Winter Sanity Swap 2011

Favorite Color(s): dark red, purple, black, jewel tones
Favourite Colour Combination(s): black with any or the above
Favorite Snack(s): everything that doesn’t contain fish or isn’t liquorice – and I just love chocolate in all variations
Favorite Beverage(s): Tea, coffee, hot cocoa (with marshmallows and peppermint)
Favorite Fiber(s): alpaca
Do you knit, crochet, spin, etc? mostly knit and crochet, sew a bit, have a drop spindle but lack time for spinning
Favorite type of project? pretty much everything… for lacy shawls I prefer crochet as they might be never ending projects otherwise
Do you have any allergies? I can’t wear wool on my skin, except for socks – but I can knit with it just fine. Can’t spin it though. And I can’t knit with mohair
Do you have any pets? no
Do you have a post in the “wish list” thread? yes, #479
What holiday do you celebrate? Christmas, but am not overly religious
Do you collect any holiday motif (i.e., snowflakes, candy canes, Santas, etc)? don’t collect any, but wouldn’t mind receiving something pretty
How do we feel about paper vs. PDF patterns? Both are fine for me
What type of project bag do you like the best? (Zippered, drawstring, box bag, etc)drawstring closure is great… I really love the Dante’s purse as it can stand up on its own, but other styles, shapes and sizes are welcome. Everything from small for a sock project to big enough to hold a sweater
Square, Circle, Triangle, Octagon, or Rectangle? I like all shapes, but if you mean for a shawl then I prefer triangle or half circle – best are the ones that are not a perfect triangle but have a smaller opening and stay on my shoulders
Straights, DPN, or Circulars? dpn and circs
Magic Loop, DPN, or Two circs? magic loop or dpn
What material do you like for your needles/hooks? I usually use either bamboo or metal, not a huge fan of plastic I love my KnitPicks Harmony dpns and interchangeables – can’t have too many tips or cables for those, but think I’m all sorted with the dpns… for crochet hooks I prefer metal with a nice handle or bamboo, the Harmony ones tend to be too sharp at the tip and split my yarn or the have little rough patches that catch the yarn (except for my 7/8 mm double hook, I love that one)
What style of stitch markers do you prefer? Flexible wire, hard metal ring, rubber ring, etc? Earring hook, lobster clasp, etc? I love the flexible wire ones and for crochet ear wires that close so I won’t lose the marker when the project travels with me… otherwise, not too dangly please and no protruding parts that could snag my knitting
What knit/crochet/spinning notions have you been secretly lusting after but probably wouldn’t buy yourself? phew, that’s a tough question… a new, pretty drop spindle would be great, folding scissors to go in my knitting bag or a row counter bracelet
stollen? Do you know what it is? Do you love it, hate it, want to try it?thanks, but no thanks… don’t like all the strange fruity bits in there
Do you have a yarn winder already? Yes, have everything to wind yarn
Do you want your project yarn wound, or would you prefer it left in a hank if it comes that way? either way is fine for me
Mulled Wine or Egg Nogg? Never had Egg Nogg, but love Mulled Wine
what level of knitter/crocheter are you? not sure… I can do pretty much everything in knitting, just don’t like to do colourwork and lace takes me a looooong time. As for crochet, I’m not afraid of anything, haven’t encountered a pattern yet that I wanted to make and couldn’t handle. I prefer to use charts for both, but written instructions are fine too
Nostepinne? Niddy Noddy? yarn gauge (wpi)? needle gauge? Don’t have a nostepinne (dear spell check, I’m pretty sure I didn’t mean ‘steppingstone’ or ‘nose cone’ or ‘nothingness’), so that would be useful – or a small niddy noddy for mini-skeins… don’t need a yarn gauge or needle gauge
When do you (if you do) start decorating for the holidays? What kinds of things are a must as far as decorations go? That depends… as I spend Christmas mostly with my family that lives 350 kilometres away I don’t put a tree up – if I stay home, the tree goes up a day before Christmas eve and stays until January 6th. But I always have an advent wreath with 4 candles – we burn the first one 4 Sundays before Christmas, the second goes on the week after that and so on. And an advent calendar for the boy is a must, if I could have one for myself that would be fun too. They hold a small gift or candy for every day in December, starting Dec 1st and ending Dec 24th, and are kind of like a countdown to Christmas. I might put up something in my windows too, but nothing that blinks or changes colour – usually just some stars, most likely handmade by the boy and myself. We might have a wreath at the apartment door as well, but that’s not a must like the advent wreath and advent calendar.
Do you have any unique holiday traditions? So, Christmas traditions in Germany are a bit different… First, the boy has an advent calendar every year – it’s something with a little gift or some candy ever day from Dec 1st until Dec 24th and serves as kind of a countdown to Christmas. You can find out more about it on Wikipedia. I used to make on myself, but the boy now wants a LEGO or Kinder Egg one every year. Unfortunately nobody is making one for me, and it feels strange to do it myself, where would be the surprise? Second, we have an advent wreath in the four weeks before Christmas – starting 4 Sundays before Christmas Eve. If Christmas Eve is a Sunday, that’s the 4th Advent Sunday. In the first week, just one candle is lit, the week after that two and so on. I usually buy a plain one (just the green bits) and decorate it myself. We sing Christmas songs while it is lit in the evening. Third, I love to make tree ornaments or window decorations with the boy and he can help me put them up. And of course we bake Christmas cookies and decorate a Gingerbread house – since he doesn’t eat it, I don’t bother with baking my own, I just buy one that we can decorate ourselves. Gifts are brought by the ‘Christkind’ (baby Jesus) on Christmas Eve, we usually visit my parents over the holidays so we’ll go for a walk with the boy and my Mom, while my Dad stays to ‘finish cooking’. When we are back, we go to the kitchen, my Dad is there, but has already lit the tree (with real candles). He then peeks into the living room to see if he can spot the ‘Christkind’, rings a small bell – we all rush in and obviously the ‘Christkind’ has lit the candles and dropped the gifts off (my Dad placed them there while we were gone, the boy hasn’t seen them yet). Then we sing some Christmas songs, unwrap our gifts and settle in for a nice dinner. I think that’s it, if you want to know more, just ask
would you like to receive recipes for Christmas cookies or traditional holiday food from your spoilee? Sure, as long as it isn’t a fish recipe, I’m ready to try almost everything and I love to try new food. But I’m allergic to fish and shellfish, so anything that uses those, shrimp paste, oyster sauce or similar things won’t be made by me
What’s the best holiday present you got as a kid? Can’t really remember… but ever since I could read, books were a favourite of mine
For recipes – can you handle weight measurements? Metric? Cups? I think I’m equipped to handle everything… have measuring cups and scales that do both grams and oz
I love and celebrate Christmas, but I feel like we are focusing so much on Christmas that the rest of the wonderfulness of winter and other holiday traditions are being downplayed. So here is a question to take us in a different direction. Aside from the winter holidays, what do you love about winter? I love snow, especially when it stays and the sun comes out… but that rarely ever happens here, Winter is mostly grey and dark and that triggers my seasonal depression… so not my favourite season at all
Are you a coffee drinker or a tea drinker? Or do you swing both ways? What kind(s) do you prefer? Both for me… Don’t really have a preference for coffee, like both flavoured and unflavoured. For tea, my favourite of all time is Earl Grey, but I like others too – just no green tea and for herbal infusions no chamomile or fennel seeds, please. Black tea, rooibos, fruit infusions and herbal are all fine by me – flavoured or not
What is one seasonal treat that you rarely if ever allow yourself (foodstuff/dessert/beverage)? phew, not sure… I usually treat myself to the seasonal things I really like. We bake our own Christmas cookies, I buy the seasonal candy/chocolates we really like, I have mulled wine every once in a while (am a single mom after all, have to be careful with alcohol), we make hot chocolate with whipped cream… I really can’t think of anything season that I rarely allow myself. Probably the Lindt Christmas nuts and chocolates filled with mousse au chocolat – they are so expensive, so I usually try to get them on sale after Christmas
Mohair am allergic to it, so please don’t send any or use it in crafting for me… asthma attacks are no fun
I’ve been making a lot of jams. Do you like jam and jelly? (I’m making more so this list could change). Which do you prefer: apple butter, plum jam, fruit-hot pepper jelly, peach melba jam or watermelon rind preserves? (or a surprise!) They all sound interesting, never had any jelly with hot pepper or watermelon rind preserve, but I’m willing to try just about everything… so I’d say, surprise me
When knitting accessories for yourself, what kind of style fits you best – are you a girly, girl? classic styles? Tom boy? Other ideas? I’m a girly girl, love lace and frills… but classic styles are great too… And if something could be classified as goth and fit with either Goth Lolita or Elegant Goth Aristocrat style it would be perfect. Or something steampunk
Is there anyone/something else living with you, the we need to take into consideration when sending your package? My 7 year old boy loves to find a little something for himself in my boxes, a little toy or some candy just for him. He’s into cars, pirates, knights, dragons and Star Wars at the moment. It really doesn’t have to be much, just a candy bar that’s wrapped separately and has his name will make him happy. Or a small toy car, just something to make sure all the gifts are not just for me.
Have you any interest in/ use for those super short circs, you know, those 9” ones? I think they are supposed to be good for sock-knitting tried them and didn’t like them – so no, I’d rather have longer ones I can use for magic loop
Hand Lotions: good, bad, indifferent? scented or not scented? If scented, what scents do you prefer? Floral, Foody (ie. vanilla, peppermint), musky (sandalwood, etc)? as I have a lot of allergies, please no lotions of any kinds and no scented things.
Candles: yes, no? Candles are great, I love them – but please no scented ones, a lot of scents trigger my asthma. I can only have essential oils, no artificial scents.
What top 3 patterns would you like to receive? Anything from my wishlist or in my favourites marked as ‘iwantthis’… Top 3 right now are Green lace crochet shrug, Snow White and Black/White asymmetrical capelet as they are paid patterns and I rarely buy patterns for myself. But I’d be just as happy with a free pattern
Are you in with the craze that is the bee keepers quilt or hexi puffing or any other remnant project? If yes would you like mini skeins of items? nope, no hexipuffs for me – and please no mini skeins unless they are needed for the project you send me. Have way too many leftovers myself
If you had to choose one store in which to do all your holiday decoration shopping, where would it be? phew… no idea… I make a lot of decoration myself and the stores I go to wouldn’t mean anything to people outside Germany…
Do you like ginger bread? Or is there some other cookie/sweet/salt you prefer? I like it… but would love to get something regional from my spoiler if possible
Do you like eggnog? Do you need a nog-mug? Or are you more of a tea/chocolate/coffee person? Never had eggnog… don’t need another mug, my cupboard is was too full already… Tea, chocolate or coffee would be great, I love all of them
What are your feelings about Taffy? I’m not even sure about what it is
Do you like peppermint? yes, like it a lot
Curious what other hobbies you have? I read a lot – mostly scifi and fantasy, but well written mysteries are fine too. I love to bake and decorate my baked goods with my son. On TV I mostly watch scifi and fantasy too. And I love to play board games
Bubbles or Laser pointers? Can I have both, please?
Who/what is your favorite holiday special character? phew, that’s a tough one… never heard about the Grinch until a few years ago, he’s not part of German Christmas stories… for me it has to be Nikolaus who brings gifts at Dec 6 – not to be confused with Santa Claus (Weihnachtsmann) in German which we just took over from the US. In Germany the Christkind brings the gifts on Christmas Eve, not Santa.
Dear spoilee, so I know how much yarn to get you, what size are you? I promise I won’t tell. I wear a UK 12, European 38/40… more measurements are on my blog
Needles–Do you need them, or are you stocked up? I don’t need DPNs or 2.5 mm circs to knit socks etc… but tips or cables for my KnitPicks Harmony interchangeables are always welcome, I’ll update this with sizes I need later tonight – have to find my list first. Nice crochet hooks are always welcome, I’d love to have something pretty and functional. The KnitPicks in smaller sizes have rather sharp edges, I don’t like to use them – but wood or bamboo would be preferred. Or metal hooks with a comfortable and pretty handle
of your tagged items, which do you need/want to work on the most – a hat, some mittens, or a scarf/shawl? I haven’t gotten around to make myself some mittens or gloves yet, but I have several pairs of mitts. But hats or shawls are always great too, I really don’t have a preference
Do you wear earrings? Is dangly ok? Do you have a preference for lever back, french hooks or another type of earwire? can you wear nickel/plated? or do you need the good stuff hitting your ears? I wear earrings – both dangly and studs. No real preference on ear wire or material – I mostly put them in when I go out so even nickel is fine. I’m allergic to everything but titanium and platinum – can’t afford platinum so I wear titanium studs most of the time. But when I just wear other metals for a few hours, that’s perfectly fine, I just can’t leave them in for longer than a day.
Do you have a needle gauge? If no, would you use one? I have one and don’t really need another one
What are some of your favorite (brand names) yarns? Socks that Rock, KnitPicks – everything that’s not readily available in Germany really
Do you have a favorite winter motif (snowflakes, elves/fairies, peace doves, stars, Santas, etc)? Don’t really have a favourite, but snowflakes are pretty and I tend to decorate with a lot of stars for Christmas… elves/Santas etc can be too kitschy for my taste, I prefer to buy them myself if at all
Dear Spoilee, I’m going to the Ontario science centre tomorrow with the family, would you like a little something from the gift shop in your package? or would you prefer something from the gift shop at our local Stones ‘n’ Bones museum? I love Science, so something from the Science centre would be great, but so would be something from the museum.
Stuffed animals? They will most likely be ‘carried to safety’ by my 7 year old boy… He thinks because I’m grown up I don’t need toys any more
Can you read knitting charts? Or do you prefer written out patterns? Or is either fine? I prefer charts over written out patterns for both knitting and crochet – but can work with both. If all else fails I can make my own charts
Spoilee, is there anything you can’t obtain in your country that an international spoiler might be able to get? Lots of things, I think I mentioned most of them on my blog. Not sure if it’s on there, but a bleach pen would be fun to play around with, have seen some interesting ideas to use it to ‘paint’ on fabric and we can’t get them here.
Like I just said, I’m in the Pacific Northwest–if I included some smoked salmon in your box, would that be a good thing? And if you HATE-ABHOR-RESENT the mere existence of Smoked Salmon, speak up now. In general, is there any consumable that I should not include in your box unless my goal is to destroy your holiday? Smoked Salmon might just ruin my holiday – as do all kinds of fish and shellfish… I’m allergic to it to the degree where one or two bites can cause an allergic shock
I was wondering seeing your wish lists of patterns, I realized I likely have many patterns that you would like. Are you ok with some bonus patterns sans the materials? I would put them on a flash drive to keep down on box stuff. As long as they are free patterns… please don’t copy any patterns that are for sale
A holiday tradition at our house is for me and my sister who love board/card games to bully our game-averse parents into playing. Would you like a board or card game included as part of your package and if so please list what you’ve already got and what you might like to receive. I love board and card games – but everything that requires a lot of knowledge of English would be a waste as my son doesn’t speak English yet. If however just the instructions are in English, I can translate for him. That being said, any games should be suitable for a 7 year old or I won’t get to play much
I will be going to visit family in New Orleans soon, and was wondering if there is anything you would like to get from there. There are pralines (burnt sugar candies with pecans), dark-roasted, strong coffee with chicory which makes it very mellow, Cajun and creole seasonings (which can be spicy and hot, or spicy but not hot), and lots of fun souvenirs. Also, lots of fun food mixes (jambalaya, etouffee, Bananas Foster, Cajun Dirty Rice, etc). Also, lots of great music. Are you tempted by any of these goodies? Any of those sound good
US goodies to include (snacks and other) Most should be on my blog… what else can I think of… still have shrinky dinks… perhaps nail polish, there are several brands easily available in the US, that cost €12 – €18 in Germany like China Glaze, Essie, OPI, Orly (see my pinterest for colours, there’s a board for polish, link on blog as well)… I think I already mentioned a bleach pen somewhere… I think that’s it, at least I can’t remember anything else
Do your color preferences apply to outerwear as well as accessories/etc? For example, if you have hats and mittens in your fave patterns, will having them in your fave colors match or clash with your coat? I mostly wear black and my accessories are what brings colour into my wardrobe. So any of my fav colours or combos will work
if you have reading as a hobby… do you only read on an electronic reader? or do you do the old fashioned thing with a real book that could use a bookmarker? I love bookmarks, never find one when I need it even if I have tons… and my son would like one too, that might be a nice thing to add as his gift
Would you like to receive a Christmas ornament in your package? (Classic or otherwise. Aka zombie gingy bread man, rubber duck or knit related) hmm… depends… I really don’t like kitschy, glittery stuff – but something geeky and christmassy at the same time would be fun. Or a pretty knit related ornament. When I put up a tree, it’s usually in one colour scheme, or all handmade etc, so everything will fit (except for pink and dayglow colours shudders)
Will it be okay if I get you some yarn for your pattern that I think will be lovely even if its not listed as your favorite yarn? of course… as long as I like the colour and you think I’ll like the yarn, go for it
what do you think of polymer clay stuff? stitch markers & type stuff. I love it… I actually might use it myself for something to go in my spoilee’s box
Hand made gift tags (sorta like this) yea or nay? sure… but I’m not much of a paper crafter, so I’d prefer the finished gift tags to supplies
would you like to try fair isle? I saw this great pattern for a ________ and was wondering if you’d like it even if it’s not in your queue. I doubt you are my spoiler again, but I’ll still answer… sadly I suck at colourwork of any kind, so please no fair isle patterns for me. I’ll never make the item, no matter how lovely it looks
If you are one of the many ducks who said that you enjoy tea/coffee/cocoa/cider, how do you like it? Tea in bags or loose, coffee ground or not? Also, would you like a nice new mug or do you have enough? Tea can be either in bags or loose, I like both. Coffee is a bad idea to send as I just have a coffee maker with pads – still looking for a French Press though. Don’t need a new mug, have way too many already. The boy just smashes glasses LOL
Dear spoilee, do you expect that I put scissors in your project bag? No, but if I found some folding scissors I would love them… but don’t feel obliged to put them in
What metal tones do you like? for jewelry I mostly wear silver tones… but brass for steampunky things is great too. If it’s not jewelry, I quite like copper and pewter as well
Do you want your project bag to be holiday themed? no, I’d prefer something more neutral
Spoilee, there are many color themes for Christmas–the burgandy/hunter green/gold or cream, Silver and Blue, etc. Do you like the more “Modern” Grinch-y colors: red, pink, lime and kelly? Or do you have another color scheme? I don’t have a special colour scheme, but I quite like the first two… not the last one, it makes my eyes hurt. As I said above, a Christmas project bag might not be the best, but if it’s just the colour scheme and not too obviously Christmas, that’s fine by me.
Dear Spoilee, do you take good care of your handknits? For instance, is 100% wool okay for a scarf, hat or mitts for you, or will you wind up felting it? Would you rather not have to handwash stuff like that? Should I buy you only superwash or blends? When I know it’s something I have to take care of, I will… of course no wool for me due to my allergies, but alpaca felts just as easily and so do other animal fibers.
What holiday character are you? Frosty the Snowman… not sure how my answers lead to that… And what my love for any superhero has got to do with it LOL
spoilee, anything you’d like from Israel? aything you like to get from other countries in general? You won’t be my spoiler again… but I always like local treats like candy and other food stuff

picture of a favourite bag

I really love this one, it’s a Dante’s Purse and I have two of them in different sizes – plus I made some myself. I love that they stand on their own, yet are squishy and can be squeezed into a larger bag. So many possibilities for colours/themes etc
What’s your foot size? shoe size is listed with all other measurements on my blog
Would you enjoy “lost treasures” from antique-y stores? (or Thrift stores, assuming the items are in good condition) I love antique’y items… and buy at thrift stores quite often
Dear Spoilee, hope you don’t mind a cheaper (but still lovely) yarn Certainly not. I’m not a yarn snob, I just require yarns to be soft and wool/mohair free. Brand or price are not that important
How would people feel about making winter madness cds. Songs that remind you of winter or with some christmas carols Songs that remind you of Winter sounds great to me – not too fond of Christmas Carols (unless you can find goth/rock/punk versions of them, that’s fun)
favourite childhood treats Our homemade cookies and Bratapfel – I still like both and try to make both with and for the boy every year
Spoilee, what’s your favourite holiday movie? I don’t think I have one… unless “Nightmare before Christmas” counts
Would you like your favorite Christmas movie on DVD/Blue Ray? I already own “Nightmare before Christmas”, so no. If you think you have a movie I’d like, go ahead if it fits into your budget and is the right region code for Europe (yes, I forgot again which one it is, but it’s different from the US)
How do you feel about receiving a pair of fingerless gloves? Yarn weight or material preferences? I love them, so yes please. No preference for yarn weight or material, as long as it’s not wool or mohair because of my allergies
Would you like to receive a dish cloth in your swap package? If so, do you prefer it in favorite colors, your kitchen colors, or holiday colors? If kitchen colors, what are those? Sure, dish cloth or pot holder sounds good. Surprise me with the colours, as long as it’s not pink or pastel it will be fine
Marzipan yes or no? I like it, my boy doesn’t – so if you include candy for him, leave the marzipan out
Dear Spoilee, Please pick one. I like 1 or 4… but 4 perhaps a little bit more
So, dear spoilee, if I get time to knit anything else, what would you want me to knit for you? a fun ornament, fingerless gloves for my boy (superwash please, he’s hard on them), washcloth or dishcloth, anything small related to Doctor Who, Buffy, Firefly, Nightmare before Christmas or Steampunk,
Do you like the smell of Gingerbread? yes, I do
Dearest spoilee, do you have any dietary restrictions? e.g. allergies, kosher, halal? None that apply here, unless you plan to send me fish or raw apples – can’t have those
Dearest spoilee, I noticed that you have some sweater/top/cardigan on your wish list, what size would you make for yourself? M
do you have a bath tub? If yes, would you like some bath products? I have a tub, but am allergic to most artificial scents
Hey spoilee, In mittens, do you consider your hands to be small medium or large? small… measurements are on my blog
Would like your items (in your box) wrapped advent style? If you want to do that… but they don’t have to be
are you you left- or righthanded? Righthanded
mssngr bag… does it work for you? sure, any kind of bag is fine by me
I forgot that I needed to add a project bag. would you mind a bag crocheted by me? sure… knit, crochet, sewn, bought, all are fine by me. Though I prefer knit or crochet bags to be lined or felted
Do you like reading? What kind of genre? Who is your favourite author? Yes, I love books… mostly read scifi and fantasy, but well written books of any genre are welcome. Things with a historic background – when it’s well researched – are great too. Two of my favourite authors are Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, but I have read a lot of Stephen King and Henning Mankell as well – and of course various others.
Do you like to wear hats? What sort of hat do you prefer? Yes, it gets really cold here in Winter and I need a hat then… I prefer them to have a brim or be in the style of a newsboy hat – but so far I didn’t make myself one yet
Dear Spoilee, A Medium size flat rate is packed FULL. Would you mind terribly if your items weren’t wrapped? i.e. If I wrap them all, they won’t fit. Wrapping isn’t important to me. It’s nice to have individually wrapped things, but I don’t mind when they are unwrapped. I don’t wrap things for all swaps
Do you spin or are you at all interested in spinning?. I spin with a drop spindle, but don’t have much time for it…
Dear Spoilee: Would you maybe like your own little Bumble, Rudolph, or Santa? (post #5248) Oh, Bumble is cute…
Would you be interested in handmade needles or hooks? sure
Would you like to recieve homemade peppermint bark and/or other goodies?Yes, please
How do you feel about Mr. Potato Head? Never had one, so am quite indifferent about him
I haven’t done any knitting for this swap, and I was wondering if my spoilee might like a Christmas chunk or two–Rebecca Danger’s monster chunksreinvented in Christmas colours and possibly wearing a elf cap or scarf. Sure, but as everything that looks vaguely like a toy it will most likely end up with my son
Is there a store that you don’t have in your area that you’ve heard about and would be interested in a little something unusual from? Can’t think of anything – apart from things that really are not available in my country and we’ve talked about that before
Do you need cable needles? need? no… but another set couldn’t hurt if it fits into the budget
Tell me a little bit about your gauge. I tend to have to go down 1-2 needle sizes to get gauge because I am a loose knitter. How about you? If your pattern calls for a size 5 needle, do you tend to buy size 4s because you know in your heart that that’s the correct size for you? My gauge is pretty average, I might have to go down one size sometimes… Too early to think properly about US sizes, but when a pattern calls for 4 mm I might use 3.5 mm instead, but it really depends on the pattern
Spoilee are you okay with your package not having a tape measure or do you really need one really badly? That’s perfectly fine with me – I can never have too many tape measures as I tend to misplace them, but I’m sure I can find one if needed
Would you rather have pre-used (by me) regular tips or brand-new lace tips?both are fine by me
Ponytail holders: Yea or nay? sure
Spoilee, is your needle library up to date? Nope