Okay, I answered my questionnaire for Secret Pal 5, and it follows below. It will probably be a bit boring for most of you, but, what can I say??

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 probably am a yarn snob–no, actually, I am. I like natural fibers (wool, silk, but not so much cotton), and I like fibers that are really soft. Which does make me kind of picky. It’s not that it needs to be expensive, and some microfiber added can make for a really nice yarn, but it’s a tactile thing–I like soft and lush, and I like great colors, and that usually brings me to Debbie Bliss or Rowan or Jo Sharp. Lorna’s Laces. Brooks Farm . . . not the more run of the mill stuff like you’d find at Walmart. But then, Knitpicks has some great yarn for fabulous prices, so . . . !

2. Do you spin? Crochet?

I do spin, though I’m still pretty new at it. Again, I like the soft stuff, though I haven’t yet tried spinning angora or pure silk or any of those really soft but hard to spin things. I know how to crochet, but haven’t made anything that way since my nephew’s baby blanket 12 years ago–I like the less-stiff knitted fabric better. I embroider, too (cross-stitch, crewel work, I like playing with stitches). I also quilt–Amish quilts are my ideal because they’re simple, elegant, and use solid colors. I’m not a pattern-girl!

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

Seasonal allergies, yes–some years good, some years bad, and some sensitivity to cats/dogs, (but not too bad). I’m sensitive to strong smells, though–I get more sinus-triggered headaches than any kind, so I try to stay away from things that are too strongly-scented–and that includes smoke.

4. How long have you been knitting?

Since college, about 1989. (Unless you count faltering squares of garter stitch, in which case you can go back to when I was about 7, but . . . 21 is a more accurate spot to mark!)

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

Yes, Amazon.com. There’s a link on my blog (over there, on the left).

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

Subtle is the number one answer, there (see answer to number 3 above)! Fruity scents over flowers. Vanilla. Peppermint. Citrus. Not a big fan of scented candles, though, since I really don’t have any place that’s dog-proof to burn them.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?

Well, doesn’t everybody??

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

I think I answered this already. But in addition to the fiber things I mentioned, I read. Constantly. As in, reading is a bigger addiction than knitting (gasp!). I also love to cook–though I actually bake more than I cook (always from scratch).

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

No MP3s. I pretty much only listen to music in the car, so CDs are the way to go. I never really know how to answer this question, though–I’m kind of eclectic in my music, but at the same time I’m picky. (Yeah, I know, I seem to be picky about a lot of things!) Classical music. The Beatles. Harry Connick Jr. Barenaked Ladies. The Proclaimers. Light jazz/New Age. Ella Fitzgerald. Gershwin. Broadway shows. Savage Garden . . . I like music that has melody and I love music with good harmony. Nothing too weird or screechy. Not punk or anything too “country.” Almost anything with a good chorus with a strong soloist in front (kind of gospel-ish). Love good, strong, talented singers.

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

I like rich, saturated colors that aren’t too bright. Tomato red rather than scarlet red. Medium apple green. Blues that aren’t too “baby” or “navy.” Golden yellows. Almost any autumn color. Coral/peach tones. Darker greys over lighter greys. Not a big fan of pastels, but I’m not afraid of (most) colors. I look best in autumn shades, though, and mostly wear reds, greens, golds . . . and blue jeans!

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

Single, living with my parents (something you don’t hear from just anyone past the age of 25), with my wonderful dog, Chappy (of course!)

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

Uh . . . happiness. Contentment rather than excitement. Fulfillment. Being useful to my family. Having time to relax (I’m pretty selfish about that, actually!).

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

Right now? Rowan’s Calmer. Brooks Farm (anything). Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino. Knitpicks Shimmer. Koigu KPPPM. Zephyr.

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

Cotton . . . most of the time. Rowan’s Calmer is, so far, the only mostly-cotton yarn I’ve ever loved–because it’s got “spring.” Cotton usually only works for me in blends. I’m not a huge fan of chenille or most nubbly, novelty yarns.

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

Lace. I’m definitely on a lace kick! Cables, too.

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

Sweaters. Shawls. Socks. Rarely ever do scarves or mittens. Never do tank tops. (”Summer knits” don’t really do anything for me.)

17. What are you knitting right now?

Fiddlesticks Peacock Shawl. The Nothing But A T-Shirt. A pair of socks. And then there the UFO of Rowan Elfin, which I haven’t touched in months and don’t think I’ll ever actually finish.

18. What do you think about ponchos?

Don’t particularly like them. I’ve seen some that are pretty nice so I won’t say I hate them all, but . . . I’d rather wear/see a shawl than a poncho any day! Some capelets are nice, too.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?

Absolutely circular. No question at all! (I almost shouted this, but restrained myself.)

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Um . . . none of the above? Addi Turbos are #1. THEN comes bamboo. Plastic is just about doable in a pinch (the Denise set is nice), but I haven’t even tried an aluminum needle since I switched to circulars back around 1989.

21. Are you a sock knitter?

Yes. Not madly passionate about them like some people, but I enjoy knitting them and have made 5 1/2 pairs since I knitted my first one about a year ago.

22. How did you learn to knit?

Pretty much book-taught. I love reading about and trying new techniques and I’ve got a pretty full library . . . though I’m always happy to get more knitting books! (The trick is finding books I don’t already have.)

23. How old is your oldest UFO?

About a year–that’s the Rowan Elfin–and it’s the only “inactive” project I’ve got. The others have all three been touched within the last week.

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

I don’t know that I have one . . . loved Mickey Mouse when I was little, and still enjoy watching Disney and Pixar movies, but I don’t at all have a favorite animated character. And, I think it’s pretty obvious that my favorite animal is a dog–specifically a Boykin Spaniel.

25. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas. I love to get all the “chores” done by Thanksgiving so I can just enjoy the Christmas feeling in December. To me, it’s a holiday about being with your family . . . with presents! My birthday’s nice, too, but for some reason, no-one outside the family seems to consider it anything special. Odd, huh?

26. Is there anything that you collect?

Not specifically. I accumulate books, but that’s just because I read (constantly; had I mentioned that??), but I don’t go out of my way to “collect” anything.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

Knitters. Interweave Knits. Vogue Knitting. Spin Off. . . . I think that’s it. There are a couple others I’ve tried but didn’t like . . . I really have all that I want!

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

Principles of Knitting by June Hemmins Hiatt, and Spinning for Softness and Speed by Paula Simmons. . . both hard to find, rare, expensive books. Also Here be Wyverns by Nancie Spies. Most current books I pretty much buy when I see them . . . I have serious problems restraining myself in bookstores!

• Tags: Knitting/Spinning • Permalink:For my Secret Pal 5 //