I have joined the latest round of Secret Pal and updated my questionnaire. As a side note, I'm not in a pissy mood anymore like I was yesterday morning. Jim and I had a nice evening yesterday and he mentioned that he does, in fact, want to go to Taliesin, just not this upcomng week because of holiday traffic patterns, particularly in that area of Wisconsin as it's not far from the Wisconsin Dells. Good point and understood!! I get ideas in my head sometimes and become very stubborn about wanting to do them NOW sometimes (well, let's be honest - all the time.) But I do get over it quickly. Anyhoo, probably TMI for my new SP - hi pal! It's ironic that this is my first day on vacation, and what do I do first? Oh, get my coffee and fire up the work laptop. A creature of habit, apparently.
Here's the SP 14 Questionnaire!
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
My favorite yarn to knit with is merino wool, but I also like certain other cotton tencel blend yarns. Some specifics I love are any of the RYC Cashsoft and Cashcotton yarns, Cascade Pima Tencel and Classic Elite Premiere, Elann luxury superwash merino. I also love anything by Brooks Farm and Tess Designer Yarns. Historically I’ve liked worsted/aran weight yarn the best, but now I really like DK, sport weight and 4ply yarns. If you're on Ravelry, you'll see I have a shortage of these types of yarns. Oh, and I really really hate hemp and am not the biggest fan of linen, or anything unyielding that has a tendency to "split".
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
The Circular Solution for the non-Harmony set needles, and a divided plastic box for the hooks. I only use circulars and have tons of them.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I’ve been knitting since January 2005 and I’d say I’m probably advanced in that I’ve mastered the art of fitting myself and others, have made many different types of sweaters, and am not afraid to try new things.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes, my Amazon wish list is under rmartin_cpa at hotmail dot com (an email address I don’t use except for spam type/solicitation lists.)
5. What's your favorite scent?
Lemon and other citrus scents are my favorite, as well as seaside/outdoorsy scents. My latest fave is CK One Summer. Others I like, to give you an idea, are Lemon Sugar by Fresh, Issey Miyake, I Love Love. Light, citrusy, beachy – all good - not too sweet or floral.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I do in fact have a sweet tooth. My favorites are milk chocolate and/or milk chocolate/caramel/peanut butter blends. I also love the Godiva Key Lime truffles (and any other kind of their milk chocolate truffles), which they only have certain times of the year. I am the kind of weirdo that can actually eat one piece of Godiva chocolate a day and make that box last for over a month - in fact, I have a half eaten box from a month ago on my coffee table now. I’m really not a fan of most dark chocolate despite its health benefits. I am pretty focused on my health and eating right/working out as it makes me feel good, but it doesn't put me off a little chocolate or wine.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
Knitting and apparel sewing (particularly dresses with knit fabrics) are my two passions. I've been getting into crochet more lately and have a broomstick lace project in process. I have a hairpin lace loom and some patterns for it but haven’t gotten to it yet.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I have an iPod and iTunes, so I should be able to play anything on there. I have very eclectic musical taste. If you look at my iPod, for example, it has Ingrid Michaelson, Frank Sinatra, classical music, 80s songs, 50s songs, and classic rock/metal. The only thing I really don’t like is most country music. I love audiobooks and have an audible.com membership.
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I really like most colors – all shades of green (except mint), teal, red/orange (as well as red and orange separately), turquoise, plum, maroon, blue-violet, and chocolate brown are all colors I love. I tend to like warm and/or vibrant colors and really dislike pale pastels and light beige on me as they wash me out.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I have been married to the love of my life, Jim, since 2002 – as a point of trivia, our first date was on September 1 (1995) which is the same day in 1957 that my MIL and FIL were married. Clearly, it was meant to be! We have two sweet-sixteen-year old kitties, Gilda and FatKat.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Scarves – yes; Hats – yes; Mittens – no, but I like fingerless gloves (Fetching was one of my faves); Ponchos – no..
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
It’s all about the sweaters….
13. What are you knitting right now?
It changes from week to week – the best source is my Ravelry project list. I haven’t been too good about updating my project list in my right hand sidebar, but if my pal isn't on Ravelry, I can start updating the project list on the blog more consistently.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Sure! I love handmade socks even though I don't knit them myself! I wear a size 6.5 or 7 shoe.
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I only use circulars – I have every possible material and size already though. I use all kinds except plastic – addi turbos, bamboos, rosewood, ebony – and I have the Knit Picks Harmony set. I do not yet have the Knit Picks metal needle set. For crochet hooks, I only like aluminum but I have every size of those too, though.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Yep, I have both.
17. How old is your oldest UFO?
Mirepoix, from Fall 2007 Interweave - it's been hibernating since around October 2007.
I’m done with the sleeves, but need to finish the upper body and steek it.
18. What is your favorite holiday? What winter holiday do you observe?
My favorite part about holidays is the potential for long knitting and sewing weekends! Every holiday’s good. I celebrate Christmas.
19. Is there anything that you collect?
Cat figurines from various countries and other U.S. states that I've visited.
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
Books are a great thing to get for me as I really, really appreciate them and I keep my Amazon wish list updated. I already have subscriptions to Interweave Knits, Rowan International, Vogue Knitting, and Cast On. The only one I don’t have that I like is Rebecca – I have a lot of the back issues but would love a subscription. I really am liking Knitscene and Knit.1 lately. I have a subcription to Burda World of Fashion, a sewing pattern magazine.
This wasn't part of the question, but I guess it falls under the “yarns” category as it is also fiber-related: I adore fabric, particularly knit fabric from gorgeousfabrics.com or ITY jersey from denverfabrics.com. My latest fabric website find is spandexworld.com, but I only buy either swimsuit fabric (though I’ve yet to attempt one) or ITY poly/spandex blends. You can see my acquisitions on my blog and Flickr account (rmartin_cpa) to see what I like. Emilio Pucci and Diane Von Furstenburg are my fabric/style inspirations.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I’ve learned a lot of techniques, but haven’t necessarily made garments with them yet. I haven’t made an intarsia garment or sweaters utilizing slip stitch or brioche. I'll be picking up the Mirepoix Bodice again so will be getting some practice on steeks. Still planning to finish the Hourglass Jacket (my first crochet – broomstick lace – project.)
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I’m not. I would love to get a pair (especially a lace pattern) but don’t want to make them. My shoes range in size from 6 to 7 depending on the style, because my feet are a little wide across the toes. Mostly I wear a 7. I have never taken measurements, though – just ask me if you’d like me to!
23. When is your birthday?
February 19.
24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
Yep. RobinM is my ID.
Well, there it is in all of its detailed glory. I look forward to getting to know both of my pals!
You had me at "Godiva Key Lime Truffles" ! Yum!!!
Posted by: Arizona | July 04, 2009 at 12:33 AM