No More Hum Drum Mittens Swap 2

One day I was innocently browing on Cary's blog and she sucked me in to another exchange! :o) Here is my questionnaire for the No More Hum Drum Mittens Swap 2. I hope I answered the measurement questions correctly Secret Knitting Friend. Feel free to ask questions if you aren't sure.

How long have you been knitting & how did you learn?
I learned how to knit in Kindergarten (1971) when my Grandma taught me. In 1990 when I moved to a knew city I really got serious about it. Then set it aside for awhile again and have been knitting steadily since 2005.

Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I think my knitting level is somewhere between intermediate and advanced.

What are your favorite colors?
I love all purples, burgandies, blues, periwinkle, dark teal, pinks, grays, some blue toned greens. I generally prefer jewel or rich colors to pastels.

Any you dislike?
Orange, warm tones, browns (unless it's a natural sheep color)

Do you like Latvian type patterns?
Yes, I like most all types of traditional knitting forms, including the Latvian mittens and Scandinavian.

If so, what are your favorite patterns?
I don't know enough about Latvian mittens to have a favorite pattern. I love snowflake pattern variations, but I'm sure whatever you think of will be a great surprise.

Do you desire mittens for yourself, your "special someone else" or your child?
I'm going to be selfish and say for myself since I've never done this before.

What is the measurement from your wrist to the tip of your longest finger?
8.5 " (not counting cuff)

What is the circumference of your hand at it's widest point?
9.25" (I measured where the base of the thumb is, I hope that was right. Sorry! I have big hands!)

What other things do you enjoy knitting?
I do a lot of lace knitting and traditional things like Aran and Fair Isle and plain/common things like dish cloths, socks, kids sweaters etc.

What sort of needles do you enjoy working with? (straights vs circs, bamboo vs aluminum)
It depends on the project. I use a lot of circs, especially Addi turbos and Addi lace turbos and also like bamboo. I love Brittany for douple points.

What’s one project you’ve not yet tried but are dying to make?
I would like to work on some of Elizabeth Zimmerman's patterns. I have the books but just haven't gotten around to it. I also have some Alice Starmore Arans that I would like to make. I have a HUGE list of projects on Ravelry in my queue. I love looking at patterns and could have a million projects going at once if I am not careful.

What’s one yarn you’ve not yet tried but are dying to work with?
I love wool. Someday I would like to try some luxury fibers like cashmere or quiviut. I have a skein of Tofootsies I haven't tried yet. Some of those new fibers sound fun.

What other hobbies do you have?
I love to sew/quilt, do genealogy, spin, scrapbook, photography

Do you spin?
Yes, I have a Lendrum DT and a couple spindles. I'm still pretty beginnerish.

Sew?
Yes, for my kids, some for myself, quilting and patchwork

Garden?
I just have container gardens where I am now but I'm reading up about organic gardening so that hopefully in the future we can do that.

Cook?
Yes, I like to cook and we have recently been pursuing healthier living so I am re-learning how to cook, all over again.

Besides yarn, do you collect anything?
I like sheepy things and killer whales but don't officially "collect" anything.

What kind of goodies do you enjoy? Sweets? Salty?
I like caramels and chocolate, shortbread. I'm not a salty or sour person.

Anything you hate or are allergic to?
Cigarette smoke, scented stuff (I have asthma), I don't care for licorice.

Do you have any kids?
3, DS - 6, DD - 4 3/4, DD - 4 3/4

Pets?
Kitty, Abbie

What is your favorite part of Winter?
Snow...knitting!

What is your least favorite part of Winter?
People's grumpy attitudes and commercialism around holidays and sales.