SP10 Questionnaire

After reading many happy bloggers raving about SP9, I had to join SP10. And of course, there is the typical questionnaire and here it is:

1. What are your favorite yarns to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I love merino, alpaca, silk, silk/wool blends and soy/wool. I don't care for cotton (unless it's very bouncy and stretchy) and don't like anything rough, scratchy, or plastic feeling (Red Heart, Lion's Brand). I am also not a fan of sparkly, metallic or hairy/eyelashy.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

A funky vase I found at an antique mall, a Waterford bowl and a hook in my stash room/office for the circs.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I taught myself last February from the book "Knitting School". I still consider myself a beginner because all I've knitted so far are scarves (I do a mean garter stitch!), hats and a kitty pi bed. I try to do something new each time I make something, whether it's a new stitch, a new technique, or using a new yarn.

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

Yes, I have a wish list on Amazon.

5. What's your favorite scent?

I love vanilla, orange-vanilla, and lavender. I also really love the smell of roasted coffee.


6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

I have sweet teeth and salty teeth. I love something sweet followed by something salty, then back to something sweet, then salty...this can go on all night. I love most peppermint-flavored candy (but not starlight mints), skittles, smartees, and the little chocolate candy bars you hand out at Halloween BUT I am not picky when it comes to sweets!

7. What other crafts or Do-it-yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

Since I started knitting, I have been so obsessed I have forsaken all other crafts for the most part! I love to gather and dry various things from nature which I use to decorate. I like to do some beading from time to time and hope to start learning how to hand-dye yarn this spring. I don't spin because I don't have time to learn right now, but maybe one day I will take it up.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3's?

Yes, I can play MP3's. I LOVE most kinds of music - classical, jazz, rock, alternative, contemporary Christian, world music, New Orleans funk, R&B, hip/hop & even some rap. I am not a fan of metal, country music, Top 40, or easy-listening pop. One of my favorite things is discovering artists I haven't heard before!

9. What are your favorite colors? Any colors you can't stand?

I love colors and neutrals. My favorite colors are cobalt blue, ocean colors, purples (especially lavender, periwinkle, and grape), blue greens/turquoise and lime green. I also really like autumn colors. In neutrals i really like greys, black and soft creamy white. I don't care for really bright colors, tans or pastels.

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

Married 22 years to Mr. C (who is wonderfully supportive of my knitting obsession), no kids (but I have 9 fantastic nieces and nephews), 2 grey tabbies (Bitsy Bonton and Criquette) and 2 of the best dogs in the world (Chloe and Abbie). We are currently fostering 4 adorable puppies. We also have several bird feeders and squirrel feeders for our "outside pets".

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

I wear scarves and mittens. I rarely wear hats but do like skibands. I am not a poncho-wearing kind of gal.

12. What is your favorite item/s to knit?

Scarves, scarves, scarves! And sometimes hats (when I am tired of scarves). Anything in which I can get quick gratification and that doesn't challenge my tiny attention span!

13. What are you knitting right now?

If you guessed a scarf, you'd be correct! I just started on a deliciously soft scarf in a pattern that I designed. I go to sleep at night dreaming about it!

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Oh yes!

15.Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

I prefer the right needles for the yarn and the project, because I am practical like that. I have used bamboo, plastic and stainless steel and like them all. I'd have to say I usually try to use my Clover bamboo needles first. I have a set of Addi's that I love but they often feel too slippery. I can't stand the feel of aluminum or the sound they make - like nails on a chalkboard. At some point I will get some wooden needles to see if I like them as much as the bamboo.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and swift?

Yes! And I love playing with them!

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

That would be the Heartbreakingly Cute baby kimono from Mason-Dixon Knitting. I started it back in October and got through about 4" of straight knitting (on little sz 7 needles!!) and got bored and put it aside. This does not bode well for my goals of knitting a sweater and shawl this year!

18. What is your favorite holiday?

I love Thanksgiving and Christmas because fall/winter is my favorite time of year. And I love Easter because it comes at just the right time every year - just when I need hope and renewal and springtime the most.

19. Is there anything you collect?

Rabbits, crabs, turkeys, pumpkins (but not Jack-o-lanterns), and reindeer. Weird collections for a weird person!

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

No subscriptions. As far as books, see my Amazon list.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

I'm almost embarassed to say this, but I'd like to learn about using gauge - not just knitting a swatch, but how to manipulate the yarn type and/or needles to get gauge. Then I want to learn to knit a sweater.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

No, knitting socks doesn't interest me at this time, but maybe when I get tired of scarves and hats I will give it a try, but it will have to be a pattern that calls for sz 8's or larger! As far as my foot measurements, I'm not sure how to measure it for socks. My shoe size is 9.

23. When is your birthday?

November 8.

PUPPY UPDATE!

Here is a picture of the brilliant puppies sitting for treats. Oh, the cuteness! And I've already informed Mr. C of my plan for my next career as a puppy trainer!

(L - R) Oreo, Marley, Cody and Griff

Monday is a big day for the gang - they're off to get vaccinated, neutered, and microchipped. Don't feel too bad for them - they will be totally loved on and spoiled when they get back later that afternoon! Then Wednesday will be another milestone for all of us - Cody and Oreo will (hopefully) be off to their new homes. It will be a bittersweet day here at the little animal house on the prairie...but we'll still have Griff and Marley around until we find good homes for them too. I suspect once we take them out to adoption sites, their little faces and nice little sitting trick will find them homes real quickly!