About Me - SP5

I had such a good time with SP4, that I have decided to join SP5. I've reposted my questionnaire from SP4 with additions for SP5 in italics.

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 think everything has it's place and it's purpose. I do really love soft yarns though. (Who doesn't!)

same answer still.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?
No. I tried crochet. Didn't like it. It's too bad too because I really want these felted ballet slippers I just couldn't get the hang of crochet though and I don't want to do things that aren't relaxing.
I've not tried spinning but I'd like to.

I tried to learn to crochet again. See this this and this post. I didn't really learn to crochet, I just learned to crochet that one particular pattern. I don't mind it. I just don't find it as relaxing as I do knitting. That could be because I really have no clue what I am doing, though!

I also got a very rustic drop spindle from the Historical Society. I can't figure out how to use it. I also apparently have the wrong wool for spinning on it. I guess I need to do something (what, I am not sure!) to the wool to be able to spin the little baggie full in to anything resembling anything at all. I'd love to get it all figured out.

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
Cats, cigarette smoke and laundry. Oh wait, I'm not allergic to laundry, I just don't like doing it.

that is still the same. The family would really appreciate it if I made friends with the washer though.

4. How long have you been knitting?
Just a few months. But I am hooked!

I started knitting in Dec. I just dove right in. I don't worry about how hard or complicated something is supposed to be. I figure I can learn as I go. It's more fun that way.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
No but maybe I should. I'll have to look in to that.

Oooo I have an Amazon wish list! Where is it?? Oh! Here it is! I'll update it in the next day or 2.

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Roses. I love roses. Lavender too. I'm not too fond of sweet smells though.

Yep, that is the same too. I've discovered a lovely candle scent called Clean Cotton. It has a nice clean smell. I like the smell of fresh laundry. I just don't want to do the laundry!

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
Just a little. I prefer salty snacks - popcorn, pretzels. I like sour too - lemon, lime (margaritas!)

No change there either. I do like a little something sweet with my tea, though.

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
I scrapbook and I sew. I have 3 young kids so we do a lot of various crafts. I also like to bake. I guess that is not really a craft though.

I'm really getting back to my old crafty self! I love making things; being creative. I get excited about going to the fabric shops, the craft shops, the art supply shops, and the hardware stores.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I have a wide range of tastes in music. I love it all really - I'm a big fan of music. I do listen to a lot of jazz and disco cheers me up and gets me moving. Yes, I can play music on my computer - I often do. I am right now - Renee Olstead.

I love music. Like I said I have a wide range of musical tastes. I've been listing to a lot of country music lately. I love the idea of getting a mixed CD of someone else's favorites! What a great way get introduced to some new music.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer?
RED! I'm all about the red!

Still loving the red! I have been drawn to pink and green lately, though.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I am married with 3 boys. We have 3 fish, a hermit crab and countless unnamed dust bunnies

Sadly, we are with out the hermit crab, and 1 of the fish. The dust bunnies are still with us though!

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
Umm well... gosh I really have to think on this one. I WOULD like to drive a Zamboni someday. I want a wonderful herb garden and a rose garden. I had one and I loved it. We moved though and I haven't planted a new one yet. I'm not really sure what my life dreams are (is that sad?) I always dreamt of being a Mom and I have realized that dream 3 times over. I now hope that my boys grow up to be good men. We are working on that. I studied Geography in school. I was going to go in to Glacier Research. I often think that if I were to ever go back to school and have a career, I would go in to Forensic Geography. It absolutely facinates me. (I'm still thinking about this question!)

Still thinking about this one

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
No preference yet. I'm still exploring all the different types. I want to try Koigu KPPPM but I haven't found it locally and I haven't gotten around to looking online for it. Those handpainted yarns look so yummy!

I still haven't used Koigu yet. I still hope to.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I don't know. I'll let you know when I find one.

I don't like scratchy yarns. (who does, though, really??)

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
Knitting! Oh wait I guess I need to be more specific. I am having lots of fun learning new things and each new project is a new adventure. I DO want to find a pattern for mittens with cables up the back of the hand.

I am attracted to wraps lately. Stoles, lace shawls, wraps, etc.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I don't have a long list of FO's so I don't have a favorite. I've enjoyed everything that I have made.

Still loving everything! I guess that is why I like knitting! There are so many different things to knit and so many differnt yarns to knit with!

17. What are you knitting right now?
I'm working on the Ribby Cardi, a simple scarf for my son and a French Market Bag. Oh and a sock.

I am knitting Clapotis as a wrap in cotton. I am about to start a lace stole, a dishcloth here and there and another sock.

18. What do you think about ponchos?
I like some of them. I have one (it's store bought) and it is very comfortable

I still have that poncho. I still like that poncho. It is like a Pashmina turned into a poncho.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
No preference but I do find DPNs to be lots of fun.

I like both straight and circular depending on the project.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I've only used aluminum so far. Using them reminds me of my mother and my grandmother since that is what they always used. *added - I just tried Swallow Casein and they are just wonderful to knit with!

I'm finding that certain types of needles are indeed better suited for certain types of yarn. (imagine that!)

I have some needles that were my grandmother's and then my mother's so now I don't have to just be reminded of what they used, I can actually use what they used!

I still love the 2 pair of Swallow Casein that I have. I wish I could find more.

21. Are you a sock knitter?
I'm working on my first pair. (A pair of Magic Stripes) I'm already looking forward to trying more. (I need to find patterns and nifty yarn) I started these socks just to see if I could do the "dreaded" heel and DPN's and to see what self patterning yarn looked like. It's just too much fun not to make more!

I love knitting socks!

22. How did you learn to knit?
From a page in the back of a magazine, then got some help from the Stitch and Bitch Books. I kind of just dove right in. I figured I can learn as I go. I don't pay much attention to the skill level required on patterns.

That hasn't changed

23. How old is your oldest UFO?
I guess maybe a month old. I started my version of Cape Mod at Christmas. I made a mistake (almost invisible unless you are looking for it). I set it aside while I decide if that mistake will bug me enough to warrant frogging about 18 inches.

Cape Mod hit the frog pond! Now my oldest UFO is a Fair Isle mitten that was started about 18 years ago! My mom made one mitten and started the other but never finished. She gave them to me recently so I can finish them since they were meant for me anyway. I'll finish it in the fall.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
Hedgehogs. I love hedgehogs. I think my favorite animated characters are Pepe la Pew and Peter Pan. I really like Peter Pan - the character, the story, the show.

No change there either

25. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas and the 4th of July. I'm very patriotic. Halloween is a lot of fun too though.

Still loving those holidays!

26. Is there anything that you collect?
Tea cups, Nantucket Baskets, family recipes - the kind of recipes that have a little story attached. I have recipes from my family and from friends and I just love using them. It makes me feel connected. (I like feeling connected) Oh and red shoes! I just love red shoes!

Vintage fabric with state maps or travel motifs. I have some vintage handkerchiefs with state maps and I just love them! I'm on the hunt for fabric. I have projects in mind!

* New questions for SP5:

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I don't have any. I like Interweave so I should think about getting a subscription to that one. My oldest back copy is Winter 2004.

28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?
I really want:

Nicky Epstein's Knitting on the Edge
Luise Roberts' 1000 Great Knitting Motifs

and a great sock knitting book. I don't know which one. Something with a lot of great sock patterns.

I guess that is it. If I think of anything else to add to my answers, I'll let you know. If anyone wants to know a little more, just ask!