Secret Pal Goodness

A favorite site of mine, Marmalade , had a post about this Secret Pal (SP) group. It is a secret santa deal - everyone who opts in gets a pal to spoil, and someone gets you. (In high school, we had 'secret sticklers' for the field hockey team and I loved it--it was so much fun to put stuff together!) This Secret Pal group is for folks who crochet and knit. It sounds like great fun, and I am enjoying meeting new people who love to craft.

So, for the benefit of my super SP, here's my responses to the SP questionnaire:

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 must admit, I have become a bit of a yarn snob - yarn need not be expensive, but I don't like most full-on acrylic or any Red Heart yarns I've come across. That said, I am a sucker for fun fur and have found a bunch of Lion Brand yarns that are a lot of fun!! SO it may just be a Red Heart ban . . .

2. Do you spin? Crochet?

I wish I could crochet - took a lesson at Michael's, but could not get the hang of it. It makes no sense with just one needle. I would love to learn how to crochet - there are such cool patterns for crocheted flowers.

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

No real allergies, but strongly dislike smoke and smoke-smelly things. Love pets!

4. How long have you been knitting?

I learned in high school when I made the ugliest vest known to man, dropped off the knitting kick til a few years ago and I am currently obsessed . . . it might have to do with a very cool knit shop which recently opened up nearby.

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

Why yes I do right here .


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

I don't care for very heavily scented things - generally I like lavender, citrus, and green tea for scented items. Definitely no vanilla - its just never quite right and too sweet!

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?

More than one!

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

I also quilt, and with the change in seasons quilting will start to compete with knitting for my spare time, along with rubberstamping (card making). I also like to make soaps and try other crafty projects.

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

All sorts - my husband has greatly improved my musical taste. In no particular order, I like (yes, I can admit it!) Yanni, blue grass (Alison Krauss, Nickell Creek), Earth Wind & Fire, Engima, Bollywood soundtracks (Monsoon Wedding is the best), anything that winds up on my Yahoo list. . . I love to try new music out.

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

Favorite color is like a deep red (like Burgundy or wine) or a rustish orange - no pastels. I tend to like fall and jewel colors.


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

Wonderful husband and most bestest puppy princess in the world.

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


Get a job I love, or at this point, even like!! Have a kid (or possibly, kids. Have a wonderful life with Josh. And go back to Tahiti . . . definitely, go back to Tahiti . . . more than once.

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

Right now, Trendsetter Dune, Cascade 220(great for felting), Trendsetter Aura - anything that is soft and doesn't split!!

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

Not a big angora fan - I like the finished product, just don't like knitting with it! Also, Red Heart - too scratchy and doesn't feel soft and fun to work with.

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

yes, I am late to the fashion game, but ponchos, fingerless gloves, purses or things with beads.

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

Whatever I am knitting right now - life is too short to use unfun yarns, needles or patterns.

17. What are you knitting right now?

A small beaded bag from an older Interweave pattern. I saw the finished product up in a yarn shop in Seattle, then delved into Ebay to track it down. If I finish that, I get to start on a sweater (yikes - my first). Plus, a secret something or other for my SP.

18. What do you think about ponchos?

See # 15.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?

Generally circular since its such handy storage for a work in progress!

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

yes, yes, and yes. I recently found some great old plastic needles in a antique/junk store. They are from England, material is sort of a stiff jelly bracelet and I love them.

21. Are you a sock knitter?

Not yet - I have the Red Cross Army Sock reproduction kit but have not yet braved this genre!

22. How did you learn to knit?

From a one-on-one class. My mom doesn't knit, so she figures I get it from my maternal grandmother whom I unfortunately never got to meet.

23. How old is your oldest UFO?

About a year old. With my fun fur obsession, I started a sweater, but I may just resign myself and start over . . . we'll see.

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

Polar bears (the real ones, not animated!)

25. What is your favorite holiday?

Thanksgiving, Halloween, Christmas/Hanukkah - in that order.

26. Is there anything that you collect?

I think its more covet unfortunately than collect - I already have too much stuff, but can't seem to say no to more crafty bits.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

None - but here's hoping.

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

I think I'd like to get Nicky Epstein's newest book, Knitting Over the Edge. I have her book on flowers and I love the roses on the cover of the book.

29. Any patterns you have been coveting, but haven't bought for one reason or another??

I've been on a pattern kick lately (since its cheaper than yarn and I don't feel bad when the yarn is lying around for weeks/months before being used!).

ETA: 30. What are your foot measurements, and what kind of socks do you like?

Yikes - that will take a bit.