Stephanie Cake

Secret Pal 11: The Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I’m not really a yarn snob but I prefer natural fibers (acrylics and novelty yarns aren’t my cup of tea) – I truly heart Merino (I like felting). Alpaca is great and I recently knitted a few pieces with some silk blends as well as bamboo. I’ve also recently tried some lace knitting so lace weight mohair is intriguing me. Superwash sock yarn is always appreciated. Although there are some great companies out there (Yarn Ahoy, Woolgirl, Socks that Rock, Collinette), I don’t have any strong brand allegiance.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
My knitting bag… between my couch cushions…. My purse…. I have a couple of galvanized tins that serve as their “official storage receptacle” but I’d really love a travel needle case (hint hint!)

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I learned how to knit many moons ago from my mom but didn’t really take it up as an extreme sport until last year. I’ve tried a lot of things and am always willing to try more. I think I would classify myself as solidly intermediate.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes. I love books like I love air. http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/ref=lst_llp_wl-go/105-0168924-5019662
There are tons of other strange things on the list but you don’t have to look far to find the knitting books.

5. What's your favorite scent?
Lavender and very light citrus scents (like the way Earl Grey tea smells!). I’m not a big fan of smelly lotions or candles. But I do love lavender sachets and things like that!

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Oh yeah. Unfortunately for my waistline, yes. Milk chocolate all the way! Plain old Hershey bars make me very happy. I will also sell my soul for Vermont Maple Sugar candy. And I’ll commit crimes for See’s blueberry or pineapple filled cremes or Roger’s Chocolates Victoria’s Cremes (maple and blueberry, duh!). IMPORANT: Sadly I’m allergic to most tree nuts… some are ok and others are deadly… But really, I don’t expect anyone to have to go to the trouble of analyzing ingredients on my behalf so please don’t stress about it.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I’m a fiber person - I sew and make art quilts. I also do 3-D assemblages and collage. I don’t spin at this point but I learned drop spindle when I was in art school and would love to try it again…. However at this point yarn and fabric and gobs of art supplies don’t leave much room in my house. I have no idea where I would put fleece….

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 kinds of music and my computer does play MP3’s. (there is a link on my blog to my Myspace page for an actual list of what I listen to).

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
Pink is my favorite color… except when turquoise, orange or lime green are. HA! I love bright colors in general so I’m not really picky. I’m not a huge fan of neutral/natural or dark tones in my knitting and I love unconventional color combinations so the wilder the better.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I have a hubby and a 10 year old son. We just got a new cat – her name is Brownie and she’s 2 years old. They are all fairly uninterested in my knitting – although the men have been grateful recipients of knitted items. I briefly considered knitting the cat a sweater but then she gave me a look that said “Don’t even think about it, lady.”

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Yes, yes, yes, not so much. I love scarves and mittens and although I look like a dork in hats I wear them anyway. I don’t think I have the body type to pull off a poncho.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I think I will knit anything at least once. I am a big fan of small and quick-to-knit items and things to give as gifts. I love knitting socks and mittens and baby sweaters.

13. What are you knitting right now?
I don’t think anyone has time for the full inventory but the quick run-down is a couple of sweaters and more socks than I care to mention. Also a pair of mittens, a shawl that is very close to done and a lace wrap that I’ll probably be knitting until I die.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Of course! What kind of monster doesn't??

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Depends on the project. I prefer wood for the most part. Brittany’s are my favorite straights and DPN’s with Clover bamboos a distant second. I also recently acquired a pair of Bryspun plastic needles and those are pretty darn groovy. For circulars I’m a complete Addi Turbo convert.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Yes to both.

17. How old is your oldest UFO? Hah! Are you kidding me??? I bet I have unfinished craft projects from when I was a child! But my oldest knitting UFO is probably a scarf I started for my husband when we were dating… so 12 years old?

18. What is your favorite holiday? My birthday! Just kidding! I don’t really have a favorite. I like them all, especially if there are presents and/or good things to eat.

19. Is there anything that you collect? I’m a packrat… so the question is: what do I NOT collect…. But I love vintage sewing notions, old buttons and squirrels (figurines and tchotchkes and such, not actual live rodents).

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
There is nothing I have a burning desire for. I sort of live for the moment and covet beautiful things as I see them. I have tons of knitting related books on my Amazon wish list. I get Interweave Knits and buy the other magazines when there is something that catches my eye.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? I’ve been working on lace knitting. I think I’ve got the basics down but I haven’t tried knitted on edgings yet. I have the Victorian Lace book and hope to find the time to work out the actual technical requirements soon.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? You bet! I wear a women’s size 9 shoe – my feet are sort of normal/average…. 9 ½ in length – 8 ½ - 9 in circumference.

23. When is your birthday? September 23

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
Nope, not yet. I added my name to the list, and here are the statistics…
You signed up on July 3, 2007
You are #12963 on the list.
4156 people are ahead of you in line.
12135 people are behind you in line.

25. Ok, so there isn’t a #25 but I’m adding it in here. Grin! Is there anything else your Secret Pal needs to know about you?
You can learn more about me than you would ever want to know by checking out my Flickr page (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephaniecake/). There are pictures of me, my friends, my family, my artwork, my knitting and my yarn. I haven’t posted a lot over the summer because I’ve been busy but between there and my blog I think it’s an open and shut case.

// posted by Stephanie Cake @ 8/13/2007 12:52:00 PM