Purly Valentine Swap

I love swaps, and I love being spoiled. . . it's one of my love languages. My knitting group the Charlotte Purls had it's 2nd annual Purly Valentine swap yesterday. Last year I became a part of Purls after the swap was assigned so I got to look on as all of the lovely packages were exchanged and I decided then that I didn't want to miss out this year. My partner was Tanesha, a very talented crocheter who I have often admired her work. This is my package from her!

She gave me 2 skeins of Hempathy which is one of my all time favorite yarns! She must have seen my twirly skirty because this is the yarn I used to make that. I plan to make a summer tank top with this. She also included a heart notebook. As a mom of 3 I always need a place to write notes and lists and keep up with things. She also picked out a pencil case that would be perfect size to carry needles or crochet hooks/accessories. Then for the yummy goodies she went to my favorite grocer, Trader Joes and scored organic Fruit leathers and the most delicious cookies I've gotten from a store, Molasses Chews! I love these cookies so much that I get a package almost every time I go to Trader Joes. This came in handy yesterday because I had some to share and still got to take some home after the meeting. Thanks Tanesha it was such a blessing to have you as my partner!

Purly Valentine swap 2009

My partner was Chelley and since gifting is one of my love languages, I stress over it, but I also enjoyed gathering and making things for her. This what I did for her package:

I made a set of 6 beaded stitchmarkers, with the main marker being a clasp moveable marker with a Purly Valentine 2009 Shrinky. I first made this type of marker for my MalTraveler's Scarf partners. This is a scarf "swap" project I'm participating in with 12 other Ravelers. We each start a scarf and knit around 5-6" and then pass it to the next person on our list. They knit the next section until all 12 are done. We are all using Malabigo Worsted yarn but the color changes from person to person. I'm anxious to see how it will look when it is all completed and I will post a pic of the finished scarf. I made those markers to give to each person in my group.

Chelley is interested in learing how to make cables so I got her some birch cable needles and sewed a small accessory case.

I also sewed this reversible project bag modified to make it larger, and gave her the book underneath it, Scarf Style from Interweave press.

For yarn, of course a knitting swap needs yarn, I got her two skeins of Malabrigo worsted in Noveiember colorway and I also included some handspun, this 109 yd. light worsted single of Merino Silk from exclusivelylindalee.