secret pal questionnaire

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

I absolutely love to knit with soft wools and natural fibers, marino, bamboo, alpaca, angora, silk... In my younger days, I liked blends a lot, and I still enjoy the occasional blend--they do have their place, after all. I do not particularly care for strictly synthetic fibers, though.


What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I store my straight needles in a cloth paintbrush roll. Here is a picture:

I store my circular needles in a bag especially designed for circular needles:

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

I started knitting in late summer/early fall 2004. Inspired by Molly Weasley's knit creations in the Harry Potter books, I enrolled in a beginner knitting class at a local craft store. In that class, I learned cast on, the knit stitch, bind off, and how to read a yarn label; the project was a simple garter knit scarf. I have come a long way since then--and besides that beginner class, I consider myself basically self-taught, using various books and online tutorials. I know enough about patterns and techniques that I would consider myself at an intermediate skill level. I still enjoy simple projects, though, because my youngest daughter has pulled my knitting of the needles on multiple occasions. Once my children are grown, I figure I will have plenty of time to spend on advanced techniques and more complex projects.

Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
I have an Etsy favorites list.
And an extremely outdated Amazon wish list.

What’s your favorite scent?
Vanilla, lavender, peppermint

Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I have a very tempted sweet tooth. I love dark chocolate. 

What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I have a running list of crafts that I have done and that I want to do. On a regular basis, I do beading, scrapbooking, decoupage, collage, ceramics, painting, re-purposing-crafts, soap-making, and altered art. I like yarn dying and yarn painting, as well as tie-dye. I would love to learn needle-felting and spinning, above all else. And even though I love sewing, my sewing machine and I have severe tension problems, so I have abandoned all hopes of ever mastering that art form. I really like knitting best of all because of it's portability and the meditative nature of the craft.

What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
While I am not up on all the trends of music these days, I like a variety of music in general. I am always open to listening to new things. My favorite musicians and groups are: The Bird and the Bee, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, Craig of Farrington, Rush, Miles Davis, Randy Newman, The Minstrels of Mayhem, Elton John, Harry Connick Jr, Sidecar Steph & the 7-10 Split, Aerosmith, Bob Marley, Ella Fitzgerald, Jake Shimabukuro, Erik Satie, Supertramp, Queen, Huey Lewis and the News, The Beach Boys, Django Reinhardt. 

What’s your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can’t stand?
My favorite colors really depend on my mood, and they change frequently. Much of the time, I enjoy particular color combination more than single colors themselves. I love natural, earthy colors, greens, oranges, reds. I also love cornflower blue. There is no color I cannot stand as every color has its place and can look good in the right context.

What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I am married and we have two daughters, three dogs, a snake, and a hermit crab.

Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I live for scarves! I would wear hats a lot more often if I ever made one for myself. I have a couple pairs of mittens that I made for myself, and as an avid babywearer, I love ponchos!

What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I never tire of knitting scarves. There are so many techniques and colors and styles and patterns that can make scarves absolutely unique and beautiful. Scarves also make wonderful, personal, welcomed gifts. I also love knitting mittens and bags.

What are you knitting right now?
Right now, I am knitting a log cabin blanket for Evelyn, a mini-backpack that will eventually be felted for myself, and finishing a tiny handbag to list on Etsy. Next up is a baby hat for an expecting friend and a headband and scarf set.

Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
I LOVE handmade gifts! Giving them, receiving them! Handmade items are always #1 on any of my wish lists! 

Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Depending on the project, I usually go with straight needles, but circulars are definitely growing on me! My first choice is bamboo, but aluminum is ok, too. 

Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
No, though I would love it if I did. 

How old is your oldest UFO?
Five years. It is embarrassing. I can never do the finishing on a project--I leave most of that to my hubby.

What is your favorite holiday? What winter holiday do you observe?
We celebrate the seasons, though we celebrate winter on Christmas Day instead of the Solstice.  My favorite holiday….I really like Thanksgiving, New Year's Day, and my birthday.  

Is there anything that you collect?
Besides yarn, you mean? I collect pressed pennies and beads. I figure they are small and easy to store. 

Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I am dying to get my hands on Robin Hansen's book Favorite Mittens. I love how you can browse finished projects from books, magazines, and individual designers; the site supplies all the information you need to find or buy the pattern. There are a ton of projects I have found on Ravelry that I want to make that I need to eventually round up. I also cannot wait to get my hands on some Malabrigo and Mama Blue yarn. I do not subscribe to any knitting magazines, but I do pick them up from work when they come in. 

Are there any new techniques you’d like to learn?
I would like to get more experience in cable knitting, but that's really it. The mini backpack I am knitting uses the domino technique, which I have never done before.

Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Ugh, not at the moment. I love knitting and I love socks, but I cannot say I love knitting socks. Maybe once my children are older and do not need as much hands on attention, I will be able to tackle more sock projects!

When is your birthday?
April 21 

Are you on Ravelry? If so, what’s your ID?
I am addicted to Ravelry. I am evermore82 there.