SP8

It's that time once again. You know I'm a sucker for the Secret Pal swaps. Not only do I *love* getting goodies in the mail, but I also *love* spoiling my Secret Pal in return. So, here we go again!

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer high-end/natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you? I am a self-proclaimed yarn snob. While it is true that I currently have a sweater using Lion Brand Wool-Ease on the needles, do not be confused. I love my name-brand yarns. Give me Noro, Rowan, Debbie Bliss, even Brown Sheep, anyday! I love wool; I love softness; I love well-made yarns and deep, rich colors.

2. Do you spin? Crochet? I am the proud owner of a Lendrum wheel -- her name is Lucille, or Lucy once you get to know her. I am a newbie spinner, but I am really enjoying it. The only problem is that it cuts into my knitting time! I dabble in crochet, but I'm so terrible at it that it drives me crazy.

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.) I am very allergic to dogs and cats, which is sad because I like both. Other than that, I'm allergic to lots of fresh fruits and veggies, molds, pollens, and fungi. Please do not send me fungi.

4. How long have you been knitting? I have been knitting for almost four years, spinning for about a year and a half.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Yes, I do. It's posted in the sidebar..

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.) I love lavender, coconut, and cucumber. I *hate* rose-scented anything (unless it's real roses).

7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Ha! I love me some chocolate, yes I do. Pocky, M&M's, Grasshopper cookies... Bring it ON!

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? I've tried so many things, but knitting is my true calling. I would really like to do more with dying, though. That is on my to-do list. And I'm taking a quilting class right now -- I really like it so far.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I can play MP3s - we have an iPod, so MP3s are perfect. I like all kids of music - even some country! Surprise me!

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? It really depends on what the color is on. I like red, but it doesn't particularily look good on me. I like blues and greens; deep, rich chocolate brown; earthy greens - colors that can be found in nature. I'm really into the turquoise (or robin's egg) blue and brown combo that's everywhere right now. The only color I steer away from is yellow -- too perky.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I am married, with no children -- we're DINKs! We have a pirahna named Angry Pete. We would love to get a dog, but we're both too allergic. Maybe when they start selling allergen-free ones...

12. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? I love scarves and mittens. Hats are good when it's cold out. Ponchos are no good, except maybe on kids and babies.

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? I *love* Koigu. I love to feel it, look at it, smell it -- I am not kidding! If I could only use one yarn for the rest of my life, this would be it. My LYS also just started carrying Malabrigo yarns, and it's right up there at the top of my list, too. I would love to get my hands on some of these new-fangled sock yarns that everyone's talking about - Vesper, Socks That Rock, etc. - basically anything handpainted turns my crank!

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I cannot knit with 100% acrylics. No Red Heart. Nuh-uh. And I don't like Rowan Summer Tweed - the texture is so strange!

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s? I'm really in a sock phase right now. And I would *love* to get a few of those Japanese crafting books that everyone else seems to have at the moment. Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of Japanese stores in South Dakota!

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? A little bit of everything! I like making baby sweaters because they are quick and easy and cute. For others, I like making socks or scarves because they are easy and fun to personalize. I also like felting, but I haven't felted anything in a loooong time. I have a needle fetling kit, and I would love to do more of that.

17. What are you knitting right now? I have a few things on the needles: a pair of socks for my little brother, a Clapotis using Malabrigo, a baby blanket (two, actually)...

18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Umm, yeah... It's only like my favorite thing right now...

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Circulars, for sure. Addis.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Bamboo or whatever Addis are made out of (nickel-plated).

21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Yes, I own a ball winder, but sadly no swift.

22. How did you learn to knit? I taught myself using books and the Internet. Since then, I've learned so much from fellow knitters and from the few classes I've taken and from just digging in and trying new things.

23. How old is your oldest UFO? Sitcom Chic from about two years ago. I haven't gotten around to ripping it yet -- it will never be an FO.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird? I like Curious George,  and of course I love Hello Kitty. Who doesn't? Sanrio also has a little monkey character - I don't remember his name, but I like him, too!

25. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas.

26. Is there anything that you collect? Not really, unless yarn counts. I do like monkeys (can you tell?) and people tend to send me monkey-related stuff, so I do have a monkey collection.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? Just Vogue Knitting. The only other one I like well enough to possibly subscribe to is Interweave Knits. I just haven't subscribed, yet.

28. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? See my Amazon.com wishlist for book ideas... I would also love to have Latern Moon striaght needles. They are incredibly beautiful. Oh, and Japanese craft books. I'd love to get Japanese craft books - knititng, felting, sewing...

29. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Hmmm... I've tried a little bit of everything. I guess I'd like to get more proficient at intarsia.

30. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? Yes, I love to knit socks. I do two socks on two circulars. I don't know my measurements off the top of my head, but I wear a US women's size 8.5.

31. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) October 4th.

Comments

[Cecily]

Hi Jen. Thanks for posting your questionnaire. Could you please respond to my email where I sent your match, so I can make sure you received it?

Thanks!