Sockret Pal Questionaire

The Sockret Pal partners have been assigned so here are my answers to the questionaire:

The basics:
How long have you been knitting? About 25 years, on and off. Sweaters, hats, mittens, cables and colourwork. I started knitting socks this year and I love it!
Do you consider yourself a beginning sock knitter, an intermediate, or have you been doing this so long you could probably knit a pair in your sleep? Intermediate.

The measurements:
While your pal may ask for some additional info to ensure a great fit, please provide your shoe size, or any other fitting related info you think is pertinent. European size 39, about US women’s size 8. My feet are 9” around and 9 ¾” long. Leg just above the heel is also 9” And my calves get very, um, shapely about 9” from the ground so anything longer than that needs shaping, and anyway I don’t think my calves needs any more padding ;-) Sock toes on the blunt side fit me best.

(fiber related) Favorites:
What colors do you love? Blue is my all time favourite, all shades except baby blue but including purple, greenish blue etc. My second favourite is red, fire engine red. I also really like orange and grey.
Do you prefer solids or variegated? Oh dear, I don’t know. It depends on the stitch pattern. Lace and cables needs a solid(ish) yarn but stockinette is more fun with a variegated yarn. I have a tendency to fall in love with varegiated yarn, and then I fall in love with patterns that work best with solids…
What fibers do you most love to knit with? Wool, wool, and wool. Well, animal fibers anyway. I must admit that I have only ever tried wool, mohair (in the eighties) and cotton. And cotton is too unelastic, not fun to knit with.
Who do you consider your favorite yarn vendors? Hmm, I haven’t tried more than a couple. Simply Sock Yarn Company and Get Knitted are both nice. Or does vendor mean yarn manufacturer? In that case I’d say Fleece Artist and Opal, but I haven’t tried much fancy yarn. Peer Gynt from Sandnes is a very nice yarn for Norwegian sweaters. I have heard rave reviews of both Sundara yarns and Socks that Rock, it would be great fun to try those.
What projects (other than socks, of course *S*) do you most enjoy knitting? Lace!

(fiber related) Dislikes:
What fibers can you not stand to knit with? To wear? I avoid everything acrylic like the plague. I’m a fiber snob, sorry :-) And I hate knitting with cotton, it’s so unelastic, knitting becomes a fight for every stitch. No fun at all. So I absoultely prefer to knit with wool and wool blends. And I do live in a cold climate, so wool socks are the best anyway.
What colors would you never wear? Light pastels. Booooring.

The Tools:
Plastic or Metal? Bamboo or wood? Not plastic. Metal is nice and what I mostly use, as it is easiest to get around here. I have some sets of lousy wooden dpn’s, but it would be fun to try nice ones.
Circs or Straights? Circs! I never use straights, even for flat knitting, the ends get too heavy.
DPNs or Magic Loop? Both :-) But I prefer magic loop, less shifts between needles and easier to try the sock on as I go.
Are there any knitting accessories you don't have in your collection but would like? I only restarted my knitting very recently, so I don’t have much except some needles. And I must admit that I don’t know what’s to get. I would really like needles in those US sizes that are in between the metric ones, size 1 (2.25 mm) and 2 (2.75 mm)

The Extras:
Do you have a wish list? If so, please share the link! Haven't got one.
Do you like sweet, sour or salty? (or all of the above? *S*) Dark chocolate, and salty licorice.
Do you have any allergies your pal should know about? (Certain foods, smoke, pet hair, etc) All nuts and almonds, peanuts. And I can’t stand tobacco smoke.
Favorite scents? Scents you can't stand? I’m sensitive to strong scents, they make me sneeze. I prefer citrus, mint, spice, not sweet ones.
Do you collect anything (other than yarn and knitting toys of course)? Fabric and quilting toys! Especially batiks. I’m a quilter too you know…
When is your birthday? (month and day is fine!) May 30
Do you spin? Dye your own yarn? Nope, but I would love to try. We actually have spinning wheel at the cottage (from a relative who emigrated to America in the 1880’s, no less), but I don’t know how to work it.
Your favorite author/band/vacation spot, anything you think will help your pal know you better... Books: I have read the Lord of the Rings countless times (love the movies too), I like Harry Potter. Neil Gaiman is one of my favourite authors, and Peter F Hamilton. I mostly read fantasy and science fiction, when I have time to read that is, and don’t get caught in a knitting or quilting book or magazine. Music: Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, U2 (yes I was a teenager in the 80’s :-) Rammstein, Celtic/Irish music. I love Australia (have been there twice) and we’re going there to visit my sister (she lives there permanently) and her family in December. So my pal might get an Aussie prezzie!