With Gratitude

  Wow.  Thanks so much for the kind comments on the Hardangervidda everyone!  Even my husband and local friends came out of the woodwork.  Don't let him fool you... Dan's just making nice so he can get another sweater.  He's as ornery as they come.

The second comment yesterday was comment #500.  The winner of the Fleece Artist T Kit is Jessica from Tangled Yarn.  I kept this kind of quiet, only linking to the photo instead of posting it, because I was trying to get a feel for how many readers I have.  I still don't know, but it's a lot more than I thought!

After several false starts and not being able to make up my mind, I finally settled on a pattern for the Red Scarf.  Subtle Mesh from Barbara Walker's Charted Knitting Designs.  I'm only about three inches into it so I need to get crackin'.   I can't even keep up with all the blogs that are joining the project, so make sure that you email Lisa so they can put a link up to you!

Nathania forced invited me to join in on the Must Have Too KAL.  I ordered the pattern last night from Hershenner's.  I have some gorgeous Paton's Ballybrae wool from my very first Elann order about four years ago.  Let's see if I can actually finish a cable pattern.  It's killing me to not start on the cover sweater from Dalegarn 126.  I bought the Gjestal sportweight for that one when I ordered it for the Hardangervidda.

I'm the lucky winner of the large Easy Weaver by Harrisville.  I rarely knit with my handspun (I have no idea why), so I thought it'd be great way to use them up in scarves until we settle down in one place and I can get a real loom.

A little note about our troops.  I subscribe to the Dept. of Defense newsletter that releases the names of troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.  I get tired of only hearing the numbers on the news.  I feel the least I can do is read their name, age, where they're from and how they died and say a little prayer of thanks to them.  If you'd like to subscribe go here:  http://www.defenselink.mil/news/dodnews.html#e-mail and click on the news releases.  I will warn you, it can get very sad.  I get an email almost every day and sometimes several times a day.

Comments

[Tori]

Hi Jean, Just wanted to tell you about my experience the Ballybrae. I used it on the Cables 101 vest and when I tried to block it, it grew width wise like crazy. The tags on my batch or yarn stated to handwash or dryclean. Another person in the Cables101 KAL had the same experience with Ballybrae (different project) when getting it wet to block it. My research on the Internet mainly referred to the smell, one person mentioned dry cleaning her sweater and loving it afterwards because the smell was gone. So, if you plan to handwash you might test a swatch first incase it reacts the same way. It is beautiful yarn and I like your color! Hope mine was just a fluke.

[Secret Pal]

Hi Jean! I just wanted to drop a note to say hello and I hope that you have a wonderful weekend! I'm looking forward to spoiling you these next few months! Your Super Secret Knitting Pal

[monica]

Thanks for the link. I have the 126 Dale book also and would like to knit almost every sweater in it. Congrats on the Easy Weaver

[Wendy]

Thank you for that link. You're absolutely right, it is the LEAST we can do!

[Tracy]

I'm sure I ordered the pattern for the Must Have sometime last year. I'm going to have a root around, may even find the right yarn too!

[Jessica]

Thanks for giving us the link to the DOD newsletter. I received a similar one from another source shortly after Christmas with the names of all who have died so far. Finished the list in tears. That must be so hard to be faced with everyday. Love the Must Have Cardigan but I just joined another knit along so I won't consider it right now even though I've had my eye on that sweater for awhile. Sending good wishes your way!

[Nilda]

Just don't forsake your knitting for your loom... we would all lose. Also, on CNN Aaron Brown's news every night posts names, service, ranks, hometowns and cause of death of the service members who lost their lives in the Iraq war. It's very moving. So many from the Bronx, Texas, California, as well as the South. And so many so young.

[Mary Beth]

Wow. The ballybrae is beautiful. I love your choice for the red scarf. (I'm in as of today...)

[Margene]

You found a perfect pattern for the red scarf. It's going to be very special. Have fun with the loom and thanks for the link to the fallen.

[Cate]

Jean, The Nightly News with Jim Lehrer (sp?) on PBS shows pictures, name & rank, age, hometown at the end of the broadcast. They are shown silently. It is very moving. One of the other news shows does it as well but they select only one. The PBS show does all casualties as the information and pictures become available. Cate

[Kim]

You are going to have sooooooo much fun with that little loom!!!

[andrea]

Well, I don't know how many readers you have in total, but you have 112 subscribers on Bloglines. :)

[Emma.]

Dan's sweater is fantastic ! Red scarf is looking fab too. Knitting with your own handspun is a revelation.It really is so satisfying,knowing the yarn intimately ! The Ballybrae yarn is gorgeous.It will look stunning cabled,on you ! :0)