Secret Pal 9 Questionaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I love natural fibers. I do use some acrylic or blends when making gifts for loved ones who refuse to hand wash anything. I would love to try some of the new soy silk, banana and bamboo. I LOVE hand painted yarns for socks and hats. (I detest most of the fake fur/eyelash "yarns.")

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
Hmmmmm... My straight needles are in a pottery pitcher hand painted with irises. My Circulars are in zip-loc bags in a three-ring binder. My crochet hooks are in a cardboard box I've been using since the early '80s(!).

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I learned knitting basics from my mother at around age 10. Soon, I was making up my own designs for my Barbie dolls, my pets (toy poodles), my brother, my dad, etc. I guess my skills are at the advanced-intermediate level... there's always more to learn.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Nope... maybe I should!

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)
I am allergic to most fragrances... I love real roses, though!

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Mmmmmmmm....chocolate.....*drool, drool*

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
In addition to knitting, I spin, crochet, sew, cook, read and write.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Love those MP3s! My music is very eclectic ... I don't care for most rap, heavy metal or anything that is louder than my teenager!

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I love cool colors... blues, purples, greens. I also love dark chocolate brown (mmmm...chocolate...)

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Just me, my teenage son, two cats, a turtle and a laughing poodle... quite the zoo.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Not so much on the ponchos... I do love scarves and mittens. Hats depend on the style, color and fiber.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Socks, hats, bags, scarves, toys

13. What are you knitting right now?
Socks, hats, bags, scarves, toys (getting ready for Christmas gifts).

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

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I'm and Addi Turbo girl...especially circs.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Japanese umbrella swift and two ball winders.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
*chuckle, snort* Does a partially finished linen bag from early in the twentieth century (circa 1930's?) count? I inherited it from a family friend, have worked on it, but still have not finished it. :o}

18. What is your favorite holiday?
Thanksgiving.

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Knitting books, patterns, hand painted iris mugs.

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 subscribe to Knitter's, Interweave Knits, and Spin-Off. I recently bought SnB Nation and Happy Hooker.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I have yet to knit socks using the Magic Loop method.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Love them socks! I have a nicely turned size 10US (41Eur) pair of feet.

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
December 17th