Knit it, Violet!
Sunday, June 22, 2008
A bit of Ketchup
I have a lot on my needles, but none of it is really blogable or blogworthy right now, but I feel a bit guilty for not updating, so here's what I've been up to.
I got this cookbook from my book club and I'm so happy I did. I think slow cookers are genius inventions, but when you don't eat meat, you have to get creative with recipes. How much stew can one couple eat? This book is seriously a godsend. I made the veggie potpie with biscuit crush- cheap, delicious and so easy. This book will definitely be seeing more use.
Aside from making yummy food, we've been visiting the zoo a lot, enjoying the summer. Check out these cuties:
And, since I've been neglecting my Secret Pal Questions, here's my answer to last week-
What's your favorite summertime drink?
I drink lots of ice water during the summer, but I love suntea (when it's sunny!) and Kool-ade lemonade. Classy, I know! We don't really get too much warm weather here, though.
and this week's:
As a kid, what did you look forward to most about summer vacation/break/holiday?
Honestly, I've always been a total homebody. There was no summer camp or anything for me. I always loved endless afternoons at home though. I was hardly ever bored with chickens to chase, a huge swingset, and a garden to hide in. When I got older, I spent my summers reading or knitting on the bench swing while the dogs panted in the sun.
I got this cookbook from my book club and I'm so happy I did. I think slow cookers are genius inventions, but when you don't eat meat, you have to get creative with recipes. How much stew can one couple eat? This book is seriously a godsend. I made the veggie potpie with biscuit crush- cheap, delicious and so easy. This book will definitely be seeing more use.
Aside from making yummy food, we've been visiting the zoo a lot, enjoying the summer. Check out these cuties:
And, since I've been neglecting my Secret Pal Questions, here's my answer to last week-
What's your favorite summertime drink?
I drink lots of ice water during the summer, but I love suntea (when it's sunny!) and Kool-ade lemonade. Classy, I know! We don't really get too much warm weather here, though.
and this week's:
As a kid, what did you look forward to most about summer vacation/break/holiday?
Honestly, I've always been a total homebody. There was no summer camp or anything for me. I always loved endless afternoons at home though. I was hardly ever bored with chickens to chase, a huge swingset, and a garden to hide in. When I got older, I spent my summers reading or knitting on the bench swing while the dogs panted in the sun.
Labels: cooking, secret pal, summer
¶ 3:35 PM 2 Comments
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Secret Pal 12 Questionaire
Well, it's time for another round of Secret Pal. I had such a great time doing this in the past, so I'm excited about Secret Pal 12. My answers haven't changed much, but here's my survey for this time around:
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I really love Lamb's Pride and Cascade 220 as far as good, worsted wools go. I knit with KnitPicks a lot and I've never had a bad experience. I love wool and alpaca, but I'm really getting into using nice cottons, too. There's no fiber I *don't* like (even some acrylics and blends have their place, in my book) and I'm a sucker for fun sock yarn.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have the Knitpicks Options set (love them!) that I store in their little pouches, and my straights and other circs are stored in wine bottle containers. My DPNs have a cute little metal pencil holder that they go in. Notions are stored in a Koala Kritter Case.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I've been knitting for a little over five years. I taught myself with a few pages riped from the Martha Stewart Living that belonged to the lady I babysat for. I was sixteen and had no idea it would become such a passion! I'd consider myself and adventurous intermediate. There's not very much I won't attempt.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
I do have an Amazon wishlist. There's a link over in the side of my blog.
5. What's your favorite scent?
I like a lot of scents! I'm a big fan of baking-type scents like vanilla, cinnamon, pumpkin, spice, etc. but I also really like a good, fresh floral or fruit scent as long as it doesn't smell like something you'd clean the bathroom with. ;) I love lavender, too.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I have a major sweet tooth! I don't know if I have a particular favorite candy, but I love chocolate.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I'm slowly learning to spin, and I really enjoy it. I love to bake, especially desserts. I also sew (a lot), embroider (a little), play with polymer clay, make jewelry, and I'm learning to quilt. There are other things I dabble with occasionally, but not much.
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 a lot of different music. Not as much punk as in my youth, but still quite a bit of indie and alt-folk stuff. I'm a big fan of Kimya Dawson and She and Him. I can play mp3s.
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I love pinks, purples, blues, and greens. Bright colors jewel tones. I like reds, too. I used to not like orange, but I like it paired with other colors (especially pink). I just really love color, so I'm easy to please.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
My family lives about half an hour south of me. I'm the middle child and the only girl, two brothers (12 and 26). We're a pretty close family. I live with my boyfriend of six years, Kellen. We can't have any pets in our apartment, but I have two dogs and a cat who live with my mom.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Scarves, hats, and mittens. I don't have any ponchos but I'd probably wear a cute one.
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
This year seems to be about sweaters for me, but I love knitting socks. Really, there's not a whole lot I don't like to knit.
13. What are you knitting right now?
The Cobblestone Pullover for Kellen, a Clapotis for myself, and some socks.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
LOVE to receive handmade gifts, but don't get them often.
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
All of the above with the exception of plastic. I use different needles for different projects. I've never found a really good pair of plastics, though.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Both. Kellen got them for me a few Christmases ago.
17. How old is your oldest UFO?
Less than a year?? Maybe just about a year. I have a few things languishing.
18. What is your favorite holiday?
I love Christmas. I know there are not-so-great things (consumerism, stress, etc) but I make at least 90% of my gifts and I really enjoy crafting for my loved ones, getting together with family, and good food. I also love Thanksgiving (again with the food), and Halloween is a favorite of mine. I'm just a holiday kind of girl.
19. Is there anything that you collect?
Teapots and tea related items, bookmarks (they're practical!) and anything with bees.
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 have a subscription to Interweave and KnitSimple...I can't think of things I'm particularly dying to try...the books I want are on my wishlist, and if you're on ravelry, you can see my queue of projects I have planned.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Toe up socks, steeking, and double knitting.
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I love knitting socks. I wear a ladies US 7, most medium sock patterns fit me.
23. When is your birthday?
May 13.
24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
Violet! ¶ 11:45 AM 1 Comments
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I really love Lamb's Pride and Cascade 220 as far as good, worsted wools go. I knit with KnitPicks a lot and I've never had a bad experience. I love wool and alpaca, but I'm really getting into using nice cottons, too. There's no fiber I *don't* like (even some acrylics and blends have their place, in my book) and I'm a sucker for fun sock yarn.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have the Knitpicks Options set (love them!) that I store in their little pouches, and my straights and other circs are stored in wine bottle containers. My DPNs have a cute little metal pencil holder that they go in. Notions are stored in a Koala Kritter Case.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I've been knitting for a little over five years. I taught myself with a few pages riped from the Martha Stewart Living that belonged to the lady I babysat for. I was sixteen and had no idea it would become such a passion! I'd consider myself and adventurous intermediate. There's not very much I won't attempt.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
I do have an Amazon wishlist. There's a link over in the side of my blog.
5. What's your favorite scent?
I like a lot of scents! I'm a big fan of baking-type scents like vanilla, cinnamon, pumpkin, spice, etc. but I also really like a good, fresh floral or fruit scent as long as it doesn't smell like something you'd clean the bathroom with. ;) I love lavender, too.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I have a major sweet tooth! I don't know if I have a particular favorite candy, but I love chocolate.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I'm slowly learning to spin, and I really enjoy it. I love to bake, especially desserts. I also sew (a lot), embroider (a little), play with polymer clay, make jewelry, and I'm learning to quilt. There are other things I dabble with occasionally, but not much.
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 a lot of different music. Not as much punk as in my youth, but still quite a bit of indie and alt-folk stuff. I'm a big fan of Kimya Dawson and She and Him. I can play mp3s.
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I love pinks, purples, blues, and greens. Bright colors jewel tones. I like reds, too. I used to not like orange, but I like it paired with other colors (especially pink). I just really love color, so I'm easy to please.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
My family lives about half an hour south of me. I'm the middle child and the only girl, two brothers (12 and 26). We're a pretty close family. I live with my boyfriend of six years, Kellen. We can't have any pets in our apartment, but I have two dogs and a cat who live with my mom.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Scarves, hats, and mittens. I don't have any ponchos but I'd probably wear a cute one.
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
This year seems to be about sweaters for me, but I love knitting socks. Really, there's not a whole lot I don't like to knit.
13. What are you knitting right now?
The Cobblestone Pullover for Kellen, a Clapotis for myself, and some socks.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
LOVE to receive handmade gifts, but don't get them often.
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
All of the above with the exception of plastic. I use different needles for different projects. I've never found a really good pair of plastics, though.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Both. Kellen got them for me a few Christmases ago.
17. How old is your oldest UFO?
Less than a year?? Maybe just about a year. I have a few things languishing.
18. What is your favorite holiday?
I love Christmas. I know there are not-so-great things (consumerism, stress, etc) but I make at least 90% of my gifts and I really enjoy crafting for my loved ones, getting together with family, and good food. I also love Thanksgiving (again with the food), and Halloween is a favorite of mine. I'm just a holiday kind of girl.
19. Is there anything that you collect?
Teapots and tea related items, bookmarks (they're practical!) and anything with bees.
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 have a subscription to Interweave and KnitSimple...I can't think of things I'm particularly dying to try...the books I want are on my wishlist, and if you're on ravelry, you can see my queue of projects I have planned.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Toe up socks, steeking, and double knitting.
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I love knitting socks. I wear a ladies US 7, most medium sock patterns fit me.
23. When is your birthday?
May 13.
24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
Violet! ¶ 11:45 AM 1 Comments
