Still alive

I'm still alive. Busy, but still alive. I went to Alsace for a week for a workshop, when I met wonderful people and learned a lot of new things, but most important, I had the chance to think about myself, my work and how to improve.

Then I had a week of urging translation deadlines... and now I'm in Liguria for an interpreting job, which is exhausting, but very very stimulating. The result is that I have very little time to knit. I almost finished the thermis cowl I started on the train while going to Alsace: it took me more than two weeks!!! (I still have to cast off and sew in buttons, though)

I also have with me a pair of Noro Kureyon Sock, but I don't know if I'll even be able to cast on...

Working and working, just waiting for August: sun, beach and sea... I'm coming!!!

SP 14

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I love wool (alpaca, merinos, cashmere blends, etc...). What I can say for sure, is that I don't like acryl or synthetics.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
Straight needles are stored in a vintage purse sewn by my mother maybe 30 years ago, circulars are in Knitpicks plastic pouch.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I learned to knit in garter stitch when I was in high school, and I re-learned everything (from cast-on to lace patterns) in the end of 2007, by myself, with the help of the tips I found on the web.

I worked a lot, and now I consider myself... let's say intermediate.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes.

5. What's your favorite scent?
Sandalwood.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I'm not a sweets lover, but sometimes I eat some dark chocolate. 

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I'm trying to teach myself to sew. I never spinned, but I'd like to do. I also made some attempt in dying. Love it.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I like any type of music, from jazz to hard rock, I don't like teenage idols pop music. My mac can play mp3s, and I have an Ipod (that I can connect to my car stereo!).

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
My favourite colors are greys, greens and purples. I don't like pale colors and beige nuances, because they make me look sick.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Hubby is cat-allergic and we don't have any pets now, but there's a 4 years little boy.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I always wear scarves or shawls, never wear hats (I knit them for others), rarely wear mittens or gloves.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Cowls are my favourite because they're quick and give instant gratification. It's also a good way to use singles or left over skeins...

13. What are you knitting right now?
A shrug, aThermis Cowl and planning my second Ishbel.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yessss.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I like bamboo/wood circular  needles. 

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
I bought a yarn winder on ebay and my knitting friends bought me a swift for my birthday!

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
mmm... A pair of slippers: I made just one.

18. What is your favorite holiday?

25th of April, Italy's liberation day, and it's also my birthday.

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Yarn and shoes.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I have a subscription to Interweave Knits.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Mmm... don't know... spinning, maybe...

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I knitted two pairs of socks, one for me and one for my son. I have very tiny feets: eu 34 (uk 1.5 and us 4)

23. When is your birthday?
4/25

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?

Sure!!! azzuka!!!

Gitarella

Cristiana, Emma, Franci ed io ci siamo regalate una gita a dir poco perfetta: quattro donne con la passione comune della maglia, senza bambini e con tanta voglia di fare shopping. Unfilodi, con la gentilissima e Lulù e poi verso Manifattura Sesia. 

Decisamente da ripetere. Ci siamo divertite talmente tanto che ci siamo dimenticate di fare delle foto!!!

Cristiana, Emma, Franci and I spent an almost perfect day: four women, four knitters, no kids, all of us eager for yarn shopping. First we headed to Unfilodi, Lulù was really really kind with us, and then to Manufattura Sesia. We have to do it again. Absolutely. At least for every season. We had great fun, but we we forgot to take pictures...

Knitting afternoon

Last year, we promoted the World Wide Knitting in Public Day event in the Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo café, we had a column in the newspaper and a lot of newbies. This year we wanted a more intimate meeting, so Franci  (hands below) chose Parco del Valentino. Emma (hands above) and I took our three kids and joined Franci and other few  knitters. It was a relaxing afternoon and I really needed it after working hard in translation with R. at home due to some fever.

Lo scorso anno, per il World Wide Knitting in Public Day, abbiamo organizzato un evento al caffé della Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo. Ci siamo sforzate di pubblicizzare l'incontro quanto più possibile e si sono presentate diverse persone. Quest'anno invece abbiamo voluto fare qualcosa di più raccolto e Franci  (mani sotto) ha suggerito il Parco del Valentino. Così Emma (mani sopra) ed io abbiamo preso i gagni e abbiamo raggiunto Franci e le altre per un pomeriggio di completo relax. Dopo una settimana di lavoro con R. a casa con la febbre ne avevo davvero bisogno...

And here's one of my latest FOs: Coachella from Knitty, the yarn is Silky by Madil, 100% cellulosic fiber (?) I bought for 

a disconted price in a LYS. The drape is lovely, but it tends to get loose while wearing. I'm completely boobless, so there's no problem with the drape in the front, but armholes are still too deep for me, even though I made it all shorter...

Qui invece, ecco finito uno dei miei ultimi lavori. Si tratta di Coachella da Knitty, il filato è Silky by Madil, 100% fibra cellulosica (?), comprato scontato in un negozio di Torino. Mi piace tantissimo come cade giù morbido, e non ho tette di cui preoccuparmi, ma dietro è un po' troppo aperto per i miei gusti, nonostante abbia apportato delle modifiche per rimpicciolire gli scalfi...

However, I really like it and I'm very grateful to the photographer that makes me look more gorgeous than what I really am.

Ad ogni modo, mi piace e sono davvero grata al fotografo che riesce a farmi sembrare più bella di quanto non sia in realtà.

GOBUSATA

I've been busy like mad with a two-weeks almost full-time teaching job in a company, but it's over now, and I'm back to my translations and my knitting projects.

R. is growing fast and I think we'll have the same foot size within few years... I'll buy him some hyper-stylish Trippen boots or something alike, so we can share them!

I talked about my socks already. R.'s are an improvise 4/2 ribs, toe up with short row heels. There's some room to grow, I hope they'll fit next winter.

I used the same yarn, but different pattern and size: I didn't even imagine the effect was sooooo different!

R. got a fever these days, so we spent yesterday and today at home, which is quite boring with such a nice weather and no school... but a fairy came down to me for a cup of coffee, with gorgeous knitting stuff from la Droguerie - Paris!

Thank you Emma, you made my day!!!!

dyeing

Cloudy Sunday morning and hubby needed a couple of hours to work on his last photos... so R. and I decided to play with yarn... and colours.

He wanted to use a paint brush and I let him experimenting with kool aid, which has vivd colours enjoyable enough for a 4 years kid. I used the microwave, because I didn't want little hands around boiling pots...

Here's the result:

orange and orange-green are merino leftovers from my stash.

the light blue/lilac skein is a 30% acryl 70% wool.

the two in the bottom are estonian wool from paolo, the pale blue is dyed with red cabbage.

Homemade icecream

I bought these ikea ice lollies moulds and here's our recipe:

Plain yogurt

Milk

Strawberries

Banana

Sugar

Whisk all the ingredients until it's smooth and creamy. Taste and add sugar if necessary. You can add fresh cream for a richer taste (but also more calories...). Put in the moulds and pop all into the freezer.

You can use any fruit!!!