Secret pal 9 Questionnaire!

These get a bit lengthy! It's only required reading for my pal, of course, but who can resist finding out about someone's knitty preferences?

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I really don't like acrylic. I guess I'm a yarn snob? I just prefer natural fibers of all kinds - alpaca, wool, cotton, etc. I am one of those folks who would rather spend $20 on skein of yarn I really love, than $20 on a sweater's worth of yarn I will not like to knit.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? Ziploc baggies on a key ring. I have fancy needle cases, but I like this system best, especially as I have an absolute assload of needles! (great image, huh?)

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I've been knitting somewhere between two and three years. I'm definitely an adventurous intermediate - I'll try anything once!

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? I did, but it's not really maintained. Sorry!

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.) All things food - vanilla, spice, lavender, you know. :)

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? I have a big sweet tooth (and salt tooth!) but have been trying to cut back, so tasty sugarless candies will be much appreciated. I especially LOVE all things gummy! The weirder the shape, the better! (Peach flavored penguins and blue raspberry octopi are the oddest I've had.)

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I do spin, but not much lately. I do like batts that have crazy colors and stuff all stuck in them. I have lots of "plain" wool already.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) My computer can play cds and mp3s. I like uhh... show tunes... musicals... classical.. and movie scores! Music that tells a story, I guess.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? I really do not like most "man" colors. Grey, navy, cranberry... they're nice, I just won't wear them. I go for springy, Easter-y colors. Butter yellow, mint green, aqua, lilac and peach, oh my!

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I have two parents (one each, a boy and a girl!) and three cats. And one dog.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Yes, yes, yes, NO.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Socks, lace, fingering weight sweaters... ;)

13. What are you knitting right now? A pair of socks, a sweater for my mom, a lace shawl... the list goes on.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Well, sure!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I like circulars. I have an insane amount of needles. Please do spend your hard-earned cash on needles, though I would still appreciate the thought!

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? I own a ball winder. I have no room for a swift... besides, an excuse to visit the LYS!

17. How old is your oldest UFO? I have no UFOs. (bizarre, I know.) I really try to finish things in a reasonable time frame.

18. What is your favorite holiday? Easter! All that chocolate, pastel colors, flowers and new life and did I mention CANDY? And that I still get an Easter basket at 23?

19. Is there anything that you collect? Other than yarn? I have no room right now to collect anything. Art exhibition catalogues, I've got a lot of those. And sometimes they're free!

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 tend to buy individual issues, if the projects appeal to me. I don't have time or inclination to go through 5,000 back issues when the internet is at my fingertips. I do love all the RYC (Rowan Classic Yarns) books - right now I have Classic Alpaca and Classic Weekend. As for yarns? Handpainted sock yarn is always appreciated, especially hard-to-get brands like Socks that Rock and Claudia Handpaint. I also love most things Rowan (avoid 100% cotton, please. My wrists will thank you!) especially in their RYC range (cashsoft, etc.) I also love laceweight mohair/silk blends, soft alpacas, and cuddly cottons (i.e. Blue Sky dyed or organic cotton.) Let's be frank: I have "expensive" taste. I know it, and I'm sorry! <:) (Actually, it's not ALL snobbery. I do have eczema, which can flare up on my hands and anywhere that I wear anything remotely itchy. If it will go on a baby, it will go on me! Actually, one of my faves is Wendy Peter Pan, a SUPERsoft 100% acrylic...)

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Double knitting for socks, intarsia, knitting in my sleep!

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? I am indeed a sock knitter! I usually knit "plain" socks for my tv knitting, but occasionally an interesting pattern grabs me (Pomatomus!) I wear an 8.5 US shoe, with thick calves and relatively small ankles. I don't advise it ;)

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) It's May 9! Sometimes Mother's Day!

is that all? I feel like I sound like a greedy jerk! But, like I said before, I am a quality over quantity kinda girl. One of my fave SP gifts (though they've all been awesome!) was a skein of Colinette Shimmer 5 in my favorite colors. I also hang out on the knittyboards under "nararabbit" so maybe you can get more of a lowdown on me than I'm capable of giving...