the Akamai Knitter

Hush-Hush Handspun Hootenanny Questionnaire

1. How long have you been spinning? What skill level do you consider yourself?

Even though I’ve been spinning for about 9-8 years, I would only consider myself to be a beginner intermediate spinner. Mainly because I don’t know many different techniques. I pretty much stick to what I know, which is the basics. The fanciest thing I do is a 3-ply yarn. :-P

2. What kinds of yarn do you create (singles/2-ply/3-ply/art yarn)?

I like to spin 2-ply laceweight yarn and 3-ply fingering weight sock yarns.

3. What do you spin with (spindle/wheel/both)?

I love to spindle and use the wheel.

4. What are your favorite fibers to spin with? Anything you don’t like?

So far the only fiber I don’t like is Mohair. It’s just too hot here for me to use. Although I don’t mind it in small percentages within a blend.

5. Who are your favorite crack dealers fiber sources (etsy or otherwise)?

Yarn Wench, All Spun Up, Enchanted Knoll Farm, Crown Mountain Farm, the list goes on but I would be here all day…

6. What kind of fiber do you want to try?

Merino/Tencel blend and Merino/Bamboo blend.

7. Is there any techniques you would like to learn?

Navajo Plying and boucle

8. Do you dye fiber? If not, would you like to learn?

Sometimes I do if I get the proper motivation. This does not happen often.

9. Do you have fiber prep tools (and like to use them) or would you prefer ready to spin fiber?

I prefer ready to spin fiber. Fiber prep is not my thing. :)

10. What do you do with your handspun? What projects have you completed?

I knit with my handspun. I have half a shawl completed and two pairs of socks. I might sell my handspun in the future though.

11. Are you in need of any spinning gadgets (WPI Gauge, threading hook, etc)?

I could use another threading hook.

12. What colors “fall into your shopping basket”? Any colors you just can’t stand?

I can’t stand orange and pastels. Though I do like pink and brown or pink and black.

13. What is on your wheel/spindle right now?

I have some  Merino on the wheel, silk on a Bosworth spindle, and some crappy pencil roving on my Golding spindle.

14. What other crafts/hobbies do you have?

I also knit, bead, and do counted cross-stitch. I want to get into art journaling too. That is when I can tear myself away from the spinning. :)

15. Other than crafts, what are you passionate about?

Reading and writing.

16. Do you have an online wishlist?

No, I don’t.

17. Is there anything that you collect?

Spindles and Hello Kitty things.

18. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What magazine subscriptions do you have?

I would love more Wollmeise sock yarn and a Japanese stitch pattern book. Right now the only subscription I have is for Interweave Knits, but I plan on getting one for Spin Off too.

19. When is your birthday?

October 21

20. What book or movie character do you most resemble in personality?

I really have no idea.

21. What is the climate like where you live around this time (need to know for careful shipments of anything meltable)?

hot and humid

ETA: So far chocolate hasn’t melted in the mail though.

22. Tell us one weird fact about yourself!

I have to stir my coffee with a red chopstick when I’m home. I get very obsessive about this. Don’t even ask me why.

Favorites:

Candy: Japanese Gummy Candy from Marukai

Food: Thai Food

Drink: Cranberry Mike’s Hard Lemonade

Movie(s): both Bridget Jones’ Diary movies; Kung Fu Hustle; House Of Flying Daggers; Serenity

TV Show(s): Grey’s Anatomy; Battlestart Galatica (even though I’m behind 2 seasons); The Tudors; Friday Night Lights

Book(s) (current favorite authors): Philippa Gregory; Laurell K. Hamilton; Janet Evanovich; Colleen McCollough

Guilty Pleasure(s): American idol, potato chips, and Hello Kitty things.