The fabulous packages keep on coming...

I'm involved in two "secret pal" swaps right now -- one connected with the Art Techniques Yahoo group and the other, SP11, a knitting secret pal swap. Both of my pals were busy shopping and shipping this week, and I'm the lucky recipient!

On Wednesday, I received this adorable packet of goodies (right) from "Freaky" (as she calls herself). She does such a lovely job of finding wonderful treats!

My SP11's package came the next day -- more gorgeous evergreen-colored yarn, this time Peruvian wool. Enough to make a nice-sized project. The cute little Vogue felting book I've been lusting after for so long. And an adorable tea infuser decorated with a little bee (perfect!).

Thanks so much, ladies. I feel so spoiled!

More Questions and Answers

Here are the answers to the 2nd set of questions for SP11:

1. What is the one knitting accessory you could not live without?

Bags. I love bags of all sorts, and keep each project in its own bag.

2. If you're heading on vacation, do you take knitting with you? If so, how much and what type of project?

Vacation is my very favorite time to knit. We went on a wonderful vacation last fall -- following old Route 66 from its beginning in Chicago to the end at the Pacific Ocean. But because the road is not always marked well and takes lots of turns, I couldn't do much knitting. The minute-by-minute navigation was so intensive! I really missed being able to knit all along the way.

On a normal vacation, I try to take several projects with me. Especially if we're going to the cabin up-north because there's no access to decent supplies. That way if I finish one thing I have everything I need to start another piece.

3. Where have you traveled to that you'd consider your favorite spot?

I have lots of favorites: our family's cabin in northern Ontario, Chicago, Lake Michigan, London, Mackinac Island, San Francisco, Orkney Island...

4. What is your favorite knitting book at the moment? Do you own it?

I tend to be quite fickle about my favorites -- it depends on my mood. But I'm going to start a bunch of hats for my nieces for Christmas soon out of "Hip Knit Hats." I own it.

5. Do you listen to podcasts? Which is your favorite(s)?

No. I don't have an iPod. Up until very recently we just had a dial-up Internet connection. We live in a rural area with no access to cable or DSL. We recently got a Sprint wireless card and router and now have what I think of as a "medium" connection. Not yet high speed. So downloads are still somewhat troublesome.

6. If you could only knit with 1 color for the rest of your life, what color would that be?

Probably red. Could I do all sorts of reds? Burgundy, wine, bright red, red-orange...

7. If you were far into a project and then noticed a mistake near the beginning what would you do?

It depends. If it doesn't affect the durability and use, and isn't an eyesore, I'd probably ignore it. I believe in the idea of the rug weavers who deliberately include one mistake in their rugs so it's obvious that it was handmade. OTOH, if it's a problem, I would pull it out and start over.

8. Where is the most unusual spot you've ever knit?

Hmmmmm, that's difficult. While standing in line? At meetings in major museums like the Art Institute of Chicago? That's about as interesting and exciting as I can think of. Sorry.

I think a better question would be "Where is my favorite place to knit?" On the train... lovely and relaxing........ purr...

Goodies in the Mail!

My Secret Pal certainly did get to work quickly! We were assigned partners last Wednesday and I received a package in the mail today.

And, wow, what a package! She sent a note telling me that this was her first swap and she hoped she did well. Yep, SP, you're a natural.

It was as if she knew me well. She obviously read my profiles and followed them (it's amazing how few people are able to manage that). I got 2 skeins of gorgeous yarn -- Misti Alpaca (100% baby alpaca) and Malabrigo Merino from Uruguay. Both are in this luscious jewel-toned deep evergreen... sort of a deep teal. In addition to the yarn there was a wonderful note with two of her amazing photographs, a bookmark with another photo, maple (yum!) syrup and granulated sugar, candles (all in scents I love), a selection of teas, and the new issue of Interweave Knits. ....oh, and she wrapped some of the goodies in this adorable "bee" fabric...

Thanks for everything Secret Pal. I hope you're getting spoiled as well as you're spoiling me!

Secret Pal 11 - Questionnaire

I'm taking part in "Secret Pal 11" -- an exchange for folks who knit and crochet. One of the requirements is to post the questionnaire to our blogs -- that way our partner can read it and learn more about us. Here we go.....

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? Soft natural fibers.

What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? Acrylics. Eyelash yarn and other similar novelty yarns.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I have several vintage needle holders and I store my needles in them grouped by their material (all bamboo together, all tortoise-shell/casein together, etc). These are then bundled together into a big Rubbermaid storage container.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? I taught myself as a child. I picked it up again as an adult. I've been knitting off and on since then -- a little more rabidly for the past 5 years or so.

Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? Intermediate.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Yes, but it's for the whole family. You'll have to wade through the listings for Bob and Tommy -- sorry! I promise to get it updated.... http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/3LB8X4RDFSDSG/ref=cm_reg_rd-upd/104-9527015-1585553?ie=UTF8&msgid=updated

5. What's your favorite scent? Green tea, lemon.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Yes. Favorite candy? Dark chocolate, maple.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Lots of other things: paper crafts (ATCs, artistamps, mail art, papier mache), hand-carved rubber stamps, sewing. I especially like working with recycled materials such as felted wool and recycled paper.

Do you spin? Not at this time.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) Almost anything. My least favorite styles of music are hip hop and heavy metal. Yes, I can play MP3 files on my computer.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Red, especially dark reds; greens (sage, deep greens, chartreuse), interesting blues (cobalt, periwinkle, Swedish blue). I also like black, brown. I especially like colors put together in interesting combinations.

Any colors you just can't stand? I think all colors have their place. My least favorite are kelly green and harsh yellows. I often end up with way too much pink and purple and would really only like them in moderation.

10. What is your family situation? My household includes me, my husband, and our teenaged son. We may also have one of my son's friends staying with us soon.

Do you have any pets? Yes, a 3-year-old Golden Retriever named Winston and 5 cats: Little Bit, Violet, Charli, Alex & Henry.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Yes -- I'm in Michigan and need all the help I can get!

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Bags. Felted items.

13. What are you knitting right now? An adult version of the Harry Potter baby hat (from "Weekend Knitting") for my son. A tote bag for a "brown + another color" swap.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes! They're my favorite.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Circular, but I will knit with straights under some circumstances.

Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? 1. Casein (fake tortoiseshell - vintage plastic), 2. Bamboo, 3. Wood

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? I have a swift that I purchased at a church sale for $2. It doesn't lock well, but works ok. I don't have a yarn winder.

17. How old is your oldest UFO? Do I have to say this out loud? Ok, about 3 years, I think.

18. What is your favorite holiday? I'm not a huge holiday person but my favorites are Christmas, Halloween, and my birthday (used to be anyway, see below).

19. Is there anything that you collect? Kitchen stuff from the Depression era: bakelite, vintage linens, Fiestaware, other Depression-era china such as Hall. Cook books.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? Hmmmm, I'll think about this and update it as I come up with ideas.

What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? At this time I don't subscribe to any knitting magazines. I occasionally buy Interweave Knits and Vogue Knitting @ a yarn shop.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Aran/cable. Nothing else I can think of right at the moment.

22. Are you a sock knitter? Not really. I made one pair of socks and didn't love it.

What are your foot measurements? I wear size 9 shoes and have chunky ankles (ok, that was harder to admit than the UFOs!).

23. When is your birthday? September 11. Hence the lack of celebration lately.

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID? Not yet -- I'm currently on the list. I'll update as this changes.