Secret Pal questionnaire

Secret Pal 7 is on, and although I didn't get in on this exchange in which a fellow (mystery) knitter spoils you with knitting-centric stuff for three months, (and you she), I still want to live vicariously through the Secret Pals' experiences!
To wit: I have completed the Secret Pal questionnaire, which ordinarily would be paid some attention by my Secret Pal, but which I completed just for my own darn fun.

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? I don't avoid any fiber except the weirdish/trendy stuff like funfur. That stuff just is not right. But I have two sweaters going, both in TLC Heathers yarn, and they're great. I love that stuff. It's already made two great scarves for me, too. I do also love the higher-dollar yarns, so no, not a snob!

2. Do you spin? Crochet? Nope, neither.

3. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? A canvas tool bag that my better half, Bob, bought me for Christmas. I would LOVE to have one of those rollup silk or cotton rolls for needles, hint hint. I've been coveting one at my local yarn store and just haven't bought it, thinking I can make one myself. Alas, that one just never gets made.

4. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I haven't been knitting long, but I'm an intermediate/advanced knitter. I love cables and I've done garments, so I think I can handle most intermediate and some advanced stuff.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Yes; Amazon.

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.) sandalwood, spice.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Yes; chocolate and hard caramels.

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? I quilt! I quilt with enthusiasm! I collect fabric and yarn! Also have painted and sculpted and weaved.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) Yes, I'm mp3 compatible. I like alternative rock, Motown, 70s music (but I hardly ever admit it to anyone. Oh, the shame!)

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand? I like the "heathers"--heathered purple, oatmeal, heathered green (medium sage)--and periwinkle and Tiffany blue and BROWN and dusty pink. I also love orange and that new-wave color of green which I call 'acid green'. I don't much like variegated yarns; I prefer solids or a tone with slight variations (heathers).

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? Cats! Two cats, who are such good company. They let me live with them.

12. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Yes, yes, yes, no. At least, not yet. I've knitted scarves and a little pair of mittens, and have patterns for hats which I've not yet tried. And I did see a pattern for a poncho I might try, but I don't think I'd wear one, so I probably won't do a poncho.

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? I love Jo Stevens yarns, and Debbie Bliss yarns, and yes, TLC Heathers yarns. I like wool, alpaca, cotton, and synthetics. I haven't used the chunky or superchunky yet, or the really small-gauge stuff. Typically, worsted weight, size 8-12 needles.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? Funfur, some of the "ladder" yarns, that kind of thing. I really prefer the more classic types of yarns. The new-fangled stuff is just too trendy for me.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s? I love cables, which may be why I like the plainer yarns; easier to see all the knitting stitches! My latest obsession is cardigan sweaters and intricate cabling.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? So far, scarves, sweaters, and mittens.

17. What are you knitting right now? Two sweaters, mittens, a scarf, and a pair of ruffled Mrs. Beetons wrist cuffs.

18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes! Really, I like any kind of gift. ;)

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Straight, please. I'm using circulars right now for one of the sweaters, and I'm getting used to them, but I really prefer the straight needles.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Bamboo, baby! Although some of those resin/composite needles look interesting. I've also done a pair of baby mittens on a set of borrowed aluminum needles and now I think I need a pair of my own.

21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Nope, unless by 'yarn winder' you mean me.

22. How did you learn to knit? A very good and patient friend sat with me for an afternoon and got me going. Then she supplied instruction books, lent me needles, and hey, the rest is history.

23. How old is your oldest UFO? A couple of months. I'm new.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird? Scooby Doo, but I'm not very into cartoons translated into knitted pieces. Favorite animal, cat. Favorite bird, chickadee.

25. What is your favorite holiday? Thanksgiving.

26. Is there anything that you collect? Fabric. Music. Dishes, much to Bob's chagrin.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? None! Help me, please!

28. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? I'd love to have the Stitch 'n' Bitch Nation book. I really want to make those alligator mittens, among other things.

29. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Hmmm, I have enough new techniques for now.

30. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? I'm not, but I'd like to be because 1) I love socks, 2) I wear through my socks all the time, and 3) my feet are often cold. I wear 9 women's US.

31. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) January 26.