Secret Pal 7 Questionnaire

I'm so excited about my first Secret Pal exchange. Thanks to the SP7 Hostesses for putting this together. Here's an introduction into all things FeminiKNITTY...

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand?

Call me an amateur in the knitting arena but I love Red Heart, Caron and Lion Brand yarns. Right now they are my staples. Acrylics are great to use because if I decide to drop a project, I don't feel guilty about dishing out a lot of cash on expensive fibers. Looking forward to venturing out with wool and wool-blends. I might even attempt to dye some of my own yarn in the future.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?

I started out with crochet back in the day but love hearing the click-clack of two sticks together. I haven't tried spinning yet; it gets pretty hot in Texas in the summer, don't know that I'll be attempting spinning in the future.

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

I purchased ArtBin's Hook & Needle Case a while back. It holds all my straight and double-pointed needles. I also have Boye's zippered crochet organizer for all my steel/aluminum hooks that are collecting dust. I'm trying to come up with an inexpensive storage solution for my circulars.

4. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I consider myself at the intermediate level and have been knitting on and off for the past seven years.

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

My are growing rapidly everyday.

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

Vanilla is always an old favorite in bath scents. For candles, I love the smell of Mulberry or Strawberry.

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

Are you kidding, my dentist and I are on a first name basis. When I need a quick fix I go for the cheap stuff, Reeses Pieces or Reeses Peanut Butter Cups, and when I want the hard stuff or feel like splurging I go for the Godiva. I'm also a fan of chocolate covered pretzels and dark chocolates.

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

I've always been a needle arts junkie--Counted Cross Stitch, Crochet. I've just begun to do a little bit of Scrapbooking, Sewing, and Beadwork. I've also dabbled in pottery and paints.

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

Any music by a real artist who can actually sing and carry a tune (Aretha Franklin, Anita Bakker, Karen Clark-Sheard, Viki Yoh'e, Michael Buble, Smokey Norful, etc.). All things Gospel, and any Smooth Jazz, Old School R&B, and maybe a bit of Blues.

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 don't discriminate against any color except pastels. ;-) I love earth tones or colors of Autumn, but I also love the Springtime blues or ocean themes. It just depends on my mood.

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

Pleasantly single. As a friend of mine once said, "I'm somebody's rib, my 'Adam' just hasn't woke up and found me yet!" I am the mother to one fur child, my dog Misty, and the Auntie to a niece, two nephews and two God-daughters.

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

I love scarfs and ponchos; save the hats and mittens for the wee little ones.

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

Red Heart Soft, Caron Simply Soft, and just about any Lion Brand yarn. Whatever you decide to bless me with will be appreciated.

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

So far, I like them all. No allergic reactions to set me back.

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

I love knitting basketweave style and cables. I also have a growing fascination for stitch markers.

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

I've done a lot of afghans in the past. Right now, I'm loving the Irish Hiking Scarf wrist warmers because they knit up so quickly.

17. What are you knitting right now?

Where do I begin...let's just say, it's too many UFO's to mention.

18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Absolutely. Anyone who takes time to give of themselves and create something with their own two hands is the most generous person in my book.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?

I love the freedom of straight needles, but my circulars are probably used the most.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Whatever gets the job done.

21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

I just received my yarn winder a month ago...love it. I haven't invested in a swift because I'm currently on the acrylic kick. This maybe changing in the near future.

22. How did you learn to knit?

I taught myself with those all famous Teach Yourself Knitting books. I've picked up a few new stitch ideas from here and there since then.

23. How old is your oldest UFO?

I have a crochet scrap afghan that hasn't been assembled in about 8 years. I also have a basketweave afghan that was one of my first knitting projects that is somewhere in my craft closet waiting to be completed.

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

That's easy...Must Love Dogs. No favorite animated character. However, I must admit I'm a closet 'Suga Mama' fan of Disney's The Proud Family, and I love all the Disney and Pixar animation movies.

25. What is your favorite holiday?

My birthday, of course, and Christmas.

26. Is there anything that you collect?

I wouldn't necessarily call it a collection but I've grown very fond of Lead Crystal Eggs. I have four on my fire place mantle. These eggs were found on one of my many shopping sprees to my favorite store, T.J. Maxx. The Faberge Eggs are way out of my league. I was also blessed with a James Avery charm bracelet for Christmas, so I'm seriously searching for charms to add to it.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

Currently, no subscriptions, I buy them on a whim. If I had a subscription for every magazine I bought, I'd go broke. I love Family Circle Easy Knitting, Vogue Knitting, knit.1, Knitter's Magazine, Creative Knitting, BHG Knit It!, Knit 'n Style, and the new Knit Simple.

28. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?

All my knitting pals keep telling me about the wonderul Addi Turbos and the Denise Interchangeable Knitting Needles, they're next on my purchase list. I have also had my eye on Handknit Holidays by Melanie Falick and AlterKNITS by Leigh Radford.

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

I would love to learn Fair Isle, Intarsia and different cast on methods. Also interested in learning how to read charts and design my own items with graphs.

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

I haven't attempted socks yet but would love to learn. I've been blessed with a ladies US Size 9.5 (10 for a little cushion).

31. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)

March 19th (03/19); I give a shout out to all my homies....Spring babies in da house!

32. Do you have any allergic reactions to any yarns?

None

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I can't wait to get started SPoiling my Secret Pal. :-)