New Swap Blog is up

http://mittenswapthree.blogspot.com/

Go on over if you are interested in joining the next round.

Check in

How is everybody doing? Are the final packages just about ready to go?

Goodies!!!

My buddy is Helen, and she sent me a mini-package in the mail today. Check out the goods. Apparently this is to whet my appetite - the mittens are yet to come and I'm pretty excited.
Thank you Helen!!!
There was a vanilla guest soap (already in my guest bathroom), some stitch markers (perfect, as I have lost all of mine), a pair of circulars (YES!), a magazine I can't wait to rip into, a lovely card, a box of assorted teas (I am brewing the White Rose one as I type), and a mint flavoured foot cream that smells so delicious my mouth watered when I smelled it!
THANK YOU this is very generous :)
Love your downstream buddy, Kris

Swap Status Post

Since some packages have been sent and received, I am going to start this post now. Please remember to post when you have mailed and/or received, so I can update your status. This worked well to keep the info organized in the last round.

Amy partner has received; received
Anne partner has received; waiting
Carissa partner has received; received
Carolyn partner has received, received
Cary partner has received; received
Cheryl partner has received; received
Chris partner has received; received
Christine partner has received; received
Deb partner has received, received
Debb V partner has received; received
Ebony partnr has received; received
Emma partner has received; received
Felicia partner has received; received
Gail partner has received; received
Helen partner has received; received
Ina partner has received; received
Irene partner has received; received
Jenn partner has received; received
Jessica partner has received; received
Katie partner has received; waiting
Kim F. partner has received; received
Kimberly partner has received; received
Kris partner has received; received
Lori partner has received; received
Margaret partner has received; received
Mia received
Paula partner has received; received
Theresa partner has received; received
Zabrina received (has emailed me on 9/20/08 apologizing for being late and has promised to follow through)

Round 3 question

I did a little contest at the end of the last round and am going to do one for this round too since we are almost 100% done with packages being sent and received.

For those of you who don't know this, this is a one man show. I coordinate everything myself, I hunt down flakers (which fortunately we have not had to deal with during this round), and I put up the prize for the contest I do.

We had so much involvement in the swap this time around, that I would like to make it even more fun next time around and do a few contests.

If you know anybody who would be willing to sponsor us by offering up contest prizes or even offer our swap members a discount, please have them contact me at mittenexchange at gmail dot com. I welcome anything and everything fiber related.

Thanks!

Look-ee Look-ee!

Beautiful patterned mittens!!!
The goodies! Some wonderful flavors for water...can't wait to try! Some gorgeous yarn, some awesome knitting patterns (I want to make that Shallow Tail shawl- that will be a first ever!)
They fit perfectly for my large/long hand! Thank you so much!!...and just look at the adorable bird on my thumb! LOVE the colors, too!

Thank you very much knitting pal!

Update!

Just wanted to check in and be sure I properly thanked Mia for sending me a box of goodies while she finishes up my mittens.

More details on my blog, but here's a quick pic of the loot!



Thanks Mia!

Check in for the week of 4/19 - 4/25

I need check-ins from Mia, Felicia, Helen, Katie and Zabrina.

Thank you Katie and Deb

I received my package from Katie. Katie is the person behind YarnLove yarns...I didn't know that until recently. My mitten request was for my DS1GF and Katie spun, dyed and desined these beauties. I also received some exquiste yarn and yarn wash...thank you so much Katie. Everything is wonderful!!!Here is the cutie wearing her new mittens!

Also I had won a contest during the first swap and sweet Deb sent me this...I have coveted this pattern. I can't wait to make them...thanks so much!

Check in for the week of 4/12 - 4/18

Sorry if you have been looking for this post today. I am running a little late.

I need check-ins from Mia, Felicia, Helen, Katie and Zabrina. We're down to the last 5 packages ladies. WOOT!! (You guys rock!)

Please also remember to post here on the blog when you get your package so I can update your partner's record.

I am traveling out of town next week, so if we are still waiting on any of these last 5, please check into an existing post on the blog with your progress for the week of 4/19 (either the status post or this post please).

Thanks everyone!

Small Brag

Hey everybody!
Since my buddy has gotten her package (and hopefully was good and surprised), here are a couple more pics of my mittens.
I am really proud of these ones. They are the first mittens I have ever knit. They were a lot of fun and I kept imagining how nice it would be to make something very special for my buddy, who is very special to her very large family. :)

My swap package

Oh goodness ladies, I think I received the best swap package ever sent in yesterday's mail. It's wonderful! I got not just one but two pairs of mitts. Lovely cream, green, and pink Norweigen style mittens and a lovely pair of cabled fingerless gloves. Also in the box were chocolates, Scottish Tea (and I am Scottish Kris, maiden name Crawford), a beautiful ball of Noro sock yarn which I can not wait to try out, an adorable stuffed lamb and some very pretty colors of roving. Take a look!

Package arrived!

The mittens are amazing. The stitches are so tiny and I knit socks and they seem tiny. And the mitts are so soft. It's hard to see, but the main body of the mitts have a "lice" pattern with a yarn that changes colors.

I was reading the card and had to skip the word "lice" in front of my kindergartener. Didn't want her to think that mommy's mittens had "cooties".

Ghiradelli hot chocolate. The Lacy Knitting of Mary Schiffmann. And two skeins of Hand Dyed 100% laceweight silk from Red Barn Farm www.redbarnfarm.net. It always blows my mind to see these little skeins and see that the yardage is 400 yards. I'll have to come up with a special project for it.

And when I went to pick up my daughter from morning kindergarten and everyone was complaining that it was cold, I was kinda psyched that I could try my mitts ;)

Thank you Carissa!!

Check in for the week of 4/5 - 4/11

It's that time again and you all know the drill.

Please check in if your partner has not posted that they have received your packa to let me know what your status is. We're coming down to the last few people here. What a great group!

Jessica's Bird In Hand Mittens

I didn't want to post these pics before because I was worried Jessica would know they were for her! I didn't tell Jessica that the mittens hung out in a little California sunshine on my rose bush before heading East.

This is the reverse side and I put the flower only on one of them because I wanted to have something to differentiate which hand it was when you pic them up. Not knowing much about Jessica personally, I did not put the bird on the thumb. It is cute but if you are not a whimsical person, I thought it might be too much.

These are the first mittens I have ever knit. And as Jessica mentioned I did have struggles starting out, not that mittens are difficult to knit, but just getting gauge. I discovered, like many of you probably did that it is not easy to knit something to fit for someone you cannot see or try it on! I wanted them to be perfect and they are not, but you know, sometimes you have to give yourself a little talking too and tell yourself to "let it go"! LOL The Bird in Hand pattern was the 5th one I attempted and I like it and probably will do it again for myself.

Thanks everyone for making the exchange fun!

A perfect gift

Theresa, after telling me about five times about the difficulties she was having making her first pair of stranded mittens, sent these beauties along. They are, of course, perfect, and fit great. I'm delighted with them: toasty, pretty, and great colors. Of course, no package is complete without a California dishcloth, so I now the proud Philadelphian who can scrub her pots with a state map. The goodies are rapidly disappearing, and I'm rubbing my hands in glee trying to think of all the good things I can do with the Kureyon sock (how did Theresa know which colorway I've been coveting...). I haven't even begun to look at the beautiful flower photos on the cards--I may have to give these to my mother, though, who's an even more avid gardener than I am.

p.s. Still without camera, so Theresa should forgive my terrible cell-phone photo that doesn't do her work justice. I feel particularly bad about doing this to a real photographer...

I am so excited!

Done! Finito!
I am finally done all the goody-gathering and end-weaving and all the rest.
I do not want to spoil my buddy's surprise, just in case. So, this is all you get to see - for now!
But here's a preview of her parcel, heading out TOMORROW!!!
It may take a bit of extra time since it has to travel over a border (I'm not gonna say which one). I really hope she likes everything!

This is my package I received today, it was filled with goodies and yarn as well as my mittens

This is the package I sent out to my swap partner, I added some Canadian yarn and goodies

I

Package arrived

I just received my package today from Debb V. The mittens and yarn are lovely as well as the stitch markers and the other goodies in the box. I have to go out this evening so I will post pictures soonest. The swap has been fun.

Package received

I have received my package from Cheryl.


They are beautiful, what a gorgeous pattern,

and the little picot edge is just adorable.

She also sent me the Smitten mittens book by Mission Falls, and the yarn requirements to make the Henia mittens, some lovely tea and the Piecework knitting magazine. Thank you so much, I just adore everything!

Check in for the week of 3/30-4/4

There are still quite a few people waiting for mittens. Please finish up as quickly as possible.

Debb has not checked in so I will be emailing her separately. I NEED a status update please. Everyone else seems to be on track but I still need a check in if you have not completed your obligations..

Please also remember to post when you receive your mittens so we know that another person's obligations have been completed.

Non-mitten knitting question -- PETITES

Hello all!
Does anybody have any resources for knitting for petites? I am short and NEVER satisfied when I knit stuff for myself - things always end up making me look awful simply because just about all patterns for sweaters are proportioned for people with longer bodies! Do any of you have a good method for changing stuff for short folks like me, or do you know of any special "petite" knitting resources, or books that might help me understand how to make things actually fit so that I don't look like I am wearing my dad's clothes? I am getting sad not to really ever be able to make nice stuff for myself, but I don't really find just making things "shorter" in terms of length is quite enough - often the shaping just doesn't work out either.
Just thought I'd ask. Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

April's Almost Here

And still it is chilly enough in the morning to wear mittens, LOL. How is everyone doing? There will be another round of this in the fall, correct?

package sent

Due to death of camera, only bad cellphone pictures. But, here's the completed mittens: I love them dearly, and very much hope my partner feels the same. There's only lining in the wrist (but its pure cashmere, babies), because otherwise they were going to be too small (the main pattern ended up at 10 st/in, reducing the ease). Package sent on Friday, hope it arrives Monday.

My Package Arrived!

Today I received a wonderful package from Amy and these BEAUTIFUL mittens which fit perfectly! She put so much attention to detail - an amazing package which you can read about on my blog and see all the other goodies! THANK YOU!

Yay! My Package has Arrived!

wonderful package from Cary arrived during the week. I don't get to see my mail until the weekends, since I live on post (Army) and my mail is sent to my parents house. I got wonderful goodies to enjoy.


My mittens are the Honeycomb Mittens and they fit wonderfully. I also got some lovely handmade soap and a candle, along with fiber to spin from "Ebony", a corriedale ewe whose roving was handspun and included in the making of the mittens. To top it off there was tea for me to try and Jamieson & Smith Laceweight Shetland along with a pattern to work it up in and stitch markers to use. Everything was wonderful and I can't wait to try everything out.


Ebony

Check in for week 3/22-3/28

The following people have not checked in for the past two weeks. (I'm hoping it is just an oversight).

Debb V
Kimberly L
Zabrina
Jessica
Mia
Felicia

If your partner has not posted on this blog that they have received your package, I will need you to continue to check in. if they have posted on their own blog or email, please forward to me or give me a link to their post so I can verify. (If your name is not in blue in the status post you must check in with me)

Thanks everyone!

Thank You, Deb

My mittens arrived and with them the revelation that my upstream pal is none other than our hostess with the mostest, Deb! I love my new embellished mittens and swap loot.

   

Thank you, Deb, for all that plus a well-organized swap experience. I do feel spoiled! For details, see my blog.

Happy Cary ~ Fiery Mittens

Happy, happy, happy ;)

I received my mittens, tucked away amidst many other thoughtfully wonderful surprises all the way from Washington state and my swap partner, Chris

Here is a snapshot of the goodies:



But since the mittens are the star of the show, I felt they deserved a photo all their own:



Aren't they scrumptious? I believe Chris designed them herself. She titled them Firebrick and the picture of them along with the other things really shows the color more accurately. I LOVE them!!!

Now, also in the package was lots of yummy tidbits of luxury and unusual fibers...a sampler box. Since I am a spinner as well as a knitter this was a truly thoughtful gift! And then, totally unexpected, a Japanese knitting book full of mittens, hats and socks!!! Can you believe it?!? Of course, I can't decipher a bit of the written instruction, but the charts should be easy enough to follow and I have been savouring the artistic photos...they are really neat! I also have some Maizy yarn to try out and a soap that smells so good ~ very fresh and clean and spring like.

But of course, the best thing of all from this swap was the chance to get to visit with Chris. We have a great many things in common, and I look forward to keeping in touch and following her career as this year goes by.

Sure have enjoyed this swap! The weather here in Michigan is definately still cold enough for mittens, but I am also looking forward to trying out the Maizy yarn Chris included for some summer time knitting...Thank you SOOOOO much, Chris, for being such a good partner ;)

On there way

My mittens and package are on the way, I am not sure how long it will take to get there from Canada, hopefully not too long.

mmm...raspberries, mint, strawberry, orange

What could be better?

Fresh from my mailbox, here's Ebony's delightful gift package. The mittens are an incredible, gorgeous raspberry/minty green combo with a touch of strawberry at the cuffs - seriously, I just want to eat them. Beautiful execution, and they fit perfectly.

And I tell you, I'm just ecstatic over the orange Watershed from Neighborhood Fiber Co yarn - I've been itching to do a skinny scarf in something bright to stave off the late winter blahs, and this will be perfect. Ebony also included two lovely patterns for mittens and a hat with roses, my favorite flower. How did you know?

Thanks Ebony! I love your work, and am so proud to now have official Ebony mitts!

On Their Way

A package is on its way to someone...


And look at the goodies I found in the mail yesterday!


I didn't even have to stalk my mailman. Awesome purple and green stripey mittens. The Tiffany mitten pattern with yarn, and pretzels. Thanks, Paula! You totally made my day (and my hands were nice and warm while walking to class tonight). Apparently these were her first mittens, and let me tell you she did a great job.

All things come to an end...

Some things just have more ends than others.

I finished my mittens last night, wove in all the ends and damp-blocked them overnight. I'm really pleased with how they came out, and I hope my pal likes them too.

Sea Mineral Mittens by SpillyJane
1.75 mm (US 00) dpns
Knitpicks Palette in Nutmeg, Sky, Verdant Heather, Hyacinth, Golden Heather, and Blush

The mittens, along with a bunch of other goodies, are all boxed up and winging their merry way out of Downeast Maine as I type.
Are they heading to you???

Almost done

Well, some ripping and experimenting delayed my progress on these, but they are about to be washed and blocked, so off by Wednesday. I hope she likes them. I went a little overboard with complexity. It is a combo of a pattern from Norsk Strikkedesign for the curlicues, and a modification part of the pattern from "Katherine Howard." Note to increase the silly Renaissance-y feel, I made a line of bobble "buttons" on the inner wrist side.

Mittens Were Sent Late Last Week

I did send my package off to my Pal, hoping she receives them today or tomorrow. here they are in all their glory

In the Mail!

Here are my finished mittens!

Here is the final product, I hope she likes them, They are the tiffany mittens from knitty. I used classic wool and a brand from Cabin Fever for the green. They are all wool and should keep her hand warm

I love my buddy

I am just sending out random bits of love to my upstream and downstream buddies.
xoxoxoxo
Who loves ya, babies?!
:)
Kris

Finished

Finally. The mittens I have made for my partner are done in Nature Spun Worsted Weight. I wanted to make some thick, sturdy mittens for deep winter weather. The pattern for the hand is taken from Latvian Mittens, and worked out well at this size. The mittens and other assorted goodies will be mailed on Monday.

Check in for week 3/15-3/21

ugggghhhh I just typed up this huge post and got an error when I tried to publish it.


Please continue to check in each week if any portion of your swapping experience is not completed yet. If you are still knitting that's ok. Just keep in contact with your partner and check in here week.

When you receive your package, please post a picture so we can enjoy it with you. I will continue to update the status post. When your name is entirely in blue you can stop checking in if you'd like.

Remember to check back here towards the end of August for a link to the blog for Round 3. I need a little break and I think the repeat "offenders" [lol] probably need one too.

This has been a great round. I really appreciate everyone's participation!

Socks In The Snow

The mittens I made for my partner are finished and on their way, too ;) Before they left the midwest, though, they just had to play in the melting snow one last time!



I posted another picture on my blog that isn't as fun as this one, but shows the colors in the mitten better, if you care to look. This picture actually shows the mitten on the left turned wrong side out...I think it is nearly as attractive as the right side - LOL! And carrying the yarn along as I did, it made a really warm mitten, nearly two layers thick!

I hope my partner likes it. As several others has said, I had trouble getting even close to gauge with the Latvian mitten pattern I had picked out at first. Then I remembered this pattern that I had always wanted to try, so made it instead using nearly all of my partners stated favorite colors ;) It is definately not boring!

I know there is more mitten wearin' weather to come before spring really arrives, but as I think you can see in the mitten picture, our snows are melting and the pine trees are shedding some needles. Robins have returned, too!

Well I finished my mittens for my partner and they are just being blocked. So I will put my parcel together and mail them out. I will post a picture when they are dry

Help! What would you do?

Oh no! I've just realized that my mittens are slightly different in size. I seem to have put one or two rows extra before the thumb gusset increases in the first mitten. Should I frog the second mitten? Should I leave it the way it is? I made these cuff up, but I'm considering cutting the cuff off, knitting a few extra rows in the area before the thumb gusset, and then re-knitting the cuff down. Does that make sense? The difference isn't too noticeable. I've tried them on, and so has my SO, and they seem to be just fine, but I worry that my swap partner will mind. I'm also worried that now I won't be able to make the deadline. I'm a pretty fast knitter, but I still have to block these and then embroider them.

What does everyone think I should do?

Many thanks!

It's taken me a couple days to make Blogger accept my photos... Lookie what arrived in my mailbox a couple days ago!!!

This super-cute but unassuming-looking little case came to me from Carolyn in Chicago. It sprung open to reveal so many wonderful goodies!

The mittens, front and center, first and foremost, are awesome. They're knit from the White Witch pattern, from Knitting Daily (a pattern that made it into my Ravelry queue, but not my needles...) and they're fantastically soft and warm. A good thing since the temperature had "warmed up" to 26 F by the time I opened the box. I love the colors, and they fit perfectly.

Carolyn also included a gorgeous skein of Dream in Color's "Classy," a worsted weight yarn, and the "Bird in Hand" mitten pattern. I can hardly wait to cast on!

The last little surprise (which, sadly, has been mostly consumed by now) was a little box of the most delectable handmade chocolates, which are locally made in Carolyn's area. Don't you just love the little "Owner's Manual?"

Thank you so much, Carolyn. Your mittens will warm my hands for years to come!