A package from Glenda

When my final Secret Pal package arrived, I found out who's been sending me all this great stuff. Her name is Glenda, and she blogs at http://bluecorona.blogspot.com

This is what I found in my last package.

A lot of things that are great for summer. And Kimono Angora! How did you know that I've had my eyes on that for a while now?!

Again, thank you Glenda! You've been a great Secret Pal!

So spoiled!

My Secret Pal is the best!! Look what I got in the mail today. A really nice card. A blueberry muffin bath fizzer. Some white yarn for dyeing, and Kool-Aid to dye it with. Aaand, the pattern for Swallowtail shawl! Yay! Thank you so much Secret Pal. And no, I haven't figured out who you are yet... I'm soooo curious!

I've started knitting a new sock (oooh, surprise!). This time, Eunny Jang's Bayerische socks caught my eye. I was browsing around to see if there was a KAL for these, and the only one I could find is a Finnish one! Apparently, I'm not the only finn with an obsession for knitting intricate socks!

This is how far I've got in two days.

Three whole pattern repeats. I almost gave up while I was knitting the first repeat, because it felt like these would take foreeeever. But after the second repeat, it started moving along nicely. The yarn is Sandnes "Lanett". Not the most obvious choice for a sock yarn, but it works!

Secret Pal package and some yarn...

I got a very interesting package in the mail today! I was going to the post office to get some yarn that I ordered from Cucumberpatch, and the post office lady came back with two packages for me! I did suspect that the unknown one could possibly be from my secret pal, but I didn't know for sure until I got home and opened it. And this is what I found inside.

Two kinds of easter chocolate eggs! Yay! The cutest card with the nicest easter greeting! Shower gel pyramids (haven't seen those before)! Easter inspired candles! And the fun doesn't stop there...

Simply Knitting including a knitting project bag! Just perfect! Thank you so much my secret pal!


And this is the yarn I got from Cucumberpatch. I'm making Eunny Jang's Deep V Argyle Vest with this. Fingers crossed that it's enough, because it was on sale and it might be a discontinued yarn...

SP 10 questionnaire, answers

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

A: Oh, there are so many favorites! I love selfstriping merino sock yarn, or shiny wool yarn that is good for making socks. I can't stand yarns with "things" on them, anything that resembles this.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

A: At the moment, I store them in the packages they came with. Older "stray" ones that aren't complete sets, I store in a bunch with a rubber band around them. Clearly, I have some organising to do in this area.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

A: I have been knitting from a very young age. My grandmothers taught me. I used to raid their yarn stash and knit stuff, and remove their projects from the needles I wanted to use.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

A: Nope.

5. What's your favorite scent?

A: Difficult one. Anything that isn't too strong. Fruity and flowery.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

A: Dark chocolate.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

A: At the moment, I'm just starting to learn how to dye my own yarn. I also recently bought a drop spindle and I can't wait to try it out when I have more time. But most of the time I just knit like crazy.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

A: Yes, I can play mp3s on my computer. I like so many different kinds of music, it's hard to point anything out. I'm not a big fan of country music, though.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

A: I have so many favorite colors that I can't decide on one or a few. I don't like orange and yellow.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

A: I live with my boyfriend in a 3 room apartment. We don't have any pets or kids or other creatures running around here.

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

A: All of the above.

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

A: At the moment, socks, socks, and socks. And in between the socks: mittens and some more socks.

13. What are you knitting right now?

A: A dog sweater for my friend's dog Viggo, a fair isle pillow, Noro Kureyon socks, and I'm about to cast on some mittens and a shawl.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

A: Yes, definitely!

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

A: Straight needles. I've only knitted with aluminum, so it would be nice to try something else for a change.

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

A: I do have a yarn winder, and a swift is on my "things to shop when I have time/money" list.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

A: Probably around 3 years.

18. What is your favorite holiday?

A: I would have to say Christmas.

19. Is there anything that you collect?

A: Not really, if you don't count yarn.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

A: I am absolutely in love with handpainted yarns! I just started subscribing to Interweave Knits and Vogue Knitting. I would love to get my hands on the pattern for Swallowtail Shawl from Interweave's fall 2006 issue.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

A: I can't think of anything specific. Learning new things is always interesting.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

A: Yes, big time! I have a size 38,5 foot (European), 8 (USA). That is 25 cm (Eur.), 9 3/4 inches (USA).

23. When is your birthday?

A: February 27.