Yarn It: My life as I Live It and Knit It

Surprise Packages!

I have received three surprise packages in the last couple days.  Two were from my Secret Pal and the other was from a special blogger friend.  Here is the first of my SP packages:

I loved this package.  My SP is from Singapore and she sent me this lovely drop spindle and a pair of earrings.  The drop spindle is made of wood and that circular portion is a coin!  So cool!  These earrings are gorgeous.  They are made from bronze south sea shell pearls, and swarovski crystals.  My second package arrived today:

A lovely knitting tote ( I LOVE this!) along with some yarn to make the Lacy Bolero in Lace Style and some Addi Turbo needles to knit the bolero with!  The yarn is a pretty green color and I could never have enough Addi's.  They are all I use.

Two crochet books - I am so looking forward to crocheting something from these books.  I started to crochet again (it had been awhile) and these books have many fun projects I will enjoy.

Two Japanese knitting books.  I am sure I would never be able to find these in the US.  They have some very cool patterns and are really fun to look at.

Thank you so much, Secret Pal!  I love everything you have sent and it is very generous.  You rock!

I also received another surprise in the mail today from Amazon.  When I saw the package on the door step I was racking my brain trying to figure out what the heck I ordered from Amazon lately.  I opened the box and inside was a gift wrapped book - from a wonderful blogger friend, Robin. 

This book was on my wish list!  It was a nice, fun and unexpected surprise and I already know what I am going to knit during my "time off" after the wedding.  Time off meaning four days without kids just hanging around with Scott.  Robin, thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful gift.  I was totally surprised and I have been wanting this book for a long time. 

Last but not least, I am working with an event coordinator who is going to take care of my wedding details the day of the wedding.  I want to be able to enjoy the day without worrying about how everything is going to happen.  She is also doing my flowers.  I wanted something very simple.  I saw a picture in a magazine of a tall thin vase with only one hydrangea in it and that is what I decided I wanted for my tables.  Simple and inexpensive.  This is what my coordinator came up with and I LOVE it!

This "three vase vignette" is going to be on each table and the hydrangeas are going to be bright pink/fuchsia.  I think it will be stunning.  We have a tennis court in our backyard surrounded by tons of greenery.  The tables are going to be on the court and I think the bright pink flowers will add a lovely splash of color against the greenery background. 

The wedding is about a week away and I can hardly believe it!  You may not hear from me until then as next week will be very busy but if I can sneak in a blog post, I will. 

Leaf Yoke Top

Despite my blog absence,  have been knitting.  But I have to admit it hasn't amounted to much.  There have been several projects with I have cast on for and knitted and found out later they were much too big.  One of the projects I simply knit the wrong size.  The other project, I used the wrong needle size on accident!  Long story.  I have finally completed a knit that fits and I absolutely love it.  I saw this pattern over on Robin's blog and loved it.  Scott went out to buy the magazine for me and I cast on for it right away.  I love how it turned out!

Pattern:  Leaf Yoke Top from Knit.1

Size:  XS

Yarn:  Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Plum Patina

Needles:  US Size 5

Thoughts:  I love this top.  It was an easy knit and I love the construction of knitting the yoke first and then picking up stitches for the body.  I am VERY tempted to knit this again in another color.  Most of all all, I am thrilled to finally have an FO again that I love and can wear.  My luck with knitting lately has been horrible! 

Wedding Plans:  Scott and I are going to get married in a week and a half.  The wedding plans are coming along great and we are tying up last minute details.  It has been a lot of work getting the wedding together in three months but it is going to be an amazing day.  We will be surrounded by 50 of our closest friends and family and we are really looking forward to celebrating the beginning of our lives together.  I am not wearing my engagement ring because we took it in to the jeweler to get it sized down and also sautered (sp??) to the wedding band.  It is gorgeous and I love it......the next time I wear it I will be married!  I will of course have wedding post with many pictures!

Secret Pal:  I just received my first package!  I am so thrilled - but it deserves a post of it's own so I will make another post tonight.  Thank you SP!

SP14 Questionaire

I have decided to join another round of the Secret Pal Swap and I have also decided to be a hostess!  I have my work cut out for me but I am really excited to participate and help out. 

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I love most all fibers and yarn types.  I am not a huge fan of acrylics but some blends are fine.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

I have a drawer in a cabinet that I use for all of these things.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I am a self-taught knitter and have been knitting for about 4 years.  I would consider myself between intermediate and advanced because there are some advanced techniques I have not tried yet.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Yes.  I think you can find it by typing in my name.

5. What's your favorite scent?

I love floral and woodsy scents.  I really don't have a favorite though. 

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

I have a huge sweet tooth for ice cream!  I don't eat a lot of candy but chocolates and Good-n-Plentys would be at the top of my list!

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I have tried sewing and was horrible at it. I need lessons.  I do spin and love doing so, but I spend most of my time knitting.  I would like to spend more time doing crochet though.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I don't have an MP3 player let.  I like all kinds of music from rock, alternative and even some country. 

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

I am loving reds and blues right now.  I also love yellows and greens and pinks.  I don't use orange too much.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

We do have pets - 2cats and a dog and a bird.  We also have chickens in the back yard.  I have four children and I am getting married Aug. 1st.  I can't wait!  At that point I will have 2 new step-daughters.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

I wear scarves, hats and mittens.  I have one poncho and wear it occasionally during the winter.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

I love knitting sweaters and summer tops.  I also love cardigans.  I do knit mittens for my kids and socks from time to time.

13. What are you knitting right now?

I am knitting a yoke leaf top from Knit.1 and diminishing ribs cardi for Knits.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

LOVE IT!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

I prefer aluminum circular needles.  I rarely use straights anymore.  I have used bamboo but I really love Addi Turbos.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

I own both and can't live without them!

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

I don't even want to think about this.  It is about 4 years old or a bit less.  It was a sweater I was knitting for my son when I first started knitting.  It is faire isle and I had no idea what I was doing when I started it!

18. What is your favorite holiday? What winter holiday do you observe?

Christmas is my favorite holiday.  It is stressful but I love magic feelings it creates in my kids.  It is a good time of year to teach them about giving.

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Yarn, Yarn, and Yarn!  And Addi Turbos. 

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

I would really like to have the book Glam Knits.  I have a lot of books.  I also wouldn't mind having Handknit Holidays.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

I would like to try Faire Isle again and more stranding techniques.  I really enjoy stranding with colorwork.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

Not a major sock knitter but I love hand knit socks.  I wear a size 8 shoe.

23. When is your birthday?

December 31st

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?

Yes I am!  Yarnit is my ID.