UK swap

Here's my UK Swap questionnaire. I'm excited as I haven't done one of these for a while. It's like birthdays and Christmas all rolled into one...he he! My DB thinks I'm daft - but he loves me anyway :-)

Part One: Crafting
Do you knit, crochet, or both? Been knitting for 36 (!) years and now teaching myself to crochet. My Granny squares are improving all the time!
What do you like to make? All sorts of things. Lots of things for myself - generally the more girlie in form the better. Big fan of lacework and intricate stitch patterns. Finally succumbing to the sock obsession that most others have but like doing gloves/mittens/hats as well for little projects. Got a new bloke who wants me to knit for him as well so that will be fun - he is so much bigger than me!
Do you have a favourite project? Loved the Swallowtail Shawl I made using Handmaiden Sea Silk. It gets loads of compliments. Same with a Louisa Harding jumper and the Tree Jacket from Zephyr Style.
Do you have a favourite type of fiber or brand of yarn? Love Handmaiden Seasilk (not cheap though!), Malabrigo (impossible to get easily), Lang Yarns Mille Colori (have about 4 things made out of that stuff in the last year)...it's got to be soft and pretty. Not really into "sturdy" wool - apart from North Ronaldsay wool from back home. I'm well-stocked on that stuff!
Do you have a least favourite type of yarn? Good old eyelash, crinkly acrylic or anything that would squeak - or melt against your skin and cause really horrible burns if it was set on fire!
Do you do any other crafts? Learning to crochet, dabble in jewellery making (more for stitchmarkers nowadays), keep meaning to learn to sew (have a sewing machine - just neve gets used).
Do you knit in public? If so where do you like knitting and what is your "portable" project? KiP quite happily. Will do anything and everything though more likely to keep it to something that's done on circ's or DPN's.
What do you carry your "portable" knitting in? A Tesco hemp bag if there's loads of stuff being carted about (bought by my DB as a Valentine's pressie - so much nicer than the chocolates, champagne and flowers that were in it...though they were nice too...cos I can use it over and over). If it's a small amount then it gets heaved in a Ziploc baggie and shoved in my handbag!
Are there any knitting gifts (book, toy, yarn, item, tool) that you have been lusting over? Think I'm ok for most of those as I have a bad habit of buying the mags/books I want when I see them. Have a huge amount of gadgets - though the sheeps head has just fallen off my Lantern Moon tape measure, must sew it back on! Considering starting spinning as I have some spare cash left over from my 40th - spotted a wheel on Ebay.

Part Two: Your Favourites
What is your favourite colour? Varies. Sometimes it's shades of red, other times I like oranges (more rusty than lurid), teal/turquoise is good. Deep greens and purples. Chocolate browns. Mostly autumnal shades really.
What is your least favourite colour? Yellow - it just doesn't look good on my skin. Have moved away from pastels as well as they wipe me out.
What scents/smells do you like? What don’t you like? Citrus, chocolate, fruity, sea/fresh cut grass. Not fussed for anything too strongly floral (violet especially) and while I love vanilla to eat I really dislike that vanilla perfume that loads of girls used to wear when I was a student. Don't like anything too strong or musky either.
How do you like to pamper yourself? (bubble bath, hand creams, massage, manicure) Manicure! That'll be right - I only do nail varnish about once a year! I don't really pamper in that sort of way. For being a girlie it's my least girlie trait the whole pampering thing.
What goodies to you like to eat? (chocolate, biscuits, sweets,crisps etc) Now we're talking!!! Chocolate (but nothing liquer flavoured - especially rum...icky), shortbread (make fine stuff myself), luxury dried fruit - strawberries and rasps are fine, most sweeties apart from Turkish Delight, liquorice, aniseed or nougat. Like childish sweeties from the 70's.
Do you prefer tea or coffee while you knit? Any particular kind? I'm a bit of an Earl Grey or Lady Grey fiend though Red Bush is fine for those non-caffienated moments. Coffee is freshly ground and through my espresso machine (or the stovetop baby). Something with a nice chocolately aftertaste.
Do you listen to/watch anything while you knit? (TVshow-Along, movies, music, podcasts, audiobooks) I tend to listen to music or just yap away to my man. Have moved away from watching too much telly but do love Projects Runway and Catwalk. Bit of Hollyoaks from time to time. Otherwise it might be on in the background but not paying the most attention.

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)? I'd love to say that I should be Handmaiden Seasilk but if I'm honest I'm probably more like the North Ronaldsay wool from back home in Orkney - a wee bit different, happy to be on the outside as an independent little sod but I'm warm and cosy when I'm happily surrounded by those I love.
Where do you live in the UK? (General idea not address) Aberdeenshire
Have you always lived here, or did you grow up somewhere else? Born in Orkney, lived there until I was 19, then Edinburgh, Midlands and London before landing up in Aberdeen for the last 17(!) years. That was an accident!
What is your favourite place in the UK? Would have to be back home in Orkney - though Edinburgh runs a close second, and Scottish West Coast beaches are pretty close after that.
If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go? Iceland, New York and Argentina.
What other hobbies do you have? Photography, baking, cooking, gardening, indie films, music, going to gigs.

Part Four: The Theme
Born and bred 4 miles along the road from the Bay of Skaill. I think this is the most beautiful spot in the world and I've been a few places. A visit here calms me when I'm upset, makes me smile when I'm happy, inspires me when the creativity is missing and fills me with awe when I watch the power of the waves on a stormy day. It changes constantly - the sand disappears and comes back again, rocks are uncovered, the colours can be muted or vibrant. It's my centre.


Final Part:
Any allergies/preferences (fiber-wise or treat-wise)? None that I've discovered so far.
Anything we missed that you’d like your partner to know? Don't think so.