Secret Pal Seven

SECRET PAL 7 QUESTIONNAIRE:
1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand?
Yes, I am a yarn snob. Occasionally I'll pick up a novelty yarn from Lion, etc., but I'd prefer
to use natural fibers. After all, why spend all of that time to create something just to have
it fall apart or look awful!
2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I can crochet, but I'd prefer knitting. I would love to learn to spin, but so far I
haven't had the time or room.
3. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have a large, hinged basket that also serves as an end table next to our sofa.
4. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I'd consider myself to be an intermediate-level knitter. I've been knitting since I was
10, so it's been about 28 years now (yikes!). This last Christmas I spent more time on quantity though and I was cranking out lots of beginning level projects. I look forward to settling in w/ some more challenging works.
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
No
6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Vanilla or other food scents. I don't like perfume-smelling items.
7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Yes, Chocolate!
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
Needle felting, Gardening, quilting, embroidery, cross stitch and painting.
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I don't know if my computer can play MP3, but my husband has a player and his computer can. My musical tastes are eclectic with the exception of rap. I hate rap music.
10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
I love green and all of the autumn colors (rust, brown, orange, tan). I don't care a lot for pastels.
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I'm married with three daughters, Amber 9, Autumn 7 and Ashley 5. We serve two spoiled cats and have 4 chickens. The chickens will never see a stew pot, they are my gardening companions and bonus egg layers.
12. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I do wear scarves, hats and mittens when the weather requires it. I don't wear ponchos out of the house but wraps are nice for knitting and watching movies in.
13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
No particular favorites. I like to experiment with different things.
14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I'm finding it more and more difficult to knit with fuzzy yarns like Mohair. My fingers seem to get tangled up with them. Could be age, could be due to health, who knows.
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
Everything! I love to try knitting different things.
16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
No favorites, I just love to be making something.
17. What are you knitting right now?
A "Stella" cardigan (almost finished, will be for an old friend's birthday)and I'm anxiously awaiting to start a Philosopher's Fair Isle sweater.
18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes! Anybody can buy something, but not everybody can or will make something.
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
Depends on the project.
20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Bamboo. Metal needles tend to make my hands hurt. Although I did just purchase some nickel-plated Skacel (sp?) needles and they are supposed to be nice to work with. We'll see.
.21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
No. Alas, I drape the skeins around my trusty old rocking chair. Maybe next year we can get one.
22. How did you learn to knit?
My Maternal Grandmother originally taught me and then both of my Grandmothers and Mother helped me learn new techniques, etc. Over the years.
23. How old is your oldest UFO? I inherited a 20 year old sweater that my sister started and lost the pattern for. I don't have any knitting ufo's of my own other than the afore-mentioned cardigan. I have lots of quilts, etc. That are as of yet unfinished though... Do they count too?
24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
Cats. Definitely cats. I like most animals, and if we had the time and finances I'd like to get a goat or sheep too. I grew up with lots of animals.
25. What is your favorite holiday?
Halloween or the 4th of July. Both holidays have low stress levels and require minimal preparation. Christmas was fun as a kid, but the past few years have turned it into something stressful and to be dreaded. We've also lost a lot of family members so Christmas is especially hard.
26. Is there anything that you collect?
Fiesta dishes and yarn.
27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
None
28. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?
Not in particular. I'm a junkie so they all look delightful.
29. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Two-handed fair-isle. I'll be learning that this month... Hopefully!
30. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes. I wear a US women's 8 1/2 and my foot measurements are 9" long and 3 1/2" wide at the widest point.
31. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
July 18th.
32. Do you have any allergies? Only to Aspartame and penicillin and since I doubt I'll be knitting with diet yarn this shouldn't be a problem!