Friday, January 28, 2005

Secret Pal 4 questionnaireI was going to make a fuller post today - but I feel icky. (It feels like someone punched me in the chest. As I get tireder, it hurts more. If I was coughing, I'd think bronchitis... as it is, I have no idea - but I'm taking it easy.)But, since I got my secret pal name, and a wonderful email from mine I thought it would be a good idea to fill this out!


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

I'm a fiber snob - but not for natural fibers. I'm a snob for yarns that feel good. I'm highly attracted to yarns that feel yummy. Doesn't matter the fiber content, its all in the feel. I'm also sensitive to many wools - they make me itch.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?

I have been known to spin. Badly - but I do own a wheel. And a couple drop spindles. I also have recently learned to crochet.

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

I'm very sensitive to perfumes. I avoid them as much as I can, or get migraines. Many wools make me itch as well. I'm fine with the merino wools, though :-)

4. How long have you been knitting?

10 years.

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

Yes, I have a wish list at Amazon.

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

I avoid scents (see above). I do prefer light florals and light citrus scents - they need to be very light, or I can't deal.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?

Yes. Oh, yes. I love chocolate. I'm not a chocolate snob... my current favorite candy is Milky Way Carmels. And Oreos - double stuff... yum.

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

Not many. I used to cross-stitch, but can't anymore. I sew from time to time. For everthing else, I'm fickle - right now I'm fascinated by book-making. I was interested in scrapbooking for about 2 weeks. Knitting is my constant craft.

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

Hmmm. I'm somewhat eclectic. I love showtunes. (Wicked is on high rotation on my iPod) I love Sarah McLachlan, Alanis Morrisette, Matchbox 20, REM, U2... I don't like country, rap, hip hop.

I listen to almost all music through my iPod - so I'm very MP3 friendly.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer?

Purple is my favorite color. I like most jewel tones - deep blues, deep greens, deep reds. I wear a lot of black. I dislike pinks and most oranges. (rusty colors are fine, though). I really don't like most pastels.


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

I live in Minnesota with my husband and our 2 daughters, 11 and 2 (almost 3). We have 1 dog and 2 cats.

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


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

I love Koigu KPPPM and Kersti. Most of the smooth merinos in general - I usually navigate more toward solids than multis. I'm enjoying knitting with Debbie Bliss Cashmerino, but am worrying about its longevity.

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

I'm not big on eyelash yarns. Harsh acrylics. Stiff yarns.

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

I'm always knitting baby gifts. I keep trying to finish a sweater for myself :-)

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

Don't really have one. I get captured by ideas in an item... I like to start projects.

17. What are you knitting right now?

1. Debbie Bliss Matinee Jacket from Baby Cashmerino book
2. Lara from Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk
3. Ribby Raglan (from Purl Stitch book) in Koigu Kersti.
4. Natalya gauntles from Cashmerino Aran

Next up - Blaze from Knitty fall 2004.

18. What do you think about ponchos?

I like them. I knit a Charlotte Poncho, and liked it. (the colors ended up wrong for me, and I gave it to my mom. I'm intending to knit another one)

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?

Circular all the way. Straight needles put too much stress on my wrists.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Depends somewhat on the yarn, but I'm big on my Turbos.

21. Are you a sock knitter?
No. I've started 4 or 5 socks... from different pairs. I've yet to finish one, much less a pair. I think this means I don't knit socks.

22. How did you learn to knit?
One of my co-workers at a job in Seattle was an amazing knitter (she was knitting one of the Kunzel lace patterns as a shawl). I expressed interest, and she taught me.

As an aside I picked out a sweater for my the project I started (a baby sweater for my little girl). Well.. the yarn I picked didn't match the gauge listed. The stitch pattern was difficult, so we substitiuted an easier one...she showed me how to rework the pattern to match what I had. So the very first sweater I tried had all the caluclations for changing yarn and such. I've never been afraid of swapping things out...

23. How old is your oldest UFO?

10 years. Note the story above - that sweater was never finished.

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

I love Tigger. And Dragons. And Rubber Duckies.

25. What is your favorite holiday?

Hmm. Don't really have one - I suppose Christmas.

26. Is there anything that you collect?

Rubber Duckies. And Dragons, to a lesser extent.