1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? I'm a semi yarn snob. I prefer natural over synthethic or at the very least a blend and I really hate Red Heart. On the other hand, I really like Lion Brand Landscapes for quick scarves and hats when I'm doing charity knitting and I really liked the Sidar blend I used for Mom's scarf.
2. Do you spin? Crochet? I don't spin. I used to crochet but I was never very good at it.
3. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? For most of my projects I use the Denise Interchangables which store in their own case. But I'm starting to get quite a collection of DPNs and circulars of sizes not in the Denise or when I need two circulars and they are all just thrown in a nightstand drawer. Loose, rolling and rattling around when I open the drawer. Also in that drawer? Stitch markers, tapestry needles, the few crochet hooks I have, guage measurer and a random Hershey Kiss. I really need better organization for this stuff.
4. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I've been knitting since May or June 2005 (it's very fuzzy, parts of 2005) and I'd say I'm in early intermediate. I've done several felted projects, a pair of socks, and entrelac. I haven't cabled yet but it's next on my list after I finish the Danica scarf.
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? I have an Amazon wish list (link in the sidebar) and a Knitpicks wish list. Though I think the Knitpicks has to emailed directly to a person.
6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.) Sweetpea is my absolute favorite, followed by fruity and floral scents. I really dislike the Vanilla Sugar-type scents and I hate patchouli.
7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? I have 32 sweet teeth. I'm not sure I've met a candy I didn't like except those crazy sour things kids like. I love dark chocolate and fruit/chocolate together (chocolate-covered dried cherries, yum!). Hershey Cherry Cordials are my current passion.
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? I make soap (and used to sell it) though I have't done it in a while since it takes up a lot of room and most of my stuff is in storage. I cross-stitch and I love rubber stamping.
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) MP3s are good. My music taste can best be summed up as "these things do not go together." I like Barry Mannilow, Bette Midler, Gordon Lightfoot, Eagles, CCR and all that 70s southern rock, Broadway and movie musicals, Barenaked Ladies, classic country, what my friend calls y'all-ternative (BR549 and the like), bluegrass, old-timey gospel, folk, and I adore Fountains of Wayne and only have "Welcome Interstate Manager" and Jewell.
10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand? Bluey-greens are my favorite and sea/sky pallettes. Though I also love pink/red/purple pallettes. I usually don't like yellows and oranges.
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I'm a widow and I live with my sister, her husband and their two kids (12 and 14). I have an English Cocker Spaniel, Xander. (Edited, my cat passed away.)
12. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? I don't wear mittens but I do wear scarves and hats. I've never worn a poncho but I am searching for a good shawly-poncho to wear in the office when it gets cold. Above the elbows and fairly open necked (I hate things on my neck, I never wear round neck shirts or turtlenecks).
13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? I seem to fall back on Cascade 220 a lot but that may be because it's a good price and easy to find in the area. I like Noro Kureyon for felting but I don't like it left as-is, too scratchy. I have some Knitpicks Andean Treasure that I love and I adore the feel of Karokee. I haven't had the time or money to try many different yarn brands so I'd be thrilled to get anything.
14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I don't like 100% acrylic and like I said above I think Noro Kureyon is icky left unfleted.
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s? The shawly-poncho search is my main "I need to find this" obsession. I love entrelac patterns, working one now and plan to buy another pattern this weekend. I want to make more socks when I can afford to buy two pairs of No. 3 circulars (I have DPNs but I made wrist warmers in the two circular method and it's so much better). And I love to felt stuff.
16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Felted bags, wrist warmers, entrelac patterns.
17. What are you knitting right now? I'm making the Danica entrelac scarf from Knitty.com.
18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Love them!!
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Circs or flexible straights (i.e. interchangeables like Denises). I knit on a pair of regular straights this weekend for the first time in months and it was like trying to knit with my elbow tied to my ears, the ends were constantly in my way.
20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Bamboo or plastic, aluminum irks me.
21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? I have both and they are my extra-special friends. The winder is old (used from eBay) and winding a whole skein of Cascade 220 is a fight at the end but it works.
22. How did you learn to knit? My friend Keli taught me, then taught me again when I started knitting everything through the back loop. I also used several books and a CD-ROM.
23. How old is your oldest UFO? 8 - 9 months. I started a mitred square baby blanket but never finished, it's needs about another 20 squares and seaming but it's boring.
24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird? I honestly don't think I have a favorite animated character. Maybe Bender from Futurama. I'm a sucker for dogs.
25. What is your favorite holiday? Halloween for sheer fun, Christmas for family, Easter for religion.
26. Is there anything that you collect? Not much anymore. I used to collect antique kitchen stuff but it's all in storage.
27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I somehow ended up with a subscription to Creative Knitting even though I don't remember subbing. That's it. I'd love Interweave Knits and Vogue Knitting.
28. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? Circulars in sizes 4 and below, Manos Del Uruguay, any sock yarn, and the books in my Amazon wish list.
29. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Cabling.
30. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? One pair so far for my father, I want to make some for myself. I wear a size 7 wide shoe.
31. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) 07/18
THANKS for the heads up info. I am very excited to be your secret pal!!!!! Talk to you soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: secret pal | Tuesday, 17 January 2006 at 02:16 PM
secret pal package on it's way!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: secret pal | Friday, 27 January 2006 at 07:24 PM
secret pal package on it's way!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: secret pal | Friday, 27 January 2006 at 07:24 PM
The shawly-poncho search is my main "I need to find this" obsession.
I know it's totally simple, but http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/kmm-poncho.html?noImages=0
You can skip the stitching the top together and it's totally a shawl ... I did mine is less than two night's of television. However, don't use anything with a pretty sparkly silver thread as I have cuts all over my thumbs. 8-P
Posted by: Shell | Tuesday, 31 January 2006 at 08:03 PM