She was such a nice swapper

That's what people will say about me. "She communicated well, used whimsical packaging, blah blah blah." Most likely, it'll only be 3 people, because I have begun travelling the slippery slope towards swap-suckage.

Oh sure, I can use the usual excuse: life got in the way. Selling a house, buying a house, a new job, heck I can still play the "newlywed" card, right? Well, it's all true. And yet. There is a really wonderful person out there who is likely pulling their follicles out one by one, trying to figure out what to make for me. A selfless, giving person, excited by the prospect of gifting a relative stranger with neat crafty items put together especially for them. By all rights, this is a win-win situation - someone wants to make me stuff, I like to get handmade stuff. How hard is it to tell somebody my favorite colors? That I'm a fan of wool, in all it's crazy varieties (except mohair! Itchy itchy, makes me bit-...never mind)? That I knit socks anywhere & everywhere & would knit them in bed if it didn't make the Mr nervous? Enough self-flaggelation already, here's the long-overdue questionnaire, with my sincerest apologies to the long-suffering crafter who drew me, know that you are earning major knitting karma points this time around.

What are your foot measurements? OK, my ruler is packed away somewhere, so I'm guesstimating here. I'm a size 9.5/10 & last I measured, I believe I was about 10.25" long with a 9" circumference at the widest point. Geez, at this point don't worry about the math!

What are your favorite colors? Reds, rusts, orange, blues, purple, green - basically anything, but yellow & pastels

Are you a new sock knitter? How long have you been knitting socks? Fairly new, I've been knitting socks for a little more than a year. Haven't tried anything too tricky. Most ambitious has likely been Crusoe from knitty or the Cable Rib socks from Interweave Knits.

Do you prefer solid or multicolored yarn? Multi-colored, all the way. Variegated, rather than patterned

What fibers do you prefer in sock yarn? I've only ever used wool yarn for socks, but I am open to a blend. Absolutely no silk. I'm opposed to the use of it, it's the one rule I have.

Where do you usually knit socks? Everywhere. In the car (not while in motion, except for when I'm too absorbed & relax my foot on the brake), in line @ stores, while waiting anywhere, at the bookstore, on the couch. I will knit them in a house, with a mouse. I will knit them Sam I Am!

How do you usually carry/store small projects? In my purse. No lipgloss cross-contamination as yet!

What are your favorite sock knitting patterns? Hmmmm, loved the aforementioned Cable Rib. I generally use a rib pattern, but want to break the habit.

What are your favorite sock knitting techniques? Toe-up, baby! I recently learned the Turkish cast-on & love it.

What new techniques would you like to try? Entrelac, fair isle, I haven't done much in the way of different heel techniques, but would love to try.

Do you prefer circulars or dpns for sock knitting? Circs. Dpns are for people far more clever than I.

What are some of your favorite yarns? Debbie Bliss Cashmerino is tops. I also really, really love Plain & Fancy Sheep & Wool's socks yarn, made 2 pair with it & have another skein in reserve. Koigu is nice, but I'm not sure it's worth the hype...of course, I've yet to knit myself a pair to go by.

What yarn do you totally covet? I'm very interested in trying some Fleece Artist. I also like the looks of Sweet Georgia's yarns, Trekking & Lorna's Laces.


Favorite kind of needles (brand, materials, straights or circs, etc)? Really like my Addi Turbos, would like to try their Naturas

Do you have a favorite candy or mail-able snack? Red Vines!!! Or Pocky, especially the pudding or milk flavors!

What's your favorite animal? Sock monkey! Ha ha.

Do you have pets? What are their species/names/ages? Sadly, yes. Aleister (cat, 9), Betty (cat, 6) & Dharma (dog, 3)

If you were a color what color would you be? old copper

Describe your favorite shirt (yours or someone else's).. oooh, tough one...either, Til Death Do Us Part or Loch Ness Imposter from Threadless.com (I own both)

What is your most inspiring image, flower, or object in nature? I love the photos at The Bitter Girls.

Tell me the best quote you've ever heard or read. "If I couldn't laugh, I'd rather die" Claudette Colbert

Do you have a wishlist? Yep, a rather scary one @ Amazon.com & an even scarier one in my head.

Well, I think that's enough for tonight! Ab Fab is on & I have packing to do, darlings.

Parting thought: Project Runway. Bringing silk charmeuse & crazy people together every week. Bless you Bravo!