CP "Get to Know a Purl": Connie

What better way to kick off our CP "Get to Know a Purl" profiles with the Purl who made the great suggestion! Connie!

We may not always be in attendance at all of the same CP meetings at the same time, but we surely can log in here to see and get to know each other with these quick & fun profiles!

Each month two Purls will be featured so we can begin recognizing each other and learning more about our fabulous diverse group!
So get your answers ready, because your turn will be coming soon too! :o)

Thanks Connie for this wonderful suggestion on getting to know each other a little bit better!

1. How did you hear about Charlotte Purls and when did you join?
I heard about the CP's via Stacey. She had commented on my blog and then we im'd via Yahoo. In talking she had told me she was having to learn crochet for her Lizard Ridge. I offered to help her and asked her to come over to my house. She said that she couldn't that day as it was a CP meeting day. I asked her if anyone could come and she said yes, and told me how to get there. This was my first visit and it was in late April or early May 2007.

2. How long have you been knitting/crocheting and who taught you?
I have been crocheting since I was a teenager, but didn't make my first project until I was a young adult. My mother taught me and my first crochet project was a ripple afghan, which I still have.
I taught myself to knit this past February 2007 via the http://www.knittinghelp.com/ video's.

3. What is your favorite item(s) you like to knit/crochet that you could never get enough of doing?
Well, I hate to say it, but dishcloth's! It seems that I am always crocheting or knitting one on a regular basis. They go quick, and are a great way to try new stitches and they make great gifts.

4. Is there one thing you really have no desire to knit/crochet?
Umm.. well, I really have no desire to knit socks. I have knit them using a sock loom, but I just don't get the whole sock knitting craze. But, that is just me and I know that a lot of people love to knit socks. I won't say never, as I do have a DVD that teaches how to knit two at the same time, which I would have to do, because once I finished the first, I may never finish the second.

5. How often during the week do you knit/crochet and when do you normally fit in time?
The question should be when do I find time to fit in other activities? I knit daily! I always have a project in a basket beside where I sit at the TV. I pick it up first thing in the morning and depending on what project I am working on, I may knit or crochet all day. I always knit or crochet watching evening TV or anytime I am in front of the TV. I also turn the TV to the music station and just relax, listen and knit. In fact, it's a great time to listen to my favorite knitting podcast. My favorite time to knit is the afternoon. My husband and son are at work and the house is quiet and peaceful.

I am blessed that I get to stay home, and I do work, but only for a few hours on Tuesday and Wednesday in my home salon. Which leaves me plenty of time for my favorite past time!

6. What is your favorite project to date that you knitted/crocheted?
The lace shawl that I knitted for my daughter this past Christmas. It was my first lace project and although there were mistakes made, I was overall thrilled with the way it turned out.

7. At this moment, what is your future dream project you would like to knit/crochet?
I would love to knit myself a car coat length sweater. It will take tons of yarn and tons of time, so not sure when I will take this project on, but if the perfect pattern makes itself known to me, I just may start it this year.

8. What one new knitting/crocheting thing do you want to learn in 2008?
The mobius cast on and delve further into fair isle. I just finished my first beginner's fair isle project, a tam, and now I think I am hooked.

9. What are your "go to" knit/crochet book(s)?
It would be hard to pick just one. I do have this one by Michaels that has many great projects, and I love the Alterknits, Weekend Knitting and the one called Mason Dixon Knitting. But, if I have to choose my fav go to, it would be Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Needlework. This is a very old book and I have had it for years (it was my mom's) and this past December I gave it back to my mom and got my own copy via EBay. The newer version had a different cover, but I wanted to old cover and you can find them cheap on EBay. It has a wealth of information on anything and great photo's as well.

10. Other than knitting/crocheting are there any other hobbies or activities you enjoy doing?
Yes, I cross stitch, sew, smock, dabble in ceramics and of course making stitch markers and row counters.

11. Tell us, how would your close friends/family describe you?
Funny, crazy, outgoing and fun to be around. Really! LOL

12. If you could have a full day to spend with anyone (dead or alive) who would that be and why?
Both of my grandma's. To ask them all the things about their lives that I never got to ask them.

13. What one thing do you know for sure?
That I am saved by grace and that when I die I will spend eternity in heaven with the Lord. Hallelujah!

14. What has our group (Charlotte Purls) changed about you?
I don't think CP has changed me in anyway, but it has enriched my life. I have learned so much by going to the meetings and meeting new friends and being inspired by everyone's projects.

15. What do you enjoy most about Charlotte Purls?
The love, fun, laughter, diversity, the come as you are, fully accepting nature of our group!