I have decided to take part in the UK Swaps! I didn't manage to take part in the first swap, but I caught this one just in time! I was a little apprehensive at first.. the length of the questionnaire almost put me off! But here it is!

Part One: Crafting

Do you knit, crochet, or both?

I enjoy both knitting and crocheting; I learnt to crochet first so naturally I am more ‘apt’ at that, but my knitting is getting better! My Stash Buster Booties Challenge has made me a little more adventurous!

What do you like to make?

Anything that takes less than a week to make! My projects over the years have varied, from bags, scarves, toys, baby ‘stuff’, bathroom accessories, clothes for my dog Buca, and miniature crochet bears. At the moment though, I’m trying to ‘bust’ through my stash making baby booties and dishcloths!

Do you have a favourite project?

Not really, it depends on my mood and the time of year. During the wintertime I enjoy making ‘woolies’, usually in something super chunky (so it’s over and off the needles pretty fast!). As for summer projects, I stick to bags, house slippers, simple things... I love my shy miniature lamb Pufika though!

Do you have a favourite type of fiber or brand of yarn?

I love most yarns really, but I tend to stick to washable cottons and (good quality) acrylics. Wool is quite nice, but it has to be super-soft otherwise I break out in a rash! Noro yarns have beautiful colours, but I’ve found that they’re not for me. I’m quite a tight knitter, the yarn breaks and I’m not a fan of the random ‘knots’ !

Do you have a least favourite type of yarn?

Not particularly fond of novelty eyelash/fluffy yarns. When I was a teenager and those yarns were quite ‘in’ I used them to make scarves because tension and stitch didn’t really matter; but I would rather leave those ‘dark times’ behind!

Do you do any other crafts?

I wish I could give you a tour of my craft room! I enjoy sewing, fabric printing, fibre dyeing (this one is still a baby I only began about a week ago!) I used to make jewellery but now I use my bead stash to embellish the clothes and collars that I make for my dog!

Do you knit in public? If so where do you like knitting and what is your "portable" project?

Yes I do. I knit on the train, the bus, in the park... I LOVE dishcloths and I can never have enough cotton yarn! I can make a couple from one ball of yarn, and with circular needles they take up very little space in my handbag (not to mention that the needles don’t ‘poke’ the person sitting next to me!).

What do you carry your "portable" knitting in?

My handbag. I own large handbags with a partition in the middle; one is for the dog, the other for my knitting!

Are there any knitting gifts (book, toy, yarn, item, tool) that you have been lusting over?

Ummm...YES! LOTS! The list is constantly growing! Every time I make a craft-related project I tell myself “As soon as I get item X, I won’t need to buy anything else!”; for example, this week I have added a yarn winder, PuppyKnits by Jill Eaton, and a case to hold my double pointed needles (they currently live in a shoebox!).

Part Two: Your Favourites

What is your favourite colour?

Muted neutrals... and some pinks!

What is your least favourite colour?

Yellow...It’s too bright, and when it’s muted, it’s called Beige..which I like!

What scents/smells do you like? What don’t you like?

Because I make and scent my soaps using essential oils, I have come to appreciate natural scents. I have always had sensitive skin and allergies, so anything synthetic is a no-no. My favourite (at the moment) is Bergamot. It’s nice and citrusy... very sunny and happy.

How do you like to pamper yourself?

I enjoy a nice massage (when I can get it!)...but mostly I just take a long bath then get my nails done!

What goodies to you like to eat?

I just took a quick look at my snack cupboard; I like Digestives, Kettle Crisps (the plain salted type), popcorn...and any sort of cookie I can dunk into tea!

Do you prefer tea or coffee while you knit? Any particular kind?

Neither, I tend to keep my knitting away from anything liquid (bad experience...have you ever tried to wash a ball of yarn that is still attached to a project OTN?) But generally, I drink tea, STRONG plain tea.

Do you listen to/watch anything while you knit?

When on the move, I listen to music on my mp3 player, when at home, the television is usually on in the background. I don’t really pay attention to my ‘home surroundings’... I enter a ‘zone’.

Part Three: About you, Living & Past-times

If you were a specific kind of yarn, which brand and kind of yarn would you be (and why)?

Rowan Organic Cotton; I love the purity of these yarns, and I love the idea that they are coloured with natural dyes. If I were a yarn I would be natural, understated, and eco-friendly!

Where do you live in the UK? (General idea not address)

Sunny Wales!

Have you always lived here, or did you grow up somewhere else?

I moved to Cardiff in 2003, loved the friendly atmosphere and the weather (where I grew up we didn’t have much rain!)... now, I still love the ‘giant village’ feel of this city, but the rain is starting to lose it’s novelty!

What is your favourite place in the UK?

I must say I really don’t have a favourite place. It’s all great...

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I would like to visit Hong Kong, and experience one of the large colourful festivals!

What other hobbies do you have?

I like long walks, shopping at markets (food purchases and other ‘finds’), dancing, cooking, and making natural soap! (Check out my Miche Wishi store) I’m sure there are other things I do but this questionnaire is so long I’m getting a little tired!

Part Four: The Theme

About a year and a half ago, I discovered needle felting. Pufika (that’s her photograph all over the place!) was my first needle-felted miniature creation (She is about 3inches tall). Although I only felt-sculpted her face and feet (I crocheted the rest of her), it was a very proud moment for me; everything else I attempted to needle was terribly ugly! I picked this photo as my theme because I made her the last time I saw my sisters all in one place, this was approximately a year and a half ago. We all had a say in her colour, nose type, accessories..even her name! This photo symbolises Unity, and love for pink sheep!

Final Part:

Any allergies/preferences (fiber-wise or treat-wise)?

Allergic to pure wool, other than that I’m good!

Anything we missed that you’d like your partner to know?

I doubt it! I’m quite easy going!

Have a great day everybody!