Secret Pal Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I love knitting with soft natural yarns, such as Merino or Alpaca. (On the Alpaca front however, I seem to be allergic to Frog Tree Alpaca...) I'm not a big fan of cotton as it kills my hands to knit, but I'll use it when I must. I haven't used anything acrylic since the first month I started knitting, although my avoidance of acrylic yarns is based mostly on the fact I'm lazy. It's easier to knit with wool or alpaca and spit splice rather than have to weave in ends. As far as favorite brands, some of mine include Lorna's Laces, Knitpicks Andean Treasure, Noro, Plymouth Suri Merino and Plymouth Alpaca.

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

I have a needle roll I made myself, however I'm not very fond of it so it's currently stashed away empty. I have old metal needles given to me from my mom and grandma that are displayed in a vase, and the bamboo needles I've collected are in a wine bottle holder. My dpns and circs are pretty much just thrown around. I've been looking for something to store them in and just haven't found anything I like as of yet.

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

I've been knitting for almost two years. I'd say I'm intermediate. There are a few things I haven't tried yet, such as Fair Isle and steeking, but I'm sure when I get around to it, I'll have no problems with them!

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

Yes I do. There's a link in the side bar to my Amazon wish list, or you can look me up by name or email address.

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

I tend to stick with baked goods scented things, like pumpkin pie or sugar cookie. I'm also a huge fan of buttercream frosting, orange, caramel and lilac. I like lavender as well as long as it's not too overpowering.

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

I do at times. My favorite would have to be chocolate, especially Choxie.

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

I don't really do any other DIY crafts. Once in a while my friends and I will get together and sew or plan other crafts, but nothing has really stuck yet. I do enjoy dying my own yarn, so far I've attempted Koolaid dying which was disastrous, and I've used Wilton Icing Dyes with some success.

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

I listen to a little bit of everything, but tend to lean towards the Classic rock or alternative side. A few of my favorite bands include The Who, Billy Joel, Queen, Springsteen, Less Than Jake, older Greenday, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Sublime.

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

My favorite color is light pink, but I tend not to buy much pink yarn. There really aren't too many colors I can't stand. I'm not a big yellow fan or a neon fan. I also don't like pastel colorways, like the baby yarn colorways. I like rich deep colors, and neutrals with some unexpected spots of colors thrown in.

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

I live at home with my parents and two brothers. I have a dog, Peaches and a cat, Mittens.

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

I wear scarves like they're going out of style. I have quite a few of them and they all get their fair share of use. I'm not really big on skull caps, but I do wear bucket hats. I'm not a fan of mittens, and I have a strong dislike for the Poncho.

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

Scarves. I've knit other items, and I tend to get these spurts where I'll knit hats or mittens, or my latest kick... Washclothes. But there's something fun about knitting a scarf. It can be as simple or complex as you like, and they're usually finished in under a week. For someone like me who gets bored easily, it's the perfect item to knit.

13. What are you knitting right now?

Right now I am finishing up a buttonhole bag using some stash yarn and trying to find something to do with 2 skeins of Noro Silk Garden. Usually I have at least 4 projects on the needles, but I've been putting off casting on for something new until after I go to the yarn store this weekend.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Of course. Who doesn't?

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

straight if I'm knitting a scarf or another flat object, circs for something that's knit in the round. I tend to stick to Bamboo, all though I'm also seriously in love with the few pairs of Addi Turbo's I own. I'm currently hunting for some of the smaller sized needles with a decent point on them for lace work. My bamboo needles are just too blunt.

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

No I do not. I don't mind hand balling my yarn. I actually enjoy it most of the time.

17. How did you learn to knit?

I taught myself using the internet. I actually posted a post back in April titled History that tells the story of how I came to knit if you're interested in reading it.

18. How old is your oldest UFO?

I have a ruffled neckwarmer from one of the K.1 mags on the needles using Lion Brand mohair that I haven't touched since around Christmas time.

19. What is your favorite holiday?

New Years Eve. Traditionally all of my friends come over and we party until the clock strikes 12. Then we take a walk into the field behind my house and remember the good times, the bad times, and those we lost. My friends are the most important people in my life, they're more than just my friends, they're my family. Being surrounded by all of them on New Years Eve is one of the best feelings in the world for me.

20. Is there anything that you collect?

Yarn and knitting books. I used to collect faerie statues but have officially run out of room to put them anywhere so that has since stopped.

21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

I don't have any subscriptions, although I always buy Vogue Knitting and Interweave when they come out. As far as books, you can check my Amazon wishlist, I have some listed there. I am looking to buy the Somewhat Cowl Pattern eventually, although I'll probably hold off on that until I get the yarn for it first. Otherwise I'll never get around to knitting it.

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

I'd like to learn how to fair isle. I bought The Deep V Argyle Vest pattern, just haven't figured out what yarn or what colors to knit it in.

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

I have successfully completed 3/4 of my first sock. Then I moved on to other projects. However I do have every intention of getting back into sock knitting. I do enjoy it. I'm a US size 8.5.

24. When is your birthday?

June 4