My Way

Yes, I know, I rarely ever give a one sentence answer to anything.

What is your all time favourite yarn to knit with?

It would be impossible to name just 1 favourite yarn, but that's because I like different yarns for different things. For socks, my favourite would be Lorna's Laces Shephard Socks. It's soft, generous (never ran out on any project) and comes in a gazillion shades, some that are varigated and some which are nearly solids. (My personal favourites are the nearly solids or the subtle varigated).

A close second is the regia silk. It's a wonderful yarn, just needs more colours to the range.

For sweaters, nothing beats Cascade 220. It's the best in terms of price and colour selection. It's also very, very soft.

If you're talking cotton, I'm there with Kay. Bring on the Denim.

Although, I also love All Season's cotton.

If it's baby stuff, hands down, no contest, Debbie Bliss cashmerino aran or baby cashmerino.

For shawls, the Jaggerspun zephyr. Wool, silk, loads of colour and affordable to boot, can't beat that.

Your favourite needles?

I used to use everything, but in the past year, it's been circs and Addi, Addi, Addi... I love the portability and I can also use then as stitch holders. The joins make them them lovely to work with. I just wished that they would make them pointier.

The worst thing you've ever knitted?

I once made my sister a stocking stitch acrylic scarf in 4 ply yarn when I was in Uni. I dropped a lot of stitches so there were more than a few holes. It rolled like mad and stretched so that after a wear, it was 4 inches by 9 feet, so it ended up looking a bit like a long piece of rope... and the acrylic.. in dry winters made her long hair crackle with static. How loyal she was to wear it in my presence... once.

Your most favourite knit pattern? (maybe you don't like wearing it but it was the most fun to knit.)

The most fun thing to knit this year was probably Kerry Blue. Did it in record time too.

I also loved Chutes-n-Ladder and Retro Rib.

I've done Debbie Bliss's Smock Jacket 5 times and Kiri 3 times, so I must like those too.

Most valuable knitting technique?

Short-row shaping... perfect for turning heels, working shoulder seams for 3 needle bind-off etc. Once you learn it, you will start seeeing applications that you never did so before.

Best knit book or magazine?

I would be lost without my Barbara Walker Stitch Treasuries.

My favourite magazines are Interweave and Rowan. I thought that the last Rowan was a bit rubbish but generally, I love them. Rowan was the main inspiration for me to start knitting again.

For a long time, Rowan 18 was my favourite.

Favourite knit-a-long?

Stitch Ya Neck Out... what else? I made this for Grumperina

and Kristel made this for me. Now that it's cold, I'm wearing it all the time.

Favourite knitwear designer?

Evelyn Clark for shawls and socks.

Nancy Bush for socks.

Debbie Bliss for all things baby.

The Starmores for their classic jumpers and colourwork.

I like Louisa Harding, Kim Hargreaves, Véronik Avery and Annie Modesitt, but there are a lot of less-mainstream designer like Bonne Marie Burns, Jenna Wilson and Mary Burr, that create lovely patterns that wearable and flattering.

The knit item you wear the most (what about a picture of it?)

That would be my everyday cardigan. It's very warm and stylish. I like the boxy shape and love the buttons.

Which lucky knitter gets this next? ;)
This has really made the rounds but I'm going to tag Amelia and Stéphanie to get them to post a bit more frequently and Dawn because she has such an impressive stash that I am dying to know what her favourites are.

Posted by atu at November 20, 2005 04:00 PM | TrackBack