Knitting Meme! From Birdsong!

Warning - this is a long post! Birdsong tagged me for this meme, and it not only is a long one to read, it took quite awhile to write! (Especially since I'm a bit challenged with this coding thing...). Nonetheless, a fascinating experience, so I thank you, Birdsong, we are truly "sisters in lace."

What is your all-time favorite yarn to knit with? Usually the yarn I’m currently knitting with…but – no, I’ve just discovered I can knit with Merino after years of thinking I was allergic to wool. I love the Knitpicks Merino I’ve been using to knit my Queen of Hearts Shawl and am about ready to start using their Gossamer lace weight Merino to make the Diamond Fantasy Shawl. It’s so soft! I like alpaca, too, Birdsong, and have some Misti Lace Alpaca waiting for the Flower Basket Shawl – maybe in the spring?

Your favorite needles? CIRCULAR NEEDLES! I have lots of Susan Bates QuickSilvers that I love, and I have discovered Addi Natura circulars - just love love love the cord! Bamboos were not my first love, I’d always been a pink aluminum kind of gal…but now, not only have I been converted, but I’m pining to try these Susannes ebony circulars Birdsong is so fond of, so that will be my next purchase! Hmmm, I wonder about her rosewood circs, too? And the Denise set is on my Christmas list...

The worst thing you've ever knit? I learned to knit in the 70s and began on a ripple weave afghan in yellows and orange (probably the reason I won’t have any orange around me today!). The yarn was the equivalent of Red Heart acrylic – hard on the fingers, scratchy. At some point I bought the same kit in pinks and burgundies and while the colors were better on my eyes, the yarn was just as sticky. Both afghans were never completed and found their way to the landfill years ago.

Your favorite knit pattern? Just about any lace shawl pattern. Though I have to add Aibhlinn since I’m in the middle of making my second one. Just love it. Also love Grandmother’s Favorite dishcloth pattern, just because it’s mindless knitting I can take wherever (except courtrooms, I just discovered, in my town – even bamboo needles don’t make the “cut” – I have to go occasionally for my job and thought I could make good use of my time, but not!).

Most valuable knitting technique? At this point, knitting anything in lace and knitting in the round, tho’ I’d like to get Continental knitting under my belt – can’t seem to get my stitches loose enough and I’m not going to kill my hands in the process! And I want to learn to knit backwards to make lace knitting easier, too.

Best knit book or magazine? Vogue Knitting Book, Folk Shawls, Shawls & Scarves: The Best of Knitter’s Magazine, A Gathering of Lace. Coveted but not on my bookshelves yet: all of the Barbara Walker Treasuries, anything by Elizabeth Zimmerman, and especially Waterman’s Traditional Knitted Lace Shawls and Stahman's Shawls and Scarves: Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Neck Down & Seamen's Scarves by Myrna Stahman.

Your favorite knitalong? I have to say, KnitRed KAL for Women’s Heart Disease awareness, Cloths for Katrina, Aibhlinn - but then, I'm an owner of all three of them…lolol!

Your favorite knitblogs? Birdsong, Jane, Drop Stitch Knitter, and Indigomuse, and at the risk of tooting my own horn, Sadie's Place, my new philosophy of craft blog at Nana Sadie Rose. For others – see my list over there ----->

Your favourite knitwear designer? Sivia Harding (Diamond Fantasy Shawl), Polly Outhwaite (Kiri Shawl), Mary Burr (Aibhlinn), Meg Swanson, Myrna Stahman, Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer. I also love the Fiddlesticks patterns for lace shawls, and Fibertrends, too!

The knit item you wear the most? My first lace shawl – the Triangular Lace Shawl that Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer designed and then taught us to make through Needlecraft U last spring – okay, Birdsong, when are you going to finish yours??? My KnitRed KAL Aibhlinn is a close second - it's so cozy when the wind blows!

Whom to tag? Jane who will have completely different but equally fascinating answers!