This was my first mystery swap and I loved it.  It was so much fun meeting someone knew and discussing knitting.  Shopping for her was also fun–I got the ladies at my LYS involved.  But the best part was getting the package from my Swap partner, Alyssa.  My theme was holidays and she chose Christmas.  She wrapped up all the gifts individually in pretty paper.  There’s yarn for two pairs of socks and some Christmas ornaments, needles, adorable Christmas stitch markers and assorted candy and novelty items.  It was so thoughtful and so much fun.  You can see a photo on my blog at auntjudyb.blogspot.com. 

What a fabulous package Sharon (knittingauntie) sent me! I got back from a week in Colorado househunting to find a package waiting for me … always a great thing, right? Well, little did I know just how great it was going to be. I opened the box and inside was a lovely bag, stuffed to bursting with packages wrapped in blue with lovely blue and silver ribbon and adornments. What was in the bag? Well, LOTS of stuff was in the bag. Look how beautifully wrapped those packages are … it was really almost a shame to unwrap them. Almost, I said.

Sharon took all my themes (ocean/seaside, mountains, flowers/garden, and soft as a bunny) and ran with them! Aside from the beautiful bag I got the pattern for Kiri, post-it markers to keep my place in the pattern, a bamboo circular needle, and enough Kidsilk Spray in a gorgeous blue to complete the shawl. Then just for treats she spoiled me even more with saltwater taffy, a gorgeous mug featuring kitties in a garden with its own little spoon, and a hysterical book that I’m already enjoying.

And I have to share with ya’ll that my Onyx kitty enjoyed the package as much as I did … check out his reaction to the yarn, it’s very similar to mine. This yarn really is that yummy!

Thanks so much, Sharon; you were a fabulous swap partner and I look forward to staying in touch with you. And thank you, Kim, for putting this swap together — the whole concept made this swap oodles of fun for me. Let’s do it again next year!

Mary was my assigned partner and she was able to zero in on my hearts desire…..the color Red!!! My obsession over this color is extreme. My hubby always asks “how many red scarves do you need?” To me that question is like a man’s question over how many black pair of shoes do you need. Answer….as many as possible….no two are a like

Mary gifted me with some gorgeous red novelty wool which will make a grand scarf   Also she gifted me with a white and red skein of merino wool and a snowflake glove pattern that when made up will compliment the scarf wonderfully. 

Thank you so much Mary for this gift.  I have had great fun with this swap.

I got my package today! Sharon did a great job picking a little from each of my themes.

One of my themes was Tea (and Hot Chocolate), so the kit is for a Tea Cosy, with Blue Faced Leicester Chunky Slub from The Natural Dye Studio. I love both the colors and the name of the sheep breed. The needles for this project are lovely 12″ Surina Wooden Knitting Needles, size 6mm (US 10). Sharon also included several flavors of green tea and some hot choc packets, for me to drink while reading…

…a copy of Cycling Weekly, with lots of advice about winter riding and training. This will probably actually be really helpful as I’d love to stay more fit through the cold season. Cycling was another theme, obviously.

I mentioned that I liked socks, so Sharon also sent a skein of Alba 4Ply/Sock Shetland from The Natural Dye Studio, and it is making me want to cast on immediately (darn that final exam on Tuesday!). It is a wonderful combination of greens and violets. Sharon suggests that I make myself a nice pair of socks to wear while cycling (they would definitely help keep my toes warm). Needles for that project, too!

And finally, since I said I liked the environment, there are some really cute garden-themed buttons, which I look forward to finding a use for. Also, I looked at The Natural Dye Studio’s website, and all their dying is done with environmentally friendly natural materials, and they even compost their leftover dying liquid. So that’s an added bonus.

Thanks so much, Sharon, and great job!

Pamela!  I love you!  You have made my day so happy!  Getting a package from you and seeing Mt. Fuji with loads of snow on it has just made me gitty!

First off, I love the box!  How did you know I loved containers!  Now I have a cool place to store some of my yarn!

Then once I opened it, I think I jumped around in joy!  You spoiled me so well!  I received 8 skiens/balls of yarn!  4 really pretty sock weight yarn, two gorgous sport weight yarn and two of the coolest hemp yarn ever!  Two crochet/knit mags (in Spanish… making me brush up on my high school years!), a beautiful ceramic nativity scene, a ladybug photo holder, two really cool wooden crosses (I’m thinking I’m going to have to knit a necklace or a rear-view mirror charm!), a cute handpainted box, and chocolate bon bons!

You have spoiled me well!

Thanks for being a great partner!

A great package was waiting for me when I got home last night!  I truly love everything.  I’m going to post pictures tonight.  Thanks Nic!

I received my Mystery Swap Package from Marisol today!! YEAH!! You will notice that one of the cute pumpkin cookies has a bite taken out of it, I can honestly say that they are yummy!! She also included 2 sock patterns & some beautiful yarn… a skein of Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino, a skein of sooooo pretty Lorna’s Laces purple & aqua yarn, & 2 skeins of Art Yarns Supermerino sock yarn…. some cute sweater needle protectors, & some delicious (I’ve already eaten some!) Starbucks Milk Chocolate Caramels.

Thanks so much Marisol!! I love everything & I can’t wait to get some socks started with that yarn!!

So much yarn, so little time……. he he!