Secret Pal 4 Questionaire

The secret pals 4 button is one of those that I can't manage to get onto my sidebar, but I am SO EXCITED to be participating. I've already heard from my sender, (who is a fan of Jane Austen as well), and I've written to my recipient. I'm really going to enjoy this. I love sending and receiving gifts!
OK, secret pal. Here's a little more info about me:


1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer high- a nd/natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?
Yep, a definite yarn and fabric snob. I only like natural fibers. My biggest pet peeve is 'pilling', which is infamous with acrylics.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I do know how to Crochet, although I only like to use it for trims and baby blankets. I really want to learn to spin. I can't imagine the satisfaction of knitting with yarn that I spun myself.

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
I'm very alergic to dust, and therefore tend to be a bit of a 'clean' freak. I suspect that I've developed an allergy to cats, which is a real bummer, because I like them, and promised my animal loving daughter that we would get one when our house remodel is finished.
4. How long have you been knitting? 5 years
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Hmmm, no, but that's a great idea!
6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)Freesia or plumeria
Flowery, fruity stuff.
7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Yes, it's my downfall. Actually, it's not a real 'sweet' tooth. It's a 'chocolate' tooth. I can bypass other sweets with ease.

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
I had the quilting bug for quite a while, and managed to accumulate more fabric than I will ever actually use. I'm trying to be more disciplined in my yarn purchasing, but it's hard!
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) Classical and contemporary Christian music. I don't have anything to play MP3's on.
10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? I love autumn and spring colors. The one thing I just can't seem to make myself like is 'loud' colors. Fuschia, lime green, etc. I don't like to be next to colors that clash with my hair ;-)
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? No pets. 5 great children instead.
12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
I want to be a great mother, which requires that I become less and less selfish. I've given up all of my old career aspirations to devote myself to raising the best human beings I know how to produce. (That's one of the main reasons we have so many. I want to have as many children as I can, and raise them well.) I figure that there's nothing else that I can spend my time on that will reap such long lasting results. OK, I would like to own a yarn/fabric shop as well, so maybe one day!
13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? So far wool, but I'd really like to try silk one day as well. I like soft yarn with a nice 'sheen' to it.
14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? Acrylic, polyester, nylon. I'm also not into novelty yarns.
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s? Yarn, LOL. I wish I could knit faster, so that I could have an excuse to buy at a faster rate. I'm pretty well rounded as far as trying different things.
16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Don't really have a favorite. I like variety.
17. What are you knitting right now? Banff (pattern from Knitty.com), I'm finishing up a sweater/hat combo for 2 yo daughter. I'm also making one pair of socks for myself before starting my Sockapalooz sock. I used to only keep one thing on the needles at the time. I have so many unfinished quilting and cross stitch projects. I don't want to start doing that with my knitting!
18. What do you think about ponchos? I don't see myself making one. I dont' like to spend my time making something will be out of style in a season or two.
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Only Circular
20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I learned on Bamboo. I've just transitioned to aluminum. I have a general distaste for anything plastic. I'd like to try rosewood or birch needles.
21. Are you a sock knitter? Yes, but not addicted to them.
22. How did you learn to knit? At a knitting class at my LYS. I had wanted to learn for years, and had no one to teach me. Hubby enrolled me in a 6 week class for my birthday. I knew how to crochet, but trying to learn to hold 2 needles, plus the thread nearly killed me! It was more challanging to me than anything else I've ever tried to learn. I was so sad, because I hated it, and hubby had spent so much money to enroll me. If he hadn't spent so much money, I never would have stuck with it, so I'm glad he did. By the end of the 6 weeks. I was hooked!
23. How old is your oldest UFO? I'm trying not to have those with my knitting. I do have a few things that need fixing, but my oldest thing on the needles is my Banff and it has only been there for 2 weeks. Don't ask how many projects I've bought yarn for!
24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird? Not into animated charaters AT ALL.
25. What is your favorite holiday? I'd have to say Christmas, although I like any excuse for a celebration.
26. Is there anything that you collect? Mostly yarn, fabric and books, but I know that's not the point. I do like floral things. I'm a romantic at heart.