I’m participating in the Secret Pal 5 exchange, so to help my Secret Pal out, here are my responses to the survey:
1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?
I was informed today by Christina that I am a yarn snob. 😉 I will add though that I’m about to make some socks using the Lion Brand Magic Stripes yarn, but in general my yarn comes from the knitting store and I tend to go for the wools.
2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I am a new spinner, with a very basic top whorl drop spindle and a bit of Lincoln, Corriedale and (new!) Merino roving. I’m doing pretty well with it though, and I love doing it. (All props for my mad spinning skills must go to Mac and Eilatan.)
I tried to crochet again back at Christmas, and it was a bad experience. Holding a crochet hook makes my hand numb. (I have the same problem with trying to write with a pen.) No crochet for me.
3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
I can’t handle floral perfumes. I don’t like smoke. And Noro Kureyon sends me into fits (stuffy nose, puffy itchy watery allergy eyes) when I knit with it for more than an hour, so making my Booga Bag was pretty slow. I am not normally allergic to wool though, and all of my other wool experiences have been fine. I’m also allergic to Vicodan, which was important to the dentist during the root canal experience, but probably doesn’t matter too much to my secret pal.
4. How long have you been knitting?
Since February. However, I’m in – hook, line and sinker. I’ve got the socks and the Clapotis to prove it.
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes, I do. It is linked over there in the sidebar.
6. What’s your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Vanilla for candles, vanilla or citrus scents for bath products. And Lush “Karma” Bubble Bars. Mmmm… Lush. No florals (unless it is a mild floral vanilla blend) because the florals make me sneeze and give me a headache.
7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
Not much, I generally prefer my candy sour rather than sweet. I do love Reese’s minatures, but I live in Houston. Sending me chocolate anything would result in chocolate soup by the time it arrives during the summer months.
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
I cross-stitch, although I have neglected the needle for some time. I stamp, but since I’m a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, I’m pretty covered on the stamping supplies. So it’s really all about knitting and spinning for me.
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
My computer and the iPod can play mp3s, and I will listen to almost anything. I’m not too big into country music these days, but really – anything. My iPod is very eclectic.
10. What’s your favorite color? Or–do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can’t stand?
When I pick up yarn at the store, I tend to go for blues, purples, greens and … of course … pink. I am not too big on orange.
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I am married to Mike. We just had our 1 year wedding anniversary. Not only is he a fabulous husband, but he supports my knitting habit. That makes him even better. I have a son, Jason, who is 13. He has no interest in knitting whatsoever, unless they came out with a Xbox game that involved knitting. Then he might care. I have two cats, Murphy and Mona. Fortunately, they ignore my yarn.
12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
To travel around Europe. To visit Alaska. To see my son graduate from college, and to survive the experience.
13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
Right now, I would have to say Koigu. It is so deliciously yummy. But really, I haven’t met a yarn I didn’t like.
14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
After knitting my Clapotis with a cotton yarn, I don’t think I will be picking up cotton any time soon. However, the only thing I would say I absolutely do not like would be nasty, scratchy acrylic yarn. $1.57 at Wal-Mart acrylic. *shiver*
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
Socks and wraps/shawls/stoles.
16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Anything involving yarn and needles.
17. What are you knitting right now?
I’ve had a recent flurry of finishing things – the merino lace wedding wrap, the Clapotis, my first pair of socks, and two scarves. I have nothing on the needles at the moment, but will be casting on for a pair of Entrelac Socks (from a past issue of Knitters magazine) in blue/purple/pink Koigu after I finish this survey. I also need to finish spinning my dark blue Lincoln wool.
18. What do you think about ponchos?
I will admit that I’ve seen some cute ones, but I don’t think I would ever wear one myself. I’m all about the wrap.
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
I do almost everything on circulars, including my sock knitting. (Magic loop knitting a sock on 1 circular needle rocks!)
20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Lately, I’ve been all about the Addis. I like my Denise set, but the Addis? Mmmm…
21. Are you a sock knitter?
Yes, I have completed a pair and they matched even! Now I can’t wait to make more.
22. How did you learn to knit?
I took classes at Merribee, here in Houston. I was taught to knit using the English/throw method, and then by watching Knitty Gritty on DIY, I taught myself how to knit Continental.
23. How old is your oldest UFO?
My needles are empty. I still haven’t felted my Booga Bag though, and I have yarn for upcoming projects – but I have no UFOs. When I start something, I want to plow through until it is finished.
24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
Uhm, yeah. I don’t have an answer for this one. Wait … I giggle whenever I see Hello Kitty stuff at the store. She’s not really an animated character, but she makes me smile. I don’t really have a favorite animal or bird.
25. What is your favorite holiday?
All of them.
26. Is there anything that you collect?
I collect yarn.
27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
Right now, none. I’m considering Interweave, Vogue and Knitters, but I haven’t committed to any of them yet.
28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?
Actually, a book on dyeing. How is that for ironic? There are always books that I come across though that I would like to own, so I’ll keep the wishlist up to date.
12 replies on “The Yarn Survey…”
Hey–sent you an email about a week ago. Did you get it?
Crap. No. Evil spam filters, I didn’t get it. Can you send it again to christine @ this domain? 🙂 I’ll keep an eye out for it!
Thanks for the help, this is going to be fun!
Yes, but I also said that I was accused of the very. same. thing. (and it’s true. we both are!)
P.S. Totally loved chatting w/you yesterday as always. And Greg found my glasses, so I’ve got two eyes (and they’re both the same size…)
I didn’t realize you were a Stampin’ Up supplier. 😀 Is there a picture of the monkey set anywhere that I can see?
For dying, THE book to get is Deb Menz’s Color Works book (though it’s probably already on your wish list…I pooped out after Page 2. 😉 )
I confess. I am Christina’s accuser. But, she really is. I will, however, point out that Fiber Snobbery is really a good kind of snobbery. I think. heh.
I am so jealous that you are spinning.
you are going to have such a good time with this! 🙂 i know i did last time!
Julia, next time I come to Austin, I’ll gladly sit down and share the knowledge of spinning that I have! (Of course, with Hill Country Weavers there, you have access probably to more goodies than I do here!) I think I see a roadtrip in my future…
Christine, it’s so much more fun to do it with other knitbloggers. Ur, spinning I mean. You just holler when headed this way. I have a spindle and some roving. It’s just never been out of the bag. Show photos of the new lace, I want to see!
It is looks like a dream when i get married i am going to have a drass like that one.