Secret Pal 8 Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I love the classics - Wool, wool blends, merino, cotton, silk, silky wool and most other natural fibers. I also have enjoyed some novelty/acrylic yarns such as Louisa Hardings Fauve or suede, but generally prefer natural. I am not a big fan of superwash and acrylic yarns. No matter how expensive they always seem plasticy to me. The exception being suerpwash merino sock yarn.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
Needle Rolls that match my knitting bag by Betz Designs.

3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I have been knitting since I was 5 years old and would definitely consider myself advanced, but there is always more to learn in knitting (unless you Elizabeth Zimmerman or Meg Swansen) so I enjoy taking classes to learn or improve on skills.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
No. But I may try to get to that later this weekend.

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Warm smells, like Fig or brown sugar vanilla.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I didn't know there was any other kind of tooth. I LOVE chocolate, but hate Hershey's. I grew up in England and so have never become accustomed to the waxy US brands. I also love licquorice (black).

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I do scrapbook, a little. I do not spin.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
James Blunt, Josh Grobin, INXS, Toby Keith, I not the biggest fan of R&B, but otherwise have pretty mixed tastes (if you can't tell yet).

9. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
Red. I prefer deeper and warmer colors, autumnal tones, browns, greens, golds, reds. I'm not really a big pastel lover, but do like sage green.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I am married with four children, 3 boys - 10, 7, 16 mo's and 1 girl - 4. We only have goldfish and have family members in the home who are allergic to cats, and dogs.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
In the winter I do wear scarves, hats and mittens as we live in the Northwoods and it gets cold as heck here. I don't really wear ponchos.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Cabled sweaters. My first sweater was an aran when 5, and have enjoyed them ever since. I do also enjoy knitting lacey items, but enjoy the process much more than the finished garment as I'm not a real frilly chick. I tend to gift out these projects. I also enjoy knitting socks.

13. What are you knitting right now?
The question should be, what are you not knitting right now. Let's see, a lace shawl in meg swansens unspun icelandic yarn, 2 pairs of socks, 2 dale sweaters, 1 Philosopher wool sweater. I am preparing to knit a sweater from Alice Starmore's Tudor Rose with a KAL. This is all I am willing to 'fess up to publicly.

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

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
It depends on the type of knitting, but never plastic needles. I am rather keen on the rosewood and other exoctic needles offered by Lantern Moon.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
No, but it's on the list of items to get. I really do need to get one.

17. How did you learn to knit?
My Nanny Taylor (grandmother) taught me. She and my mum knit constantly, so it was second nature to me.

18. How old is your oldest UFO?
5 years old, a hat for my daughter to felt. It would probably only take me an hour or so to finish knitting it, but at this point I think I'm over it. Otherwise, everything else is just a WIP, as I intend on picking it up again when the moment is right. There is a difference.

19. What is your favorite holiday?
Thanksgiving (although Christmas runs a close second). Although I didn't grow up in the US I have thoroughly embraced this holiday. I love it and plan for weeks before what I'll make and love to organize big dinner parties for that day. It's always the start to the holiday season and I feel like a kid at Christmas eve.

20. Is there anything that you collect?
Duh? Yarn! Oh, you mean anything non-obvious. Boots. I love boots. They are a complete weakness of mine. Plus knitting books.

21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
Early rowan magazines. I have #20+. Vogue knitting stitch references or any stitch reference for that matter, you can never have too many. Some Alice Starmore. I have subscriptions to Knitters.

22. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Brioche, better design techniques. I need to think on this one.

23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes. Size 9 1/2.

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