Secret Pal 9 Revealed

I received this adorable Teddy Bear in a handknit sweater from my Secret 9 Pal,

JULI from Spindale, North Carolina.

This has been a wonderful exchange!

I'm so happy to have met another online knitting friend with whom I also share an interest in reading.

She seems to accomplish many great things with the

Great Bookmark Exchange

that she started and I enjoy reading her book reviews here at:

BOOKS TO THE SKY.

A busy and talented woman!!

THANK YOU, JULI

and HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY to you too!

Toledo, Ohio Day Trip

My oldest daughter, 17 years old, was selected by the Northern Ohio boys to receive an award at the B'nai B'rith Youth Organization Beau/Sweetheart convention this weekend in Toledo.

I decided to drive up and surprise her at the banquet.

In the afternoon, I visited 2 yarn shops and a bead store.

At Fiberworks Knitting & Weaving

I purchased a new felted bag by Christine Bylmsa which incorporates cables, called

"MAKING WAVES".

They had a great sale section with patterns, yarn and this R2 magazine for less than $1.00

I managed to resist purchasing Classic Elite Paintbox and Brown Sheep Burly Spun - both HANDPAINTED and perfect for more felted bags.

Fiberworks is hosting "Toledo's Annual Super Bowl of Knitting", a fundraiser for Mom's House and Toledo Children's Hospital on Sunday, Feb. 4 from 1 - 4 PM with contests, door prizes, demos, free classes and MORE. I just may have to make a trip back !!

I added two books to my wish list:

"RIBBON STYLE" by Cheryl Potter

and "EASY AFGHANS FOR KNITTERS" edited by Jeanne Stauffer

Next stop, Yarn Company,

where the owner showcased her original patterns and samples of purses and scarves knit with Berroco Suede and Snowflake by Sirdar.

I purchased the "PURSE CHECK" pattern whose look and feel resembles the soft and trendy
"UGG" bags.

I also purchased a skein made up of 5 or 6 different fabrics together, enough to make a scarf with some eyelash mixed in ...... by M.P.'s Folly..... "Each ball a unique work of art waiting to happen"....

At Baubles, Bangles & Beads, I made a simple keychain, by selecting some beads to go between the heart.

Quite a fun day for me here in Northern Ohio !!!

Colinette Ab Fab Throw finished

Colinette Absolutely Fabulous Throw is finished and on daugher # 2's bed. She chose the stripe pattern which made it easy and quick knitting for me!! We still plan to put on fringe but here's a picture for now.........

7 Beautiful hand dyed yarns, hand picked for you and put together in a kit and a pattern book from which you can choose 4 different patterns. I'm sure you could make this from stash but, for some of us, it's nice to have the colors coordinated and pre-selected for us !!

I am very tempted to make another with the color "Sedona" in the scalloped pattern.......

Any Ideas for Berroco Medley?

Can anyone suggest a project for this Berroco Medley yarn? I have approx. 700 yds, it is

75% wool, 15% acrylic, and 10% Nylon.

I started making Brenda's Blanket from the Berroco free pattern website, but I didn't think it looked very good. I couldn't really see the squares or the block pattern it was supposed to develop into.

So, now the question is..... WHAT TO DO WITH IT???

Please leave comment on this post. THANK YOU!!!

And the Winner is.....

Here is my lovely 12 year old daughter helping me pick the winning entry in my News Years Knitting Resolution contest in honor of my 100th post to my blog.....

AND THE WINNER IS:

BRANDY the "crochetnut"

(click on her name to see her blog) whose resolution is to make a Lady Eleanor.

Brandy has chosen the "Weekend Crafter" book as her prize.

The entries for my New Years Knitting Resolution contest were so numerous and interesting that I have decided to choose 2 more winners......

2nd place JENNIFER the

"Knit Wit Girly"

and a fellow Cleveland knitter

(click on her name to see her blog) whose goal is

"to tackle double points to be able to use them w/o fear"

has chosen "Knit Hats"

and 3rd place BABS

(coincindentally, a member of my Cleveland Northcoast Knitting Guild but she lives in Tennessee) has chosen Debbie Bliss Cotton Knits.

Babs resolves "to finish UFO's and current knitted projects before starting another project."

I had 88 responses (emails and comments combined) to my

New Years Knitting Resolution contest.

The most common response was my resolution too...

"Knit from my stash and don't buy any more yarn."

The most unique response was from Jill who said,

"To share my love of knitting with the curious."

Several knitters are ready to take on a new, challenging technique and many of us are dedicated to knitting more for charity this year.

THIS WAS GREAT FUN !!
STAY TUNED FOR MORE CONTESTS IN THE FUTURE !!

Thanks to everyone for participating and your support and enthusiam for my blog !!

Secret Pal 9 Continues

Secret Pal continues with another wonderful package that I just received from

my pal in North Carolina.

The silver "Frienship Ball" is from "Friendship for the Cure" a lovely token to

promote breast cancer awareness.

I can't wait to knit a scarf with the 2 skeins of SARI RECYCLED SILK.

I've always wanted to try this yarn and my pal gave me a sample pattern to use.

The Patons sock yarn will self pattern as I knit - she knew I'm intrigued by these.

Thank you SECRET PAL !!