Yarn Swap Package

Continue the discussion here:
Yarn Swap Package, Part 2.




Hello everyone,

In our other thread , I suggested that some of us might enjoy a yarn swap. Here, we’ll gather the participants and ideas for it.

I’d be the organizer of this swap and would put together a package of yarn. The package will include a list of participants’ names and addresses. I’d compile the address list. Each participant would send me their address via private message. The address list will always remain in the package and will not be published.

So I would send my freshly packed package at my own expense to No. 2 on the list.

No. 2 on the list receives the package, chooses what they like from it, and puts yarn of equal value back into the package. No. 2 then sends the package at their own expense to No. 3 on the list. The list goes back into the package.

The package must always weigh the same at the end, so that everyone has the same selection of items and the postage is the same for every participant.

In the end, the package would come back to me, and I would destroy the address list so that only the participants in the swap ring would have seen your address.

If you’re not comfortable with the address list, the person responsible for shipping could also ask me specifically for just that one address, since I’ve already collected the addresses via private message. That would work too, but it would be more of a hassle.

Who wants to join? Any ideas, suggestions, or feedback...?

Best regards, Ina

Hi Ina,
I’d love to join in.

By the way, you posted this in the authors’ forum, but maybe “non-authors” would like to join too?

Yes, Ruth, I just asked Josefa to move the thread to the Chat Corner. I hadn’t considered that it’s not just authors who post in the forum.

At Schnuckelina’s request, this thread was moved to the Chat Corner.

I’m well aware that swap package events pop up in forums from time to time, but I’m always a bit skeptical about them, partly because of the issue with addresses.

If you’d like to do this, it’s a private initiative that has nothing to do with Crazypatterns .

I’d love to join in on that too!

I think this idea is just great.... 
 I don’t have any concerns about my address 🙈 
I’m in.... simply because it’s definitely fun to receive a little package like this, and because it’s somehow easier to part with a certain yarn when I know that others might like it too, and that they’ll then use it in a project 😍😉 
It would be great to see “your” yarn in a project that you might not have thought of yourself.... 

Dear Josefa, yes, this isn’t a CP event. Everyone who participates knows that their name and address will be included in the swap package. Unfortunately, anyone who doesn’t want that can’t participate.

For now, we’re compiling a list of those who want to participate. Of course, you’ll need to state this clearly in writing. So far, the list includes:

1. Schnuckelina
2. Ruth
3. appelino
4. Woll-zauberei-Steffi

I think the idea is interesting, too. I have a few things here that I really wanted, but I have absolutely no idea what to do with them.

I’ll read along a bit more and then let you know if I’m definitely in. I’ve never participated in something like this before and need a little more information. 

I’m in, too.

Best regards,
Sandra

Dear Ina, that’s a fun idea. I’d love to join in, too.
Warm regards, Christina

Hello dear Ina, the idea is great, and I’d love to join in too. It’s sure to be fun.

Best regards,
Andrea

Ina, I like the idea, but unfortunately it’s not for me—international postage is too expensive and the customs declaration is too cumbersome. Too bad! I’m definitely curious to see how it all turns out!

Good evening, everyone,

a few more people interested in swapping have joined:

1. Schnuckelina
2. Ruth
3. appelino
4. Woll-zauberei-Steffi
5. Arni
6. Christina-Hafke
7. Bastelfan

It’s not yet clear whether the swap package can go on its journey, though. I’ve sent a request to CP Support regarding this. Since we’re organizing this on the CP platform, certain things need to be taken into account. We’ll see. Until then, we’ll just wait and be patient. The yarn is sitting nicely and dry in our various drawers.

Have a lovely evening—Ina

P.S. Too bad you can’t join us, Christina :-(

Dear Ina, I’d also like to join in: I love surprises, and I’m sure this package will contain nothing but wonderful things. It would be great if we were allowed to do it this way.

Why can’t I join???

Oh, sorry—the other Christina was meant!

I’ve participated in something like this before, at creawelten—it was a lot of fun. Unfortunately, I don’t have any nice yarn to swap right now, but I do have a suggestion. Back then, we just took out what we wanted and put in what we had :)

Sony, that shouldn’t say “einfach” but “ein Foto”.

Dear Michaela1960, thank you very much for your suggestion. I’ll discuss this with the participants. Perhaps you’d like to join the next swap? Over time, everyone accumulates a few treasures that they never get around to using.

Best regards, Ina

Hello everyone,

we’ve now received the go-ahead from CP for the swap package. But we have to adhere to a few conditions. The most important one is that no personal data may be published on the forum, including the usernames on the participant list. Let’s take it one step at a time. I’ll be sending all participants a personal message today with the next step.

Here in the forum, however, we can discuss and set the “rules” for the swap package. I suggest the following:

1. The package must not weigh more than 5 kg so that the DHL shipping cost remains the same for all participants.
2. Each ball of yarn must have a label.
3. Multiple skeins of the same type of yarn only need one label.
4. Multiple skeins of the same type of yarn must be packed together separately (e.g., in a plastic bag)
5. Any yarn removed will always be replaced with yarn of equivalent quality.
6. The person who forwarded the package will send me the DHL tracking number for it privately.

Michaela1960’s suggestion to take a photo of what’s been removed and what’s been added, however, would take away the element of surprise. And I might be sad if two people before me had already taken my favorite yarn. But if someone takes a photo and posts it on the forum, we can all satisfy our curiosity. What do you think?

Please share your thoughts on my suggestions.

Best regards, Ina

P.S. I’m off to pack my yarn now...

What do you mean by point 5: “equivalent quality”? In terms of price or the type of yarn (e.g., if I take out sock yarn, do I have to put sock yarn back in?)

As for the photo, I’d only take a picture of what I took out to keep the surprise.  If a “favorite yarn” is taken, maybe that’ll inspire someone to buy it sometime.
In that sense, I think it would be better to upload the photo here in the thread. Then everyone here can get a little inspiration, even those who aren’t participating.

I’m already really excited!

Dear Ruth,
By “equivalent quality,” I mean that both items are roughly equal in value.

I also think we should all share photos of our swap package here in the forum. I like the idea of only photographing what’s been taken out. That way, you don’t know what’s been added, and the next person can look forward to discovering the contents.

I just sent private messages to the participants. If anyone else besides the 8 ladies would like to join, please feel free to send me a private message.

Monika, you’re in, of course :-)

That all sounds great. A photo of what’s been taken out is a great idea—it’ll satisfy the viewers’ curiosity. I’m really looking forward to it and will start setting aside the yarn I want to include in the package.

I’m really looking forward to this swap! Dear Ina, perhaps you could include a summary of the rules in the package once the discussions are over? Thanks and best regards
Christina

I’m really looking forward to this swap too, especially since I’ve decided not to buy any yarn anytime soon. But swapping is something different.
Thank you so much, dear Ina, for the great idea.
Best regards, Ingrid

I’m not participating this time, because I have so much yarn at home that I haven’t yet sorted through and cataloged.

But the first package will surely be on the road for quite a while before it arrives back at Ina’s. Maybe we can send it on its way again with a new initiative.

With pictures here on CP showing what treasures were in the package—and perhaps later, pictures of what people have created with them—some others might want to join in too. Above all, the senders will be quite surprised to see what ideas others had for that unwanted yarn.

I also still have some unwanted yarn in boxes and cartons, but right now I’m lacking the motivation to join in—though I love the idea and am thrilled that so many people want to participate. Ina, that was a great idea, and I’m sure it’ll be a lot of fun. 

I’m really looking forward to it, too. I’ve never been able to take part in other swaps before because of the high shipping costs/customs fees.

One more question: are we talking about yarn in general, or does crochet thread count too?

I have to agree with Petra—it’s a good idea, but I won’t be joining for now either. I don’t have any yarn to swap at the moment; most of it is already allocated, and the yarn I didn’t want to use anymore was just donated to our assisted living facility. But I’m also optimistic and think this definitely won’t be the only round. I’m eagerly looking forward to your photos and enjoying them.
Maybe I’ll join in for Round 2. 

Dear Andrea,
of course crochet thread counts as yarn, too.

@alle
I’ve just gathered all the details, and the list is complete. This afternoon I’ll pack my package, and later this week it will start its journey to No. 2 on the list. I’ll let you know then.

The list with the addresses and the rules of the game will go into the package. Thank you very much, dear Christina, for the note.

So ... and now I’m off to pack!

Best regards, Ina

Well, it’s done! I just packed and addressed our swap package. Dear Ruth, you’re the first to be excited.

The hardest part was putting just enough yarn in the package so it wouldn’t exceed 5 kg. I had more at first and then had to sort some yarn out again :-( I fought for every gram and chose an extra-light cardboard box.

Tomorrow I’ll take the package to the post office, and then it’ll be with Ruth soon. I’ll let you take a little peek :-)

Best regards, Ina

Wow, Ina, I’m so excited!!!!!! I think I’ve already found something for myself!
Now I’m eagerly waiting for the package delivery person every day!

Thank you, Ina —this is going to be both exciting and thrilling.
ruthk, I believe you when you say you’re eagerly awaiting the yarn package. Then I hope the mail carrier hurries up.

Yeah, the mail is always really fast here. Too bad there wasn’t room for more. But I’ll save that for the next package ;-) You’ve got to be able to carry it, after all.

So the starting gun has gone off, and here we go. I’ve discovered fluffy yarn. I love it when I get to touch it, but I’m often at a loss as to what to do with it. I have quite a bit of it in my boxes.

I’m excited to see your selections and what you’ll create with them. 

Oh wowww, I’d love that package, too! I’m already really excited to see what’s in store for me when the time comes. It’s almost like an early Christmas.

Ina’s packages are always something really special. I speak from experience. :)))
Ruth, this is going to be an experience!

I’m also looking forward to the next photo now.

The package just arrived! Ina packed it sooo lovingly, and there are sooo many beautiful things inside. I can’t decide what to take (or, more precisely, what to leave in!). Now I have a long weekend to browse through it all. And then, of course, I’ll have to part with some of my yarn—that won’t be so easy (haha!).
Once I’ve picked something out, I’ll take a photo and post it here!

How nice...... Enjoy the package and what’s inside..... I believe you—it definitely won’t be easy to pick something out.....
I’m already looking forward to when it arrives at my place; it’ll definitely be “better than Christmas” 😍

Yes, that’s right—it’s just like Christmas. And best of all, it contains what we all love: yarn!

I’m already looking forward to it, but I still have quite a while to wait until it happens. In the meantime, I’m already thinking about what I could put in it. That’s actually not easy. ;-)

So, now I’ll show you what I picked out of Ina’s package:

Don’t worry, there’s still plenty left, and I’ve also packed some nice things to add. It wasn’t that easy, especially fitting everything into the package. (I hope it survives all the stops—because even though it arrived very quickly, it was also a bit battered.)
I plan to mail it tomorrow. Ingrid, you’re next in line to be excited!

😍You picked out some really beautiful yarn 💖💖💖

Oh Ruth, some lovely items have found their way to you! I see you especially like the plush and glittery yarns. And also the fine, thin, soft ones for baby items. Well then, I hope you enjoy your new additions.

If you had a larger box—one that wasn’t too heavy, though—you could have repacked it. I’m sure you managed somehow.

ruthk, you were the first to enjoy some new yarn. You made a very good choice.
I would have liked the light blue one from Katja, too.

We’re excited to see what new yarn will be sent on its way next.
It really feels like Christmas.

Have a lovely evening, everyone!

Best regards, Andrea

Oh yes, Ruth, you received a real treasure trove and picked out some really great things. I’m already looking forward to the next photo and whatever eventually arrives at my place. I’ve also already found a few things I can put in there, assuming there’s something for me.

I guess I’m the first “yarn-shopping victim” 🙈😂🙈
I really had to check online yesterday to see where I could get this light blue/gray yarn from Katja… and, of course, I found it. It’s even available in a “lace version”.... but I “absolutely” need the sport-weight yarn 🙈 I’ve always been looking for the right yarn for a “Moon Elf,” and now I’ve found it. Good thing Ruth took a photo. 

It’s a good idea to take photos of the yarns that are taken out. That way, you get some inspiration right away. The fine yarn from Katia is really very beautiful and pleasant to work with. I often use it for my doll clothes. The only thing is, the color gradients just never made it onto my shortlist—probably because I’ve never wanted to make a moon elf :-) Now Ruth will work her magic and create something beautiful with it—and Steffi has found the perfect yarn for her project.

Yes, Ina, you’re right—with doll clothes for Barbies, a color gradient like that is often problematic. But when I saw the yarn, I immediately thought of snow… ice… That gave me an idea for a snowy landscape with an igloo. I think the color gradient could look good there—I definitely have to give it a try. And if not… my granddaughter’s baby doll would definitely love a sky-blue sweater!

I’m also looking forward to seeing the others’ photos. You can always use some new inspiration!

Unfortunately, I missed this event, but it’s so much fun to read about it here. Somehow, you really get caught up in the excitement and look forward to new photos.
I hope you all continue to have lots of fun with your swap packages.

Best regards, Marlies

Dear Marlies, I feel exactly the same way as you do!
I know what I sent, but I don’t know what I’ll end up receiving. I’m excited to see every photo.

If this swap goes well, maybe we’ll do another one in the new year. And maybe you’ll join us then, too.

Love, Ina

Hi, the package arrived today! :) I found quite a few things and, of course, added some other lovely yarn. It’s really exciting!
Dear Steffi, now you have something to look forward to. I repackaged the parcel because the box really wasn’t presentable anymore. I had to search quite a bit to find the right one.
I’ll drop it off at the post office first thing tomorrow morning.
Here’s the yarn I took out.

Yay... I’m so excited right now 😍💖😍
Christmas in November 🙈😂🙈.... I’m really curious to see what lovely things are inside. 

Dear appelino, I see you’ve also received some lovely new yarns. Thanks for finding a new box. Now we’re all eagerly awaiting Steffi’s next post. I’m really curious to see what ends up with me in the end. Probably all new yarns, since mine had 7 chances to be selected.

Best wishes, Ina

It’s arrived 💖💖💖
I haven’t even looked inside yet; I wanted to do that at my leisure. A package this big has to be “celebrated” 😍👍😊
 Today was a work day; I still have quite a bit of wood to split, and with the yarn package in the “back of my mind”, the work went especially smoothly. Now a quick dinner, and then I’ll browse through the package nice and comfortably 
Photo coming soon....

Great, Steffi! Now relax and enjoy the rest of your evening and rummaging through the package.

Best regards, Ina

Wow, that was a tough decision....
But now....

I think I’ll make a winter poncho or something out of the relatively thick 55m/50g yarn. And I’ll make gloves out of the Nepal yarn....
Tomorrow or Tuesday, the package will be on its way to Sandra 💖

Oh, how nice. I’m already looking forward to it

Hi Steffi,

you’ve picked out some lovely things, too. The thick yarn would have been perfect for felting as well. The length is just right—and if it were mostly wool, you could felt some beautiful things with it. It’s a nice amount, too. Monika would certainly have liked that for her Kobel as well. But now it’s ended up with you—and you’ll make something beautiful out of it, too! I hope you enjoy it.

Best regards, Ina

It’s so lovely to see your own yarn being used by someone else! The swap parcel was really a great idea, Ina!

And here is the first little piece made from swap yarn:

That looks really nice, ruth.

Best regards, Marlies

This turned out so beautifully. It makes me want to play with Barbie. 

Wow, Ruth, that looks great. You really did a great job with the model.

That looks really nice, so elegant with the “fur trim” on the hem....

The package is now at the post office 👍

Oh, that’s making me a little jealous… I’d love a surprise package like that, too—maybe there’s a way to solve the problem with international postage.
Ruth, your Barbie looks very chic again!

Yay, an early birthday present. 🥰

The package arrived today. I’ll either drop it off at the post office tomorrow afternoon or Friday morning. Here’s what I got: 



Gray and red will become a mulled wine gnome. We’ll see what happens with the rest

How lovely....
Were you also surprised by how big the package is.... 
A mulled wine Wichtel—will you show it to us once it’s hopped off your needles? 

And wow, I didn’t see that coming.

Of course I’ll show you the mulled wine gnome. But that’ll take a little while yet 

Sandra, you picked out some lovely colors for the Christmas season. I’m excited to see your Secret Santa gift too. 

Hi there, yarn addicts ;-)
Are there any interested people from Austria?
Maybe we can set up a group with several participants.
If so, I’d be happy to start a separate thread for it.

Best regards, Angi from Austria

Dear Sandra, it’s great that the new yarn is already sparking new ideas for you. Mulled wine Secret Santa—that sounds cute and a little tipsy. We’re excited to see what you come up with.

Dear Ruth, I see the new yarn has inspired you to make some lovely new doll clothes. Wonderful!

Now it’s getting more and more exciting for me, too. Right now, I’m on the hunt for the right yarn for children’s turtleneck scarves. My grandchildren have been asking for them. Maybe there’s something suitable in the swap package. Until then, I’ll just use what I have in my stash. But we all just love surprises.

Best regards, Ina

Oh, Sandra, I’d like the red yarn, too. I’m looking forward to your mulled wine Secret Santa gift. :)

Now the time is drawing closer for me, too, when the surprise package will arrive. It’s like an early Christmas. I’m really looking forward to it!

I’d love to join—I have a whole yarn store in my basement

Dear Petre-perle....
but in the basement, the surprise isn’t quite as nice....
What could be better than unpacking a package and rummaging through it? For me, it’s (almost) better than Christmas 🙈😍🙈

Oh, Sandra, I’m also looking forward to your mulled wine Secret Santa.

Don’t forget to post if you create something with the swap yarn. It’s just so nice when you recognize your own yarn 

So, I dropped the package off at the post office at noon today.
Christina: Have fun picking out your items!

If something like this happens again, I’d love to join.
Best regards, Petra

Dear Petra, I think we’ll start a new yarn swap package in January. Until then, you’ll have plenty of time to sort through your treasures that are looking for a new home.

Best regards, Ina

Hi Ina,
That would be great. I have lots of treasures that I bought at one time because I liked them right away. But, as is often the case, I just never got around to using them for a project.

Best regards, Petra
... who is now heading off on vacation. 

Dear Petra, I wish you a wonderful vacation. Enjoy everything that comes your way!
Best regards, Ina

Good evening,

Sandra, you really picked out some wonderful yarn. I personally especially like the light blue one too. I'm already excited to see what arrives for me, but until then I'll keep practicing patience.
Glühweinwichtel sounds fun. Exactly, we all want to admire him once he's finished. We're excited.

Exactly, Ina, I would also join the yarn swap package again next year. The more people take part, the more interesting and varied the selection will be. This will be fun.

Best wishes
Andrea

I’m already super excited :-)

Dear Christina, it’ll be your turn soon. The mail carrier might even ring your doorbell today. After you, it’ll be craft enthusiast Andrea’s turn. Then Monika… and before you know it, the package will be back where it started—with me. I thought that went pretty quickly. No one had to wait too long. I think 10 people is a manageable number of swap participants.

I’ll start a new thread for the January swap package in early January. This time, I’ll collect everyone’s names and then have my little 3-year-old grandson pick the order. That way, maybe the first ones will be the last ones. We can always collect more ideas until then.

I wish everyone a wonderful weekend—and keep those needles clicking!

Best regards, Ina

What a huge package!!! The delivery person had quite a haul :-)
I chose yarn that goes well with my projects. I knit 90% for charity and found something for all my projects: premature babies, the children at the Ark, and the homeless. Thank you so much!
The package will continue its journey first thing Monday.
Warm regards and have a wonderful weekend, Christina

Those are such great colors. And it’s always the same yarn. You can mix and match them really well. 

Oh, I would have liked those too :-) I think that about almost every picture posted from the swap package. Dear Christina, I really like your new yarn! Really lovely colors, and easy to combine. Karisma is 100% wool, so it’s high-quality and will make beautiful, warm items for all your needy “little sheep.”

Best regards, Ina

Oh wow, Christina, I would have picked that yarn too—at least the blue and gray skeins. I’m a big fan of Drops, especially their merino wool. I’m sure you’ll make some beautiful things with it.

Petra, I wish you a wonderful vacation, too. Enjoy your time off!

I’m already really looking forward to the package. With a lot of luck, it’ll arrive by the end of next week; otherwise, the week after that. It’s not that far away anymore.

Ina, I think the idea of having your grandson draw the order is great.

I’ll definitely be joining again in January!

Wow, that really went fast. So I’ll be the lucky one next time. Unbelievable.
I still can’t believe it.

Christina, I’m so happy for you that you found something suitable for your projects.
I’m curious to see what I’ll get.
It’s crazy how many types and colors of yarn there are.

Hugs, Andrea

:-)) Oops, Monika—we wrote at the same time again!

It’s already packed and ready for you, dear Andrea!!!

I’m really looking forward to it, Christina.

Have a nice evening!

The mulled wine gnome is finished

The gray and red are from the package. 
I still have enough yarn for a few more gnomes, but for now other projects are waiting.  I hope you all have a lovely evening 

That’s really "cute"....
Once my loop is finally off the needle, I’ll put my "treasure" from the yarn swap package to use. I’m already looking forward to casting it on. 

That’s so cute, Sandra! It turned out great! 👍

Hi everyone,

Sandra, your little gnomes turned out really cute. It’s lovely that you’re showing them to us now. A really nice idea.

Now about the yarn swap package.
Yay, it arrived yesterday. You guys are crazy—I wasn’t expecting such a huge package at all. 
I’d just gotten off my late shift and just had to open it—out of sheer curiosity. What a selection! There was something for me too, and it really wasn’t easy to decide.

Here’s what I’ve picked out so far. The cuddly yarn just called out to me. And I’ve always wanted to have such a huge ball of yarn.


Monika, you’re next, so you can start looking forward to it. Have fun—I certainly did.

Best regards
Andrea

Sandra, your bottle elf is a great idea. He looks so cute with his big nose.

I’m curious to see what other finished projects will follow. 

Hello everyone,
I’m amazed at how quickly the new yarn is turning into finished projects for you all. It may have lain unnoticed in the previous owner’s closet for years, getting moved back and forth—and just like that, you’ve brought it to life. Ruth’s doll accessories and Sandra’s mulled wine elf look absolutely enchanting—and a little tipsy, respectively.

Dear Andrea, you’ve picked out some lovely items. Precisely because you’ve probably never had such a cozy yarn or such a large skein before, it will spark new creative ideas. It’s just not the kind of thing you would have picked out first at the yarn shop. Now it’s waiting patiently for its transformation.

Warm regards, Ina

Hi Ina,
I’ve “realized” that a lot of the skeins that were in the package wouldn’t be available here in Schleswig at all..... I would have had to order most of them...
and in that case, I’d rather go with “familiar” yarn. I would never have ordered that really thick one I picked out, even though it’s truly beautiful.... 

Sandra, your mulled wine gnome turned out really cute.

Now I’m already super excited, because the giant surprise package will be arriving at my place soon. I’m really looking forward to it!

Monika, you have something to look forward to. The swap package was sent off today.
Have fun with it.

Have a nice weekend

I found this for myself, but now it’s finally on its way to you, Monika.

Oh, thanks, Andrea. I’m really looking forward to it. It’s like an early Christmas. A swap box like this is really something special.

Continue here:
Yarn Swap Parcel, Part 2.