23 Months - 50 words

1. happy
2. daddy
3. mommy
4. mackie (massie he calls him)
5. bubbie
6. hockey
7. baby
8. cat
9. doggy
10. mickey
11. barney
12. elmo
13. Pooh
    
14. one
15. two
16. three
17. ABC
18. six
19. nine
20. cheese
21. cookie
22. cracker
23. apple
24. milk
25. juice
26. blue
27. yellow
28. block
29. book
30. caca
31. pee pee
32. hello
33. byebye
34. coke
35. sheep
36. teeth
37. ball
38. nunu (his stuffie)
39. no
40. yes
41. shoes
42. on
43. off
    
44. Zeus (our cat)
45. Jazz (our cat)
46. hat
47. hot
48. cake
49. up
50. down
    
51. please
52. fries
53. me
54. more
55. bird
56. car
    
57. truck
58. peek-a-boo
    

Falling For Ewe (Autumn Yarn Swap)

• Do you knit or crochet? How long have you been at your craft?

I knit. I've been knitting now off an on since I was 9 years old, but only really picking it up just after getting married in 2005. I do not crochet, I've been toying with the idea to learn, because of this project and this project.

• Do you spin? What type of spinning do you do?

I am not into spinning, I'd rather spend the little free time I have knitting.

• Are there any other crafts that you participate in?

I’m learning to sew, but I'm not that good. I do have a sewing machine. I do photography (have a degree in it as well as graphic design). I bake/cook.

• What are your favorite yarns/fibers?

I'm a huge sock yarn fan. I love both 100% wool and also yarn that is superwash (for socks).

• What are your LEAST favorite yarns/fibers?

I DETEST acrylic and novelty yarns. Not a huge fan of cotton either, unless it’s in a wool blend. I am a fiber snob. I hate acrylic yarn the most, and not really a fan of cotton either. Also, anything novelty makes me cringe.... fun fur, eyelash, chenille, ugh! Anything novelty = bad. On the other hand, I'm a huge sock yarn fan. I love both 100% wool and also yarn that is superwash (for socks).

• Are there any types/brands of yarn that you are dying to work with but haven’t gotten a chance?

Sundara Sock yarn and I've never tried sKNITches yarn either. Yarn Nerd. Hmm... what else do I want to add to my stash...!

• What are your favorite types of projects to knit/crochet?

I love to knit anything socks or baby (sized) at the moment. Though, with socks, right now I have 2nd Sock Syndrome... never seem to get a 2nd one knit. I have two solo socks right now, LOL. Though, I love to knit anything at all.)

• What are you currently working on? Anything you plan to start this autumn?

What am I not working on? A Misty Garden Scarf. I have an 18 month sized pullover for my son that needs to be done before he outgrows 18 month size (LOL). I also have a sock yarn blankie (with leftovers) in progress for the couch. On the needles are also: A Drive Thru for my nephew, Monkey Socks, Chevron Scarf, Sofia, And this pair and this pair of socks are 50% done, (Second Sock Syndrome!) I feel like I'm missing something, LOL.... Check my Ravelry page for all my in progress pieces.

• What is your favorite FO? (Please, post a picture if you would like.)

So far, to date, my fave FO is the baseball sweater I made Sean. I can't wait for Mackenzie to fit into it. (Sean only got to wear it once, unfortunately...!)

• What is your oldest UFO?

It seems that my Woven Trellis Scarf is the oldest. I DO plan on finishing it one day....!

• Are their any knitting/crochet techniques that you would like to learn?

Yes, I'd love to learn how to do entrelac. It's on the list of things to accomplish. Just haven't gotten around to doing it yet.

• Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

Yes, I'm a sock knitter. I have a standard size 8 women's foot. If you need precise width, length, etc, please email me!

• Do you have a yarn winder and/or a swift?

Yes, I have both.

• Where/how to you keep you needles/hooks?

Vintage/collectables are in vases on my desk. Circulars are in the middle of being organized. DPNs are in a case I made myself (though it's not that great of a case). I also have a box of my fave needles that sits on my desk.

• Do you collect anything?

Yarn, patterns, notions, sheep mugs, knitting magazines, knitting books (and non-knitting books), earrings (love dangley earrings). Oh, and purses & shoes....!

• What is your favorite type of music? Are you MP3 ready?

I do not like rap or country music, or church music either. I can play MP3’s that’s no problem. I am into learning about new artists. I have the new iPod touch.

• Do you like sweets? What are your favorites?

Sweedish berries, Fuzzy Peach & Sweedish Berries and Runts. Love gum.

• What is your living situation like? Any pets? Children?

I live surrounded by males. I live with my hubby and our senior 2 cats and my two beautiful sons, Sean who was born Dec. 28th,2006 and that makes him 19 and a half months old. I also have Mackenzie, baby boy number 2, who was born on June 17th, 2008. My water broke the day before on my 27th birthday! He has his own birthday though :) He just turned 2 months old on Sunday.

• Are you allergic to anything?

Dust, mold and I have mild asthma, so smoke bothers me.

• Do you have an online wish list (Amazon, Etsy, Loopy Ewe, etc.)? Please include links for your swap pal.

Not really.

• Are you having a birthday during this swap?

Nope … not the day before my son's 1st birthday next June. At least next birthday my water won't break and I'll miss my birthday dinner!

• What is your Ravelry ID?

knitpurlmama

Secret Pal 12 Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I do NOT like Acrylics. I can’t stand the feel of it. I love sock yarn (I’m a sock yarn addict) and I love anything that is soft! I am NOT a mohair fan… nor do I like to knit with chenille, popcorn yarn, fun fur or eyelash yarn. ICK. Not a fan of Tofutsie sock yarn. I think it's the only kind I don't like. I would like to check out Sundara sock yarn, Paca-Ped sock yarn (Alpaca Yarn Co.) or also Wollmeise. I'd also am dying for a skein of Handmaiden Sea Silk.

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

I have a wooden case that my grandmother gave me, as well as a large a nice Double pointed needle case I made for my bamboo DPN collection. Click here to see my beautiful handmade case. My circulars are now housed in a shoe bag that I got at the dollar store. Click here to see my awesome creation! Each pocket houses another size, and it came in a crazy color! My other regular straight needles are in this needle case that I made with my friend Jennie, click here to view. However, since making these all, I've acquired more needles - that need a home....!

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

I consider myself to be an intermediate knitter. I’ve been knitting since about mid-Novermber 2005, and have accomplished a lot since then. I tried knitting once when I was about 9 years old, an old non-live-in babysitter/housekeeper Irene taught me to knit. She was later fired for stealing from my parents. Then, my friend Faye got me knitting needles and some really expensive yarn for my birthday in June of 2004, while in my 2nd year of professional photography school. I knitted a garter ridge scarf (only knew knit stitch back then, didn’t know how to purl yet) and then put down knitting until November 2005, when I started working on a scarf in chenille (yick!) yarn for my mother-in-law. That yarn got so gross to knit with, that I won’t ever knit with chenille yarn again, and that scarf died. That’s when my sister-in-law introduced me to crochet (or her version of crochet anyhow!) and I didn’t touch any knitting for another month and a half until January 2006. And I haven't put down the needles since. That’s my knitting history for you in a nutshell.

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

I did, but then I bought myself everything off of it. So, I will work on another one, and when I have, I'll let you know. Currently, I own every single knitting book that I want. I'm bad like that.

5. What's your favorite scent?

Peach, Watermelon, Cinnamon. Nothing too strong. I don't burn candles or incense. I'm not into that. So please don't send any.

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

Not a fan of chocolate…. sweet tooth - not really. I like to chew different mint flavored gum. I love gum. Gum is a good thing to add to a package for me! I love sweedish berries and fuzzy peach on occasion. And runts.

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

I sew (learning), take pictures, do graphic design and rarely crochet (but rarely anymore). I do not spin, and tried it and don't like it. Would rather spend the time knitting!

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I do not like rap or country music, or church music either. I can play MP3’s that’s no problem. I am into learning about new artists.

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

I love pink, peach, blue, turquoise, , any shade of green, and I like yellow and red too. Right now I'm hot for lime green and yarn with a bunch of green colorways. Pink tones too! I just just just just just recently started taking a liking again to the color purple. I hated the color for years, maybe it was my pregnancy, I don't know...!

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

I live surrounded by males. I live with my hubby and our senior 2 cats and my beautiful son Sean. He was born Dec. 28th,2006 and that makes him 17 and a half months old. I'm also expecting ANY day now, Mackenzie, baby boy number 2! My official due date is July 7th, I hope to not go past June!

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

I wear hats & scarves and mittens. I think I would wear a poncho.

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

I don’t hate anything. I’m loving socks and anything baby!

13. What are you knitting right now?

Oh gosh, you don't even want to know. See Ravelry projects!

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Yes, but it depends on what. I love handmade stitch markers. I collect them. Anything handmade sewn is good!

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

I don’t really care for straights, but will use them. I like DPN’s for socks, or on a pair of 12″ circs. I have not tried magic loop yet, though I want to. And bamboo vs. aluminum - well it all depends on what type of yarn it is…. some yarns don’t mix well on bamboo needles (and it also depends if it’s circulars or DPN’s as well - it does make a difference in my opinion). Plastic - I guess is okay as well.

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

I own a ball winder and a swift. Hubby was getting annoyed being my swift, so he convinced me to buy one. A knitting accessory – how could I say no! Update: Swift died two nights ago. I'm going to order me a new one. It's already had 2 surgeries, and this time, I think it won't come off life support. I'm so sad.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

I think my oldest UFO is the Woven Trellis Scarf. I wonder when I started that?

18. What is your favorite holiday?

Any holiday that brings family together.

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Stitch Markers. Elephant statues. Oh and I collect yarn and purses! I also collect knitting patterns. I do hope to one day make them all!

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 Knits that I treated myself to and now my grandmother renews it each year. I'd also like to try Handmaiden Sea Silk. I fondle it whenever I see it. I also get Knit.1 in the mail. I don't think I get any other magazine. As for patterns, I'd love the Sarcelle pattern, B-side Cardigan pattern, or the Alligator Scarf (to make for Sean)! I prefer my patterns in PDF as I use my handheld to use/store them. I need to finish sorting out pages 8-9-10 of my Ravelry Queue, I added stuff recently and haven't edited the information (whether I own the pattern or not) yet. :) Stay tuned.

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

Entrelac.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

I am a size 8 women’s sock/shoe. I am a sock knitter.

23. When is your birthday?

06/16 (MONDAY!)

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?

Knitpurlmama

Summer of Yarn Love Swap Questionnaire

1. Do you knit or crochet? How long have you been at your craft? I knit. I've been knitting now off an on since I was 9 years old, but only really picking it up just after getting married in 2005. I do not crochet, I don't really like it.
   
   
2. Do you spin? What type of spinning? I am not into spinning, I'd rather spend the little free time I have knitting.
   
   
3. What are your favorite yarns/fibers? What are your least favorite yarns/fibers? I am a fiber snob. I hate acrylic yarn the most, and not really a fan of cotton either. Also, anything novelty makes me cringe.... fun fur, eyelash, chenille, ugh! Anything novelty = bad. On the other hand, I'm a huge sock yarn fan. I love both 100% wool and also yarn that is superwash (for socks).
   
   
4. What are your favorite colors? What are your least favorite colors? I love any shade of green/blue (and teal/turquoise), pinks, reds, purples (new fave color). I am not a fan of construction sign orange or mustard yellow.
   
   
5. Are there any yarns/brands that you are dying to work with but never have? I'd love to try out some Lovesticks Self Stripping yarn, as well as PacaPed sock yarn and also Sundara Sock yarn. I've never tried sKNITches yarn or Wollmeise... Oh totally want to get my hands on some Wollmeise.
   
   
6. What is/are your favorite types of projects to knit/crochet? I love to knit anything socks or baby (sized) at the moment. Though, with socks, right now I have 2nd Sock Syndrome... never seem to get a 2nd one knit. I have two solo socks right now, LOL. Though, I love to knit anything at all.
   
   
7. What are you currently working on? Anything you plan to work on this summer? What am I not working on? I am currently working on a baby sweater for my soon-to-be-born son. Also, I have an 18 month sized pullover for my son that needs to be done before he outgrows 18 month size (LOL). I also have a sock yarn blankie (with leftovers) in progress for my son (like a security blankie idea). On the needles are also: Sweet Baby Cap, A Drive Thru for my nephew, Monkey Socks, Chevron Scarf, Sofia, And this pair and this pair of socks are 50% done, (Second Sock Syndrome!) I feel like I'm missing something, LOL....
   
   
8. What is your favorite FO? (Post a pic if you would like.)
   
   So far, to date, my fave FO is the baseball sweater I made Sean. I can't wait for Mackenzie to fit into it. (Sean only got to wear it once, unfortunately...!)
   
   
9. What is your oldest UFO? It seems that my Woven Trellis Scarf is the oldest. I DO plan on finishing it one day....!
   
   
10. Are there any techniques that you want to learn? Yes, I'd love to learn how to do entrelac. It's on the list of things to accomplish. Just haven't gotten around to doing it yet.
    
    
11. Are you on Ravlery? What's your ID? Knitpurlmama
    
    
12. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? Yes, I'm a sock knitter. I have a standard size 8 women's foot. If you need precise width, length, etc, please email me!
    
    
13. Do you collect anything? Yarn, patterns, notions, sheep mugs, knitting magazines, knitting books (and non-knitting books), earrings (love dangley earrings). Oh, and purses & shoes....!
    
    
14. Do you have a yarn winder and/or swift? Yes & Yes.
    
    
15. Do you love sweets? What are your favorites? Sweedish berries, Fuzzy Peach & Sweedish Berries and Runts. Love gum.
    
    
16. What are your favorite scents? cinnamon, peach, melon, vanilla
    
    
17. Where do you keep your needles/hooks? Vintage/collectables are in vases on my desk. Circulars are in the middle of being organized. DPNs are in a case I made myself (though it's not that great of a case). I also have a box of my fave needles that sits on my desk.
    
    
18. Do you have a wishlist (Amazon, Etsy, etc?) At the moment, no.
    
    
19. Having a birthday this summer? Yes! June 16th, I turn 27. I'll also be full term (37 weeks pregnant) on my birthday!
    
    
20. Are you allergic to anything? Dust, mold and I have mild asthma, so smoke bothers me.
    

Fave Color Swap 3 Questionnaire

Favorite Color Swap Questionnaire

1. What are your top three favorite colors? pinks/peaches, turquoise/blues and reds/maroons.

2. What crafts do you really enjoy? knitting & photograph & anything graphic (I'm a professional photographer as well as a graphic designer)

3. What products do you really covet? Gosh, this is hard. I tend to buy myself everything that I want when I get the urge to want it! You'd have to ask me at the "time" what exactly I want...!

4. What other activities do you enjoy besides your favorite crafty things? Hanging out with my son. Reading chick lit books, watching TV & movies. Baking/cooking.

5. Is there anything you collect? Yarn? LOL. Earrings (Love dangly earrings). Books (I have quite the library).

6. What is your zodiac sign and/or Chinese zodiac symbol? I'm a Gemini. No idea my Chinese thing? I'm not really into horoscope stuff.

7.What are your favorite…

…scents/smells? cinnamon, vanilla, peach, melon

…types of music and/or bands? almost anything. Faves are Counting Crows, Beatles, Collective Soul, oh, I dono.... Lisa Loeb, Tori Amos, Damnhit Doyle, etc.

…authors? Anything chick lit.

…animals? dogs, cats, sheep.

…places to shop? book store, yarn shop, purse shop too!

…season? spring & fall

…yarn/fabric/paper/other craft supplies? I love ANY knitting notion!

…candies or goodies? love gum. It's the only candy I eat pretty much. Oh love Fuzzy Peach & Sweedish Berries too. (And Runts)!

8. Do you have any wish lists? not really.

9. Are you allergic to anything? smoke smell, it irritates my asthma. Acrylic yarn, LOL (Yes, I'm a yarn snob, I don't like acrylic yarn, period). Also, I can't stand knitting with cotton. Not a fan of cotton either. Or mohair, or fun fur, or anything novelty. Hate novelty yarns. Ick!

10. Do you have any pets? What are they? We have two elderly cats. (Almost 12 and almost 11 years old).

11. Please include anything else you would like your secret pal to know about you- anything that would be helpful in finding you little gifts that you will really enjoy. Also, if you have a Ravelry ID, please include it here. I'm Knitpurlmama on Ravelry.