1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I don’t have a favorite yarn. It depends on what I’m knitting. I love interesting colors and color stories mixed together. So I’ve yearnings towards Noro and Louisa Harding yarns as well as one of a kind handmade yarn. There are so many fantastic fibers out there it’s impossible to choose. I’ve wanted to knit something in Hemp. I *dislike* acrylic.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I store my straight needles in a large Lipton instant tea mix containers. My circular and double pointed are in an old antique tin.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
My grandmother taught me to knit when I was 5. It took me a few more years until I could figure out how to put things together. I’ve been knitting on and off for 30 + years. I would consider myself a novice in some techniques (lace making) in other techniques I’m intermediate or advanced.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Amazon - via my email address. I’ll be listing others soon.
5. What's your favorite scent? (For candles, bath products, etc.)
It would have to be Lemon and Lemon Verbena. Vanilla though a bit over done is kickass when done right. Fruity and spicy/amber scents are lovely too. I like Victoria Secret - Love Spell and Forever Romance. I recently bought Henri Bendel Home Candles in Lemon Verbena and Guava. I also like Body and Bath stuff – Amber, Jasmine, Raspberry, etc. I don’t like “old lady floral”.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Yes and Yes. Dumdums esp. cream soda & butterscotch one of my other fav’s is chocolate covered gummy bears. Other than that - black and red licorice, chocolate*!*, Gummi Bears, (Gummi anything), caramel apple pops, chupa chups ice cream flavors, BB Bats, Cinnamon Toothpicks, lemon heads, Abba Zabba, Big Hunk, Sugar Daddy, Jr mints, Kit Kat, M&M’s, Moon Pies, Peanut butter Cups. Yeah - I’m a candy freak. I also bake quite a bit – cakes, cupcakes, pastries, I like/love it all. I just made Butterscotch marshmallow fudge yesterday.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? Whew – I have quite a variety of interests I do quite a wide variety of textiles - surface design, sewing, knitting, some crochet, pattern drafting, hat & purse making, redoing clothing, etc. I also paint, do paper crafts, doll making, stuffed animals, design wild and whacky stuff from found objects. It depends on what mood I’m in.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (If your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Yes, I can play MP3’s. I have an online play list at Pandora.com. I like a wide variety of music. I like most music excepting country music and rap. I don’t listen to hard or classic rock. I love discovering new music. What I’ve been listening to lately is Moloko, Cut Chemist, Radio Head, Lamb, Imogen Heap, White Stripes, Bollywood and Middle Eastern music. I recently heard Tilly and the Wall, and Mason Jennings
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I like most colors except neon shades and orange. I don’t have any one favorite color. Again it depends on what for. For my own personal uses I like greens, turquoise, pinks, reds, browns, black - I wear quite a bit of black. For my home it’s more eclectic. My studio is WILD and quite colorful. I lean towards Kaffe Fassett sensibilities.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I have a significant other and a 19 year old daughter. I have a dog Smoochi, and three house rabbits Mr. Bingley and his gal pal Bella Luna, and a chocolate rex by the name of Milton. The bunnies are litter box trained and have the run of most of the house. Milton hangs out with me quite a bit in my studio.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Yes, I’m a scarf whore – I knit them almost to the point of obsessiveness. I’ve been known to give them away spur of the moment as an excuse to knit more. I’ve only recently moved to a place where it’s cold enough to
need mittens & hats. I’ve never had mittens so I’ve not ever worn them. I’ve been intrigued about making a pair of Nordic mittens. Hats are fantastic, knit and sew many of them. I haven’t knit any ponchos. Each year I think they are going to go out of style so I’ve never dedicated stash or cash toward buying or making one.
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Aside from scarves, I’ve been on a purse knitting binge. I knit for my daughter, family and friends. Recent items include I-Pod holders, sleeping masks in cashmere, fingerless gloves, and a vest. I have two types of projects – brainless for those times I just want to meditate and those that require more attention but well worth the effort.
13. What are you knitting right now?A skull scarf from knitty, a little vesty thing from knit one, and the ribby cardi from chickknits.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes - I’m a very enthusiastic recipient.
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? It depends on what I’m knitting. If I did have a favorite it would be bamboo and wood.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? No, it’s been on my list to buy. Every time I go to buy one I end up getting more yarn.
17. How old is your oldest UFO?
It’s really old. It was a sweater my grandma knit for my mom about 30 years ago. I recently inherited it. It’s in great shape and I’m in the process of finishing it as a x-mas present for my Mom. As far as my own UFO’s a needlepoint project that I started in 1985. It’s still not finished – lost the yarn and still look at it and think someday. . . . it’s mostly done. In knitting my oldest UFO is three years old - scarf that I’ve frogged about 8 or 9 times. I recently pulled it out again and it’s sitting on my coffee table staring me down daring me to try again.
18. What is your favorite holiday?
It’s a toss up between Halloween, Easter and Christmas. I really enjoy getting into the spirit of these holidays and decorate copiously. During the worst year of Christmas décor debauchery a friend said “Oh No, Look - Santa barfed”.
19. Is there anything that you collect?
Yep - tiki mugs, ceramic swans, lady bugs, and those little mini state plates.
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? Yes the Madil- Perrot M026 pattern. Louisa Harding Gathering Roses Accessories Ptn bk. I’ve been wanting reference books as to knitting techniques and knitting stitchionarys.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Spinning, yarn and roving dyeing, lace knitting, better at crochet. I just made a CD spindle earlier today.
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? Yep - I am a sock knitter. I want to try the “Socks soar on two needles” two circ needle technique. Foot is a size 8 and 9.25” long.
23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) December 20th!
