Out of the cardboard

Thank you all so very much for your well wishes regarding my neck and the compliments on the sweater. Your comments have been a great comfort over the past week and a half. I usually try and respond to everyone and I'm so sorry I haven't been able to this time, so instead of something written, I've been sending kind thoughts and wishes to each of you. If you had an eye tick, that might have been me ;-) While the chiropractor visit was successful and made me feel better, all of the sudden my fingers started cramping up, something that's never happened before. So there was little knitting and blogging, but lots of packing, because last weekend people, was 'The Move'. Where I crammed some more stuff into my already existing 3'x4' storage locker, and the rest of my possessions into a 5'x7'x7' plywood box, which now sits 20 feet up in a warehouse. A few choice items now reside in bf's room. Yarn and needles, of course, laptop and various i-gadgets. After running 31 stairs up and down countless times, I'm sore. Everywhere. Even my eyeballs hurt, after looking at 353 cubic feet of stuff.
But here goes the knitting: First a pair of man socks aka Thursday socks for bf, made of Lana Grossa yarn, meilenweit something, his pick. Modeled on me.

Second, a pair of man socks aka Friday socks for bf, made of Lana Grossa meilenweit something. Modeled on me, a surprise for bf, to be handed over while saying good-bye at the airport come Friday. See, bf said a while ago that he would love to have a pair of handknit socks for every work day, because they feel so good and keep his feet so toasty. While I told him sternly that no way was he getting another pair until his b-day in January, my melting heart went to the LYS right away for more Lana Grossa, his favorite. And because he wanted 'a pattern' after seeing all my socks, he got some fancy 2x2 rib down to the toe!

So my socks and Lila have been on the back burner. I'm not sure I'll finish either before Friday, what with the sausages dangling from the logs attached to my body.
But here is a question for you guys: Anyone been to Poland, specifically Warsaw or Krakow? Are there yarn shops, or anything cool aside from the obvious Lonely Planet listings that you've seen or heard of? I'll be there(Warsaw) for four days while my mom is attending a teacher conference. I'm taking the train to Krakow for a daytrip.
One of my huge Noro shawls will be with me, to shield me from the Siberian winds. Bring on the vodka!
Oops, I almost forgot! Two fabulous knitters (Angela and Winnie) have tagged me with a knitting meme:

What is your all time favorite yarn to knit with?
Oh, knit with is different than wear, right? I love knitting with Noro Silk Garden, it's exciting to see the colors melt into each other, and the sheen and touch is beautiful. I also love Debbie Bliss Cathay, because it slips so easily off the needles. Nature's Palette is such a treat, despite it's tendency to split. I happily wear Calmer, but I didn't really enjoy knitting it.

Your favorite needles?
A couple of years ago I purchased a complete set of old Phildar circs from eBay for $20. They've worked fine for me, as do the old unidentifiable plastic ones I have. My dpn's are all bamboo, whichever brand is cheapest at my LYS. I haven't tried any of the needles people rave about, so maybe I'm missing out? I did finger a pair of Lantern Moon needles at the LYS yesterday, but I've been hesitant to spend this much ($32) on needles, when I already have every size.

The worst thing you've ever knit?
I look at my projects like ex boyfriends, while some weren't great, I learned from all of them, so it's hard to pinpoint the worst. Maybe that vest from a 1920's knitting book, which is so nicely knit yet so impractical. I was in a Great Gatsby mode and the yarn went so well with a pair of Marlene style trousers I have.
But the worst I've ever knit WITH.....oh, that'd be Rowan Yorkshire Tweed DK.

Your most favorite knit pattern? (maybe you don't like wearing it...but it was the most fun to knit)
Clapotis - so simple, such stunning results. Wendy's toe-up socks - this pattern launched the sock knitting addiction.

Most valuable knitting technique?
Grafting!

Best knit book or magazine?
I like Nancy Wiseman's Finishing Techniques, which has helped me lots. I love the instructional drawings in Interweave Knits but rarely their patterns. Knitty has been helpful many times.

Your favorite knit-a-long?
I've never done one.

Your favorite knitblogs?
Well, there's the list to the right which hasn't been updated in ages, but there are so many more, all for different reasons.

Your favorite knitwear designer?
Kim Hargreaves and I'm always inspired by fashion designers such as James Coviello, Alexander McQueen, Yoshi Yamamoto and Dries van Noten.

The knit item you wear the most? (how about a picture of it!)
Debbie Bliss' Cabled Jacket from The Cashmere Collection, knit in Rowanspun Chunky cardamom. Favorite hang-out comfy cardi in squishy soft yarn.


Who's next? You guys are it.
Lori, Blossom, Tari, Annie, Jo