Handspun Swap Reports

I have recently received two amazing swap packages. 

Handspun Sock Yarn Swap
My upstream pal was Beth.  She sent me some gorgeous Shetland wool handspun.
She also included an orifice hook (need that, I have been hookless for a year), cotton blend sock yarn (on my mental list of things to try), knitting needles (always handy), and chocolate (YES!).

I wish you could see this yarn in person.  She dyed it and then spun it.  It has beautiful heathery colors which appear to be gray from a distance.
This picture shows the colors a bit.  (Click for big.)  Did I mention how soft it is?

I am thinking that it deserves to be a stole (it is a HUGE skein too).  Thank you Beth, I really love it all.

My downstram pal was Susie.  I am so happy than she likes the yarn I sent her.
I dyed roving (80% merino, 20% Tussah silk) at Nancy Roberts' studio in a rainbow (Susie's favorite "color") and Navajo plied it to maintain the rainbow.  It ended up somewhere between a fingering and a sport weight.  I think I will have to do this again.  I learned two things:  Merino-Tussah is an absolute joy to spin and cool rainbow yarn is hard to part with.

Spin To Knit Swap
This is a cool idea.  You are matched with other spinners at your (self-defined) spinning ability level.  You send yarn twice, once in January and once in February.
I got some amazing cotton-wool handspun in a sweet rose pink color.  She also included this cute little wooden box (perfect for storing small knitting and spinning tools) and a beautiful card (handmade as well?) that appears to have the same fiber as the yarn. 

A close-up of the yarn:
I need to ask her what the cotton to wool blend is in this yarn.  It was a wonderful, soft feel. 

And, I got the handmade spindle it was spun on!  How cool is that?  Yes, that is a ladybug painted on it.  Too cute!
She says that it is based on the spindle she received from her Ethiopian teacher.  She is a fascinating woman.  I will tell you more about her when I get my second yarn from her.

Thank you so much Dolores!

Comments

[LaurieM]

Wow. Beautiful yarn. Just wow.

Your rainbow skien is so even, it almost looks commercial (and I mean that in the best sense!)

[Susie]

...and allow me to tell you once again how absolutely exquisite the sock yarn is. It's sitting next to the chair in my nest and currently functioning as my muse. Once the in-process sock is off the needles, this yarn will be on it and I will keep you apprised with pictures and effusive prose...

Thank you again. I am very blessed that you were my swap spinner. You're a very talented spinner.

[Lisa]

Wow great swap stuff! Lucky you! I am determined to learn how to spin one of these days! My dream is a pair of handspun, handknit socks finished completely by me!