May 8, 2008

May Day Socks & NH Picnic Plans

I received my May Day Socks from Katie of Daily Thread on Monday and boy are they terrific!

The green is a lovely shade of sage and the pattern is Artichoke Socks from Soxie. They are so very delicate and pretty.

Katie also included some heirloom petunia seeds from her mother-in-law's garden, a tube of Burt's Bee's Peppermint Foot Cream, and some dark chocolate covered cranberries. Mmmmm. Of course, I sure can use that foot cream this time of year!

Thanks for a beautiful pair of May Day socks, Katie! And thanks, Emily and Lynne, for organizing this sock swap!

Breaking News!

Okay, if you're going to New Hampshire Sheep & Wool this weekend this announcement is for YOU. We are gathering for a picnic potluck at Noon on Saturday in the picnic grove. Everyone is welcome - please pass the word along!

Be there or be square!

Posted by Carole at 6:30 AM | Comments (40)

March 4, 2008

Special Swap: Spa Package

All fixed now. Thanks, Missa!

Thank you all again for the get well wishes. I didn't end up going to work yesterday but took another day of rest and recovery. I'm feeling better but I still sound a lot like Kathleen Turner. You know?

Anyway, you know what can make you feel great even when you feel bad? A swap package. And my Special Swap package arrived right on time.

The theme this time was "Spa" and my package was from the Special Swap organizer herself, Lynne. She put together an extraordinary package! Thanks you so much, Lynne. You really went over-the-top with this terrific box of treats.

There are the typical spa type things like soaps, a face mask and a loofah. But then there are really special things like a beautifully scented candle and chocolate strawberries and the most wonderful shea butter exfoliating salt scrub.

There was also a relaxation CD and some blue cheese stuffed olives and a knitting book. But the most wonderful part of this package was the kimono that Lynne herself sewed for me. It's the brown floral fabric you see in the photo and it's just beautiful. I'm going to get myself some brown yoga pants and wear it with my kimono and treat myself to a whole day of relaxing and pampering with all these goodies.

But not today. Today I am going to work. Really, I am this time.

Posted by Carole at 6:45 AM | Comments (29)

November 14, 2007

Movie Swap Package

I love me a good knitting swap and I have to say that participating in Lynne's "Special Swap" has always netted me a good result. I have had wonderful experiences, first with Beth, then with Kat and now with Elizabeth.

Behold the yarn-y, snack-y, movie-y goodness.

The red yarn is Duets sock yarn and I absolutely love the way the tones of red in that ball - all wound up and ready to knit, too. And more yarn in green and yellow. Those popcorn containers are the cutest ever and there is also tea and snacks and the cutest little grow-your-own Christmas tree.

Thanks, Elizabeth, for a terrific package!

Posted by Carole at 6:45 AM | Comments (18)

July 3, 2007

I Went To a Garden Party

I went to a Garden Party
To reminisce with my old friends
A chance to share old memories
and play our songs again.

My Special Swap partner was Beth and she sent me a fabulous box of goodies so that I could throw my own garden party. It was a really clever idea and a great way of interpreting the "In the Garden" theme that Lynn selected for this round of Special Swap.

All the things I'd need for my party were provided. Notecards for inviting guests, gardening tools and seed packets, special hand soap for cleaning up, and a magazine with great herbal recipes. Like any great party, there was food - including cheese straws which were fabulous and are gone, gone, gone - and Paula Deen's Chipotel Raspberry Sauce and salsa, too. There was also a very nice hostess gift - yarn! It's a skein of Woolen Rabbit superwash merino in the colorway "Rosemary & Thyme." It's so soft and the colors are subtle and gorgeous and I love it so much!

When I got to the Garden Party
They all knew my name
But no one recognized me
I didn’t look the same.

Like any good swap partner, Beth has been reading my blog and she learned a thing or two about my love for martinis. Ahem. So she also included wonderful blue cheese stuffed olives and a fabulous martini hand towel along with two matching dish cloths and - get this - my very own martini cross stitch pattern designed by Beth's daughter! Truly unique and I just love it.

But it’s all right now.
I learned my lesson well.
You see you can’t please everyone
So you got to please yourself.

Beth, you did a great job pleasing me with my Garden Party. Thanks so much!

Posted by Carole at 7:25 AM | Comments (32)

May 7, 2007

Bloomin' Friendship

The Bloomin' Feet Swap '07, coordinated and supervised by the fabulous Amanda, has drawn to a conclusion. I sent a package off to Hillary and a package for me arrived last week. I was thrilled to discover Leah's name on the return address label. Leah and I have read each other's blogs for quite some time now and have become friends for the same reason many of us are friends - we love knitting. However, something happened in Leah's life recently that served to truly bond us. This shared experience has certainly deepened our friendship, but you know what? Nothing says friendship like a pair of handknit socks.

Aren't they wonderful? The colors - which Leah worried weren't springy enough for a "bloomin" sock swap - are just so me. The pattern is lacy but not over done. The yarn is incredibly soft and they fit perfectly.

There were other goodies in the package like Green 'n Black's chocolate (my favorite) and some pretty flower candles and note paper and a Burt's Bees sampler pack. Fabulous stuff, all of it.

When I emailed Leah to thank her she replied, "The socks in no way show you how much I appreciate your friendship. Just think of them giving you a hug from me each time you wear them." It's an absolutely perfect sentiment. Thank you, Leah. I'm looking forward to a lot of hugs from you.

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (44)

April 24, 2007

Bloomin' Feet Socks Finis

I finished the socks for the Bloomin' Feet Sock Swap at the end of last week and blocked them over the weekend. The pattern is the Merino Lace Socks from the Interweave Knits Favorite Socks book.

Aren't they pretty? The yarn is Schaefer Anne, which I've knit with before for my Swallowtail Shawl, but this is the first time I've actually used it for socks. It's very soft and very fine and has a nice halo from the mohair content. It sort of stripes but not really and the colors blend together in a lovely fashion.

I chose this particular pattern because of something very specific my sock pal said. I'm not going to give it away but, if the recipient is reading this post and remembers what she wrote in her questionnaire, well, this picture is a pretty big hint. As for the pattern, there were some details that were kind of wacky. Beth wrote about the heel issue and Anne clued me in that there was an error in the charts for the foot. But even more than that, I felt the directions were lacking a bit. I've knit plenty of socks on circular needles before and that's a good thing because the pattern didn't really provide great instructions on that technique, even though it was written for that method. I took good notes and moved forward because I liked the design so much but be warned, there are some glitches.

I made one of my standard sock labels - the name is blacked out so no hints there - and will be shipping them off with some other goodies today.

Hope you like them, sock pal!

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (50)

December 7, 2006

Yarn Aboard - Sock Style

You guys know all about Yarn Aboard 2 by now, right? It's a really simple but fun swap. You get a package filled with goodies for you. You take out your stuff. You say thank you to the person who sent you stuff. You blog about the stuff. You put in stuff for someone else and you send it on to them. And then you're done. Simple, right?

And yet, people signed up for this swap and are now blowing it off. One person hijacked two boxes. Someone else hijacked another. And then someone else received a package, got mad at Amanda, and then refused to send stuff to the next person on the list. Personalities aside, when you agree to participate in a swap, you agree to follow the rules. And the number one rule of this swap is that you send the package on to a new person.

Luckily for me, most people are following the rules just fine.

Look who made his way to my house from Portugal New Jersey. It's the long lost explorer, Vasco De Gama.

He sure came crammed with goodies from Ina. Don't you just love the lime green tissue paper?

Let's see. There's Fleece Artist Sock Yarn. I've only knit with this yarn once before and I loved the experience. I'm quite thrilled to have the chance to knit with it again. And Regia Silk. Silk Sock Yarn - woot! There's candy and fruit crisps (which were absofreakinlutely delicious) and macadamia nuts and cappuccino espresso coffee beans. There's also a very cool sock pattern.

Ina did a fabulous job stuffing this box with things I love. Thanks so much, Ina! I love it all!

And honestly, given the recent drama that has befallen the whole Yarn Aboard swap, well, I feel really really lucky to have my explorer arrive safely. Thanks, Amanda for organizing the swap and replacing packages and sending reminder emails and just generally being a terrific swap hostess. I had a blast!

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (38)

November 2, 2006

Toast My Toes

My Toasty Toes socks arrived on Monday and my secret sock knitter was Julie. I think it's very cool to have had my socks knit by someone that I've actually met and hung out with a number of times. If you've never visited her blog, you really should go check it out. Just don't go over there when you're hungry because Julie often talks about something yummy that she made for her family to eat.

As you can see, the socks are perfect.

The colors of the yarn are fabulous, the cables are intricate, and the fit is absolutely divine.

I would never knit socks this complex for myself and that makes them all the more special.

Julie went above and beyond the call of duty, though. Not only did I get perfectly fitting socks but I also got an adorable pincushion that she made, a handknit flower petal washcloth, and a skein of custom dyed yarn from Yarntini. Julie also included some tasty treats - homemade pralines (along with the recipe) and some mixed candy, which Dale has already claimed. There was also a very pretty pad of paper and matching pens.

Thanks for being so generous, Julie! And thanks for organizing a fabulous sock swap, Amanda. I feel so lucky to have been a part of this.

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (30)

October 3, 2006

Toasted

Well toast my toes, what have we here?

Finished Toasty Toes Socks, just in time for ">Socktoberfest. And they're ready almost a whole month early, too. Because you know how I hate the deadline knitting.

Now I know you all won't go back and check the details that I've already posted as I knit these, so I'll tell you again.

The pattern is called "Best Foot Forward" and it's from the book Knit Socks! by Betsy Lee McCarthy. This is the 4th time I've knit this particular pattern and it's wonderful. It makes for a great gift sock because it's stretchy so if you're size is off by a bit it should still fit the recipient. In this case my sock pal's measurements and my own measurements are the same so I'm pretty confident these will fit her. And this book itself is great. It not only has basic sock knitting information for the beginning sock knitter but it's also got more advanced patterns for the experienced sock knitter. Go look. NOW.

The yarn is Sophie's Toes Yarn, custom dyed for my sock pal by Emily. I can't tell you enough how wonderful this yarn is. The colors are fabulous and Emily captured exactly what I was looking for - autumn leaves and sky and flowers. And soft! Oh my goodness, this yarn is a treat for the feet. She's got some gorgeous new colors in her Etsy Shop and she's offering free shipping on 2 skeins or more in honor of Socktoberfest. Go look. NOW.

And the sock blockers I haven't showed you yet so pay attention, this is new information. These were custom made for me by Becky in a library motif. I absolutely love them and they make blocking socks a lot of fun. Becky will make you custom sock blockers, too, but the ones in her shop, Leggy Creations, are pretty terrific. And so are the sheep. Go look. NOW.

Now I just need to find autumn goodies to put in my pal's package along with the socks. I've already got a skein of sock yarn to include for her, custom dyed for me by Scout. I'd show you but it would give away the identity of my sock pal too easily so you'll have to wait. I can tell you, though, that Scout did exactly what I asked and this gift yarn is perfect for my pal. If you haven't tried Scout's yarn yet, it's great. She has a shop, you know. Go look. NOW.

Have fun shopping, y'all.

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (49)

October 2, 2006

Meet Marco Polo

I'm nupping, yes indeed, I'm nupping . . .

Oh, Hi! You're here! I was just doing a little singing along to Fats Domino. Can you guess what's on my needles right now? Sigh.

And as long as we're playing guessing games, would you like to guess who arrived at my house at the end of last week?

Yup. Mr. Marco Polo himself in the form of a Yarn Aboard Box from the very generous and super sweet Cynthia.

When I tell you I was completely spoiled by what Cynthia sent me, well, I mean it from the bottom of my heart. There was fiber and chocolate and candles and goodies and Jacquard dyes and . . . here, let me show you.

Baby Camel and Silk (from Crown Mountain Farms, of course) and more silk. Clearly, Cynthia thinks I'm a more talented spinner than I am if she's sending me silk. But I'll do my best by the silk.

And look at the colorful stuff from Canada! There's Fleece Artist and other Canadian fiber, too. And the most gorgeous beaded orifice hook I've ever seen. And chocolate. Because what's a swap package without some fabulous chocolate, eh?

So many good things, all for ME.

Well, me and Mason, apparently. At least he left the fiber alone and just went after the tissue paper.

There was also a very thoughtful and kind note which really touched my heart. Thank you so very much, Cynthia. Amanda sure did right by me when she hooked me up with you.

And now, Mr. Marco Polo has left Chez Carole Knits for the next leg on his adventure. I wonder where he'll turn up?

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (42)

December 21, 2005

Tis GREAT To Receive

My Better Pal sent me my first package last week and it arrived yesterday. I know everybody says this but, really MY Better Pal is the BEST!

That there is the loot. And, I'm a dope and I didn't take a picture before I unwrapped everything because I'm a little kid when it comes to presents and I got way too excited and there was newspaper and tissue paper and wrapping paper all over the kitchen. Ahem. I'll describe it for you so you can picture how cute it was - the red yarn (alpaca, dude) was twisted up and wrapped in green tissue paper, with part of the red peeking out. There were 2 double pointed needles stuck through the middle of the whole thing and it was placed inside the martini glass. It was a yarn olive. How cool (and clever!) is that?!? Really, really awesome. And blue cheese stuffed olives - which I love and have only been able to find at The Cheesecake Factory - and Knit Lit the Third and a complete set of double points. Sigh.

Clearly, my pal has been reading the blog and paying attention to what I really love. I love you, Pallie. You ARE the best!

Posted by Carole at 7:23 AM | Comments (11)

December 8, 2005

The Big Reveal

Secret Pal 6 has finished and I had a great spoiler! Remember this?

And this?

A few weeks ago I received this:

I was bad and I never showed you that one but it's all purple and it's all fiber to be spun. Yummmy.

My final package arrived on Monday and included this:

The snowman is mine but the book! And the yarn! Knit Picks shimmer and Sally Melville's new book right off my Amazon.com wish list. Woot!

My pal was Cecily and she was great. She sent thoughtful gifts that she researched and knew I would enjoy. Thank you, Cecily. I'll be working on your purple socks very soon!

My spoilee was Cheryl and I had lots of fun sending her packages. Turns out, she knew who I was from the get go, but she never let on. I'm hoping now she'll be a regular reader of the blog.

Begin rant.
While I had a great experience with Secret Pal 6 I know that in such a large group people do get burned. I don't really understand how this happens, though. I mean, really! You sign up for this program and you participate. The end. You don't sign up and then not send anything. Or not spend enough. Or whatever. And yet, there have been posts all over the place on the Secret Pal 6 blog, asking participants to let their hostesses know if they never received anything or if they received gifts that weren't up to the standards. I think it's terribly rude and I can't imagine dropping the ball like that.
End of rant.

It's unseasonably cold around here today. It makes me want to say:
And that's all the news from Lake Woebegone.

Posted by Carole at 8:49 AM | Comments (12)