SECRET PAL 14

Well I have been a bit tardy in getting this up but here finally are my answers to the SP 14 Questionnaire.

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
My favorite yarns to knit with are sock yarns, lace weight yarns but I just love yarns with stuff in it like beads, sequins and other goodies. I love cashmere, alpaca, silk, soft wools,and wool to be felted and not felted as long as it is not scratchy and rough. I love yarns I can't get such as Indie Dyers, Woolmeise, etc. and hand dyed and hand spun yarns. I love yarn with silver in it like I received in my previous SP swap. AND I find interesting yarn made from strange things such as the yarn made with milk I received. I do not like Phentex, and don't need any fun furs as I have way too much. I don't care for acrylics anymore since I am trying to use only natural yarns now.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I keep my Harmony DPNs from Knit Picks in the case they came with and the other I am slowing tying up with those little curly elastics and they are in a basket. I use mainly Denise needles even when with straight knitting but occasionally do use short straight needles. Those are all in a basket. My Denise are in a plastic bag as the container they come in broke. I do have crochet hooks and they are in a case. I try to keep my circs in the case they come in.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I have been knitting ever since I can remember (school age) and I can’t believe how many years that is now but I still consider myself an advanced beginner - intermediate as there is still so much for me yet to learn.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
No. I don’t know how to do that. I have a list of some of my books in my library on Ravelry. I have more than those but the rest aren't on Ravelry yet for me to list. I have a wish list on Raverly in the about me site.

5. What's your favorite scent?
My favorite scent is from LUSH called Karma. I just had to go and put some of the body cream on. I find it very earthy.I need to get the Karma soap and Karma talc. I have the spray, the solid perfume and body cream.
Other favorites include sandalwood oil (from the Body Shop), lavender, rose, ocean, fresh scents, some musks (Body Shop has a nice one) actually it depends on my mood. I am an Avon rep and am now in my 12th year of selling. Some Avon rep I am. HEE HEE

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I most certainly do, unfortunately. I love chocolate, dark, chocolate, expensive chocolate and one of absolute favorites is "American" Hershey’s chocolate especially with nuts. I also love Jelly Bellys especially popcorn, margarita, garlic, watermelon, jalapeño flavors and pear. PLEASE no Black licorice YUK YUK!!!!

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I would love to learn to spin. I am trying to learn how to use a spindle but but it is very slow going. I don’t yet own a spinning wheel yet. It is my desire to get one. I certainly don't expect one from a swap partner but it is on my wish list. Last year I took a spinning workshop in the hopes of one day getting my very own spinning wheel. I don’t have carders either. I crochet a little as long as there isn’t any or much shaping involved. I sew and quilt and now that I have finally moved into my townhouse I can sew and quilt again. YEAH! I love to sew children’s clothes, bags and aprons. I used to do needlepoint, embroidery, ribbon craft and numerous other types of crafts but now despite having lots of it in my basement to use again I stick to knitting and sewing. I am a bit rusty sewing as I haven't done much for a while. I do spend a bit of time trying to learn how to use the drop spindle and just today took a book out of the library on spinning both spindle and wheel.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD.
I love the oldies from the 20’s to the 60’s. I love blues and jazz. I am not a big fan of country although there are a very few songs I do like which I have put on a couple of CDs. I don't care for any Christian music but I enjoy Christmas music. I listen to symphony but not opera of any kind. I have a DVD player and a Walkman that play MP3’s. My computer plays them fine. The cd players (all three) in my stereo aren't working.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
PINK!!! PINK!!! PINK!!! I do like reds, blues, purple, black, white and some greens. I don't like orange, yellows and olive green or any autumn colors. I don't mind brown only if it a very dark brown with a PINK. The colors can be most any shade or hue.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I have one feline fur toddler Solara (the princess) who was three this past March and that is basically it for family.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I wear scarves, mitts, gloves and should wear hats. I live in the great white north which has a very cold winter climate. I wear shawls but haven't worn a poncho in ages.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Socks, shawls, bags/totes, toys and whimsies. I do knit most things as the need arises and have the February Lady Sweater on the needles.

13. What are you knitting right now?
This is a loaded question. I am knitting what else socks, shawls and bags. I have the first of three socks for this month on the needles. I am in the Ravelry Cookie A KAL and the Ravelry Makin' Cookies KAL and the 2009 Sock Pentathlon. I have my second Clapotis on the needles and an Ulmus on the needles. I am also knitting a pair of socks for birthday gift for a five year old. Then there are two bags and the February lady Sweater waiting to be finished.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Of course. I love when someone takes the time to make something just for me.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I use my Denise circs for straights. I have the blue and would love to receive the PINK set. I would also love to get more ADDI Lace circs or the Knit Picks Options. I love bamboo, woods and my Knit Picks Harmony DPNs.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
I am excited I can now say yes to both.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
Too old. I should be ashamed.

18. What is your favorite holiday? What winter holiday do you observe?
Ha any holiday where I can get pressies and eat turkey and have great meals. I guess that means all of them. I always loved my birthday (HMMM love cake and ice-cream & pressies of course) but living alone means there isn't much celebration and Christmas even thought I am not a Christian. Since I live alone most of my holiday and birthday pressies are from swap exchanges although I do receive a few gifts from a few friends. As for Christmas I love the happiness of the season, the lights and the fact that most people are kinder to one another than usual which should be an all year round occurrence but… Living alone does make most holidays lonely. My next favorite holiday would be Thanksgiving. AH another food holiday. BUT of course there is Valentine Day, Easter and Halloween which are candy holidays.

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Does yarn such as sock yarn and lace yarn count, fabric, books, patterns, magazines, and cooking accessories. I am a bit of a textile, yarn and magazine junkie. Did I mention yarn. I seem to be collecting all kinds of tape measures. I must have about 20 now and sheep. I keep getting them in swaps.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I have no subscriptions to any knitting magazines at this time but wouldn't mind having one to Interweave or Vogue. If they look good I buy them and other knitting magazines. I would love sock blockers, or mannequin feet to use to photograph my socks. I would love a spinning wheel. Right. As for patterns I would love to have the following bag patterns: The Beach Buddy Tote by Terry L. Ross, The Noni Medallion Travel Bag and The Noni Green Earth Grocery Bag. I also would enjoy receiving Staccato by Kirsten Kapur (Through the Loops) but you never know I may end up treating myself to them. I love Tillie Thomas yarn and would love some Material Whirled yarn. My wish book list keeps growing and some of it can be found on about me on Ravelry.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I want to learn how to make stitch markers. I want to be better at reading charts. I can read simple ones now.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes I am a sock knitter. I wear a medium size sock and a size 8 – 8.5 shoe. The circumference of my foot is 9”, my ankle is 9” and the length of my foot from heel to toe is 9” – 9 ¼”. I try NOT to make them to long so is that I make them with more negative ease or less.

23. When is your birthday?
Feb 4

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
Yes and my rav ID is pennala.