Secret Pal 9 Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I like wools and wool blends, alpaca, some cotton - more traditional yarns. Most Rowan and Debbie Bliss yarns, Koigu, Mountain Colors, Blue Skye...I don't like many novelty yarns. No acrylic.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I use a plastic storage box that pulls out like a drawer. I bought it at Target and it's worked well so far, except that it's nor very portable. I just pull what I need and keep those items in my knitting bag.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I've been knitting for about 16 years now. I took a class at a yarn store when I was in college. In the beginning, there would be times when I didn't knit for a couple of years here and there, but I've been pretty consistent for the past ten years and I plan on knitting forever (as long as I am able). I consider myself to be an intermediate/advanced knitter. There is still a lot I can learn. I just learned to do cables a year ago, which are very easy, I just never learned. And then there are socks - I made a baby pair in a class, but I haven't finished an adult size pair yet. But I plan to soon!

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
No - I keep it all in my head.

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)
I love candles and bath products. I like a variety of scents - citrus scents (orange ginger, grapefruit, lemon), lemongrass, lavendar, flowers, vanilla - pretty much anything goes except for food smells like chocolate chip cookies (I'd rather that scent was coming from the oven!).

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Yes! I have a weakness for homemade cookies and ice cream. I don't eat much candy, but I love chocolate, especially milk chocolate.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I've done a little scrapbooking - I like all the paper products and stickers. I love to cook and bake - I'm always trying a new recipe that I saw on Food Network. I don't spin. I won't let myself take on another fiber related hobby. I'm happy to just knit.

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 rock and alternative rock. I think U2 is the best band of all time. Even the Beatles (who I also love) didn't have the career span that U2 has had. Pete Yorn is a favorite. Also Radio Head, Cold Play, the Killers - I could go on and on. And yes, I can play MP3s on my computer.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
My favorite color is red. When it comes to yarn I like earthy tones rather than bright primary colors. I'm drawn to blue/green colors a lot, like teal, indigo blue, sea green. I really like all colors, just not bright ones. I also like neutrals - black, white, cream, taupe.


10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I'm married, no children yet but we're trying. I have a male cat named Nikko who's going to be 15 this month.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I like them all. There isn't a huge need for them here in Southern California, but we do have chilly nights and mornings in the winter. And my husband and I like to travel, so I like to wear them if the weather permits.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Sweaters. I especially like to make baby sweaters because they knit up so quickly and they're so darn cute. Lately I've been making a lot of fingerless gloves and a couple of scarves.

13. What are you knitting right now?
A baby hoodie for my one year old nephew, a felted tote bag - I have a small collection of UFOs, and I'm trying to decide which sweater I want to cast on for myself next.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I like both - it depends on the project. Sweaters are usually easier with circulars because of their size and bulk. I use a lot of bamboo, but I'm beginning to lean toward Addis or something similar - again it depends on the project. I don't like the metals dpns because they're slippery and fall out leaving loose stitches behind.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
No. Can you believe I'm still winding my yarn by hand? I use the cardboard tube that's in the middle of the roll of paper towels. It works, it's just slow. I intend to buy a winder and swift, but I always buy yarn instead.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
About 8 years! Its a cardigan designed by Annabelle Fox. It has intarsia flowers along the bottom border and then a leaf lace pattern on the top. I got stuck on the pattern and put it away for a long, long time.

18. What is your favorite holiday?
Thanksgiving and Christmas. And my birthday. :)

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Not really. I keep all my knitting magazines and have several pattern books. I like antique dishes - china, depression glass, especially little sugar and creamer sets, but I only have a couple so it's not really a collection.

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'd like to have the Treasury of Knitiing books by Barbara Walker, Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush, anything by Elizabeth Zimmerman. I don't have any subscriptions to magazines - I buy Vogue Knitting and Interweave Knits regularly.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I'd like to learn Fair Isle and conquer making socks.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I'm a wannabe at this point. I haven't quite taken the plunge and committed to finishing a pair. But I keep buying sock yarn! So I will be some day. My foot measurements are 9 1/2 inches long and 8 1/2 inches around the ball of the foot. I wear a size 8 shoe.

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
May 22nd