TMI: Too much information!

So my knitting group comrades talked me into doing the Secret Pal program. I think it will be fun. But I had to fill out this questionnaire and well, I don't want to put anyone to sleep here but honestly at times I can be a bit wordy. So my apologies, especially to my Secret Pal who probably never wanted to know this much about me!

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 think I am a yarn snob because I do love Lily Sugar and Cream yarn that is like the cheapest thing they sell at most big craft stores. I love this cotton yarn for washcloths which I love making and using, and my family is now addicted to them too! I might however be an acrylic snob. I never use Red Heart, I use Lion Brand sometimes but really not a lot. I don't mind acrylic if it's going to be a good acrylic, I like Plymouth Encore a lot, most often I'll usually use acrylic to knit baby stuff for my new niece a lot. Especially some of the new cushy ones out there by Caron and some of those brands.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?
Don't spin, used to crochet, not so much anymore really. Totally, sadly obsessed with knitting...

3. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I made the 'roll your own needlecase' from the Stitch and Bitch book. Circulars are in a case I got free at stitches last year, which is really filling up and doesn't do that great a job. And the situation with the double points, well it's just sad. And I use them a lot, I love knitting socks, but they just haven't found a home yet, they live in the very cold and lonely bottom of my knitting bag.

4. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
Hmm.... On and off since I was a kid. Obsessively for the last 2-3 years. I guess I might be intermediate or advanced intermediate? I'm really not that scared to try anything. Although Fair Isle and lace knitting are both things I have little to no experience with.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yep, Amazon and Knitpicks. Looove the knitpicks....

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Honestly not a big scent person. Taste, now that's another story! (See question #7)

7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Favorite candy? I can't offend the other candies by picking just one! I am a equal opportunity candy lover. Chocolate, fruity, anything really. Although honestly I do have to say I really, really don't like some of the gross ones, like gummy bugs, worms, etc. That's like candy abuse to make it into something gross like that. Really.

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
Umm, cooking would be the big one I guess. Love to cook, the food network is on in this house a lot. That's about it really. It's a good companion to knitting.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I always say I like all kinds of music as long as it's good music. If you look at my cd collection you would immediately say there is a strong punk/alternative/80's connection there. Some bands I guess I'd have to mention would be the Replacements, the Cure, old Liz Phair, Sublime, NOFX, Operation Ivy, Face to Face, Bad Religion. But I also like some country, only the really good stuff though like Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Nickel Creek, other bluegrass. And I like the Beastie Boys a lot but I wouldn't say I'm a fan of rap at all. Oh and I also do really like a lot of old jazz and big band stuff, Ella Fitzgerald, Billy Holiday, Louis Prima, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, love, love, love that type of stuff. And I even like some oldies/soul type stuff, Stevie Wonder, the Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye... See? I could go on and on and on.... I think my computer plays MP3's. I think that's how I listen to the podcasts but I'm not sure...

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
Unfortunately I still wear black like I it's going out of style. But I also really like dark-jewel type colors, purples, reds, greens, etc. Not into anything too bright, and I really don't like yellow or orange that much.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Married for 5 great years. We have an 18 pound cat named Allister and he pretty much rules the roost. It's his world we're just living in it.

12. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I'm becoming a scarf person since I'm finding so many to knit that I like. It gets cold in Jersey sometimes so I have been known to wear hats and mittens too. As for ponchos, sorry, don't like 'em. I love Martha Stewart (I know I'm like the last one left on earth) but she can leave that poncho at home!

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
Basic wools pretty much. Lamb's Pride, Cascade 220. Also Plymouth Encore. All sock yarns and anything from Knitpicks. And of course, Lily Sugar and Cream for washcloths.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Not to big on the ribbon yarns actually. I knit a couple of pieces with that railroad yarn Plymouth Eros, and honestly they just don't get worn.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
I'm really obsessed with the new knitting podcasts, Cast-On and Knitcast. They're just so fun and interesting to listen too. And blogs. I could just read blogs for hours and hours.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I guess socks. They're just so portable and fun. I seem to always have a pair on the needles. But I also like sweaters and washcloths and scarves too.

17. What are you knitting right now?
Clapotis in Noro silk garden after all the cool ones I saw on different blogs. And of course, socks.

18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Not so much, I just feel like most things handmade I could probably make myself. Although I'm really into stitchmarkers, they would be neat.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
I appreciate both some are good for some projects some for others.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Bamboo/wood and addi turbos are my favorites.

21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
A winder yes, a swift not yet, maybe someday...

22. How did you learn to knit?
My godmother taught me when I was 5.

23. How old is your oldest UFO?
Honestly I don't think I have one. I really just have current projects. I don't like to let things build up.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
Love the Simpsons and South Park and that kind of stuff. Love Hello Kitty. I guess I also like penguins, and I'm hoping to go see the new panda bear in D.C. soon.

25. What is your favorite holiday?
Thanksgiving. It's that taste thing again.

26. Is there anything that you collect?
Yarn? Knitting books? Otherwise I guess I collect cookbooks. I have a lot.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
Knitters and Interweave knits.

28. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?
I would really love some bamboo double points. I have 2's but I'm sure at some point I should have size 1 and size 3. I have double points in 7 and 8 in metal but I'd love to replace them with bamboo. As for patterns I love the knitting pure and simple patterns and fiber trends patterns but only have very few. I'd really like to have more.

29. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Definitely lace.

30. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
My feet measure about 9 inches around but I usually will knit a sock for 8 1/2 around so it fits good. And my feet are not small unfortunately. I wear a size 10 and my feet are wide. Gosh, this is embarassing!

31. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
March 20 and I'm a Pices!