distractions

I got some more self stripping yarn in the mail the other day, so I started knitting a little to add to my blankie-from-sock-yarn project that I started a couple weeks ago. Plus, I finally got around to picking 3 winnners from the Black Yarn Swap that I organized a while back, and I'm getting their care package prizes ready. I'll probably mail them out next week some time.

my q&a to the black yarn swap

These are my answers to the black yarn swap for whomever has me.

1. Do you knit, crochet, or both? I do both, w/o preferance to either

2. What do you prefer to knit or crochet? (socks? sweaters? cables?) I've got the sock knitting bug, but I especially enjoy wrist warmers. Love anything with cables especially. What would you like to try to knit or crochet? Would like to get some more practice with argyle, or shawls.

3. What are your hobbies outside of knitting or crocheting? reading, watching dvd's, and am trying to perfect cooking.

4. Do you have any fiber allergies? Fiber preferances? no allergies but not a big fan of plasticy acrylics. I prefer yarns with some natural content like cotton or wool.

5. Do you have any favourite books, music, or tv shows? If so, what are they? TV: Lost, all the CSI's and Law & Order's; Bookwise: mysteries, Ann Rice; Music: rock, alternative, punk

6. Do you have any pets? a cat

7. Do you prefer salty or sweet snacks? salty, but I like chocolate too :)

8. Do you prefer coffee or tea? coffee

9. Aside black, which colours do you like/dislike? like burgundy, green, blue, purple, dislike white

10. What is your favourite time of the year? autumn & spring, and holidaywise, halloween

11. What is your favourite scent? vanilla, magnolia, lilac

12. What do you collect? gnomes, sheep and llamas

13. If there's anything else you'd like your swappee to know, list them here: I love postcards with maps on them, old hardcover books, skeleton keys, black & white photos, and glass beads.

my wish list questionnaire thingy

... for that crochet swap blog's January swap:

Are you a knitter or crocheter?? both
I love to make..... wrist warmers, but truthfully, anything with cables
I really want to make...... sweaters, specifically aran sweaters because I love all the detail. I just need to find the time to make them.
My favorite yarns are..... anything soft and comfortable. I'm not a yarn snob, I could care less if it's acrylic, although I'm not a fan of yarns that feel 'stiff' or 'sticky' when I'm using them.
My wish pattern is...... anything with cables, preferably, but in more general terms, my favourite things to knit/crochet are hats, scarves, and wrist warmers
My favorite hooks or needles are..... I prefer wood, but I'm starting to love those decorative ones I see in magazines, like with skulls and whatever other decorations they have on them now! funky!
I really wish I had..... time? Cillian Murphy? a million dollars? chocolate? lol, any of those would be great :D
My favorite colors are... I love all colours, although earth tones are my favourite
My hobbies... yarn crafts take up most of my spare time, although I also love reading a good book, cooking (I'm going through an Asian cooking phase atm), and trying to garden.
My kitchen theme and colors.. brown, green
My bathroom theme and colors... my bathroom's a work in progress, so there aren't actual colours set up yet!
My dislikes.... things that are too bland. I know that's vague, but in everything I try to find something that has a bit of character to it. Boring's not my thing!
My crafts... yarn crafts galore!
what I like.... Alfred Hitchcock & Stanley Kubrick movies, scary books, llamas, and anything 'kitchy'/vintage
My allergies... aspirin
My favorite pets... I don't have a favourite pet, although atm I've a cat. I love all animals.
My favorite scents... vanilla, lemongrass, lavender, anything summer-esque
My favorite novels or magazines... well, I'm currently reading a few knitting themed books, but I love a good scary book or mystery. Love knitting and crochet magazines, especially those with funky patterns.
Other stuff about me... hm, let's see - well, I enjoy a good cup of coffee, and that first-cup-in-the-morning ritual for me is quite important. I love functional items that are multipurpose, and yet decorative. I love classic rock, alternative, and punk music. If it's weird and fun, I probably would like that too, whatever it may be. I love gnomes. My favourite season is autumn, especially because of Halloween, but I also love the changing leaves. I love celtic-ish designs. My favourite shows on tv are the CSI's, Law & Order's, and LOST.

That's pretty much it, I can't think of anything else to write. Whoever has me for a swap, if you want to ask me anything else, please feel free to do so!

stitch markers + sock themed swap poll announcement

Firstly, I just wanted to brag about these stitch markers. I had made them for a Punk Rock Gift Exchange, and had meant to take a pic of them before sending them off, and didn't. I was lucky that my swappee did so, so I borrowed the picture from her. So there. I brag. This is the sound of me - once again - tooting my own horn.

Secondly: I'm thinking of doing a sock-themed swap of some sort. I haven't exactly decided on the swap's content yet, which is why I have a poll in my blog's sidebar. You can vote for more than one thing, or email me an idea. I'm keeping this poll up 'till the end of the month, to hopefully have a sock themed swap organized for September/autumn. Get that swap in and done long before December holidays roll around. Voting doesn't seal your commitment to the swap, it's just there to help inspire me, that's all.

Keep your eyes peeled for September-esque postings of a sock-knitters-themed swap.

Dying Yarn - a post about this was bound to appear on a knitters blog!

It seems that whenever I sign up for a knitter's swap, I find my random internet surfing to coincidentally coincide with the swap's theme, and it's no different with this hand dyed yarn swap that I'm currently involved in.

I took a personal day to dye my swapee's yarn, using my own version of Kool Aid dying - a variation of how knitpicks and knitty go about doing it. And later this summer I plan to dye a wicked batch of sock yarn using Wilton's food dyes (instructions found here). As I was doing my skein today, being the environmentally concious person that I am, I was thinking what the process would be for more natural dying. (Anyone who has Polish grandparents like I do likely remembers colouring Easter eggs with onion peels!)

But then - (and here's where the random coincidence falls in!) - I get my newsletter email from Lionbrand about natural dying, using turmeric, yellow onion skins, grapes, and beets. And just for kicks, and also to not completely and simply endorse Lionbrand's website, dying yarn with black tea. I'm sure there's a link somewhere out there on how to dye with coffee, berries, and other naturals, I just can't find the links at the moment. But these shall hopefully keep you busy.

I've bookmarked all of these as things to do this summer while on vacation!

Oh, and just for kicks, knitty.com has a good article on hand painting yarn in a few methods - worth a gander if you haven't done so already!

woo hoo! my punk rock gift came in the mail!

I received my Punk Rock Gift Exchange package from Marion yesterday! Can't have too much sock yarn! I love the colour! A new sock pattern (with beads!) will be a fun one to knit up, and I'll have to better master my hand at sewing in order to use the skulls-&-crossbones material she sent! Oh, and btw, I think the kitchy key chain is rather cool! :) Thanks!


oh, and just for kicks... I found this maze game which is kind of fun... tee hee... enjoy...

woo hoo! sock yarn swap!

Suh-weet, I found a sock yarn swap! And not just any sort of sock yarn swap, it's to swap Hand Dyed Sock Yarn! If you're interested, sign up - Celena's looking for at least 25 folks to join, so please do!

http://www.thehanddyedyarnswap.blogspot.com/

I'll put a link in my sidebar for easier notice/attention for those of you whom are interested.

I gots me my yarn swap package!

The pal I had for the yarn swap I organized was Marion and I absolutely lurve what I've received! I've one skein of bamboo yarn (the Opal) and the Trekking - both very cool varitaged sock yarns! woot!

She also quite skillfully sewed together two cases for dpns, and included a set of wooden 2.5 mm dpns to knit these two skeins up! (the rolled paper to the left is the instructions she found to make the dpn cases, handy!) I envy anyone who can manage to sew, and I adore what I've received! Thanks, Marion!

Prizes for those who've signed up for my yarn swap!

Alright, I've decided to join the bandwagon in rewarding some of the people who've signed up for my first organized swap with some prizes. I initially decided to do this via email rather than blogging it to make sure that it gets read, but then I changed my mind and thought I'd post it here too!!

There is actually a chance to win 2 - yes, two! - prizes!

Here's the deal: The FIRST person to RECEIVE their yarn swap package in the mail, please email me at purplespirit (at) hotmail (dot) com letting me know the name and address of the person who's sent it to you, as well as (if you can read it) the postmarked date on the package. If the date is ON or BEFORE June 30th, as stipulated in the swap on the blog when packages ought to have been mailed out, then the person who has sent it to you will win a knitting-related prize of some sort. (It's not a million dollars or anything, but I'll try to keep it a decent enough little prize nonetheless.)

Second prize: once everyone has received their packages, even if it's postmarked after the 30th, please notify me then as well (your sender's name + address). I'll do a random draw and send a little gift for that person too, but that draw won't be done until I know for sure that ALL swap packages have been received.

Oh, and by the way, I won't do the draw either until everyone has posted on their blogs that they've received and have thanked their swaps too, so be sure to include YOUR blog info, for me to double check! It'll ensure your name in the draw as well.

As I wrote recently, all packages SHOULD HAVE been mailed/postmarked by last saturday, but for those of you whom are still straggling, please make it a point to have your boxes mailed BY THE END OF THIS WEEK please! There are people relying on you to have sent out your stuff! (and yes, I said please twice, I want you to sense my urgency!)

Please email me with any questions or concerns asap! Thanks again, you guys, for participating! This was a lot of fun!

Be sure to check back at my blog during the summer - due to the success of this swap, I'll be organizing another swap to my fellow knitters, crocheters, and bloggers!

punk knitter's swap questionnaire

I found me another swap here, which I think may be quite fun indeed, and one to add to my many swaps that I'm throwing myself into this summer.

Here are my a's to the swap's q's:
1. Why are you punk? I've always been into the music, the clothes, the mentality... I don't know why I am, I just am.
2. What are your five favorite things? (these don't have to be knit related) Books (I'm a book nerd, I've even got an amazon.ca wish list, hint hint!), DVDs (also on wish list, nerdly, I know), sheep, lemongrass incense, things that glows in the dark
3. What are your three favorite things that you have made with knitting/crochet? 1) a hat/scarf out of green Bernat Galaxy yarn for my MIL, 2) DH's socks, 3) a toddler-sized acrylic sweater that's getting published in the anticraft's book (which comes out Nov.30th/07 - and yes, I'm bragging here)
4. What five things would you love to see in a swap box someday? 1) funky/weird/original knitting needles or crochet hooks, 2) handspun or handdyed yarn with good yardage, preferably sock yarn but anything's good 3) something glow in the dark, preferably glows-in-different-colours 4) music 5) anything hand-made
5. What are your three favorite yarns? 3 favourites: Noro Kureyon, Noro Silk Garden, anything handspun and multicoloured. What are your three least favorite yarns? 3 least favourites: to be honest I don't have name brands, but I suppose anything that's too scratchy, itchy or stiff, like cheaper acrylics or some wools, and I hate mohair that's 'hairy'
6. What are your five favorite delicasies? foodwise? SKOR Bites, cheesecake, chocolate chip cookies, herbal loose-leaf tea, anything salty
7. What are your three favorite guilty pleasures? well, putting food aside: 1) weird knitting accessories I don't need but find cool (like battery operated light-up knitting needles, or more beaded hand-made stitch markers) 2) books of knitting and crochet patterns (but I steer away from sweater-dominated books, I don't knit sweaters too often) 3) scary movies. not gory ones, mind you, but scary in the sense that they mess with your head. I'm a scary-movie-snob.
8. What would you like your pal to know that is not covered here? I'm not a girly-girl. I'm not a big fan of some yarns (ie obviously-cheap, stiff acrylics) although I'm not a yarn snob. I adore weirdness, if that's not obvious yet. I'm easily distracted by colours and shiny things. Knick-knacks are very cool - if, for example, you mail me a magnet, I'll not only hang it on my fridge but I'll be sure to point it out and brag to anyone wandering through my house that you gave it to me. I like sheep. I love handmade items. I think every crafter is an artist.

the stitch markers I've received - thanks ladies!

Well, I've signed up a while back for a stitch marker swap, and had a barrel of fun making my sets and mailing them out, and even more fun receiving my envelopes!


Robyn sent me the set(s) with my name written out, and was generous enough to hand deliver them to me! I actually felt quite special about that!

Joanna sent me the green ones with a penguin on one set, which were adorable, and I received those second. I thirdly received Marsha's with a postcard to add to my collection! :) I know I never posted anywhere that I collect postcards, because I'm not avid about it, but I do like receiving them!

All sets I've shown in contrast to a pair of socks I've been knitting for DH's upcoming birthday. I just finished stitching them up today, a picture will soon be posted!

Thanks for Submitting!

Alright, yarnheads, the swap sign up is officially closed - thanks to all who've submitted their info and have taken the time to answer the questionnaire. Your respective partners will be asigned soon, and we'll get this swap in gear!

This is the very first swap I've ever organized, so fingers crossed, this ought to be fun and hopefully a success! I plan to do another swap later this summer, I'm thinking something in the theme of socks, but not definately sure yet. Keep yourselves checking my blog every few weeks to see what's going on...

International Knitter/Crocheter Yarns-n-Stuff Exchange

Edited June 11th: The swap will only exchange 1 box, not two. If, though, you wish to swap two boxes, please email me to let me know, otherwise I'll assume that you only want to swap one package.

Be prepared to send out 2 boxes, and in return receive 2 boxes! This swap is open to ANYONE living in ANY COUNTRY!

Well, the goal is 2 boxes per person. Each person will receive 2 names and addresses, + info of that person (answers to questionnaire). I will do my best to pair up knitters with knitters & crocheters with crocheters, although a crocheter may end up swapping with a knitter and vice versa.

3 rules of swap:
1) You must have an active blog where you post a minimum of 3x a month
2) You must mail out both packages on time or you’ll be banned from future swaps
3) You must answer the questions below to the best of your ability, so that whomever has you has a good idea of what to send you
4) Package value: $20 not including postage, or whatever $20 is equal to in your currency from wherever you’re from ($20 CDN or US)
5) Packages MUST include at least 2 balls of yarn of any kind, + whatever else you deem interesting to fill up the package.

Upon receiving your packages, please post on your blog! Be sure to mention and plug your sender’s blog as well in thanks. Keep in mind that we’ve all put our best effort in putting these swaps together, so despite whether you got what you wanted or not, give your sender a positive plug anyway! It’s a big effort!

Swapped boxes should include the yarn, as posted for rules - otherwise, you're free to fill the boxes as you wish with gifts and treats, based on the answers you receive in the questionnaire or whatever else inspires you.

Questionnaires, emails, addresses, etc must be submitted within one email by SATURDAY JUNE 16, 2007 and not a day later! Everyone will get their swapping partners by Wednesday, June 20th/07. Both packages must be sent out by Saturday June 30th/07, and hopefully received by July 31st/07. THIS IS NOT A SECRET PAL SWAP, just a regular swap :)

Email me (purplespirit1 {at} hotmail {dot} com) & copy/paste this questionnaire & the answers: (title email Swap Exchange please!)

Knitter’s / Crocheter’s Swap Exchange Questionaire

Name & full mailing address including country and postal code: (this info will stay between you, me and the person you're swapping with)
Blog name, URL, & email address:

1. Do you knit, crochet, or both?
2. What other crafts do you enjoy?
3. Do you prefer to swap within your country, within the continent, overseas, or does it matter? (I’ll do my best to keep your swaps to your request in this question, although depending on who signs up, there are no guarantees!)
4. What are your favourite and least favourite type(s) of yarn? Any fiber allergies?
5. What are your favourite colours? Which colours do you dislike/hate?
6. a) What do you enjoy crocheting or knitting the most? b) Do you find yourself knitting more for yourself or for others?
7. What is your favourite scent?
8. Do you prefer coffee or tea?
9. What do you collect? (doesn’t have to be craft related!)
10. Do you have a sweet tooth? What is your snacking related guilty pleasure? (note here if you’ve any food allergies, in case your swap pal wants to send you a treat!)
11. Do you prefer knitting or crocheting with bamboo, aluminum, plastic or other needles or hooks?
12. What is your favourite holiday?
13. Do you subscribe to any knitting, crocheting, or other crafting magazines? If so, which ones?
14. a) Do you spin or dye your own yarn? b) Are you a sock knitter?
15. Do you like receiving handmade gifts?

I finally found someone organizing a swap!

I've heard of a few people doing craft-themed swaps, and saw a few blog postings of people who've received great care packages, and I so desperately wanted to get involved! Well, wouldn't my luck have it, that all the swaps have already been signed up for and aren't taking any new people!

But, I finally found someone organizing one here, and I was extatic! Woo hoo! So I've signed up ... and who knows, maybe I'll organize one of my own for later this year!