1...2...3...Repeater

OK. So it turns out that 50 does not divide evenly by 20 (Don't laugh at me!!) so I don't know whether this will be 30 more things, or 20 more things, to be contined by 10 more things eventually. :)

21. I love peanut butter flavored things but hate the way real peanut butter sticks to my tongue & the roof of my mouth.
22. I hate it when my food touches each other.
23. I paniced when I thought I lost my cell phone on a recent business trip. I am ashamed of my level of terror at the thought of this event. I could sit here trying to justify it, but that would probably make it even more pathetic.
24. My boss invited me & my husband to his son's wedding. I am not going because I don't really know them that well, and don't want to travel 700 miles to see this event. I realize this is not...politic...but I don't really care that much.
25. I used to do gymnastics competitvely, until I was about 15 or so. Then I grew a chest. This was rather upsetting to me at the time.
26. Despite having various shades of green, blue & purple hair in high school, I was a "joiner" at the time. I did stage crew for almost all the productions, played in every music ensemble, was a cheerleader (!), twirled baton, sang in chorus (badly!), did science league, was on yearbook staff, in the creative writing club, gifted & talented group, and a whole bunch of other stuff. Being involved in school activities was not "cool" where I grew up.
27. I didn't care what they thought, not even at 13.
28. Speaking of which, I hated New Kids on the Block.
29. I still don't like most pop music. Sting I can tolerate, although I think his level of musicianship elevates him above typical "pop." Also, I don't mind Billy Joel or Bruce Springsteen (I'm a sucker for a good songwriter with something to say, especially if they are talking about home) even though most people would call them pop if forced to choose a catagory.
30. That being said I think we have had Social Distortion stuck in permanent rotation on the CD players for the past 6 months. That & Ness' solo stuff, which I really like & didn't think I would because I have no country background. Then again, I guess rockabilly is where us old punks go to die LOL ;)
31. My upstairs neighbor leaves us all the junk mail addressed to occupant. Both copies. This really annoys me.
32. The smell of Hazelnut coffee makes me nauseous.
33. I fly a lot for work, but I still get a little nervous during takeoff and landing.
34. I almost always have a CD playing. The best thing about working from home is it doesn't matter if other people think my music is obnoxious.
35. I took a class as part of a requirement when I was doing my MS. The professor counted spelling on our quizzes, and I got an A- in the class. This blew the 4.0 I had for my MS. My undergrads called the same professor "Chucky" after the little psycho doll from the movies. After I heard this, I had a hard time looking at the guy with a straight face.

Paralell Lines...

But not on this swatch! The offending stockinette..still by phone. I know the picture is terrible, but you can see what I am talking about, so deal with it :)

Well, It Ain't No Use in Sitting Wondering Why...

I've got strange stitches going on here folks. I'm working on a slipper/sock type thing and I've noticed my stockinette is slanted. Not biased, no twisted stitches, just slanted. Instead of forming pretty "V" shapes, they form odd, non-symmetrical "\|" shapes. I know, I know, I need to find something else to worry about LOL. But considering how rententive I can be, that is unlikely. So...why does it do this? Anyone know? Possible relevant info: I knit English style, this is Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Worsted- and yes, this problem is always more noticable in my knitting when I am using a single ply. I don't do anything odd relative to the way I wrap the yarn, etc. Ideas? Anyone?

Re: the cat- pictures to come. He's 21 POUNDS!!! He's definitley a big boy, and a talker. Right now he lives in the basement, give him some time to become aquainted with his litter box and avoid the dog.

Blue Jean, I Just Met a Girl Named...

So I am almost through the first ball of ribbon yarn in the X-Back tank (color: Blue Jeans). I am also working through a KItty Pi bed I am trying to finish ASAP because this weekend we are taking home a cat! Hi name is Tiger and he is 13! He needed a good home, and we wanted a cat. I felt terrible about a 13 year old cat being up for adoption- so many people only want kittens. I will force my husband to bring home his digital camera that lives at work so I can post some pictures when we get him home.

Ugh. I am never moving again. I feel like we've moved 300 times- it's been 4 times in the last 4 years. And he's not even in the Marines anymore! Actually, it's my fault- the first move was for grad school, the second to escape a terrible apartment, the third after I left grad school, and the fourth to FINALLY get back to Jersey. Anyway, every time we move, some credit card, cell phone, etc. company forgets to send us bills. Then, after I realize it 2 months later, and call, they have the new address on file but apparantly the mail has eaten the bills on their way here. My husband just got a $300 cell phone bill, which is supposed to be paid for by his company, but since he has started this position (2 months+) they have no cut a single reimbursement check. Don't ever let anyone tell you working for a big company is better! I get mine from my tiny company in less than a week.

That being said I guess I should have bought a $500 amp a week or so ago but it sounds sooo sweet. Speaking of sounding sweet, we just make plans to go see Social D again (4th time this tour), and see B.B. King. I love living in civilization where concerts actually come. Keep your fingers crossed we can get Bruce tickets. Not likely given the size of the venues but...

Anyway. I took "Viking Patterns for Knitting" out of the library, along with "Knitting the Old Way" and "Knitting on the Edge." So far of the three, the first & third are on my list to buy. I haven't had time to even open "Knitting the Old Way," so we'll see about that one. I LOVE Elsebeth Lavold. I NEED to get some of her patterns & make them. Soon. "Knitting on the Edge" is inspirational. I have the "Knitter's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns" and combining the two makes me want to design more sweaters than I could knit in years!

It's been a while...

I know, I know. It's been forever. Things have been a little crazy here, travel for work has really picked up. I don't mind the travel exactly, but I always miss being home if I'm gone for more than a day. I never sleep well on the road... Anyway. Yesterday a ex-boyfriend who is also an old friend of my husband called us out of the blue & dropped by. Now this was not a "casual ex." I dated him for almost 7 years- all through high school & college. After we broke up, we stayed friends (honestly) for a while, but when I started dating my husband, he stopped talking to us. A mutual friend's wedding almost a year ago now was the first we'd seen or heard from him in 6 years. Since he lives out of state, we hadn't seen him since. The story has a happy ending, but you know, it's just one of those odd social situations. I am exhausted. I am so glad that my life no longer has drama. At almost 30, you'd think we'd be done with that stuff :)

Anyway- as far as knitting goes, I am doing the usual- not finishing anything. Actually, that's a lie- we are adopting a cat soon & I made him the feline dim sum from Knitty's archives. It's catnip stuffed egg roll & dumpling. I used the Kool-Aid dyed wool from KnitPicks. But the Lady Elenor is still going, as is the seaweed stole. The Chevron Tank is on hold until I replace the needles I lost in airport security. I also started a Kitty Pi bed for our new cat. He's almost 13! We'll have him in a few weeks. Keep your fingers crossed my allergies don't freak.

I also started the X Back Tank in the new Knitty. It's a ribbon yarn, and I never thought I'd like knitting with it but it's pretty cool so far. I'm using a white ribbon that has blue binding thread. The color was called "Blue Jeans."

Progress on the Seaweed Stole. It really is pretty, not that you can tell from this terrible pictures. The greens are kind of washed out here, so the contrast isn't as high between the greens & browns/blues in real life. This isn't even one repeat yet btw. I narrowed the stole- its sort of a large scarf now. In it's unblocked state it's about 16 inches wide.

Knitty SP4!

I am so excited that the SP4 on Knitty has started. Some people were mentioning that they zipped off their questionnaire at warp speed, and couldn't remember what they wrote. I, on the other hand, noting how long it would be until we were assigned SP's and being ridiculously impatient, had to savor mine. The unfortunate side effect is that I have written a novella. :) Which I have included below, for your edification:

FACTS:
Knittyboard user name: in stitches
Real name: Carolyn
Webpage/blog URL if applicable: http://throughbackloop.blogspot.com
Shipping Preference: (Int'l/US/CAN/UK please specify): US, then Int’l.

KNITTING & FIBERS:
1. What is your current skill level (beginner/adv. beginner/intermediate etc.
etc): intermediate
2. What are your favorite fiber colors? Earth tones, greens, blues, browns. Warm things. Also greys, all shades of grey. I typically really like grey tweedy yarns. I am also a kureyon & silk garden fiend (paradoxically given my feelings about color. I do tend to choose the more… toned down colors.)
3. Are there any fiber colors you absolutely do NOT like? If so which? PINK. Not a big jewel color person. In certain yarns (kureyon, etc.) they are ok, but I /never/ wear them, and prefer earth tones. I also don’t do girly pastels. For instance, Elsebeth Lavold’s Cotton Patine colors are ok- they are not “girly” pastels.
4. What are your favorite fibers? Softer wool. Blends are ok, not a big mohair fan. Anything fluffy makes me sneeze. I do love alpaca as well. I love Lamb’s Pride Worsted & Bulky (single ply wool/mohair blends).
5. Do you have any unwelcome fibers (stuff you just don't need more of or like?) not so crazy about cotton, or cotton blends. The lack of elasticity hurts my hands. I also am not a novelty fiber (eyelash etc.) kind of person.
6. What is your Dream Yarn? Worsted weight, Tweedy wool, soft. Beautiful warm colors. I also really like single plys like Lamb’s Pride, etc.
7. How do you feel about novelty fibers (both the yarns and the items made with them)? Ick. Not a big fan of novelty fibers. Not my style at all. The items made with them are usually /way/ to loud for my sense of style (or lack thereof). (By this I am referring to novelty fibers from the perspective of strange scarf yarns that look like they sprouted something. I am actually intrigued by novelty fibers like soy, banana husk, llama, that sort of thing.)
8. What is the next thing you want to learn (techniques etc.) on the needles? More design stuff. I’d love to do an Aran from scratch of my own design, or spend more time with Elsebeth Lavold-style closed cables, using them in designs in a cool sort of way.
9. What item(s) do you knit the most? Hrm…sweaters I guess. I like hats but look terrible in them. Anything with cables. I love cables & texture pattens.

WANTS & NOTS:
10. Allergies: Do you have any food, fiber, smoke, pet allergies your SP should be aware of? Nothing to speak of…
11. Do you have an Amazon.com or knitpicks.com wishlist you'd like to share with your SP? If so please add the URL:
12. What is on your Cool Stuff Wishlist (knitting or not): Knitting: Debbie Bliss Noro books, Elsebeth Lavold Viking Knitting, a drop spindle & bits of roving to try spinning with, bamboo circs in worsted weight sweater type lengths, cute stitch markers. Non-Knitting: Anything with Lizards on it, travel size toiletries (I travel for work),
13. What about stuff you don't need at all?
14. Do you have hobbies other than knitting (tv, sports, collectibles, fave
things)? Music!! I play bass, clarinet, flute, tenor sax, piano & a bit of guitar. (Ok “playing piano” is being generous. Why oh why didn’t I take lessons at 6 when my parents could have forced me to stick to it? We have a piano, we both pick at it. I can play simple stuff- Fur Elise, etc.) My husband plays guitar, so obviously, we listen to a lot of music (Mostly old school punk & classic rock, but really, all over the map. Favorite Bands: Social Distortion, Mike Ness’ solo stuff, Brian Setzer, The Ramones, Bruce Springsteen, 50s & early 60s stuff like Chuck Berry, Gene Vincent, etc. Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, The Clash, many others…Also jazz…I am a big Miles Davis fan, and I love Dave Brubeck. Ella Fitzgerald & Billy Holiday are other good things. Only things I’m not big on are pop type stuff, dance music, rap, etc.) I read a lot. All sorts of stuff. I am a Tolkien freak (have been for many years…still forming an opinion about the movies but they have not been the “reason” for reading the books). I have a fresh-water aquarium. I have an English Bulldog named Jersey who is extremely spoiled. I love all things reptile, and used to do reptile rescue. My DH (who is a big tough former Marine LOL) is terrified of snakes... so no more reptiles for me. I love animals, especially the weird non-cuddly ones!
15. Books you would like (knitting or not): Non-knitting: Psychotic Reactions & Carburetor Dung, by Lester Bangs; On the Road with the Ramones, by Monte Melnick. (I have pretty much all the other books in the vein of these two.) Knitting: Viking Knits, by Elsebeth Lavold. I’m a big Debbie Bliss fan, but don’t have any of her pattern books (not interested in anything concentrating on the cotton blends- I just traded 13 balls of cotton cashmere I bought in an attempt to learn to love cotton.) Any of Alice Starmore’s fisherman stuff. I don’t own any EZ, either, although I’d say I subscribe mostly to her philosophy. The Debbie Bliss Noro books are high on my wish list at the moment as well.
16. For those of you who live outside the US, is there anything you'd like that you can't get your hands on? n/a, but if my SP is international, I’d love to have some things that they feel are emblematic of their home—little bits of foods that would travel & they could send, for example; or recipes, especially. When I moved away from home, it was the food I missed the most!
17. In the event your SP lives outside the US, is there a particular yarn,
etc. you can't find in the US? Nothing I am aware of that I am dying to have…

FAVORITES: Who/What is your favorite...
Chocolate: This is hard! Plain-ish chocolates...Just a good hunk o’quality chocolate. I love chocolate, a lot, so I try not to eat it unless it is the “good stuff.” Not a big hazelnut person. Also not a fan of filled chocolates.
Muppet: Beaker or Animal. Or Janice.
Flower: I have seasonal allergies. Most flowers make me sneeze. Not really a flower person. More a potted plant/herb garden type of person.
Ice Cream flavor: chocolate with peanut butter swirls. There used to be this limited edition Edie’s that was chocolate w/pb swirls & chocolate peanut butter cups. Mmm….
Fragrance: Something greenish, non-flowery, and that doesn’t make me sneeze (most perfumes do).
Shoes to wear: sneakers. Chuck Taylors, specifically. The old ones.
Type of garden: An herb garden, with basil & rosemary, among other treats. I love to eat, and fresh herbs are incredible in any recipe.
Animal: I love animals, so this is almost impossible to answer. The list, in no particular order:
Aldabra Tortise (like a Galapagos Tortise, really big)
My English Bulldog, named Jersey
Naked Mole Rats (I am not making this up, I have an MS in bio & studied under an animal behavior guy. Social Mammals are too cool for words.)
Any Cephalopod (octopus or squid)
Beverage: Pepsi, Beer. The beer list could go one, but includes many micro-brew & import type things. Anchor is a favorite brewery, as is Brooklyn.

RORSCHACH ETC:
19. If you were candy would you be sweet, sour, or cinnamon? Sour. Just to be difficult...
20. If you were a fruit which would you be? A Kiwi. The color is pretty, and no one thinks they will like them the first time they see them, but almost everyone does once they try them.
21. Are you a Java Junkie? No, but I’m a caffeinated soda junkie…
22. Your birthday, in case it falls during the swap and your SP wants to send
you a card: March 29.
23. Do you have a personal mantra?
24. How do you really feel about socks? How do I feel about Wearing them- always important. I am not a sandal person. Feet kind of gross me out. Knitting- I have three socks done. Problem is, all three are from a different pair LOL. Not my favorite project. Not the biggest fan of tiny gauges, dpns or magic loop/two circs, etc. I think it’s mostly the gauge that bugs me though. It seems like they /never/ get done.
25. What is your shoe size? US 9.
26. What kind of music (and/or which artists) do you listen to when you are
happy? Music is definitely not relegated to “happy only” in our house, but see list above. Probably the more up tempo stuff.
27. Rate yourself on a girly/fruh fruh factor from 1 - 10: 2. As in, not girly.
28. What languages do you speak (besides English)? A bit of Spanish, even less Italian.
29. If you could have any "super power" which would it be? The finishing things superpower. The extra patience super power. The always social adept super power.
30. You're given $10,000 for travelling. Where do you go and why?
That’s really hard. I might not go far- maybe do NYC in style! All the restaurants we can’t even dream of affording, etc. I love home, and when you’re from north Jersey, NYC is basically home. Otherwise, South Africa on Safari, or Galapagos? (The animal thing) Or maybe Italy (the food).