Final SP10 parcel has arrived!

YAY!
A lovely parcel arrived from Regina which i tore into as soon as i could!
The wrappings revealed a card game, some Diddl writing paper, some Diddl holographic cards, tea, a mug, some sweeties, 4 balls of variegated yarn and a gorgeous pair of handknitted pink socks. What a wonderful parcel :o)
I can't wait to knit up a test swatch of the yarn, it's similar to the ball she sent me last time but in a different colourway and would look great as a stole or maybe even a loose fronted cardi of some kind... i might feel brave! Goodness knows i am going to have plenty of knitting time ahead of me as next week i'll be away from home all week :o(
Mum is going in on Monday to have her op on Tuesday. I am planning on visiting her Monday evening and then spending Tuesday with my best friend and her two boys and our dogs and trying to remain as calm as possible!! I'll have my phone with me and my Dad will ring me when he has any news. It may seems heartless but if i sit at the hospital or wait with him i will end up a nervous wreck and that won't do anyone any good :o(

Another parcel from my SP10 :o)

And what a beauty!
She's sent me some hand-knitted socks!! Nobody has ever knitted me socks before and i was so moved when i unwrapped them :o) There is also a most gorgeous bag which folds down into it's own little pouch, this has now become a WIP bag and contains the yarn and pattern for a Salina Shawl :o) I'm going to use the lovely cake of yarn that she sent me for it, i hope there's enough ;o) I shall weigh a 10g section then measure the length and hopefully that'll give me an idea of the yardage for the whole ball :o)
Regina also sent me some soaps, a packet of raspberry and vanilla tea, some amicelli wafer biscuits and a row counter.

The bag has a very special character embroidered on the back, it's Diddl's friend Woolywell! I luuuuurve him :oD

Vielen dank Regina, ich lieben das Paket, das Sie mich sendeten

SP10 - another competition

Bobbi asked:
With the weather turning warmer, many of you are thinking of traveling (though some of you have just returned, you can play along). 1) What do you pack to knit? and 2) What do you hope to shop for?Assume that you will be gone for ten days to someplace "foreign" that is known for having great knitting locations. (Bonus: Where would you go on a "knitting holiday"?)

My answers:
It takes me ages to decide what project/s to take! I generally take the current sock and a larger project too, although last weekend i took both of the current socks and finished the first Monkey and started the second TootyFrooty. I usually take something to knit and something to crochet though so that i have some variety!
In this great foreign location i'd be looking for unusual beads and charms for stitchmarkers and bracelets, i'd also be hoping to find locally produced or hand-dyed wool and maybe some hand turned needles as a special treat. Where would i go? The Scottish Highlands! To sit among the beautiful colours of the heather and gorse and to be surrounded by such a wonderful landscape would be my ideal retreat :o)
I don't really hope to shop for anything when we go away, we mostly go camping to VW shows and so there are a lot of car parts for sale but not much in the way of yarny stuff or accesories, unfortunately! Sometimes though there will be a stall selling handcrafted jewellery items and i try to support them by buying a bracelet or two ;o)

My first SP parcel!

This morning two parcels were delivered, the first was from my SP all the way from Germany!
There is the most wonderful smelling coffee with a lovely canister. There is coffee aroma wafting through the whole house, i can't wait to try it! She's also sent me some coffee-themed napkins and a mug and some sachets of toblerone flavoured cappucino which sound delicious! The sunflower patterned envelope contains a note from her, it's so pretty and unusual, i haven't seen envelopes like that before! I also have some scented Ikea candles to add to my collection :o)
I love candles and especially scented ones :o)
My SP also sent me a ball of Opal Neon, shade #1933 and two balls of "Match" in the most gorgeous turquoise and blues and a little bit of purple in there too, it's really soft and i am looking forward to knitting it up to see if it's variegated or stripey. I love surprises!
Thankyou SP and so sorry for not posting sooner, my parcel is FAB! :o)

SP10 contestquestions

Just a quickie - back from camping and found a mail from the lovely swap co-ordinator with a couple of questions for me to answer so here we go:

Now for a contest.

Answer the following:

1) How old were you when you learned how to knit?
I was originally about 8, possibly younger, i don't have any specific memories of it, just that i could do it! *lol*

2) Who taught you?
I should think it was probably my Grandma, she was a great knitter - very talented - not sure what happened to me though *lol*

I'll be back with an update on my weekend away a bit later :o)

It's started!

SP10 has started, it's official!
I got a lovely e-card in my mailbox this morning from my "upstream" pal and i contacted my "downstream" pal this morning too :o)
What fun!
Now all i have to do is do some shopping, shame isn't it!

SP10 Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I really like Merino at the moment, and i am of course building the world's largest stash of sock yarn!! I don't like mohair, or eyelash/novelty type yarns but i am happy to knit with acrylic/blends.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have a vintage knitting bag that holds all my straight needles, my addis are stored in the free zipped pouch thing that came with Simply Knitting and crochet hooks are in an old cigar box :oD

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
My Grandma taught me to knit when i was little, and i learned to crochet then too. I took a break of about a hundred years and picked up crochet to make a waistcoat for a 70's weekend at Butlins, caught the bug, made lots of cloche hats, beanies and shawls... progressed to ponchos... then i picked up the knitting needles again and am now addicted to sock knitting!
I would say i am probably an intermediate knitter, i can make a few changes to a pattern but couldn't design one myself!

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes, Amazon wishlist is on my sidebar, along with a few other things i am lusting after!

5. What's your favorite scent?
Vanilla... Lavender... Citrus... Apple... Rose...

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Yep, but as i am caffiene intolerant i can't eat too much chocolate :o(
I love savoury snacks though ;o)

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I crochet, try my hand at card making, i make stitch markers and row-counting bracelets and other small jewellery items. I love to garden and have a veggie plot at the end of the garden :o)

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I like a LOt of different stuff! Definitely anything 80's - Pet Shop Boys, Erasure, Def Leppard, Iron Maiden, Sisters of Mercy. Ska, punk and anything "alternative" also floats my boat. I love The Levellers, The Men They Couldn't Hang, New Model Army. I alos like a lot of the "new" bands... Kaiser Chiefs, Fratellis, The Coral, Kasabian.... DON'T like hiphop, dance, drum n bass!

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
Favourite colours are orange, purple, scarlet and pink seems to be sneaking in a lot! There's nothing i don't like, except probably yellow as a solid colour but it's ok in small does or in the right mix

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Me and Bloke, no kids, one dog, two rats :o)

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Yes, Yes, Yes and Yes :o)

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Socks, socks and socks! :oD
I am also partial to crocheting Mile-a-Minute blankets and knitting Gnomes :o)

13. What are you knitting right now?
I have socks, a gnome and a panta on the go right now, plus various small things for swaps and stuff :o)

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
I do! I think there is nothing nicer than receiving a handmade gift in fact :o)

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I prefer circular needles, straight needles get caught on my bosoms ;o)
I use cheapo bamboos i got on eBay from HongKong and addis depending what i'm making.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
I do, i have both

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
About 4 years old, but i have some of my Mum's that are about 9 years old!!

18. What is your favorite holiday?
Don't think i have one! Christmas i guess, it's the only thing i really celebrate other than birthdays.

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Clutter? Does that count? :oD
Shaun the sheep, Diddl and friends and ratties :o)

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
All books are in my Wishlist which i update regularly ;o)
I've seen the HiyaHiya needles which i would love to try and of course Knitpicks.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Plenty but i am holding off learning anything new because i don't have enough time for the things i do now!

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes, i am :o) I am a UK size 6, european 39

23. When is your birthday?
2nd September