Secret Pal Questionnaire

I joined a group where you can spoil someone for the next three months in exchange for getting spoiled yourself. I did something like this with the candy swap about a month ago. This one is knitting centered. (Secret Pal 8)

I have to fill out a questionnaire and post it here on my blog.

1a. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?

I'm still a very new knitter and haven't been exposed to a lot of different yarns. When I first started out, I tried knitting with cotton but found it to be really very tough to work with because beginners knit so tightly. Wool has definitely become what I lean towards when buying yarn. I think this is because I did several felted projects and the wool felts very well.

I did, however, finally knit with cotton after I had some projects behind me and found it really not difficult to knit with. My knitting has definitely become a little looser the more I knit.

1b. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I will tolerate fun fur for small batches or lining. Otherwise, I really don't like working with them.

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

I have a Barnes and Noble book bag where I throw all my needles. I also have a set of Dennis system needles that I adore. They come in a case.

3a. How long have you been knitting?

Since October 2005

3b. Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I consider myself at an intermediate level. I can fix a problem in my knitting without frogging the darn thing (crochet hooks are wonderful things) - can finally determine the difference between a purl and knitted stitch just by looking at it. I love knitting in the round and have done a couple of intarsia projects as well as one fair isle type project.

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

No.

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

Berry style stuff.

6a. Do you have a sweet tooth?

Yes!

6b. Favorite candy?

Dark chocolate.

7a. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?

High powered rocketry, crochet, sew.

7b. Do you spin?

I have a homemade drop spindle and my neighbor has given me a couple of bundles of roving to experiment with.

8a. What kind of music do you like?

Basically anything but Country and Western. Right now the music we're listening to is Radio Disney oriented because of my 4 year old daughter.

8b. Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

Yes.

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 love color. My favorite is blue, but I like the jewel colors and find that I tend to buy stuff with those types of colors. While I love orange, it's not a color that looks good on me.

10a. What is your family situation?

I've been married for 15 years and have a 4 year old daughter.

10b. Do you have any pets?

Unlike most knitters, I do not have a cat, but a great pound puppy named Mel. We also have a couple of feeder gold fish that we rescued from our local pet store and they've lived very long lives (I think they're going on 8 years) indeed.


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

I live in Texas. It rarely gets cold here - so not really. Ponchos are definitely a NO.

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

Toys. Especially Jess Hutch's.

13. What are you knitting right now?

The Bombshell sweater from Big Girl Knits. I'm currently half way through the waist doing the k2, p2 rib. My next projects will be to make some mittens for some teachers in my daughters school.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Yes but I've never received one! :) The Bombshell sweater is the first homemade item I've made for myself!

15a. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?

Circular, baby! I will even go out of my way to use the Magic Loop to avoid DPN's.

15b. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Since I got the Dennis needles, I have to say plastic. When I was first learning to knit, bamboo was my choice.

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

If you call my thumb the swift and my left hand the winder, then yes. Otherwise, I can only dream of a winder with a swift . . . :)

17. How did you learn to knit?

I picked up a book and taught myself the basics - and went to Joann's for a quick demonstration to make sure I was doing it right. After struggling through and knitting several squares, I wanted to try to knit SOMETHING and my neighbor, whose been knitting for years and spins her own yarn, encouraged me to knit the Stitch n Bitch Devil Hat. It took me forever, but it certainly boosted my confidence and I haven't looked back.

18. How old is your oldest UFO?

I have a set of socks that I stopped knitting because I need to frog them. I'd say it's been about two months since I picked that project up. I also have a banner I've been knitting on that has taken me a couple of months. I'm pretty close at finishing it, but I just needed a break.

19. What is your favorite holiday?

Halloween

20. Is there anything that you collect?

Books

21a. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?

I'm pretty bad when it comes to knitting as I really indulge myself when I can.

21b. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

Interweave Knitting and Creative Knitting.

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

Cabling

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

I'm trying to knit a pair of socks from the toe up. I wear a size 10.5 women's shoe.

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

12/04