Swaps

I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it here or not, but I’m going to be stepping away from swapping after this last swap I’m a part of. While I have had some fun participating in swaps, it’s honestly too much for me to continue to do. I get really stressed over sending something that’s really great and some of the swaps I’ve done have just left me feeling… well, like I put in way more effort than the person I swapped with. At times people have not paid attention to my preferences, sent very late, and not communicated at all. I’m a very understanding person and if you tell me that life got in the way and you’re going to be late, I will totally understand and it will be fine with me. But if you don’t tell me, then I worry and agonize over not knowing what’s going on.

Don’t get me wrong, here. I have had some really great swap partners! Sockapalooza, Sock-ret Pal, Tea Swap, and Lace Swap ring bells here (there are probably more I’m forgetting here – sorry if I am!). Those have been great experiences for me. However, the ones I’m waiting to finish up right now haven’t been the best experience for me on the receiving end. I’ve done my part, sent my package and yet people have not communicated with me letting me know WTF is going on from their end (or even letting me know they’ve received). I am just really bummed by this recent turn of things, when I had been enjoying myself. I don’t think that I could be involved in another swap that turns out like that, which means I don’t want to take a chance that it will. I’m tired of being disappointed and it also drains a lot of my energy which is already limited. I just wanted to "vent" about it because it’s been bugging me lately. I’m sure I will participate in swaps again, but I need a big break from the whole thing first and then I will be a little more selective of the ones I do decide to join.

Aside from that (and to leave this post on a positive note), I have been knitting a lot this week. I’ve turned the heel of sock number two of the ankle socks I’m working on. They will no doubt be done today. The top-down raglan has seen progress and I’ve split off the arms and am working on the body. It’s going a lot faster now that there aren’t a zillion stitches per row! The sister scarf is about half way done and I think I may be able to be done with it by her birthday. There are other things on the needles, of course, but these are the projects that have been sitting by my knitting chair and are getting the most work. I’ll post pictures soon (probably tonight).

I’m looking forward to A Wool Gathering this weekend and most especially to trying out some spinning wheels! I’m sure there will be lots of fibery goodness to report back on :o)

Have a good day everyone!