Secret Pal 9 Questions

There has been a lot more belly dance talk here than normal, and so much more than knitting lately. I am participating in Secret Pal for the first time, and they just put out their survey. So here goes:

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I really like everything. I have grown out of my Lion Brand phase when I was first learning and it was lots of yarn for not so lots of money. I think that is the only thing I would scrunch my nose at. I am very open to all sorts of yarns. Except fun fur. No fun fur.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have a case dedicated to circs, one for straights, one for long straights, and one for hooks that (even though it is made from the same company) is too small to fit any of them in, diameter-wise. Sometimes the needles actually make it into the cases, and sometimes not so much. Those cases? Usually on the floor somewhere.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
History: I learned to crochet by teaching myself single chains 8 years ago. I was frustrated that I could never find good crochet patterns and everything was knit, so I decided I had to learn how to knit to make all the cool stuff. I tried teaching myself from a book 5 years ago, and that failed when I couldn't figure out how to cast on. Almost 2 years ago a group at school got together and learned to knit. I've been doing it since. I would consider myself intermediate.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
No, I can't keep track of things like that and I know if I had one, it would make me spend way more money than I need on random useless things.

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)
Oh, goodness... Just about anything. I love scents. Vanilla especially, jasmine, plumeria. I absolutely *love* Indian spices.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Those little chocolate things that look like flattened out kisses with the white candy dots on them. And chocolate stars. Mmm. Chocolate.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I don't spin. Too poor to get that hard core. I paint though, but not as regularly as knitting. I also draw and color, I cross stitch, and I love love love cooking. Just about anything crafty is on my to-do list.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I love all types of music... seriously. I am big right now on anything I can dance to. I am also ashamed of my very small Arabian music collection. Shakira, Jurassic5, Gorillaz, Gnarles Barkley, D.Mode, John Mayer, and Corrine Bailey Rae are some of my tops right now. The one person I can't stand? Dave Matthews. And yes, I can play mp3s

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I love cool colors; blue, purple, green. Pink is the only color I can do without.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I am married and have 2 kitties. They are my babies and are so spoiled... yes, I knit a kittypi for them... the cats that is.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I have made myself more scarves than I can count, but surprizingly only one hat. Hmm.. I have never caught onto the poncho phase and am still unclear how I feel about them. I do love accessories, though so I'd probably welcome them all.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I've caught the sock bug lately. Soon I am going to be starting my first sweater, scarves are always easy and most of my gifts to friend tend to be scarves. I'm working on a Karabella shawl right now. Favorite items? I love everything!!

13. What are you knitting right now?
Karabella Boise shawl. I am crawling along and it seems like it has been at the same length forever. But it is so cozy to knit!

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
They are the best! It shows thought and care. :o)

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I'm really feeling circulars right now. I love bamboo, although for socks I've been using addi turbos. I'm very curious about the knit picks regular circs and the interchangables. I am also a fan of addi turbos and Naturas. I'm also trying to get my hands on some longer circs so I can learn to do the magic loop.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Lucky me, I own both.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
I am monogomous. If there is a UFO in my stash, it is because I have decided that yarn is hideous and I will never finish it out of disgust (read back to growing out of the lion brand phase). Actually.. I think a few months ago I threw it out. It is possible for someone to have no UFOs and only one WIP! :o)

18. What is your favorite holiday?
I love Christmas. I don't know. Not necessarily the gifts, but things just feel different around that time. The winter atmosphere. And the massive amounts of food and cooking. Aww comfort foods.

19. Is there anything that you collect?
I used to collect model horses (Breyer) but at $30+ a pop, it's not something I can keep up with, especially if they are just going to sit there and be looked at. I am a packrat. I collect everything I get. Things that smell good, yarn, I love anything by Amy Brown, candles, potpourri, little scented tarts that you can put in a burner and let fill the house with yummy smells for hours. Also, anything belly dance related.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? Hmm. Well, I have a subscription to Interweave knits, and am letting my subscription to Creative knitting expire (I like IK better). I'm intrigued by Vogue knitting and Rowan. I have a few knitting books: Sensational Socks, Fabulous felted bags, Vogue Stitchionary, Vogue Knitting on the Edge, SnB Handbook and Happy Hooker. I am always welcoming new books.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I ususally don't know I want to learn a technique until I have to use it in a pattern I am working from. The one thing I do want to learn is how to knit 2 items at the same time using the magic loop. What is stopping me? I don't have long enough circs and I need a project for it. (socks, gloves, leg warmers... hmm there are 3 ideas) Maybe knitting backwards?

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I love sock knitting! I've made one! ..single sock. A knit along distracted me and my monogomous self from finishing the seacond one. I think I am going to have to start cheating soon. Circumference: 8 1/4" Heel to Toe: 8" Toe: 1 1/4" Heel Height: 2 1/4" Calf: 11"

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
08/22