princessdeia

Last year, I decided to take part in the Pay it Forward scheme… well six months on I finally got around to sending out my parcels and a few months after that I finally get around to blogging about it!

As part of the One Skein Swap a few years ago I was sent a mini knitted bag, to this day the mini bag sits in my knitting kit, I use it to store hand cream, lip balm and a nail file for all my girly knitting emergencies! The bag has a special place in my heart, it was the first hand knitted gift I ever received but is also serves as a reminder of all the wonderful friends I have made via the knitting world and their generosity. I wanted to spread this reminder…

… So for the Pay it Forward, I made these little bags… each one is based on a sock pattern!

The “Pomatomus” Bag is done on 96 stitches on 3.25mm needles. I began with the twisted rib for 15 rows (including an eyelet row for the i-cord), then I started on Chart A from the pattern for 3 repeats.
Finally, I repeated rows 1-12 omitting the YO (therefore decreasing a stitch each round), the result was an amazing swirling pattern on the base.  Until 8 stitches remain.
Break yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread tail through the remaining sts and pull tight.

The “Jaywalker” Bag, started on 104 stitches on 3.25mm, 10 rows in stocking stitch (again including an eyelet row).
Row 1: K1 M1 K6 S1 K2tog psso K6 M1 K1
Row 2: Knit
Repeat rows 1 and 2 35 times, then omit the M1s until 6 stitches remain.
Break yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread tail through the remaining sts and pull tight.

The “Monkey” Bag is made in a similar fashion to the Pomatomus bag (with 96 stitches).

I don’t have the time to commit to a long swap like Secret Pal, but I still love swaps, (it is the joy of getting post). I love the idea of the Mystery Swap, a parcel with a theme and a few years ago I had so much fun with the Project Spectrum Postcard Swap, so imagine my joy today when I got two interesting pieces of mail (along with a rather boring bank statement).

First was this parcel from Karin, as part of the Mystery Swap, she picked Miss Marple as the theme but as I have all the books, she is calling it “The Miss Marple package without a Miss Marple book” package… Karin thought the darker blue yarn would be perfect for the Reading-In-Bed Shrug (pdf file) - which I think is very Miss Marple.
Also included was some sock yarn, rose napkins, a pattern book and frog candle (not pictured).

Next was an ATC as part of the PS3 - Elements, this firey creation was by Meg, she was lovely enough to also include a spring ATC for my collection - but for some reason I forgot to photograph it :S

As I am blogging about PS3 it make sense that I should show off my fire inspired knitting. My second pair of Pomatomus Socks this time in Knitwitches sock yarn.

Yes, I have yet another gift from a swap - it has become a little joke in our house - that nearly every day I get a package from some far off place. This one was from Irene in Denmark. This was a Trick or Treat Swap as part of the Whoduknit Group.

Irene sent me an array of Danish sweets (and some Haribo), Halloween candles, a Big Knit pattern book and some Adriafil Baba yarn in autumnal colours.

As I have received some amazing gifts through recent swaps (have I mentioned the softness of the Jasper yarn yet?). I am deciding to “Pay it Forward,” you may have seen this concept on other blogs, but I thought I would start a fresh version, so I can spread the love.

It’s based of the concept of the movie Pay it Forward where acts or deeds of kindness are done without expecting something in return, just passing it on, with hope that the recipients of the acts of kindness are passed on. So here’s how it works. I will make and send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment to this post on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I do not know what that gift will be yet, and it won’t be sent this month, probably not next month, but it will be sent (within 6 months) and that’s a promise! What YOU have to do in return, then, is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.

Before I went to South Africa, I stumbled across the Mystery Theme Swap - as haven’t wanted to sign up to Secret Pals this year, as I don’t have the time to commit to them, but I do miss putting together the gifts. This swap really appealed to me, you only had to commit for the month, sent out on package and the concept meant you could be really creative.

The notion is simple, you have one partner, you get given three themes and you have to put together a project kit based on the theme (better explanation is here).

My parcel from Farrah arrived today, she emailed me last week to tell me she had posted it and all weekend I was wondering which theme she choose. When I opened the parcel I found a blue box and guessed it was “Blue.”

The pattern she had picked for me was the Midwest Moonlight scarf from Scarf Style (the book was included), included was the needles, yarn (RYC Cashsoft DK), loads of knitting notions all in blue including a Chibi, stitch markers, and some DPN protectors. She also included some other fabulous knitting themed gifts, a blue yarn Christmas tree ornament, a blue notepad and some bookmarks.

As you may have noticed the postal workers have been in strike, but it looks like things are back to normal. This morning, I got this amazing package from andreainblue, it was part of the New Season Swap I organised on Ravelry, she has included all my favourite treats, M&M’s Twizzlers, Jelly Bellys and even some macadamia nuts.

One of the things I love about swaps in getting to try yarn that we can’t get in the UK, andreainblue included some Berroco Jasper - she mentioned it is a new yarn and that it would be perfect for making Le Slouch (a pattern that has been on my Ravelry list for ages).

I haven’t been doing much knitting recently, I have several projects on the go and I seem to have stalled on them all. I was so close to finishing Gretel before I left but couldn’t get the last few rows right - the cables were wrong when I followed the pattern, whilst I was away Ysolda posts an amended version of the pattern - so at least I can finish this piece.

I had finished one of my Baudelaire socks, and had started the second one - only now I have decided I want to make this socks longer - so I have ripped back the rib on the first sock and placed it back in the needles.

As I mentioned, I recieved my sockapalooza socks last week. These pretty socks where made by Regina from Sweden, I checked on the the list of paloozers! and she doesn’t have a blog

I am doing my investigating as I would love to know what yarn she used, as I love the colour on the toes, heel and cuff.

EDIT: The yarn is Bambino (Baby) Ull from Norway, and the pattern is Old Shale Two Yarn Sock Pattern by Stitches of Violet.

As October is all about the Sock - I had to sign-up for the Hot Socks Swap! This exchange teamed up two of my favourite things, sock yarn and coffee - without sounding too much like a Gilmore Girl - I love my morning cuppa coffee.

My swappee Anja, sent my two bags of Tchibo coffee, one Kenya Dark Roast and one mild, as a treat they was a mountain of chocolate - one with macadamia nuts (I think she has been reading my blog). 

When I realised my swappee lived in Germany, I was a little excited as I was hoping for some Opal yarn in an different colourway - and I was not disappointed.

For a while now I have this dream that in Germany they have a secret stash of Opal Yarn not designed for the export market and that all sock yarn is a pound or something - yes I have silly dreams about sock yarn!

Even the card, Anja sent had coffee on it.
She also include this amazing Cross Stitched Scissor Keeper, now I just need to get some decent scissor to attach it too.

Over the last three months, I have received several amazing gifts from Hawaii from my One Skein Secret Pal. This weekend, when I returned from dog-sitting I found my final parcel complete with her identity, Emily from mlesnapshot.

She made the Spiral Rib bag from the One Skein book - I am not sure what the yarn is - but if feels amazing and has the most amazing colorway, an aqua blue, the purple and a golden yellow.

Included with the bag was several lovely goodies including yet more macadamia nuts.

I have been away for a few days - and since getting back have been suffering with a cold - so tonight is the first time I have been able to get near the laptop.

When I got home, I found a huge grey bag awaiting me - the kind you get with yarn in - only I knew I hadn’t ordered any yarn. I hadn’t checked my mail in while so didn’t realise my Secret Pal had sent out a parcel.

Once I ripped open the bag, I found the handmade box, adorning each of the sides and top are images from Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Tiffany & Co. Including a diamond ring with the Tiffany’s setting (I am not obsessed with Tiffany’s honest). You can see them better in the close-ups of the box.

Within the gifts was a little card - with my Secret Pal’s identity - Thank you Helen at Helishlyknitting.

Amongst the goodies, where some Kidsilk Night - she caught on to my obsession with KSH - I am not sure what to make with it - but am thinking a top.

Also some SW Trading Company’s Bamboo. I have never used with yarn - or any SW yarns for that matter and can’t wait to try it.

There was also some scrap-booking/card-making supplies - I really should get on and make some cards, just to try out all these new toys.

Finally, there was a mini hand-made box to match the bigger one - which currently is holding my stitch-markers.

Thank you once again Helen, I look forward to reading your blog and finding out more about you.

Yesterday started off well, I received a parcel from my Secret Pal - unfortunately the postmark was smugged so I have no idea where she lives, her address is on the back but I don’t recognise the postcode - I will have to google it to find out.

She got me New Knits, this book has been on my wish list for over a year, I always over look it buying the newest knitting book. It’s a great book to put on the coffee table to let non-knitters flick through to show them knitting is more than just chunky scarves and baggy jumpers. In fact my sister as already requested the boudoir slippers.

Also, the perfect t-shirt for my blog - I am thinking of changing the colours to pink to match this shirt - Miss Golightly looking fabulous as always. And an assortment of sweets, I really need to rent some DVD’s to eat all these snacks.

After the excitement of opening presents, Jason and I met his mum and nephew at the Science Museum for a quick educational and fun day out, I hadn’t been there for a few years and it has been brought up to date with exhibits on DNA and global warming.

After Lunch we had time for a quick trip to the Natural History Museum, to see the dinosaurs - just enough time to take some photos. I pass this building numerous times and I never really noticed it, now it become my favourite building in London, it has some amazing architecture, hidden monkey, dinosaur and fish gargoyles around the doorways and windows. 

I know everyone love receiving parcels, isn’t that the whole reason for signing up for Secret Pal exchanges, and this time around I get twice the fun. On Thursday, I got on of those “we tried to deliver a parcel” cards on the doorstep and I had to wait until Saturday to go and pick it up because of their silly opening times – don’t you just hate it when that happens.

What I picked up was a parcel from Hawaii. Jason and I are planning our trip to Hawaii for our honeymoon so I am obsessed with the islands, which has been enhanced since discovering my One Skein Secret Pal lives there.

The yarn OSSP sent me was a hank of Araucania Patagonia Nature Cotton in purple shades, and as she pointed out three of my favourite things for yarn, the colour, cotton and hand-dyed. I can’t wait to use it.

Even Jason commented that the parcel was very me, as it also included some Honey Roasted Macadamias, I am always snacking on peanuts, pistachios or cashews nuts – they are my dieting downfall. My favourites nuts are the honey roasted kind – which these where. I am waiting for a good t.v. night to open the packet.

Speaking of one skein secret pal, I have sent out my yarn for June and July and am half way through their knitted gift, I spent the majority of the weekend on it, as well as sorting out my UFO’s, expect a lot of completed projects soon.

Without a doubt the best thing about this weekend was the arrival of my One Skein Secret Pal Package, from the moment I saw the parcel with the Hawaii postmark I was smiling.

Inside, was a ball of Mohair Premier, I have never seen this yarn before, it seems to be a thicker version of KSH, and is amazingly soft. My pal informs me it is from Japan and pretty hard to get hold. As soon as I saw the colour, I thought of our bedroom walls, as it the shade I am hoping to paint our room later this year. So obviously, this yarn will have to become something for the room, I am thinking a cushion cover.

Also in the package was some Burt Bee’s Hand Salve, as a fan of their lip balm, I couldn’t wait to try this (The yarn also smells on this which adds to it’s yumminess). The yarn was also gift-wrapped with a lovely knitted flower, which I am going to add to my felted clutch (when I finally get around to making it).

In World Cup News, not only was this weekend a bad time for the England team, it was also a bad weekend for my knitting. I am still on the second sleeve and am pretty sure I will not met the deadline :(. But I am going to keep trying.