Longing for Spring

It's getting close to the Longing for Spring Swap start so I thought I'd better post my answers to the questionnaire. We don't have much in the way of winter here in South Texas so I'm feeling a little guilty about not having snow and ice to shovel out. However, the best thing about Spring here is the end to the cedar season! It's been a killer this year.


Questionnaire

1. Do you knit or crochet? How long have you been at your craft?

I knit and crochet but prefer knitting. I learned to knit and crochet when I was about 9 years old so that makes it about 40 (!) years.

In high school I mostly crocheted. I didn't get how to cast on properly for knitting so my first row was always a mess. I crocheted purses and sold them in high school. Anyone remember Aunt Lydia's rug yarn? I also crocheted granny square afghans and doilies.

I took one knitting class in my early twenties with my mother. We learned to knit raglan cardigans.

In my 30s I mostly needle pointed or cross stitched. I got rehooked on knitting in my 40s when I discovered all the new luscious yarns. Now, I have a good sized stash and a Ravelry queue of around 300 items I wanted to knit!

2. What are your favorite yarns/fibers? What are your least favorite yarns/fibers?

I really like alpaca and also BFL wools. Merino's good, too. I've recently discovered cashmere and I like it for some things. I love thick/thin wools like Manos.

I don't mind knitting with yarns like Encore which have some acrylic in them. But I don't really like knitting with all acrylic or all rayon/nylon, etc. I don't really like knitting with cotton but I will if it's appropriate for the project.


3. What are your favorite colors? What are your least favorite colors?

I love spring colors ~ greens, teals, clear blues. Vibrant colors. Oh, and periwinkle, I love periwinkle. (how could you NOT love a color called periwinkle?)

4. What ‘warm weather’ project are you looking forward to making this year?

I don't really think in terms of warm vs cold projects. Wish I was that organized! This spring I'm looking forward to knitting more socks for me and at least one lace project. I really want to knit a really want to knit an intricate lace shawl.

5. What are you favorite scents? Least favorite?

I love citrus scents and light spicy scents. I don't like flowery scents and although I love roses, I don't like fake rose scents.

6. What is your favorite flower?

I love gerber daisies. I also love roses, especially antique roses.

7. What are you favorite spring time hobbies/activities?

Bicycling! I love biking in the spring. Between May and August it's usually too hot during the day to bike here.

8. Do you have a garden? If you do, tell us a little about it. Do you like to plant flowers or vegetables?

I have a neglected small rose garden. I have 9 antique rose bushes. I'm looking forward to working on them in about a month.

I plan on starting a small vegetable garden this spring.

9. What are your favorite sweets?

Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate. Nutella, too. I don't really like milk chocolate, though. I love dark chocolate with a little bite to it.

10. Do you collect anything?

I'm trying not to. I have a small collection of Beatrix Potter figurines (I LOVE Peter Rabbit) and some music boxes. A lot of books. I'm mostly limiting myself to collecting sock yarn now.

11. Do you have any allergies?

Interesting question. I'm scheduled to have allergy tests on February 20.

12. Do you have any pets?

I have five (!) cats and two dogs. In my defense, all of the cats are rescues. The dogs are boxers.