For this swap, participants will knit, crochet or sew a handmade autumn-themed item for their swap partner and will send a small (under $5) gift with it.
To quote my friend Jen, who is the amazing organizer of all things swap, and who says it better than I ever could (and who also provided the Anne of Green Gables quote):
Autumn…..sigh…..I have so much love for this season. Pumpkins, candy corn , crisp air, apples, apple pie, maple candy, glorious color, fall migration….. My list could go on FOREVER.
This mini swap celebrates friendship and the beauty of the Fall season. In this swap you will send your secret swap partner a lovely knitted, crocheted or sewn gift reminiscent of Autumn.
You can read all about it here. The important things to know are that sign-ups end September 5th and our mailing deadline is October 3rd.
Crafted possibilities include softees, mug rugs, fall garlands, spa cloths…
Jen’s Patch and Candy Corn – Aren’t they adorable?
Our swaps are so much fun: such a great way to get to know other knitters, to create a lovely gift, and to look forward to receiving a surprise in the mail. Here is the post I wrote after the end of our last swap. I hope you will consider joining us!
The Summer Spa Swap II – A Day at the Beach swap is now complete. It was a great swap; everyone was very creative, and I even designed the Castle Beach Spa Cloth for the swap! I love seeing the generosity poured into these swaps – even into these mini-swaps where we’re limited to spending just a little bit on the packages we send to our SPs (swap partners).
I love that our swaps are secret swaps. No one except for our amazing organizer Jen knows who is sending to whom. It’s such fun figuring out what your SP would like and then plotting and planning and putting together a special gift just for that person. It’s also great fun anticipating getting a package in the mail and then finding out who sent it. And I think our group also has fun admiring the creativity shown in the packages put together by each person as the packages arrive and as pictures and thanks are posted in the group.
One of my favorite things to do after each swap ends is to put together a collage of all the great swap packages – like this one:
I think our next mini-swap might be a Fall/Halloween mini-swap after the Ravellenic Games are over. There is talk of a mini-Advent swap too. Our swaps are great ways to get to know some other knitters a little better, to make a quick little project, and to receive a fun little something too. Come check out the group if this sounds like something you would enjoy.
So, we are having a summer swap in my Ravelry group, and Paula drew this on the envelope for her swap partner. Maybe it was a simple act for her, but it brought joy to her swap partner and, later, to the rest of us. I hope it brings a bit of light and beauty to your day as well.
Dear knitting and crocheting friends, sign-ups have started now through June 16th for the Summer Spa Swap II: A Day at the Beachin my Ravelry group! Our mini-swaps (shout-out to awesome swap organizer, group moderator Jen!) are always so much fun! They are low-stress and low-cost mini-swaps, usually featuring something handmade. From Jen’s post:
This mini swap is all about sending your secret swap partner a mini “pampering kit”. This year we will use the beach as our inspiration. Your kit will include a hand knit or crocheted wash cloth (maybe you have some extra special cotton or linen in your stash?) that has a beachy theme or is inspired by the beach, a pretty and preferably a handcrafted bar of soap and one other fun little pampering item that you think your swap partner would like ($5.00 max).
To make things a little more fun, I’ve designed a new spa cloth to go along with the swap, the Castle Beach Spa Cloth. The pattern will be released next Monday, June 13th. It’s a fun little perk for the swap, but you can make any spa cloth or wash cloth you like for your swap partner. More about the spa cloth next Monday on the blog.
If you’ve followed this blog for long or are a member of the Ravelry group, you have probably seen these collages before. But in the spirit of dragging out old photo albums to browse through familiar and well-loved memories, here are some pics of our previous swaps:
Wuv, Tru Wuv SwapHolly Jolly Christmas SwapSummer Spa Swap ISip and Knit Swap
If you haven’t done a swap before, I invite you to come join us. It’s a great way to get to know each other, to craft something for someone else, and to anticipate receiving a fun package in the mail. Sign up here right away, no later than June 16th. I look forward to seeing you there!!
We just finished the Wuv, Tru Wuv Mini Swap in my Ravelry group. The rules were simple and fun:
Be a member of the group.
Send a small knit, crocheted, or sewn gift, a card and a small treat ($5.00 max) to your secret swap partner.
Participate in the swap discussion at least once a week.
When you receive your package, you must post your thanks as soon as possible and post a photo as quickly as you can.
You must stitch your project with love. 🙂 (My favorite rule!)
Well, I must say, this swap exceeded my expectations. The participants were absolute rock stars! Lovely packages were sent and received, and the hand crafted items were just amazing – creative and beautifully made. Just take a look!
I love the adorable sock monkey Carla made! It’s just too cute and sweet, made in Gnome Acres yarn with a Gnome Acres button. Pattern is Jerry the Musical Monkey by Rebecca Danger.
Torunn, whose knitting talents never cease to amaze me, sent this little guy, a voodoo doll named Valentine, all the way from Norway to her swap partner (SP). Pattern is Voodoo You Love Me by Susan Claudino, and he’s knit in Knit Picks Stroll. The cutest little voodoo doll ever!!!
Melanie made this lovely bag, a Valentine Pouch by Lion Brand Yarn, worked in Lion Brand LB Collection Superwash Merino, for her swap partner. Such beautiful knitting!
This heart made by Janie now makes its home in its new valentine-y environment. So sweet and quintessentially February 14!
I was the fortunate recipient of this swap gift from my friend Stefanie. The card and notebook are wonderfully hand stitched. Love the initials stamped with bleach on the notebook! I love this warm and red turban she made for me…stylin’! Pattern is Turban(d) by Amelie Bernier, knit in Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Worsted Solid in Bold Red. Also included was delicious chocolate!
Half the fun of the swaps, of course, is preparing the gift for your SP. I knit two dishcloths for Torunn, using the pattern From My Heart Washcloth by Tabitha’s Heart. Some conversation hearts, a ceramic button from One of a Kind Buttons, a pretty card and a little Knit=Joy ribbon (thanks, Meg!), and we’re all set! Made with love!
I loved each and every swap package that was sent. Each knitter put her own creative stamp on the theme. Each crafted item was stitched with love. It was truly a perfect Valentine’s Day swap. I am very grateful to everyone for joining in wholeheartedly, and to my friend Jen for doing an amazing job of organizing these swaps. The Wuv, Tru Wuv Mini Swap Collage:
From top down, left to right: Dragon by Heather, Ear Bud Pouches by Alex, Egg to Owl by Diana, Pillowcases by Debby, Coffee Mug Rug by Becky, Cupig and Mug Hug by Susan, Sock Monkey by Carla, Tape Measure by Amber, Dishcloths by Debbie, Voodoo Doll by Torunn, Dishcloths by me, Turban by Stefanie, Cupig by Jen, Heart Garland by Missy, Heart by Janie, Valentine Pouch by Melanie.
And I leave you with this adorable mini dragon made by Heather. Just perfect in pink! And if you read Alex’s blog post linked above, you’ll read the sweetest story about Alex’s daughter’s reaction and this dragon’s new name, Pony Dragon. Adorbs!
Another fun swap is in the books! An overview of the lovely and creative swap packages that jetted across the country in December:
I love that our group is so enthusiastic about the mini swaps, and I’m very grateful to our amazing swap organizer, Jen. A new swap is being organized right now. Knitters, we love to have new group members and new swappers (swapees?). If you’ve been thinking about it, come check it out here. Hurry, though, sign-ups close January 4th!
, crisp air, apples, apple pie, maple candy, glorious color, fall migration….. My list could go on FOREVER.
