Secret Pal Questionnaire

I've signed up to participate in Secret Pal Six, and here's my questionnaire. I feel so greedy answering about all these things I'd love to have, but I look forward to spoiling my secret pal with things she'll love.

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?

I prefer natural fibers and high quality yarns, but I try to not be a snob. I like for my yarn to be soft, and pleasant to work with and wear. I'm putting a lot of time and care into my knitting, so I try to use the nicest yarn I can.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?

I have given the ol' drop spindle a go, but I'm not very good at it. I do crochet, but haven't done much of it lately.

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)

I avoid smoke like the plague.

4. How long have you been knitting?

I think it's been about four or five years now.

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

Amazon and I have one with Knitpicks.

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

Lavender

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?

Mmmm.....chocolate.

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

I dabble with the beads from time to time. I try to put in some time on the drop spindle. Home exercising to various workout dvd's has been cutting into my knitting time for the last two years, too.

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

R.E.M. and Toad the Wet Sprocket have been spending a lot of time in the cd player, as well as contemporary Christian music.

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

Purple is my favorite. I guess I'm less of a fan of orange and yellow than other colors.

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

I'm married. We feed wild, stray cats that make their way to our front porch, but won't let us pet them. We also have fish.

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)

I want to be a good person. I hope to grow, improve, and develop greater wisdom and understanding throughout my lifetime.

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

Oh, that is so hard to decide. Jaggerspun Zephyr has always come through for me, and it fits my pocketbook. Alpaca and merino have never let me down, either. I want to give Knitpicks' yarn a try, because I've heard they're very good and they're affordable.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

Anything harsh. I prefer my challenge in the pattern, not the yarn. Yarn is my friend, I don't want to do battle with it. I'm also putting much care into my knitting, and want it to be used once completed, not cast aside. I like soft, pettable yarn. I've also not had such good experiences with chenille.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?

Shawls, Lace, & Socks.

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

Shawls & Socks.

17. What are you knitting right now?

I've got socks, a scarf, and a shawl on the needles.

18. What do you think about ponchos?

I think that they are not particularly flattering to most figures (mine, included). I am willing to knit one, on request for a loved one, though.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?

Long, circular needles are the best.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

It depends on the yarn and the project. I've had good results with all three, but I have the fewest bamboo, and would like to expand my selection of bamboo needles.

21. Are you a sock knitter?

Yes, I am. I do dpn's, and circ's.

22. How did you learn to knit?

Books and the internet mostly, and then I've gotten some help from knitting buddies once I found a group in town.

23. How old is your oldest UFO?

The left Selbu Mitten from Folk Mittens has been waiting for the right one to be knitted for about three or four years, but I haven't even cast-on for it.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?

I guess I don't really have a favorite, but llamas always make me smile. I used to buy the Sanrio stuff when I was a kid, and I still think it's pretty nifty, even though I haven't gotten any in awhile.

25. What is your favorite holiday?

Thanksgiving. I love the food, the family time, and taking time out to be thankful.

26. Is there anything that you collect?

Yarn, needles, patterns, books, bad habits, and obsessive thoughts.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

I'm not subscribed to any magazines, but I do occasionally purchase an issue of Interweave Knits.

28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?

I don't know why I haven't gotten Knitting Into the Mystery, yet, and I'd love the Barbara Walker's for design, Module Magic, & Treasury of Magical Knitting for trying something different.

29. Any patterns you have been coveting, but haven't bought for one reason or another??

I've always wanted to knit a wedding ring shawl. I guess that might be my knitting equivalent of a life dream. I'd also like to knit Fiber Trend's Sheep Shawl.

ETA: 30. What are your foot measurements, and what kind of socks do you like?

My foot is 9 inches long, just over 9 inches around the ball of the foot, my ankle is just under 9 inches, my heel height (center of medial malleolus to floor) is 2 1/2 inches. I like handknitted socks, be they plain or patterned, toe-up or cuff down.