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?

I find myself rapidly becoming more of a yarn snob. I love working with natural fibers, however I know that Lion Brand has some nicer yarns they’re coming out with. I definitely don’t like novelty eyelash kinds of yarn.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?

I don’t spin, but I do crochet.

3. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

I have a Denise set which I use often, they have their own case. My Brittany needles are in a cup… I need something to hold them in. My hooks are in a new holder that I just made.

4. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I’ve been knitting since July, but didn’t really get into the swing of it until August. I’d consider myself to be an intermediate since I can do things like garment construction and alter patterns as needed.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

No. I’ll let you know if I make one, though.

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)

I prefer lighter scents for bath products. (Vanilla is an all-time favorite.) With candles I like something a little more heady. I have a Cinnamon Clove candle on my living room table right now and I’m loving it.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

Yes, but I’m trying to cut back on the sweets. Heath Bars are my favorite, fyi.

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?

I had a great time making stitch markers. I also cross-stitch and scrapbook. (Who am I kidding. I mostly knit and crochet.)

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

My music tastes change. Right now I’m enjoying the new cd by Carrie Underwood (though I wouldn’t consider myself a huge Country fan). I also love Josh Groban at the moment.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?

The lifetime favorite color is blue. I love muted and natural colors, though a lovely red has been known to make my heart skip a beat.

I stay away from anything too bright (for myself). Oranges, yellows, highlighter green.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I have a wonderful husband and a little man who turned 2 in September.

12. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

I just moved to MO from San Diego, so my repertoire of scarves and hats is growing. I have one pair of mittens and could use another pair. Ponchos aren’t my thing.

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?

The list is rapidly growing! I just started knitting something with Rowan Cashsoft Baby DK and I’m in love. I also love Debbie Bliss and Cascade 220. I have an upcoming project in Lamb’s Pride, so we’ll see how I like it. Oh, and I have 2 skeins of Lorna’s Laces that I have just to look at for a while. If it works up anything like it feels, I’ll be addicted.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

Besides novelty glittery stuff… not much.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?

Oh golly. I have a couple of bags/purses that I want to make. Oh and garments! I’m doing a sweater vest for my little guy and some stashbusting tank tops for some friends’ kids. I’m also drooling over socks, but I’m taking a class for that in Feb. I think.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

Look above! Garments and bags.

17. What are you knitting right now?

A cabled scarf for my grandma. A sweater vest for my son. 3 tank tops for 3 little girls. I also am crocheting a wrap and I’ll be casting on for a shawl soon.

18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Yes!

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?

Every project has it’s perfect tool. I have a Denise set, so I’m set on circs, but I don’t have much in the way of straight needles.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Ooh. I love my Brittany needles. Those things are incredible. I’ve also got one Addi Turbo circs that made me melt a bit because they were great.

21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

Yes! My hubby’s Christmas present to me. (Is he great, or what?)

22. How did you learn to knit?

I learned by book.

23. How old is your oldest UFO?

That would by moving therapy blanket that I started when we first made the lightning move to MO in September. Simple garter stitch, nothing fancy or complicated.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?

Umm. I don’t know that I have one. My son loves VeggieTales so I suppose that would be my favorite, too!

25. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas.

26. Is there anything that you collect?

Besides yarn and needles? Books and tea cups… oh and black and white pictures.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

I have a subscription to Interweave Knits.

28. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?

The Debbie Bliss Astrakhan looks like it’d be interesting to work with. (The green is beautiful.) I’d also love more Brittany straights and dpns. I’m always on the look out for cute patterns for boys and nice sweaters for men.

29. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

I’d love to learn short row shaping, socks, and get more comfortable with dpns.

30. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

I’m not a sock knitter yet. I hope to be one soon! If you’d like my foot measurements, let me know what you’d need.

31. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)

October 16