Gift #943: Christmas package sent

I’m a bit delinquent in posting some of the things I wanted to share over Christmas, so we’ll use some days in January to get caught up.  Last year I became aware of a Christmas swap with one of my knitting groups (the same one I do Halloween swaps with) but I discovered it too late to participate.  I wanted to make sure that I did it this year (technically last year).  We fill out a detailed questionnaire and about a week later receive our partner’s name so we can learn about them and create a parcel catered to their tastes.  The requirements were to include something that was linked to our group (Tiny Owl Knits), something knitted, an item representative of something special to you, and an item inspired by our partner’s favorite memory or activity at Christmastime.  My partner was an outdoors-type girl who loved going on long walks (a kindred spirit!) so I knew right away how I wanted to create her package.

It’s no secret that I love to create themed gifts and I had extra fun planning this one because I choose “Winter Walk in the Woods” as the theme.  Her main gift was a pair of hand-knitted legwarmers in a TinyOwl pattern called “Some Cloudy Day”.  I knit these out of a wool/alpaca yarn in beautiful forest green colors.  (In fact, I loved these so much that I bought another skein to use with my leftovers to knit myself a pair).  I hoped that they would remind my recipient of pine trees and keep her warm as she hiked this winter.

To make her feel pretty and woodsy while walking, I also designed these pinecone earrings for her with copper charms and green czech glass.  These came together so well that I made pairs for all the ladies in my family for Christmas.

I also included a bottle-brush owl ornament which I purchased at Spring Mill State Park (a favorite place of mine and it’s an owl, just like our group name).  Maybe my recipient will be lucky enough to spot an owl flying past at dusk.  For tasty treats on her hike, she received a couple packs of chocolate bark (I couldn’t resist the pun here – “bark” for tree bark and for chocolate snacks!) and some homemade gingerbread granola.  And last, but not least, I bought her some mini-skeins of yarn in lovely green and teal colors that perfectly matched her legwarmers and looked just like pine needles.

Here’s a close-up of her card that I made introducing myself and explaining the thought behind her package.

Apparently she loved everything and sent a really sweet thank you note.  It’s always fun to participate in these swaps because the ladies are so appreciative and kind.  We’re friends on Ravelry now and I’m very pleased that I could spread some winter cheer.    In the next post I’ll show you the amazing package I received – I’m still reeling over it nearly a month later.

Blessings to you,

Sarah