Monday, January 08, 2007

Winter warmth from across the seas

In my pre-blogging-lurking stage I used to think it rocked that relative strangers would exchange home-crafted goodies, especially when it was across generations, countries or languages. Perhaps i'm horribly judgemental, but I find the list of words ending the sentence 'I have little time for someone that's .....' is not as short as I would like. I realise that no one characteristic can or should define your interaction with a person, but I have very chippy shoulders. This is why the idea that you could invest so much care, attention, time, money and creativity into something for someone that you don't know seemed so remarkable to me. It really emphasises the lovely, generous, friendly nature of crafters and a solidarity that too often gets lost in (the endless list of) social, cultural, economic, generational and national divisions. It's a focus on what we have in common over the things that divide.


The whole swap thing is new to me (Bells was my first never-sighted swapee), but I had a fantastic time doing a scarf swap with Melissa. I'd been looking for an excuse to make the mistake rib scarf in last minute knitted gifts. I thought one ball of Noro was impressive, but two is even better (or three, this is kureyon colours #88, #128 and two of #147).


This pattern is easy, quick and brings out the colours in kureyon brilliantly. But most importantly, Melissa liked it and (I think) it looks fantastic on her! Swap success, no?


But I was only half way there. When I got back from Christmas holidays I had such a wonderful package waiting for me. I don't know how she knows (some sort of sophisticated cookie-stalking when I browse online yarn stores perhaps?) but she somehow managed to pick not only a yarn I was bitching that we couldn't get here, but the exact colourway I would have picked. She also included some soap...we ran out the day we left for holidays and the shops were closed when we got back. Freaky hey.


There were lots of other goodies in the package, knitpicks yarn (we can't get this either), chocolate (nasty woman), and a very hilarious 1964 edition of Needle and Yarn (which I will share later). But she also included some of her wonderful home-made gocco cards. I saw these on her blog and thought they were brilliant. I like them so much I don't want to use them. Ever. Get away from them!


Thank you so much Melissa. I'm glad we lost our (International) swap virginity together :).

Edited to add: the yarn is Manos del Uruguay, (of course!)

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Those scarves are gorgeous, so colourful and I love the whole rooled up look too!! A lovely swap!!!

Bells said...

how good do those scarves look!!!! I'm in love.

And you're right. Doing a swap with a sigh unseen person is really cool. I was a big fan of having penfriends in the pre-internet world. The internet has just made me love doing it even more! It's good to find good people around the world.

It was a pleasure to be your first swappee BP. I can't believe i was your first. You give very good Swap. :-)

Rachael Elswyk said...

What a great swap! I'm now in lust with Noro K, LMKG, and that scarf......ummm thanks I think??

SadieandLance said...

Cheers to losing your swap virginity BP - I knew it would happen sooner or later...despite some of those conversations early on in your blogging life!

Anonymous said...

Such pretty scarves. What a Great swap!

KnittyLynn said...

You scored and did a great gifting. Both the scarves are lovely!

melissa said...

yay! i'm so glad our swap was a success. sort of scary, but in the end, lots of fun. and i've still yet to take your scarf off...it has become my wear-every-day scarf this winter. :)

Sourire11 said...

Those are beautiful scarves! I've been wanting to make that one from LMKG for awhile now, too... I love the colors you chose!

lobstah said...

Wow, both scarves are sooo pretty! Sounds like a fun swap. I still haven't done a swap as I am deathly afraid of knitting deadlines. Also, the nearest decent yarn shop is almost three hours from me so it makes it kinda difficult to shop!

Meg said...

Wow, you both scored well in that swap!

Sue said...

Isnt it great swapping pressies with someone from another land, whom you have never met. They will hold a special place in your heart you know. I love the scarves, and the card is very cute. I wouldnt use it either.

SoulCradler said...

Well done ladies, they are both very, very beautiful! I love the pattern on the one that you received, BrownPants. I'm so glad the experience was good for you both.

E said...

Those scarves are great! Such beautiful colours. I wish we could wear scarves here. I've yet to take the plunge with a swap - perhaps I should try soon.

Louise said...

happy 2007 - fabulous scarves - only today I found myself in John Lewis dept store caressing Kureyon - what a lucky swappee. look forward to hearing more about your projects over the next year. Lx

Anonymous said...

my my, what pretty scarves... kinda makes me want to knit one! So good to find another regina spektor fan, i cannot take that album off my playlist, soooo good. ooh, grey's anatomy is back tonight, i'm so excited i just might pee a little! I got season 1 and 2 on dvd for christmas and I've been watching non-stop for days... is that sad? i don't care. i love it.