SP 10 Questionnaire

Criminy! I started ths post 10 days ago and am just now getting around to finishing it up. Last minute as usual.

I had such a great time spoiling and being spoiled for SP9 that I decided to do it again! I think this is pretty much the same as the last one, but I'm going to do it all fresh because hey, I'm a mercurial girl (I suspect I'd get a lot further if I were a material girl, but that's not how it worked out):

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
At present, Merino/tencel. Also silk, cotton, alpaca, and various blends thereof. I like to try new things, like soy silk and bamboo. I do not like to knit with "regular" wool, as it gives me a rash that is gross and itchy.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
Right now a plastic sheet bag, but I'm going to make me up some cool needle rolls real soon (if you read the blog, you probably realize that translates to "sometime in the next year, maybe").

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I learned to knit when I was 15 or 16 and fell in love with a sweater in one of my mom's old Family Circle magazine. The first thing I ever knit was that sweater: black mohair in a lace pattern. I've never been afraid to knit anything since. I stopped and started a bunch of other stuff, but didn't really become a Knitter until I moved up north and got a job in the Big City. 45 minutes on the bus everyday and the need for a scarf brought me back to it, and I haven't looked back. That was about 8 years ago. I'd say my skill level is advanced.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes, but not really. Oh, I have a Kaboodle though. Some things are just one picture on a page of multiples, and it's not always the one I want, but mostly it should be.

5. What's your favorite scent?
I really don't like scented things I haven't picked out myself. I tend to have a reaction to some chemical that's used in lots of stuff (I think maybe to make the fragrance last longer?).

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I'm trying to lose about 30 25 more pounds, so again, no candy I don't get for myself.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I spin, weave, dye, sew, quilt, make jewelry, paint, draw, etc. and so on. I have an entire room full of craft supplies. It's a little daunting.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
MP3s are a go -- I have an iRiver (like an iPod, only, better). I like little bits of just about every genre you can think of, from opera to big band, to traditional Irish, to punk, to 80s pop. Also lots of Country Western (the good ol' stuff, not that new fangled crap they have nowadays) and hair metal.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
Purple is my fave right now, and grey and green and teal are right up there, too. Not a big fan of yellow, usually, but if it's in a colorway I don't hate it. I like strong colors, but not necessarily jewel tones or bright colors (though I do like those, too).

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I'm crazy in love with my husband and 10 month old baby. No pets right now (except I do count the dogs that live down at the junkyard as my other babies, but I don't get to see them often enough to give them treats or anything).

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Yes, but I'm incredibly picky about all those things. I'd almost always rather knit them myself (the Irish Walking Hat my SP9 pal is knitting for me is a notable exception, but she did ask first and let me pick the pattern -- hi, Margaret, I'll email soon!)

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Used to be sweaters, hands down, but I'm really, really into socks right now. I still love sweaters, though.

13. What are you knitting right now?
Right this very second I'm exclusively knitting stockings for Purlescence (see previous posts for info about the contest). Then I have to finish up Christmas presents -- don't ask -- and then I have a couple of other designs that I want to get out of my head and on to needles and hopefully get published. Oh, and I just saw a blanket in the latest Pottery Barn catalog that I'm going to knit up for my living room. $79 for bulky acrylic 3x3 rib? Seriously, Pottery Barn?

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Does anyone ever say no to this question?

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Circular for sweaters, DPNs for socks; wooden or bamboo (or glass...mmmm...glass needles...lurv them)

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Two of each.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
We do not speak of the Paisley Sweater(v2). But other than that (and counting only projects that I still have some intention of finishing), probably only about a year. No, wait, 5 years (I remembered another sweater).

18. What is your favorite holiday?
International Talk Like a Pirate Day

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Besides craft supplies, yarn, DVDs, books, Darth Vaders (my first crush -- the second "trilogy" just about killed me), gadgets, lipstick and nail polish...uh, yeah. I collect just about everything. If I don't collect it now, I can always start.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
Nothing I can think of at the moment (though more Lisa Souza is always welcome -- fab yarn and a super nice lady to boot. Love her, love her stuff.).

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I'm planning on learning Fair Isle by doing the pirate hat (there's a link somewhere around here. It will be in the sidebar "soon" -- see above for definition of soon.). I'd also like to explore freeform knitting and entrelac, I think.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Apparently, yes I am. If I'm not now, I will be by March 15 (the deadline for the stockings). No idea what my foot measurements are. I wear a women's 9-10, and my feet are kinda wide, but not so wide I have to buy wide shoes. I tend to incorporate a lot of ribbing in my socks.

23. When is your birthday?
TODAY!!!! :) And it was a good one. I love my birthday. I don't mind getting older (I'd certainly rather that than the alternative!) and I always just feel happy on my birthday.

posted by Laura Y. @ 11:35 PM