Some quick finishes and a Thank you to my SP9 friend

Okay, the first picture is of two dishclothes. The one is, of course, the MDK Warshrag done in Peaches and Cream and another cotton that I purchased a while ago from my LYS. I'm drawing a blank as to the brand, sorry! The second dishcloth is the Petal Dish cloth that Stephanie from the MDK KAL posted and was so kind to include the link to the freebie. Wish I knew how to do that! It was very quick and I love it! Both dishclothes are gifts, so I will have to make my own at a later date. I am thining on trying to go down to a size 4 or 5 needle and use Euroflax linen, for a doily. I'll keep you posted on that thought!

The second photo is of a nice package that my SP9 friend sent me. She is so thoughtful. It's a wonderful magnetic note pad with the saying "I'm so far behine I think I'm first"...LOL....boy do I comprehend that saying! And she also inlcuded a lovely card, pictured above, with a wonderful note in it. I'm very lucky to have a wonderful SP9 friend. So to my pal....a big THANK YOU! It made my day to open my mailbox and find a wonderful pick me up!

Well, that's it for now! I am working on a nine patch dishcloth and would love to finish it today! So I'm off to knit! (right after my daily chores, perhaps?)

Did lots of knitting last week....

I did a bunch of knitting last week for two of my nieces....and I forgot to take pictures. UGH! I made them each a very cute felted purse and a scarf. I did all of that in three and half days. I was very impressed withmyself (pats herself on the back) and they came out so cute! I will have to take a picture next time we visit.

I am back on track with my the Christmas knitting. I finished the Christmas Tree above. It is much nicer in person and I plan on making another. This time in a solid so that you can see the beads on each branch better. I used Sugar N Cream Yarn. It is a free dishcloth pattern (sorry don't know how to link). If your interested leave a comment and I can maybe send it to you. I can't even remember the site right now! LOL Anyway, it is a good size and I starched it to keep it's shape. I'm thinking on putting it on a clear plate and wrapping Christmas goodies to put on it.

I'm having fun with the SP9. I've been talking with my pal (the one I am buying for), through e-mails pretty regularly. I don't want to include any details, you just never know who is reading it.

My pal, has left me a couple comments, e-mails and a wonderful e-card! I'm lucky to have a wonderful pal both ways!

I'm hoping by the end of this week to have some more gifts done! I can't believe how close Christmas is!

To my Secret Pal

Sorry, I didn't post this yesterday, but Sunday was kind of full yesterday. So here I am today!

I have been knitting my Christmas gifts the last few weeks and am really on a roll! I just did another washrag from Mason Dixon Knitting. Now I am working on a dischloth in the shape of a Christmas Tree. I just started it last night and hope to finish it by tomorrow. Who knows, maybe tonight!

I'm looking forward to getting to know you. You have my e-mail address so feel free to e-mail me. I realize now that I have your address! DUH to me! Sometimes the hampster falls asleep on the wheel, LOL.

I'm looking forward to this SP9. It's all official now! Talk to you soon!

Some knitting thoughts!

Okay, so I am getting very excited! I have joined a few KALs, as you can see from my buttons! Plus another KAL, I don't think they have a button, (yup they do have one and I added it!) it is the Who Wouldn't Love A Handknitted Gift? It looks wonderful! The basics are you decide how many handknitted gifts you intend to make for the holidays. You set your goal and they keep a "tally" of how many you have completed and how many left to meet your goal. I think it's a fabulous way to support each other and encourage everyone to "get knitting"! I set my goal for 12, but honestly I'm hoping for more. Who knows? I'll probably be lucky to get to five, LOL!

I'm also very excited about the SP9! My questionnaire has been posted and I have been reading many blogs and reading there answers. It's so interesting to read everyone's likes and dislikes.

I have a new bee in my bonnet! I have been reading about spinning and I am thinking on hinting for a drop spindle beginner set for Christmas! I love to learn new things

SECRET PAL 9 QUESTINNAIRE

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I love wool, alpaca. I love Farmhouse yarns and would love to try Koigu. I also love Sugar n Cream dishcloth yarn! I am not a huge fan of Euroflax.


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

I have the Denise set, which stores itself. Though I wouldn’t mind another empty Denise box to put my companion set and extra cords for the Denise set it. As far as my others, I have two handmade holders.

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

I started knitting Valentines Day 2006. That is when I seriously started. I learned the technique the previous winter but didn’t get into it much. I don’t think I’m a beginner. But I know I’m not advanced. Intermediate? I guess, I’m not sure. I like to try new things and my LYS is very helpful!

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

No.

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)

I love vanilla scent and anything soft. Bath products, I’m always on the look out for something new to try. I love the Heaven & Earth Essentials. It’s on the internet and I love their soaps and body lotions. My favorite is Cherry Blossom and Bubbles.

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

Oh my yes do I ever! I love dark chocolate and I love peanut butter. I also love nuts!

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

I’m really just into the knitting right now. I used to do counted cross stitch, but have gotten away from it. I also crochet, but don’t enjoy the process as much as knitting. No, I don’t spin, but would love to give it a whirl some time.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your
buddy wants to make you a CD)
I love Country music. I don’t have a MP3 player or an Ipod. Just a cd player.


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

I love pinks, purples, pastels. I also love lime green, and autumn colors. I don’t really care for black or white.

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

I am a wife of 20 years and we have five children. Four girls, one boy. Ages ranging from 19 to 4. We have one dog and four cats.

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

Yes, I wear all of the above!

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

I don’t know if I have a favorite item to knit. I love the process. The dishcloths are fun, but I also love doing the felted bags. They work up quickly and there are so many options.

13. What are you knitting right now?

I am working on a Log Cabin afghan, a pair of socks, a baby bib, Irish Hiking Scarf and I just cast on my first ever sweater for my son for Christmas. I also always have a dishcloth going!

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

I love handmade gifts!

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

I have the Denise set and I love them. I also have bamboo straights. I have one pair of Brittany size 6 and they are my favorite straights!

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

No, but I am putting them on my Christmas list!

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

I started a baby afghan in June for a friend. She lost the baby and I don’t have the heart to finish it.

18. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas

19. Is there anything that you collect?

I love teapots, tea cups, thimbles and hankies.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I really want to try Koigu yarn, they look wonderful! Needles, I would love more Brittany straights, they are so smooth! Books, patterns? Umm, I would love a Knitting Journal, spiral bound by Char Loving. I would also like the Knitting to Go Deck, by Sheri Giblin and Kris Percival. Wendy Knits: My Never-Ending Adventures in Yarn.

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

I'm always looking to learn new things and become a better knitter.


22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes, I am! It was the first class I ever took for anything and I love making them. My foot measurement from heel to toe is 10 inches. Also, I have a wide foot, so I usually have to go up a needle.


23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)

September 21st.