Secret Pal 8 Questionnaire

As a former SPer (SP4 alumnus), I'm really excited to participate again in SP8! I'm going to fill out the questionnaire anew, since it might be interesting to see if my answers have changed over the last year and a half. Here goes!

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I like a lot of yarns, but my favs are soft wools with maybe a bit of angora, alpaca, or mohair... delicious! I don't care for "novelty" yarns or acrylic-y acrylics.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I made the Circular Knitting Needle Holder from Stitch 'N Bitch, which hangs in my closet, and my crochet hooks and straights are in a drawer in one of my "yarn towers". I don't use straights very often, as I prefer circs. I also have a set of Denise Interchangeables, which come in their own nifty case.

3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I taught myself to knit about 3.5 years ago, and I consider myself an intermediate/advanced knitter (but I'm not afraid to challenge myself!). Since I don't often crochet, I think I'm a beginner.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? I have an Amazon wish list, and my Knit Picks wish list won't let me add the books/patterns that I want (weird!).

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.) I love soft, sweet florals like jasmine and honeysuckle, as well as herbals like green tea and basil.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Oh boy, yes! I love desserts, all kinds, and my favorite candies are salt water taffy, nougat, various Japanese candies, and anything cinnamon flavored.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? Sadly, I haven't made time for other crafts lately, but I would love to learn how to spin.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I have a very eclectic taste in music - specific artists, not music genres.

9. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand? I like most colors, but my favs are reds/pinks and olive/sage green. I don't like bright colors like hot pink or grass green.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I'm a married housewife, and my husband works from home, so we are together all the time! We've chosen not to have kids, but we have a spoiled dog and want more canine kids in the future.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? I occasionally wear scarves and hats (though not this time of year), and I don't wear mittens or ponchos.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? This really depends on my mood. Sometimes I like small projects, other times I'll dedicate myself to a real sweater. I like knitting things with lace, aran, or rib patterns because it keeps things interesting.

13. What are you knitting right now? I'm working on Wicker from Rowan 37, and I'm currently researching new projects as well. I generally like having more than one project at a time, so I can switch between them if I get bored.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? If they're well-made gifts, sure!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Bamboo circs all the way!

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Yes on both accounts. I even have a yarn meter, but I don't think it's calibrated correctly, so I don't use it.

17. How did you learn to knit? I sat in front of the computer and looked at a website, and also consulted a book I bought from Michael's.

18. How old is your oldest UFO? Too old to recall! I have a whole bin full of UFOs - I have completion issues, partly because I hate finishing with a passion.

19. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas! I'm not ashamed to admit I love the presents, the cookies, the dinners, etc.

20. Is there anything that you collect? We collect things with funky/fun chickens on them. I also have a lot of Hello Kitty things.

21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I've been wanting to make the Rockstar jacket from Alchemy Yarns, but to do it with the original yarn would cost like, a kajillion dollars. I also want a pack of Rowan Calmer, but again, it would cost like, half a kajillion dollars. I used to subscribe to Interweave Knits and Rowan International, but both have expired and I've been too lazy to renew. I do, however, still get the Yarn-of-the-Month goodies.

22. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? I want to practice more fair isle. I want to make the Electra vest from Rowan 38, but so far I only have the main color yarn, Yorkshire Tweed dk in Cheer. I'm trying to get more balls of the same yarn in different colors, but I can't decide what would look good.

23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? I don't like knitting socks because I have a hard time working with small needles, and I can't stand knitting in the round. I do, however, like wearing socks and my feet are really tiny - US size 5.5!

24. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) February 17.