeks she’s still at it.

For my own knitting, I’m keeping up with my cabled socks, but as you have seen the yarn just does not want to photograph nicely. In real life it’s an orangey red, hence the sock name “Poppies” (also a great song by Marcy Playground). It’s coming along, and the yarn is not too tangled, just a bit confused since I wrapped it around my chair and then tried to skein it like the professionals but I am just not physically able to do so, so it gets messed up.

On the way out to lunch I decided to make some more earrings. Here are my latest creations:

I’m wearing these right now. I also made another pair in purple and put them up on Etsy just for the heck of it. B.R. reminded me that it is about you enjoying yourself making something, to which I responded that of course I enjoyed making them, but if someone wanted to buy something from me it would make it that much more fun to make! I’m giving it 6 mos. (the listing time) and then I’ll use them myself! I was ecstatic when my Swamp Thing yarn sold because someone liked it, but I liked it myself and was tempted to knit up some socks before I got the news. Anyway, without further ado, my purple earrings:

(I had a nice catchy name for them too, but I forgot it.)

New yarn!

Believe it or not, Karen E. Jordan’s sock yarn I bought off Etsy is more beautiful in person than in her photo! Even my photo doesn’t do it justice:

Although I do try. Here is my “Little Fluffy Clouds” yarn I dyed last week. The colors are blue, purple and lavender and really look like foggy, gray clouds. Gorgeous!

Then again, here is my monstrosity I made months ago:

It was at least untangled before I started knitting but now it’s back to its kinky, tangled mess. I hope it knits up okay. I’m making cabled socks.

A little bird, otherwise known as my SFIL dropped off a couple of Michael’s coupons in my mailbox. I stopped by Michael’s today which was just remodeled. I was so disappointed! For awhile they had a huge knitting book and magazine selecion but today it was really sparse. I bought One Skein and Generation T and got the other from Zooba.com. They had literally *no* knitting magazines!

I guess beading is getting hot again because Michael’s has three or four rows of beads and supplies compared to one or two that they had pre-remodel. I remember a few years ago pretty much every city had a bead store, and now a lot of them are gone.

One more disappointment — Big Girl Knits. I had looked at one at Border’s recently and loved the patterns. So I go to buy it today at Michael’s and they only have sizes Large and up! I understand the reasoning, that people larger than “Large” can’t find many knitting patterns for them, but how about those of us who happen to be (ahem) “short” but are in no way a size small or even extra-small that most knitting patterns appear to be geared towards? I was really disappointed that “Big Girl Knits” didn’t have at least a size “Medium” which I tend to be even though I’m 30 or so pounds overweight. I was really disappointed. Back to socks, I guess, which are pretty much sizeless.

I Wish I Knew How to Quit You …

I can’t tell you how underwhelming The Office premiere was. There were a couple of times where I was laughing, but the whole idea of basing it on outing Oscar was really uninteresting. I hope this doesn’t mean there is some problem coming up with new material and it’s not going to be around forever, because it is my favorite show of all time …

Of course I did like “It’s Like … You Know”, “Freaks and Geeks”, “Undeclared”, “Grounded For Life” and even “That ’80s Show” before they cancelled them. I think it may be a kiss of death for a show — if I like it it either is cancelled or goes down the tubes. I hope this is the one that wins out!