Fall Yarn Swap Package #3

Third and final package---- I couldn't have dreamed of being more spoiled by someone! My spoiler revealed herself to me in this final package: Ravelry ID - Hulaknitter, and she blogs here. I don't know if I've ever mentioned here the BHE and I are fans of SHAG, and you all may not even know who he is. Actually, we are fans of his art, and have several items in our tiki bar. None of his originals, and I think one print, but ton of other items, like drink coasters, tiki glasses, a calendar, etc.

Anyway it's late, and I'm tired, so I'll cut to the chase:

As shown in the picture, Donna sent me the following:

• The Cashmere Collection by Debbie Bliss
• the Millicent Sock Pattern by Cookie A.
• a bar of Lindt Intense Orange dark chocolate - yum
• a jar of Raspberry & Cream bark - yum again!
• a cranberry - orange scented candle
• Snowflake cookie cutters
• two Christmas-y notepads
• a Loopy Ewe notions bag, clear so you can see what's inside!
• a pickle Christmas tree ornament - this is an old German tradition
• a teensy little sweater on a key ring - too cute!!!
• And the yarn!!!
• Cascade Heritage sock yarn
• Ty-Dy sock yarn - love the green and purples combo!
• and two balls of Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran Tweed in a luscious purple!

Donna, Thank you so much for everything, not just in this package, but the other two as well! I count you as one of my cyberspace friend now :)

Fall Yarn Swap Package #1

I got the first package from my Fall Yarn Swap partner! She did a fantastic job!

She sent me Color Sense from my Amazon wish list, which I will use for inspiration when dying sock yarn. I think it will also come in handy for a couple of fair isle projects I have in mind, but I don't want to use the colors used in the patterns.

She also sent me some Trekking XXL from my Loopy Ewe wish list! Seriously, I probably have 8 or 10 skeins of Trekking on my wish list, along with 20-25 other yarns, but this is the yarn I wanted the most! It is color #189, in case you wanted to know, and is a beautiful combination of red, blue, green, and purple, with a touch of gold. Click on the link to the Loopy Ewe, their picture is much easier to see than mine.

Also in the package were some size 1 DPNs, some locking stitch markers, point protectors, and some green apple mints in a cool little tin with a knitting girl on the lid! I've been meaning to pick up a little pill box to keep in my purse since I have to take decongestants, antihistamines, and ibuprofen almost every day now, and I think this would be perfect once I use all the mints! And much cuter than some generic looking pill box! OOHHH - or maybe a stitch marker box!!

Thank you Swap pal!

Secret Pal

I know I told you all about my upstream Secret Pal, but I think at the time, my downstream Pal hadn't received her final package, and I didn't want to spoil the reveal. Of course, time went by, and it slipped my mind, yada, yada, yada



Anyway, my downstream pal was Monika, who lives outside of Austin. She has a really cool job working behind the scenes for a lot of the music festivals! I had a great time spoiling her, and I hope she had fun too :)

More and More

It seems like all I ever post about is my secret pal. Well, that's because every time I turn around, I have another package to open! She truly has spoiled me today. Check out this gorgeous lace weight yarn she dyed! This picture does not do it justice, I'll try to get a better shot in the daylight. I honestly gasped when I opened the package, it is that beautiful. Whatever I make with this will be very special indeed. Maybe something from Victorian Lace Today....

Along with this package I got in the mail today, I was supposed to open the package I received a couple of weeks ago labeled "Local Treats." I think she's from Scotland! This packet had a package of Highland Fudge, a booklet of Scottish recipes, a little bar of vegetable soap in the Heather scent, and a tea towel with all sorts of Scottish words! They are printed on the towel dictionary style, with the pronunciation and definition. I love all of it! I haven't tried the fudge yet - it's late here, and if I have chocolate this late at night, I'll either have some really wild dreams, or be up half the night. I also can't wait to try the soap! Thank you again, Secret Pal!

I had stitch group tonight, and cast on for yet another new project. Details to follow in my next post!

The gifts continue....

Check out my latest surprise from my Secret Pal! I heard from her that it was okay to open the Packet labeled #7, plus directions on the remaining packages, so I am all set!

She sent some delicious tea, just perfect because the weather is finally starting to cool down here! Also a coaster, some pretty star buttons, and a dragonfly applique! I love it all! Thanks, Secret Pal!

Thanks Again, Secret Pal!

Today is October 15th, and I get to open another package from my Secret Pal!

Check it out - this is 100% wool roving, loosely plied with a strand of cotton. The colors are absolutely gorgeous, and I can't wait to see what it becomes! The photo is pretty accurate, burgundies, berries, a little orange and brown, and a nice bit of teal. It just speaks of autumn! My roving stash is really starting to grow, I'm going to have to get busy! SP11, I love the colors! Did you dye it yourself?

Also, look at the package I received last week! Actually these are the contents of the package. I am being incredibly patient, and not opening the packages I was instructed to wait until specific dates to open - in my opinion, that's part of the fun! I did open the undated packages, and found an activity folder for the kids (I'm saving it for a day when we really need a cool surprise!), some packets of shampoo and a facial mask, chocolates and biscuits, a great journal with a dragonfly on the cover, and some cool postcard sized monthly calendars with sheep on the front! The still-wrapped packages are labeled surprises #7, 8, and 9, and are dated on when I can open them. They did arrive before surprises #5 and 6. (I hope I haven't lost count - its late, I'm tired, and it's getting a little confusing! There was one dated October 15, but I'm not sure if I should open it now, or wait for packets 5 and 6 to show up....SP11, what should I do?

Thanks Secret Pal!

Remember the packages I got from my Secret Pal a few weeks ago? Well, I've been eyeing them every day, watching the calender, waiting for October 1st to get here. Lo and behold, October arrived and I didn't even think of the packages until my SP emailed me to see how I liked them. (I have a good reason for forgetting - my family and I were rear-ended Sunday afternoon :( Everyone is fine, there were no injuries other than a little soreness & stiffness. Our car however, did not fair so well. The damage to the back end was pretty significant, and we are waiting to see what the insurance company does. We halfway expect them to total it out.)

Anyway, back to business! My secret pal sent me a wonderful skein of yarn, in gorgeous medium and dark teals, with the tiniest bit of deep plum thrown in. It just happens to match a skirt and blouse I wore yesterday! The yarn is Colinette JitterBug, and the colorway is Jay. She also sent a Lucy Neatby sock pattern called Fiesta Feet, which calls for a variegated yarn and a solid yarn. I think I have just the yarn in my stash for it! But wait, there's more! She also sent a pattern for Entrelac Socks from MenKnit e-zine! (Scroll down to page 16.) It calls for six different colors of sock yarns, so it will be great for using up all my leftovers! Plus, I can finally learn Entrelac!

Thank you Secret Pal, you're fantastic, and I love them all!

Thanks Secret Pal!

Check it out! I got the most fabulous yarn from my Secret Pal!! Two skeins of dk weight hand painted 100% merino! It is Marisol Hachu - why have I never heard of this? It is shade #304, Sapphire Jade, and this photo doesn't do it justice. The colors are deep and vibrant, deep luscious greens, plum, and eggplant, with a touch of turquoise and dark lime, and the tiniest bit of brown. I just love it, and I can't decide what to do with it.... I'm leaning towards either some gloves or mittens, or a scarf. Or some socks... I don't know!

I mailed off a box to my spoilee last week, and she received it. I think she loved it all, but I'm not telling anything else, so she won't figure out who I am :)

Oh, and look what else has been in the mail box.

Yes, my Secret Pal has sent me 3 other packets, and I think there are more on the way. The only problem is I have to wait until October 1st to open two of these, and October 15th to open the third. I promised her my will power was strong, so check back on the 1st and 15th (or 2nd & 16th) for new surprises!

Thank you Secret Pal - I really do love my first surprise!!!

Secret Pal 11 Questionaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I prefer natural fibers, I don't care so much for acrylics, unless they are blended with wool or cotton, etc.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I have my KnitPicks options in their case, but my dpns are stored in a plastic tub.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? My Aunt Ruth taught me to knit when I was seven, a garter stitch scarf with ivory acrylic yarn. I've knit on and off since then, consistently for the last four years. I think I'm somewhere between intermediate and advanced.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? I do, my Amazon list is linked in the sidebar, under My Favorite Online Shopping.

5. What's your favorite scent? Hmm - orange / vanilla, or any kind of fruity scent. Not so fond of the florals, unless its a light one like gardenia or jasmine.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Absolutely, I love chocolate, especially dark chocolate :)

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I am just learning to spin, and am very much a beginner. I cross stitched for a couple of years, and am sort of on a quilting hiatus while my kids are so small. I probably have 10 quilts in progress, and a huge stash.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I can play MP3s, and I like all sorts of music - seriously. For example right now on my ipod, I have Sting, Paul McCartney, Panic at the Disco, Ehren Starks (classical), the Oceans 11 and Pretty in Pink soundtracks, and a ton of Ben Folds music. Plus lots of podcasts :)

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? I like oceany colors, blues, greens, plus purples. I also love a deep true red. I don't care for bright orange or yellow.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? Married with a 4 year old son and 2 year old daughter, and a 6 year old dog.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Yes, when its cold enough here - usually 2-3 months out of the year.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? I've been on a cardigan kick for a long time, but it looks like I'm starting to gravitate towards socks.

13. What are you knitting right now? A Debbie Bliss cardi with a sailor collar for my daughter, some Widdershins, and the Mystery Stole 3.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Circular and aluminum. I do use straight plastic Bryspuns for my lace knitting.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Yes, both.

17. How old is your oldest UFO? About 4 months on the DB cardi. (We won't discuss the quilting UFOs).

18. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas.

19. Is there anything that you collect? Yarn ;). Oh, I also have a few dragonfly items.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I just renewed my Interweave Knits subscription. I'd like to try one of the bamboo yarns, and as far as books & patterns go..... I have really been wanting Knitting Vintage Socks, and Get Started Knitting Socks by Ann Budd. I also like the new Jordana Paige pattern for the Trapeze Jacket.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? I guess I'd say Entrelac - I have the book and enough Silk Garden for the Lady Eleanor wrap, but haven't taken the plunge yet. I hear its best to learn to knit backwards, and I don't know how to do that yet.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? Yes I am, I wear a size 9 1/2 M.

23. When is your birthday? March 25

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID? I just joined last week, and haven't had time to do anything with it yet. My ID is pennylane.

Secret Pal 10 Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I like natural fibers the best, especially the soft ones. Not a big fan of crunchy acrylics or scratchy wools.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I have the KnitPicks Options set, so all my circulars are there. My dpns are stashed here and there in knitting bags and drawers, so I could use something to keep them all together.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I was taught to knit about 15-20 years ago by my Aunt Ruth. I think she taught me just to cast on and knit. I think my mom taught me to purl and cast off. My mom was more of a crocheter, so I basically learned other techniques from books and magazines. I would consider myself somewhere between intermediate and advanced.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Yes, my Amazon wish list is linked on the sidebar.

5. What's your favorite scent? I like mostly fruity scents and also vanilla. I think jasmine is about the only floral scent I really like.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Yes! I love any kind of chocolate, but especially dark I also like the sour gummy candies.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I also embroidery, quilt, and sew. My SP9 pal, April, sent my my first spindle and roving. I haven't tried spinning yet (as of mid-February), but I've already bought more roving from Etsy, and won some batts on Ebay. I'm not really sure how to do it, and haven't had time to sit down with the Spinners Companion book she sent to figure it out. I do think I'm going to love it, though, and think it's just a matter of time before I end up with a wheel.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I can play MP3s. I like all sorts of music! Right now on my iTunes I have big band, lounge music, alternative, jazz, blues, a little bit of pop and dance, some country and some classical. I'm a big fan of anything strong on piano, but not a big fan of rap or heavy metal.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? I lean towards cool colors, especially blues, greens and purples. I also really like a deep red.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I'm married with a son who will be four years old in two weeks, and a daughter who is just over 18 months. We have a six year old dog, Chloe.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? I do wear scarves, hats, and mittens. The only poncho I ever knit is too big, and is in the frog pile.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Right now I'd have to say sweaters, specifically cardigans. I also have a lot of sock patterns on my list to do.

13. What are you knitting right now? A Fair Isle Cardigan (I hope to be finished in a couple of weeks), a pair of plain toe-up socks, and a stockinette & lacy cardigan that was finished long ago, except for the blocking and seaming.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? It depends on the project. I mostly use circulars, but I like my Bryspun straights for lace knitting, and I like bamboo dpns for socks. I haven't tried socks on circs yet.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Yes to both!

17. How old is your oldest UFO? 2 years?

18. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas

19. Is there anything that you collect? Dragonflies and Ladybugs (not the real bugs, LOL)

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I subscribe to Interweave Knits. I am constantly adding books to my Amazon list. I like Trekking XXL and Austermann Step sock yarns, but none of my local yarn stores carry it, so I only have 2 Trekkings and 1 Austermann.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? I want to try entralac, and there are several different sock techniques I want to learn.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? I'm a fairly new sock knitter, the ones I'm knitting now are my third pair. I wear a size 9M shoe.

23. When is your birthday? March 25.

Thank you April!

Check out what my Secret Pal sent - only she's not secret any more, it is April of Wool & Vine!

I actually received it Wednesday - I wasn't having a great day, and it was nearly midnight by the time I sat down to open it. I was so overwhelmed by how generous she was it brought tears to my eyes! Exactly what I needed to make my day a whole lot better :)

As you can see, she sent the Knitter's and Spinner's Companion books, the premiere issue of Craft: magazine, and a blank notebook personalize with lady bugs. The black dots on it spell out "Knit Notes" (I love it)! She also sent 3 cards of purple ladybug buttons, a ladybug stamp, and a tape measure. Also some creamy colored yarn (I'm not sure what kind or how much - April, can you tell me?), and best of all, a drop spindle and gorgeous roving! I think she made the spindle and hand dyed the roving.

I've never spun before, and really know nothing about it, but I've really been tempted by all the beautiful hand spun yarn I've seen on others knitters' blogs. I've kept telling myself I didn't need one more hobby, etc. but I was thrilled when I opened the box from April and saw the spindle & roving! I will be reading the Spinner's Companion in great detail, and scouring the Internet for all the how-to's and what-for's. Feel free to send me any tips and links you think will help!

April also sent me a great package in November full of sock yarn, needles and patterns, and a scarf pattern in December. She also created the banner and button for my blog!

Thank you April!

New Look!

Check out the awesome banner and button my Secret Pal made for me! She offered, and I sent her a few pictures, and voila! I think she did a fabulous job, and I am so thrilled! The picture she used, by the way, is of my Clapotis out of Noro Silk Garden. I think it was probably the first item I knitted out of really nice yarn.

I also updated my avatar, gave myself more of a seasonal look - I chose not to go with a holiday theme so I won't have to change it as soon as Christmas is over :)

Happy December

Well, winter is in full swing in my part of the country. Ten inches of snow on the ground, ice underneath that, and my Christmas tree is up! No decorations yet, we'll probably tackle that tomorrow, after we go sledding :)

My Secret Pal sent me this pattern, with a cryptic note hinting about something to follow... What could she mean? Thank you Secret Pal! I love the pattern, it reminds me of the chevron look Jaywalkers have. In fact, I like a lot of the patterns on The Garter Belt. I have a few sweaters I'd like to design myself, as I can't find any existing pattern to match what I can picture in my mind. I've got one I'm kicking around now, except that I can't find my Knitting from the Top Down book. I know it's here somewhere....

Oh, the new Magknits is up!

Have a great weekend!

Shhh!

Has it really been nearly a week since I posted? I am here, I've just been very busy. I'm also doing some secret knitting for my SP9 partner, so I can't talk about that at all! I'll just say, I really love KnitPicks, and I like the free shipping, but why must it take 10 days to go from Ohio to Oklahoma? That's four states away! Okay, enough of my rant :) I did get some fun stuff, though. Besides what I got for my spoilee, I also ordered some Wool of the Andes to make a Farmers Market Tote - a felted bag with a free pattern from their site. Instead of the crayon colors pictured, I'm using the red, green and brown from the new heathered wools. (Apparently KnitPicks site is down right now, so there are no links for you). Anyway, they are very fall-like colors. I'll have to hurry to get it knitted while it is still fall :)


In other knitterly news, I've been flying away on the Fair Isle Cardigan. I posted this picture a few days ago on the KAL, and haven't made much progress since then, since I'm working on gift and charity knitting. Have a great weekend!

Random Facts

At the request of Nic, my Secret Pal 9 hostess, I am posting a random fact, or in my case a group of facts, about myself.

I was 7 weeks premature, and weighed 3 lbs 5 ozs. I stayed in the hospital for 3 months afterwards, and although the doctor told my parents I was "retarded" and should be put in an institution, I have no health problems whatsoever. (My mom immediately changed doctors!) Incidentally, I was a "surprise" baby born into a blended family. My mom and dad were 39 and 37 respectively, and my siblings ranged from 13 to 19 years of age.

In 1971, 39 was considered old for a woman to give birth, especially considering she already had grown children. Now that I'm 35, that doesn't sound so old to me :)

Secret Pal 9 Questions

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I like soft natural fibers, and don't like crunchy acrylics. For my high use items, like socks or cardigans I wear a lot, I prefer machine washable yarns, since I'm lucky enough to have a husband who does most of the laundry.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I have a case for my crochet hooks, but I have so many knitting needles they are kind of everywhere. Right now, most of the circs are in an plastic school supply box, and some of them are in a small felted purse. My Denise's are in their case, and my straights are laying on my desk, rubberbanded together. I keep meaning to make a case for my circs, but haven't gotten around to it yet.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I learned to knit in 1978 (?) from my Aunt Ruth. She lived far away (I was too young to remember where), so after she got me started, my mom helped with problems, but I mainly learned the rest from books. My mom preferred crochet, so I almost never saw her knitting. I'd consider myself intermediate.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Amazon, there's a link on my sidebar.

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.) I like mostly fruity or spicy scents as long as they aren't too sweet or two overpowering. I also like Jasmine and lavender. Right now my favorite candle is Pumpkin Spice and my current lotion is Warm Vanilla Sugar.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Definitely Chocolate - anything chocolate is good, especially with nuts. Other candy? Twizzlers, lemon drops, sour gummy things.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I've been resisting spinning...I'm afraid I'll get really hooked on it, and it will take over everything. I used to quilt a LOT, but knitting seems to have taken over my crafting life the last few years. I'm also an occasional cross-stitcher and scrapbooker.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD.) I can play MP3s. I like a little bit of everything, except heavy metal. I favor musicians who play the piano. My favorites are Ben Folds and Harry Connick Jr. I also like alternative music, music from the 80s, lounge music from the 40s-60s (think Sinatra, Stan Getz, etc.) Oldies from the 50s-60s, country, classical, I'm just kinda of all over the place with music.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? I love a deep red, and am always drawn to purples, blues and greens and anything in between. I tend to stay away from yellows, oranges, and beiges because I don't look good in those colors. Lately I have also had an attraction to deep dark browns.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? Married, 3 year old son, 14 month old daughter, 5 year old dog.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? All of the above. Well, not on the poncho. I have one I knitted, but I think its way too big, so it's in the frog pile to become something smaller.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Hmmm. I've been buying a lot of yarn for cardigans lately (for me), but I also like knitting anything for my kids or socks for anyone because they go fast. I also like knitting lace.

13. What are you knitting right now? Right now, I'm finishing the Mystery Stole 2 from fingering weight merino I dyed myself, finishing a stockinette stitch / lacy cardigan from Lion Brand Microspun, and just started the Knit Picks Palette Fair Isle Cardigan, and the Twisty Turns Wrap from Wrap Style. I also have several sock yarns just itching to be on the needles.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I like my plastic Bryspun straights for lace, and circulars for just about everything else. I like my plastic Denise circulars, and have just tried the Addi circulars in the last few months (love them!). I usually knit socks on Bamboo DPNS, but want to learn the socks on 2 circs method (I already have the book and KnitPicks circs to try it with ). I have some cheapy cheap aluminum circulars that I'm getting rid of as soon as I replace them - probably with the Knit Picks options set.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Yes, both.

17. How old is your oldest UFO? Ugh - the Microspun cardigan is pretty old, but I think I have another UFO even older, a chenille vest I've never discussed. It just needs a crochet edging. Last time I did a crochet edging it turned out horribly, so I have a phobia about them now. It's probably at least five years old, maybe even six or seven.

18. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas!

19. Is there anything that you collect? Anything with dragonflies, some ladybugs, and the Longaberger Christmas basket series.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I subscribe to Interweave Knits. I've been wanting Poetry in Stitches for years, and I just won a used copy on ebay! I'd like to do one of Alice Starmore's sweaters too. I've also been wanting to try the Austermann Step sock yarn. None of my LYS here carry it, but I found some last weekend in Kansas. I bought the only skein they had, it was one of the greens, either Grass or Hunter. I've also been wanting to try Trekking XXL sock yarn.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? I just started my first fair isle sweater, I want to try Entrelac, and I have several different methods I want to try for socks (toe-up, socks on two circs, different heels, etc.).

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? I am a fairly new sock knitter, only two pair so far. One had a heel flap and the other was a short row heel. I'd consider myself an advanced beginner when it comes to socks. I wear a size 9M shoe.

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) March 25.

Secret Pal 9

I signed up for Secret Pal 9! I've never participated before, so I'm really excited. Okay, I'd be excited even if I had participated before, but you know what I mean. Signups close this Saturday, and the gifting will be October 15th through January 31. If you are so inclined, go here to signup!