Summer Dishcloth Exchange!

While trying to find a clear explanation of the 'xo' cable pattern, I stumbled across the 'Summer Dishcloth Exchange' program, where you have a 'secret summer pal' and prepare a care package for them. AND you get one yourself! It sounds like a sweet deal, and I'm always looking for people to knit for...my friends are warming up to the idea, but most of the things they want are larger projects. I actually had someone ask me if I would knit them a sweater the other day. I told them if they were willing to buy the yarn, I would love to. :-P I've never done it, but I know I would learn if I had a reason!

Anyhow, I have to fill out a survey so my potential secret pal can find out a little info on me. So...here it goes:

1. Do you Knit or Crochet? For how long?
I knit. I am relatively new to the sport, however, and only taught myself this past December.

2. Do you enjoy using metal, wooden, or some other kind of needle\hook?
I use metal. I like the speed. But I also use bamboo needles, especially dpns and circulars. They're just so...organic. :-)

3. What are your favorite types of yarn? Any you just can't stand?
I'm still getting to know yarn. I enjoy wool and even alpaca, but I use a lot of acrylic, except for special projects. I am a college student after all. :-) I've heard bamboo is cool, but I've never been up close and personal with any bamboo.

4. When it comes to cotton, are there any brands you'd love to try and haven't?
Again, not terribly familiar with all the brands. I'm going to go with 'no', but I would love to discover some new material to fall in love with. :-)

5. When you make Dishcloths, do you use them yourself, or tend to give them as gifts?
I tend to make them for others. One of my first projects, however (after the obligatory garter stitch scarf) was a gorgeous maroon washcloth (it is in my photo up-top) that I still use today. I knit it just to try and get familiar with purling and following patterns, but it was the first piece I fell in love with. :-)

6. Do you have a favorite color? Any that you dislike?
I do not have a real favorite color. I don't dislike any either, but I do tend to shy away from the 'puke yellow' or 'vomit green' realm. It would like a lot of convincing for me to enjoy something like that. :-P

7. What color(s) (if any!) are your kitchen and bath decorated in?
I'm a bit of a vagrant these days. Being a college student means giving up on having a permanent home and owning a kitchen and/or bath. Even my bath towels don't have a consistent scheme: brown, white, orange, and purple. :-) I'm sure any addition would fit right in.

8. What are your favorite scents around the house?
I enjoy lavender the most.

9. What is your very favorite thing about summer?
I like having the extra time to study and pursue some of my own interests outside of the academic arena. I feel summer is the time I get to really discover what I love about life. :-) Plus, being outside is awesome!

10. What is your least favorite thing about summer?
Here in Northern Idaho, it gets REALLY hot. I don't like super hot days where you can hear the grasshoppers. The noise they make in the extreme heat really bugs me.

11. Do you use soap or body wash in the shower?
I use body wash. I also don't use a washcloth currently, but I'm hoping to be convinced otherwise!

12. What scents do you enjoy in the bath?
I use a body wash called 'sweet pea'....I like delicate floral scents OR the cucumber/melon side of things.

13. What is your favorite dishcloth pattern?
The one that I've used in the past so far as been my favorite. It has these little knit bars on a stockinette background with a garter stitch border...it's on my Ravelry account. I got the pattern from some 'how-to-knit' website.

14. What sort of treats do you enjoy? Sweet or Salty?
Sweet. :-) I'm a sucker for skittles and milk chocolate. But more than anything I enjoy coffee drinks as a treat.

15. Imagine today is one of the hottest days of the year - what do you do to keep cool? Or are you one of those folks who loves the hot weather?
I enjoy hot weather, but in the middle of the afternoon I will treat myself to an iced pomegranate tea (republic of tea makes a great one) or an iced americano. Then I duck for some shade and read a book (or knit, now, I suppose)!

16. What sorts of hobbies do you enjoy besides knitting or crocheting?
I read a lot when I have the time. I'm really into math and I'm studying to be an electrical engineer at the University of Idaho. I play a few video games (I guess I'm a bit of a nerd). I also like rock-climbing, and I'm trying to get into running (but I am so far not very good at it). I like geo-caching, too, if you know what that is. ;-) I'm really into music, and I play the drums (or used to; school has kept me pretty busy so I'm not quite as diligent about practicing these days).

17. Do you collect anything (besides yarn!)
I collect key chains!

18. Are you on Ravelry? If so, share your ID!
YES! My name is 'Xenophilia'. :-)

19. Do you have any allergies?
None!

20. Do you have any pets?
I have a beta fish named 'Laplace'...he's REALLY awesome. :-) The parents are taking care of the family dog...she is a beagle and her name is 'Honey.'