the blanket is safe; I promise!

just touching base letting you know that the blanket is safe and sound at my home... I have knitted a few bits to add to it but haven't found the time to assemble it.

I also have no idea where I'm supposed to send it so whoever I am sending it to please email me - you can find my email on my website and let me know...

I need to get some goodies together as well and pack it all up... in the next few weeks I should be able to finish it :)

hugs to everyone! it is looking fantastic!

Kyle

It's Kyle's Turn!

I got my package from Rachel! (Thanks, Rachel!) - and the blanket is safe and sound in Los Angeles, CA now... along with the blanket (which is looking pretty awesome), I got all kinds of goodies, including locally grown/made bachlava, coffee, cat toys and even doggie cookies that Rachel made for Buster and Tricksy! - they love them! she sent the recipe along too which I thought was a real treat! - and the best of all - some roving that she dyed - I am still learning how to spin, but I appreciate the gift.... once I get a little better, I'll try it out... I can't wait to see how it turns out :)

I have a few pieces to add to the blanket already, but right now, I'm trying to figure out how I want to add... anyone know where the blanket goes next? am I the "last" one to get to add? (Jodie, you'd know best)

hugs to everyone - I can't wait to play with the blanket....


Kyle

http://www.kylewilliam.com/

And it's off!!

The blanket should be on it's way soon!!

oregon blanket update

Well here is part of my square. I might make the other half of the miter (though it would have to be solid purple as I'm out of the blue), or I might just attach it and make a border.

I'm already plotting the wonderful things I'll send along to Kyle!! Stay tuned!

Hellooooo Blankie!

The blankie has been with me for about 2 weeks... Maybe less. At any rate I am a bad blogger and haven't updated. Don't worry the blanket is fine. I finished one miter square, but it came out very small so I am making it a little friend.
I have no pictures of the blanket yet so you will have to content yourselves with a picture of my cat Jonis being cute.

With Deep Apologies

Dear Knitters,
When the sign-up for the blanket went around my son was 6 months old
and still pretty sedentary. By the time I got the blanket things had
changed substantially - walking, running, pulling everything off the
shelves...
I held on to the blanket, planning to do my piece right after I knit
my son some mittens and the holiday craziness had passed. The came an
unplanned but much needed house-rearrangement. The blanket continued
to sit. I kept planning to get to it. In the house rearrangement
(still on going the way a big project will be) all my knitting
needles were lost and my yarn is deep in a pile of things that need
to be put away.
After holding on to the blanket for 2 1/2 months, I finally realized
that there is no way I will get around to this project in the near
future. So I planned to get it back to Jodie or to the next person,.
Then my son came down with Pink-Eye, keeping us inside and away from
the public for a solid week - up until we went out of town. It's been
crazy. Anyway, it's finally on its way to the next person, who will
undoubtedly do a better job than I can.
I am very sorry that I wasn't able to meet my commitment to this
project, and I hope that you all don't think of me too badly.

Peace,
Taylor

Blankie up-date

Just a little update to let everyone know where the blanket is and the last few places it needs to go!

Right now the blanket is hanging out at Taylor's place (She got it during the holiday season, so naturally it wasn't a huge priority) and is doing well. It should be finished fairly soon, and on it's way to the last few places. Here are the last few destinations it needs to go.

Rachel
Kyle
Then back to me!

I hadn't really realized how close we were to finishing! I can't wait to see how it turns out.

Hope all is well with your projects!

Additional Comments

Hi fellow knitters. Um, the previous entry was ghost written by my 14-year-old son, Thomas. He was helping me post pictures and playing around with me, saying "see, mom, I can totally do your writing style" Then to my horror he clicked on post!

So the pictures are out of order. The first is the section I knitted. Second is an action shot of the blankie being cuddled by Thomas and Ian, who's my nephew and the brightest spot in my day. Third, if I remember right, is the blanket as it is now, headed to Taylor. Fourth is the blanket as it arrived with the goodies that Kim sent along to me. Yay, STR downpour colorway! The Cooking Man in one of the shots is my husband. Love to see that man in the kitchen!

About my knitting... I used Clickheaton Country 8 ply superwash. Lovely sproingly woolly wool. It isn't as soft as the wools you all have been using, and my original swatch was a little firm-ish for the blankie. So I went up a needle size to make it a little more drapey. The double moss stitch that I chose still looks OK, but really looked great in the tighter fabric. There is a scarf in one of the new knitting mags with alternating double moss stitch and garter that was my inspiration.

Blankie is finally on to Taylor!

Hi, finally finished my part of the blanket and I'm ready to pass it on now. Whew! I think it's really looking good now! I was trying to post some pictures with this blog using HTM-whatsit, but unfortunately my computer skills are, well, limited. Remember when we had to use punch cards to run a computer? Oh wait, that was before your time. Well, anyways, I had to employ the um, technical assistance of my son, Thomas. Man, that kid continues to amaze me. He recently told me he wants to be a doctor. I knew he'd come around sometime. Anyways, he helped me set up a Photobucket, and I honestly couldn't tell you what the heck he did. That's the punch-cards speaking right there. Well, tell me if this works (or don't. I'd probably cry.)

Hi everyone. I am sure you are all wondering what happened to the blanket! At the time that it came I was desperately trying to finish a couple of projects for upcoming birthdays, so I had to finish those. Then my birthday came, and my dear hubbie swept me away for a little trip (this was a milestone birthday.)
Since then I have been stressing about my addition to this blanket. You wouldn't believe the trouble I had finding purple superwash. I had my heart set on purple, you know. I also wanted soft, but turns out that was asking a little much. Then, I realized I wasn't quite smart enough to figure out how to connect onto two sides at once. The other night in desperation I picked up stitches on a long side, smack in the middle no less, and started knitting, so I wouldn't have to join on a side. Now it looks like I don't play well with others! I just looked at the list of people who are left, and I am not sure there are enough left to fill in all the space I have left.....My husband says "It's knitting, Tammi, not rocket science. Knit it and send it on." I promise, Taylor, that I will send it soon.
And I will email pics to Jodie, so maybe she can post them, since I can't figure out how..

Cool mail

There was a little package in the mail for me today! Inside is the coolest-looking blanket, all stripey and miter-ey amd bobble-y! And Kim, I luuuv the Socks That Rock yarn- I knit my first pair of socks this summer, and I am hooked on it- can't wait to cast on this beautiful yarn. And how did you know that I lost my little "Kacha" counter? Thanks!

As soon as I figure out how to post pictures on this blog I will do it. What will I add to this beautiful creation? As I looked at it today I see that it is desparately missing- Purple!

For Whatever Reasons...

I can't post pictures to this blog.

However, if you hop over to My blog you'll be able to see the Blanket that is on its way to Tammi as well as the gifties from Ren!

Goodbye Blankie!

With school starting in a week I figured I better do my darndest to get my square done, which I did today. And I'll pack it up and send it out to Tammi tomorrow, and post some pics soon!

Hello Blankie!

The Blankie is back in Oregon as I type. Pics soon, but lovely yarn came with it as well as the most adorable snail, made by Ren herself.

The snail is very timely: we just returned from Canada where one of the only critters we saw were Banana slugs. We're thinking about making a Banana Slugs calendar for family and friends (after they all enjoyed the whale and seal calendar from Alaska last year).

with packing, moving back to school, and starting classes, my section of the blanket has taken a little bit longer than i had intended, but it's finally done! while looking at the different sections (which are all gorgeous!), i noticed something very peculiar.... a total lack of stockinette stitch. every square (with the exception of abe-hap's) is done basically in garter stitch! i decided that no blanket could be complete without all the little v's so characteristic of stockinette. i used rice stitch, with the "wrong side" as the front to look somewhat like stockinette without quite as much curling. i think it turned out pretty well. : )

(please ignore the nasty dorm carpet!) kim has just gone on vacation, but when she returns i will be sending the blanket on it's merry way back to oregon. yay!

it's here!

the blanket has arrived in sunny florida along with wonderful goodies from The Bon.

now i just need to decide what to do for my contribution to the blanket! thanks again for the goodies, bon!

On It's Way Again

The blanket made it's way to the post office this morning so it should be heading east to Ren, the next knitter. Newlywed life isn't any less busy than pre-wedding life, I'm not entirely sure why I expected that it would be, but I apologize for the amount of time the blanket spent with me. Figuring out how to work with what was already there was a little trickier than I expected. The blanket is awesome folks, but I couldn't get it to fit in a photo, even on my giant couch, so here's the best that I could do:



I had to squinch up the top square, with it's stripes and bobbles, it's somewhere between 2 and 3 times as long as it looks.


My square:



Was knit with Debbie Bliss Rialto, 100% superwash merino on size 6 clover circular needles. I decided to make it mirror itself so I reversed the cables in the middle of the blue stripe, after leaving out what would have been a crossing. It is squidgey and soft.

Kyle joins the cause (Howdy Y'all!)

Thanks Jodie for adding me to this fun - here's my questionnaire filled out - I can't wait to get the blanket and add to it - I'm very excited!

you can see my blog at www.kyleknits.blogspot.com to know lots more about me - I'm also on ravelry.com as kunnecke :)


What are your Favorite Colors? - I love fall colors - anything "natural" or

Do you prefer Solid or Multi Colored Yarns? I prefer multi colored yarns (hand dyed or patterned yarns are my favorite; I seem to always knit with brown/blue or green yarns that are hand dyed)

What fibers do you prefer? I prefer natural fibers; wool, alpaca, angora, etc.

Any Allergies? - not really - I even have had yarn spun out of my cat and dog's hair (thanks to www.vipfibers.com) :)

What do you enjoy knitting the most? (socks, mittens, sweaters, etc.) I love knitting sweaters - I have never tried mittens or gloves, and I'm still scared of socks (although I KNOW that I don't need to be scared; it's not that hard!)

What are your favorite yarns? I love handspun or hand dyed yarns - I also love Debbie Bliss - and Noro Silk Garden (working on a blanket of Noro) - weight wise, I have been using lots of dk or sport weight lately - maybe it's just because it's summer :)

What do you enjoy doing outside of knitting? I love playing with my cats and doggies- I have 2 rescue cats - one is missing a leg, the other is missing an eye - both were at rescue groups for months before I got them - I took them home because noone else wanted them - they're the most wonderful pets I have ever owned! I also have 3 dogs - 1 is a rescue (she has issues but we love her) and 2 others that have been in the family for a few years... I love antiquing, I love painting and decorating - and working to help out others - either through charities or just with friends - although I don't do as much of it as I'd like...

Favorite foods or candies? chocolate is yummy - I love peanut butter - I'm not really picky - :)

Art or Music you enjoy? I love experimental and installation art - music wise, I love musicals, country music, pop, 80's, bluegrass, etc. - really almost anything except hard rock or funky 60's bands...


What inspires you? the triumph over struggle, folks who overcome adversity, broken and lost objects that somehow find a new purpose, the restoration efforts of individuals who work to renovate historic properties, the stories and history behind any craft or a person's journey through life and how they came to be who they are - (did any of that make sense?)

Anything else you want to share? if there's anything else you want to know, just email me :) I live in the Los Angeles, CA area - I work full time.... my family is from the south (Indiana/Kentucky area)... I guess that's all for now..

Arrival!

The blanket arrived today and I have to say that Carolyn totally went crazy on the gifts for me! What a thoughtful and wonderful package of goodies for me, including some super funny balloons that say "Just Married." I'll take a photo later but I have to tell you those bobbles are quite awesome in person and I am just planning my next move now.

Jodie's Questionnaire

I realized I hadn't answered my own questionaire! The blanket looks awesome, and I know it will make a great addition to the rooms that the kiddos spend so much time in . We are about halfway through our list of destinations!

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

What are your Favorite Colors?
Purple and Green. I tend to like earthy colors and like to expand my spectrum.

Do you prefer Solid or Multi Colored Yarns?
I like both for different projects. If it's multi colored I prefer only slight variations.

What fibers do you prefer? Any Allergies?
I like and use everything.

What do you enjoy knitting the most? (socks, mittens, sweaters, etc.)
I always have a pair of socks on the needles, usually some lace, and at least one sweater. I have also really enjoyed doing mittens, hats and scarves, but they haven't been my main focus.

What are your favorite yarns?
So many! I love Lorna's Laces, Socks that Rock, Malebrigo, Ultra Alpaca, and anything unique. I definitely like traditional yarns more than novelty.

What do you enjoy doing outside of knitting?
I love my job as a violin teacher, kayaking, camping, riding my awesome bike, reading, and drinking coffee.

Favorite foods or candies?
Anything with chocolate, especially dark.

Art or Music you enjoy?
I'm a huge Rufus Wainwright fan. I like celtic music, classical, jazz, and Pink Martini.

What inspires you?
I get inspired by the world around me. I really like imitating nature in my knitting (the reason I'm a huge Norah Gaughn fan) and older fashsions made contemporary.

Anything else you want to share?
Thanks for helping make this blanket. If you need more info on me, my blog is the best place to check.