Spinning Roving Swap questionnaire or, a lot of I don't knows and I'm new at this

So, I the past year, there have been lots of new and exciting fiber things in my life. I started knitting over Christmas, I started reading blogs (I got a new labtop for x-mas with wireless... it has changed my life), I went back to working in the costume shop if my community theater, and now, I am going to learn how to spin.
I keep seeing these swaps and knit-a-longs and they look so fun I finally decided to jump in and try one. Here's the handy questionnaire so everyone knows who I am. Sort of.



1) How long have you been spinning?
I have only spun one time about 5 years ago in a college anthropology course for about 20 minutes. It was a drop spindle and we were using alpaca, I think.

2) Are you a beginner, novice, or experienced spinner?
I think 20 minutes qualifies me for having no idea of what I am doing or what I am opening the door for in the future. Beginner?


3) Do you spin on a drop spindle or wheel, or both?
I don't have a wheel, although it seems like everyone who starts spinning gets one within the first year. Lets go with drop spindle for now, although I don't have one of those either at this time.

4) What types and weights of drop spindles (or what type of spinning wheel(s) ) do you currently own?
None

5) What type of fibers have you spun with before?
Alpaca, which was very nice. I often have thought about using my dog's undercoat when I brush her in the summer.

6) What fibers do you prefer to spin with?
I just love the way soft things feel. I like alpaca and llama. There is so much out there I have never experienced, but I imagine I would like just about anything that isn't to hard to learn on.

7) What fibers do you dislike?
Again, not really sure. I don't like knitting with 100% acrylic... but who does.

8) Do you prefer natural colored fibers, or handpainted/dyed fiber?
Most of what I have knitted has been very natural in color but I drool over the variegated colorful yarns I have seen. I love the way handpainted/dyed fibers look.

9) Would you prefer all one type of roving or smaller amounts of different types to sample?
Surprise me! I see the benefits of both, especially for someone like me who is brand spankin' new. It would be very fun to try lots of different things, but I like the idea of getting a finished product which can be used.

10) What are you favorite colors?
I love blues and greens. Browns and reds and oranges are nice too. Bold colors are so much fun to play with.

11) What colors do you dislike?
I don't like pastels. Anything with "baby" in the description (baby pink, baby blue, baby peach) can't be found in my stash.

12) What would you like to do with your handspun yarn, or what do you plan to do with it? (pattern clarification here)
I knit and crochet. I would love some fun little pattern I could whip up out of my new handspun which wouldn't be so bad with beginners yarn. Lately I've been knitting a lot, and there are so many fun hat and wristwarmer patterns out there.

13) What spinning projects are you currently working on?
Nothing with spinning but I have about 5 or 6 UFO's on needles around my house. The biggie is a afghan made with aran cable squares for a wedding in November.


14) Do you have a wishlist?
Not yet

15) What are your other favorite hobbies?
I work in the costume shop of my local community theater. I sew a lot. Mostly I make clothes for the kids I nanny, but I also make and sell quilts for kids. I have two big dogs and I am a nanny for two kids under 4. Both take up a lot of time. Every now and then I get in a game of frisbee golf and I am really excited about football season starting back up. Go Broncos.

16) Do you have any allergies (pet, smoke, food, fiber,etc...)?
No allergies, but I live in a non-smoking environment and work with young kids, so I would prefer things smoke-free.

17) What is your preferred shipping method (USPS, UPS, FedEx)?
USPS I guess. It always seems to be cheaper, and the dogs can't really sign for packages.