Little Old Me??

You appear to be a Knitting Guru. You love knitting and do it all the time. While finishing a piece is the plan, you still love the process, and can't imagine a day going by without giving some time to your yarn. Packing for vacation involves leaving ample space for the stash and supplies. It can be hard to tell where the yarn ends and you begin.

Quiz and image from http://marniemaclean.com

Worthwhile

Ingrid & Chinese zodiac
Originally uploaded by jonniestone

Well, I finally finished all of the Amigurumi Chinese Zodiac. I must say the hardest part is trying to decide which is the cutest. I would finish one (like the Monkey) and think THIS IS SO CUTE! Until, I finished the next (like the Dragon) and would then think, NO - THIS ONE IS SO CUTE!!

They were all very quick and easy to make even though this was my first crochet project. I got sidetracked a few times but I finally finished and was able to give them to Ingrid on her visit this weekend. And boy, did I get a reaction! She LOVED them!!

Amigurumi - I'm a goner!

I loved the cute Chinese Zodiac patterns I found in the new Knit1. The only problem was they were crocheted and I don't know how to crochet. I had a neighbor when I was little (about 100 years ago) who did a lot of crocheting -- especially those lovely hats made out of beer cans -- and she would show me how to crochet with her. I never made anything except for one huge, ugly granny square. But, I thought I would give these a shot.

I was surprised how easy it was to make these. I practiced a little and watched a video just to be sure I was doing it correctly. They come together really quick and are SO CUTE. I was struggling trying to sew the little arms & legs on without messing up all of my work. But again, I found a great video showing how to do it and it also cut down on my "sewing" time.

Believe it or not, this is a great first-time crochet project. I noticed a few things while undertaking this project:

• I found it easier to sew on the arms, legs, etc. before I stuffed the head and body, but that could just be me.
• I added a couple of tails (to the rabbit and pig), but I could be a little booty-obsessed.
• Watching a couple of quick videos on the web really made the process go much quicker and easier.

I had a lot of fun with this project. Hope you do too!!

Back with a Vengance!

(Wow, sounds like a bad Stephen Segal movie.)

I've been hitting the needles hard. And I'm not too proud to admit it was for instant, easy gratification. To feel the high, the buzz, of another FO even if it only took a couple of hours - you still feel the buzz.

IT'S ALIVE!

And by it, I mean me. Wow, have I been out of it. After a beautiful and wonderful vacation in the exotic Emerald Isle, I came home and came down with pneumonia. I was down & out for two weeks. Nothing but drugs, tv, sleeping and knitting. I guess I can’t complain! I did TONS of knitting – pictures will be coming soon.

I made 2 pair of the Fetching wristwarmers from Knitty. Love them. I learned Entrelac and made the Market Square tote (finised in a week). I really enjoy doing entrelac. It goes so quickly. I need to start on the Danica scarf soon. (Got an email from Yarnboy!! I feel special.) I made the Voodoo wristwarmers from Knitty (learned the “knitting in the round on 2 circular needles"). It’s SO EASY and so much quicker. I used the link from the Knitty site – it breaks it down quite simply.

I need to see if my secret pal received their last package. I didn’t see anything on their site. I hope it made it. I need to also find my secret pal. So many things to do!

A Secret Pal secret present!

Wow - Wow - Wow!! I just got this HUGE box from my secret pal. I haven't opened the card yet. I was so excited with all of the gifts in the box, I had to post a picture right away! Here it is:

Look at all of the GOODIES! It's like Christmas in August!! I've got some patterns, the Knitting Answer Book (Lord knows I need that!), a 2007 planner, stitch holders (which I need too), hand cream, spa treatment, stickers, double pointed needles (baby bootie size!) , a Tide to go pen and so much more (whew...)! There is also some very incredible .... should I say 'decadent' ... yarn! Oh my, this will cause problems. When I get really nice yarn, I have a hard time deciding what to knit with it. I love it sooo much I'm always afraid I will "mess it up." I've signed up for a couple of upcoming classes, so I think I will save some of this (mmm, the Silk, or the BEE-YOU-TIFF-FUL Cherry Hill or ...) for the class. Then, I'll be knitting "supervised" and there will be someone there to be sure I do it justice and not mess it up.

Now, I'm going to open the card and REVEAL just who my sensational secret pal is ...... (you find the BEST cards - I love the dragon flies!) ..... AAAAAARRGGGG I didn't get a name! Well, I hope I find out who you are so I may thank you "in person" (or at least on your site).

We are all just so excited around here, but I think Bandit sums up how I feel the best:

YIPPEE!! AND THANK YOU SO MUCH SECRET PAL!!

VACATION - all I ever wanted ...

Yep, we're leaving vewy, vewy soon for vacation but we'll be back before the end of the month and the end of secret pal. I can't wait to plant my big butt in that chair, lay back in the sun, turn up my ipod, and start BKIP (beach knitting in public)!

I hope I've been a good secret pal. It was my first time so I sort of stumbled through the whole thing. But, I've really enjoyed the experience and loved receiving the gifts & cards from my SP.

Hello Secret Pal!!

Thanks for the lovely card I just received. It was gorgeous and so sweet! I can hardly wait for my next surprise. But, I have to admit, I really enjoy receiving such wonderful notes from you. Mmm, do I want clues as to who you are?? Well, that would just give me one more thing to do ... and with my time management skills lately, I better pass. I'll just wait until the end for your big "reveal." (If that's okay with you.)