Hurricane Sock Party 2007

I decided to take part in Christy's Hurricane Sock Party 2007.  Although we are more likely to get tornadoes, we have had the aftermath of several hurricanes breeze through in the past.  Before I post the questionnaire for this swap, I've got a picture for those of you not interested in reading my answers (and those of you who are, too.)

These are the azaleas in our side yard.  It's kind of hard to tell how many there are, because they are planted so close together.  In the middle, they are three or four plants deep.

Behind all the greenery are two vacant lots.  We actually own only about 6 feet of the land where the far side of the driveway is, but Jim has been doing a lot of work over there anyway, since it's so badly overgrown.  The people who own the lots send someone out to mow the grass, but he's a very old guy, and is not up to the battle.  That's ok, because Jim loves doing it.  Did you notice the little arbor?  When the azaleas aren't full of blossoms, there's a path directly from our back door to and through the arbor into the lots.  It's very pretty back there.  Two HUGE trees make it a quiet and cool spot.  I have a feeling a lot of knitting will be happening under those trees this summer.

And now for my swap answers.

1. Repeat after me "no hurricanes, no hurricanes, no hurricanes" . Okay we just had to get that one out of the way first. We needed to created a bit of "good weather karma"! GRIN

   And no tornadoes, either!!

2. If your pet(s) wrote a paragraph about you to describe you to us what would they say? (If you have no pets then just pretend you husband or best friend wrote it! This is a 3rd person writing exercise that is always fun.)

   I think my husband would say - She is always either knitting, reading a book, or on the computer.  And no matter what, the television is on.  She loves watching old movies, but I wish she'd turn down the sound.  And all that yarn upstairs?  What in the world is she going to do with all of it?  (I won't even mention how much other craft stuff is now boxed up in the attic!  She took over one whole side, just for all her junk.  Good grief!) On the other hand, I got a cozy pair of socks and a nice warm hat out of the deal!   She also likes to take pictures, and that's one way I can get her to go outside.  If she knows she can take pictures, she'll walk or drive anywhere with me.  Now if I could just get her to knit me a sweater...

3. What is your favorite hurricane supplies snack?

   I'm not supposed to be eating snacks, but if there's a hurricane, all bets are off.  Chocolate is always good, but I like black licorice, chips, popcorn, and M&Ms. 

4. Do sock patterns normally fit you "as written" or do you usually modify them for size in any way? (other than foot length)

   That's hard to say because I usually use "my" standard pattern, just plugging in the design part for the leg and foot.

4a. What are your foot measurements, not just shoe size? (Measure the length of your foot from heel to toe, then the ball of your foot. )

My shoe size is 8.  My foot measures 9-1/4" from toe to heel, and 9" around the ball..

5. What one city abroad would you visit and why if money was no object? (and terrorism was non-existant)

  I would love to visit Kathmandu.  My dream is to go to Everest base camp, but I know I'm not physically up to that.  One of these days I'll at least make it to Kathmandu - I hope.

6. Do you wear socks all year round or just during the winter? Do you prefer them tall or short or regular height?

  In the winter, I generally wear regular sock weight socks, but I also have some DK weight ones that I use with my hiking boots. Those are "regular" height (I make my leg 6-1/2".)  Last summer, I made some white ankle socks from Fixation, because I like to wear a little bit heavier white socks with my sneakers.  But I don't like knitting with Fixation, and I find that it ladders too easily, so I'm going to stick to regular sock yarn in the future.

7. The last time the power was out during hurricane season (or bad weather of any kind) did you knit by lantern or were you lucky enough to knit to the humm of a generator? Or did you knit at all?

   We had an ice storm a couple of winters ago that took our power out for 4 days.  I went through a lot of candles and flashlights so I could keep knitting!

8. Make a wish for your favorite sock yarn that you've already used once. What would it be? ? Don't be shy about listing an exact colorway or two if you'd like.

  Oh, that's a hard one.  I guess my favorite sock yarn is Trekking XXL.  I also have a lot of STR, because of belonging to their sock club.  I also love Lorna's Laces and Opal.  Color doesn't matter, although I think I have more bright colors than subdued ones in my stash.

9. What is it about sock knitting that keeps you wanting to knit more and more socks?

     Fast knitting, portable, fun way to try new patterns on a small scale, and they almost always fit (unlike sweaters).

10. Make a wish for a sock yarn that you are dying to try but haven't bought for yourself yet. (be specific,even colorway if you'd like)

   Hmm, also hard.  I think I'd like to try some Vesper sock yarn or All Things Heather.

11. What size needles do you knit socks for YOURSELF with the most? Are they circular or bamboo needles? What brand?

   I always use 5 bamboo dpns to knit socks - Crystal Palace because I like the point and how sturdy they are.  Usually, they are a size 1, although I've begun experimenting with 0's.

12. If you could only take 3 yarn related books and one previously knitted project that you love with you when you evacuated what would they be?

   Elizabeth Zimmerman's "Opinionated Knitter," Lucy Neatby's "Cool Socks, Warm Feet," and Nancy Wiseman's "Knitter's Book of Finishing Techniques."  And I'd grab my Blue Sky Alpaca/Silk shawl.

13. What knitting notion do you wish you had that you just keep putting off getting for yourself?

  I think it would be fun to have one of those little wooden knitting spools - a faster way to make I-cord.  I never had one as a kid, I wonder why?

14. What is your favorite tv show?

   Also a hard one.  I have lots of favorites from what's on recently, but I have to say M.A.S.H. 

15. Do you want a lacey sock or a "solid fabric" sock from your hurricane partner?

    Either would be great.

16. It's midnight and the power has been off for two days, its hot, and you have a craving for something sweet! What would it be? (This is a FOOD related question ladies! LOL)

   Bruster's Chocolate Chocolate Chip Frozen Yogurt. (I love their ice cream, but I'm trying to be good!)

17. Tell us a story about any of your hurricane weather related experiences.

   In early September, 2004, we threw a big party to celebrate my mom's 80th birthday.  Her relatives were coming from Arizona and Arkansas. It had been a very active hurricane season, and as the time drew closer, Hurricane Ivan formed and came inland.  The family made in into town, and the day of the party was beautiful, but the next day we got the remnants of the storm, and so we had our own little hurricane party.  Fortunately, it was rather tame, but it was fun to have non-threatening hurricane rain for my out of town guests.

18. What was the one thing you wish you had remembered to get last year for hurricane supplies that you swore you wouldn't forget this year?

  I finally broke down a bought a weather alert radio to warm of spring tornados.  So far, we've been lucky and the bad storms have stayed far away.

19. What color sock would you like to recieve from your sock partner? (if you don't have a pref just say so otherwise give us a hint!)

   Any color is fine.  I have quite an ecclectic collection.

So, here's hoping that the hurricanes, tornadoes, and bad Spring storms are all weenies this year.  But no matter what, you know I'll be knitting socks!

Comments

[Debby]

What a beautiful hideaway! It reminds me of the Secret Garden.

[Lynn]

I agree, NO HURRICANES NO HURRICANES NO HURRICANES!!! That being said, I'll take a few tropical storms to get us out of this drought!!
Gorgeous azaleas and how nice to have a spot to sit and look out at open land. This house is really turning out to be a good move.
And I LOVE to watch MASH at night. #1 Son can pick out Alan Alda in other shows as well!! LOL

[Tracey]

This sock swap frightens me a little bit. I have always thought that my Aunt was strange as she always lives, as I describe it, where the weather can kill you.
I will take my snow and ice storms anyday.
Knocking on wood for you and happy sock knitting.

[trixieintransit]

I love the description of the yard! Oh how special to have empty land adjacent to your own property.

I also love the idea of a hurricane swap. Not that I want anyone to suffer but being from FL, hurricanes have a special place in my life.

[Chris]

What a lovely spot!

[Dee]

I have one of those spool-thingies from when I was a little girl. It's not pretty like the ones they make today, but it still works just fine. :-)

And I'll second your ---- NO hurricanes, NO hurricanes, NOOOOOOOO hurricanes (but a little rain would be nice).