Pattern: Noro Striped Scarf by Jared Flood

Materials: Noro Silk Garden; 45% mohair, 45% silk, 10% wool

Amount: 2 skeins in 87; 2 skeins in 376; Approx. 206m/100g

Needles: US 7/4.50 mm

Start Date: 3 July 2014

Finish Date: 21 July 2014

For: Luke

Pattern: Chevzam by Alex Tinsley

Materials: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted; 100% merino

Amount: 1 skein in 22 Sauterne; 1 skein in 35 Frank Ochre; 1 skein in 36 Pearl; 1 skein in 63 Natural; Approx. 192m/100g

Needles: US 9/5.50 mm

Start Date: 8 December 2014

Finish Date: 19 December 2014

For: Nicole

Pattern: Hermione Hearts Ron by Christy Aylesworth

Materials: Patons Big Baby 4ply; 60% acrylic, 40% nylon (small)
Heirloom Merino Magic 5ply; 100% Merino (big)

Amount: 1 skein in 2565 (small); 1 skein in 206 (big)

Needles: US 2/2.75mm  |  US 2.5/3.0mm (small)
US 2.5/3.0mm  |  3.50mm (big)

Dates: 2-4 November 2014 (small)

17-19 December 2014 (big)

For: Katie

Pattern: Song of the Sea by Louise Zass-Bangham

Materials: Heirloom Merino Magic 5ply; 100% merino

Amount: 4 skeins in 206; Approx. 119m/100g

Needles: US 6/4.0 mm

Start Date: 21 July 2014

Finish Date: 21 August 2014

For: Kira

Pattern: Vivace by Elizabeth Sullivan

Materials: Moda Vera Noir; 75% wool, 25% nylon

Amount: 1 skeins in Purple Mix; Approx. 400m/100g

Needles: US 2/2.75 mm

Start Date: 27 March 2014

Finish Date: 1 December 2014

For: Katie

There's something really special about having friends who know you really well, and while I've always had good friends in my life, this is something I've been really blessed with of late. Sometimes this means someone knowing the exact joke to make me laugh for hours on end. Sometimes it means someone knowing I'm not okay even when I say I am. Sometimes it means sitting in a cafe until getting kicked out at closing, or lounging about at home chatting away. Sometimes, the best times, it means having someone hold you while you cry even if you're not really sure why you're crying, having someone make you feel like you're not alone in the world.

Today it means having people who know how to pick the absolute best Christmas present anyone could ever pick for me ever!

I came home late tonight to find a package tucked behind my screen door. This is always a very welcome sight, but it's rarely a surprising one. I usually know when to be expecting a package, so as soon as I saw it sitting there tonight I starting wracking my brains to think what I had ordered and very quickly came up blank.

I had no idea what it was at all... and then I noticed that the return address said 'Jellywares'. That sounded familiar. But why?

And then it hit me. Renae, Wendy and I had had a brief conversation about monthly yarn clubs about a month ago, but we hadn't really done anything about it. Those sneaky little tricksters! It didn't take much to make them confess and admit that they had arranged this lovely Christmas gift for me.

I can already tell that my favourite part is going to be the unboxing each month. I mean look at this! It's all wrapped up so prettily, with washi tape and stamps and beautiful Christmas cards and crafty goodies!

There was a short, heartstopping moment when I thought they would make me wait until Christmas to open further than this, or at least wait until Saturday when we'd all be together, but thankfully they took pity on me and let me keep going.

And just look at that. Debbie Bliss cotton yarn in beautiful colours, a gorgeous Christmas card, pretty little buttons - what more could you ask for in a surprise package? I'm so very lucky to have such lovely friends who know how to spoil me so!