For those of you who know me, it should come as no surprise that this meme was quite the challenge for an indecisive gal like myself. I hate limiting myself to just one of anything.
You know those "Desert Island Picks" everyone is so fond of? Well, they incite panic here at Casa Black Olive. I just keep thinking of how it would be if I really were only able to listen to those five musical selections, or if I really were only able to read those five books. The horror!
Memes aren't quite as bad, but they do force me to think in terms of favorites, which for me, is quite difficult.
With almost everything -- even friendships -- I have a wide variety of choices to match my moods, interests and inclinations. This helps to explain my rather large yarn stash and my widely disparate group of friends. But hey, I'm a complicated and multi-layered gal, so why shouldn't I have complicated and multi-layered preferences?
In any case, this was a fun meme. It made me remember some amusing things about "Knitting Projects Gone Bad" and it also alerted me to the fact that I do, in fact, have patterns (no pun intended) in terms of yarn choices and general preferences in the Knitting Arena -- even if I can't narrow it down to only one in some cases.
What can I say? I'm flaky that way. :-)
So here it is:
What is your all time favorite yarn to knit with?
This was/is tough. It really depends on what I'm knitting. For socks, Lorna's Laces beats out even my beloved Koigu. Yes, it's true. I LOVE the feel of it and the fact that it demands to be knitted on size 0 needles. The gauge is just right for taking sock patterns written for average-sized feet and fitting them to my very narrow dogs. And the colors! My god, the colors!
I also adore Rowan 4-ply Soft. I could make an entire sweater out of this stuff. It's also great for socks and anything Faire Isle. Mittens anyone?
For lace projects Rowan KidSilk Haze really is like crack. And, it has that exciting, risky edge to it, where you KNOW if you mess up it'll cost you BIG. So, I have to include it not only for it's incredible palette, the amazing fabric it produces and the feel of it slipping through your fingers -- but also for it's High Risk Knitting Excitement Factor (is there such a thing? Hehe.).
Your favorite needles?
This one was easy-peesy. Addi Turbos all the way, baby! I simply love them. The slip I get is unsurpassed and the cable is awesome. I use them for almost everything -- with the exception of lace projects using laceweight.
For those projects, I pull out my beloved Lantern Moon Rosewoods. I only use these when knitting lace or silk. They have a nice lacquer finish which gives just enough "slip" to not be annoying and just enough "give" to not slow things down when knitting with KidSilk or any other super-thin yarn.
(You didn't really think I'd leave it at just one, did you?)
The worst thing you've ever knit?
Oh my god. This was a no-brainer.
By FAR, the worst thing I've ever knit, was this awful vest:
The Manos was great but this pattern just wasn't "me." I think the reason I chose to knit this was because of the picture on Knitty. It really looked like something I'd wear.
This was my first lesson in the "strategic posing" Maggie Righetti speaks of in "Sweater Design in Plain English". I don't think it really gave an accurate reflection of what the finished product was like. There wasn't enough detail in the collar to give it a more finished look -- which is what I was hoping for -- and it had no waist shaping.
As an "Unenlightened Knitter," -- unfamiliar with the Ways and Magics of Pattern Modification -- I kept on knitting, hoping it would turn out the way it looked in the image.
Also, my choice of Manos was a poor one. Had the vest turned out as I'd expected in terms of construction, it still would've been unsuccessful because the varigated yarn completely obscures the front cable.
In the end, it was a great lesson and prompted me to learn to modify patterns.
Eventually, the Manos will be ripped out and knit into something which will hopefully be more flattering.
We'll see.
Your most favorite knit pattern? (maybe you don't like wearing it...but it was the most fun to knit)
I'm still knitting it!
Rogue is BY FAR, the most fun pattern I've knit. I can't believe how great the instructions were and how easy each milestone was to accomplish. Despite the fact that it is an advanced cable pattern and has a bunch of stuff (like the Kangaroo Pocket, the hood, etc.) which is fairly challenging -- it was a breeze.
Rogue has the right blend of clear instructions, nicely paced milestones, wearabilty and minimal fuss with regard to finishing -- which makes it a "must" for any "Celtically Inclined" knitter.
I've already purchased the yarn for the cardi version!
Most valuable knitting technique?
I know this seams nutty. I feel like I should say "grafting" or some other exotic, mysterious technique. But really, the most valuable technique I learned was fixing stitches.
In other words, fixing dropped stitches, tinking back, fixing twisted stitches -- and more importantly, recognizing the difference between knits, purls, twisted stitches, etc.
Once I got a handle on the structure of a stitch, any anxiety or trepidation I felt toward knitting was pretty much extinguished. I went from scarves, directly to an Estonian Mitten, simply because I had the confidence and security of knowing I could always fix and recognize my errors.
Best knit book or magazine?
I've already waxed poetic about my favorite knitting book, "The Knitter's Handbook" by Montse Stanley in a recent post.
My favorite magazine, is of course, Interweave Knits.
Your favorite knitblogs?
Well, of course I don't have just ONE. But the ones I must read daily are:
1. Grumperina. Aside from being a great pal and impeccable knitter, she's chock full of witty, clever and useful info, great stories and enough obsessiveness to satisfy my equally obsessive self. Hehehe.
2. Passioknit. Extremely well-designed and well-organized blog. Someday, I too hope to achieve such organizational prowess! Of course, the knitting is amazing, the writing style is right on and well, don't you just love that nifty background tiling?
3. Sweet Georgia. This woman's photographs are unsurpassed! She too is an amazing knitter and she spins! I mean, she REALLY spins -- seriously. Her colorways are to die for and can be purchased on her online store.
4. Savannah Chick. Always a good read with links to very useful information. She's clever and funny and also full of good info.
5. Streets and Yo's. Believe it or not, I recently discovered this one (I know, I'm a little late to the game here). I don't know why it took me so long since most of the blogs I read regularly link to her and mention her blog OFTEN. All I can say is, "Doh!"
6. Purly Whites. Purly is also a recent read. She's funny, sweet and also full of good info. Her images are awesome and she manages to inject her writing with just the right amount of "down-to-earth."
Man, there are just so many.
But these all have common threads in terms of the type of content. However, I must admit, knowing the "Knitter Behind The Blog" in some way -- either in person or via emails -- makes reading the blog so much more satisfying. ;-)
Your favorite knitwear designer?
This is also tough.
Being a massive sock knitter I absolutely love Nancy Bush. I love her mittens, her socks and pretty much anything she puts out.
Granted, she doesn't design full-on garments (to my knowledge, anyway), but I don't think that should preclude her from being considered a full-on Knitwear Designer.
I love her anthropological approach to patterns. I love her modern take on old designs. And, I love the way she's documented numerous techniques from far-away places which might otherwise remain unknown.
She's like the Ry Cooder of Knitting!
As for garment designers, I'm very much drawn to Jo Sharp. She's got great sweater designs -- things I'd actually WEAR and which may actually fit well. And, aside from that, her yarn is luscious -- especially her cottons.
The knit item you wear the most? (how about a picture of it!)
My Koigu socks.
What else? :-)
Now, who to tag? How about Teresa, Vicki and Wanda?