This swap happened 12 days ago, and I have been trying to get this post out ever since! It’s funny seeing how my blog stats change so much when I don’t post for a few days. I think I will try and schedule posts for a week so that I don’t have to worry about not being out there. Anyway, on to the swap.

It was the usual Amiras meet-up at The Lime Tree, which was annoyingly warm that day. Their AC was not working properly and with all the glass around the place, the heat of the sun and the sandstorm that started that day came in to make it a not very comfortable outing. But we made the most of it! Coming back to my seat after overseeing some commotion over my yarns 🙂 I found this.


Here’s a peek at the goodies just under the lid. YARN!!!! Wollmeise, Plucky and Handmaiden! Score! This is my swap package from Michelle, who was so thoughtful that she included the plastic bin instead of a paper bag or box. Instant stash enhancer + instant stash hiding place. Thanks, Michelle!

I had to wait until we got home before digging into everything. Okay, I did take a look while we were at the cafe. Here’s everything on display. I was so spoiled! Four skeins of yarn + a box of yummy tea selection + that glow-in-the-dark Cookies bag + LUSH bath bomb, bath soap and hand lotion in the shape of a hand + postcards + fridge magnet. Phew!

Of course I have to give you a blow by blow of the yarns, starting with this WD Pistazie in Wollmeise Twin. I had a skein of this before, which I had given to Jackie as a gift. I am glad to have it in my stash again. I think I will use this with Spice Market and make a stripey top for me. Plenty of yardage in each skein to knit up something my size.

Plucky Feet! 425 yards of 90% merino, 10% nylon, perfect for socks! This colour is Faded Grandeur, a very nice olive shade muted by a dip in black. It could also make a great hat or baby item, or shawl. Not sure yet, this will probably stew in the stash a bit until I figure out what to make with it.

Another Plucky Feet. This colourway is called Barn 40. No idea why. There must be a story behind it. Remind me to check out Sarah’s blog or Rav group for it. It’s a dark shade of hunter green. I’m thinking striping this with something light to make a top. I don’t wear green though so this might go to a lucky recipient.

And the pièce de résistance…a skein of Handmaiden Camelspin, 70% silk, 30% camel. Soft, silky, shiny and generous at 328 yards. It’s a most delicious shade of red with a kiss of golden orange to add interest. It’s crying to be made into a shawl, something that can be worn close to the skin, but I’m not sure. Maybe a shrug? But I need to lose some weight to make 328 yards fit me!

Haha! The button! I had no idea who Madame Defarge was so I asked Michelle and Ruth. In my search for further information, I found this nugget from Wikipedia: “In the 1981 Mel Brooks film, History of the World, Part I, Madame Defarge (played by Cloris Leachman) is the chief conspirator in the plot to overthrow King Louis XVI. She has become so poor, she has run out of wool, simply rubbing her knitting needles together.” Haha! With the size of my yarn stash, and those of friends, I doubt anyof us will be rubbing our knitting needles together in this lifetime!

By the way, what hit me when I opened the box was this delicious smell. It seemed to be allover everything! The culprit was this pretty box from Lush. It contained a bath bomb which I am saving for a special day when I am need of bone-deep relaxation, and a honey-scented bath soap which I have started using and is making my skin smell so lovely I don’t even need to use perfume.

As moderator of this swap, I was so chuffed to have received a thank you gift from Lindsay. A skein of La Jolla from Baah!, a yarn brand that I have not tried before, and candy! It’s toffee flavoured with vanilla, chocolate, butterscotch and cafe au lait. Positively sinful so I am not scoffing them down. Thank you, Lindsay!

Here’s a close up of the yarn. It’s 100% superwash merino but I think this will become a woven scarf. The variegation looks like it will be perfect. But first I need to finish the wrap that’s been on the loom forever.

I didn’t get to take photos of what everyone else got, but here’s Ruth’s impressive stash from Preeti. What we all loved was the handmade project bag. The fabric is just sweet: cats in different “skins”. I particularly love the polka dotty one. I can’t remember what yarns Ruth got but they look great.

Hehe! Me being cheeky and taking a stolen shot of the ladies rummaging through the bags that I brought along. Yes, the Dubai Knits sale is still on and these ladies were the first ones to get their hands on the yarns. A few of them walked away with more than a couple of skeins of yarn, including a visiting honorary Amira: Mrs Button! Enjoy your new stash enhacements, ladies.

Of course I would be remiss if I didn’t include this photo of Stephanie and the fabulous wrap she made for Kim of RAW Coffee. It’s “All The Shades of Truth” done in Wollmeise, all 5 colours of it. Isn’t it just beautiful? This is pre-blocking so I am guessing the final item is even more wonderfully soft and cozy. Lucky Kim!

So that was another exciting Friday afternoon with the Amiras. Feels like it was ages ago. I’m itching for another knitting catch-up before May, ladies! When can we do it?

PS: How could I forget?! Michelle also sent me Alana Dakos’ latest e-book of patterns, Botanical Knits! Try this link if the other one doesn’t work. Truly spoilt! I have my eyes on Twigs and Willows, Oak Trail and Wrapped in Leaves as potential fall knits. Thanks again, Michelle!