I don’t know how it happened, but somehow a whack of great mail all arrived in the last few days relatively unexpectedly (that is, I knew it was all coming, but I didn’t think it would all arrive at once).

It all started with the arrival of Gudrun Johnston’s new book Shetland Trader Book 2, which I had been thinking about buying for a while. After debating about whether I really needed it, I then decided all at once, on a whim (after a long day at work), that I should just get. I love the Northdale pullover and Belmont cardigan, and I think Balta will be a fantastic summer knit. The books itself is also gorgeous, and comes with pdfs of all the patterns which I love.

Then, at the beginning of this week, I left home to find a fun little package sitting on my doorstep: two skeins of Nomadic Yarns self-striping yarn. These are both Twisty Sock (superwash merino and nylon) and were also purchased in a fit of work stress (I’ve never thought of myself as going for retail therapy, but apparently being too busy to knit just makes me want to buy knitting-related things). I actually think I did quite well just buying these two — Grinchmas and Sweater Weather — especially since I was torn between five colourways and very nearly just threw my hands in the air and bought them all. Compared to that, two sounds like a measured approach, right?

Finally two days ago, I arrived home to find two exciting packages waiting. I won a giveaway for Carrie Bostick Hoge’s Madder Anthology 1 ages ago from Very Shannon, so it’s just a fluke that it arrived now. I’ve been looking forward to this book since Carrie first wrote about it on her blog, and I think the Sibella Cardigan will be my first make from it (I wear my Grace all the time, so another lightweight cardigan with some interesting yoke details would not go amiss in my wardrobe).

 

The second package contained the inaugural issue of Knit Wit magazine, which I backed on Kickstarter but is available for purchase at a few places now (including Fringe Supply Co). Yes, it costs more than your average magazine, but it really feels more like a journal or a book, and its definitely put together with the same care. Knit Wit is gorgeous, with heavy, matte pages, stunning photos, and really nice type faces. I haven’t had a ton of time to spend with it yet, but I’m really looking forward to reading thoughtful, varied pieces about lots of different fiber pursuits — from knitting to weaving to dyeing. There was no one-year subscription option for international backers, but I’ll definitely be sourcing Issue 2 of this one.