Virtual Vacation Swap

I just signed up for the Knitters Virtual Vacation Swap. I can't wait to go shopping and see what comes my way.

The Questionnaire

1. If you could visit any state in the US, which would it be and why?
Hawaii and Alaska both tie for me.
Hawaii - the beach, the weather, the beauty. Alaska - I've always wanted to see the Northern Lights.

2. If you could visit any country in the world, other than your own, which would it be and why?
Scotland - the pictures I've seen are so beautiful. Just don't send me in the winter. :-)

3. Have you ever driven across several states/providence/countries?
Not really, I've driven to a few states but I'm more of a plane gal.

4. Have you ever visited someplace you consider exotic?
Is Jamaica exotic? I thought it was gorgeous.

5. What was your favorite "travel" vacation? Why?
Our first trip up to San Francisco from Southern California. We drove up Pacific Coast Highway and stopped everywhere I've ever wanted to see.

6. Have you ever played tourist in your own home city/state (if international, country)? Explain.
Yes. Living in Southern California lets me show off Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, the beaches, desert, and mountains. We do have a lot to see and do. I took my mom and niece on a bus tour of the stars homes once. It was so much fun and I would have never done it if they hadn't been visiting.

7. Are you a museum visitor, beach comer or an amusement seeker?
Museums and beaches.

8. What's your favorite type of yarn?
Anything soft.

9. What's your least favorite type of yarn?
Fun fur and novelty type yarns.

10. What items do you like to knit?
EVERYTHING!!!! I don't think there's anything I really don't like although my sock knitting hasn't been very successful.

11. What do you pack, knit/crochet wise when you go on vacation?
Socks are the easiest to travel with although dishcloths are pretty quick.

12. What other crafts do you do/would like to do other than Knit/Crochet?
None right now.

13. Are you allergic to anything? (Yarn wise or treat wise)
Nope

14. What is your favorite color? Least Favorite?
Deep purples and greens are my favorite. Least favorite has to be oranges, yellows, and pinks.

15. Sweet or Savory (Treat not personality)?
Either.

16. Anything else we are forgetting to ask that you think your partner desperately needs to know?
*Copied from Miss Me* I'm left handed, which might explain why I always seem to be looking at the world from a slightly different angle......

Fall Into Autumn Dishcloth Exchange Questionnaire

1. Do you knit or crochet? How long have you been doing it?

I've been knitting for 16 yrs or so but got more serious about it in the past 5 years. I can crochet but am not all that great at it.

2. Have you made dischloths before? Do you use them yourself, give them as gifts, or both?

I've made tons. I use them but most of them end up being gifts.

3. What's your favorite cotton to make cloths from? What cotton would you like to try that you haven't before ?

I tend to use Lion Cotton, Peaches N Cream, and Sugar & Cream. I can't say that they're my favorites but they're what I'm used to. I did try EcoFil and wasn't thrilled with it. As for what I'd like to try........ no clue.

4. If you knit, do you prefer circular or straight needles? For all, do you prefer wooden, metal, or plastic needles?

It all depends on what I'm working on as to circular or straights. No plastic needles for me!! I tried them once and didn't like them at all. If I had to choose between wooden and metal I'd choose wood but I have more metal.

5. What are your favorite colors? Any colors you don't like much?

Purples and blues are my favorites. I don't love orange or yellow but do like them for fall. It's the right color for that time of year.

6. What do you like best about Autumn?

The change of season. I live in So. California and it's been 110+ degrees this past week. I'm ready for a cool down.

7. Pies: Pumpkin? Apple? Pecan? All of em? or No Thanks!

Berry

8. When you were a kid, were you the one who couldn't wait to get started with school , or the one who overslept on the 1st day?

I'm not an oversleeper but I can't say I was overjoyed about the first days of school either.

9. Do you celebrate Halloween? (The real key here guys is especially knowing if you have an aversion to the holiday or little goodies/decorations associated with it, given the timeframe of the swap)

I'm more of a Fall/Autumn person than a Halloween person.

10. If you had to choose just 3 edible 'goodies' to eat for a full year, what 3 would you choose?

When I think edible goodies I think chocolate but just three? Hmmm. Sees Candy - Scotchmallows are my absolute favorite, chewy brownies, warm chewy chocolate chip cookies, and ice cream. Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate, preferably without nuts.

11. Do you have any pets? Kids? Husbands who seem like kids? ;)

One cat, two free roaming backyard bunnies, 2 kids, and one hubby that can definitely act as silly as anyone.

12. If you were to describe a particular yarn that shares traits of your personality, what would it be and why?

I couldn't come up with anything so I asked two friends. One said "something purple and scooshy" and the other said "wool cuz I'm warm and fuzzy like that." Mind you, their answers. LOL

13. Do you use your cloths mostly for dishcloths, or as facecloths?

Both - but for face cloths I like Knitpicks Crayon 100% Pima Cotton

14. Favorite Fall Holiday: Halloween or Thanksgiving and why? (Feel free to share another fall memory if you do not celebrate either of these holidays)

Thanksgiving - it's relaxing and for being with those you love.

15. Do you have any allergies or aversions your pal should know about?

I'm allergic to limes but doubt that's a real problem :-) I am not a big nut fan.

Favorite Color Swap Questionnaire

Favorite Color Swap Questionnaire

1. What are your top three favorite colors? Purple, sage green, blue

2. What crafts do you really enjoy? knitting

3. What products do you really covet? KnitPicks Harmony DPN’s sizes 10, 10.5, 11

4. What other activities do you enjoy besides your favorite crafty things? reading and hangin' with my family

5. Is there anything you collect? Other than yarn, nope

6. What is your zodiac sign and/or Chinese zodiac symbol? Capricorn

7.What are your favorite…

…scents/smells? Lavender, cucumber/melon, cinnamon

…types of music and/or bands? Easy Listening (Kenny Loggins, Celine Dion, Elton John - - that type)

…authors? Debbie Macomber, Steven King

…animals? hedgehogs

…places to shop? Yarn stores (no surprise), Disneyland

…season? Winter & Spring – anytime that it’s not hot

…yarn? Anything soft

…candies or goodies? Dark chocolate with caramel. No nuts.

8. Do you have any wish lists? Amazon but I don’t tend to keep it up

9. Are you allergic to anything? nope

10. Do you have any pets? What are they? One kitty and two bunnies that bunny about in my backyard

11. Please include anything else you would like your secret pal to know about you- anything that would be helpful in finding you little gifts that you will really enjoy. Also, if you have a Ravelry ID, please include it here.

Ravelry ID - arielzoe

I’m pretty easy. I don’t like coffee at all but other than that I’m always happy to get a surprise.

Cocoa Swap Questionnaire

The Yarn…

1. Do you knit, crochet, or do both? I knit.

2. What is your favorite one-skein project? What item do you find you knit the most of? I definitely knit hats most often. When I can't think of something to knit or need a break I tend towards chemo caps. Mittens and fingerless mitts are another favorite. I like immediate gratification knitting although I've made tons of blankets and they take a looooooong time.

3. Do you like using a particular type of needle or hook? (wood, metal, straight, circular) Is there something you’ve been wanting to try, or a particular size you always seem to be short on? I think I use straights, circulars, and dpns equally and most of them are Knitpicks (Harmony and metal).

4. What’s on your needles\hook right now? What’s your oldest UFO (unfinished object)? Right now I have a chemo hat OTN and my oldest and only UFO is a pair of mittens that I started 6 months ago. They'll be beautiful if I ever finish them but my talent and patience do not lie with color work.

5. What are your favorite types of yarns? Are you allergic to any yarns, or just hate working with something? Anything type/brand of yarn you’ve been dying to try? I like anything that feels nice in my hands. I don't like fun fur or novelty type yarns.

7. What are your favorite colors? Brights? Pastels? More muted colors? Variegated? Are there that make you want to stab yourself in the eye with your needles? Purple wins hands down as my favorite and orange is usually my least favorite although there are some things that I've done that I've loved in orange.

8. What is your favorite knit accessory, your fancy needles? stitch markers? your yarn cutter? What do you have TOO many of? What do you wish you had? I have way too many stitch markers. They're always so pretty but I will never be able to use all that I have.

The Chocolate

1. Do you prefer boxed/packets, or something homemade? I like it all.

2. Marshmallows or whipped cream? Marshmallows definitely.

3. Do you use any ‘add ins’ No

4. Are you a year round cocoa drinker or just in the winter months? Winter months

5. Do you like flavored cocoas or are you just a ’straight chocolate’ kind of person? Usually I'm a straight chocolate kind of person.

6. Do you enjoy cocoa from restaurants or shops like Starbucks? What are some of your favorites? I don't have a favorite and have never found one that I don't like.

7. You’ve just made the perfect cup of cocoa - is it in a thick mug, or a thinner cup? Where would you sit to drink it? It's in a thick mug and I'm drinking it at home in my favorite chair by the fireplace.

8. You’re enjoying that perfect cup, what treats will you enjoy with it? Are they sweet or salty? Crunchy? Soft and flaky? A nice soft/chewy chocolate chip cookie. Warm from the oven. YUMMMM

It’s all YOU!

1. Do you have other hobbies like spinning or scrapbooking? Nope, not a one.

2. Do you collect anything? No

3. What is your favorite part of Winter? I live in So. California so any change of climate makes me happy. I love seeing the snow in our mountains and using our fireplace.

4. What sort of scents do you enjoy? Any difference in what you like for your house versus what you like for your body? Light florals, citrus, anything but vanilla. I love real vanilla but something in the manufactured stuff just doesn't appeal to me.

5. Are you allergic to anything? Nope

6. Are you on Ravelry? What’s your ID? arielzoe

7. How would you spend an ideal winter afternoon/day? Sitting and knitting by the fireplace.

8. What’s your favorite animal? Hedgehogs, lambs, kitties, bunnies