I have followed the Jellywares blog for a long time now (as one of those silent, slightly stalky blog reader-but-not-commenter people). Jodie lives somewhere remote in New South Wales, in a life which couldn't really be much different to mine (I have always lived in a City, though my current-and-forever hometown Hobart isn't exactly New York...). Her blog is a gentle and natural narrative about life there and is mostly craft-centric (which pleases me). She is also ridiculously prolific in her makings (also pleases me, I am not a patient reader!) and she sells gorgeous yarns too!
So when she launched a yarn club, I looked at the unfinished wool-related projects I have (crochet shrug, knitted beanie, knitted top and knitted socks) and thought - why not? I love surprise packages of craft stuff in the mail, and I love distractions from all the WIPs I have lurking ready to depress me at a moment's notice :)
The yarn club was launched via her Facebook page here, though there is a post about it on the blog too. Go check out the page and all the finished project photos popping up - I should probably get my ass into gear and block my first efforts...
I stupidly forgot to take a picture of the first, gorgeous parcel which arrived, mainly because I was too excited. I got the knitting option (there is one for crocheters too, I do both so Jodie chose for me!) - and the first parcel included some gorgeous autumn-y yarn (Cascade Sierra - cotton/wool) with which to make several leaf shaped washcloths (I will post pictures of those once blocked).
The parcel also include some yummy biscuits and a beautiful bag in which to hold my project. I was VERY pleased!
Meanwhile, I have made two leaf washcloths but not yet blocked them - and parcel two is already here! This time I managed to catch myself because I dug in and took pictures:
Lovely indeed! Jodie is a master of making everything beautiful - with additional little touches that make these club deliveries really nice to receive (go check out her blog pictures - she makes a ball of wool on a deck look so wonderful I want to give up my job and move to country NSW...).
Inside was the yarn for this month (Araucania - Alpaca, Merino, Silk). Instead of one pattern like last time, Jodie pointed us at a variety of free options on Ravelry which would match the amount of yarn we have. I haven't entirely decided which one to make yet (there is a very lovely tea cosy picture on the Facebook page which is tempting me!) but I think I am going to make a beanie this time - how gorgeous will that yarn be as a slouchy simple hat?
There was again a heap of beautiful extras in there - like this very cute crochet bunny gift tag - already stolen by my daughter!
A mysterious easter egg...
which opened up to reveal heaps of very very useful stitch markers (how did she know I have bought at least 4 packets of these during my life as a knitter, but can never find one when I need to?). I had to keep the daughter firmly restrained as she definitely wanted these "treasures"!
AND some chocolate shortbread. Which lasted only long enough for this picture to occur. Check out the amazing colour and sheen of that yarn - I have to restrain myself from starting now...
So - all up I am so happy I signed up for Yarn Club! From now on I will post the parcel and finished items together I think, but I wanted to share the ultimate gorgeousness of the packages as a whole.
So why did I join when I have so much else waiting for me to finish it off? Well a while back I read LLadybird's post on how she stays so prolific a sewist, and apparently it's because she doesn't really allow herself WIP/UFOs. She starts something, she finishes it, she moves on. Admirable, but I don't think it's how I craft (even though I would like to). My life is such that I need something to cut out or trace in front of the telly, things to sew which are mindless for when I am tired but want to relax and stitch, stuff to knit or crochet on the bus (mindless) or on a quiet afternoon (more complicated). Yarn club fits in with my need to stop knitting a whole jumper, take a break and knit a quick, rewarding, different project. Like a palate cleanser or an amuse bouche :)
I embrace my wippiness (so totally a word...), especially if lets me keep getting parcels like this every month! Go check out Yarn Club - all the cool kids are doing it :)
So when she launched a yarn club, I looked at the unfinished wool-related projects I have (crochet shrug, knitted beanie, knitted top and knitted socks) and thought - why not? I love surprise packages of craft stuff in the mail, and I love distractions from all the WIPs I have lurking ready to depress me at a moment's notice :)
The yarn club was launched via her Facebook page here, though there is a post about it on the blog too. Go check out the page and all the finished project photos popping up - I should probably get my ass into gear and block my first efforts...
I stupidly forgot to take a picture of the first, gorgeous parcel which arrived, mainly because I was too excited. I got the knitting option (there is one for crocheters too, I do both so Jodie chose for me!) - and the first parcel included some gorgeous autumn-y yarn (Cascade Sierra - cotton/wool) with which to make several leaf shaped washcloths (I will post pictures of those once blocked).
Meanwhile, I have made two leaf washcloths but not yet blocked them - and parcel two is already here! This time I managed to catch myself because I dug in and took pictures:
Lovely indeed! Jodie is a master of making everything beautiful - with additional little touches that make these club deliveries really nice to receive (go check out her blog pictures - she makes a ball of wool on a deck look so wonderful I want to give up my job and move to country NSW...).
Inside was the yarn for this month (Araucania - Alpaca, Merino, Silk). Instead of one pattern like last time, Jodie pointed us at a variety of free options on Ravelry which would match the amount of yarn we have. I haven't entirely decided which one to make yet (there is a very lovely tea cosy picture on the Facebook page which is tempting me!) but I think I am going to make a beanie this time - how gorgeous will that yarn be as a slouchy simple hat?
There was again a heap of beautiful extras in there - like this very cute crochet bunny gift tag - already stolen by my daughter!
Lace trim that Jodie dyed herself (seriously - she must be superwoman) in a beautiful rich indigo colour, plus (badly focused behind) a lovely card her friend made.
A mysterious easter egg...
which opened up to reveal heaps of very very useful stitch markers (how did she know I have bought at least 4 packets of these during my life as a knitter, but can never find one when I need to?). I had to keep the daughter firmly restrained as she definitely wanted these "treasures"!
AND some chocolate shortbread. Which lasted only long enough for this picture to occur. Check out the amazing colour and sheen of that yarn - I have to restrain myself from starting now...
So - all up I am so happy I signed up for Yarn Club! From now on I will post the parcel and finished items together I think, but I wanted to share the ultimate gorgeousness of the packages as a whole.
So why did I join when I have so much else waiting for me to finish it off? Well a while back I read LLadybird's post on how she stays so prolific a sewist, and apparently it's because she doesn't really allow herself WIP/UFOs. She starts something, she finishes it, she moves on. Admirable, but I don't think it's how I craft (even though I would like to). My life is such that I need something to cut out or trace in front of the telly, things to sew which are mindless for when I am tired but want to relax and stitch, stuff to knit or crochet on the bus (mindless) or on a quiet afternoon (more complicated). Yarn club fits in with my need to stop knitting a whole jumper, take a break and knit a quick, rewarding, different project. Like a palate cleanser or an amuse bouche :)
I embrace my wippiness (so totally a word...), especially if lets me keep getting parcels like this every month! Go check out Yarn Club - all the cool kids are doing it :)
I wanna be a cool kid too :)
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