I received another swap gift!

As it turns out, Robyn had me for another swap - for the notions bag swap as well! What were the odds?

Anyway, my gifts were wonderfully cool - I think that the bright orange notions bag will suit my summer knitting, and the funky retro pink/brown dpn's case will be stellar for my sock knitting! I also love the fact that Robyn was thoughtful enough to add that polkadot ribbon to attatch my stitch markers to as well! (super clever!)

I've got the Quebec magnet on my fridge to add to my collection! Thanks again Robyn!

crocheted fingerless mitts - again!

i just finished crocheting these yesterday - I love making them because they're not only a great way to use up less than 1 ball of yarn, but I can whip up a pair in less than one day! (and they're great for keeping my hands warm! woot!)

punk knitter's swap questionnaire

I found me another swap here, which I think may be quite fun indeed, and one to add to my many swaps that I'm throwing myself into this summer.

Here are my a's to the swap's q's:
1. Why are you punk? I've always been into the music, the clothes, the mentality... I don't know why I am, I just am.
2. What are your five favorite things? (these don't have to be knit related) Books (I'm a book nerd, I've even got an amazon.ca wish list, hint hint!), DVDs (also on wish list, nerdly, I know), sheep, lemongrass incense, things that glows in the dark
3. What are your three favorite things that you have made with knitting/crochet? 1) a hat/scarf out of green Bernat Galaxy yarn for my MIL, 2) DH's socks, 3) a toddler-sized acrylic sweater that's getting published in the anticraft's book (which comes out Nov.30th/07 - and yes, I'm bragging here)
4. What five things would you love to see in a swap box someday? 1) funky/weird/original knitting needles or crochet hooks, 2) handspun or handdyed yarn with good yardage, preferably sock yarn but anything's good 3) something glow in the dark, preferably glows-in-different-colours 4) music 5) anything hand-made
5. What are your three favorite yarns? 3 favourites: Noro Kureyon, Noro Silk Garden, anything handspun and multicoloured. What are your three least favorite yarns? 3 least favourites: to be honest I don't have name brands, but I suppose anything that's too scratchy, itchy or stiff, like cheaper acrylics or some wools, and I hate mohair that's 'hairy'
6. What are your five favorite delicasies? foodwise? SKOR Bites, cheesecake, chocolate chip cookies, herbal loose-leaf tea, anything salty
7. What are your three favorite guilty pleasures? well, putting food aside: 1) weird knitting accessories I don't need but find cool (like battery operated light-up knitting needles, or more beaded hand-made stitch markers) 2) books of knitting and crochet patterns (but I steer away from sweater-dominated books, I don't knit sweaters too often) 3) scary movies. not gory ones, mind you, but scary in the sense that they mess with your head. I'm a scary-movie-snob.
8. What would you like your pal to know that is not covered here? I'm not a girly-girl. I'm not a big fan of some yarns (ie obviously-cheap, stiff acrylics) although I'm not a yarn snob. I adore weirdness, if that's not obvious yet. I'm easily distracted by colours and shiny things. Knick-knacks are very cool - if, for example, you mail me a magnet, I'll not only hang it on my fridge but I'll be sure to point it out and brag to anyone wandering through my house that you gave it to me. I like sheep. I love handmade items. I think every crafter is an artist.

varigated seed stitch scarf

Just yesterday I finished knitting this scarf up - used exactly 1 skein of TLC Essentials, with nothing left over! I cast on 19 stitches, did a seed stitch throughout, which made this zig zag pattern throughout - I did about 5 inches with 20 stitches cast on, but wasn't crazy about the checkerboard pattern that came out, so with one stitch less, the zig zag is created.

I'm debating whether to put a fringe on this or not, it may be cool. I've got an idea to make 'curly' fringes, but I'll save that idea/project for another day.

DH's Socks

I've finally gotten around to knitting my DH a pair of socks, finishing them a week early for his birthday at the end of the month! They're knit with Patons Jaquard in 'Houndstooth'. Even though he wanted black socks, I just couldn't commit myself from buying ever-so-boring-flat-black yarn, so the silvery white specks in this made them turn out quite nice!

The pattern I used is from here, and the (I think) clever coat hanger sock blockers I found here. (The coat hanger ones will serve good purpose until I can afford to spend $ on some nice wooden ones from ebay!)

more stitch markers!

Well, I got another set of stitch markers in the mail today! From Rochelle, although I've no idea what her blog is, I'd like to be able to link to it, so if Rochelle happens to be reading this, link it to me! Thanks so much, I love them!

edit: find Rochelle here :)

It's hard to tell from the pic (silly me, can't figure out how to turn the flash off) but I've one stitch marker that says 'purl', one that says 'knit', a funky boho bead one, a butterfly one, and a star one! :) Wonderfully awesome! They'll be soon put to good use!

nature in Mississauga!

I'm startng to appreciate, this year more so than before, the nature that surrounds me, even in this dreary suburb of Toronto. I've got a bunny who's been frequenting my garden (and munching on my lettuce and herbs, no doubt!) and I've finally been able to catch him on film earlier this week.


Also, today my DH and I took a stroll to Port Credit to check out the Mississauga Waterfront Festival, and under the bridge we spotted a swan with her nest! I've never seen a swan nest before! She was surrounded by Canada geese, ducks, and pidgeons out the wazoo! It was quite beautiful to see.

the stitch markers I've received - thanks ladies!

Well, I've signed up a while back for a stitch marker swap, and had a barrel of fun making my sets and mailing them out, and even more fun receiving my envelopes!


Robyn sent me the set(s) with my name written out, and was generous enough to hand deliver them to me! I actually felt quite special about that!

Joanna sent me the green ones with a penguin on one set, which were adorable, and I received those second. I thirdly received Marsha's with a postcard to add to my collection! :) I know I never posted anywhere that I collect postcards, because I'm not avid about it, but I do like receiving them!

All sets I've shown in contrast to a pair of socks I've been knitting for DH's upcoming birthday. I just finished stitching them up today, a picture will soon be posted!

Thanks for Submitting!

Alright, yarnheads, the swap sign up is officially closed - thanks to all who've submitted their info and have taken the time to answer the questionnaire. Your respective partners will be asigned soon, and we'll get this swap in gear!

This is the very first swap I've ever organized, so fingers crossed, this ought to be fun and hopefully a success! I plan to do another swap later this summer, I'm thinking something in the theme of socks, but not definately sure yet. Keep yourselves checking my blog every few weeks to see what's going on...

International Knitter/Crocheter Yarns-n-Stuff Exchange

Edited June 11th: The swap will only exchange 1 box, not two. If, though, you wish to swap two boxes, please email me to let me know, otherwise I'll assume that you only want to swap one package.

Be prepared to send out 2 boxes, and in return receive 2 boxes! This swap is open to ANYONE living in ANY COUNTRY!

Well, the goal is 2 boxes per person. Each person will receive 2 names and addresses, + info of that person (answers to questionnaire). I will do my best to pair up knitters with knitters & crocheters with crocheters, although a crocheter may end up swapping with a knitter and vice versa.

3 rules of swap:
1) You must have an active blog where you post a minimum of 3x a month
2) You must mail out both packages on time or you’ll be banned from future swaps
3) You must answer the questions below to the best of your ability, so that whomever has you has a good idea of what to send you
4) Package value: $20 not including postage, or whatever $20 is equal to in your currency from wherever you’re from ($20 CDN or US)
5) Packages MUST include at least 2 balls of yarn of any kind, + whatever else you deem interesting to fill up the package.

Upon receiving your packages, please post on your blog! Be sure to mention and plug your sender’s blog as well in thanks. Keep in mind that we’ve all put our best effort in putting these swaps together, so despite whether you got what you wanted or not, give your sender a positive plug anyway! It’s a big effort!

Swapped boxes should include the yarn, as posted for rules - otherwise, you're free to fill the boxes as you wish with gifts and treats, based on the answers you receive in the questionnaire or whatever else inspires you.

Questionnaires, emails, addresses, etc must be submitted within one email by SATURDAY JUNE 16, 2007 and not a day later! Everyone will get their swapping partners by Wednesday, June 20th/07. Both packages must be sent out by Saturday June 30th/07, and hopefully received by July 31st/07. THIS IS NOT A SECRET PAL SWAP, just a regular swap :)

Email me (purplespirit1 {at} hotmail {dot} com) & copy/paste this questionnaire & the answers: (title email Swap Exchange please!)

Knitter’s / Crocheter’s Swap Exchange Questionaire

Name & full mailing address including country and postal code: (this info will stay between you, me and the person you're swapping with)
Blog name, URL, & email address:

1. Do you knit, crochet, or both?
2. What other crafts do you enjoy?
3. Do you prefer to swap within your country, within the continent, overseas, or does it matter? (I’ll do my best to keep your swaps to your request in this question, although depending on who signs up, there are no guarantees!)
4. What are your favourite and least favourite type(s) of yarn? Any fiber allergies?
5. What are your favourite colours? Which colours do you dislike/hate?
6. a) What do you enjoy crocheting or knitting the most? b) Do you find yourself knitting more for yourself or for others?
7. What is your favourite scent?
8. Do you prefer coffee or tea?
9. What do you collect? (doesn’t have to be craft related!)
10. Do you have a sweet tooth? What is your snacking related guilty pleasure? (note here if you’ve any food allergies, in case your swap pal wants to send you a treat!)
11. Do you prefer knitting or crocheting with bamboo, aluminum, plastic or other needles or hooks?
12. What is your favourite holiday?
13. Do you subscribe to any knitting, crocheting, or other crafting magazines? If so, which ones?
14. a) Do you spin or dye your own yarn? b) Are you a sock knitter?
15. Do you like receiving handmade gifts?