All Those Smiles

Because of your smile, you make life more beautiful.
-Thich Nhat Hahn

It feels like I'm blogging more than I am. What happens is that every other time I go to work, I stay overnight for 30 hours. So what is really two days, feels like one. I finally had a somewhat-less-than-completely-crazy call night last night, which means that this afternoon post-call I was able to do useful things. Like go to the gym, read a delightfully trashy novel, and wind yarn.

I really do have a big NaKniSweMoDo post half-written to fill you in on all the sweaters I'm making. So many that I ran out of baskets to hold my Works-In-Progress and discovered that one of my many, many tote bags is actually perfect, and even color-coordinated.

But as I ramble, I know you all want to know who got lucky and won the yarn. Since my Peace Fleece good fortune was random, I went to the random number generator at random.org. Good fortune knows no boundaries.

The winner of the Briggs and Little was Cheryl:

Cheryl said...

Something that made me smile and laugh was the Valentine's card that I got from someone who I work with.It's the little day to day kindnesses and shared experiences along the way that mean the most to building friendships. And laughter, which I did when I first read the envelope.It did not have my name on it, it said, PUT THE KNITTING NEEDLES DOWN!!!!! Now, this is a friendship I hope will last a long time. HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO ALL.

And the winner of the Peace Fleece is KC.

KC said...

African violets made me smile.
My boyfriend loves African violets so I got him one last year for Valentines Day. Over the summer I rooted several cuttings so we now have them all over the house. This year for Valentines Day he took me to a garden center and we got three more so we can fill our house with color and little symbols of love. I smile every time I see one.

Aren't they lovely stories? Thanks to everyone for sharing their happy thoughts last week.

The winners should email me at knittingunderway AT gmail DOT com so we can work out minor details like mailing addresses, and Peace Fleece selections.

Smile, and Pass It On

If you only have one smile in you, give it to the people you love.

Don't be surly at home, then go out in the street

and start grinning 'Good morning' at total strangers.
-Maya Angelou

Thank you for all the lovely comments on my new sweater. I keep meaning to post in more detail about my grand plans for NaKniSweMoDo, with sweaters #2 and possibly #3 nearing completion, and #4 just started (and having bought yarn for #5 and #6, of course), but I'm spending all my days and 1/3 of my nights in the ICU. Which can be surprisingly good for sweater knitting as I wait and watch. But I digress. I'm loving my new sweater, and the fact that this week it's been a delightfully cool 50s and rainy.

I mentioned in my last post that I thought making two sweaters in the same brilliant peacock blue (as gorgeous as it is) at the same time was overkill. So I cast about for a new yarn for Acer, and settled on Peace Fleece. It's the original, called-for yarn. It's reportedly soft and wooly. And I like the company - no one loves peace more than those of us in the military.

It came quickly, within a week or so. And it was as perfectly, delightfully, soft and wooly as I had hoped. I went with pink, for variety.

Inside was a delightful surprise:

You probably can't read that, but apparently my order was selected during their Tuesday staff meeting as the "Smile" order - it was sent free of charge. I say again, free. No charge for the yarn. No charge for shipping. Completely free.

I was amazed. Astounded. Tickled pink, if you excuse the pun.

So tickled pink, in fact, that I feel compelled to pass on this smile. . . . and, er, try to do some stash compensating at the same time. Ironically, a company like Peace Fleece that I feel good about patronizing, sent me my money back. So, let's try to send them more, shall we?

Comment on this post, and tell us something that made you smile today. The random-number generator and I will send you the sweater-quantity of Peace Fleece in the color of your choice. That way I can support a company I like, and not add to the stash.

In order to even out the stash a bit, and to add to the fun, here are five skeins - karmically, the same number as my Peace Fleece - of Briggs and Little 4-ply in a gorgeous charcoal gray that I bought on the way to PEI on a memorable yarn-shopping vacation a few years ago. The stash is getting upset that this lovely yarn sits unused in San Diego, so I will happily send it to yours full of the good memories of times when I lived in places where wooliness was so desirable.

Contest closes at midnight PDT on Sunday February 15, 2009. If your stash is as crushingly-huge as mine and you want no more yarn, feel free to mention that in your comment, but tell us something happy anyway.

Last Contest of the Month

Self-image sets the boundaries of individual accomplishment.
-Maxwell Maltz

I forgot to upload my photo for today's post this morning, and tonight is my night to work at the homeless shelter clinic, after which I'm usually pretty exhausted. So I made the executive decision to switch my planned posts for today and tomorrow. Pretend that it's actually tomorrow already, the last day of NaBloPoMo, and this will all make so much more sense . . .

First, a few reflections on NaBloPoMo: This has been fun, and way easier than I thought. Part of the easy is definitely that my work schedule this month has been very tolerable. That leads to much knitting. And much knitting means that there is much about which to blog. But part of it, too, is just being back into the swing of things. If you blog everyday, or even frequently, it's that much easier to blog the next day. The more you blog about, the more you have to say.

It's like talking to an old friend. If you haven't talked for a long time,
you stick to the big stuff. The FOs. The, oh, well, "I got married." You never
get around to that crazy dog sweater you saw on the street today. But when you
talk more frequently, you get all the details. On a knitting blog, this strikes
me as a good thing.

I'm not going to keep blogging every day, and I was pretty happy with my every-other-day schedule before, but I am not going to hestitate to post more often if I feel inspired. I have a tendency to let my blog slip out of "real time," to plan posts for too far ahead of when the actual knitting was. This month has helped me stay more current, on my own blog and others' blogs.

And then a follow-up from our last blogiversary contest, I have some unnannouced winners:

• Karen at Musings of a (Mostly) Self-Taught Knitter was the first to comment. And they always seem to get skipped over in contests.
• Liz at Fido Knits just about summed up what we often feel is our favorite project - our next one - Did I mention that I haven't started it yet, even though I am dying to do so? In my imagination, therefore, it is just challenging enough to be fun, but easy enough not to drive me crazy, and never boring.?

And now, to celebrate the end of November, and the beginning of my third year of blogging, another contest. There's no question, no trick, nothing. Just comment and you might get lucky with some yarn. We all like yarn, right?

Today's the Day

When you fall into a river, you're no longer a fisherman;
you're a swimmer.
-Gene Hill

We've been talking about it all month, dancing around it, having contests, giving out yarn, and joining in the general fun of November NaBloPoMo and NaSweKniMo. Today is the day we've been awaiting. My blogiversary.

It's actually my second blogiversary. Last year I think I was on call in the CCU, or something, because it totally slipped my mind. This year I've embraced it. There are a couple of reasons for this. Mostly, I have a pretty good schedule this month, and my husband is away. (That explains, by the way, the knitting productivity several of you have noticed.) I've been focusing on several fun knits, amazed, again, at how fast a project can go with some dedicated attention. And I've been blogging every day, reminding me all over again about how much I enjoy blogging. This is fun. You guys are fun. Inspiring. And it makes me a much better, much more engaged knitter. Thank you.

To celebrate, let's have another contest. I'm in the groove with my Ladybug Sweater, thrilled with my first steek. What's your favorite project at the moment, and why? Comments will close on Friday November 23rd at midnight PST.

Great New Blogs

Well, if I called the wrong number, why did you answer the phone?
-James Thurber

One of the great things about having contests is that it tends to pull the delurkers out of the woodwork. Or you get a mention on the WiKnit blog and folks stop by to say hi. However they arrive, I find I've been discovering a whole bunch of new blogs lately (not to mention the destashing . . .).

First, the contest winners of the Christmas post:

My favorite: Amy - because she has STR Grinchy socks for her on the list.

And the Random Number Generator: Elaine

Email me your mailing addresses!

For your procrastination pleasure this holiday season . . . some new blogs:

• reluctantMANGO knits
• evergreenknits
• The Write to Knit -- check out this hilarious post here
• Ren Knits
• Traveling Knitter -- from my husband's home state!
• bySarah - love the profile pic of the pedicure
• Kangaeru
• Bark n Knit

Go enjoy some holiday procrastination inspiration!

Contest(s) Winner(s)

To win you've got to stay in the game.

-Claude M. Bristol

The great thing about having multiple contests is having multiple contest winners. And still being on track with NaBloPoMo. We're almost 1/3 there!

From my 1st contest - "What is November for?"

Winner by Random Number Generator is Beth from Kangaeru.
She - correctly - told us that
November is for autumn leaves, squash and sweet potatoes, apples and mulled cider. And nightfall coming really, really early.
Sounds like all the things I miss about New England. Go congratulate her, and add her to your bloglines.

Winner by Whimsy is Nikki who blogs at Trans-Canada Tea Party.
I love this one -
November is for digging out the handknits to keep you warm against the coming winter.
I just keep telling myself that at least I don't have to shovel snow off my car . . .

And my 2nd contest - "Where were we?"

The first one to correctly identify both photos was my sister-in-law (Hey Suzanne - why don't you start a knitting blog?), but she had the inside scoop. Not sure if that's quite fair . . .

Winner by Correctly Identifying the Photos - Since most of you copied Suzanne (at least you admitted it!), I think we'll give the most credit to Emily. She gets bonus points for guessing that we were either on the USS Drum or the USS Alabama (it was the Alabama), which are next to each other in the same park. (That's Mobile in the background, by the way.)

Winner by Random Number Generator - Hannah. What a cool blog. Go check it out!

And because my blogiversary month is so fun, there will be more contests. Stay tuned!

Reciprocity, And Another Clue

Life cannot exist in society except by reciprocal concessions.
-Samuel Johnson

Remember that photo of my husband that I posted the other day? Well, he has a reciprocal shot and insisted that it appear on the blog. Maybe this view will help any of you struggling with your contest entries . . .

I've done some knitting. The ladybug sweater is seeing some progress, as are the Log Cabin socks, and some more little socks.

But that's about all the blogging you'll get here today. I'm getting a bonus visit from my husband this weekend (and the weekend happens to be starting tonight!).

November Is For . . .

Thirty days hath November . . .

-Proverbial

Rebecca tells me that November is for sweaters. And I think she's a smart woman. And even if I'm in no mood to start a new sweater, my Denim Aran is crying out pitifully for attention. And I like that sweater. It's full of fun cabley goodness. And I really want to wear it.

But it's the little projects that are captivating me now. Can you really stand yet another fair isle (or, more accurately, stranded colorwork) in-progress photos? Because they'll be coming . . . all month long . . .

I think my compromise to this whole problem is to knit a multi-colored sweater in November. The Ladybug Sweater (visible progress demonstrated here) is a baby sweater, true (well, I'm making the 24 mo size, so not SO baby). But it's stranded in fingering weight yarn on US2s. I'm pretty sure there are at least 50,000 stitches in this, at 219 stitches per row. If I can do this NaKniSweMo and the UFO Resurrection at the same time, well, I'll be golden.

On top of which I am seriously thinking of NaBloPoMo. Today is day 1, after all.


And A Contest

In other exciting news, November is my blogiversary month. I did absolutely nothing last year to mark the occasion, so this year I'm determined to have a good time. Starting today. Tell me what November is for, and you could win some sock yarn. Contest ends Sunday November 4th at midnight Pacific Standard Time (although, if you get confused by the time change, I'll probably be lenient . . .)

Winning Again

There is no one luckier than he who thinks himself so.
-German Proverb

Lately, I've been awfully lucky in contests. Ever notice how these come in spurts?

At any rate, I was greated when I got home from leave by this wonderful package:

KC at Blue Turtle Knits sent me some delightful sock yarn, a postcard, and some goodies from her travels.

Ever notice, also, that no matter how fast I knit socks (yup - a couple more finished pairs coming soon . . .) it's never fast enough to keep up with the incoming yarn? I'm going to need a whole second basket for sock yarn soon!

Manly Socks

I don't have a photograph, but you can have my footprint.
They're upstairs in my socks.
-Groucho Marx

Thanks for all your patience with waiting for the results of the Manly Socks contest. It took me so long to compile the list that I've actually already started my next pair of manly socks. I'll hold you in suspense on those just a little longer. In the meantime, here are all the great suggestions:

Yarns:

The Clear Winner With 15 Votes:

• Trekking, Trekking, Trekking

Second Place With 6 Votes:

• Mountain Colors Bearfoot

Third Place(s) With 2-6 Votes:

• Opal
• Socks That Rock
• Regia
• Jawoll
• Online Supersocke
• Austermann Step

And with one vote each:

• Wildfoote
• Louet Opal
• Louet Gems
• Cherry Tree Hill
• Lana Grossa Boseo
• Fixation/Esprit
• Real Vermonter from A Piece of Vermont
• Meilenheit (and Boot Stretch!)
• "DK or larger"
• Sundara Semisolids
• Knitpicks Gloss
• Paton's Kroy
• Fearless Fibers (great yardage!)
• Lisa Souza sock yarn (450 yards!)
• Regia Tweed
• Calmer
• Schaefer Anne
• Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock
• Fortissima Socka

Patterns:

Most Commonly Mentioned:

• "just plain rib"
• "plain vanilla"
• "nice wide rib"
• stockinette stitch
• "anything simple ribbing"
• "good old traditional top down, heel flap"

Actual Patterns Mentioned More Than Once:

• Retro Rib from Favorite Socks
• Thuja from Knitty
• Boyfriend Socks by Slipped Stitch
• Gentleman's Fancy Stockings (made here for my dad)

Other Patterns:

• Father-Son Socks from IK Fall 2006
• Simple Trekking Socks by Miriam Felton (PDF here)
• Jaywalkers by Grumperina
• Campfire Socks by Cidermoon
• Celtic Braid Socks

"Nancy Bush all the way:"

• Gentleman's Plain Winter Socks (made here for the beau!)
• Gentlemen's Half Hose from Knitting Vintage Socks
• Conway from Knitting on the Road
• Chalet Socks from Folk Socks
• Madder Rib Socks from Knitting Vintage Socks

The Winners:

• Donna - She was the first to suggest the pattern I chose to knit first (shhh . . . it's a surprise!)
• Stuntmother - Because she just listed so many nice socks and yarn. Plus she's been making beautiful socks lately. Go visit Two Sharp Sticks.

Congratulations to all - now we have a great list of manly socks to knit! And the winners should email me their addresses to collect their prizes. And for the rest of you, stay tuned to see what the beau is getting next.

Yarn!

If winning isn't everything, why do they keep score?
-Vince Lombardi

It's been a bad week for knitting, as you heard, but a great week for yarn. I believe I mentioned last Friday that I took off and did a little celebratory stash enhancement in honor of my last ICU call. Since then, I've also been the lucky winner of not one but two blog contests. First up, I won Chrissy's contest and won this adorable hand-sewn bag with a drawstring - perfect for carrying around a sock project on the go! And you know what my sewing skills are like . . . Then I got lucky again and won Beth's Blogiversary contest and won this gorgeous yarn in colors that are very "me." She also included some wonderful chocolates with a history. Not only are they yummy, but there's an insert full of details about historical Jackson. Did she know that I'd recently crossed Mississippi off my list of states I've visited (49!) by passing through Jackson on my way to San Diego?

Thanks, ladies! The best part of both of these is having found blogs that are relatively new to me. That's what it's all about, isn't it?

And as far as my own stash enhancement goes . . . Koigu in manly sock colors. Gray mix and eggplant. More sock yarn - Lang JaWoll in manly blues and Sockotta (perfect for TheNewCaliforniaLifestyle!) in non-manly colors. And non-sock yarn. Who could resist these colors?

I'm A Winner

When you are in any contest, you should work as if there were
- to the very last minute -
a chance to lose it. This is battle, this is politics, this is anything.
-Dwight D. Eisenhower

Boy, oh, boy. Or is it "man, oh, man?" You guys have lots of great suggestions for manly socks. And even better than the yarns are the patterns. It's taking me longer to put together than I thought (everything is this month - that's what being on call every third night will do to you). While we're (still) waiting, let me show you what I won: Kristen of Audioknits had a little contest, and I was lucky enough to win. She personalized the package for me by sending some Autocrat Coffee Syrup for The Official State Drink of Rhode Island. I assure you that if you ever see this in someone's pantry they must be from RI. You can't get it anywhere else, and yet it used to be in the dining hall in college. Great stuff. And marrying my love for RI and the lovely San Diego weather, she was kind enough to help me broaden my cotton collection with a gorgeous yarn from Fiesta Yarns, a ribbon in a gorgeous blue-purple mix. Not sure exactly what I'll make yet, but I've been wanting to try some ribbon yarns, and this one is gorgeous.

The Man Will Have More Socks

I would rather trust a woman's instinct than a man's reason.

-Stanley Baldwin

Thanks for all your lovely comments on the now-affianced beau's socks. He likes them a lot, as do I. But while these socks are warm, cozy, and in a lovely yarn, it's clearly not a yarn that will stand up to all those 30-hour calls. Not to mention that they are a little too warm and cozy for daily wear in San Diego. Clearly, some more manly socks are in order.

That sounds like a contest to me. A two-part contest.
1. What is the best sock yarn - be specific here - for manly socks?
2. What is the best manly sock pattern you know?

The winners? Two: the answer I like the best, and one random one from all who comment. The prize? Manly sock yarn, of course.* Your responses will, of course, force me to buy more yarn. Some for me, some for you. Tragic, isn't it?

*If you would really prefer un-manly sock yarn, that could probably be arranged.