...MonkeyKnits... A Knitting Blog

Webs. Buttons and More

As promised, here are the official SSRP buttons. I couldn't decide which one I liked best, so I'm offering them all to you. Take your pick.

I'm still organizing names and addresses... Everyone who's signed up for Alpha-Version SSRP should have gotten a welcome email. If you think you're in the Alpha-Version, and you didn't get an email, please let me know. If you're in the Beta-Version, I will send out the welcome letter in the next few days. Whew!

I'm also working on an Official SSRP page. I'll post updates, news and other SSRP-related info here, instead of boring everyone on my knitting blog. I don't want people to think that I've stopped knitting...

Because I have been knitting! Guess what I did Friday night? Woo-Hoo! Bonne Charlotte is off the needles. And I even sat her down and gave her a good blocking, too. She needs her crochet trim, and I think I'm going to fringe her, too. I will have to get more of the green Koigu, though. And the orange/yellow that is second to last is almost gone, too. *sigh* Guess I'll have to call The Boys.

What else am I working on? Well, I've picked up the log-cabin baby blanket again. The baby (my sister-in-law's) is due in July. I want to have it done before the baby's born. And there's a shower next weekend... I think I'll have the Sublime Stitching bib done for that. It's pretty quick to do.

And, in non-knitting news, yesterday marked my third year of sobriety. Man, how time flies. My life has never been more peaceful. That isn't to say that I don't feel stress, because let me tell you... I do. But I can deal with it now, instead of hiding my head in the sand. Just like Mary J. Blige, I got no more drama in my life. It's great. I'm lovin' it!

SSRP Details

Well, the drama has died down, but the excitement is still going strong. The alpha-version of the SSRP has been full for several days, and the beta-version is filling up quickly. If you'd like to participate, send me an email, soon!

yarnsnobs AT yahoo DOT com

I've put together the rules and guidlines. Click here to read them (pdf format). Please let me know if anything is confusing or if you have any better suggestions.

I will be sending out a group email to the alpha-group this weekend. Then I will put together the list and decide the order. I'm also putting out a call for volunteers to donate to the "start box." If you're in the alpha-group, and you'd like to volunteer to contribute, please contact me at the above address. The details about contributing to the start box are on the Rules and Guidelines page. I will also be posting a group button that you can steal. If anyone out there is interested in creating one, let me know. I'm open to pawning that off on someone suggestions.

I really have high hopes for this project. I'm getting the feeling that people are excited about making it successful. Aren't you getting excited, too?

Blog Drama

Well, I guess I saw this one coming. Remember in my original post about the SSRP, when I said that I didn't want to ruffle anyone's feathers? Umm, the feathers have been ruffled.

I received a very angry and, in my opinion, uncalled for email today from the creator of the GSRP. She has posted the email in its entirety on her site, if you'd like to read it. While I do not wish to get into a pecking match, I do feel like I have to clear up a few misunderstandings.

First of all, I tried my best to make it clear that much of what I said about the SSRP was meant to be tongue-in-cheek. I do not really consider myself a snob, and those who know me would agree. I like people and I like people to like me. Who doesn't? I don't want to make enemies. I just want to exchange some yarn.

Secondly, I am not the only person to be disappointed by the contents of a GSRP box. Perhaps I am the one who wrote the longest post about it, and certainly I am the only one who, to this point, has arranged an alternate exchange, but I am not alone in my disappointment.

I meant absolutely no disrespect to the GSRP or its creator. In fact, I tried to be tactful and humorous with my post when I could've just said, "I received a box full of crap in the mail today labelled 'Fair Isle Box.'" I acknowledge that there were two things in the box that I found somewhat appealing. My expectations, however, were that I would receive a box full of yarn and goodies so fabulous that I would have a hard time deciding what to take. The two things I might've taken out of the box I received were only semi-exciting to me. I suppose the problem here is with my expectations being too high.

If you read my original post about the Fair Isle box, I think most would agree that I was not disrespectful, hateful or nasty in what I wrote. I stated my opinion. I was disappointed. The fact is that the box came, and it was full of things I did not care for. And I can honestly say that most of the people I've met through the blog world, and my own real-life knitting friends would back me up on this one. I am not being unreasonable. It's very possible that I misunderstood the goal of the GSRP, and therefore had skewed expectations. Like I said in my original post about the FI box, I wasn't expecting a box full of Rowan and Noro to land in my lap, but on the other end of the spectrum, I wasn't expecting a box full of what did land in my lap!

No where in my post, or in my original email to the GSRP creator when I asked for guidance, did I blame her for my disappointment. And even now, I thank her for arranging such a huge project. The idea is a great one. The execution did not live up to the expectations. That was not her fault, and I never insinuated or stated that it was.

I also did not "write all previous contributors off as the knitting equivolent white trash. [sic]" No where did I call any of the participants names. I am not eight. I did state that some people seemed to have taken out disproportionately to what they put in. That is a fact.

Finally, there is nothing "secret" about my plan for the SSRP. I did not arrange a "secret society of those deemed worthy enough" to join. If I wanted to create a secret society, I would not announce it on my blog and have an open call for interest.

I don't want to get into a big to-do about this. My main point is that I did not mean to step on any toes. I did not mean to hurt any feelings. And I do not think I'm better than anyone. Except maybe George W.

Ooops... I think I hear more feathers being ruffled!

Edited to add: The Alpha version of the SSRP is full. Please email me if you're interested in joining the Beta version. It's the same deal, but it probably won't start up until late June, and will be capped at twenty people. And, I've set up a special email address for the Snobs to contact me about the SSRP: yarnsnobs AT yahoo DOT com (you know how to make that look like an email address, right?). Yay, Snobs!

SSRP - An Update

Perhaps if we Snobs start a book club, this would be our first read.

Interest in the SSRP is pretty impressive. It's only been about 15 hours and we've already got 12 people signed up. You know what that means... If you want to be a snob, you'd better email me soon!

And, please, do not leave your requests in the comments. I had mercy on the few who did that yesterday, but the snob in me says you must email your request to join the SSRP. After all, part of being a successful snob is the knowledge that your own convenience comes first above all others'.

Mwah!

Snob Stash Redistribution Project

When life hands you lemons, give them away to someone who appreciates lemons, and get yourself a slice of cheesecake.

I'm not really sure what that means, but here's what I'm talking about... I am organizing my own exchange project. This one is different. It's "snobby." Interested? Read on...

This exchange will work on the same principle as the “Great Stash Redistribution Project” started by Amy at Cybergoddess. The difference is that this exchange is only for people who are interested in exchanging quality yarns in usable quantities. These terms will be defined further on the Rules and Guidelines page.

Here’s the lowdown: The initial project - we’ll call it the alpha version - will be limited to the first twenty people who contact me. It will also be limited to participants in the continental U.S. (nothing personal against Canucks, I promise). I will start a box with items from my own personal stash. This box will move from person to person on the list, until it visits everyone. You will put in commensurate to what you take out. Just as with the original SRP, this exchange will depend greatly upon each individual's integrity and good judgement. If you have a question about what you're putting in the box, email me.

The box will contain a log of items that have been put into the box. When you remove something, you will write your name next to the item you've removed. At the end of the list, you will add your name and what you've contributed. Blatant disregarders of the rules will be cast from the list, never to be heard from again! Mwah-ah-ah-ah...

What qualifies as “Snob” yarn?

Many things may qualify as snob yarn, so it may be easier to start by explaining what “snob” yarn is not. Snob yarn is not acrylic – unless it is a blend, or a novelty yarn, produced by a major label. It is not Red Heart. It is not Lion Brand. It is not yarn that can be purchased at Hobby Lobby. It is not yarn without labels – unless it is one frogged skein that is part of a lot of full skeins.

Snob yarn is designer yarn such as Rowan, Colinette, Noro, GGH, Cascade, Debbie Bliss, Jaeger, Mission Falls, Adrienne Vittadini… It is full skeins. It is reasonable quantities. It is new, and it has been stored carefully so it is clean and pleasantly scented.

Gift certificates, gently used needles, lovely knitting books and other knitterly items may be introduced into the box as long as they are snob-worthy.

Honestly, I think we all know what “snob” yarn is. It is the yarn that we love to fondle at the LYS. It is the yarn that we envy our fellow knitters for having. It is the yarn that we would love to knit everything out of, if only our pocketbooks (and our stash space) would allow. It is the yarn that we would be happy and grateful to receive as a gift. It is the yarn for people who deny themselves very little. It is "snob" yarn.

I will be creating a button and an official page with more details within the next few days. I thought I would try to get a gauge (no pun intended) of how many people were interested or if I would be shamed by the knitblog community for even suggesting such a hoity-toity idea.

If you're interested, send me an email. If you're interested, but you need more information, send me an email. If you think I'm off my rocker and I'm up on a high horse, send me an email.

Hey, wait a minute... On second thought, just send me an email if you are interested or if you have questions about the exchange.

Toodles!

Surprise Project

Remember when I told you I was working on something, but I couldn't show you because it was a surprise? Well, Surprise!

Click on the photo for a full-sized view. Here's another angle for the bag so nice, I posted it twice!

I really liked knitting this bag. It was quick, it was easy, and I *love* the way it turned out. The bag is Bartlett wool, and the flower is made from Noro Kureyon. I sorta followed the Poppy pattern from MagKnits, but I sorta fudged it, too. And I didn't sew it onto the bag. I sewed it onto a safety pin so my mom could remove it it she wasn't feeling quite sassy enough to rock a Perky Posie. You gotta be sportin' a 'tude if you're gonna go out with a bag like that! I'm gonna go make one for myself now...

Oh, and happy belated birthday, mom... I love you! *smooch!*

p.s. I think I have something up my sleeve (and no, it's not a dryer sheet). I think it's going to be exciting... Check back tomorrow. I have a few details to work out, but I think you'll like it. Intrigued? Good! :)

Sweet Anticipation

Sometimes the outcome is worth the wait... Other times, the waiting is the best part.

The GSRP Fair Isle Box came to town today.

I was so excited. I picked it up from the Post Office. I raced home over my lunch hour. I tore open the box. And I found this.

A box full of acrylics. And not just your average everyday acrylic. I'm talkin' bout your Granny's leftover afghan acrylic from 1972. And not a full skein, either. Oh, no. Random balls (or tangled gobs) of scratchy, ucky acrylic. Trust me, the photo does not do it justice.

Now, don't get me wrong... I'm not tryin' to hate. I can get down with acrylics just as well as the next playah. I love me a good wool/acrylic blend.... And Homespun makes a great baby blanket. But this box is whack.

Truth be told, I am a self-proclaimed yarn snob. I like my Rowan. I like my Colinette. I like my Noro. I like my Koigu. But I truly was not expecting a box full of designer labels. I was expecting a box full of yarns with some sort of labels. Ninety percent of the stuff in this box is half-used and label-less. Random, odd-ball skeins of this and that. *sigh*

So, I've emailed our fearless leader, Amy, and I am anxiously awaiting her advise. Do I purge the contents and restock it with some lovelies from my stash? Or do I take out the two things I found that I have even a slight bit of interest in and send the box on its way?

I suppose the thing to do is to keep in mind the initial idea of the GSRP, and that is to reduce your own stash by finding a good home to the things you'll just never use. And, if I keep that in mind, then I would say the people who've had the box before me have done a great job. They've gotten rid of things in their stash that no one will ever use.

I don't mean to ruffle feathers with this post, but I was (am) disappointed with what is in the box. I know it's bound to happen, but it seems like a few people think it's fair to take out enough brand-name wool to make a large sweater, as long as they put in five pounds of crappy, nasty yarn scraps. That just ain't right.

Dang.

p.s. The peachy/blue yarn in the pop-up photo is a cotton/cashmere lace-weight yarn, hand-dyed by Motomo. I think it'll make a nice shawl of some kind... Maybe the Falling Leaves one in the new IK.

Here & There

I feel like such a scatterbrain. I have no idea why, or how to fix it. So I just remain a scatterbrain. Because of that, I have no new photos to show you today.

Since there are no new photos, I thought I'd post an old one. It's an oldie, but a goodie. This is last year's "Dairy Queen," from the Minnesota State Fair. Every year, the Dairy Queen and the Dairy Princesses sit in this refrigerated display case, and an artist (a sculptor?) carves their likenesses out of a giant block of butter. It's refrigerator temperature, so the sculptor and the sculptee (?) both wear winter coats. If you click the picture to enlarge it, you can see the chair that the sculptor sits on. You can also see a few virgin blocks of butter on the left, and a giant bucket of "scrap" butter on the right. I have no idea what they do with that... Movie popcorn? I dunno.

Do other states do this? It is a very popular part of the fair. If you go to the fair, you have to eat lots of food on a stick, and you have to see the butter heads. These are the rules of the fair.

I mailed out Rossana's prize for winning the Very First Ever MonkeyKnits Knitting Related Contest. Umm... I forgot to take photos of it before I mailed it. So, Rossana, if you have a digital camera, and would be so kind as to snap a few photos and email them to me, I will post them here for everyone to be jealous of.

I can't show you the surprise project yet, because the recipient hasn't received it yet. I mailed it yesterday.

Charlotte still pretty much looks the same as the last photo I posted of her. I'm on row 117 or so. I'm getting about 3 or 4 rows per night finished. It's tough to watch TV and knit this one. She really likes it when I look at her while I'm knitting. If I look away, she pouts by throwing in an extra stitch somewhere -- or, worse yet, dropping one! So I give her my almost complete attention. She's worth it.

Oh! I can't believe I didn't mention this sooner... In fabulous, exciting, "I'm-so-stoked-I-can-hardly-stand-it-and-I-can't-believe-I-actually-used-the-word-stoke-to-describe-it" news, my dress came in the mail today! I ordered this dress from J. Crew to wear to my wedding reception in August, and it was on backorder until June 2nd. It arrived early! I ran home on my lunch break and tried it on...

It fits perfectly. Well, it fits perfectly in the areas that matter - ie, boobs and belly. It does need to be hemmed. And I will need to get one of those uber-sexy body slimmer contraptions. The dress is made out of the most soft and slippery tricotine silk material, and it skims over the body in a very flattering way, however I don't want to have to worry about sucking my gut in all night. Especially with the good food we're going to serve! Which reminds me, I haven't planned that part yet. I have no idea what we're going to serve! Argh!

See what I mean about being a scatterbrain?

FOs and Other Excitements

Look what I finished today...

I'm very happy with the way this turned out. It's not exactly what I had planned, but I still like it. The neckline could be a little lower, and the armholes could be a little bigger, but all in all, it fits almost perfectly. I'll post action photos sometime this week, depending on my photographer's schedule and contingent upon a good-hair day. Mine, not the photographer's.

To anyone thinking of knitting something in Rowan Summer Tweed, I offer this advice: You should either knit the item in the round, or purchase a coordinating cotton yarn with which to seam your finished item. I tried using the ST to seam Sttank, and just ended up frustrated. This yarn breaks extremely easily. I used Lamb's Pride Cotton Fleece to do the side seams, and it worked like a charm. And, since it comes in such huge skeins, I just happened to purchase enough to make another tank! Who knew?!?

Oh, and this is exciting, too... Click here to see my favorite part of Sttank. Lovely, no?

And I bet you're all dying to find out who the big winner of the Very First Ever MonkeyKnits Knitting-Related Contest is, right? Well... Drumroll, please!

It is Rossana, who just recently started her own blog. It's not up quite yet, but when it is, I'll post the link here so you can congratulate her yourself. I'm going to mail out her surprise later this week, and when she gets it, I'll post the photos. Until then, the prize will remain a mystery!

Congratulations, Rossana... And thank you to all of the participants. This was fun, and I will definitely be doing something similar in the future.

I was a busy girl this weekend. Not only did I finish Sttank, I also knit an entire birthday present. My mom's birthday was in March, and terrible daughter that I am, I gave her a "knitted-item IOU." Well, it is going in the mail tomorrow, and when she gets it, I'll tell you all what it is. I will tell you this much: it was fun to knit, I really love the finished item, and I will be knitting one for myself! Any guesses?

And, last but not least, my friend Sarah B. and I worked out an awesome exchange a few weeks ago. She needed a banner for her blog, and I needed more yarn. Okay, I use the term "needed," loosely. Very loosely. Anyway, I got said yarn in the mail yesterday, and it is fabulous! Seven skeins of Rowan All Seasons Cotton. It's a beautiful shade of burnt orange, and it is begging to be made into some sort of summery tank. Any suggestions?

We Have a Winner!

My husband drew a name out of a purse, and with that, we have our first ever MonkeyKnits Contest Winner!

Thank you all for your entries. I had fun doing this, and I'll definitely be doing it again. Oh, and I'll announce the name of the Winner as soon as I hear back from him/her...

Stay tuned!