Whilst I should be rushing around at the moment buying gifts for other people I seem to have recently got a few gifts for me. First off as part of the Sosesaswa, I received this wonderful parcel of goodies (and the yarn above), included in the parcel was a knitting mystery novel, a cute sock purse, soap, stitch markers and everything I need to make my own stitch markers. (Jen also included instructions). The yarn is Scarlet Fleece in the most amazing teal colour (I mentioned in my questionnaire this is my favourite colour at the moment), she also included a pattern for Garden Trellis Socks.

I have also been treating myself to some Cashmerino Aran (Why am I only discovering this yarn now) which I should be turning into hats over Christmas.

1. What are your favourite colours and fibres? I love blues and purples, recently I have been moving towards green (but mainly blue-y greens like Teal).

2. Anything that makes your toes curl? (Fibre, colour, other) I hate neon’s, and am not keen on yellows or oranges. I hate that scratchy mohair yarn (too many nightmares as a child).

3. Would you describe yourself as a beginner, intermediate or advanced knitter? Intermediate

4. Do you have an online wishlist? (Amazon or other) I have an amazon one – it is a bit random through.

5. Any new techniques you’d like to learn? None that I can think of.

6. What is your favourite: These are really hard to answer.
Snack? I am more of a savoury gal – as I am fussy about chocolate – but I love M&Ms.
Book? I love the Harry Potter books, have recently got into the Twilight novels, but also enjoy Agatha Christie.
Movie? Original Star Wars Trilogy, The Goonies, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Finding Nemo, Dazed and Confused (the list goes on).
Music? I’m currently loving MGMT – but have also gone old school and am listening to a lot of Oasis, Blur and The Verve.

7. What are your favourite items to knit? Socks and Scarves – recently I have made a few shawls that I loved.

8. Any patterns that are top of your queue? As I am on a deadline I guess the 24 mini stockings I want to make as an advent calender and larger stocking for Christmas (yes I mention the C word).

9. Do you have any other hobbies? I have just started running (well jogging).

10. Tell us about yourself. When did you first pick up your needles? Who/what encouraged you to start knitting? How would you describe your knitting style? Are you a process knitter or a product knitter, etc. I first started to knit when I was 8, watching my mum and neighbours knit, I picked up techniques from them, I made a few items but soon got bored. I picked up my needles again when I was 16 to help with stress during my exams, then stopped when I went to university. I most recently started knitting again four years ago… this time it seems to have stuck
I would say I am a product knitter, I resisted the urge for almost a two years to start a stash, just buying the yarn to complete a project at a time, even know I like to only have two WIPs at a time.

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).

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.

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.

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.â€?

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.

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.

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.