Oops! I suppose as the host and main organizer of the UK Swap, it would sortakinda be a good idea actually do mine! Oh and if there is anyone from the swap visiting — they questionnaires are due on Monday January 28th! Warning: “home” or “Canada” refers to Vancouver, BC, Canada … where I was born, raised, and until recently, lived.

Part One: Crafting

Do you knit, crochet, or both?
Knit. Only. But I would looove to learn to crochet to “embellish” my knitted items!

What do you like to make? Do you have a favourite project?
I’m terrible with big projects, or things that take too long. I don’t think I could handle a sweater, too many stitches, or socks because I’d get Second Sock Syndrome. I don’t often make the same thing twice either! I liked my hat, my hot water bottle cosy, felt clogs, toys.

Do you have a favourite type of fiber or brand of yarn?
I love organic/dyed cotton by Blue Sky Alpacas. I love alpaca, llama, and anything squishy. I recently learned about a yarn here called Artegano Aran that I like too. I’ve never seen it before!

Do you have a least favourite type of yarn?
I don’t knit socks so I prefer an aran/DK weight instead of a sock or lace weight. I’m not a big wool fan, or anything scratchy or itchy.

Do you do any other crafts?
I sew and make jewellery (earrings mainly). I would love to learn to quilt.

What knitting do you bring ‘on the go’?
Something easy with a simple stitch that can be picked up/put down.

What do you carry your ‘on the go’ knitting in? Do you want something new?
Either my backpack in the other pouch from everything or the “laptop area” if it isn’t full… or my storage area for OTN projects are in my Grandma’s old knitting tote. It’s a long over the should bag and the opening snaps open/close with some sort of bendy metal rod things. It’s great and I get to feel close to my nanny when I use it.

Are there any knitting gifts (book, toy, yarn, item, tool) that you have been lusting over?
I’ve heard of some “Learn to Crochet” DVDs, but I’ve never seen them. I like the Aran and Cables stitch dictionary by Interweave Press and I’m considering buying it soon.

Part Two: Your Favourites

What is your favourite colour? What is your least favourite colour?
Favourite is blue. Nearly all shades — not really pastel/baby. But navy, royal, sea, sky, all those blues I love. I don’t really have a “least favourite” but I prefer jewel colours and “colds” rather than “warms” (blood or ruby red is the exception)… so not so much orange/yellow. I really like purple now… totally growing on me! I’m knitting myself a blanket made of a variety of purple yarns. I just bought 2 hanks of Artesano Aran in purple. Yum. I still need a few more hanks to reach the yardage required for a blanket.

What scents/smells do you like? What don’t you like?
I like orange and red smells. You know, mandarin, satsuma, fruit punch, strawberry, cranberry.

How do you like to pamper yourself? (bubble bath, hand creams, massage, manicure)
I prefer a nice warm shower (with a good stream), and make my BF give me a massage (he always wants one in return). I really just like to sit down in my pyjamas with a good book and a cup of tea. Mmm pyjama bottoms and tea. I love to read! Book recommendations or sharing books is welcome (second hand is fine as long as they’re in a good condition).

What goodies to you like to treat your tummy with? (chocolate, biscuits, truffles, etc.)
Cookies! (aka biscuits in the Queens English). I love McVities… we only get the digestives and chocolate covered ones, and occasionally hobnobs in Canada… we don’t seem to get as many varieties. I certainly can’t find the light digestives in Canada. I also love a gooood cuppa black tea! Yum… and tea toys.. hehe I’ve been eying those little counter-top things for your spoon when you’re done with it, they are adorable!

Do you prefer tea or coffee while you knit? Any particular kind? Favourite mug/cup?
Tea. I’m an English Breakfast/Orange Pekoe kinda girl. I like good sized mugs (grande if you’re a Starbucks go-er), I have a number of Pooh Bear mugs that I really like, and a few “travel” genre mugs from different places I’ve been.

Do you listen to/watch anything while you knit? (TVshow-Along, movies, music, podcasts)
I like to watch re-runs of TV shows on DVD. Complicated I know, but I love CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (original Las Vegas one) and since I’ve seen every episode numerous times (except for the new season of course) I can easily watch my knitting and listen to the TV and glance up at my favourite parts. I have it so memorized that the episode can play in my head. I’ve started doing this with Gilmore Girls and I want the new Sex and the City shoebox to do it too!

Part Three: Living & Past-times

Where do you live in the UK?
Currently in Greater London (Potters Bar), but in March we’re moving home to Manchester.

Have you always lived here, or did you grow up somewhere else?
I’m a Canadian born and raised (Vancouver, British Columbia), I moved to England to live with my boyfriend after we were long-distance for 2.5 years.

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I would love to visit the ENTIRE world! I want to go travelling all around Europe, across Canada and the USA, and then to a variety of other locations such as Egypt, China, Israel, Japan again, Thailand…. etc.

If you couldn’t go to a knitting group, what other kind of gathering would you go to? (book club, tea party, yoga class, jewelery class, etc.)
Tea party all the way! Back in Vancouver my favourite place to go is high tea at The Secret Garden Teahouse. It’s absolutely delicious and

What’s your style? (elegant, traditional, glamourous, girly, natural, sporty, outgoing, etc.)
Hmm I’d say traditional in my mannerisms and ideas and organised in my general lifestyle. I like to be prepared and it helps me stay calm to plan ahead. In terms of my clothing style… comfort all the way.

Final Part:

Any allergies/preferences (fiber-wise or treat-wise)?
I’m a vegetarian, but that shouldn’t be a big deal — I’m not vegan, I still eat dairy.

Anything we missed that you’d like your partner to know?
Definitely email me if you have any questions!! I totally want to get to know you a bit better, even if I can’t find out who you are until you reveal yourself with the arrival of my package.

I have a cat back at home. His name is Henry. I also have a chinchilla, his name is Chico.

Do you like loose tea or bags, or both – something you want to try?
I like both. For the convenience I like tea bags. In the morning I have Tetley tea bags. But when I’m looking for a treat, I like making loose tea. But if I had to pick – I’d probably choose bag.

What is your favorite kind of tea (Brand, flavor, variety, etc)?
Tetley Orange Pekoe is what I drink most often. Easy, quick, cheap… and I don’t feel guilty if it gets cold. Some kind of English Breakfast is my favourite overall.

Favorite color in regards to tea or one you would like to try? (black, green, red, and white).
Black. I drink black tea. I love black tea. Black tea with fruity flavours is nice, a creamy-flowery-Earl Grey is nice too. I love trying different black tea blends. I don’t have a favourite “specialty” tea. I only drink herbal occasionally.

Would you say you were a tea pot kind of person or just a hot water heater kind?
Both. Usually I make myself tea by the cup, but sometimes I have a tea pot. I bought this adorable little Tea For One set in England. I love how many cute accessories can go along with tea pots! I find knitting tea cosies is very fun – my sister has one that matches her apartment in Germany.

What tea accessories would you like but have never purchases for yourself?
I’ve always wanted one of those individual/one cup, loose-tea-steeping, personal-pot things. My loose tea strainer ball thing is too big to fit into my Tea For One pot. Or today I saw like a tea-strainer-ball but it’s on a stick and it’s just for a single cup. Now I reeeally want to buy that.

How do you prefer to be pampered? (examples: mani/pedi, bubble bath, yummy treat, etc).
CSI, a nice home-cooked (vegetarian) meal, and good company.

If you were a kind of yarn what would you be and why?
Either 100% cotton or some sort of alpaca blend. I’ve recently fallen in love with amazingly soft natural fibres… I’m pretty much converted from acrylic (started there for prices).

If you had to knit/crochet baby booties, a fun fur scarf, or a fair isle sweater, which would you choose and why?
A fun fur scarf, but definitely not for myself. I babysit some girls across the road that would probably love something like that. I enjoy gifting my knitting, although I’m not very fast/advanced.

What other event would make you skip a tea party? (A garden party? A book club meeting? A yoga class? Opening night for a new action thriller? etc?)
Getting to see my BF. Or a birthday party – I think that birthdays are very important and not to be missed!

What treat would you consider essential at your tea party? (Sweet? Salty? Scones? Those petite pastry trays with a couple of all sorts of things? Little crust less sandwiches?)
Egg salad pinwheels! I don’t like overly-sweet treats so scones or light pastries are perfect.

When buying yarn for a project how do you choose – do you buy the one called for or do you substitute?
I tend to do it the other way around – I buy yarn and then find a project to go with. But recently I’ve been browsing the natural fibres (cotton and alpaca) at my LYS… and I want to knit yummy fuzzy warm throws and scarves and shawls for everyone!

What do you carry your knitting/crocheting in when on the go?
Usually just a scarf that is easy to pick up & put down so that I don’t miss any important steps.

Favorite movie (thing) to watch while knitting/crocheting?
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (Las Vegas)!

Are you a traditional tea cup kind of person or a mug type of person? Do you care if they match?
It’s mugs in my house. All of mine are souvenirs or gifts. My mom’s are matching — green with bamboo… but I like the generic mug shape; one day I will have a matching set of generic-mug-shaped ones.

Favorite childhood birthday party?
Rented a trampoline and put it in the backyard.

Favorite type of scone and jam?
Plain with raspberry jam and devonshire cream.

If you use candles, what is your favorite scent?
I don’t like scented candles because I find they are too strong-perfumey. I burn unscented tea-lights. I also burn natural scents in my diffuser. I really like the fresh scent of this Lemon Oil I have. I also have a Lavendar (but I only like that in small doses). I like most/all citrus scents.

If you could choose 3 people to have ‘tea’ with, who would they be and why? (famous or not, living or dead).
My best girl-friend AL (who introduced me to The Secret Tea Garden). My BF (because we’re long distance and any excuse to see him is a good one). And my nanny (my father’s mother – she passed away when I was 7 and my dad said she loved to knit).

You’ve been invited to a tea party, what ‘props’ will you wear (formal or casual)?
Probably just a cute skirt and a matching top. Maybe a scarf to tie my hair back.

Any allergies/preferences you have or are willing to admit to?
I’m a vegetarian. Sensitive skin – can’t handle SUPER perfumey stuff, a little is fine.

Anything we missed that you want your pal to know?
Favourite colour – blue. Favourite yarn colour – cream.

1. If you could visit any state in the US, which would it be and why?
I’m going to be difficult right off the bat and alter the Q to be Canadian… so I would like to go to the province of Ontario because our capital city is Ottawa, ON, Canada and I would like to see the Parliament Buildings. I love touristy-historical stuff.

2. If you could visit any country in the world, other than your own, which would it be and why?
Tough! I want to go everywhere. I guess it’s easier to say I’ve been to a bunch of US states, some of England, and Japan… so I’d love to see the rest of Europe. Hmmm probably Italy because it would have the most historical landmarks for me to visit. Rome does claim the start of Western Civilization and whatnot.

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