Secret Pal 9

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

I really enjoy Cascade 220 - it's my favorite yarn for sweaters. I also like handpainted yarn - I make lots of socks out of handpainted. I don't usually like to use bulky yarn.


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

I am lucky enough to have my grandmother's knitting bag for storing my needles! The circulars are not very well organized however ;-)

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

I learned to knit when I was about 9 or 10 from my grandmother. I was sidetracked by embroidery and cross stitch for many years and picked up knitting again in my 20's. I took another side track into crochet for several years and came back to knitting after my daughter was born. I've been knitting exclusively for 13 (!) years.

I would consider myself an advanced intermediate. I have made sweaters, love to make socks, lace shawls, fair isle, entrelac, intarsia etc. However, I have never STEEKED!

4. Do you have an Amazon or other on-line wish list.

I do not.

5. What is your favorite scent (for candles, bath products, etc.)

Citrus or tropical.

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

Of course! I love chocolate - just not with peanut butter. Favorite candy is Heath Bars!

7. What other crafts or other Do-it-yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

Spinning is my other hobby. I use a top whorl drop spindle, but am just a beginning spinner.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play mp3's? (If your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I like fun music from the 60's, reggae, Irish music - I can use mp3's.

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

I like crazy colors for my socks - bright orange, purple, pink, greens, etc. I love to experiment with socks! In general I like burgundy, blues and greens.

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

Married with one daughter (13) and one black cat.

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

I wear scarves, hat, mittens - all necessary for our cold and snowy winters. But no ponchos.

12. What is/are you favorite item/s to knit.

Socks!

13. What are you knitting right now?

Socks are always OTN. I am also knitting 2 shawls and a hat and scarf out of my handspun.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Absolutely!

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

I prefer circulars - I knit socks using the Magic Loop method. I primarily use Addi Turbos, but also use bamboo for some yarns.

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

I do not although I can always dream . . . ;-)

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

About 5 years old - but it's ALMOST done . . . my daughter kids me about it all the time - it's a shawl . . .

18. What is your favorite holiday?

Thanksgiving- lots of food and fun!

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Besides yarn??? Not really.

20. Any books, yarns, needles, that you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting subscriptions do you have?

My current want to have book is Spin to Knit. I would love to try Koigu, Trekking XXX, and Shaeffer Anne. My subscriptions are many - Vogue Knitting, Interweave Knits (my favorite), Simply Knitting (from England), Creative Knitting (from Australia), and Knitters.

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

I'd be interested in learning to STEEK! I'd also like to learn more about shadow knitting and playing more with color. What I really need to learn more about is drafting fiber in spinning!

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

I am definitely a sock knitter! Women's size 8.

23. What is your birthday (mm/dd)?

October 30!