Super-Douper Cheap Arse Secret Pal

I had a missed parcel delivery card in the mail yesterday (Friday), so this morning I went and picked it up - it was a package from my Cheap Arse Secret Pal! And she certainly spoiled me.

The packages were all wrapped up in purple tissue paper, with cute little notes.



First I unwrapped the YARN that my Secret Pal set free from her stash. She suggested using the yarns for making animals, which is so cool, cos I have a great book - World of Knitted Toys by Kath Dalmeny, that I'd love to use more. And sock yarn - you can never have too much, even if you are still yet to finish a pair, right?



Then there was a cute freebie bag from Clinique that I can use for a notions bag, and a gorgeous card. The bag was filled with goodies.





There was also this, which I am very glad had a note explanation, as I would have never guessed what it was!



And this, which is one of the funniest things I have ever seen. Thanks for the "pattern"!



I can not thank my SP enough, the thought that went into all the gifts and notes is amazing and I really appreciate it. I have no idea who it is, since the first parcel she sent came from Australia, and this one is from Canada. Hmmm, I will need to do some investigating!

The Wool Baa Haul

Went to Sheffield for the weekend, and checked out the new Yarn Store that had just opened. It is actually my first time in a cool yarn store - I've been to Japanese yarn stores, Get Knitted's Open Days (which are absolutely amazing, but crowded and limited), and my LYS (which only really sells acrylics, and a small selection of Debbie Bliss). It's called The Wool Baa and the owner was very nice - obviously excited to have a yarn store, and had a good range of Noro, Colinette, and lots of other stuff. She also had lots of nice books and magazines. I leafed through Nicky Epstein's Fabulous Felted Bags, I loved it, especially the Fuschia bag, they are my favourite flowers. She also had lots of store copies of American magazines that I'd never even seen, like Spin Off and the Interweave Knit It.

Anyway, I decided to treat myself and bought some yarn. Even the bag was cool.


And here is my haul.


I got Lana Grossa Cotton Fantasy in two different colour ways, and some Bergere de France Coton Fifty, which is a cotton mix. I got the cotton in a bright red, and green, I plan to make a cute strawberry hat for my nerw step-niece that is due in August.

I bought more sock yarn to celebrate the fact that I have finished my first sock!

I'm not completely happy with the Kitchener Stitching, but I think I will fix it up when I finish the 2nd one, I can do both together. I've already started the 2nd one, done the ribbing cuff and am onto the leg.

Could it be an Almost Sock?

The last few weeks have been a little crazy at work, but now things have calmed down. My glasses have made a BIG difference, I can now knit on small needles again! So I have picked up my sock and made some progress.

I will finish a sock! Then I will be onto the second one!

The knit bag I was making has stalled, as I don't think I have quite enough yarn to finish! I've knit both sides of the bag, but you then use an attached i-cord to seam them together, and there is also an i-cord handle. I think I could use black yarn to do that, but it's just a shame that I can't do it all in my beautiful yarn.

I finished the crochet bag, but I haven't done the lining, might try and do that today. I've got the day off to recover, and chill, and am enjoying myself greatly! Have sent off a package to my Cheap Ass SP, went to the library, and called my best friend and sister in Australia. I plan to spend the rest off the day with a little tidying, knitting, reading and eating!

I received a parcel from my Cheap Ass SP the other week (sorry about my tardy posting, SP!). It contained some yummy Australian Darrel Lea Licorice, my favourite! I gobbled it up in one day. There were also some cute beauty cream samples that I will save for a pampering day. Thanks SP!