Straight from the Land of Oz

Guess what I got?

I received the blanket (and extra goodies) yesterday, but didn't have a chance to get a photo until today. Unfortunately, the weather knew what I was going to try, so it got all overcast and made the pic a bit flashy...

Everything Abe-hap sent:

• the blanket, looking good (of course ;D)
• a skein of gorgeous virgin "new" wool (I never understand this term) that's self-striping and soo soft
• a Fiber Trends lace scarf pattern, written by Eugene Beugler (Eugenians will have to laugh with me at the smallness of the world) - he's a local lace knitter we all know!
• an assortment of various Aussie candies (tragically, the koala and frog are no more, for I was hungry and they were yummy)
• a small Australian flag
• and, inside the card, a spinning wheel stitch marker and platypus...

... coin ;D

Hehe. I'm kinda glad that she didn't send a real platypus, those things have a nasty sting. And Customs woulda freaked out. Though, I doubt a wombat would have made it through, either.

Thank you so much, Abe-hap!

Now I just need to figure out what I'm going to add, and what I'm gonna send to Penny.

Questions and Answers by Tammi

What are your Favorite Colors? I am currently really enjoying blues and greens. And I love purple, and orange. Ok, most colors. I am sorta getting over the brown phase I was in this winter.

Do you prefer Solid or Multi Colored Yarns? I like both! I do love yarn with subtle color variations. Guess it depends on what I am knitting.

What fibers do you prefer? Soft ones! Merino, silk blends, some cottons I don't use a lot of wool, because it isn't very cold here in Eugene.

Any Allergies? Angora makes me itch and sneeze horribly. Some wool does too.

What do you enjoy knitting the most? (socks, mittens, sweaters, etc.) I like to knit for kids, sweaters, blankets, etc. Shawls and scarves occupy lots of my time. I haven't had any burning desire to knit socks, yet.

What are your favorite yarns? This winter I fell in love with Lumpy Bumpy. And there is this silk blend from Artyarns that I am highly coveting. I have to admit that Cotton Fleece is often my go-to yarn, though.

What do you enjoy doing outside of knitting? Sewing, expecially quilts, hiking and weight-lifting. Watching my teenage son swim (I spend a ton of time at swim meets) And there's my job-I'm a pediatrician. I do really enjoy that.

Favorite foods or candies? Chocolate! Especially dark chocolate. I do have other vices, like cinnamon bears and black licorice.

Art or Music you enjoy? I like several types of music. Currently I am listening to Switchfoot, Emmylou Harris and Red Hot Chili Peppers. I have to admit I am less a fan of classical music.

What inspires you? Nature, life. Kids are a huge inspiration for me. Their energy and curiosity are amazing!

Anything else you want to share? This is the first time I have ever posted to a blog! I had to ask Jodie for a tutorial..... I taught myself to knit two years ago. I'm still a newbie, but I'll try almost anything.

blanket on its way back to Oregon :)

Hi everyone just letting you all know Ive finished adding my part to the blanket and Im very happy with how it looks. I stitched my part in a Nubbly Tweed 2 stitch, a quick & easy stitch to do. I tried to find some green & gold yarn-Aussie colours -and the yarn I found was as close to it as I could get.

The pic though makes the colours look alot less nicer then what they really are in real life :( sorry about that.

I took the blanket for a quick outing today to grab a few pics of the town, we went to the Blue Lake and to the Lady Nelson tourist centre - its been raining on & off all day so we cut our tour of town short.

but if you want to see more pics of Mt Gambier then be sure to click on our photo galleries 2005~2007 on our blog.

So first thing tomorrow I'll be sending the blanket & some goodies to Fyberduck. I had fun doing the swap, thanks for letting me join in. I cant wait to see progress pics of the blanket as it travels to everyone.

seeya, abe-hap.

Better Late than Never! poll answers from Kim

What are your Favorite Colors?

Blues, red and purples!

Do you prefer Solid or Multi Colored Yarns?

I love both!

What fibers do you prefer? Any Allergies?

Nope!

What do you enjoy knitting the most? (socks, mittens, sweaters, etc.)

I love knitting socks! Am I using enough exclamation points?!?

What are your favorite yarns?

Koigu, Fleece Artist and STR on the high end. Cascade 220 and Brown Sheep and Cotton Ease on the affordable end.

What do you enjoy doing outside of knitting?

Sleeping, chocolate, and reading.

Favorite foods or candies?

Chocolate, chocolate and chocolate. Dark is good.

Art or Music you enjoy?

oh my, too much to mention.

What inspires you?

Spring in Oregon. The ocean. Islands. Alaska.

Arrived!!

Ahhhh - what have we here a parcel from Oregon, gee I wonder who that could be from!

Jodie sent me a gorgeous skein of super wash merino yarn from local dye artist Janis Thompson in Eugene, Oregon, so its definitely one of a kind!

The colours are so unusual, and pretty, I love it. It will be made into a very special something for me, and I think Ive already decided on a lovely scarf pattern to use it on.

Also Jodie sent me some CD's music mixes, with some classical & some fun & funky mixes, which I'm listening to right now as I type this, Jodie they are great choices :)

Thank you Jodie for the great gifts, Tomorrow I'll take the blanket strip for a quick tour of town, (pics coming) before we head home and get into some serious knitting time together as I add my part to it.

Sent!

The beginning of the blanket has been sent! Along with some goodies of course. I didn't get a chance to take any pictures before I sent it, so maybe Abe-hap will be kind enough to post some pics.

I decided to start the blanket with a sort of "blank slate" approach. Nothing complicated (it can't get much simpler) and something that is easy to be creative with. Remember that there is no stipulation as to the type of add on you do. We could have a sorts of polygons and fun experiements going on. Be creative!

Rachel says...

What are your Favorite Colors?
My favorite colors are blue and green, but I try to diversify with other colors. I'm not so keen on pastels since they remind me of baby clothing. Not that I don't love babies... nevermind.
Lately I've been on a brown kick.

Do you prefer Solid or Multi Colored Yarns?
Either. I don't do enough with multi colored yarn. And self striping yarn is like a miracle to me.

What fibers do you prefer? Any Allergies?
I don't really have a preference. Anything but red heart acrylic I suppose. I used some bamboo/cotton yarn recently which was very exciting.

What do you enjoy knitting the most? (socks, mittens, sweaters, etc.)
So far I've done mostly small things like mitts, arm warmers, a shrug. I haven't tried socks yet.

What are your favorite yarns?
I haven't been knitting very long (less than a year), but so far my favorite is Debbie Bliss Cashmerino. I like soft things without a lot of fuzz or halo. I still haven't found that one yarn so lovely it makes me want to roll around in it like a cat in catnip.

What do you enjoy doing outside of knitting?
Hiking, reading, rock climbing, cooking, hanging out with friends, playing the flute, dogparking the dog, sitting in the sun. I used to garden, but am without a yard.

Favorite foods or candies?
I'll eat just about anything that doesn't eat me first.

Art or Music you enjoy?
I'm pretty artistically and musically open. I can't think of one thing I like most. I like works by Michelangelo, especially David. I also like original art by friends, mixed media, photography, paintings... whatever. :-)
I like most kinds of music except rap and country. Indie music, rock, punk, classical, angry grrl music, folk music... whatever. My favorite CDs are mixes from my friends and I can't even tell you everything on those!

What inspires you?
The ocean.
The fact that the world keeps on going even when things seem to be pointless and horrible. The fact that people still want to be kind when the world seems to have forgotten kindness...
My 14 and 3/4 years old dog inspires me with her patience and the way her eyes light up when I come home.
enough with this mush :-)

Anything else you want to share?
I'm excited to be on my first knitting swap, but nervous because I'm afraid I'll have knitters block and the whole thing will be one big bad idea... But I have faith in myself!
I also spend too much time blogging at work.

Hi, from Carolyn

Jodie has questions. Here are my answers!

What are your Favorite Colors? I love bright rainbow colors. (You should see what's on my needles now - it's a hand-dyed called "Circus!") Most of my knitting is for the very young people in my life. When I look for yarn, I ask, "Is it fun?"

Do you prefer Solid or Multi Colored Yarns? Multi-colored, for the "fun" factor.

What fibers do you prefer? Any Allergies? I haven't met a fiber that I don't like! And no allergies, thank goodness.

What do you enjoy knitting the most? (socks, mittens, sweaters, etc.) All of the above. Except, I'm having a bit of an issue with my mittens lately. I have about 14 little mittens that still need thumbs. I resolve to declare a "Thumb-Day" and do them all!

What are your favorite yarns? I'm enjoying some yarn from Etsy and
One Planet. I like Pancake and Lulu, and Feltstudio UK. But I like just about everything.

What do you enjoy doing outside of knitting? I love living in Eugene and I love the outdoors. I also like drawing, watercolor painting, and reading. Currently I am reading books about America in Iraq, and throwing them against the wall after almost every chapter. There will be a large hole in my wall soon.

Favorite foods or candies? Oh goodness, I like everything. Honest.

Art or Music you enjoy? I like rock, jazz, blues, folk, and classical. I like oldies...I mean, really oldies...like, 15th-century oldies! I like drawing and painting flowers and landscapes.

What inspires you? I'm inspired by people who cope with difficult challenges every day. I'm interested in people who find a way to go on, even when they are sick or in pain, and people who can find a way to help others.

Anything else you want to share? Thank you, Jodie, for putting this swap together!

TheBon, in Brief.

What are your Favorite Colors?
Blues, greens, purples, chocolate brown [especially with turquoise, orange, lime or fuschia] black, reds, pinks. I don't look good in oranges and yellows, but that does not mean I dislike them. They're just better for mittens and other things that will go nowhere near my face. I think my biggest hatred is for pastels. For a good idea of my color preferences, visit my Flickr account, especially the She's Craft Collection and Wedding Planning Set.

Do you prefer Solid or Multi Colored Yarns?
For small projects--multi-colored. I love self striping yarns but I hate, hate, hate self-patterning ones, like these.

What fibers do you prefer? Any Allergies?
I prefer next-to-skin soft fibers like merino and BFL and alpaca and llama. I love the shine of tencel. I'm generally okay with anything that isn't as harsh as a Jacob sheep's fleece. I don't care to knit with cottons in general. I do not like to knit with acrylics, unless I absolutely have to. I don't have any allergies, although I am very very sensitive to cigarette smoke and it makes me feel like crud to be around smoke-smelling things. Plymouth Alpaca makes my hands itch and sting [it's a processing thing] as does Paton's SWS.

What do you enjoy knitting the most? (socks, mittens, sweaters, etc.)
I really enjoy knitting toys, mittens, and lace. I also like to knit socks, although I haven't yet adapted to Eugene's much more temperate climate than I'm used to and don't get much wear out of them here [my feet get so hot in shoes that it's pretty much thin cotton unless it's really cold [i.e. quite a bit below freezing.]

What are your favorite yarns?
I really like Meilenweit Mega Boots. I love Fleece Artist sock yarn. I really love Knitpicks Bare blends, particularly the superwash/nylon blend. So much sproing! I like most things Brown Sheep [Lamb's Pride, Nature Spun, Nature Spun Sport.] I love artfibers yarns.


What do you enjoy doing outside of knitting?
I like...nay...love architecture. I draw, I paint, I spin, I take pretty pictures. I am a big fan of research. I love to spend time reading buildings, determining their histories and how they've changed through time. I love gadgets and am a big techie-geek. I'm getting married on June 23rd which means I am just about crazy with all of that.

Favorite foods or candies?
Cheese. I really love cheese. I also love chocolate. Really good white chocolate or a medium dark chocolate preferred over milk, but I love peanut butter cups too. Potatoes. Garlic. That probably doesn't help anyone with anything though, although I have had chocolate covered potato chips [my verdict--I'd rather have a Kit-Kat.]

Art or Music you enjoy?
Well, I'm a big architecture nerd, especially architects like Walter Gropius, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Greene and Greene, and Bernard Maybeck. I tend to favor old buildings compared to new, and love folks' work like the Eames and Arne Jacobsen and Alvar Aalto. I dislike Frank Lloyd Wright in general. I love advertising--especially from the Art Deco era. I love the Impressionists with an equal passion to my love of Dali and Mondrian.

As for music...Hmm. Some current favorites: the soundtrack to Kinky Boots, They Might be Giants, Regina Spektor, Lazlo Bane, Colin Hay, Jonathon Coulton, Stereophonics, Angry Salad, Brooks West. It's an eclectic mix encompassing folk-rock, indie, pop and oldies as well as some serious nerd-music love in there.

What inspires you?
The world around me. There's something amazing to me in the way the world is. Dead leaves on the sidewalk inspire me as much as a very carefully designed gutter downspout or an amazingly intricate terra cotta panel on a building.

Anything else you want to share?
There is a ton of info about me at my blog, or through my flickr account. I post more regularly to flickr lately than I do my blog because it is shorter, quicker, and most often--easier for me to sit and do.

Taylor Jane's Questions Answered

What are your Favorite Colors?

Dark Green, Dark Purple, and Orange (in that order or all together)


Do you prefer Solid or Multi Colored Yarns?

Solids

What fibers do you prefer? Any Allergies?

I have a small baby, so I fear, mistrust, and will not wear anything I can't throw in the washer and dryer as soon as it's been thrown up on. Were it not for the small one, I would answer Silk, Rayon, Wool. As it is, we do a lot with Cotton.

What do you enjoy knitting the most? (socks, mittens, sweaters, etc.)

Things for my son - wee sweaters, etc. This is assuming I have time to knit, which is not frequently the reality.

What are your favorite yarns?

I like reclaiming yarn from seriously ugly sweaters I find for a dollar or two at the thrift store.

What do you enjoy doing outside of knitting?

The secret is that while I enjoy knitting, I'm really not obsessed and can go months without knitting a stitch (with no serious withdrawl problems). Knitting is just something I know how to do.

I am fascinated watching the mind and body of my son, Arthur (7 months), grow and change. He and I do a lot of gardening, reading, home-keeping, cooking, baking, and other happy things. When I am not parenting full time I am an outstanding childcare provider for other peoples kids and a pretty decent herbalist.

Favorite foods or candies?

Cheese is good. Organic Chocolate has been known to make me happy. I like fruit. I have no strong preferences here.

Art or Music you enjoy?

I love, love, love Celtic music. I like most other music also. I will always be a sucker for anything Peter, Paul and Mary. I can't help it.

Art - there's a hell of a question. Define Art. Visual? Big fan of the Impressionists. Favorite painters could include Toulouse-Lautrec, Monet, Cezanne, and Van Goh. But that doesn't really get to the heart of it. I like ART - the kind that makes you question your assumptions, step outside your own experience, get lost in someone else's idea, and generally challenges you as a human being. That's real.

What inspires you?

Arthur inspires me each and every moment. The immense beauty and suffering of the Planet and the many species that try to co-exist on Her. The Goddess is always a source of inspiration. The amazing journey of a seed to sprout to seedling to plant and eventually to flower or food. The Ocean. Clouds. Sunrise/Sunset. Rain. The unbelievable blueness of a blue sky. The cellular dance of the human body. Birth.

Anything else you want to share?

The only reason I have time to type this right now is that Baby Arthur is deep asleep next to me. I likely will not have much time to contribute to the online adventures of this project -- I often don't have a lot of time to even check my email. But I will be out here, sometimes, somewhere. I like the idea of group creation for the greater good. There will be powerful magic in a blanket like the one we are making.

Ren's Questionnaire

What are your Favorite Colors?

I love blue and purple, with green and pink coming in close behind. I'm not generally a huge fan of the "warmer" colors like red, orange, and yellow.

Do you prefer Solid or Multi Colored Yarns?

Either, as long as the multi-colored is mostly colors I like.

What fibers do you prefer? Any Allergies?

I've liked most fibers that I've tried (although that's a pretty narrow range). I don't have any allergies, but it seems like wool (unless it's super soft) makes me itchy.

What do you enjoy knitting the most? (socks, mittens, sweaters, etc.)

I don't have a favorite. It's all about variety, really. Knitting the same thing all the time gets very dull to me. I hope to one day knit a piece of real clothing, though.

What are your favorite yarns?

I prefer yarns that are soft, have decent stitch definition, and aren't too novelty. Don't get me wrong, I like the novelty yarns, but only in small doses. : )

What do you enjoy doing outside of knitting?

I like to watch TV, read, play video games, write letters, and sleep. Lots of sleep. Unfortunately, I end up spending most of my non-knitting time studying and doing schoolwork.

Favorite foods or candies?

I could (and almost do) live on pop-tarts, hot dogs, pizza, and ice cream. I order chicken fingers at most of the restaurants I eat at. I am 90% sweet-tooth. Candies I love are jelly beans, Skittles, most things with peanut butter or caramel, and chocolate.

Art or Music you enjoy?

Is it bad when you don't even know the genre of the music you listen to? I suppose it's mostly pop, alternative, and Christian. No rap here!

What inspires you?

I love it when the weather is perfect and sunny and the wind is blowing in just the right direction. Also, very cute things.

Anything else you want to share?

Umm... this project sounds like a lot of fun and I'm really looking forward to it!

questionnaire (penny's)

I posted my answers on my blog.

swap questionnaire (fyberduck's)

What are your Favorite Colors?
Jewel tones (burgundy, sapphire, etc). Pinks. Greens. Anything deep and/or vibrant.

Do you prefer Solid or Multi Colored Yarns?
Either is fine.

What fibers do you prefer? Any Allergies?
Soft fibers (merino is always good). I'm allergic to mohair.

What do you enjoy knitting the most? (socks, mittens, sweaters, etc.)
Lace, socks, and sweaters.

What are your favorite yarns?
Anything from Misti Alpaca. My handspun (:P). Handpainted is nice. Finer is better (sock or sport, etc).

What do you enjoy doing outside of knitting?
Reading. Spinning. Walking. Baking.

Favorite foods or candies?
Chocolate.

Art or Music you enjoy?
Renaissance and Classical art. Music? Nearly anything that's not country. I have my fav bands listed on my profile.

What inspires you?
History a lot of the time. Colour in nature.

Anything else you want to share?
My upstream partner is in Australia... can I have a duck-billed platypus?? Please? Well... probably not. Australian customs hates me :P

abe-hap CBSQuestionnaire

What are your Favorite Colors?

Reds, Blues, Pinks, Oranges, Greys, White, Silver

Do you prefer Solid or Multi Colored Yarns?

Either is great.

What fibers do you prefer? Any Allergies?

I only dislike one fibre and that is Corriedale. No allergies.

What do you enjoy knitting the most? (socks, mittens, sweaters, etc.)

Im going to start making selbu mittens soon, so that & scarfs & beanies.

What are your favorite yarns?

I will try anything and everything I love variety & don’t really have favourites.

What do you enjoy doing outside of knitting?

Reading magazines, spinning, x-stitch, movies, walking, listening to rock, punk, pop & classical music( I know, what a geek hey *lol* ) & photography.

Favorite foods or candies?

chips or (crisps I think Americans call them), any hard candies, toffees, dark & milk chocolates & biscuits.

Art or Music you enjoy?

U2, Robbie Williams, Eskimo Joe, The Eagles, Pink Floyd, Abba, Pink, Christina Aguilera, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Suzi Quatro, Kiss, The Bee Gees, The Rolling Stones, & Bach, Beethoven, Handel, Mozart, and Pachelbel & classical Art Renoir etc…….

What inspires you?

colour, sight, smell, sounds, shapes & fun. I like to do crafts that are quick and relatively easy, but I do like a challenge aswell.

Anything else you want to share?

I love to crochet, but only afghans. I have an interest in pugs ( obviously *lol* ) I love to get postcards from other country’s. I have a love of chicken stuff aswell toys, etc, *lol*. Im not the greatest or fastest knitter, and have only been knitting & crocheting since February 2006. I started spinning in September of 2006.

I love the smell of roses, and jasmine, I love bath soaps, candles and bath powders. I use incense sticks, love the smell of musk & daisies are my favourite flowers, and gerberas aswell.

Swap Questionnaire

Here's the Questionnaire to get to know your swap partner better.

What are your Favorite Colors?

Do you prefer Solid or Multi Colored Yarns?

What fibers do you prefer? Any Allergies?

What do you enjoy knitting the most? (socks, mittens, sweaters, etc.)

What are your favorite yarns?

What do you enjoy doing outside of knitting?

Favorite foods or candies?

Art or Music you enjoy?

What inspires you?

Anything else you want to share?

Copy, Paste, and Feel free to post the answers here or on your own blog!

Shipping Order and Yarn Info

Hey everyone! You should have recieved an e-mail from me detailing who you'll be sending the blanket and swap items too. Here's the order it will be traveling to completion.

Abehappy
Fyberduck
Penny
Carolyn
The Bon
Ren
Kim
Tammi
Taylor Jane
Rachel
Jodie

Look over to the sidebar for links to blogs and information. Also, feel free to post here and introduce yourself. Especially if you don't have a blog.

I've had some questions about yarn selection. The main thing is that it is washable. It can be machine wash lay flat to dry. You can knit your piece now and connect it when you get it or wait to be inspired on arrival.

I would love if the blankets journey was documented here. Show it off in your home or at a local sight. It'll be exciting to see it grow.

I'll be sending the first piece off at the beginning of next week. Feel free to ask more questions either by e-mail or on this blog.