I got four beautiful skeins of yarn, they're from Beehive Yarns, Paper Stories, Norah George Yarns and Elm Tree Yarns. I'm thrilled to bits with them all, such gorgeous colours.
I'm always happy to support small businesses and you usually get a great buying experience from them. Each of the dyers popped a little extra in the parcel, whether it be a chocolate, a sachet of tea or a stitch marker, however, Elm Tree Yarns really did exceed expectations. I've never bought from this dyer before, though I've had my eye on her wares as she dyes up some beautiful colourways. The one Mick bought me is called Peter Rabbit, inspired by Beatrix Potter's creation. In with the yarn, Dianne, the dyer behind Elm Tree Yarns, included an extra little parcel containing a hand made Peter Rabbit card, a sachet of tea, a chocolate coin and a candy cane. How lovely.
Mick also bought me my first set of interchangeable needles, these are KnitPro Zings and I'm so happy with them. I love how each needle size is a different colour, not only does it make them easier to distinguish from each other, it makes them pretty too.
This cute little chap is hiding a secret. These are HiyaHiya Puppy Snips.
When you pull off his head he turns into a tiny pair of snippy scissors, ideal for popping in your project bag when you're on the go.
These book ends are perfect to keep my craft books in place. I was surprised when I opened this gift as I had no idea that Mick had bought them. He comes up with some great ideas for me and usually buys a mixture of things I've asked for and surprises too.
Here they are in action.
I'm sure you'll agree that I received some wonderful knitty gifts this year.
What lovely gifts, the yarn colours are beautiful, I love the Peter Rabbit inspired yarn, my daughter would love that, I'll have to go and look at the shop.
ReplyDeleteLove the bookends! They had them in a local shop in town but they were very expensive, lucky you :-)
I have some zings and they are very nice to work with.
Hope you enjoy all your prezzies, look forward to seeing what you make with all that yarny loveliness.
I'm so pleased with the yarn, I gave Mick a list of dyers and left the rest to him, I think he made some excellent choices. I had no idea about the bookends but they're perfect for keeping my craft books together. I use Knitpro Zings most of the time now, I have their dpns and fixed circulars but this is my first set of interchangeable needles, I'm looking forward to trying them out.
DeleteLucky girl indeed, some lovely thoughtful presents. Super little extras too, its lovely when suppliers go that extra mile. xcx
ReplyDeleteI love shopping on Etsy as I've always had such great experiences with the sellers on there. I think it makes a purchase all the more special when you feel you've received such a personal touch.
DeleteYou had wonderful gifts, I have to give hubby a list, but we only give one present each. We do give each other a stocking each Christmas morning, full of nice and fun stuff, plus some chocolate. I often love the stocking more than my present.
ReplyDeleteMick's so good at thinking of things to buy for me, though I've got lots of different hobbies and I'm always pleased with what I receive that I think I'm easy to buy for. I don't think gifts need to cost the earth, it's often the small, fun things which are loved the most.
DeleteFabulous gifts! I'm very envious of those knitting needles - as you said they are pretty and useful 😃
ReplyDeleteI've been using Knitpro Zing dpns and fixed circular needles and I've been really pleased with them so I chose the same make when it came to interchangeable needles. I think the colours make them look most attractive.
DeleteOh wow what fabulous gifts I'm so jealous haha, I love the yarn such lovely colours and those needles, enjoy! xx
ReplyDeleteI was thoroughly spoilt with so many lovely gifts. I'm looking for some projects which will show off the yarn, I've settled on just one so far but I'm in no hurry, it's nice being able to just squish the yarn at the moment.
DeleteThese are lovely knitty gifts Jo, you did do well.
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely colour yarn too.
Hope you're keeping warm in this cooler weather.
All the best Jan
I think Mick did well with his colour choices, I love every single one of them and I'm sure they'll knit up into some lovely things. I've just been informed that my gas will be turned off for a full day over the next week or so as they're upgrading all the pipework in the street, I knew it was coming as it's an ongoing project in the area, I was just hoping that it wouldn't happen until the weather had warmed up a bit.
DeleteThose are all lovely gifts, Jo. I especially like the bookends. Clever Mick! :o)
ReplyDeleteI've had some lovely gifts from Mick over the years, he knows me so well that he's quite confident in buying me things I haven't asked for, he knows the things I like.
DeleteSuch beautiful and thoughtful gifts. I loved the bookends, a real delight.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea about the bookends so they were a real surprise when I opened them up. I often wonder how Mick comes up with such good ideas for gifts.
DeleteSome very lovely gifts you've been given Jo. Very lucky indeed. I have the knitpro royale interchangeable needles but for socks at the moment I'm using Christine's one small cirular needle pattern / method. After yours and other peeps recommendations, I did go looking at other 4ply sock yarn, other than wys and king cole etc. The rise from these prices was a shock to say the least. Of course I can appeciate the quality etc but... anyway enjoy your gifts. Cx
ReplyDeleteI had a go at knitting socks on a small circular needle but I couldn't get on with it at all, I much prefer dpns for sock knitting. I appreciate that yarn from independent dyers is a luxury, it's very expensive when you compare it to commercial yarn and I can understand some people not wanting to or not able to splash out on yarn which costs so much. I do still use commercial yarn too but I admit to loving a little luxury in my life.
DeleteWhat wonderful gifts, your husband knows you well. Love the little scissors.
ReplyDeleteThe scissors are so cute, and tiny. I'd have never known you could get scissors so small. They'll be very handy when I'm out and about.
DeleteYou did! I'm sure they will help you make beautiful things all year long.
ReplyDeleteI've certainly got plenty of yarn to knit up now, I won't go short this year. I'm looking forward to trying out the needles, I can't see interchangeable needles being that different to fixed needles but who knows.
DeleteWhat beautiful yarns! I love the Paper Stories red, and the Elm Tree Peter Rabbit creation. Have you decided what you'll knit with them yet?
ReplyDeleteWhat did you think of the Bakewell green tea, I drink gallons of it, I can't get enough!
I've got a sock pattern in mind for the Paper Stories yarn but haven't decided on patterns for the other yarns yet. The Peter Rabbit inspired yarn is DK so I'll probably knit something a bit different with that. I haven't tried the tea yet, I've got quite a few different flavours saved up, I'm not a big tea drinker so I have to be in the mood for a brew.
DeleteLove all your gifts but that yarny deliciousness has me weak at the knees, I am off to stroke the stash before I get trigger happy on a buying spree.
ReplyDeleteIt's so easy, isn't it? Internet shopping is very convenient, but it's very easy to overspend too.
DeleteLovely gifts, I particularly like the red wool in the first photo. I feel like knitting something bright. Love the book ends.
ReplyDeleteI was thrilled with everything I received. I've got a pattern in mind for the red wool, I think that one will be cast on quite soon.
DeleteThose yarns are simply delicious! The other gifts are super too, and like you I do enjoy it when there is a little something extra in a parcel!
ReplyDeleteIt feels very special when I'm knitting with such gorgeous yarn so I've definitely been spoilt with this little lot, I shall enjoy using them. I think it makes such a difference when you buy off someone who's made an effort, even the packaging from these independent dyers makes it exciting to receive the parcel.
DeleteWhat lovely surprises from both Mick & the yarny suppliers. Look forward to seeing what comes off the needles this year. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThe little extras which sellers pop in the packages are always lovely to receive, they're like a little gift in themselves.
DeleteOh WOW,what Stunning gifts.I love that yarn,the colours are soooo Beautiful,I like them all.Any ideas about what you might create with them yet.Love those lil snippets sooo cute,and the needles,what a great idea.Of cours the bookcases,can never have too many.How is Archie doing.Huggles xx
ReplyDeleteThe yarn is just what I'd have chosen myself so Mick did really well with the colours. I've got a project earmarked for the red yarn but I'm still pondering over the rest. Archie's doing really well, thank you for asking. He's back to himself again now, but of course, the heart problem is always a worry.
DeleteMore than wonderful, I would say - those yarns are beautiful! And the snips - super cute. I use circular needles almost exclusively, regardless of whether I'm knitting in the round or not, so I wouldn't be without interchangeables. In fact, I was so happy with the one set I had, I purchased another set - very handy for those of us that often have more than one project on the go.
ReplyDeleteI'm a recent convert to circular needles, in fact, I can't remember now when I last used straight needles. I know lots of people have more than one set of interchangeable needles, I suppose it's handy when you've got lots of projects on the go. I'd like to build up my collection and get more sizes.
DeleteFantastic gifts, Jo. How nice when the people in your life really 'get' you.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
That's very true. I know that Mick listens to me because he always buys me things I like, even if I haven't mentioned them.
DeleteAbsolutely brilliant, how lucky you are!
ReplyDeleteI'm so lucky, I'm always bought such wonderful gifts.
DeleteI bet you wanted to start a project immediately on Christmas day! Since I've started to quilt my family buy me fabric. It's lovely because it means that my thoughts of the donor - and their choices for me - become part of the quilt. I hope that the older members of your family are ok this week. Jx
ReplyDeleteIt certainly does make you want to knit all the more when you've got such luscious yarn. I think that's true about thoughts of the person who bought you the yarn or fabric being a part of the project it's made into, I hadn't really thought about that before. Only two trips to the hospital this week, better than last week, though one's quite worrying. Hope your week has gone better than last week.
DeleteYou are so lucky, what great gifts. The little scissors are just brilliant
ReplyDeleteMy kids are all pretty good at getting me things I really want but that is because we have a shared shopping list app (used all year round for food shops - you use the last you put it on the list type of thing) but for birthdays and Christmas we make lists of what we'd like. I've found being very specific is good, they get it right and it's easy for them! I had two lovely clover amour hooks this year :-)
I'm so thrilled with everything I received. The shopping list app sounds like a good idea, I usually write a wish list of things I'd like, so I get bought things off that, but Mick likes to surprise me too and it's brilliant because he always gets it right. I've seen the Clover Amour hooks but I've never tried one, they look lovely and comfortable to use though.
DeleteThe yarn looks beautiful and I love those scissors! :)
ReplyDeleteThe yarn is really luxurious, I shall definitely enjoy knitting with it.
DeleteSuper stash to keep you busy in the coming months.
ReplyDeleteMy DS bought me some new dock needles as he'd heard me saying to his dad i was going to get some more.
My luxury stash is building up nicely, I'm definitely going to be able to knit some beautiful things with it. How lovely that your son bought you something he knew you wanted, I think it means all the more when they've taken the time to really listen to you and know what you want.
Deletewow, what great gifts.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy with them all.
DeleteYou did well. I like the tiny scissors and the book ends.
ReplyDeleteHappy knitting. xx
The book ends were a real surprise, I wasn't expecting them at all, and the scissors will be very handy.
Deleteooh I've got some some of those little scissors somewhere, which I have never used! What fabulous bookends and the wool is divine too! I was strong, with zero wool purchases for Christmas. But since I've over 200 balls on ravelry, I think I'm okay! Ha.
ReplyDeleteThe scissors are so cute, they're ideal for popping in my project bag when I'm on the go. I'm really pleased with all the gifts, all very useful. I think you've got plenty of yarn in your stash, and no doubt you'll be adding to it throughout the year too.
DeleteYou certainly did! I love those book ends! It's always great to actually receive gifts that you want and are useful.xxx
ReplyDeleteI'm so lucky, my family know me so well and they always buy me things which I love.
DeleteWhat a wonderful group of yarny gifts!
ReplyDeleteI was very spoilt at Christmas, I love everything I received.
Delete