Secret Pal 12 Questionnaire

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

I do NOT like Acrylics. I can’t stand the feel of it. I love sock yarn (I’m a sock yarn addict) and I love anything that is soft! I am NOT a mohair fan… nor do I like to knit with chenille, popcorn yarn, fun fur or eyelash yarn. ICK. Not a fan of Tofutsie sock yarn. I think it's the only kind I don't like. I would like to check out Sundara sock yarn, Paca-Ped sock yarn (Alpaca Yarn Co.) or also Wollmeise. I'd also am dying for a skein of Handmaiden Sea Silk.

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

I have a wooden case that my grandmother gave me, as well as a large a nice Double pointed needle case I made for my bamboo DPN collection. Click here to see my beautiful handmade case. My circulars are now housed in a shoe bag that I got at the dollar store. Click here to see my awesome creation! Each pocket houses another size, and it came in a crazy color! My other regular straight needles are in this needle case that I made with my friend Jennie, click here to view. However, since making these all, I've acquired more needles - that need a home....!

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

I consider myself to be an intermediate knitter. I’ve been knitting since about mid-Novermber 2005, and have accomplished a lot since then. I tried knitting once when I was about 9 years old, an old non-live-in babysitter/housekeeper Irene taught me to knit. She was later fired for stealing from my parents. Then, my friend Faye got me knitting needles and some really expensive yarn for my birthday in June of 2004, while in my 2nd year of professional photography school. I knitted a garter ridge scarf (only knew knit stitch back then, didn’t know how to purl yet) and then put down knitting until November 2005, when I started working on a scarf in chenille (yick!) yarn for my mother-in-law. That yarn got so gross to knit with, that I won’t ever knit with chenille yarn again, and that scarf died. That’s when my sister-in-law introduced me to crochet (or her version of crochet anyhow!) and I didn’t touch any knitting for another month and a half until January 2006. And I haven't put down the needles since. That’s my knitting history for you in a nutshell.

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

I did, but then I bought myself everything off of it. So, I will work on another one, and when I have, I'll let you know. Currently, I own every single knitting book that I want. I'm bad like that.

5. What's your favorite scent?

Peach, Watermelon, Cinnamon. Nothing too strong. I don't burn candles or incense. I'm not into that. So please don't send any.

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

Not a fan of chocolate…. sweet tooth - not really. I like to chew different mint flavored gum. I love gum. Gum is a good thing to add to a package for me! I love sweedish berries and fuzzy peach on occasion. And runts.

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

I sew (learning), take pictures, do graphic design and rarely crochet (but rarely anymore). I do not spin, and tried it and don't like it. Would rather spend the time knitting!

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

I do not like rap or country music, or church music either. I can play MP3’s that’s no problem. I am into learning about new artists.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

I love pink, peach, blue, turquoise, , any shade of green, and I like yellow and red too. Right now I'm hot for lime green and yarn with a bunch of green colorways. Pink tones too! I just just just just just recently started taking a liking again to the color purple. I hated the color for years, maybe it was my pregnancy, I don't know...!

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

I live surrounded by males. I live with my hubby and our senior 2 cats and my beautiful son Sean. He was born Dec. 28th,2006 and that makes him 17 and a half months old. I'm also expecting ANY day now, Mackenzie, baby boy number 2! My official due date is July 7th, I hope to not go past June!

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

I wear hats & scarves and mittens. I think I would wear a poncho.

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

I don’t hate anything. I’m loving socks and anything baby!

13. What are you knitting right now?

Oh gosh, you don't even want to know. See Ravelry projects!

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Yes, but it depends on what. I love handmade stitch markers. I collect them. Anything handmade sewn is good!

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

I don’t really care for straights, but will use them. I like DPN’s for socks, or on a pair of 12″ circs. I have not tried magic loop yet, though I want to. And bamboo vs. aluminum - well it all depends on what type of yarn it is…. some yarns don’t mix well on bamboo needles (and it also depends if it’s circulars or DPN’s as well - it does make a difference in my opinion). Plastic - I guess is okay as well.

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

I own a ball winder and a swift. Hubby was getting annoyed being my swift, so he convinced me to buy one. A knitting accessory – how could I say no! Update: Swift died two nights ago. I'm going to order me a new one. It's already had 2 surgeries, and this time, I think it won't come off life support. I'm so sad.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

I think my oldest UFO is the Woven Trellis Scarf. I wonder when I started that?

18. What is your favorite holiday?

Any holiday that brings family together.

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Stitch Markers. Elephant statues. Oh and I collect yarn and purses! I also collect knitting patterns. I do hope to one day make them all!

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 have a subscription to Interweave Knits that I treated myself to and now my grandmother renews it each year. I'd also like to try Handmaiden Sea Silk. I fondle it whenever I see it. I also get Knit.1 in the mail. I don't think I get any other magazine. As for patterns, I'd love the Sarcelle pattern, B-side Cardigan pattern, or the Alligator Scarf (to make for Sean)! I prefer my patterns in PDF as I use my handheld to use/store them. I need to finish sorting out pages 8-9-10 of my Ravelry Queue, I added stuff recently and haven't edited the information (whether I own the pattern or not) yet. :) Stay tuned.

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

Entrelac.

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

I am a size 8 women’s sock/shoe. I am a sock knitter.

23. When is your birthday?

06/16 (MONDAY!)

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?

Knitpurlmama