Computer Issues

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. My computer died a couple weeks ago and I haven't broken down to get a new one yet. I can do most things from my iphone, but posting to the blog just isn't convenient. The typing is awkward for long periods and I can't post pictures or anything like that. I'm hoping to get a new laptop soon, but I'm also super busy with travelling for work over the next couple of weeks.

So, sorry to be nonexistant, but it may have to last a few more weeks!

Warm Ewe Up weekly Question #4

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, so …

What are your plans for Valentine’s Day this year?

Well... we don't have any specific plans as of right now. And Caleb thinks he doesn't have to get me anything for Valentine's Day (or my birthday later this month) because he got me a pretty big gift for Christmas (a plane ticket to Europe). Which I kind of agree with, but I hope he still gets me a card at least! I got him a really good present though, and I can't wait to give it to him! He luckily has the weekend off, so we may try to go to a nice restaurant or just stay in and watch a movie. At least I'll get some good boyfriend time :o).

Crafting in 2009

Well, my computer is back in somewhat, if tenuous, working order. So now, more than 3 weeks into the new year, I bring you my knitting/crafting resolutions for 2009.

1. Finish or Frog all UFOs by the end of June
• I have so many UFOs hanging over me that I really need to set this deadline to clear the air and allow knitting to be fun again. I always have this nagging feeling whenever I think about all the UFOs I have sitting in my basket.

2. Knit more for myself!
• Of all the UFOs I have, only maybe one or two are for me. It's so bad that my knitting group has made it a running joke that nothing I knit is for myself. My hope was to make 2009 the "year of me," but that will have to wait until I finish the UFOs/promised projects for everyone else. Sigh.

3. Knit from Stash!
• I hope to eliminate either 15000 m or 100 skeins from the stash by the end of the year. I have a lot of pretty yarn that really needs to be used. I hope to avoid most purchases, but I won't guarantee all.

4. Update Ravelry and my blog once a week, even if there aren't pictures
• I've been slacking off (as you can see). I need to get more organized and keep better records.

5. Craft more
• I have become a collector of crafts, gathering supplies for ones I've rarely, if ever, done. I would like to craft more in general -- not just knitting!

Well those are my main resolutions, in addition to chipping away at my 101 in 1001 list that's in the sidebar (which I need to update). Hopefully I can stick with them, though it hasn't started out so well!

I'll post again soon (I hope!)

Happy New Year!

Well, 2009 is here. Can I have a do-over?

So far 2009 hasn't been the best. My computer completely died (along with a lot of the photos I wanted to show you). I did have the photos from the Autumn Coffee Swap on Flickr though! So without further ado (and only a month later, haha):




Thanks to Maria E. for a fantastic package! There was Starbucks coffee and cute little coasters, a yummy candy bar (which was gone later that day.. haha), cool sheep kleenex, and a bunch of yarn! It was great and all colors that are fun.

For the Winter Warm Ewe Up Swap, we were posited with the question of why we learned to knit. Here is my response:

The very first time I touched the needles was when I was 10. My dad and Grandma (Mom's mom) had been knitting, and I wanted to learn. I made it about 10 inches into a scarf before getting bored and giving up. Years later in my freshman year of college I was trying to figure out what to give my (then new) boyfriend for Christmas. He is the kind of guy who wants practical gifts, and I am the type who likes to give sentimental ones. So I was faced with the dilemma of trying to combine those seemingly opposing ideas. I realized though, that I could knit him a scarf! That would satisfy his want for a practical gift (a scarf is practical!), but also my need to make it have some sort of sentimental value (it's handmade by me!). I worked all Christmas break and gave it to him when I saw him next. He loved it! That began my interest. I knit a few dishcloths and potholders, but not too much. As I was studying in Europe my Junior year of college, I became bored on the long train rides to visit my boyfriend. We went to a store and found some yarn and needles, and I was able to knit him another scarf. When I came back to the US I went to my first LYS and picked up a pattern for an afghan which kept my interest long enough to get me back to Europe. I then discovered socks and the internet knitting community and the rest is history!

I'm going to do a separate post for my 2009 knitting resolutions, so that's all for now. Hopefully my boyfriend will continue to allow me to use his computer until I can figure something out with mine (or get a new one).

Happy 2009 everyone!

Happy Holidays

Well... that C word has caught up with me. I tried. I really did. But half the stuff I wanted to get done I didn't. Oh well.

I'm long over due posting pictures from the Autumn Coffee swap, but I don't have my memory card from my camera near by and I have to get to bed soon. After Christmas I will post a bunch of pictures.

But right now I have to post the questionnaire for another swap!! I love swapping because I love trying to come up with fun stuff for my pals. So without further ado:

The Warm Ewe Up Winter Yarn Swap Questionnaire:

Do you knit or crochet, or both? How long have you been at the craft?

I knit. I've been knitting regularly since about 2005, but learned when I was 10. The very first post on this blog has a little background for you. I would like to learn to crochet, the Babette blanket is calling to me, but haven't been able to get the hang of it so far.

Do you spin?

"Yes"... I have a wheel and have spun a couple skeins (and has some still on the bobbin!), but knitting has taken back over for the past several months. I'd love to get back into it though.

What yarns/fibers are your favorites?

Alpaca! I love alpaca... it's so soft! I also like sock yarn, but I have a lot of it.

What yarns/fibers do you not like?

I have become somewhat of a yarn snob in that I don't care for a lot of the man-made yarns (that's part of the reason I haven't finished an afghan I started a while ago--it's made out of Red Heart). I also am not a fan of yarns with a lot of halo (ie most mohair)... it's just not my style.

What yarns/fibers would you like to try but haven’t?

I have to admit I've tried a lot of what I would like to. I'm always open to new indie dyers though, I haven't tried many of those.

What are your favorite colors? Colors that you don’t like?

I love love love deep red. I am also really into blues and greens lately. As far as what I don't like... I would prefer to stay away from pinks and purples. They can be OK in combination with other colors, or in muted tones, but I'm really not a fan.

What are your favorite types of projects to knit/crochet?

I've been knitting a lot of shawls and socks lately. I like socks because they're easy to take around, and I like shawls because I like the complexity and following the charts. I really like to knit just about anything though!

What are you currently working on?

Christmas projects! Haha... umm... a couple shawls, a couple scarves, hats, a cardigan, etc etc.

What is your favorite FO? (Please post a picture if you have one.)

My favorite FO so far is the Icarus Shawl I knit for my Grandma last Christmas (look in my Ravelry projects for pictures!)

Are there any techniques that you want to learn?

I want to knit mittens! I bought myself a kit and a few patterns.... it's what is next on the docket for 2009. I also would love to learn how to knit continental.. I just can't get the hang of it.

Do you have a yarn winder and/or swift?

I am lucky enough to have both!

How do you store your needles/hooks?

I have KnitPicks Options that came in their own binder. My DPNs are in a little case that I sewed myself, as are the few straights that I have.

Do you collect anything?

When I lived in Germany I picked up the cardboard coasters that each bar/brewery had... I have quite a large collection of them. I also like butterflies a lot.

Do you like sweets?

Hahahah........ YES. Milk chocolate is a weakness of mine-- especially with hazelnuts.

What are your favorite scents?

I like the spicy scents (cinnamon, etc) and clean scents (cucumber melon, "rain", etc)

Are you having a birthday during this swap?

I am! February 24. I'll be having a quarter-life crisis.

Do you have any online wish lists? (Amazon, Loopy Ewe, etc.) Please include a link for your pal.

Not that I've updated recently.

What is your living situation (Are you married? Do you have kids, pets, or both?)

I live with my boyfriend and 2 cats.

Are you allergic to anything?

No, but I'm not a fan of cigarette smoke.

Is there anything else that you would like your pal to know?

Just that I'm looking forward to the swap and am excited to chat with you! Also I am trying to get my stash under control, so no need to send excessive amount of yarn (but some is still fine :o))

Hope you all have very happy holidays and good times with friends and family!