Box o' love

I always say that one of the reasons that I learned to knit was so that I can make gifts for people. I like to cook, but unless the person lives locally, food gifts aren't particularly practical - 'sketty and meatballs don't travel well through the postal system!

So I really like that I can now knit small gifts. One of my dearest Ravelry pals is facing some scary surgery next week and because she lives in Michigan, I can't exactly pop over to her house and help out with the children or cook comfort food for her. What is the next best thing, perhaps? A care package!

The first item in the package was a beanie for those post-surgery bad hair days:





The pattern is Lavender Lace Beanie by Lorna Miser, from the book 101 Designer One-Skein Wonders. I knit it out of ever-luscious Malabrigo Merino yarn in a gorgeous blue, although the colorway is officially called Emerald. I was concerned that the beanie looked small and had no way of knowing if it would fit the head of someone I have never met in person!

I also included one of the felted heart coasters that I made back in February, a pair of spa socks, and some Reese's peanut butter cups, her favorite candy. I put the items in a small box that I covered in adhesive wrapping paper with a funky flower design, then securely packed it in a shipping box.

Just in case her postal carrier leaves packages at odd doors or tosses them in the yard, I sent her a message that simply said to watch her mailbox mid-week. I sent the box on Monday via USPS Priority Mail and it was delivered to her home yesterday. And...she likes it! And it fits! She sent the kindest, most thoughtful thank you message, taking care to mention each item in the box.

Sigh - a good sigh. Knowing that I made her smile is almost as good as placing a plate of hot 'sketty and meatballs in front of her.