Secret Pal 10 Questionnaire

Having seen the fun others have had with Secret Pal, I decided I would sign up for the latest round. What a great idea to send and receive to/from other crafters around the world. It is very exciting... The first step, of course, is to complete the questionnaire... so here goes...

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

I like both fine and chunky yarns, and these can be natural or synthetic... but what I like best are yarns with different colours in them, as I love seeing the way the colours mix and build up when the yarn is worked.


2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

I keep my needles in two earthenware jugs, one that I brought back from Portugal in 1986, and one that I received from and Irish relative as a wedding gift in 2000. I also use earthenware jugs to keep my paintbrushes in and also my button collection.


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

I have been knitting since 1979 when our school got everyone to knit squares to sew into blankets and send to Africa as part of Action Aid. I am probably still classed as a beginner... I do small, simple or quick projects, and don't do many fancy stitches.


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

No.


5. What's your favorite scent?

Lavendar, lemon and nutmeg.


6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

I don't have a very sweet tooth, although I like milk chocolate but don't tend to eat much of it.


7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I sew, draw and paint (watercolours). I like trying new things, and am a dabbler. I have recently bought some disolvable fabric and am enjoying playing around with it. I don't spin.


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 jazz and blues and folk. Also David Bowie, Simply Red, The Scissor Sisters, Chrissie Hynde, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen.
I like South American music.
I love the sound of the clarinet and trumpet.
In terms of the technology, I'm just getting to grips with MP3s.


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

I like purple, orange, green and gold. I like strong colours mixed in unusual ways.


10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I am married with a 5 year old son and a 16 year old step son. We have no pets.


11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

Yes! Especially hats and scarves. I have a woolen cape, but have never had a poncho.


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

I like to knit small pieces that I then sew, embellish, cut up or otherwise work into other objects. Last year I knitted 17 hats as gifts for various people! In the last year I have also knitted bags, purses and journal covers.


13. What are you knitting right now?

A hat made from recycled sari silk, I am also using some fibres spun by a friend of mine to make lampshade.


14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

I love to give and receive handmade gifts. The love and care that they embody makes them all the more special.


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

I tend to use aluminium needs, but only because that is what I have. I have never used circular needles, although I once knitted a pair of socks on four double ended needles.


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

No.


17. How old is your oldest UFO?

I am ashamed to say it is 21 years old - it is a half made cross stitched tea cosy in the shape of a cottage. I don't think it is ever going to be finished. Apart from that I tend to finish items within a couple of weeks of starting them.


18. What is your favorite holiday?

May bank holiday - the weather is nice, and it is the start of the season of garden fetes and country fairs which I really enjoy visiting.


19. Is there anything that you collect?

Soda syphons, wooden fruit and ceramics decorated with fish motifs.


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'm working my way through my mother's old set of "Golden Hands" - a craft series from the 70s, so I have not been looking at books and subscriptions recently.


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

Felting, shibori stitching, machine embroidery.


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

I have only once knitted a pair of socks - I was 14 years old at the time and the socks were fluorescent green! I take a UK size 5 shoe.


23. When is your birthday?

11th January.