Birthday Swap:
YOUR BIRTHDAY
When is your birthday? Sept 7
What does “It’s my birthday!” mean to you? My birthday is my official holiday of the year. I love going out with friends and celebrating beyond the day.
ABOUT YOU
Do you primarily knit, crochet, or both? knit
Do you spin or dye yarn? no
Would you consider your skills beginner, intermediate or advanced? intermediate to advanced
Do you have any allergies (food, fiber, scents, etc.)? dairy (no milk chocolate) and no abundance of sugar (or sugar free either- that stuff is gross).
Do you have any children? nope
MEASUREMENTS
Head circumference? 54
Wrist? 13
Neck? 37
Ankle? 19.5
Sock/Shoe size? 9 – 9 1/2
THE PACKAGE
Are there any small objects you would like to receive? I would love one of those little pattern folders with the magnets to help follow a pattern! Also, I have a thing for hand-made stitch markers.
Are there any small objects you would NOT like to receive? no pompom makers, but I have a lot of knitting notions.
Are there any types of projects you would like to receive patterns for (socks, hats, mittens, amigurumis, etc)? I will take anything, but I prefer patterns that I can’t get for free on Ravelry.
Are there any types of projects you would NOT like to receive patterns for? see above
Do you have any wish lists online (if so, please link.)? yes, I put it all on amazon and it includes a lot of Etsy and non-amazon items.
Would you like to try anything new? Entrelac
Do you have any hobbies/interests outside of knitting and crocheting? reading and writing… I love Paris, especially the Eiffel Tower.
FIBER
Favorites easier to do dislikes….
Brands? easier to do dislikes….
Fibers? easier to do dislikes….
Weights? easier to do dislikes….
Colors? purple, green, red
Dislikes
Brands? Red Heart
Fibers? stiff acrylics
Weights?
Colors? oranges, neons
FOOD
Favorites
Candy? quality dark chocolates… especially with hazelnuts
Beverages? chai teas, cider
Snacks?
Dislikes
Candy? more that I can’t really enjoy milk chocolate… I do love it though
Beverages? coffee
Snacks? I am very picky about non-candy snacks so it may be best to avoid them…
Secret Pal:
What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
Right now I am in love with merino wool, but that’s not always in my budget. I do enjoy working with regular wool, especially for felting projects. Also, my favorite Etsy shop is Fresh From the Culdron and I pretty much like anything she creates. I really like hand spun and hand dyed yarns these days in any fiber.
What fibers do you absolutely not like?
I am pretty anti inexpensive acrylic worsted weight and fun fur/eyelash yarn. Novelty yarn is pretty much out. I will use it for Warmer Winter projects, but I have a source with a healthy supply of all of that will provide it for free.
What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have a few things. I have boxes I got from my grandmother which hold all my circular needles. They have been placed in CD sleeves to organize. The straight and double pointed needles are in old vases and a pot I made for myself. Crochet hooks are in a roll that I got for myself when buying a gift for a secret pal.
How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I would say I am between intermediate and advanced… I have found myself pretty tentative about trying new things lately. I learned to knit about 5 years ago from a colleague at work. Most women in my family knit though. I am the only one in my generation to take it up as of now, but that only means I got all the old needles before anyone else.
Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
I do, but its a pretty expensive list. I don’t expect things from it: http://www.amazon.com/wishlist/1G40YF05IGITQ
What’s your favorite scent?
My favorite scent is plumeria. I also enjoy cherry blossom and jasmine scents. I have a strong dislike of vanilla and sugary sweet scents. I prefer smokey florals.
Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Sweet tooth may be an understatement. Right now I love Mary Janes and Bit of Honey. I love Jelly Belly jellybeans, Swedish Fish, milk chocolate, etc. I ask that I not be sent candy though. I am diabetic and I only get a little candy once a month. Please do not send sugar free candy- I can’t stand it. I do enjoy tea (especially a yummy chai tea) and tea related items.
What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
Does Farmville count as a craft or DIY thing? I am freaking addicted to that stuff. I have some interest in scrapbooking and stamping, but not enough to want someone to send me things. Aside from knitting my interests tend to focus on public speaking (I am a member of Toastmasters International), reading, writing, working on my second masters degree (I take 1 course a year), and I work with Warmer Winters.
Do you spin? Dye?
I have always wanted to try dying my own yarns. I have a few bits of instruction, but I am just too lazy.
What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your
buddy wants to make you a CD)
Its easier to say that I don’t like country music or religious music. I can play MP3s and CDs. I can’t play tapes anymore.
What’s your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can’t stand?
My favorite color is purple – any shade.
What is your family situation?
I live alone with a cat.
Do you have any pets? Are you allergic to any pets?
Technically I am allergic to the cat, but I don’t let that stop me. I am allergic to cigarette smoke, but mostly when people smoke around me more than when items have been in smoker homes.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I do and I have an extensive collection of them.
What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I like being able to knit for other people. I have spent a lot of time knitting washcloths and dishcloths lately because everyone seems to want them. They are easy to knit and keep me busy. I am always trying something knew though.
What is on your needles right now?
A few things:
- a cowl/scarf that I am making with some yarn I got in Secret Pal 14
- Mochimochi land hearts also with some yarn I got a few years ago during a secret pal swap
- lots of inexpensive hats for warmer winters
Do you read knitting books? What kind of books i.e. technique, pattern, fiction?
I am a book collector who has to stop collecting books. I am actually in the middle of purging my collection of books. Yes, even my knitting books. I find I am more inclined to go onto Ravelry and pick up patterns there for free or to buy on the fly. Books get to be cumbersome.
Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
If it’s knitting/crochet, no thanks. I like to make my own things because I know what I need and like. If it’s another craft or your own spun/dyed yarn then yes. I love getting yarn as a gift. Especially if you send me a pattern to go with it.
I will say that if you make something different like note cards or something unique then I am all for it!
Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I have this goal to have two of every size and every length in both straight, double pointed and circular. If my pal wants to know specifically what I need I can be more detailed. I don’t like plastic needles much, but it that is all there is then I will take it. For example, my size 50s are plastic because that was what I found when I needed them. I want my one of each size/length to really be one bamboo/wood and one aluminum.
Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
I do not own either, but I think I would really enjoy a swift. I like to wind the yarn into balls by hand because I feel like I get a better sense of the yarn. The swift would come in handy to avoid massive knots.
How old is your oldest UFO?
I don’t have many UFOs… the little hearts I have been making are technically UFOs, but I do work on them every so often. I usually finish or frog everything.
What is your favorite holiday? What winter holiday do you observe?
My favorite holiday is my birthday (Sept. 7). In the winter I observe Festivus for the rest of us… or Chanukah depending on who I am spending the holiday with.
Is there anything that you collect?
I have a small, but growing collection of Eiffel Tower statues. I love Paris and the Eiffel Tower. My front room is pretty much the Paris room…
Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?
I try to avoid books and magazine subscriptions. I like to use Ravelry to find patterns. There are so many great ones already for free online. If I do find a pattern in a book then I go get the book. I have too many knitting books already. Most of them just sit here unused while I knit from the patterns I find online.
What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
Nope. I do love the UKs Simply Knitting, but mostly for the free gift. Unless I know of a pattern in the magazine already I find it unlikely that I will end up knitting something in them.
Are there any new techniques you’d like to learn?
I think I want to learn how to do gloves next- with fingers. I also want to learn how to do the magic circular needle technique… I can’t remember what that’s called, but it’s pretty cool. I have a whole blog entry of a meme that has things I can do and things I want to learn how to do.
Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I made a pair once and realized its not for me. I am sure I will make them again, but there are other things I am more interested in. I would love some sock forms though. My foot is a 9 1/2…
When is your birthday?
September 7
Are you on Ravelry? If so, what’s your ID?
librarygurl
