Secret Pal XII Questionnaire
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I love natural fibers, except for anything that feels scratchy. Though scratchy wool is good for felting, hmmm…. If anything, merino or any long-stapled soft wool is my favorite. I do love merino/silk and cashmere/silk blends the most. FYI: Maaaalabrigo is a weakness — especially in Stonechat #173. I prefer lighter weight yarns like lace, fingering, sport, or DK weight instead of worsted/bulky. Now as for content dislikes, 100% cotton and 100% acrylic — both hurt my hands. 
Please no “accent” or “fun” yarns.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have 2 red leather Abra cases, a lovely handmade DPN case from Barbara, Helene gave me another fabric case that came with a bamboo set of straight needles from Denmark, a leather fountain pen case which holds my crochet hooks, and a tall crystal vase for the other straight needles that do not fit in the cases. Currently I am on the hunt for another Abra circular needle case but because of the price, please do NOT send me one. However, if you can point me to one for sale… 
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I began knitting on the first weekend of January 2005 by myself. I had been sitting in a knitting group every Thursday crocheting with my friend Cathy since the September before. I consider myself an intermediate knitter, but can be sometimes lazy and lacking in time to knit as much as I would like.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes…Just HERE and HERE.
5. What’s your favorite scent?
I love Victoria’s Secret’s “Vanilla Lace” lotion and body wash gel. Gardenias and honeysuckles are a close second.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Dark and white chocolate and anything with them! I do adore Lindt’s truffles, like Toblerone bars, and LUVLUVLUV English toffee.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
Does gardening and shopping for yarn count? I sometimes crochet, and am hoping to find the energy and desire to use my 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)
No pop or Top 40 please (Brittany, Kelly Clarkson, etc)… love Fiddler on the Roof (saw that years ago when I was just out of college) and Phantom of the Opera (already have soundtracks to both theatrical productions!); Chopin and Mozart; Tom Petty and Clint Black; The Clash and the Psychedelic Furs; and one of my all time faves, The Eagles. …Oh, and MP3s are my friend!
9. What’s your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can’t stand?
Umm… I have too many colors that I love. Stealing the info from the last SP — My favorite color palettes: neutrals (blacks, browns, greys, creams), and jeweltones (deep red, green, violet). But please, NO neon! 
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I have a still-a-kid husband (anniversary is on May 8th) and 4 house rabbits
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I actually prefer shawls (my Clapotis gets a TON of use!) over scarves (I crocheted one in Denmark when I forgot the black cashmere scarf Rich gave me for a Valentine’s Day gift). I love mittens and hats too. No ponchos though.
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Teehee! Clapotis, lace shawls, any kind of hand-warmers, and socks. I made my first adult sweater — a tank — and am itching to make a few sweaters.
13. What are you knitting right now?
I have 3 Clapotis (2 shawls and 1 blanket), 3 pairs of socks, and 2 Pinwheel-type blankets OTN.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
I love getting stitch-markers and handspun/local yarn. A great example is the gift of hanks I received from my Danish co-worker and his wife. They gave me yarn that was spun from their goats’ mohair.
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Depends on the project and where I may be knitting it. I LOVE my Addis (both Turbo and Lace), Plymouth bamboo circular needle set, SRK bamboo straights, Inox aluminum circulars, and Knit Picks metal DPNS in 2.50mm and 2.75mm the most. However, I keep breaking and chipping Brittany needles.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Yes to both — and both were gifts. I received as a thank you from Regina the most gorgeous swift in natural cherry wood. The yarn winder is from the generous Carine.
17. How old is your oldest UFO?
We are not going to discuss that.
18. What is your favorite holiday?
It is a toss up between Easter (spring and baseball are here!) and Thanksgiving (American football season and that holiday is around my birthday). To me, both mean time with my family and close friends in Virginia.
19. Is there anything that you collect?
Besides fine yarn??? I have a model train collection, and Wedgwood sage green jasper — but please, I really want to get rid of the Jasperware to make room for more yarn… almost anything related to my 1970 Ford Mustang fastback, and copper bunny garden items. Also, I LUVLUVLUV watching baseball, American football, NASCAR, and rugby.
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 love any of Fiddlesticks’ shawls, Sharon Miller’s Heirloom Knitting, or Miriam Felton’s shawl patterns. I have subscriptions for Vogue Knitting and Interweave Knits (love the intricate patterns and inspirational ideas). I just stopped my subscription to Creative Knitting (not too crazy over because the designs are a bit dull for my taste).
21. Are there any new techniques you’d like to learn?
I have 2 steek projects, and multiple sweaters (did you read that I am itching to knit up a sweater?) in my queue.
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I am a “toe-up preferred” sock knitter. Foot size would be US-7, EUR-38, at 8-3/4 inches long and wide.
23. When is your birthday?
11/25th — I am an American Turkey baby. This year, I hope to be back home in VA to celebrate!
24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what’s your ID?
Yes, I am somebunnyslove. I can be found most of the time in the ISO/Destash, Bunny Lovers, Clapotis, Virginia Knitters, Ocean State, Boston, aww shucks… There are too many groups to list! =:8
Must have bad karma.
ME!!
