I've moved!

Hello, I've moved over here now and very happy to be joining Secret Pal 9! I had such a good time with my One Skein exchange I was keen to join another. So here are my SP9 Questionnaire Answers-

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I prefer natural fibres and finer yarns (up to 10ply). I love wool, mohair, angora one day wish to try using cashmere. I don't really knit with novelty yarns or acrylics.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
Currently they are all sticking out of a paper bag inside a knitting bag next to my bed.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
My aunt taught me to knit when I was little but I never got past doing scarves with holes in them. I started knitting "properly" at the beginning of last year when a friend persuaded me to visit a very helpful yarn store- I've been addicted ever since! I would probably class myself as an intermediate knitter

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
I have an Amazon account, accessible if you know my full name!


5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)
I have an amazing sense of smell and strong scents tend to overwhelm me. Quite like vanilla, baking smells, green tea or sandalwood.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I prefer a little taste of good quality chocolate rather than lots of bulk sweets. My favourite Australian brands are Haigh's (especially their dark peppermint frogs) and Koko Black. In the U.S, I love to buy Godiva chocolates.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I don't spin. I plan to learn to sew one day and have signed up for embroidery lessons next year. I do make my own paper crafts.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Jazz vocals and lounge music, rock/pop. I play CDs in my DVD player at home.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
My wardrobe is black with the accent colour being anything in the red family, extending to pinks, oranges, maroons, purples. Raspberry is my favourite colour. I don't really wear brown, yellow or green.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I'm married and live in an iddle biddle apartment. No animals right now, but I have successfully raised 2 seeing eye dogs in the past. Both were beautiful black labradors.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I don't really wear hats or mittens (it's never all that cold here). Scarves and ponchos yes.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Sweaters, scarves, lace.

13. What are you knitting right now?
Icarus shawl from Interweave Summer 06, and I'm finishing a cari with a double eyelet pattern on the sleeve and border.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I like straight and circulars- prefer bamboo and caesin.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
No but I want to get a yarn winder

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
A few months old

18. What is your favorite holiday?
Halloween!

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Etiquette books- vintage ones are the most entertaining!

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
One day I will learn fair isle. I also hope to do intarsia if I'm not too lazy to weave all the ends in.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I've never tried knitting socks but plan to try it one day. I wear a Size 37 shoe.

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
9th May- Taurus