Only 5 days left to sign up!

Sign ups are progressing nicely, we have 35 people signed up for the swap so far. Sign ups close next Monday, 2nd June. This also marks the end of the "Pimp the Swap" competition - so if you haven't "pimped" and would like to win a lovely skein of Socks that Rock, go along to this post and join in!

If you have signed up and are eager to get to know your fellow swappers, why not browse through their blogs or Ravelry profiles? - They are linked in the side bar under Participants. I am loving some of the photos in the questionnaires.
If you haven't posted your questionnaire, you have a little time yet. The deadline is 7th June. However it will make it much easier for Delle and I to match you all if we have the answers to your questionnaire before the 7th!

For the swappers without blogs, your Ravelry profile is an excellent way of sharing more information about yourself. Here is a link to my profile as an example. To edit, I click the "edit your profile" link under my name in the top left hand corner.

Round Two Questionnaire

Sign ups start today and the questionnaire for the second round of the UK Swap is below.

If you have a blog - please post it to your blog. If you do not have a blog, please complete it in a word document and then email it to ukswap@googlemail.com

The questionnaire is designed to give your swap pal ideas for swap items; what you like, what you don't like, so please try to provide as much information as possible.

It must be done/posted by Monday, June 9th. If you have not posted/emailed the questionnaire by this date you may be removed from the swap.

Part One: Crafting
Do you knit, crochet, or both?
What do you like to make?
Do you have a favourite project?
Do you have a favourite type of fiber or brand of yarn?
Do you have a least favourite type of yarn?
Do you do any other crafts?
Do you knit in public? If so where do you like knitting and what is your "portable" project?
What do you carry your "portable" knitting in?
Are there any knitting gifts (book, toy, yarn, item, tool) that you have been lusting over?

Part Two: Your Favourites
What is your favourite colour?
What is your least favourite colour?
What scents/smells do you like? What don’t you like?
How do you like to pamper yourself? (bubble bath, hand creams, massage, manicure)
What goodies to you like to eat? (chocolate, biscuits, sweets,crisps etc)
Do you prefer tea or coffee while you knit? Any particular kind?
Do you listen to/watch anything while you knit? (TVshow-Along, movies, music, podcasts, audiobooks)

Part Three: About you, Living & Past-times
If you were a specific kind of yarn, which brand and kind of yarn would you be (and why)?
Where do you live in the UK? (General idea not address)
Have you always lived here, or did you grow up somewhere else?
What is your favourite place in the UK?
If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?
What other hobbies do you have?

Part Four: The Theme
As part of this swap we are asking you to post (or link to) a picture or photograph you like. Your swap pal will use the photo as a basis for a themed item or parcel.
It could be of a specific item, e.g. Jellybeans, an Alpaca, a rainbow or a scene e.g. sunset, beach, woodland or anything else you can think of! Please add a few words to explain why you have chosen the photo if you think this is appropriate.
It could be a photo you have taken or a picture you have found on the internet. Please note - if the picture is not yours please ensure you seek permission from the owner before posting it on your blog. Alternatively, you can link to the original picture.

Final Part:
Any allergies/preferences (fiber-wise or treat-wise)?
Anything we missed that you’d like your partner to know?

Sign Up Information

• Sign-ups open Monday May 19th, 2008.
• Send the following information to the hosts at ukswap@googlemail.com
• Emails sent to any of the hosts individual addresses will not be accepted
• You will know your application has been received when your name and blog link appears on the Swap Blog under Participants
• Sign-ups close Monday June 2nd
• Questionnaire must be posted by Monday 9th June, however the sooner you post the questionnaire the easier it will be for us to match you. The questionnaire will be released on Monday 19th May.
• Being an Angel means that if someone’s partner doesn’t send a package or disappears entirely (knock on wood) that you are willing to step in and make a “rescue package” to send asap.
• Please remember you must be resident in the UK (apart from holidays) for the duration of this swap (June - 1st September)


Full Name:
Email:
Anonymous Email (Required):
Post Address:
Blog Address (if applicable):
Ravelry Name (if applicable):
Other Interests (this will help us when matching people):
Are handmade gifts ok?
Is your home smoke free and pet free?
Do you have any allergies to pets or smoke?
Are you willing to be an angel?
Have you participated in a swap before?
Are you willing to send to someone who does not have a blog?
Will you be away for more than 5 days from 9th June - 1st September? If so, could you let us know when.
Are you going to have more than one address (eg students heading home for the summer, people moving house)?

Round Two - Pimp the Swap Contest

The purpose of the contest is to spread the word about the UK Swap and generate interest on the Swap Blog. Anyone (living anywhere) can promote the swap and participate in (and win) the contest. However, only those living in the UK will be able to join the swap.

Pimp the Swap on your blog or website. Post a message and a button telling everyone that we’re doing a UK based Knitter’s Swap from June - September. Tell them Sign-ups begin on May 19th, 2008 and close on June 2nd.


Ways you will be entered in the draw for a fabulous yarny prize:

1. Posting a message on your blog (make sure to leave a comment here telling us you did so!)
2. Having other people comment here that they found out about the Swap from your blog/website. (One extra entry for every person that says you sent them).
3. Note: Hosts will not be entered into the contest, but don’t let that deter you from telling us where you found out about the swap!

The Prize?
One skein of Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock Lightweight in colourway January One.

Now, go forth my yarny-friends and PIMP THE SWAP!

P.S. Contest begins today (Wednesday 14th May) and ends Monday 2nd June at midnight! (When sign ups close). The winner of the Pimp the Swap contest will be announced before matches go out in the second week of June.

Round Two - Calendar of Dates

All “due” dates are Mondays (so that you have the weekend before as prep-time). For now the contest and game dates are a secret!! We have good things planned I promise!

Monday May 19th– Sign-ups open and questionnaire released

Monday June 2nd – Sign-ups close

Monday June 9th – Questionnaire due

Second Week of June 9th-15th– Matches go out

Monday June 16th– If you have not received your match, please contact hosts at ukswap@googlemail.com

Friday June 20th First contact due

Monday September 1st – Packages sent by

Monday September 15th– If you have not received your package, please contact hosts at ukswap@googlemail.com

Round Two - Package Requirements

The following are requirements of the package if/when you join the Swap (sign-ups open May 19th). Please note that these are the minimum requirements. You are not expected to go over budget, or include all of the items suggested. There are links in the sidebar to help you with ideas and gifts to include. Please try to cater to your downstream pal's tastes as much as possible. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact your hostesses at ukswap@googlemail.com.

• Minimum spending: £20 not including shipping.

As this is a themed swap there is one essential item:

• Something that relates to your swap pals chosen theme picture that they posted in their questionnaire. It could be yarn, a pattern, a book, a new knitting tool, treats, something hand-made/hand-knit for your partner or anything else you can think of! Remember to choose something they would like. You can send a themed package, or just include one or two items that relate to the picture your swap pal has chosen.

Optional items:

• Enough yarn for a small project (one hank/one skein/approximately 100-200 yards). Please ensure it is something your pal will like and use. It can be from your stash as long as it is new and has a label (or card if hand-spun/dyed).

• Yummy treats to eat or drink. Check out their preferences and try to send them something they will enjoy. (chocolate, tea, hot cocoa, coffee, biscuits)

• A new item to pamper/play with (soaps, bubble bath, candles, funny-joke toy, knick-knacks)

Don’t forget to double-check any allergies!

Round Two - Obligations and Commitments

• This is a UK only swap. You must be living in the UK with a valid address (not P.O. Box) to send/receive packages.

• The swap is scheduled to take place from June to September. Sign-ups open May 19th and will be open for two weeks. Matches go out the second week of June. Packages must be sent by September 1st.

• This is a secret swap. Take a moment to create an anonymous email so you don’t accidentally give away your identity. Also make sure that when you send emails your real name does not come up. If you would like to send a test email to us at ukswap@googlemail.com to check, we will email you back and let you know.

• This is not a Ravelry-based swap. You do not need to be on Ravelry to join the UK Swap. However there is a Ravelry group for this swap.

• Having a blog is STRONGLY suggested. This is the perfect way to post your Questionnaire and link back to here! Also, when the list of participants go up, your name will link to your blog. This is a great way for your spoiler to get to know you.

• Because blogs are not required, an anonymous email IS required. You will need to provide the email for sign-ups so head on over to any email program and create an email that doesn't give away who you are!

• For those that do not have blogs, they will be asked to join a communal blog here at Blogspot. Blogspot allows multiple posters to a single blog so you will need a Google Account. At this blog you will be able to post your questionnaire, and your swap swag. If you would like to create your own blog for the swap, please do.

• Keep in contact with your partner. Contact your downstream pal at least once a week. You can send them an email, an ecard, or comment on their blog. Remember to stay anonymous! Keeping who you are a secret is the most fun. We realise this is holiday season, if you are going away please let both your upstream and downstream swap pals know. Why not send them a postcard whilst you are away?

• You have over two months (after matches are received) to put together a great package suited to your pal’s theme picture, tastes and preferences.

• There will be games and contests during the swap. These are optional, but the more people that play, the more fun we all can have. Some of them will be blog-based and others will not. Hopefully there will be something for everyone!