Major Knitter

We Have a Winner!

Well, at least we have someone with either a) a great memory; or b) the ability to Google.  In the Meme - Me from A to Z - the letter Z was my favorite zoo animal.  The correct answer, of course, is the giraffe.

If you googled "Napenda twiga" you would find 3 of my blog entries - the first one is where I actually gave you the answer as a guest blogger on my friend's travelblog.  The others were from my blog.

So, thanks all for playing.  Kathy Brindle - will you please email me your mailing address so I can get out a little something special to you?

Just the Thing to Brighten My Day

I was so pleasantly surprised when Renna emailed me to let me know that I had won the big purple malabrigo contest over at Happy Handwork.  This is just the thing to brighten my day.

Thanks Cinnamon Girl.  Your surprise could not have come at a better time.

Thanks to everyone who has continued to send me condolences, thoughts and prayers for my father.  I can't tell you how much it means to me.

* * Hugs * *

Purple Malabrigo is the Grand Prize

Tracy at Wool Windings just let me know about a great Celebrate Spring contest over at Happy Handwork.  As part of the contest we're asked to mention our favorite flower.  Without a doubt, mine is the purple tulip.  Of course it's purple.  You probably already guessed that it would be, right?  And since the grand prize for this contest is PURPLE Malabrigo, how could I resist?  Click HERE to find out more.

I hope you participate in this fun contest.  You'll brighten everyone's day by sharing some spring flowers on your blog, too. 

Happy knitting!

Please Cast Your Vote

Mason Dixon Knitting has the Teeny Weeny Project Runway ready to go.  Please go take a look at the Flickr Slide Show and cast your vote for the Bride In Sheep's Clothing.  I assure you she's thrilled to tell her BF "I Love Ewe". 

Please go cast your vote now.

Calling All Dishcloths!

Larissa at Stitch Marker is having a wonderful contest.  It's also a collaborative art project.  If you have ever made a hand knit dishcloth before, or ever decided you need to do so, please visit her blog and sign up to be a part of something huge.  It sounds fascinating.  The original Major Knitter knitting bee focused on teaching fellow Marines how to knit a dishcloth (in the general's office during lunch, no less).  Perhaps you remember this pattern from own of my early posts.

Julie - I hope you still remember how to make dishcloths.  I hope you'll all take a moment to knit up a dishrag in a natural cotton and send it to Larissa.  You have until March 20th to knit your squares and get them to her.  See her post for full details. 

Let's overwhelm her with dishcloths!  Knitters - start your engines.

A Bride in Sheep's Clothing

Dear Ann and Kay:

What on earth have you made me do now?  I'm supposed to be knitting lace for my own chuppah, remember?  But no!  I have to start surfing internet blogdom and discover your Teeny Project Runway contest.  First things first.  I had to decide on a stuffed animal (not a bear) smaller than 24 inches.  Sorry Curious George - you're too big!

Perfect!  The sheared sheep in a fleece coat which sits on a shelf in my Knit Nook.  And since I have nothing but wedding chuppah on my mind, I think my little sheep should be a bride, too.  But first, we need to build her a chuppah.

Four fun glasses filled with, what else, rice!  And 4 size 10 bamboo knitting needles as the posts.  Then we add the paper canopy and gently apply the handknit lace edging.  Now we just need a veil for the bride (and some purple wrist warmers because EVERYONE seems to be wearing them these days) and voila!  We have a bride in sheep's clothing.

Good night ladies. I've had enough fun for one night.  It's getting very late and I need my beauty rest.  May the best dressed sheep, er stuffed animal, win!

love,

Jennifer

How Many Stitches Are There in a Pair of Socks?

That was the question I asked on December 27th.  Many of you guessed.  Many of you calculated.  You didn't have any details other than the yarn I used, a photograph, and the size needles I used.  Just the same you came through and participated in my contest.  Thanks to all who joined in the fun. 

Here are the details:

• Lobster Pot Cashmere
• US Size 5 Turbo Addis
• K1,P1 ribbing then basic sock in stockinette pattern
• Magic Loop method
• CO 40 sts
• Cuff - 40 x 7 rds = 280 sts
• Leg - 40 x 40 rds = 1,600 sts
• Heel Flap - 20 x 20 rows = 400 sts
• Turn Heel - total of 63 sts
• Gusset - 52 x 3 = 156 sts
• Gusset - 50 x 2 = 100 sts
• Gusset - 48 x 2 = 96 sts
• Gusset - 46 x 2 = 92 sts
• Gusset - 44 x 2 = 88 sts
• Gusset - 40 x 2 = 80 sts
• Foot - 40 x 31 rds = 1,240 sts
• Toe - 40 x 4 = 160 sts
• Toe - 36 x 2 = 72 sts
• Toe - 28 x 2 = 56 sts
• Toe - 24 x 2 = 48 sts
• Toe - 20 x 2 = 40
• Toe - 16 x 1 = 16
• SUB-TOTAL = 4,735 stitches per sock
• TOTAL = 9,470 stitches for both socks

It took me approximately 7 hours to complete both socks (yes, there were some delays, slow downs, rip outs, etc) but the average speed was 9,470 sts/420 minutes = 23 stitches per minute (s.p.m.)

For those of you who wanted me to test my speed knitting, you'll remember that I did a speedy swatch for a second pair of socks.  My racing speed on Magic Loop in stockinette with an inch of K1,P1 ribbing using the English method is 55 s.p.m.

 

So without further ado, here are the results of the contest.

• NUMBER OF STITCHES - Annie (no blog) guessed 4,700 per sock or 9,400 for both.  She'll win 2 skeins of navy blue Koigu KPM
• Technically, no one guessed the EXACT number of stitches per minute (either the average of 23 s.p.m. or the speedy 55 s.p.m) but being the good sport that I am, I will award yarn to both contestants who guessed closest to each number of stitches per minute.
• AVERAGE S.P.M. - Kim W (no blog) guessed 13.5 s.p.m. so she'll win one skein of the purple grey Sockotta.
• SPEEDY S.P.M. - Carolyn in NC (no blog) guessed 45 s.p.m. first, so she'll win one skein of sock yarn.  I hadn't anticipated this difference, so I'll be sending Carolyn a surprise skein from my yarn stash.

If you'd like to use my handy-dandy spreadsheet to figure out the number of stitches in your next pair of socks, feel freel to use this one.  Download number_of_stitches_in_a_sock.xls

Final Note - Please keep in mind that these were knit with worsted weight yarn.  When I knit with fingering weight yarn on US Size 1 needles, I don't even want to know how many stitches are in those socks.  I might as well knit a dress!

Let's Have a Contest

Take a guess!  I'll have a two-fold contest so you can help me figure out how many stitches are in BF's Bed Socks.

1. I'll give the person who guesses the correct number of stitches (closest to the actual number without going over) two skeins of Koigu KPM in a Navy Blue. 
2. The second part of the contest is the number of stitches per minute - the first person to guess the EXACT number of stitches per minute I managed on BF's Bed Socks will win one skein of Sockotta in this lovely purple/gray colorway.

Leave a comment (only one entry per person) no later than midnight Sunday, January 6, 2008. 

Let the contest begin!

Spreading the Holiday Cheer

Cheryl over at Diva Knitting is having a great holiday cheer contest.  Go check out the details.  She asks you to share a picture of a holiday house in your neighborhood (not your own).  Here's one down the road from us that simply makes me smile every time I see it.

I think it's creative and unique.  The homeowners have a large deciduous tree in their front yard.  They take dozens of white light strings and wrap each one into a loop.  Each loop is hung from a separate branch of the tree and then all the lights are plugged in.  This tree won't win Most Decorated House of the Year, but I think it's refreshing and it makes me go "Awwwww" every time I pass it.

PTA Contest Winners

Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!  I really can't say thank you enough.  I received so many wonderful donations of yarn and supplies for the PTA Knit-a-thon that we were able to teach roughly 200 students how to knit, make pom-poms or knit on looms.  It was so rewarding and I couldn't have done it without your help.  Please give yourselves a pat on the back.  Just to recap here's a list of my wonderful donors for this project with annotations of winners. 

1. Amy R
2. Bea D
3. Bonnie S - Winner of a little something extra
4. Carol W
5. Chris S
6. Delia D
7. Denise
8. Elizabeth B - Winner of 2 skeins of light blue Karabella
9. Elizabeth R
10. Elizabeth S - Winner of a little something extra
11. Estella - Winner of the Leopard print knitting needles
12. Frances
13. Jane of London
14. Jean G
15. Jen W
16. Jennifer "JZP" of SNL
17. Jodi H
18. Julia B G
19. Karen
20. Kat
21. Kathie
22. Kathryn
23. Kathy B
24. Kathy Br - Winner of a little something extra
25. Kimberly
26. Linda G
27. Lucy S
28. Maureen L
29. Melissa K - Winner of a little something extra
30. Priscilla J (my SIL)
31. Rebekah
32. Trudy K - Winner of 2 skeins of green Classic Elite Obsession cashmere

The final date for the students (and even parents) to turn in their finished projects is November 30th.  I'll let you know the final tally at that date.  I really can't thank you enough for your help with this life-altering project.  If you can start one in your local elementary school, I highly recommend it!

I'll be packaging the prizes and thank-you notes over the next few days and expect to have them in the mail before Thanksgiving. 

More Donations Over the Weekend

I received many more wonderful donations over the weekend.

Thank you to these wonderfully generous donors:

• Kat - wow!  Great yarn and MARINE CORPS pens
• Elizabeth - ooh - we needed more chunky yarn
• Rebekah - THANKS!  We needed more knitting needles!
• Chris (wow!  Amazing hand-dyed yarn!)

Knitting While at Cub Scouts

Last night Secundogeniture has a Cub Scout Pack Meeting.  Since I knew that lots of the moms would be there (and especially Gina B who is one of the chairs of the elementary school community outreach program that is spearheading the PTA Knitting Charity Project) I decided to bring my bag filled with yarn, looms and even my preemie cap on dpns.

Stephanie, Vivica and I knit a few hats.  Gina's daughter Emma was making excellent progress on a scarf (she just learned to knit 2 hours beforehand).  She loved the loom, so I gave her a knitting loom to work on another baby hat.  By the time the Cub Scout Pack Meeting was finished, we had 2 new preemie hats and 2 that were halfway done.  Not bad.  The best news is that Stephanie is a beloved 2nd grade teacher at the school, so I challenged her to show her students the preemie hat she made and challenge all of them (boys and girls) to make one, too.

No pictures from Cub Scouts, but I did swing by Knitting Central and pick up more needles in the afternoon.  Thirty Needles to be exact.  For those of you who are keeping track, yes, I know, the blues are sizes 8-10.5 (but I figured they'd be fine for the preemie caps) and the reds are 11,13 and 15 - also good for beginners working on scarves. Since we're kicking off next week, I thought it was better to be overstocked than to run out of knitting projects.

While I was in Knitting Central, I bought one of my dear friend's shawl pins.  Have you got yours?  If not, contact Cynthia at Knitting Central and order your Regina Moss Shawl Pin today.  I bought the small one.  Isn't it lovely?

 

Murky Buck Up

That's how we used to pronounce "Merci, beaucoup" when we were being silly in high school French class.  Every once in awhile, it still comes back to me as a random thought.  I went to the Post Office (on the deadline for mailing off tax extensions!) and picked up some more packages from various donors.  This is so much fun!  I can hardly wait to start teaching all the elementary school children how to knit.  I've even been knitting up some of the yarn into hats.

Thank you to my most recent donors:

• Carol W (and a very cute knitting Einstein note card!)
• Jodi H
• Kathy B - Wow!  So much wonderful yarn
• Karen S - I LURVE the Knit Picks Shine - check out the hat I knit with it

My Boys Are Super Heroes

I asked Primogeniture and Secundogeniture if I could take a picture of them using the Preemie Knitting Looms for the PTA Charity Knitting Project poster.  They're such great sports.  Primogeniture is really into machine and loom knitting when prompted.  Secundogeniture took the obligatory shot, worked about 5 loops on the loom and said "Can I stop now?"

Secundogeniture raised a valid question about having his picture on the poster.  "Mom.  What if someone makes fun of me?"  I had already explained about the purpose of the preemie caps, so I told him "If they do, you just say to them 'I'm saving a baby's life.  D'uh."  He thought that was a great response and felt so empowered to be helping save a baby's life. 

So listen up kids... don't mess with Secundogeniture.  He can save lives.  So can you.

Looms, Looms, and Looms!

I've had several inquiries into what type of knitting looms we used.  We purchased and received many of these Knifty Knitter kits from Michael's, Rag Shop or AC Moore:

We also used some looms from Loom Room.  Here is the perfect loom for Preemie Hat Loom made by Jim and Joan Turner.  I've pictured the entire set, but the link is specifically to the Preemie Hat.

I originally ordered four preemie knitting looms from the Loom Room... and we loved them so much that I ordered 10 more.  These are high quality wooden looms.  I also like the fact that this is the Turner's home run business.  So you get to help out everyone.

Are you a loom knitter?  If so, please feel free to comment with your advice and tips on teaching the children how to knit with these looms.  The elementary school has decided that we won't use the loom tool for the children.  It's an extremely sharp tool (the weapon of death... or at least the perfect tool for poking Johnny's eye out) so the students will easily use their fingers to pass the loops over each other.  The adult supervisors will hold the loom tool for special assistance.

Please Mr. Postman...

I went to the Post Office today and looked in my PO Box.  There were only 2 bills and one Knit Picks catalog.  Hmmmm.  I was a little disappointed that there weren't any yellow slips in my PO Box informing me of packages.  I decided to ask at the front desk, just to be sure.  Boy am I glad I asked.  Mike just shook his head and said, "Oh yeah, Jen.  We've got packages for you."  He wasn't kidding.  Look at this!

Look at all of this wonderful yarn, knitting needles and even a brand new Knitting Machine for my PTA Knitting Project Contest.  We're still in need of preemie looms, US Size 10 and 15 Straight Knitting Needles and even some plastic tapestry needles.

Thank you to all my wonderful donors.  Today's generous gifters include:

• Kathy B
• Kathryn K
• Estella
• Frances C S
• Kim W
• Julia B G - WOW!  A Sew Easy Knitting Machine!  Thanks!

I literally spent the entire day winding all the baby yarn, sport weight yarn and worsted weight yarn into double (and sometimes even triple) ply balls of yarn for the preemie baby looms.  I wound so many balls of yarn that I broke my 18-year-old ball winder, which has been complaining of aches and pains of late anyway.  Primogeniture asked if he could have the broken ball winder.  Who am I to say "No" to a request like that.  One hour later he returned with a repaired and superglued ball winder.  What a son.  Thanks Primogeniture!  You're a lifesaver.

I also invited 4th grade Molly over to teach her to knit.  Molly came with her mother and brother (who had a playdate with Primogeniture).  The boys used the amazing Knitting Machine to practice making caps.... er.... sleeves.  Sorry.... no pictures.  But they had a great deal of fun and Molly is a natural knitter.  Her mother and I also picked up some stitches, too.

Finally, BF came home and showed the boys this article from the Daily News.  BF was heard saying "If you want one of these, I think I know someone who can make one for you." 

It is one way to use up your leftover yarn.  I think I'll stick to the PTA Knitting Project Contest as a way to use up my bits and pieces. 

Cranking Out the Preemie Caps on the Knitting Loom

I've been cranking out the Preemie Caps on the knitting looms to practice.  I also need some samples to put up on the poster board so the children can see what they'll be making.  I made three caps so far today.

No Mail on Columbus Day

Since there's no mail on Columbus Day, it means that today when I went to my Post Office Box, I had 11 slips of paper notifying me that I had packages waiting for me.  Wow!  Mike the Postman said "I hope you brought a truck!"  Nope.  Just me and my Mini Cooper.  But everything fit in the boot of my Coop. 

When I got home I had so many wonderful donations for the PTA Charity Knitting and Teaching Project.  I received:

• thirteen pairs of US Size 15 straight knitting needles
• ten pairs of US Size 10 straight knitting needles
• sixteen knitting looms
• eight loom picks (WOW!  I didn't know that I would need these... thank you so much!)
• enough AMAZING YARN to fill 4 kitchen size trash bags

Thank you to all the wonderful donors who sent things today:

• Jean G
• Jen W
• Maureen L (another PTA Mom in town and a knitter)
• Bonnie S (two huge boxes!)
• Delia D
• Linda
• Liz B (Go Hawkeyes!)
• Melissa K
• Kathie F
• Amy R
• Trudy K (thank you for the camouflage sock yarn - I love it!)

I spent the day winding my acrylic yarn in combinations that would make a nice blend for hats and scarves and I started to load the looms.  I believe I now have 48 knitting looms.  This is so exciting.    We kick off this huge PTA project next Monday.  Wish me luck.  I am giddy with anticipation.

Everyone Loves to Help a Child Learn to Knit!

The donations are pouring in.  Wow!  I am so impressed with everyone's excitement about the Elementary School's Community Outreach Program to knit hats, scarves, and blankets for charity.  Here's what I've received so far:

Isn't it great?  These donations are from Linda G, Jennifer JZP of SNL, Lucy S (with whom I took a Nicky Epstein class at Knitting Central) and an anonymous cash donor which allowed me to purchase the knitting looms and brand new needles at Michaels and Rag Shop today.  I'm so thrilled!

We're in desperate need of CHUNKY and BULKY yarn appropriate for a size 15 needle so that the kids can knit quickly and easily and see progress on their projects during their fifteen minute recess.  Jennifer "JZP" of SNL donated some beautiful Karabella Margrite that I will be awarding to a lucky winner who ships chunky or bulky yarn for the contest.  Margrite is an Extrafine Merino Wool and CASHMERE blend - so what are you waiting for?  Go look for that extra thick yarn that's just sitting around and get it in the mail!  You could be the owner of this:

Contest to Collect Supplies for School Knitting Project

Wow!  This is the most thrilling knitting project I've ever been a part of.  I can hardly contain my excitement.  The PTA Community Outreach Committee at my son's former school is setting up a knitting session during recess for grades K-5.  They've asked me to help out and I'm thrilled to do so.  We're going to have the children knit three different items for different charities -

 

1. Save the Children - Caps to the Capital
2. Warm Up America
3. Hats and Scarves for local charities

That's why I'm writing today.  I need your help with supplies.  I'm sure that you have leftover yarn, large sized needles and possibly even knitting looms.  I need the supplies ASAP, so there isn't much time.  I'm going to send out some big prizes.  Here's what we need:

1. Chunky or bulky yarn
2. Baby yarn for preemie caps - preferably cotton
3. US Size 15 straight knitting needles
4. US Size 10 straight knitting needles
5. Round Knitting Looms

Mail your donation by October 21, 2006 to Major Knitter, PO Box 3063, Westport, CT 06880. 

Please be sure to include your name, email, website URL and mailing address.  I will list you as a donor unless you indicate otherwise.

I will be donating some hefty prizes for this endearing endeavor.  I feel very strongly about teaching children how to knit while also teaching them the importance of doing charitable works that I'm thrilled to be involved with this project.  Here are the prizes:

2 Skeins of Classic Elite Obsession CASHMERE yarn ($88 value)

Bella Blue Handpainted Knitting Needles - US Size 11 ($26 value)

Jennifer JZP of SNL donated these 2 skeins of Karabella Margrite Extrafine Merino Wool/Cashmere Blend ($28 value)

I will send one set of Knit Notes ($ priceless) as my personal thank-you to everyone who sends a donation by the October 21, 2006 deadline.

Please go look through your stash now.  You can help us make a difference, too.

Please Allow 6-8 Weeks for Delivery

Wow!  That took a long time.  On Tuesday, April 18th I announced the winners of the March Madness contest.  I also announced that I thought that everyone was a winner and that I was going to make a set of Knit Notes for every single contestant.  Some of you called me crazy.  Some of you said that was totally unnecessary.  98% of you were great sports and said it was your pleasure to help out. Well, I was so overwhelmed that I just felt that I had to personally thank every single one of you.  Of course, that's about the time my divorce proceedings heated up and my arm starting acting up.  Do you think the two are related?  Hmmmmmm.

Anyway, I've been working diligently for the past 7 weeks on assembling all the Knit Notes despite my bum shoulder.  I am quite pleased with the finished product and hope you will be, too.

 

The knit swatches ready and sorted by donor.

Here the printed cards are in the assembly line waiting for little knit swatches to be attached.

Beware a woman and her hot glue gun

Finished Knit Notes sorted by knit swatches from the yarn sent by EACH DONOR - now ready for mailing.

The sealed envelopes ready to go to the US Post Office and for destinations across the country (and even one in Canada!)

I've packaged up the final prizes for Melissa (two skeins of purple Lorna's Laces sock yarn), Deb ((she selected this cute Little Lambs from Kidding Around), Gerlinde (2 skeins of Jaeger Natural Fleece and Jodi's pattern to make this capelet), and finally, Stacy (adorable Lucky Sheep stitch marker donated by Christine).

AND, I made two hundred Knit Notes to give to "everyone's a winner".  I packaged two Knit Notes in an envelope along with a thank you note with a small personalized note to each contestant, plus extra Knit Notes for those of you who went above and beyond the call of duty. 

 

I also made hundreds of additional Knit Notes as the first wave of my inventory.  I'm so excited to get this project off the ground.  I really do love helping others, even on a small level.

Thanks again for all your help and especially all your patience.

 

Five Places I Have Knit

Kat is having a contest to name the five craziest places you have knit.  First of all, I think I should preface this with a "Where Haven't I Knit?" - Here are mine:

1. While wearing my Cub Scout Den Mother uniform at a campout on my campstool with Primogeniture and Secundogeniture.
2. While working on Wall Street and traveling to Buenos Aires (in the good old days when I got to travel in first class for work) on a business trip with my boss.
3. While negotiating my divorce at the lawyer's office.
4. While at the pool and wearing a swimsuit (I really need a life!)
5. And the most unusual place I have knit was while standing duty for the Marine Corps with a 9mm pistol holstered at my hip and wearing my camouflage utility uniform complete with combat boots.  Oh - I was knitting a cute little baby sweater for my nephew at the time -  What else did you expect?

And the March Madness Grand Prizes Go To...

Curious George put his hand in the barrel and pulled out four lucky names for the grand prizes that were listed at the beginning of the March Madness Contest.

Here are the lucky winners:

Melissa won her choice of two skeins of red, purple or green Lorna's Laces sock yarn.

Deb won her choice of one of these Three Little Lambs from Kidding Around.

Gerlinde won 2 skeins of Jaeger Natural Fleece and Jodi's pattern to make this capelet.

Stacy won an adorable Lucky Sheep stitch marker donated by Christine.

Congratulations to all the winners.  Truthfully, the real winners are those at Jackson Recovery Centers who will benefit from your generosity. 

Everyone's A Winner!

I was so wonderfully overwhelmed with everyone's kindness and participation in my March Madness contest, that I decided that everyone deserves to win one set of four Knit Notes knit with their very own entry yarn donation.  So everyone who sent yarn - even the grand prize winners - will also receive a set of Knit Notes.  I need to finish assembling these notes, but they should be in the mail by the end of the week.

Thank you to each and every one of you.  My next job is to get all 64 prizes mailed out and then learn how to make a button to sell the Knit Notes online.  Soon.  Very Soon.

Curious George Has an Important Announcement to Make

Well, all the entries have arrived and been catalogued, posted, linked, thanked and added to the oversized jar.  There were so many generous knitters that I even had to use the giant brandy snifter for the overflow.  I can't tell you how exciting the March Madness Contest has been for me.  I have learned, once again, about the generous nature of the online knitting community.  Everyone deserves a pat on the back. 

The final donors include these wonderful ladies: Kris V, Shelda, Jessica C, Maryann M, Kris H, Ellen S, Sherry, Mary A., Bethany, Melissa L, Christina T, Libby, Jessica, Amy H, Amy P, Wei-Wei, Kate P, Gerlinde,  Wanda,  Michelle C and Jean.  Marcia and Mary Ann of SNL also made some wonderful donations of yarn. 

I had 60 contestants get their yarn postmarked to me by the March 31st deadline. S-I-X-T-Y contestants.  Can you believe it?  Wow!  And... I received 541 little walnut size to orange sized (and even a dozen or so entire skeins) of fingering weight sock yarn for my Knit Note projects. 

Check back in just a little bit for the actual drawing.  I can guarantee it will be worth the wait.

March Madness Contest Update

I just wanted to post a little blurb to say that I had some more wonderful donations come in over the past few days and I still expect to receive the last few today through Saturday. I expect that I will post the names of all the contestants, photographs of the jars filled with donations of leftover balls of sock yarn, and finally - da-da-da - The Prize Winners by early next week. I can't thank you enough for all your support with this wonderful project.

Saturday Yarn Donations

More yarn came in on Friday and Saturday.

And since it was April Fool's Day, Secundogeniture planned a great joke on "Mom's knitting friends".  He filled the whoopie cushion with air and strategically placed it under a cushion on one of the chairs.  Marcia was a great sport and pretended not to notice the whoopie cushion.  We all guffawed loudly causing Secundogeniture to peer through the banister from the top of the stairs and see how well his prank was received.  He was so proud of himself! 

Thank you to Marcia, x, x and x for their wonderful yarn donations.

A Week's Worth of Donations

This week I had ten (yes 10) wonderful donations come in.  Some came in with extra little gifts of sock yarn for me or treats.  Yum.  Almost all of them came with thoughtful little notes of encouragement.  Here's a group photo of the first nine donations.

 

Thank you (in no particular order) to:  Shelda, Jessica C., Maryann, Kris H., Sherry, Mary A.,  Bethany and Melissa.

Plus - one more package came with lots of fun yarn... and look what else:

Tootsie Rolls and the few remaining Bit-o-Honey candies (coincidentally, I adore both candies)!

Y-U-M-M-Y!!! 

Thanks Kris V.  I can't find your email to thank you personally.  Please email me if you have a chance.

FINAL FOUR

 

It's the Final Four Days of March Madness. If you haven't had a chance to send in your entry, just get it postmarked by March 31st and you'll be eligible for one of the four great prizes I mentioned earlier... plus some donated prizes and even a few surprises that I haven't previously posted.

Weekend Wonders

I received so many wonderful contributions to my March Madness this weekend.  I spent Friday, Saturday and today knitting up the little swatches, logging in the entries and photographing the donations.  Here they are.

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Thank you to everyone who donated yarn this weekend (in no particular order):  Kelly, Carolyn, Lise, Lynette, Sarah, Jeanne, Sandy, and Jodi - aka Purl Needlemeyer.

Please Mr. Postman, Look and See

If anybody sent sock yarn to me.

I received so much wonderful yarn in the mailbox today.  How exciting!

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The donors are Amy, (with a cute Cold Comfort vintage postcard and a COOL skein of camouflage sock yarn for MOI), Jess (with a skein of Opal "Lollipop" and a skein of blue/green Artyarns Supermerino), a package from Kat (with a Curious George card, no less) and finally, a great donation and note from Laura. 

Every donation, no matter how big or small, with each creative addition, donated prize, special gift for me, or just a personal touch warms my heart.

Wednesday is International Post Day

Look what came in the mail today!  It's my first international contribution for March Madness.  Yeah!  Thanks Catherine B.

Five Donations in Five Days

Wow!  I was out of town this weekend, but when I returned, I was surprised to receive numerous generous donations to the March Madness project.

 

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The contributors (in no particular order) are: Cheryl, Christine H., Jenn B, Stacy, and Jennifer R.

Thank you everyone.  It is so exciting to see everyone's wonderful contributions to this project.  I'm busy knitting up the yarn into the little swatches (see the picture with the three blue yarnballs.