About Me - SP6

It's time for another round of Secret Pals. Here is my questionnaire for Secret Pal 6. I've already heard from my spoiler and I can't wait to get to know her a little more. I've also been browsing through my spoilee's blog and I'm looking forward to getting to know her too.

Let the games begin!

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 think I do prefer natural fibers for the most part. However, there is a place in my life for acrylics too.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?
No to both. I've tried to crochet. I found it stressful. Maybe I just needed a better teacher, I don't know. I tried to learn to spin on a drop spindle (teaching myself) but it didn't work. I don't seem to have the right supplies.

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
cats and cigarette smoke is about it. Don't send me any yarn spun from a kitten that smokes and I should be ok! ha ha

4. How long have you been knitting?
I've been knitting almost a year. I started right about Thanksgiving of 2004. I don't really feel like a beginner though. I'm not afraid of any patterns and I will willingly dive in to any project feet first. It's a learning experience.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes I do. I think it is here.

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
I love roses and lavender. I also like citrus - clean and fresh sort of scents. I'm not fond of overly sweet smells though.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
A little bit. I kind of prefer cake to candy, though. I am a big fan of peanut butter and peanut buttery things. I also really like salty snacks like popcorn and pretzels and sour things like lemon drops (and Margaritas!). Right now I am on a mission to drop a few pounds, though.

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
Oh I love DIY! I love to do little crafts and projects and the boys love to do it right along with me. I enjoy sewing, baking and gardening (although my yard would suggest otherwise right now!)

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
My computer does play MP3s and I have an iPod that I like to listen to. I have a wide range in musical tastes. I particularly enjoy jazz, country, and disco! Ha! See, I told you my tastes were varied. I also really like to listen to audio books on my iPod. I have a couple of mixed CD's that were given to me (one by my sister and one by my SP5) that I really enjoy. It's fun to experience someone else's musical tastes.

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 love the color red! Love it, love it, love it! I've also been attracted to "mauve" colors lately. You know - like black raspberry ice cream. I like to decorate with yellow - it's bright, cheerful and sunny - but I don't really like to wear it.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Family situation? Yep got one! I have been married to Chris for 12 years. I have 3 boys that keep me very busy. Edmund is 8 1/2 and just started 3rd grade, Charles is 6 1/2 and is now in 1st grade, and Topher (short for Christopher) will be 5 this month and in his last year of pre-school. We also have 2 hermit crabs, a toad, and an alarmingly big goldfish. (not to mention all those dust bunnies that I am thinking of naming)

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
You know, I hate this question! Hmm life dreams... Well really I think that I want to be the best mom that I can for my boys. I want to raise them to be good, up-standing young men. I want to be a loving and supportive wife and I want to be a loyal friend. Other than that -and a chance to drive a zamboni - I don't know.

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
I don't really know. There are so many yarns I've yet to try. There are so many yarns I've never seen in person!

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I don't like anything scratchy. Other than that, I don't really know. Oh, I'm not too crazy about chunky yarns mostly because I prefer smaller needles (US7's and below)

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
I guess I would say socks and lace. Socks are so much fun and easy to take along. Lace is kind of amazing to me. It looks like nothing and then suddenly its a beautiful and complicated looking piece!

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I think that would be the same as #15, really. Socks and Lace. I love them! Mittens too.

17. What are you knitting right now?
Socks and lace! ha! Seriously though, I am working on a lace shawl - the Pacific Northwest Shawl. I've got several socks going, too. I've got a few things in the planning stages but I'm trying really hard not to have too many projects going at once.

18. What do you think about ponchos?
I've seen some that I've thought were just horrible and I've seen some that are quite lovely. I guess it just depends on the style and person wearing it. I have one that I love.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
I use both. I like both. Right now I knit socks on DPN's (I like the shorter ones so I don't have a lot of extra needle getting in my way) and I like knitting them that way because they are so easy to slip in to my purse. I've been toying with learning to do them two at a time on the circulars, though. You know, avoid the whole "second sock syndrome" and all that.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
No real preference. I have a mix of different needles - most of which were my grandmother's and I use them all.

21. Are you a sock knitter?
I am. I really enjoy knitting socks. Lots of fun! I want to try knitting some argyle socks (though Chris tells me are out of style)

22. How did you learn to knit?
Mostly from Debbie Stoller's Stitch 'N Bitch Knitters Handbook with a little clarification from internet videos.

23. How old is your oldest UFO?
I started a sweater in the early Spring and then set it aside. I'll finish it this Winter.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
My favorite animal is a hedgehog. My favorite animated characters are Pepe le Pew and Peter Pan. Maybe Snoopy too. I love that he drinks root beer and he does that little dance!

25. What is your favorite holiday?
I love the Christmas season. The whole spirit of the season is really special to me - spending time with family and friends, children getting excited, hot chocolate, gingerbread and fireplaces, the glow of the lights and the candles, the quiet hush of snow - you know. My birthday also falls right at Christmas (Dec 22) and I think it just adds to the fun of the season.

I also think that Halloween is fun. I love pumpkins and scarecrows, apple cider, falling leaves, the kids and their costumes! Fall is probably my favorite time of year, too.

26. Is there anything that you collect?
I collect teacups and vintage handkerchiefs. Especially those that have images of states or travel things on them. I also collect silver spoons especially the souvenir spoons. (not the ones with the enameled medallions though. The kind that are just silver). I also collect charms. I have a charm bracelet - the old kind with the little dangly charms. It's very special to me. There is a lot that I could say that I collect. I think I have a lot of stuff in my house!

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I don't have an subscriptions. I do enjoy Interweave Knits, though. I really don't have much experience with any others.

28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?
I'd really like a good basic knitting reference book. I have The Knitter's book of Finishing Techniques by Nancie Wiseman which I find helpful. However, I don't have an all encompassing go-to reference book.

I'd also like one of the Yarn Harlot's books.

29. Any patterns you have been coveting, but haven't bought for one reason or another??
I have fallen in love with this pattern. I didn't think I was a shrug person until I saw Alison's. I want to make it in a sort of mauve color.

I also saw some sock patterns once for socks to wear with clogs. They had cables and stuff on the heel so they look good with your backless shoes.

30. What are your foot measurements, and what kind of socks do you like?
I wear about a 6 1/2 shoe. My foot is approximately 9 inches from heel to toe. It is 8 inches around at the ankle and 8 1/2 inches at the instep. I would love any socks that some one took the time to knit for me.

*If you want to know a little more about me, you can read my previous "About Me" post here. There are also little bits and pieces of me in my side bar and here. Anything else, just ask!