CP "Get to Know a Purl": Angela

(I selected this pic of you b/c it is of your 1st knitted project!)

1. How did you hear about Charlotte Purls and when did you join?
Through Stacey, of course! We were in bellydance class together, and she invited me.

2. How long have you been knitting/crocheting and who taught you?
I learned to crochet a chain in 5th grade, and I improvised one Christmas stocking of my own design. That was my first and last project for a long time. Some 16 years later, I took a knitting class with coworkers in 2005 at Baskets of Yarn. I got really, really obsessed. (I think I mentioned before that I knit at stoplights while driving.) I did a couple of scarf projects, but then I completely stopped. I picked everything back up when I joined the Purls last fall - all thanks to Stacey!

3. What is your favorite item(s) you like to knit/crochet that you could never get enough of doing?
Anything I can wear. I like the idea of customized, one-of-a-kind clothing and accessories without having to sew.

4. Is there one thing you really have no desire to knit/crochet?
Anything with too many color changes or intricate details - requires too much attention and commitment, blech!

5. How often during the week do you knit/crochet and when do you normally fit in time?
Depends on the mood - none to hours daily. Knitting is more of an economical therapy session rather than a hobby for me. The more frustrated I feel with life, the more I knit/crochet. It helps me feel like, "Hey, at least I'm accomplishing something in one aspect of my life."

6. What is your favorite project to date that you knitted/crocheted?
A frog zip-up hoodie I knit as a baby gift for a friend. It's my favorite because it's my first non-scarf gift that I made, and my friend raved about the gift, despite the flubs.

7. At this moment, what is your future dream project you would like to knit/crochet?
This will show what an oddball I am in the group. My future dream project involves no needlework on my part. I thought about researching a list of movies and tv shows with knitting references - I've started noticing them since I started knitting. Then, in addition to, or maybe in conjunction with this list, I thought about checking out any research of the new rise in popularity of fiber arts in the past decade, how this might correlate to the neo-feminist movement and Bust magazine, and why knitting is coming back now. I know I'm a total nerd.

8. What one new knitting/crocheting thing do you want to learn in 2008?
Obviously, it's going to be how to read a knit chart for the Hemlock Ring Blanket. I'd also like to do some knitting and crocheting with beads so I can make jewelry.

9. What are your "go to" knit/crochet book(s)?
For crochet patterns, designs, and techniques, Sasha Kagan's Crochet Inspiration. For knit patterns, Debbie Stoller's Stitch 'n' Bitch Nation. As for basic knit techniques and stitches, I haven't found one I like enough yet. Any suggestions??

10. Other than knitting/crocheting are there any other hobbies or activities you enjoy doing?
Too many!!! I like anything that's nerdy, artsy, or cultural - reading, cooking (prefer eating), debates and discussions(about politics, religion, philosophy, psychology, anthropology, science), journaling, travel, hiking and outdoorsy activities, trying new cuisines, attending plays and concerts, bellydancing, any kind of dancing (that doesn't require a partner because I suck at following the lead), aerobics and yoga, Sudoku, playing with makeup, animals, analyzing, daydreaming, organizing and planning (yes, I'm a bit anal but planning is usually part of the daydreaming), gallery crawls, drum circles, farmer's markets, trying to learn how to garden even though I kill lucky bamboo, and shopping (who doesn't love shoes???)

11. Tell us, how would your close friends/family describe you?
Well, if you asked my parents, you'd probably end up thinking I was a tattoed, pierced, smoking, drinking, potty-mouthed, rebel-without-a-cause delinquent - all because I didn't become a doctor. I've failed as an Asian, apparently. Most everyone would agree that the first thing would be "smart." I've been nerd girl my whole life if you couldn't tell from previous answers. I've been called "bubbly" by friends, or "loud" by my parents, because I appreciate a goofy sense a humor. I'm an introvert, tried and true, but in my comfort zone, I like to laugh a LOT. And everyone would give some version of how I'm the oldest sister type - gives the advice, plans the social outings for the group, plays ringleader in making mischief with the younger sibs ("Dad, I swear I did not tell Spencer that he would go bald like grandad if he didn't sleep with tape in his hair!")

12. If you could have a full day to spend with anyone (dead or alive) who would that be and why?
How about someone not yet existing? Wouldn't it be great to meet yourself 10 or 20 years older or meet one of your children 10 or 20 year later so you can learn to do everything better?

13. What one thing do you know for sure?

Off the top of my head - no matter how many hours I spend at the gym, no matter how many calories I count, my shape will always be round.But the answer I should put so I can demonstrate my "wisdom" - you can't have regrets because everything happens for a reason: a lesson to be learned, another opportunity to come, better timing to wait for...

14. What has our group (Charlotte Purls) changed about you?
It hasn't really "changed" me per se, but it definitely has been a sort of life line for me. The past year and a half has been really tough - from my sister losing most of her sight at the age of 23, having my wallet stolen, getting a tapeworm infection, and dealing with the sudden death of a grandfather figure to everything in between going wrong with work, family, relationships, and life. I must've majorly pissed off the universe somehow the year before. The Purls (and belly dance class and the gym) have kept me from just crawling into a hole and shutting everything and everyone out. The Purls give me something to look forward to every other Saturday.

15. What do you enjoy most about Charlotte Purls?

It allows a different sort of artistic outlet for me, and I love watching creativity in progress and seeing how other people are "expressing" themselves. Plus, I learn something new all the time.