Chicago Rules

Rule number one when living in Chicago, always keep your digital camera with you, you never know who you'll see. Last week was J Lo and Sarah Jessica Parker, if only I had my camera today, or a charged camera phone I could have gotten a pic of my favorite cook, Rick Bayless, he's the ultimate cool geek. I love watching his cooking show, it almost makes me want to try more mexican food, almost. Rule number two when living in Chicago, always check the return policy where ever you shop, especially yarn stores. There's a rather nice large yarn store I go to sometimes, but I made the mistake of purchasing two sets of needles, addis and DP bamboo, spent over 34 bucks, only to find that the addi's loosen me stitches(I am always on guage) so that the recommended needles are too big and they wouldn't allow me to exchange them, it had only been 5 days! I couldn't do a swatch to check it out, because I didn't have the correct needles, which I had to buy and now can't return, a catch 22. Alas, I went to another yarn store where I know the owner, she sells my stitch markers, and she kindly let me test drive a smaller size needle with no obligation to buy! but I did. For those Local knitters the mean store is Arcadia and the nice store is Nina's. Speaking of yarn stores, I went to two grand openings last week, Knit1 and Loopy Yarns. I like Karen at Knit1, she's really nice and I'm teaching a sock class in October, but she has no product! On the other hand beside her name brand staple of Cascade, she wants to carry indepent local yarn companies, which is nice. Loopy yarns has great prices, case in point, Cascade 220 is 6.45 at her store, Arcadia 8.00, size 3 16" addis at Loopy 14.40 at Arcadia 17.50, you do the math. Up side to Loopy is that its in the south loop, so close I can take the bus there, shop and be back to work in 30 minutes flat, Arcadia has guest appearances and book signings, I saw Debbie Stoller there and this weekend is the Yarn Harlot. Rule 3, know your computer, use your computer, it is your guide to Chicagoland. I was happy to get my fav author, Diana Gabladons new book on tuesday, and even happier to know she's coming to town tomorrow for a book signing. I can understand the allure of the independent bookstore, but I have to drive all the way to Naperville in Chicago rush hour traffic to get my damned 1000 page book signed, of which I would never have known about if I hadn't check her website, ah the glorious computer....So that's it so far. I have dedicated Saturday to UFO day, I'm going to finish-up, or try to at least, several sweaters that just have to be sewn together. I wore the Martha poncho today, I felt a little self-conscience today, but then decide, what the hell, it was a big hit a work.

Secret Pal6

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?
I am the biggest yarn snob, I hate acrylic and regular wool is too itchy
2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I so spin and occasionaly use my crochet skills
3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
no
4. How long have you been knitting?
10 years plus
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
didn't know they existed
6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Gardenias and Rose
7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
I have sweet teeth
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
Knitting, spinning, sewing, beading, metalsmithing, jewelry making, painting there's nothing I haven't or won't try
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Celtic, Jazz, Blues, I have a stereo and a pod
10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
I'm a pale brunette so cool colors and jewel tones work great, I love black but have now discovered they joys of green
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Single, italian greyhound and siamese cat
12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
To have a fiber arts/jewelry studio
13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
I love merino wool and sock/lace weight
14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Acrylic or icky synthetics and itchy things that make my skin turn red
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
Everything I knit I am obsessed with
16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
everything, though I haven't done a lace shawl yet
17. What are you knitting right now?
Sweater from a kit purchased at stitches midwest, felted cat bed, camisole, dogsweater
18. What do you think about ponchos?
I'm embarrased to admit I made the martha poncho, in Lion Brand no less!
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
both
20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
bamboo for everything except addi's and denise for circulars
21. Are you a sock knitter?
yes
22. How did you learn to knit?
first my mom, then a teacher in art school
23. How old is your oldest UFO?
3 years
24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
The simpsons are cool, but I love italian greyhounds and siamese cats
25. What is your favorite holiday?
Thanksgiving
26. Is there anything that you collect?
antique sterling thimbles
27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I don't subscribe because I like to support my LYS, Interweave Knits and Vogue
28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?
50 Baby Booties to Knit
29. Any patterns you have been coveting, but haven't bought for one reason or another??
The peacock lace pattern that WendyKnits made.
What are your foot measurements, and what kind of socks do you like?
I wear a size 8.5, european 39, with a chunky ankle, 10 inch I think, I like to knit fine guage socks on size 0's and 1's
Thank you for your time!!!!!

Embarrased Joy

Attention everyone, this yarn snob would like to announce that while watching the second Martha Stewart TV movie tonight that I finished my "Coming Home" poncho inspired by Martha. Now I will get back to knitting with nice yummy yarn and banish what I have left of the Lion Brand Homespun. I figured that it was way smarter to spend 12 dollars on a poncho that will be out of style by next spring instead of using much costlier stuff. Losts have happened in the last two weeks and all will be caught up with soon....camping trip, Sarah Jessica Parker and JLo sighting....and no more (very little) bronchitis coughing, Yea!

Sick Girl

Misslunablu is a sick girl :(, blah. Picked up what I thought was a cold on friday, not good for interview friday afternoon, couldn't/wouldn't shake hands with the three managers that interviewed me, which was a smart thing....After spending the weekend not being able to talk much and having one hell of a sore throat, it hurt to swallow, I broke down and saw a doctor yesterday. I have a cocktail of a slight case of bronchitis/strep throat/ pharyngitis (sp?) So for the first time this whole year, I took a sick day, there are three reasons why I did. 1. Feel like shit 2. Hate job and hope they are screwed without me 3. Really want to go camping this weekend. So I thought if I took my medication and babied myself like a good like sick girl than I can have fun this weekend, well as much fun as possible without drinking :(, it would interfere with my meds. What I hate most in the world are people who come to work sick, spread the illiness and you have to cough up (no pun intended) 20 bucks to see the doctor and 10 bucks for the drugs. So 30 bucks aint bad, yea for crappy health insurance!