Thursday 31 January 2008

a little help for my upstream pal :)

as i already filled in my questionnaire i should really leave it a this. but as i read through other people's answers i got some new ideas, and also some clues on how to specify my given answers. i do not wanna restrict you in any way, and i also do not necessarily want something from this list. but i thought it might help you to know what i like, to find something that is up my street.


i really like lush, especially their shower gels and bath foams. As i have dry skin, the bath bombs aren't for me, but i really enjoy all of their cocoa butter/other oil based products. i do care for some of the body shop products, but am not a huge fan of the intese fruity smells.

as food treats go i talked about dried fruit before... again, i am trying to limit my sugar intake, and start by avoiding added sugars. i also like nuts, and have no allergies against whatsoever nut/fruit. i also thought of "breakfast/granola bar" type things. i am a big fan of tea. expecially loose leaf. i drink herbal teas (rooibos, licorice, verbene, lemonbalm are just a few of my favourites) and i like them flavoured with natural ingredients, such as jasmine, lemon/orange, bergamot, cinnamon... i also like weak black and green tea, which can be flavoured. i do not like fruit teas or artificial flavourings such as "cookies'n'cream" or "peach icetea".

finally, the most important part: knitwise treats! i always thought i'd never use stitch markers ever, but just yesterday, a pattern fell into my hands, that used them... there goes me, fiddling with paper clips. i am also a pretty blank slate concernign any other knitting goodies: i have a row counter, but it is one of the 30p plastic kind. as for bags: i am wide open.
i would also really like to start dying my own sock wool as a craft challenge, and have heard good things about kool-aid dying, which seems easy even for beginners.

well, that's it for now... i will keep you updated about new desires ;)

Saturday 26 January 2008

topic of the week (1+2)

Q:With 2008 in full-swing, do you have any knit-years resolutions you are trying to keep to? Stash-busting? Knitting just for yourself? Gift-alongs or starting Christmas knitting early? Do your knit-years resolutions affect your other resolutions? Such as watching your spending, or putting yourself first, or even loosing weight (yarn weight....)

A:
I think i generally want to scale down. I have a big move coming up (involving changing countries), andI want to make things that are needed, learn new techniques while at the same time using the resources i have. I do not want to buy any more wool that i need to move in june. So resolution number one is: use what i have, and use up what i buy.

Another resolution would be to think outside of the box, and not only make socks according to the pattern my grandma taught me when i was ten.
I really want to get into lace, and work stylish, wearable items. I also have to look into finishing and sizing.

Q: Do you subscribe to any magazines (knitting or otherwise)? Or do you prefer to purchase magazines at the newstand? Do you subscribe online to any knitting magazines/newsletters? What does a knitting magazine need to have to catch your fancy and get you to fork out that well-earned cash?

A:
No, i do not subscribe to anything, mostly because i cannot afford it. I sometimes buy magazines at the newstand, and i read the ones my flatmate purchases.
I like knitting magazines for the inspiration, but i can use the internet for that just as well.
For me to buy a magazine it needs a pattern or idea that i definitely want to use.
I sometimes buy the rowan magazines for inspiration, because i really like their designs.

Thursday 24 January 2008

from knitlit a nice overview about the knitting 2007. as this is my new year's blog... voilĂ 

1.your best FO of the year
probably the jaywalker gloves i made, or maybe the scarf for my grandma

2. best FO of the year made by a blog you link to
-

3. best yarn you tried
i liked the Schachenmayer nomotta Regia, as ever.

4. best new book/mag/pattern of 2007
www.ravery.com

5. best new knitting technique or gadget you tried in 2007
i tried raglan knitting, and i really liked it :)

6. top 5 inspirations--what five things inspired you the most over the past year?
-
7. designer who most amazed & inspired you throughout the year
can't name a single one, there are so many creative minds out there.

8. knitting resolutions for 2008--what's next for you and your blog?
well, the blog is next for me, and some more lace knitting as well.
i guess finishing the unfinished is a great resolution :)
The sign-up questionnaire for the UK Swap, i learnt about at www.ravelry.com
Part One: Crafting

Do you knit, crochet, or both?
***i exclusively knit

What do you like to make? Do you have a favourite project?
***i love socks. and cardigans

Do you have a favourite type of fiber or brand of yarn?
***i like silk, mohair and merino. i am not such a big fan of cotton as i prefer stretchy yarn.

favourite brands include rowan (i drowned myself in an kidsilk offer on ebay...) , but i also like paton. favourite sockwool would be regia, i like their massive range of colours. i also like the look of wollmeise, but have never worked with it.

Do you have a least favourite type of yarn?
***as i said, not a big fan of cotton, and i have a certain dislike of manmade fibres and novelty yarn.

Do you do any other crafts?
***i do a bit of felting, toy around with fimo, and occasionally sew something (but i am an amateur).

What knitting do you bring ‘on the go’?
***socks. always socks.

What do you carry your ‘on the go’ knitting in? Do you want something new?
***hm, i have a little sturdy pastic bag, that once contained a set of shower gel and body lotion. turns out: it is perfect to hold a small project, and needles can't pierce the material. it zips up as well, and is waterproof...
what i am really on the look out for: a knitting bag for bigger projects. i have a walmart holdall, but it has no extra pocket for little things.

Are there any knitting gifts (book, toy, yarn, item, tool) that you have been lusting over?
*** as i said, i just splurged on a massive amount of kidsilk, but i just love sock wool, and could buy it forevermore.
books: i am still looking for a decent introduction into fairisle, with fitted patterns that look good on a size 12/14... But apparently this book doesn't exist.

Part Two: Your Favourites

What is your favourite colour? What is your least favourite colour?
*** i love what cosmetic counter girls call "winter colours". Strong, clear colours: most greens and blues, cherry reds, dark purples, black and white, also grey as long as it isn't too silvery.
I absolutely cannot stand pastel colours, and yellow and orange sadly look aweful combined with my english rose skin :)
What scents/smells do you like? What don’t you like?
***i like lavender, bergamot and everything citrussy. again, something clean and clear. i also like herbs and spice smells such as cinnamon, clove, rosemary.
flowery scents (rose, partchouli, jasmine) aren't really my thing, as well as anything sweet (apple pie, vanilla).

How do you like to pamper yourself? (bubble bath, hand creams, massage, manicure)
***i have nice hot showers and baths, and thankfully my boyfriend is brilliant at massages and also dishes them out quite freely (sooo lucky ;))

What goodies to you like to treat your tummy with? (chocolate, biscuits, truffles, etc.)
***as i am trying to lose my christmas weight (and go back to this size 12 i've been talking about...) i prefer dried fruit (especially mangos, yum!). but if i have chocolate, then i prefer the really dark stuff. i can't have dairy, but i do not mind, as the 70% and plus is really my cuppa ;)

Do you prefer tea or coffee while you knit? Any particular kind? Favourite mug/cup?
***i love tea, mostly green, weak black (think ceylon) or anything herbal.
i have a giant cup and saucer (fits about a pint!) that i bought on holidays, but i am still looking for the perfect way to prepare loose leaf tea.

Do you listen to/watch anything while you knit? (TVshow-Along, movies, music, podcasts
***i watch episodes of House M.D., or listen to classical music.


Part Three: Living & Past-times

Where do you live in the UK? (General idea not address)
***southeast

Have you always lived here, or did you grow up somewhere else?
***i grew up in mainland europe

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?
***new zealand, norway, mongolia

If you couldn’t go to a knitting group, what other kind of gathering would you go to? (book club, tea party, yoga class, jewelery class, etc.)
***i love yoga, and i go running with a friend. i also sing in several choirs.

What’s your style? (elegant, traditional, glamourous, girly, natural, sporty, outgoing, etc.)
***i guess i am quite traditional and outgoing with a few quirky touches. not too girly, as i dislike glitter and baby colours (except for on babies :) ), but i like to stress my feminine side, wear skirts etc.

Final Part:
Any allergies/preferences (fiber-wise or treat-wise)?
can't have dairy or coffee, and i like to stick to organic/fairtrade.