Knitting Wish List

I've seen a lot of knitters post a list of their holiday gift knitting (with progress photos), and I am so amazed at the number of projects they are turning out. If love and devotion could be measured in stitches, there are some incredibly well-loved and appreciated family members and friends out there! 

This has made me wonder if the reverse is true: if said well-loved family members and friends gift the knitter with his/her heart's desire...more knitting supplies! I am curious to know if you ask your Santas for knitting supplies, and if so, what is on your wish list this year?

To be honest, I've never thought to do that before, I guess because I've assumed it would be hard for the non-knitter to navigate the yarn shops -- all the wool and patterns might look the same to someone who doesn't know cotton from wool from silk from bamboo. But if I were to ask for knitting supplies, here are some things I'd hope to find (and hope my cats wouldn't find!) under the tree:

French Girl patterns, from Dreamweaver Yarns. I love these lacy wraps (knit on big needles) and also the cardigan. I'd make the sleeves full-length if I could, as the 3/4 ones always make me feel like my sleeves are too short.

Lorna's Laces Helen's Lace. I saw the pie wedge shawl (pattern on the ball band) knitted up as a sample, and I haven't stopped thinking about it since. I can't decide which color, but it will be variegated, because I cannot resist the combinations!

DiVe' Teseo yarn, in pink #25565. Something else I saw in a yarn shop, while shopping for swap boxes. I'm not sure what to make with it, as I discovered only yesterday that it's self-striping, but I was thinking of doing a big shawl in a simple stitch, with fringe, as the wool looks warm. Any ideas?

Fleece Artist Yarn, in Seashore. It is meant to be. :) I'm not sure what weight I'd need, how many skeins to get, or what to make with it (not socks), but I am in love with this yarn. Maybe I should use it to knit the first French Girl wrap, which is named Oceane?

Please share with me your wish list, if you have one, or possible ideas for the Teseo or Fleece Artist. I'm much better when I start with a pattern, and then select the yarn, than the other way around.

Our camera has pretty much gone over the camera Rainbow Bridge, so C has promised that we will look for a new one this weekend. Suggestions and warnings for brands are much appreciated, if you have them. I definitely want one that minimizes blur -- with racing and cat-in-motion photos, that is an essential feature.

And now, for the first time in a long time, Booking Through Thursday, on Thursday!

1. Yesterday, November 1st, began the annual NaNoWriMo challenge--where lots of marginally crazy people try to write a 50,000 word novel in one month. What do you think about that idea? Crazy? Inspired? Challenging?  I think it's a great idea! If you've been putting off starting, which is the hardest part, what better way to get motivated than to know you're starting with a group of like-minded people who can support and encourage one another? Even if you don't finish the novel in one month, hopefully you'll have enough written at that point to keep going.
2. Would you/Have you tried it yourself? In other years? (Or this one, in which case, shouldn't you be writing and not reading blogs?)  If it were another year, yes, I'd like to try, just for the experience. With Charlie's appointments and the house thing, there's just been too much going on this fall. Perhaps next year, now that I know this happens every November, I'll clear my calendar and give it a whirl.
3. If you took away the time pressure, would you/have you tried writing a novel of your own? I think I do better with deadlines, actually -- the Amazing Lace KAL sort of had a deadline of Labor Day, and that was what pushed me to finish my project after so long. Conversely, the Central Park Hoodie KAL has no "end" date, so I'm taking my time. I think writing would be the same.

Happy Friday!

Comments

[tiennie]

Oooohhh! Hope you get everything on your wish list! As for the writing NaNoWriMo, I can not do it. I can't string together that many words in a month! But I might to the NaNoSweMo though. I can knit a sweater this month! Maybe even 2.

[sprite]

A hank of Sea Silk is on my Christmas wish list. It hadn't occured to me to ask for patterns, but now that I've seen your list, maybe I'll have to consider adding one or two. Thanks for the suggestion!

And while my NaNoWriMo project got off to a rousing 2000-word start yesterday, I only managed 600 words tonight. Very discouraging...

[Sheepish Annie]

Great wish list! I am most lucky to have Daddy Sheep as one of my givers. He is not a fiber enthusiast, but fascinated enough to want to participate in my obsession. I have asked for and will be receiving a Woolee Winder for my spinning wheel. Yay!!!

[Meg]

Last year just before Christmas one of my Aussie blogging pals started up an on-line yarn shop (plug? sure, why not: purlyarns.com.au) so I emailed the link to my beloved and said "Any knitter would be thrilled with two skeins of anything on this website." And it worked! I loved what I received and my beloved had fun just picking something in a colour he liked, without having to worry about fibre content etc.

[Greeley]

I can recommend my fuji finepix f10. It takes great photos, even at bike races, and is easy to use.

For the fleece artist, I'm using the handmaiden lady godiva for the rectangle shawl by blue sky alpacas. Maybe a clapotis if you want something more dense than the french girl patterns.

[julie]

I always ask my Dad for something knitting related and he always obliges. Sometimes he'll give me a gift cert to my LYS and other times he will get me items I mention. One year I sent him a wish list with a knitting bag and some needle cases and told him just get one - he got them all. I just LOVE him :) I've only asked hubby for knitting related gifts once and that was for a blocking board. He also obliged. I'm spoiled and I love it!

As for your camera; I recently purchased an Olympus Stylus 710. It's not much bigger than a credit card and barely weighs anything. It takes great pics. I had mentioned to hubby I'd like one even smaller than the one we had for Christmas; next thing I know it's being delivered to my door. See, I am spoiled!

[Valerie]

Hi Debby! Thank you for your comments!I would love to reply directly through you email but blogspirit doesnt let me see the addresses! Could you write me an email using the address on the sidebar of my blog? That way I would be able to reply to your comments! Thanks, Valerie

[Pam]

My mom and mother-in-law have both given me yarn store gift certificates before. I've also found it "works" to include (if asked for a wish list) a catalog with a particular item I want (this worked for the yarn for Karis).

I've actually registered for NanoWriMO, but am not sure if i'll go through with it. That's a lot of words, and it's the social part I'm wary of. I like the idea of a deadline, and being part of something, to get me trying. But sharing, that's scary.

[Nancy]

I don't ask for knitting supplies as gifts because I never know what I'm going to do, knitting-wise. I don't knit fast enough to justify a big stash of "on-deck" projects. Not that I would ever refuse any nice knitty gifts!

My friend Chris is writing this month, too. She's been doing very well - I hope she lets me read it when she's done.

[Beth]

Your wish list items are lovely! I've received yarn store gift certificates from S and E before. But maybe they would like it if I gave them a few yarn ideas and they could pick something out themselves.

I was at the yarn store today and admired the Koigu and the Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool and Silky Cashmere. I don't know what I'd knit with the Silky Cashmere. Something small because it was $12 for a teeny tiny skein that was barely bigger than a skein of cross stitch floss!

[hege]

Those are beautiful patterns! Oceane in Seashore sounds like a match made in heaven! The only knitting related things I have asked for in the past were knitting books. I always have a list of more books I need. And I would really like a swift. For some strange reason I feel I wouldn't want somebody to buy me yarn! :)

[Karen]

I always ask for some knitting related things. If I didn't I would just get a bunch of stuff I didn't want or need. :) I include links and the places that have the best prices and all that jazz so they're easy to shop for.

[Laura]

Teseo yarn: Lady Eleanor from Scarf Style.

Fleece Artist--Something simple like the hourglass sweater.

That second French Girl Pattern is beautiful! I saw the one that Amylovie knit and I wanted to take it home with me.

[Dana]

I started knitting last year just before Christmas and I was given Puppy Knits and Stich & Bitch for Christmas from my sister in law. Love those books!

[sarah]

Most of my family lives on the other side of the Atlantic, so books are always a convenient gift. I wouldn't ask them to choose yarn, or rather I HAVE asked them to choose yarn they like and send it to me, but they won't. So I send Amazon URLs. I recently realised my sister's fluency in Japanese means she can easily send me knitting magazines from Amazon.jp, which is nice. Her offer to arrange translation is even nicer! As for yarn... I have more than enough to be going on with, but I'd love to try some Socks That Rock.

[Sydney]

I haven't been very successful at getting knitting related gifts other than books. That's mostly my fault, though, because I'm not that good at making up lists.

I'd like to try Nanowrimo some day. I don't have any clue what I'd write about. It just looks like a fun way to get started.

[Diane]

Hi Debby,

I was just reading your comments on CPH Hoodie KAL and I am having the same problem with the 3 needle bind off - if someone helps you out, could you send along the instructions to me...

[email protected]

Thanks....Diane

[Kendra]

I always get knitting presents. I'm very lucky. I hope you get everything on your list. I reckon I'll have some Kim Hargreaves' kits on my list this year - they are so lovely.

[Lynne]

When I was in Michigan this summer, I saw that Pie Shawl done with LL! I fell in love with it! I looked at a local yarn store last week just to see if they had it....it is a dreamy shawl. I also love the French Girl Patterns. But on my list? The Blue Sky Alpaca Wool/alpaca worsted that I also cannot get off my mind!

[Martha]

I've tried requesting knitting related stuff, and my non knitters don't feel like they want to further my knitting habit....so insead I get fuzzy slippers (which have their place, but I already HAVE fuzzy slippers!)