Christmas Around the World Knitters Swap Questionnaire

1. Are you religious?

I wouldn't call myself particularly religious. I believe there is something beyond us all and that we are all accepted and welcomed by whatever, or whomever, that is.

2. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider yourself a Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced?

I have been knitting regularly since 2001. My grandmother taught me one summer when I was a child, but as I grew up in south Texas, there wasn't a lot of call for knitting. While in graduate school in New York, I rediscovered knitting when a family friend opened a yarn shop. I wanted to support him and he talked me into buying needles and a yarn to make a scarf rather than purchasing a finished item. One night I picked up the needles in an effort to relieve some stress and I haven't put them down since, except to buy more needles and yarn, oh and to read and cook and run, but you get the point. I guess I would consider myself Advanced Intermediate.

3. Do you have any other hobbies besides knitting?

I read obsessively, but I think this goes beyond the level of hobby. At this point it is a lifestyle. I also run. My sister and I try to run one marathon a year with each other. We start training for our 3rd one at the end of September. I also love to cook.

4. Favorite color(s)?

They change with my mood but I love rich saturated colors. I wear a lot of reds, blues, and greens. Orange is also a particular favorite. Also the ubiquitous black and white. See what I mean about not being able to pick one.

5. Do you collect anything?

Does my yarn stash count as a collection? I also collect books of fairy and folk tales.

6. Are you allergic to any fibers or animals?

No.

7. Do you have any pets?

We have 2 cats and I long for the day I can get a dog.

8. Coffee, Tea, or Hot Chocolate?

All three actually. I have tea everyday. We have several teapots and a drawer of loose tea. I indulge quite regularly in hot chocolate every winter. I treat myself to coffee as well, but more rarely, although I do love it.

9. Cookies or Sweets?

Love to eat them and love to make them, although perhaps I love cookies a little more than candy.


10. Do you knit socks?

I always have at least one pair on the needles. I'm working on cabled knee socks at the moment.

11. If not socks then what? (tell us about your favorite knits)

I also love to knit sweaters. Sweaters and socks, I work at extremes. Of course I knit other things too, but sweaters and socks are my favorite.

12. Do you put up a Christmas tree? If not then what do you do?

My family always has a big tree up at home. It goes up just before Christmas Eve and stays up through the 6th of January every year. In my own apartment we get a small living tree and put a few tiny ornaments on it. Our apartment wouldn't really accommodate a larger tree at this point.


13. Favorite holiday treats?

Cookies, candy canes, Christmas TV specials (I love them all, even the super-sappy ones.)

15. Favorite holiday smells?

pine, cinnamon, snow, nutmeg, family cooking and baking

16. Do you celebrate Christmas in a traditional or unconventional way? Please elaborate.
We celebrate in a traditional way for us. I'm an anthropologist so my definition of tradition is somewhat skewed. What I mean by it in this instance is that my family has their own traditions and we practice them with glee each year. Sometimes traditions fade. There was a very labor-intensive Santa cake that has faded in popularity over time, well to be honest, I just haven't had the time to make it each year. I still get requests. But we dig through our stockings in bed each Christmas morning and then follow up with breakfast before we open presents. After presents we start preparing the dinner feast and put out 3 times as many appetizers we could eat. The rest of the family and friends arrive and we toast each other with my grandmother's eggnog recipe, open more gifts, and turn up the speakers on the stereo. What can I say, it is traditional for us.



17. What are your favorite holiday traditions?
See the above list of my family's activities. I always have a great time baking cookies too.


18. Finish the sentence: “For me Christmas is all about....”
family, friends, love, and fun.

19. If you were a Christmas ornament you would be…….?
I don't know, I will think on it. Something fun and sparkly?


20. What was your favorite gift you've ever received? Or given?
Some of the most fun I've had in the gift-giving arena as of late has been making my own spa kits. We make bath salts, soaps and candles. We match up the various scents and ingredients and everyone gets a package. As for gifts I've received, I usually like anything anyone gets me.

21. When do you start your Christmas?

We start getting ready after Thanksgiving, but only in the sense that Christmas music can be played in the house after Thanksgiving, but never before. We tend to start the real celebrating much closer to Christmas Eve though. Shopping and baking and making presents starts much earlier, however.

22. Do you send Christmas cards? Do you make them or buy them?

I like to send holiday cards but I am not always on top of that particular chore. I sometimes skip years. I buy the cards.

23. What is your favorite Christmas dish?
This changes every year. I like to experiment with new dishes but we always make my grandmother's eggnog and pumpkin pie. We have also become particularly found of a butternut squash soup with prosciutto.


24. Carolers are at your door. What do you do?

I am very surprised. You don't get a lot of carolers in south Texas.

25. When do you open presents? Christmas eve or Christmas morning?

We open them on Christmas morning, but sometimes we open one present each on Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve presents are often pajamas.

26. Do you celebrate with family or friends or both?

Both, but generally the friends who are over are an extension of family. All are welcome, however, we love to have a good crowd to feed.