So when I got home today, I had a special package waiting for me from my SP8. She is from England. It arrived a couple of days after I left for Hawaii so it’s been sitting around for about a week. I told Michael not to open it because I wanted to get the “full surprise”! And a surprise it was! She sent me an awesome package with a vintage knitting needle box filled with vintage needles of all different sizes, an organic handmade sweet smelling soap, Mission Falls “Just Kidding” book (I’ve been wanting this one forever!), TWO, count em TWO adorable sweaters (knitted by her) for the boys, a framed “R” and “E” hand colored letters ready to hang in their room, and 3 Mission Falls yarns! What a great SP8 I have! I am so lucky!!!

On first opening, look at how pretty everything is! ooooohhhhh, Mission Falls Yarns, my favorite!!! what pretty colors! Look at these vintage hand colored letters! And the most incredible of all, she knitted these TWO sweaters for the boys!!! Aren’t they the coolest? Here is the whole package unwrapped

So this morning Michael allowed me to sleep in until 11am. And then after that, I went out in search of more yarn shops to update on my yarn shops page. I am so super addicted to getting this page done. Last night I mapped out a whole route of 9 stores. I ended up dropping 2 of them so that I don’t take up too much time. So, for 3 hours, I was criss-crossing the city looking for stores. It is so much fun, it’s like treasure hunting.

On the way to one of the stores, I passed by this cool furniture store that sells Stokke brand furniture. I’ve only heard of the super outrageously expensive kinderchair, but they had adult chairs too. And yes, they were ridiculously expensive (like 2k), but ridiculously comfortable. I was very attracted to one chair called the “Gravity” and it is the most comfortable chair I have ever sat in. It is like a La-Z-Boy, but not as offensive looking. Kind of like IKEA’s version of a La-Z-Boy, but it is very well made and just like floating on a cloud. It is a little bit scary reclining in it, since it is like a rocking chair, but the sales person practically jumped into the chair and it was fine. The thing that was the most cool was that I talked to the sales person entirely in German and she didn’t switch to English. I was so happy. Making some progress. I told her maybe my husband will buy me this chair for my birthday. (Hint Hint) By the way, my new yarn site is at http://www.mountainwerks.org/MunichYarnShops. Check out all my hard work!!!

I also went chocolate shopping for my SecretPal8. She is a chocoholic, so I figured for my first batch I will get her a bunch of Munich-made or German-made truffels. I couldn’t decide on which one, so I basically got her one piece of everything that they had. I also bought some chocolate for “hot chocolate”. I am also sending her some of those candy chocolate eggs that are so popular with the kids. She has 3 kids herself, so hopefully they will join in on the fun too.

Here are the questions and answers for my secret pal. In case any of you are wondering, here is how it works. On the secret pal website, I sign up and tell them I would like to participate. Then they choose a pal for me to give gifts to and then someone else to give gifts to me. That person will read my blog from time to time to get to know me and my likes/dislikes and send me something that they think I will like. It could be hand made or books or whatever, but this particular “swap” is for knitters only so we have that in common. This is my first one to participate in so I’m really excited!

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I love Mission Falls yarns, although I haven’t tried some of their “new” stock, supposedly it’s differnt. I also like Rowan yarns.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have an old needle storage case, that is still buried in boxes since I moved. So for now, it’s just in a pile on my bookshelf.

3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I have been knitting for about 15 years, off and on. I go through phases where I knit fiercely for a few weeks (or maybe months) and then I put it away until I get the next urge. I wouldn’t quite consider myself advanced, so I would say high intermediate.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes, at amazon.de.

5. What’s your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Hmmm…I do like Bath & Body Works Cucumber melon, but in general, anything non-floral

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Sadly, yes. I love dark chocolate, gummi bears, and caramel.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I also sew when I have the time, and like to make little crafts here and there.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I like all kinds of music, of course my tastes change all the time. Yes, I can play MP3s. My favorites right now are Rihanna, Rob Thomas, The Beatles, Bjork, 80′s music (of course!), Lisa Loeb, Madonna.

9. What’s your favorite color? Or–do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can’t stand?
I like any earthy colors like brown, green, beige, khaki, those types. I don’t usually like really bright things, but again, it depends what it is.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I am married with 2 kids (17 month old twin boys), no pets. We used to have 3 cats and I love anything with a cat theme.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I do wear scarves and hats in the winter.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Children/baby stuff. I am concentrating on hats right now just because they are so quick and there is minimal amount of weaving and seaming.

13. What are you knitting right now?
Nothing at this moment, but will probably start another kids hat (Mags Kandis/Mission Falls) soon.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
But, of course!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Straight needles, I love addi turbos.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Yep, both.

17. How did you learn to knit?
From a book, can’t remember which one it was. I also had a friend who knitted and she corrected my twisted stitches.

18. How old is your oldest UFO?
UFO? Ummm….????

19. What is your favorite holiday?
Does my birthday count? If not, then I guess Christmas.

20. Is there anything that you collect?
Not really, I do have a little “cat” collection. They are all tiny cat statues (?) from all over the world.

21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I don’t have any magazine subscriptions (live overseas). On my list of books to get are “Mission Falls Just Kidding”.

22. Are there any new techniques you’d like to learn?
I’d like to get better at fair isle. I can do it and follow a pattern, but it’s not nice and even. I knit in a weird way that’s comfortable for my fingers/hand, but it’s bad for stitch tension.

23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
No, haven’t attempted socks yet.

24. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
04/23