If you've spent anytime on the knitting boards, you are likely to have encountered
Striker923. Not only does she post beautiful projects, she's always willing to help out a knitter in need and to pop into almost any thread to admire others' finished works.
Striker923 was kind enough to answer some questions about how she got started knitting, some of her knitting favorites, and other Craftster projects that inspire her.
How and when did you start knitting?I started knitting about two to two-and-a-half years ago because I wanted to knit a Harry Potter house scarf. One of my really good friends, fellow Craftster
Kaiser Scissorhands, said, “Why don’t you check out Craftster.org, they have great resources!” Utterly amazed at the awesomeness of Craftster, I set out to my local big box craft store and purchased size 8 needles, a skein of Bernat Satin, and a book on learning to knit. Another knitter was born! Still have yet to make that Harry Potter scarf, ironically enough lol.
What was your first knitting project?My first knitting project was half of a throw pillow but my first completed knitting project was a striped garter stitch scarf for my husband when he was still my fiancé. They are both lurking in the dark corners of Craftster somewhere.
Do you dabble in any other crafts? If so, which?I recently taught myself to crochet this past summer and I do occasionally cross stitch. I’ve also done some embroidery and stenciling for a swap, but I can never stray far from knitting because I love it so!
What's your favorite FO?This is a toughie as I like all my FOs! But if I have to pick a favorite, I’d have to say my first pair of socks. I used Cookie A.’s BFF Socks pattern and Opal Harry Potter yarn in the Ron colorway...cables and variegated (self-striping) yarn, what’s not to love??
What's your favorite yarn? Book?There are so many wonderful yarns out there! My favorite though is sadly discontinued: Knit Picks Essential/Stroll Kettledyed. Such beautiful jewel tones and I love the slight semi-solid variegation of it. Mirasol Nuna is a close second, merino/silk/bamboo blend...just gorgeous!
My favorite book is probably Alice Starmore’s Aran Knitting (New/Expanded edition). There are some amazing cabled designs and I plan on making my mother St. Brigid for her birthday/Christmas gift 2011.
What's your favorite knitted FO someone else made?Probably the very
colorful, retro cape knitted by
Blondiequeen88, just amazingly bright and cozy, and it looks fab on her!
Who are your favorite designers?Cookie A., Alice Starmore, Kathy Zimmerman and Kirsten Hipsky (Webs’ in-house designer) off the top of my head, amongst several indie designers. I tend to gravitate towards patterns themselves, more so than designer, but all of the above seldom design something I haven’t liked.
What's your favorite non-knitted FO?My favorite non-knitted FO is probably the Zelda embroidery I did for the Legend of Zelda swap this past spring. It was my first non-cross stitch piece and while it took me awhile to do, I really love how it came out. I keep on meaning to do one for myself, but I really can’t stop knitting long enough to do it...
What's your favorite non-knitted FO someone else made?I really, really liked the hand painted tea tray that
mouser882 crafted for the aforementioned Zelda swap. While I do enjoy and drink tea, I would totally buy a proper tea set JUST to have this tea tray, haha.
It's the new year! Do you have any crafty resolutions?Yay for a new year! I have several crafty resolutions: the first is to really try out new and different crafts, (but I only tend to do that for swaps, so maybe I should participate in more swaps as a resolution?), to knit more socks for me (as I mostly give them as gifts), and I also want to learn and practice a few techniques I haven’t really done like intarsia and entrelac. I also would like work more with Malabrigo, try Madelinetosh yarn and find out what Noro is all about.
Normally I don’t make new year resolutions (mostly because I set the bar to high so I never seem to keep them), but I have a feeling I’ll be able to stand by most of these crafty ones
Thank you,
Striker923, for all your contributions to our knitting board community!
