more swap love

Got a surprise package yesterday, and it's my yarn lover's swap! Oh, this was a fun one. Who doesn't like getting new yarn? And who doesn't like shopping for yarn? And with no requirements (or expectations) to send a handmade, this didn't require much crafting energy either. I mailed my package early, as it had to head far far west to New Zealand (and arrived there in 8 days!?! crazy!). And this weekend I was happily surprised to open the mailbox and find mine! So much yarny goodness! You are looking at two skeins of Malabrigo Mecha in the Archangel colorway (destined to become a chunky cowl for moi), a skein of Dream in Color Smooshy in the Some Summer Sky colorway (I've been itching to try this brand for years now!), and finally some yarn hand dyed by my swap partner, Laurel McWilliams (aka SpinningFates). The prettiest and softest pink sock yarn ever!

But that wasn't all ... slipped in amongst the yarn were the cutest stitch markers ever. LOVE!

P.S. I'm sure you already think I've jumped off the deep end with all this swap craziness, but this will be my last one for awhile. I've got some selfish knitting to attend to, and Christmas is knocking on the door ...

swap love

You saw the tardis mitts that were just part of the package I sent my swap partner ... now look at all the goodies I was lucky enough to receive! Can you guess the theme of this swap was? Office supplies! LOL. New pens, dry erase markers, paper clips galore ... I am sooo stocked up now and I love it!

 

 My favorite office supply, this hilarious stamp ...

Some yummy Malabrigo! This is the Frank Ochre colorway.

 

And the best part of it all, this amazing chevron cowl. Love this happy rainbow! And my favorite, garter stitch! Here's the link to the pattern, it's another freebie.

tardis mitts

 

Remember the secret swap project I mentioned finishing last week? I can now reveal my finished police box mittens! Dr. Who fans out there will recognize the TARDIS pattern, a fun colorwork pattern created by the fantastic SpillyJane (love her patterns!). 

Pattern: Police Box Mittens by SpillyJane (my Ravelry project page)

Yarn: Knit Picks Palette in Celestial Blue and Cream (used less than 1/2 skein of each)

Needles: Size 2 dpn's

Modifications: None! Amazing pattern! I've been admiring the SpillyJane patterns for years now, and when she released this one it was the perfect opportunity since my swap partner is a huge Dr. Who fan. These were sooo much fun to knit, that I'm eyeing the swedish fish pattern next! Although next time I might try using two circular needles or the magic loop approach. My only frustration was maintaining my tension on the stitches at the join of each dpn ... I'm thinking with two circulars or magic loop I'd have a lot less joins to deal with ... maybe?

I enjoyed this basic palm pattern so much, that I am totally eyeing the ginger gloves released in Knitty's First Fall 2013 ... although I'd probably skip the fingers and convert to fingerless or true mittens!

more swappy goodness

 

In addition to my recent travels, there's been another reason why things have appeared quiet here on the knitting front ... while the blog has been sparse, in reality I've been a busy little bee in the background thanks to my newfound swap addiction. It all started with a birthday swap group ... one fun swap, and I was addicted. Hey, who doesn't like surprise packages? With yarn in them? It's like yarny Christmas! So I promptly signed up for more ... you've just seen how spoiled I was in the cup o' yarn swap ... I simultaneously participated in Color Swap 18. You pick the color, and your partner builds a box full of yummy things in that color theme. Now that my partner has opened her package, I can finally share these fun finished objects here!

 

 

Pattern: Hitchhiker (my Ravelry project page)

Needles: Size 3 Hiya Hiyas

Yarn: Lorna's Laces Solemate in Harrison

Modifications: None! Such a fun pattern! I have raved about my love of garter stitch before, and this pattern is perfect for any garter stitch lover. I am sooo making one of these for me! Loving Solemate, too ... it feels sooo soft and cool to the touch. Perfect for Mississippi humidity!

 

 

 

Pattern: Mock Cable Wristers from the book 60 Quick Knits (my Ravelry project page)
Needles: Size 6 dpn's
Yarn: Knit Picks Swish Worsted in Marine Heather
Modifications: None! Fun, fast knit that makes the cutest fingerless mitts! These whipped up in no time, they would be perfect last minute gifts! Seriously tempted to cast on some for myself!

Bonus: both patterns were in my library, so I can count them towards my love your library challenge! I totally fell off the wagon for April and May, so it feels good to get back on track!

swap mania

 

So you saw a little peek of just part of the package I sent to my partner in the cup 'o yarn swap on Friday ... and what did I get? Oh my goodness ... soooo much good stuff! My partner, Mari, totally spoiled me ... first, check out this amazing travel coffee mug! The needles and yarn ball are actually etched into the ceramic, so it shouldn't wear off like a painted illustration might (made by this Etsy seller). 

 

 

And so much great yarny goodness! The yarn is BMFA Socks that Rock in the "What the Foqua?" colorway, an awesome crazy rainbow that I love! And the sheep tape measure and stitch markers? Sooo stinkin' cute! I've been coveting a pair of these tiny dog snips for awhile now, too ...

 

 

Not pictured: an amazing Knit Local book (with great backstories on American produced yarn and dyers!), yummy coffee, and scrumptious chocolate ... thanks so much, Mari! I love it all!