A is for Apple

Now that my swap partner has received her package, I can share with all of you what I included in her box!  I had Sauceyjill of Saucy and she was so fun to stalk and find items for!

The requirements this time were to include 4 things: the Apple Hat, the apple from Finger Foods, and an Apple Washcloth - all patterns from Susan B. Anderson.  We were also meant to include one extra item that we had made.  I think some people may have chosen to sew this project but a lot of us knit this extra item.  I should also add that although it is certainly not an expectation or requirement, it is always implied that we all love tasty goodness as well - whether it be in the form of chocolate, or other sweet treat, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, etc.  

I'm going to do things a little differently this time and share all the contents of the package in this post, but over the next week or so, I will do a more in-depth post on each knit item.  Then the item gets the attention it deserves, but doesn't make this swap post super duper long.  I may repeat some information between all the posts, I hope no one minds. 

So, on to the knits.  First, Jill asked for a newborn size apple hat.  This hat was a pleasure to knit.  So tiny!  X wanted to wear it but it was too small.  Knit in Ella Rae Milky Soft in red, using Berroco Vintage in Chocolate for the stem and Knit Picks Comfy Worsted in Honey Dew for the leaf. 

The washcloth was my second project.  I'm in love with how it turned out.  Made from KP Comfy Worsted in Honey Dew, the stem is again Berroco Vintage in Chocolate.  The leaf and crocheted edging are KnitPicks Comfy Worsted in Cypress.  I think the Cypress really gives the apple some pop. 

My original plan for the third knit didn't work.  Turns out, I don't have a lot of sock-weight yarn.  I hear a lot of people say they have tons and tons of sock yarn.  I don't knit socks, and most patterns I knit call for worsted weight.  But I can understand that it's hard not to buy sock yarn as there are so many pretty colors and brands out there!  This apple finger puppet is made from Cascade Fixation in Red, the leaf in Sage.  The stem and finger puppet portion are knit with Universal Yarn Pace in Chocolate.  

The final project from me was a green apple tape measure.  From the pattern Apple or Orange Tape Measure by Amalia Samios, I chose green since the hat and finger puppet were red.  If you're thinking of knitting this project, I suggest you read my future post about this project.  I loved the final result, but was a little frustrated in the making of it. My favorite part is the pull - it's the leaf and stem of the apple.  How cute is that?  I chose this pattern because Jill says she loves tape measures.  Another reason for the green is because Jill has said on many occasions how much she likes green.  This is KP Comfy Worsted in Honey Dew, with Berroco Vintage in Chocolate and KP Comfy Worsted in Cypress for leaf & stem. 

And since we're talking color and yarn, that's a good transition to mention the yarn I included.  On her list of "yarns to try" was Blue Moon Fiber Arts.  Now, Blue Moon has a lot of options to pick from.  But I finally settled on Socks that Rock in Spruced.  This looked like a neat mossy brown green.  I really hope that Jill likes the yarn.  It can be so hard to pick colors for other people.  I've never tried Blue Moon, but I'd love to have it in my stash some day. 

To go with her Spruced, I added the book "Sock Yarn: One Skein Wonders."  There are tons of really cute patterns in the book and I was tempted to keep it for myself. :)  She mentioned she didn't have much sock yarn in her stash, but hopefully she'll get a lot of use out of this book in the future!

Before I bought the OSW book, I sent Jill the pattern for End of May Mittens by Mandy Powers.  She said she already had the yarn and they'll be great for her 11 in 2011 mitten challenge.  

(photo by ginni; I sent her the pattern electronically through Ravelry, so I don't have my own picture to share with you)

Since this swap is actually called Let's Start at the Beginning (aka A = beginning of the alphabet), it was only proper to find more apple related items.  I found the game Apples to Apples (the game is ages 12+, but I figured eventually everyone in the family would grow into it), as well as Appletters (which is like a dominos game except with letters instead of dots).  I always enjoyed playing games as a family and can't wait for that age with X. 

In the process of shopping, I found some summery apple kitchen towels.  Perhaps not her style, but it's nice to have extras when needed!  There's chocolate living at Jill's now, too.  M&M's as well as some Choxie Assorted Chocolates. 

I found some neat finds on Etsy, as well.  First, a Twilight Scrabble pendant that reads, "Bite Me," from PaisleyMonday.  For whatever reason, this really seemed to scream at me to buy it for Jill.  She says she has a love/hate relationship with Twilight.  What better way to express that?  I made it into a stitch marker.   I also found a charm at beyondcharms that can be used as a stationary stitch marker (the kind that clips into the stitch or is used in crochet) .  Finally, I made 3 extra stitch markers in green and red to follow the theme.  

Do you see this?  It's one of my favorite things in the box - an apple keychain.  I think I'll have to visit this seller's shop again.  The keychain was found at oggiestwinkles. 

Last and finally not least, I included a book for Jill to read with her little boy.  The book is Ten Apples Up On Top by Dr. Seuss.  The writing is by Dr. Seuss but the book art is by someone different.  This was the first Dr. Seuss book that I ever owned and I read it over and over and over as a child.  I hope her little man finds the story just as fun. :)  

So you see why I need additional posts to tell you about the knits?  This is an insanely long post and perhaps a little scattered.  I wanted to include something sewn but I just didn't have time this month.  So, dear swap partner, enjoy it all!