I’ve signed up for the latest Secret Pal exchange – my first. As usual, I am soooo far behind the times – would you believe I only ever heard about Secret Pal this past spring? Inexcusably lame of me. 
PS, This whole thing is meaningless to non-knitters, so feel free to ignore this post altogether.
Without further ado, here are my answers:
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I’ll knit with almost anything, but mostly I buy wool. Fuzzy fibers like mohair and angora drive me bananas. Oh, and I hate eyelash yarns.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I made a pair of needle cases (one for straights and one for circs) out of felt from the craft store.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I taught myself to knit about ten years ago, from an article in Martha Stewart Living. I would say I’m an intermediate knitter.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
No, but with my birthday and Christmas approaching, that’s not a bad idea!
5. What’s your favorite scent?
If we’re talking bottled scents, it’s Coco by Chanel. If we’re talking natural scents, I love the smell of the sea, the smell of the woods, and of freshly mown grass.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Yes! I love anything of or with dark chocolate.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I sew sometimes. I like gardening, and home renovations (furniture refinishing etc). I don’t spin…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 like all types of music – and I especially like when people turn me on to stuff I haven’t heard. My computer and my cd player can both play mp3s
9. What’s your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can’t stand?
Orange, Red, and Orangey-Red. And purpley-blue. I’m not a big yellow fan, but I’m not against yellow in a multi-color situation.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I’m married, and have a 16-month old son. No pets.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Yes! Well, maybe wraps more so than poncho’s…
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Clothing for babies and kids – they go so quickly! And, increasingly, socks.
13. What are you knitting right now?
A pair of socks, and I’m finishing up the Tomato sweater.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes!
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Don’t have a strong preference, but circs for big projects, and straights for small ones. I think I prefer aluminum in most cases, but I like to use bamboo dpn’s for socks.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Yes, and Yes.
17. How old is your oldest UFO?
2 years
18. What is your favorite holiday?
Thanksgiving
19. Is there anything that you collect?
Penguins, and Japanese teapots (tetsubin).
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 Interweave Knits, and buy Vogue Knitting once or twice a year. I’m dying to give cashmere and alpaca yarns a whirl, but beyond that, no real burning desires. I’d love to get my hands on Knitting In America (aka America Knits) by Melanie Falick, but I can’t seem to find it anywhere.
21. Are there any new techniques you’d like to learn?
Intrelac (terrifying, but so beautiful!), and more intricate stranding (Tomato is my first foray into colorwork, and is very basic). Also magic loop and socks on two circs.
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes! I’m a ladies size 7 US, size 37 Europe. Actual measurements are 9 inches heel to toe,2.5 inches top of heel to floor, and 8.25 around the ball of the foot.
23. When is your birthday?
October 22.
24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what’s your ID?
bigdee
