...MonkeyKnits... A Knitting Blog

Monkey Pal Goodies

Here are the Monkey socks I received from my Monkey Sock Swap pal. These photos don't do them justice. The yarn contains the prettiest shades of lilac and pinks... Well done! I love them.

I also got some fabulous monkey goodies, including a handmade needle roll crafted from monkey-themed fabric, and two smaller monkey pouches. I think the green one may be for a cell phone (?). The other one will be great for crochet hooks.

Thanks, Monkey Sock Swap pal! You did a great job!

Monkey Sock Swap, Number Two!

The first time around was so much fun, I've decided to join again! The Monkey Sock Swap involves knitting a pair of Monkey socks (from the Knitty pattern) and sending them to another knitter -- along with a bunch of monkey-related goodness. How could I not participate in this one?

If you are my secret Monkey Pal, my monkey answers are listed below... Monkey on!

Thanks, SP8!

My Secret Pal spoiled me! I will take some photos tomorrow so that you all can see the wonderfulness she sent me... It's really too fabulous. Thanks, Rosi G!

I'm looking forward to unwinding this weekend after a stressful week at the office. I bought the new Amy Butler book, and I'm going to try to tackle one of the sewing projects from the book. I' really digging this square-shaped quilted handbag, but I don't know if I have the skills to execute it. One of the women I've taught knitting classes to used to work at a quilting shop, and I know that she's an accomplished sewer -- I may have to ask her if she'd give me a sewing class!

And, just in case you were wondering, John and I are fine, even though this happened just down the street from our office this morning. I guess it was so exciting that it made the news 500 miles away in the city my parents live in. My mom called us at 6:30 tonight to make sure we were okay. Thanks, mom. And don't worry... In the future, we will call you if we get hit by any exploding manhole covers or flaming tanker trucks.

Computer = Bad

Remember how I told you that we painted my office, and I got everything set up again - including my computer - and how I promised to post photos? Well, that was before my computer took a big poop.

I suppose it was destined to happen, right? I mean I used to work at the IT help desk and now I work for an IT company. My husband is the President of a data-storage company which does data back-up and emergency recovery. So you would think that I would back up my computer from time to time, right?

Umm, no.

I still have my fingers crossed that by some miracle of miracles, the computer will recover spontaneously so that I can at least retrieve my photos and a few files.

In the meantime, John uploaded some photos from our camera onto his work computer, so at least I can give you all a little eye candy...

This is some yummy yarn loveliness from my Secret Pal... Malabrigo and Knit 1 Crochet 2 Angora Soft. Thanks, SP8! Sorry it took me soooo long to post the photo. I promise, it's no reflection on how much I love the yarn!

In non-knitting news... Tomorrow, I get to meet a celebrity. Can you guess who it is? Here are some hints:

• This person will be appearing at a local furniture store.
• He/She is promoting his/her newest book.
• He/She currently "stars" on three television shows.
• He/She has a thing for venetian plaster.

For those of you who can't guess, I'll post photos and details tomorrow!

SP8

It's that time once again. You know I'm a sucker for the Secret Pal swaps. Not only do I *love* getting goodies in the mail, but I also *love* spoiling my Secret Pal in return. So, here we go again!

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer high-end/natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you? I am a self-proclaimed yarn snob. While it is true that I currently have a sweater using Lion Brand Wool-Ease on the needles, do not be confused. I love my name-brand yarns. Give me Noro, Rowan, Debbie Bliss, even Brown Sheep, anyday! I love wool; I love softness; I love well-made yarns and deep, rich colors.

2. Do you spin? Crochet? I am the proud owner of a Lendrum wheel -- her name is Lucille, or Lucy once you get to know her. I am a newbie spinner, but I am really enjoying it. The only problem is that it cuts into my knitting time! I dabble in crochet, but I'm so terrible at it that it drives me crazy.

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.) I am very allergic to dogs and cats, which is sad because I like both. Other than that, I'm allergic to lots of fresh fruits and veggies, molds, pollens, and fungi. Please do not send me fungi.

4. How long have you been knitting? I have been knitting for almost four years, spinning for about a year and a half.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Yes, I do. It's posted in the sidebar..

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.) I love lavender, coconut, and cucumber. I *hate* rose-scented anything (unless it's real roses).

My Secret Pal Rocks!

I received my final package from my Secret Pal (number 7). I *love* what she sent. Take a peek:

The cutest little tape measure in the world...

A little Japanese craft book on making fabric flowers...

Yummy wool that reminded her (and me) of the color of a river...

Vintage Noro -- she said it's called "Yamato" -- a wool/silk blend...

She also included some Japanese candy and a little Hello Kitty pouch. The thing I love the best about the package is the smell. It smells like Japan. I don't know how to describe it, but it's a smell that reminds me of my summers in the Japanese student exchange program in high school.

I never did show you what was in the first package... I will save that for tomorrow. Thank you, Secret Pal. You did a great job in finding things that I truly love, and you were more than generous. You rock!

Stitch Marker Swap

Here are the two sets of stitch markers I've received thus far from the Stitch Marker Swap...

These are cute little monkey faces with pink and green beads -- perfecto for MonkeyKnits, no?

And these are fun seahorse and seashell stitch markers -- maybe they'll help me pretend I'm on the beach in the middle of the cold South Dakota winter??? On the right is a bookmark.

Thanks, Stitch Marker Pals!

Next up: photos of the Stitch Markers I've made this month... These things are addictive to make!

Secret Pal 5 Questions

Let me preface this by saying that unless you're my Secret Pal, this post will probably be pretty boring. And, if you are my Secret Pal, let me just tell you that anything you send will be treasured. I may be a yarn snob, but I am not a snob-snob. I appreciate the thought that goes into gift-giving, and I will be thankful that someone took the time to send me anything.

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer high-end/natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you? I am a self-proclaimed yarn snob. While it is true that I'm currently knitting myself a sweater using Lion Brand Wool-Ease, do not be confused. I love my name-brand yarns. Give me Noro, Rowan, Debbie Bliss, even Brown Sheep, anyday! I love wool; I love softness; I love well-made yarns.

2. Do you spin? Crochet? I am the proud owner of a Lendrum wheel -- her name is Lucille, or Lucy once you get to know her. I am a newbie spinner, but I am really enjoying it. The only problem is that it cuts into my knitting time! I dabble in crochet, but I'm so terrible at it that it drives me crazy.

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.) I am very allergic to dogs and cats, which is sad because I like both. Other than that, I'm allergic to lots of fresh fruits and veggies, molds, pollens, and fungi. Please do not send me fungi.

4. How long have you been knitting? I have been knitting for almost three years.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Yes,I do. It's posted in the sidebar..

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.) I love lavender, coconut, and cucumber. I *hate* rose-scented anything (unless it's real roses).

7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Ha! I love me some chocolate, yes I do. Pocky, M&M's, Grasshopper cookies... Bring it ON!

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? I've tried so many things, but knitting is my true calling. I would really like to do more with dying, though. That is on my to-do list.