Secret Pal 11 Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favourite yarn/s to knit with? What fibres do you absolutely *not* like?
I think I prefer “plain” as opposed to the current fashion furs (see q 14).I don't like the eyelash and fur yarns (funky fur, fizz, foxy etc). I also absolutely detest Dune after having a disaster knitting a poncho in it early last year.I don't have a preference between acrylic or natural.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I’ve got a storage case for one set of my metal needles, a roll case for my bamboo needles and then one of those stackable boxes with lids for the remainder.

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 25 years. Would say intermediate – advanced.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Not at the moment. I tend to go through phases of what books I collect so its always best to ask me.

5. What's your favourite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)
I like citrus smells and rose. I also like the smell of lavender but is not something I’d want something too permanent smelling of.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favourite candy?
Yes have a very sweet tooth unfortunately am trying to diet off sweeties.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I’ve bought myself a cross-stitch and rug making kit to have a go at. Not sure how well i’ll take to it at the moment though. I also learnt the basics for Tunisian crochet at Harrogate two years ago but undecided now whether i’ll take it further. I do also have a spinning wheel (called Mabel) and a washed fleece but the two and the carding combs have yet to meet each other.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Quite a mixed range. Not so fond of 1990s onward though. Yes I can play everything. I also collect Dr Who audios and am quite behind on those.

9. What's your favourite colour(s)? Any colours you just can't stand?
I like various green but not lime (bit too bright for me to wear), also like blue and some oranges. If knitting for myself I don't like pastels. I also ABSOLUTELY LOATHE pink.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Partner of almost seven years. At the moment we have two cats (Cairo and Lara), two rabbits (Dobbie and Winkie), three rats (Gibber, Ish and Little One (who is anything but!!)).

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I wear gloves. Again these are bottle green which I need to find as its getting chilly here. I am not really a hat person either although I have done myself a balaclava.

12. What is/are your favourite item/s to knit?
Would say that I am not too fussy although with the commissions it seems to be jumpers at the moment. Travelling to/from work I make blanket squares – easy to knit and no major problems if you get shoved/lose your place.

13. What are you knitting right now?
On the needles or about to go on the needles is the fiddlesticks peacock feather shawl, a baby christening shawl, an Alice Starnore aran jumper, a pair of socks and a pair of gloves.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminium, plastic?
I have two sets of straights (one metal and one bamboo). I also have a set of Boyes (similar to Denise's). I have several Addis including a 3.5mm and a 4mm

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Oh yes - how on earth did I live without the combination!

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
I inherited a pair of gloves when my nan died so these are about 20 years old. My own UFO though is a balaclava I made about 4-5 years ago which I finally sewed it up in November but still need to do a rib edging for round my face. I needed to make it up quickly as it was extremely cold and windy when I was helping at Harrogate.

18. What is your favourite holiday?
I don’t really do holidays but the times I go away I prefer a doing/seeing break as opposed to sunbathing. Seasonal holiday I like Christmas - think its the kid in me.

19. Is there anything that you collect?
I’m into Dr Who, Enid Blyton, Star Wars but am a natural hoarder.

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 subscribe to Simply Knitting and pick up copies of Knitting and occasionally Interweave Knits and Knit Today.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
The technique of being able to just follow a pattern straight and no need to frog it! I have also got to get round to learning in practice picture jumpers and fairisle rather than theory.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Mixed feelings here. I need to master kitchener stitch or find a better way of making the ends meet. Sizewise though I am a UK8.

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
24 July.

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID
KnittyFred