Craft Swaps and Exchanges - Lots of Fun

Through the years, I have often belonged to an online knit-and-crochet group that focuses on swapping with each other. If you have never heard of these, let me clue you in. They are a lot of fun.

A “leader” or “host” announces a “swap” or “exchange.” Members sign up. Partners are assigned. For example, in a Potholder swap, you send a hand crocheted or knitted potholder to your partner and your partner sends one to you. What makes it fun is that you “meet” other crafters, you receive things in your mail, you learn of different techniques and patterns, and a lot more.

Swaps and exchanges have been around for a very long time. Before the internet, when I was a little girl, in the 1940s, my mom received craft magazines in the mail. Besides patterns and ads, there were sections where ladies posted ads announcing they were looking for “friendship quilt (or afghan) squares.” They might mention themes - state birds, flowers, and so on. Other ladies would write and they’d agree to send each other specific squares. In the end, they would each end up with enough squares, over time, for a very special quilt or afghan.

Ravelry has quite a few of these going on at all times...check them out.

Today’s swaps and exchanges have the same appeal. If you do a search on Yahoo, enter the words swap or exchange and the name of the craft that excites you - knit, crochet, plastic canvas, quilting, whatever. You will find a lot more than you ever dreamed of.