Another owesome package

This is the last package my Secret Pal sent me, arrived few weeks ago, so it is about time a say a public

THANK YOU!

The yarn is a very nice cotton and the book had been on my wish list forever. Carol has been the most generous secret pal and I was very lucky to have her.

Coming out for air

No time to post, but just say thank you to my wonderful secret pal (not so secret anymore because I got another package after this one with her identity) for her super fun package:

SP12 Question of the Week #11

What is the best thing you've ever received in the mail?

Since I own a business of Italian imports, I get tons of stuff in "mail", being regular mail or freight. Lately the best was this:




No, it is not Chianti wine, but cashmere care wash from a cashmere goats farm in Chianti (actually, the only cashmere goats farm in Italy.)

Catching up .....

I came home to a wonderful package from my SP12:



She sent me books in my reading list, and lots of yarn, 10 balls of this beauty:



I think it will be perfect for this.

Thank you so much, Secret Pal!

And since I am on the SP12 subject .....



SP12 Question of the week #12

What is your favorite supper for a hot summer evening?

Caprese.

SP12 Question of the week #13

Have you ever entered your knitting (or anything else) in the fair? Would you ever consider it?

No and no.

SP12 Question of the week #14

What Olympic event would best describe you knitting/knitting style?

Wresting, me against my knitting. I usually win. Not always.

SP12 Question of the Week #7

What is(are) your favorite place(s) to knit? and

I would say that it is my bedroom watching tv. That said, I would knit anywhere.

What supplies (besides yarn & needles) make the setting perfect for knitting?

A comfy bed, lots of space, hot tea if it is cold or cold diet coke if it summer, and lots of tv to watch.

SP12 Question of the week #6

What is your favorite type of project to take along on holiday/vacation?

All of them? I usually pack for project with the idea that if I lost on a desert (or not so desert) island, all the survivors will have sweaters, and socks, and blankets.

For my long flights to Italy, I bring a sock project to knit on the plane. I can tell you exactly how much time I need to knit a sock: SF to Amsterdam. One sock going, second sock when I come back.

SP12 Question of the week #5

1) Where is your favorite place to go for vacation/holiday?

I feel like I must say "Italy" only that going there is not "vacation", is going home to a place that does not feel like "home" anymore, if that makes any sense.

2) Where is one place you’d like to go?

One? I need to pick one?

SP12 Question of the week #4

1) What yarn (that you don’t have/haven’t used) would make your stash “complete”?

I do not have an answer to this, usually if I really want something I find a want to get it.

2) What yarn do you never want to be without?

Karabella Aurora 8 - it is my "staple" yarn for many projects: soft, superwash, amazing range of colors.

SP12 Question of the Week #3 and more

What would you consider the perfect amount of stash?

Uhm, that is not an easy one. The perfect stash would e the one in which I always find the yarn I need at 2 in the morning for the project I just decided to start. Short of that, I try to keep my stash around 400 balls, for no reason in particular, except maybe that it fits in my regular hiding storage places.

This year I made a plan for my stash and this bring me to the project for this month, Jay by Debbie Bliss from Junior Knits, using 55% Hemp/45% Wool from Hemp Traders in Berry Blue. I decided to make the smallest size because it calls for 600 yards of yarn and I do have 600 in Berry Blue. And beside that, the smallest size is for 2-3 years old, but it has a circumference of 32.5" (don't ask, it's absurd, I know) so I figured it would fit Paperino. I have 1,000 yards of this yarn in Chili Red, enough for a cardi for me, but before committing to a project for me, I wanted to see how the yarn would feel after it has been knitted and washed, it is pretty rough in the ball. Now, a more sensible person would have knit a swatch, washed it and there it the answer right. Swatching? Never crossed my mind, so I got this:



The red top is mind, so this thing is larger than my top. I was supposed to have a gauge of 18 sts = 4", instead I got 16, so instead of 148 sts/18*4= 32.8" I theoretically got 148 sts/16*4=37", but since gauge always lies, the thing is actually 40". It fits me, if I overlook the fact that it barely hits my belly button.

And then I knit a swatch and I washed it:



Still scratchy. It's going to be a rug.

SP12 Question of the week #2

In many parts of the US and abroad, school's out. Take a walk down memory lane for Week Two's question:
As a kid, what did you look forward to most about summer vacation/break/holiday?

I used to spend my summers on the beach, and I must say that I do miss the long hot Italian summer (try going to the beach around here, you will freeze to death!)
But many years later, my kids are spending the summer on the beach in Italy .......

SP12 Question of the week #1

What's your favorite summertime drink?

Oh gosh, I really do not have one. Probably "caffe' freddo", here would be iced coffee, but of course there is no ice involved in Italy!

SP12 Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I am currently in love with Artyarns, especially the superwash in any weight.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
A vase for straight needles, a binder with plastic pockets for circular and dpn's.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I learned when I was about 14 years old. Advanced.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes, link on my blog.

5. What's your favorite scent?
Citrus.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Not really. But I love sour candies, the gummy like. But my kids want you to know that they love chocolate.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I do not spin. Yet. No other crafts.

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

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
Purple and red. I can't stand neon colors.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Married with two kids. No pets.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
No hats or ponchos. I do wear scarves and half mittens.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
All of them!

13. What are you knitting right now?
End of teh end teachers' gifts. A red cardi for me, a sweater for Paperino (my son), socks always, a blanket, a lace shawl, a couple of scarves.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I use both straight and circular, and dpn's. I love bamboo dpn's, aluminum circular and straights.

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

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
Logcabin blanket, started in July 2006.

18. What is your favorite holiday?
I do not have one.

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Yarn.

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 subscribe to IK and Vouge Knitting. Books I want are on my Amazon list.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
No.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes. 8" circumference, 8.5" long.

23. When is your birthday? Dec 3rd.

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID? lux2night