Secret Santa sock swap

I am really posting these so I can link to them in the Ravelry group, not for purposes of yarny gloating (although- Whoop! I have yarn :) ).

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I took part in a secret Santa swap with the UK sock knitters group. I was going to enter a couple of other, but this was the only one with a spending limit (£15, sock yarn must be included). I prefer it when they have a target to aim for, avoids feeling guilty or getting annoyed when it doesn't even out by a long way. It is also fun to try and get the best value for your money by finding bargains and making items.

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The parcel arrived early in the month as the posting deadline was the 1st. As I wanted to open it as a Christmas present I had to wait for most of the month with this tempting me. It was hard work, so in the end it had to be hidden out of sight. In fact I hid it so well that I forgot to take it with me when we left to stay with my family over the holiday- there was some colourful language when I realised half way down the motorway!

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It did mean I had a lovely extra present waiting for me when I got back. Each part of the parcel was wrapped up so it was a bit like opening a stocking.

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And inside was this wonderful display of treasures. The sock yarn requirement was met twice over, with some undyed and a lovely pair of 50g skeins called Same difference in the Menace colourway. From looking at them I assume they are dyed as a pair but one has red as the dominant colour and one has black. I have not decided how to make socks with them yet, either non matching fraternal socks or the leg in one and the foot in the other on both socks.
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The parcel also contained some lovely treats, including needles (magically in the size I don't own, how did she know?!), chocolate, wool wash and a little felted flower bowl with some cute stitch markers.

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All in all a lovely swap. I am off to share this on the Ravelry thread and then to enjoy some knitting. I am allowing myself a few days of knitting and loafing around before the thesis writing starts in earnest in the New Year. I have something quite different and exciting on the needles!