knitters treat exchange

Good news ! My knitters treat package arrived, and I am absolutely loving everything. Lots of thought went into assembling this package. Wendee in Seatle has really spoiled me.

In it was :
- a skein of alpaca-silk blend, together with a pattern to knit a lavender sachet and of course, some lavender.
- a skein of Mountain colors Goat in the 'ruby river' colorway (will make a nice hat !)
- stitch markers, made by Wendee
- chocolates in a little box, and a bar of dark chocolate (with the strange but tasty combination of 'french breadcrumbs'
- a recipy for a yoghurt cake with citrus glazing (went out to do the groceries today, and made sure to put everything I need on my shopping list)
Not in the picture - a bottle of soap liquid, and a magazine (blueprint - Martha Stewart group)

Wendee carefully attached little notes on everything, with a word about the object and why she had selected that one.

I must say that this package has opened my eyes on US retail. I always imagine the US as big chain stores, not much in the way of individual, personal retail shops (can't express this exactly, I hope you know what I mean).
Of course, I have only been once to the US, and that was in Kentucky. We used to do home exchange for holidays, and we went were they wanted us (Belgium is not really big on the list of desirable holiday destinations). In Lexington, KY, it was just too hot to go outside much. We visited the mall, and drove around a bit. The people were very nice, but as I didn't like the climate, it was not a great holiday. On top of that, my DH broke his wrist. I want to visit the states again one time, but DH is not much in favor of it. And then, I would like to visit more northern states. Anyhow, it won't be the next years, because our kids will start their universitary studies, and that will cut in the budget.

The chocolate was divine (emphasis on was). DD and I shared it together. Now we live in a country with very good chocolate, and this one could compare with Belgian chocolate. Dark and lots of flavor, without being overly sweet.

This was really a treat exchange ! thanks again Wendee

And I am glad to say that the package I sent to Sarah, was equally received enthousiastically. It's a nice feeling to spoil somebody, and to be spoiled. That's what these exchanges are all about for me. I know it doesn't always end up this good, and I feel double lucky to have such nice exchange partners

no knitting - knitters treat exchange.

Chris was so nice to send me a skein of Kureyon for my Lizard ridge afghan. This is color 164. I tried knitting a few rows, but had to stop. It looks like there will be no knitting in the near future (or very limited knitting). The side of my hand (at the base of the tumb) hurts like hell every time I try to knit. Writing by hand is painfull too, but fortunately I can still type. I have decided to try rest and ice. Maybe it goes away quickly.


I have gone shopping for my SP10 spoilee. She lives in the Netherlands, so I can write to her in Dutch. She wanted to try some natural summer yarns. And opportunity for me to buy cotton, bamboo and bamboo/cotton blends in lime green and turqoise. (sorry, no picture) I hope she likes everything. Altough we live in different countries, I suspect the brands of yarn she can get are mostly the same. So I hope she hasn't tried these out.

I also joined another exchange, namely Knitters treat exchange. Not only is this a nice way to get surprises in the mail, but also an opportunity to get to know other knitters.
Here are my answers to the knitters treat questionnaire :


1. What's your favourite type of yarn?
I like all natural yarns, but I really like anything with a bit of silk in it. I once made a cashmere/silk scarf for my son, but sadly managed to felt it the week after I knitted it.

2. What's your least favourite type of yarn?
100% manmade fibers, and I am allergic to angora. I do believe there is a use for every yarn.

3. What's the first thing you do when you visit a new yarn shop?
Look around, and look out for the sock yarns ! Sometimes I have an idea for a project (say a Clapotis) and ask about fiber suggestions for that particular project. But if they have a nice display of projects, I might get inspired by those too.

4. What other crafts do you do / would like to do?
Spinning looks interesting, but I don't think I would like to build another stash. I like designing a quilt, but don't like all the cutting and sewing ! I also do a bit of crochet, but it has more limited uses then knitting.

5. What magazines do you currently subscribe to?
Interweave knits. I can buy Vogue knitting locally, and buy an issue if I like it. Other magazines are harder to get. There is no real knitting magazine in Dutch, I do like the general craft magazine 'Handwerken zonder grenzen'.

6. Put this type of magazine in order of preference:
Knitting / Crochet / Other Craft / Food / Home / Fashion / Celebrity Gossip / Garden
I like this order of preference ! I am not into gardening at all, and celebrity/gossip is not my kind of thing either.

7. What items do you like to knit / crochet?
the occassional sweater, afghans, socks and smaller objects. I have tried lace knitting, but am still new to that (and lace weight yarn is hard to get here).

8. Are you allergic to anything?
Angora yarn

9. What do you like to* smell of?
(*This is not a typo. The question is: What do you like to smell of)
Don't know if I understand this correctly, but I like anything citrus-y

10. What's your favourite way to relax?
Knit and have a good glass of wine (but not at the same time!)

11. You're stood in front of a Victorian style sweetshop, an Italian cafe, an old fashioned bakery and a dainty tea room. Where do you go first?
I would chose the bakery

12. What do you come out with?
Fresh baked bread and croissants ? And if they sell dark chocolate, I would thake that too (any bakery here in Belgium sells chocolate)

13. Where do you go next?
to the library to get a good book, and then to the park to eat the chocolate and start the book

14. Any other words of wisdom for your pal?
I trust she (or he) is probably wise enough