Being the super joiner that I am lately, I've signed up for Secret Pal 11 swap... here's my Q&A.
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I love most all natural, soft fibers, including merino wool & alpaca. I also love hand dyed & hand spun yarn. I’m not so fond of sticky acrylics…. but I’m not totally anti-acrylic either (it has its place, right?). I do not have any need for fun fur or eyelash yarns… may they rest in peace.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have some handmade needle holders – 1 for circulars and 1 for straight & DPN. I have of my fancier needles in a wood box thing on the table in my knitting corner, though I'd love to get one of those rubber needle vases at some point (they have them at Patternworks).
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
My Mom tried to teach me many years ago as a child, when I did some very basic stitches and made a blanket for my doll. It wasn’t "cool" then though, so I didn’t stick with it… and now could kick myself in the arse for that! I got back interested probably about 4 years ago, but I’ve really started seriously knitting in the past 2 years or so. I guess I would consider myself an intermediate knitter
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes, there is a button for it on my sidebar under the “participation ribbons.”
5. What's your favorite scent?
I love fresh, clean scents including french vanilla, sea/ocean, green tea, fresh cut grass, lavender, etc. When it comes to candles, I also like “homey” scents like banana bread, apple pie, basil, ginger/lime, etc. I do NOT like anything floral (makes me sneeze).
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
YES!!!! I love swedish fish, Haribo gummy bears, chocolate (milk or white), Reese’s peanut butter cups, chocolate covered gummy bears (yum-o!), chocolate covered pretzels (sense a theme here?), most gummy things, etc. I also love Tortuga Rumcakes.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I am a beginning drop-spindle spinner (all tips & tricks of spindle spinning are appreciated). I have done almost all types of crafts throughout my life (my childhood was a very crafty one - macramé, ceramics, beading, counted cross stitch, latch hook, plastic canvas, etc), but am mainly a knitter and learning to spin now. I am about to dabble in some bead work however to make stitch markers and notions.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Yes, I can play MP3s. I like most all music except for traditional country & rap. Some of my favorites are John Mellencamp, Kelly Clarkson, Bon Jovi, Sister Hazel, Christina Aguliera, Kid Rock, AC/DC, Collective Soul, Billy Joel and Chris Daughtry. I also like some classic rock and still love my 80's rock too (Extreme, Skid Row, Slaughter, Ugly Kid Joe, Warrant, etc.)!
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I tend to lean towards lots of purples, blues, pinks and reds, as well as a lot of fall color mixes (love foliage colors in New England). Nothing I really can’t stand except maybe neons and hideous shades of any color.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I live with my boyfriend of 12 years and our 3 “children,” 4-legged furbabies Zeus, Lola & Teutul. You will see and hear about them often on my blog.... my dogs are very spoiled, after all they are my children! We often have a furry houseguest as well, as I volunteer with a dog rescue and foster from time to time.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Are you kidding? I'm a New England girl, born and raised! I wear a scarf and gloves/mittens daily in the winter. I'd probably wear hats more often if I had more that I loved and didn’t flatten or static zap my hair. I’m not much of a poncho person (I’m only 5’2” and they tend to make me look more squat than anything), but am liking wraps and shawls more these days.
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Of course we all love the quick & easy projects, right (instant gratification!)? I enjoy making anything that I know will be appreciated and worn by the recipient. I like to do socks and mitts on DPN… and have a new love for bags. I enjoy anything that brings a new skill or challenge to my knitting repertoire (example: I recently took a Double Knitting class which was a blast).
13. What are you knitting right now?
I am not a monogamous knitter, and therefore always have several projects OTN. Currently OTN: a pair of anklet socks, a lace headband, a Double Knitting head/ski band, a tank top, a cat bed, a Booga bag, a shaped scarf/wrap, a dishcloth and a few scarves… and probably some more things that are hiding in one of several project bags!
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes indeed! They can be so much more special that what money can buy.
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Circular anytime I can – I hate sewing seams! If I’m working with circulars, I love Addi Turbos and Knit Picks. For DPN, I love bamboo. For straights, I have a mix of bamboo, acrylic and metal… depends on the yarn, but I tend to lean towards the woods. I recently got a pair of Fiddlesticks Needles and absolutely adore them!
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Yes, I own both.
17. How old is your oldest UFO?
Um… do I really have to say??? I would have to guess 4 years old. The first scarf I started when I got back in to knitting… it’s a basket weave pattern in a dustry rose acrylic yarn on some old fashioned metal needles … I think its time to cut the thing loose...
18. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas and Halloween. I like St Patrick’s Day too, as I am a wee bit Irish!
19. Is there anything that you collect?
Besides yarn, UFO and needles??? I collect Willow Angels and Snow Babies. I’ve recently found myself picking up various knitting / fiber related collectibles as well. I also have a pretty big collection of dog related items (everything from welcome mats to "What Part of Woof Don't You Understand?" signs to throw pillows to art prints to kitchen towels to figurines)… oh, and knitting books, esp love signed ones!
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’d love to try some Tofutsies yarn and the Vickie Howell yarn line… For needles, I’m always looking to add some luxury ones to my collection and would love to get a set of Lantern Moon Sox Stix… I do have several books on my Amazon wish list… I subscribe to Simply Knitting (the UK magazine – it was a splurge but I LOVE it!), Creative Knitting and Knit Simple.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I’m always up for learning new techniques & tricks! I recently took a Double Knitting class which is something I’d wanted to learn for a long time… I’d like to learn to knit 2 socks at once and the magic loop.
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes! I’ve never taken actual measurements of my foot, but I wear a size 8 ½ - 9 shoe (US women’s sizes), which tends to make me a Medium for most things.
23. When is your birthday?
October 7th
24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
I am on the waiting list. As of today (Aug 6th)…
~ You signed up on July 22, 2007
~ You are #19564 on the list.
~ 11396 people are ahead of you in line.
~ 3852 people are behind you in line.
~ 33% of the list has been invited so far
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