my knitting and me

Coffee

1. What is your preference? Whole beans or ground?

Definetely ground as I don’t have a grinder
2. What kind of coffees do you enjoy? A rich, bold roast; a light, fresh one, or something in between? Leaded or non?

I like a nice medium roast, nothing to strong but not too weak either. Caffeinated is good as I have plenty of decaf at the moment

3. If you were headed out right now to buy some coffee for the house, what would you be picking up?

I actually bought some coffee yesterday. I medium to strong roast, I do like to buy Fair Trade if I can, and organic if the price isn’t too high. My fave starbucks coffee at the moment is their Cinnamon Dolce Latte – to die for!

4. Do you drink for caffeine, pleasure, or both?

Both!!! I do have a caffeine problem, I drink a lot of diet coke too. In the morning it’s definitely more for the caffeine but I do really enjoy a nice large cup of coffee. 

5. Do you enjoy flavored coffees? How about add-ins or flavored creamers?

I like flavoured coffee;s (esp. vanilla, hazelnut and cinnamon) and like syrups in my coffee. I have vanilla in house always and have been trying to find some sugar-free syrups, but they seem rare in this country, in anything other than 1l bottles.

6. A large, lovely mug or a small, dainty cup?

Large mug! I have a couple of faves,both from Starbucks. One was gifted to me in a swap the other came with my one-cup filter. I use my travel mug a lot as I drink a cup on the bus on the way to University and then get it filled at Starbucks. I would love a larger travel mug (mine is Starbucks tall size) and I would love a grande size one.

7. Describe your perfect cup – not JUST the coffee, but how you’d enjoy it!

Medium to strong roast latte with cinnamon syrup and cinnamon sprinkled on it. Drunk from a large thick mug I can wrap my hands around. I would be sitting somewhere nice knitting with my mum and having a gossip. Most importantly she would have allowed me to pay for it. On a plate next to me would be a cinnamon danish.

8. You’re sitting down to enjoy a nice cup in the local coffee shop, knitting bag in hand, iPod all tuned up – or maybe you’re there with a few friends for knit night! What treat do you pick up to enjoy with your coffee? A sweet, rich brownie, or something more healthy? How about a salty treat? What goes best with that great cup and company?

See above – Cinnamon danish.

Yarn

1. Do you knit or crochet?

Knit

2. What are your favorite types of yarns to work with?

Merino, silk, cashmere, alpaca – anything natural except angora and mohair (i’m allergic) I’m knitting a shawl with some malabrigo lace at the moment and love it.

3. What do you have on the needles (or hook!) right now?

Swallowtail Shawl – malabrigo lace in glazed carrot

Bellatrix socks – STR lightweight in Obsidian

I plan to cast on for a sweater soon so will update when I’ve decided what to stash yarn to use and what pattern. 

4. What are your favorite colors in yarns? What about those that you’d never find in your stash?

I like most colours. At the moment I love turquoise, bright blue, lime green and bright orange – very spring. I also like autumn colours – brown, olive greens and dark oranges. Like most females you can’t go wrong with pinks and purples. Not a fan of red unless it is very deep and dark (like a nice red wine)

5. What sort of needles or hooks do you enjoy using? Any you just detest?

I got some Knitpicks Harmony needles (options & dpns) for christmas and haven’t used anything else since. I find metal and plastic hurt my hands, so prefer wood or bamboo – but I do love my harmonys.

6. Are there any particular notions you absolute do NOT need? Some of us swap a lot – are you sure that you have enough tape measures to last your lifetime? Enough stitch markers to mark every stitch of a 10 foot wide afghan?

Still don’t have too much of anything. I can always use T-pins if I have partner from US/Canada as I can’t seem to find anywhere in UK that sells them and they are perfect for blocking.

7. You walk into the yarn shop and have exactly and only enough money to purchase 2 skeins of yarn in their 2 for 20 special they have going..The choices are a soft, thick cotton/viscose blend in your favorite colors, slightly variegated..a beautiful sock yarn that’s just squishy and sproingy in your hands.. a soft, worsted weight wool like malabrigo.. and a lovely bamboo blend with colors to just die for. Which do you walk out the door with?

I would be very close between sock yarn or worsted weight (but only if it was a soft as malabrigo). I love sock yarn but do have quite a bit (you can never have too much) but it would have to be something very different/special. I’m loving lace at the moment so I would be disspointed there wasn’t any laceweight in the special.

Spring

1. We’re starting sign-ups on the first day of Spring – is it already truly Spring-like where you are?

No!!!!! I’ve just go tback from opticians and its cold, windy and rainy. We have snow and very cold temperatures forecast for the Easter weekend.

2. What’s your favorite spring flower? Do you have one?

Not a fan of real flowers as I have bad hayfever. I do however like floral things, especially those with big, bold, bright, modern flowers on.

3. What do you most look forward to about springtime?

Being able to wear my crocs without getting cold, damp feet. Wearing bright colours and sitting in the sun eating lunch at university.
4. They’ve predicted a gorgeous day tomorrow – Sunny and about 65 with a nice breeze – how do you spend your day?

Sitting by the river knitting and drinking ice coffee.

5. The day after, it’s going to be cooler and pouring down rain – does that impact your mood? How do you spend that day? what helps cheer you up?

Snuggle up in a comfy place with a large cup of coffee and knit or sew.

Odds n Ends

1. Do you collect anything BESIDES yarn and needles?

Fabric- I’ve just started sewing and quilting and my stash is very small.

2. Are you allergic to anything?

Cats, dogs, rabbits, mohair & angora. (also tomatoes but not really relevant for this swap)

3. Do you have pets?

5 hamsters and 2 gerbils

4. Is this your first swap, or are you an old pro? What are the last 2 swaps you participated in?

I’ve been swapping for a while.

Last swaps I was in were:

UK Swap (parcel to be posted after Easter weekend)

think pink (via Ravelry)

Hot Cocoa Swap

5. List 3 of your favorite blogs – craft related or not – and tell us why you love them.

U-handblog – great bag making advice and tutorials

Yarn Crawl – Robin is such a prolific knitter

Yarn Harlot – laugh out loud funny 

Yes , I’ve joined another swap.

Part One: Crafting

Do you knit, crochet, or both?

I am a knitter and have been knitting for 2 years now

What do you like to make? Do you have a favourite project?

I like to make socks but more recently have been making sweaters and cardigans. I also like to make scarfs and wraps. Whatever takes my fancy really.

Do you have a favourite type of fiber or brand of yarn?

I knit with natural fibres and love merino, alpaca and silk blends. I’ve just knit a clapotis from Malabrigo and loved every second of it. Anything soft and squishy is good by my books.
Do you have a least favourite type of yarn?

I‘m not fond of scratchy wool and hate acylic yarns. I don’t mind a small amount blended with wool in sock yarn.

Do you do any other crafts?

I got a sewing machine for my birthday in november and have been busy making bags for christmas presnts. I finished the first bag for myself tonight. It’s so addictive. I really want to learn to quilt and hope to teach myself this year.

What knitting do you bring ‘on the go’?

Socks, they are so small and portable.

What do you carry your ‘on the go’ knitting in? Do you want something new?

At present I use a cosmetic bag from Cath Kidston, but would like something less rigid (it’s made from oilcloth so doesn’t squish down at all and can take up quite a bit of space in my bag). I would love something new, who wouldn’t, or even the fabric to make myself something new.

Are there any knitting gifts (book, toy, yarn, item, tool) that you have been lusting over?

I have an extensive list on amazon.co.uk, one dedicated solely to knitting books and a craft list including sewing and spinning books. I have a drop spindle but need alot more practice. I’ve always wanted some sock blockers but other than that I can’t think of anything.  Yarn wise anything nice and squishy and in nice colours.

Part Two: Your Favourites

What is your favourite colour? What is your least favourite colour?

I love green, browns and oranges at the moment – feel autumna colours. I do however also like pinks and purples. Any colour os good with me as long as it is bright, dark or jewel tones as I’m not a fan of pale or pastels. I’m also not keen on red (unless it s a deep burgundy, which could be classed as pink I suppose)

What scents/smells do you like? What don’t you like?

I love neroli. I also like lavender. There’s not much I don’t like but I’m not fond of sweet and floral scents. My fave smell at the moment is cinnamon.

How do you like to pamper yourself? (bubble bath, hand creams, massage, manicure)

All of the above. I have very sensitive skin so have to be careful what I use.

I am ok with most branded stuff as long as it is for either sensitive skin or dry skin. I can’t use Johnsons, Nivea, Olay or most own brands. I can use anything with salt in it e.g. salt scrubs or bath salts.

Brands I like use regulary are:

Lush, Liz Earle, Sanctuary, Soap & Glory, Boots Medittrean (esp. Almond, Pistachio and Milk range),  Burt’s Bees & Molten Brown.

(if  you would like a more extensive list just ask)
What goodies to you like to treat your tummy with? (chocolate, biscuits, truffles, etc.)

Again, all of the above. I am back on my diet but I do still allow myself a treat every so often. I’m a big fan of Hotel Chocolat but like most other chocolate, sweets and biscuits. I don’t like dried fruit or Jaffa cakes.

Do you prefer tea or coffee while you knit? Any particular kind? Favourite mug/cup?

I drink all of the above but mainly coffee. I like fresh coffee, with starbucks syrup. I have a few mugs I use on a regular basis, my plain starbucks mug (it fits my coffee filter it came with), a patterned starbucks mug and my new addition a spotty Cath Kidston mug bought for me by my mum, for no reason other she saw it and knew I would like it. The one these all have in common is they are large!

I do drink tea but only loose leaf tea. My favourite tea is Darjeeling. 

Do you listen to/watch anything while you knit? (TVshow-Along, movies, music, podcasts)

I often watch (or should that be listen) to TV whilst knitting. If there really isn’t anything (which seems to be happening more and more often these days) I listen to audiobooks (I subscribe to audible), podcasts (gotta love Lime N Violet and Cast On) or just music. I tend not to knit whilst watching movies as I like to devote 100% attention to the film. I may knit if Karl is watching a film i’m not too interested.

Part Three: Living & Past-times

Where do you live in the UK? (General idea not address)

Cambridge

Have you always lived here, or did you grow up somewhere else?

I’ve lived in lots of places, I moved to Cambridge 4 years ago to go to Uni and am still here, well I’m still at uni but we don’t plan to move once I graduate

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Probably Canada and New Zealand.

If you couldn’t go to a knitting group, what other kind of gathering would you go to? (book club, tea party, yoga class, jewelery class, etc.)

I don’t go to my local knitting group that often as I have ME/CFS and find after a week at uni I need saturday to recuperate, plus I like to spend weekend with Karl. They do meet on a Tuesday night too, but after lectures I am to tired. I am more of a virtual member. I have told myself that I must try to attend more meeting. I would probably go to film night or maybe a cookery class (not that I can’t cook, I can, but I’d love to learn more)

What’s your style? (elegant, traditional, glamourous, girly, natural, sporty, outgoing, etc.)

Weird! I don’t really have a style and I’m kinda just me. I’m definitely not smart, elegant or sporty. I tend to wear Jeans, Crocs, Buffalos or DMs, with long sleeve t-shirts layered under short-sleeved t-shirts. On my smartish moments I’m  supposed I’m quite bohemian. I often wear skirts/dresses over jeans. I only own one pair of trousers that aren’t jeans and only wear heels when made to for weddings etc.

Final Part:

Any allergies/preferences (fiber-wise or treat-wise)?

I am allergic to mohair and angora. I am also allergic to cats and dogs so if you have them, can you keep them away from my parcel or let me know so I can wash yarn before I use it.

Anything we missed that you’d like your partner to know?

I can’t think of anything but feel free to e-mail me and ask anything you like. 

Cocoa:
1. What is your favorite way to drink cocoa? Prepared with milk? Water? from home made recipe or store bought?, In a tea cup, or big mug?

It has to be made with 100% milk, I can’t stand the instant just add water stuff. I usually have a large mug and use frothed milk.

2. Marshmallows or whipped cream?

I try not to keep these in the house on a regular basis, but on special occasions or when I am out with friends I like both. Although marshmallows are better for the diet.

Yarn/Knitting/Crochet
1. What is your favorite type of yarn? In what colors?

I tend with knit with natural fibres, wool, alpaca, silk and blends of these. I just knit a Clapotis with some Malabrigo and loved it. It is high up on my list. I also love squishy sock sock yarn.

2. Do you knit or crochet (or both)?

I knit, and have been for 2 years now. I do want to learn to crochet at some point.

3. What are your favorite type of needles, would you like to try something new?

I got a set of Knitpicks Harmony interchangables and dpns for christmas and love them. Before that I used bamboo circs (either addi or clover) and brittany birch dpns. I still love my brittany birch dpns as they are shorter in length than the knitpicks. I find that I can’t knit with metal needles as they drain the warmth from my hands which affects my joints.

4. Do you have a healthy supply of notions?

I have reasonable amount of notions. I have quite a few stitch markers but believe you can never have too many as most of them are so pretty and works of art within themselves. If I have a pal from the US it would be great to be sent some T-pins for blocking as they are not available in this country.

5. What one thing do you keep thinking you need to buy for your knitting habit (outside of yarn)?

I often go to block something and wish I had some blocking wires, but never seem to get around to getting some. I also would love to get some sock blockers but again never get around to buying some.

6. What is your favorite ‘quick knit/crochet’ pattern (quick gratification)

I don’t really have one. I’m not really about the quick gratification, more about the process of acheiving the end result. I did enjoy knitting a clapotis from 2 skeins of Malabrigo, as it took much less time than I thought.

Miscellaneous
1. What is your favorite thing to do in the Winter?

Find somewhere cosy to sit, watch a classic movie, drink hot chocolate and knit.

2. What is your favorite animal?

Polar bears (and hamsters)

3. Do you get the ‘winter blahs’?

Not as much as I used to. I don’t tend to feel so much ‘blah’ as ‘urgh’. The cold makes my ME/CFS worse so I suffer from fatigue and pain in the winter, which causes frustration rather than depression

4. What is your favorite way to beat the blahs?

Take a nice long hot bath, whilst reading a good book and listening to some good music

5. What is the thing you are most looking forward to this spring?

Warmer weather, drinking iced caramel macchiatos

6. What are your favorite treat?

this is tricky as it all depends on how I am feeling. Sometimes it chocolate, other times soem nice cheese and crackers. As long as it is in moderation I often give in to my cravings as depriving oneself makes you want that thing even more

7. What is your favorite board game?

I love Trivial Pursuit

8. Do you have any children (furry or human)?

2 gerbils, 2 chinese hamsters, 1 syrian hamster & 1 russian dwarf hamster (I also have a boyfriend is who is 25 going on 6)

9. Do you have any allergies or special considerations you partner should know about?

I am allergic to mohair and angora so no yarn containing that please (however small the quantity it still really affects me) I am also allergic to cats and dogs. Foodwise I am allergic to raw tomatoes (but I don’t think you’ll be sending me those any way) and I don’t like dried fruit of any variety or minty flavoured things.