Secret Pal 11

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

Wool and wool blends are good. Anything natural. But I am not a yarn snob and also have used Caron and Bernat. There are some pretty nice and soft acrylic yarns out today. What I don't like is scratchy yarn or squeaky yarn.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have a container for the DPNs and the circulars are kept in the binder with the Knit Picks Options Set. My straight needles have no home.

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

I had learned how to knit back in 2005. I had to learn by myself from books and the internet as my mother only crochets. I think I am an intermediate knitter but I am not afraid to try new patterns.

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

5. What's your favorite scent?

Lavender

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
yes, I love Lemonheads and those little pumpkin candies that come out around Halloween

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I also crochet (both yarn and thread), sew, do bead work, cross stitch, some plastic canvas work, and will soon be learning how to spin on a drop spindle.

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

I like all types of music (with the exception of rap). Yes, my computer and car stereo both play MP3s.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

I like blues, greens, purple, pink, red, camouflage, black. The only colors I really don't like are bright neon colors as they hurt my eyes.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I am married with two small boys. Nathan is 4 years old and Nicholas is 20 months. We do not have any pets.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Yes, I wear all of them.

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

Right now socks are high on the list along with baby items. Small projects that don't take too much time are good.

13. What are you knitting right now?

That would be socks, dishcloths, and the never ending Clapotis.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes, very much.

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

I have used all of them. But mostly straight aluminum. For hats I have been using circular.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Yes, I have both.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

That would be the crocheted afghan that I started back when I was still in the Navy. I just have to attach some of the flag squares and stars and then it would be done. But first I have to find the pieces.

18. What is your favorite holiday?

Halloween

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Anything with an Ancient Egypt theme or an Asian theme. I also like wizards and Pegasus.

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 would say that my top 3 on my book list would be: Stephanie Pearl-McPhee Casts Off: The Yarn Harlot's Guide to the Land of Knitting, Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitting Workshop, and Getting Started Knitting Socks (Getting Started series). I am pretty set on needles but a size 5 and size 6 16" circulars will probably come in handy. I am looking at getting them from Knit Picks. It seems that I always miss the Yarn Pirate updates on her etsy site. That and the updates on the Loopy Ewe. There is one colorway of the Duet Socks Yarn that I would love and that is "Sailor Girl" - only because I used to be in the Navy. Currently I subscribe to Interweave Knits and Creative Knitting.

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

Fair Isle, Intarsia and I someday want to knit my first sweater.

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

yes - size 9 shoes with 9 1/2 inches circumference and 9 3/4 inches in length

23. When is your birthday?
March 14th - Pisces baby

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?

yes - AngelaMarie