Long overdue

Belated thanks are owed to Random Knits. We did a swap at the end of last year and with everything that has happened since I hadn't managed to say Thank You.

The lovely Donna had a skein of Wollmeise that she wasn't particularly attached to and I've always wanted to try it and adored the colour:


Wollmeise, Knitabulous sock yarns & a project bag!

I'll let the pictures do the talking:


Wollmeise Sockenwolle 80/20 Twin in Ruby Thursday


Knitabulous Ultimate Sock in New Jeans

The composition is 60% Wool, 20% Silk and 20% Bamboo which sounds as if it'll be lovely to use as well as wear.

I also love the project bag as it's got a firm base so stands up with a drawstring but didn't realise Donna had made it herself until I spotted the little 'Random Knits' tag.

Also included were a packet of Tam Tams, an Australian music magazine for DD and a black skull shaped rubber which went straight into her pencil case. DD came back from Australia last summer with a packet of Tam Tams and we all love them so they didn't last very long.

I sent enough Drops Kid-Silk for a decent sized shawl, an English magazine for her daughter which featured loads of Twilight information and a poster and some very nice chocolate. The chocolate nearly didn't make it as it had been 'found' by somebody but I managed to save it.

Thank you so much, I really enjoyed the swap & loved shopping for you!

And just because I couldn't resist here's another pic:


Wollmeise & Knitabulous sock yarns

Dual Dishcloths

In a recent swap on the Crafty Threads & Yarns forum I was spoilt by Modelwidow who spent a lot of time stalking me which is evident by the wonderful items she sent:


Everything was very neatly wrapped in pretty lilac tissue paper.....


Dishcloth & gifts


Leaf Allover Cloth in Anchor Magic

and then as I was tidying up our 'studio' I found another little gift:


Purple & Silver Stitch markers

Thank you so much Modelwidow. Everything was chosen with great care & I really appreciate it. The cloth is great to use in the kitchen & the yarn is far more absorbent that any I've used before so I'll be keeping an eye out for it.

I sent to LadybirdLinz who loves the colour green and anything to do with ladybirds.


Summertime Spa Cloth

Pattern: Summertime Spa Cloth
Yarn: Texere's Double Top in Turquoise
Needles: 3.75mm
Time: March 17th - 20th 2009. The cloth kept me amused whilst I was sick with mumps but don't worry Linz I washed it before I sent it to you!


close up of the Summertime Spa Cloth

I also included a few extras in green with the 'ingredients' to make some Ladybird stitch markers!

a real treat.....

I often wear socks that I've made myself and have made a few pairs for other people but have never had the chance to wear any made for me by someone else.

Until now that is:


Machine knitted Coral Snake socks

However there is something even more special about these socks. They were made in two & a half hours using a hand cranked sock machine!

I had in my stash 4 balls of a very soft yarn that is now discontinued so rather hard to find. It went in an aeroplane to America and in return I received Curlicue, Salem, Knitters Summer 2008 and the added bonus of course of these beautiful socks.


check out that short row heel!


For those interested in the construction the short rows on the heels and toes are done on the machine and the only part done by hand is the kitchener on the toes.

These machines were invented in the mid 1800's & then experienced a resurgence in popularity during the First World War. Popularised by the Red Cross they were used to provide troops with warm well fitting socks in an attempt to prevent the then killer 'Trench Foot'.

I wonder how long would it take me to use up my stash with one of these machines?

btw: If any of you have any Wendy Velvet Touch Chunky unloved in your stash and you'd like to give it a good home pm me via Ravelry and I'll put you in touch with a very willing recipient

Wonderful gifts

Last week I mentioned that I'd taken delivery of a couple of parcels & now it's time to reveal all. I'd ordered a Goknits sock bag from Socktopus & it's already proven to be really useful:


GoKnits Pouch

Inside is my latest project with a few notions. The bag is splash proof (always useful when DD is training) & also resistant to cat hair which is a huge bonus. However the pouch wasn't alone in the parcel. A few months ago I had noticed that the Socktopus website was a bit 'temperamental' so DH helped Alice to resolve the issues & now it's running a lot better. The lovely Alice included something extra with my order as a way of saying Thank You but DH wants everyone to know that it's not really his colour. In fact he did attempt to barter a trade with me but enough said on that one!


Hand Maiden Camelspin in Tangerine

This yarn is 70% silk & 30% Camel & believe me it's the most wonderfully soft yarn I've ever felt. I'm almost tempted to keep it just for petting it's so amazing. I haven't yet found the right shawl pattern for it but I've got 658 yds/600 meters & am open to suggestions.

A couple of days later another parcel arrived. This was from my friend CL in Canada. We always spoil each other at Christmas & Birthdays & this time was was no exception. It was a little bit late as she has lots on at the moment but that was fine with me as it was a wonderful surprise. I'm also late with hers as I was ill so we're as bad as each other. Anyway back to the contents:


Malabrigo Lace in Saphire Magenta

This lace weight yarn is beautiful & I adore the colours. I've found a couple of projects on Ravelry in which the same colour is used & it's really gorgeous.


Noro Kureyon Sock shade 184

This yarn has had some 'interesting' reviews & I've taken on board what others have said. I'm not planning to use it for socks as I think the colours would be better as a scarf & that it would be wonderful for a mini Clapotis. The yarn is a bit scratchy so I'm in the process of winding it off into a skein and today I'll wash & condition it gently. I say in the 'process of' as the centre of the ball of yarn is one big tangle & I haven't yet finished sorting it out. I've found one knot so far so would definitely recommend NOT knitting this yarn straight from the ball. The colours however (like always with Noro) are amazing & I'm looking forward to using it.


Lanteen Moon needle cover

I love this but it does remind me of a snake. Not that I'm a fan of snakes but it's so beautifully snake like.

Also included were some maple sugar chews but they didn't last long enough for the photo shoot, a beautiful stitch marker which is currently in use & a badge which is on my bag. Thanks CL. I hope you like your presents as much & they are being posted tomorrow.

So now I suppose I should really get my act together & tackle a proper lace project. I say 'proper' as so far my only experience with lace has been socks & with two beautiful lace weight yarns I need to branch out. But I think I'm going to 'test the water' with a 4 ply sock yarn first before I use these beautiful yarns.

I'd like to say a big Thank You to both Alice & CL. You both made me feel very spoiled which was lovely after being ill.

Swaps: Part One

Over the past few months I've been involved in a few swaps & have been a bit slack in not revealing so here goes. The first was with Sprite64 who wanted odds & ends of yarns as she's doing a City & Guilds distance learning course in knitting. All must be 'known' yarns preferably with a ball band so I had a bit of a dig around in my stash & came up with 500g of 'bits'. These were duly sent off & I was offered a choice of her beautiful yarnanimals in exchange or did I have a design in mind myself?

So may I present Ginny:


'Ginny' Yarnanimal

and her sister Lyra:


'Lyra' Yarnanimal

Aren't they gorgeous! Lyra thinks so too:


4 month old Lyra sniffing 'her' yarnanimals

Part Two coming soon....

Flowering around

I took part in a book swap recently on the Crafty Threads 'n' Yarns forum & sent to gilraen. I sent her the first of the Earth's Children series by Jean Auel as the series is a real favourite of mine & I return to the books again & again.

I also sent something else with it but had to keep it under £2 which was quite difficult:


Crocheted flower book marks

Hello Mango taught me how to make the flower which is her own design & then I worked a chain & then secured a bead onto the chain with a few double crochets. The parcel was well received & she had to convinced her two year old son that the books marks were for Mummy! If they weren't so unsuitable for such a little tot I'd make him one just to keep the peace.

DD & her friend were with me when I wrapped up both the book & book marks & the pleading just went on & on & on & on....


so I made these the night before we went on holiday (as you do!):


Cream cotton with a black glass bead for DD


Purple cotton with a glass heart bead for DD


Brown cotton with a yellow wooden bead for DD's friend


Lilac cotton with a purple glass bead for DD's friend


Orange cotton with a Fair Trade Wire bead from Africa for my friend who happens to the other childs mother

and finally one for me:


Brown cotton with a cream wooden bead

A few more have been made since these photos were taken but I didn't want anymore photos. Just imagine different coloured cotton yarns with pretty beads & you've got it.

Yummy Yarns Swap

Last month I left a comment on Ali's blog on this post as Ali had bought some gorgeous Socks that Rock and I was drooling. So we arranged a swap & I had a great time choosing something for Ali. I sent her a huge list of questions so that I could narrow down what she wanted & I think I was successful. Ali asked me to chose some colours that I liked so I looked at the colours here & sent her a long list of the ones I liked.


Beautifully wrapped gifts in my favourite colour combination

Unwrapped to reveal these:


'Socks that Rock' sock yarn, Canadian Chocolate & Maple Syrup sweet

Thanks so much Ali I love it all. The yarn is gorgeous & I'm looking forward to knitting with it. The colour Ali found is Undertoe & I think it'll look lovely with a slipped stitch pattern.

I received my parcel a couple of weeks ago but due to the threat of more flooding and Tooth ache I posted my parcel a bit later than Ali plus the Canadian postage service seems a bit sluggish but she has now received her yarn & loves what I sent her.

Thanks very much Ali. I've enjoyed spoiling you & feel very honoured that you've spoilt me so well

BTW: the laces aren't in the second photo as they were quickly liberated by DD & are now housed in her Converse shoes....

Spoilt Rotten

I took delivery of some extra special birthday presents recently from CL in Canada. We had already treated each other at Christmas & agreed to do the same for our birthdays. This parcel arrived a couple of days late due to international post & although I tried to be good & wait so that a photo could be taken with the wrapping on I was weak & gave up trying as I knew some of the contents:


Knit Pick Options

I feel like the luckiest knitter alive! This set has already been put to good use as DD suffered from Starteristis at the Rowan Weekend but I was able to supply her with needles each time.

Then as if that weren't enough she also sent these:


Felting patterns & Knit Picks Memories in Yukon

Two absolutely gorgeous felting patterns & a skein of Knit Picks Memories in Yukon. Now just in case you're wondering I've also bought some lovely knitty presents for CL but it isn't her birthday until the 19th so I can't reveal what I've sent her yet. I hope it all arrives in time. The yarn has already been on the swift & balled up but first I have a quick project to do for another birthday coming up very soon using my fabulous needles:


Birthday present to-be

Thank you so much CL I love my presents & hope you love yours too

Crazy week

I've had a hell of a week & am finally glad to be back home again.

I spent the first 3 days of the week away with work. Lets just say; long days, sore feet, aching back and hotel rooms. Factor in an evacuation of the hotel just as I was dropping off to sleep, on the second night due to a steamy bath in room 517 &, hundreds of people stood outside in subzero temperatures
& you can understand why I was keen to get home.

I got home late on Wednesday due to horrendous traffic conditions & at one point we actually thought we wouldn't get back that night. Every motorway we attempted seemed to be either congested or closed. We finally made it & I fell into bed. Back at work on the next day & I was a zombie. Home at 4 o'clock & by quarter past I was in bed leaving potatoes baking in the oven & DD eating the contents of the fruit bowl. DH tried to wake me up for dinner but I couldn't move - 15 hours later I finally woke up again.

Friday afternoon saw me back on the road but this time for my own pursuits. My friend CL who lives in Canada was coming back to England to visit her family & I was picking her up from the airport We 'met' on the Hot Socks Swap as she spoilt me rotten & we continued the swaps at Christmas. We hadn't met before but email regularly so I was really looking forward to putting a face to the 'voice'. However the drive over was foul & the mix of fog & driving heavy snow meant the motorway traffic was reduced to a mere 15 miles per hour for part of my journey. I spent an enjoyable evening with a good friend who I've known for 20 years, which included an Indian, a visit to one of Manchester's most popular pubs plus a night on her sofa bed.

The next morning found me at the Airport & finally CL came through the arrivals gate looking tired having endured a long flight with the woman from hell seated next to her. Just to make you all green with jealously check out the beautiful yarn that she brought over for me as we've continued our swapping:


Koigu KPPM

Before she crashed due to jetlack we 'popped' over to Coldspring & found some wonderful bargains. Debbie Bliss yarns retail for £6 per 50g in Canada so CL was chuffed to find a haven of bargain yarn. We both bought a cone an unlabelled pure wool chunky in the most beautiful shades of brown & this afternoon I started My So Called Scarf for my Manchester based friend mentioned above. She doesn't read this so I think I'm safe to share my progress with you:


My So Called Scarf

The colours in this yarn remind me of Monet who had to get in on the photo shoot:


Monet

I started the scarf whilst DD swam in a District gala this afternoon. Her swimming has really come on over the past few months & she's beating her personal bests all the time. She came 3rd in the 200m Freestyle knocking 16 seconds off her previous pb which she had set at the beginning of October:


DD swimming 200m Freestyle

Then a 4th in the 100m Backstroke & again she knocked 10 seconds of her previous pb set at the end of October:


DD swimming 100m Backstroke

DD has nearly always beaten her pb's at this level but has never been placed before so we're both really pleased for her. I think the Rescue Remedy that I gave her helped to calm her down as normally she gets really stressed before she competes.

Finally one last photo in this already picture heavy post:


Winter Sunset

Thanks again Devon Knitter

I also had the pleasure of being spoilt by my One Skein Pal Devon Knitter - have you got a blog?

Firstly a book I've been dying to read for ages & a beautiful card:


Knits End & North Ronaldsay Sheep card

My pal has family in the Orkneys & she bought the card & yarn for the following gift whilst up there seeing her Grandparents.


Cat Paw lace scarf made from handspun North Ronaldsay yarn

Isn't it beautiful! We put a red backdrop in so that you could hopefully see the stitch detail & get an idea of how wonderful it is.

Thank you so much DK I've really enjoyed being spoiled by you

Belated thanks to pals

Before I can rattle on about what is or isn't otn at the moment I owe two very special people a thank you & recognition for spoiling me rotten

Now in the order that they arrived - let the first parcel be revealed!

Firstly from Dee of Princess Deia who was my SP8:

Secret Pal 8 reveal card

I actually found out who she was before I received this last parcel. It had been sent to my office but I really didn't want to go in when I wasn't working but I opened it as soon as I went in & found this:


Stripey Mag Bag

filled with these:


beautifully wrapped presents

However I resisted & was good & waited until I got home before I opened them.


Undyed Opal sock yarn & Kool aid

& then more stripey things to go with the bag:


stripey gifts + wrist band for DD



Dee also included a special treat for DD in the form of a lilac MaryElla which can be seen in the above photo.

Finally another beautiful handmade card which explained all the pressies & matched the stripes:


stripey handmade card

Thanks so much Dee - I love it all & you've done a fantastic job of spoiling me

I'll post tomorrow about the parcel from my OSP Devon Knitter as it deserves a post of it's own.