The yarn is beautiful 100% Merino Superwash from Gypsy Girl Creations in the color “Happy Halloween” (yarn close up here). I also got some brittany birch needles to knit up the yarn, a calculator/box (that the needles fit in!), a halloween night light, and a knitting notion that I can’t quite figure out… Oh, and a chocolate bar that barely made it out of the post office – it was delicious.

And there has been some knitting going on here. On the plane back from Australia, I started a sock with my STR from stitches west (last year). But, it was way too big, so i ripped back the toes increases and adjusted the width. Now i think the pattern is just not working with the yarn. Here is the lacy top of the sock

And here is the bottom

I like this side a lot better.

also note that the sock has been modelled on top of the sock that I was wearing today which is making me think that it is still too big. And I have accidentally used the strand of yarn on teh outside of my center-pull ball. I think I need a redo. So by the time you read this, i will probably be ripping this sock out.

And as to no tend the post on a tone of frustration, I leave you with a video clip from my vacation.

thanks pal. hard to find an internet connection in Melbourne – more later!

1. What is your favorite season of the year and why? Winter. hands down. Hate christmas, but love snow. Since the temperatures here get down to a chilly 50 in the winter, I am in serious withdrawal. going to the mountains to visit snow just isn’t the same as living in winter.

2. Summer is hot. What do you knit in the summer? Socks. and it really is only hot here for a few days, so I can keep on with the sweaters.

3. If money was no object…..what would you buy at the LYS? Probably more spinning wheels.

4. What are some activities that have become family traditions for your family? hhmmm… i guess we go to Cedar Point whenever i visit in the summer.

5. What is the weather right now? It’s hot! As hot as it gets! (what kind of question is this…) For here that is only about 85-90 but my brain melts and i start getting rashy at about 80 degrees.

She (?) sent me some sock yarn AND a nerd rope!! yessss…. And they match each other. Perhaps i shall design a nerd-ropey sock pattern for the yarn…. What would that be like? Anyone have any ideas…

I started another sock project shortly before receiving this yarn. It is the Chuck’s Sockspattern in Louet Gems yarn.

Wow. It’s really photogenic. I figured the pattern will be too big for my foot (I have munchkin feet) and the yarn i am using is pretty fine, so I thought using smaller needles would size the pattern down for me. Even though I was focussing on keeping the floats loose, when I started with the brown, the sock got tight. So i sized up the needles, and ditched the DPN’s for two circulars and that helped a lot. Unfortunately, I am coming pretty close to not being able to get this one on my foot. i should have ripped it back, but I couldn’t bear to do it, so I will just have to yank this one on. Hopefully the second sock will be better.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I made myslef several needle cases that i love!

3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I guess i an am intermediate. I have been knitting fo rseveral years, and i am not afraid to try anything! though i sometimes fail miserably which keeps me out of the advanced category.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Well, since you asked… her eit is
5. What’s your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
I like lightly scented citrus-y things.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Chocolate is the best. And nerd ropes. I am telling you about nerd ropes not so that you send me one, but rather, so you try them out. you’ll never be the same.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I spin.. I also dye yarn and roving (not very well), i like to sew…. I am really into to crafty things.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
My computer can play it all… I guess i would have to say that i like indie music.
9. What’s your favorite color? Or–do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can’t stand?
I don’t really like jewel tones or pastels that much, but everything else is okay!
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I have 5 fish and a bunch of worms that eat my garbage. that’s my fam.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
No to the poncho, yes to everything else.
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Currently I am all about socks, sweaters, and beer cozies .
13. What are you knitting right now?
Deep-V vest, Top-down custom raglan Sweater and self-designed koigu socks
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
oh yeah!
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I am in love with my denise needles, but you can never have too many DPN’s!
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
i have both.
17. How did you learn to knit?
It really stuck when i started knitting with my friends
18. How old is your oldest UFO?
About 3 years
19. What is your favorite holiday?
Halloween!
20. Is there anything that you collect?
Is yarn an answer?
21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I am subscribed to Interweave Knits.
22. Are there any new techniques you’d like to learn?

23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I am a sock knitter! Handmade socks are the best *I’ll get my measurements later*
24. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
August 13th.