Secret Pal 9 Questionnaire

Here's the Secret Pal 9 Questionnaire.

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

I hate Red Heart and Fun Fur. I don't really like self-patterning yarns.

My stash is decidedly missing anything in bulky weight. I like soft fibers, superwash sock yarn, hand-dyed stuff and exotic stuff. My stash is currently overwhelmed by Noro's ganpi abaka tape, for example. I bought a couple skeins of KnitPicks Suri Dream for my SP8 pal and had trouble parting with it!

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

I've got my circulars under control in a Basmati Rice bag. The rest of my needles are either in a pencil holder on my desk or in a drawer in the basement. Just yesterday I found where I had hidden my extensive stash of double-pointed needles. Happy me!

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 intermediate. I learned from my Grandmother 30 years ago or so.

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

Yes. I just went and updated it.

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

Lavender or Rosemary. I tend to give away all my candles. Soap is welcome, though.

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

Chocolate. Sweet Tarts. Fox's Glacier Fruits.

I prefer coffee to tea. I like Marmite a lot - on toast with butter. Mmmmm.

I really don't like fruit in my chocolate. Nuts are great, fruit ... no thanks.

If you're in England and buying (and since I've already got two items on this list that I only know how to find in England!) ... my Sweetheart is very partial to Wine Gums.

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

I'd like to learn to spin. My sewing machine needs work. I crochet a little. Mostly I knit.

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

I'd love a CD from the Arrogant Worms. Maple Music has a better selection than Amazon.com.

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

Blue, lavender, gray, black, white, green, lemon yellow....great.

Orange, bright pink, candy apple red, bright yellow ... ick.

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

I live with a wonderful Englishman and a pushy white cat.

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

Scarves, hats and mittens are great. I'd never wear a poncho.

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

I seem to have a clapotis fetish. I usually make them scarf-size, but I've also made two full-size ones with knitpicks andean silk twist yarn.

13. What are you knitting right now?

I'm gauge swatching for some potential projects, I'm mostly done with a clapotis scarf. I've got a sweater that needs to be blocked before I can sew it together and put the neck and button-bands on. I'm knitting a one-skein cabled bag that I'm going to have to felt because the yarn is moth-eaten. Oh, and socks. And a hat. And ... no, I think that's it. Mostly.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Yes.

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

Right now, I'm itching to try the knitpicks needles. I'd like a pair of the longest size 1's they've got.

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

I am very fortunate to have both.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

3 months.

18. What is your favorite holiday?

My Sweetheart's birthday, I think. June 28.

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Actually, I'm very partial to giraffes.

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'm seriously considering buying the blocking wires from knitpicks.

And I'd like Knitting Rules, since I've got the other two of the Harlot's books.

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

I need to learn to block. And I haven't tried my hand at multi-stranded work in ... over a decade. Maybe it's time to try a pair of socks....

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

I'm a sock knitter, and I think I've got my measurements around here somewhere. These days, I use my hand as my guide for how long to make the leg and the foot before starting the toe decreases, so if my SP really wants my measurements, I'll have to take 'em again, I think.

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) 02/17

I sure hope this helps.