Progress--even more!

Over the past couple weeks, much has happened. I am settling into a routine at school and am becoming more used to teaching a large class. Earlier, I signed up for the World Yarn Swap, and a few weeks ago, I recieved a package from Jane in Scotland . In

this package, I received some Scottish breakfast tea, some delicious looking candies that I've not seen here and plan on savoring after teaching lots of math and physics. She also sent me this cute magnet of a cow with really long hair :)

And of course, need I mention the yarn? I mentioned that I am totally into fair isle knitting at the moment, so I also have some lovely new Rowan yarns in varying colors and am now planning some nice knitted projects. Or maybe I'll end up with many Owlie Cowlies ;)

I also received a package from my Secret Pal, which included some prettily colored sock yarn, a book by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, a potholder and towel (perfect for cooking), window clings, and a pattern for a knitting on the go bag. But one of my favorite parts of the gift was the llama necklace (I have never seen anything like this before, and this made me smile!)

I also finished my Owlie Cowl in this Debbie Bliss Cashmerino yarn that I have had for a few years. It is an incredibly easy and fun knit, and the yarn is wonderful. However, the problem is that I am terrible about doing gauge swatches, so the cowl became the size of a very small tube top! which of course, is too small for me, but I'll hang on to it because it is pretty cute.

In my goal to make a more wearable cowl, I cast on for another Owlie Cowl a few days ago, in a bright, color contrasting combination, using my stash yarn (of course). So far, I am loving it even though it is very bright--the colors are a good contrast for each other. Also, I invested in a Habu kit that I've been lusting after for a couple weeks (when one lusts after something for quite some time, i think one is meant to have it. It's made out of pineapple yarn and I think I'll cast on once I finish this cowl and my zebra mittens (no picture as of yet).

1:25 AM

I'm a wee bit frustrated. After an entire week of being sick with a cold and conking out by 11 PM--and at times, by 9:30 PM...here I am at 1:24 AM, wide awake. Aargh. I have taken NyQuil just a little while ago, and maybe that will help me sleep (and keep my sinuses clear the rest of the night)? Luckily for me, tomorrow is Saturday and I have no grand plans except a nice sleep-in (if I can get to sleep, that is), some quality lazy time with my boyfriend, and some knitting!

But while I was sick, I took my Wednesday to try and do some dissertation stuff (somewhat successful) and knitted up most of Felicity. The next day, I finished knitting this. I think this is rather cute--it's one of the ArtYarns in a soft merino. I like how it striped up--I wasn't sure how it would work up in a knit. I'm planning on a few more hats (easy knits) and am working down that stash...hopefully I can work my way down a little more of it this summer. The last month of summer, anyway.

Also, I got this package from my Secret Pal! Thank you! There's this cool knitting book, Knit So Fine, which has this lovely dress that I will one day have to make, and some vests and sweaters that are classic but unique at the same time (that's totally my style). Also that really cute tape measure in the shape of a bee...stitch markers, yarn cutter, foot soak (which will be good for after a long day at work or night of dancing), and this incredibly stretchy bag that my pal made. Thank you so much! It was so nice to get something on a day when I was feeling utterly miserable, even with DayQuil and cough drops :)

I think one reason I've been relatively sleepless today is that we're getting geared up for a big fundrasier at our store next Sunday--if you need more details, let me know. We're planning all kinds of things, like games and activities for kids, and nice things for grown-ups too.

Oh, it feels like the NyQuil is starting to kick in...thank goodness. Off to bed now. Hopefully to the land of sleep...

I'm pretty excited that Secret Pal 14 is starting! So without any further ado, here is the questionnaire...

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I really love Noro yarns, but also love yarns that are very soft, such as alpaca or merino wool (examples include Malabrigo, some Debbie Bliss, Ella Rae, etc...). I'm trying to break the Noro addiction, though. I hate knitting with squeaky acrylic (I prefer natural fibers).

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have this old Winnie-the-Pooh makeup bag from high school that I use, plus a few other random bags for different needles.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn?
I've been knitting since college (since I was 18), even though I learned how to knit and purl before that (but it wasn't till college that I learned to do things like make scarves). My mom taught me how to knit and purl, and I made things up in college, and finally took a few classes in grad school to learn how to make a sweater, do entrelac, and to do fair isle knitting.

Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I'd say I'm intermediate, but am pretty adventurous, though some pattern charts nearly give me heart attacks.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Yes, but I don't even remember what's on it anymore!

5. What's your favorite scent? Patchouli, also citrusy scents.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? YES. I love chocolates (dark) and I work at a store that sells gourmet chocolates, so that can be a bad thing! Also love peppermints.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I used to do a lot of jewelry making, but knitting requires a lot less clean-up. Does cooking also count? Do I spin? I have a drop spindle and a little fiber, but have not quite got the hang of it.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I listen to folk rock and indie rock, so some good examples are: Lisa Loeb, Jill Sobule, The Decemberists, Jill Tracy, Laura Viers, Over the Rhine

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? I like purple, green, red, blue...hate pale/pastel colors and absolutely loathe yellow.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I live at home and do not have pets

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I wear scarves, hats, and mittens.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I knit scarves and sweaters. Once in a while I get in the mood to knit mittens, hats, or socks.

13. What are you knitting right now?
I am working on the Squirrelly Mittens (2 years in the making...), the Akeogomi Tunic, and a pair of socks from Cookie A's book.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Circulars, and bamboo

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Yes

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
2 years!

18. What is your favorite holiday? What winter holiday do you observe?
It's a toss-up between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I observe Christmas

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Yes--postcards (I have a special collection of tacky postcards that are all black and say things like, "Cleveland at night")

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
Berroco 288,
Berroco 289
A Stitch in Time Knitting and crochet Patterns, vol. 1
Little Birds (sweater pattern by Ysolda Teague)

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
steeking, even though it terrifies me!

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Sort of. I have lots of sock yarn. I wear a size US 9.

23. When is your birthday?
June 19

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
Yes, I am jukeboxheroine