Flood Relief Contest & Pay It Forward

I'm almost done with the back of my Minimalist Cardigan, but I'll post about that later.



Right now I want to put in a quick plug for Knittymama's Flood Relief Contest. From her blog:

"I’m sure most of you have heard about the devastating floods that have taken place in Southeastern Minnesota and Southwestern Wisconsin by now. There has been terrible loss of life and property, but one group that has been hit especially hard are the organic farmers of the region. This is a fertile area, and home to a rich organic farming community....

This is an agonizing loss for these farmers. Not only have they lost their crops but they have suffered erosion and equipment damage, and have had to lay off workers as well. While most farms are hoping to make it through the damage there are also many who have an uncertain future....

Once I began to find out about the losses around our region, I felt helpless but unsure of what to do. But then I saw that Sow the Seeds is doing a fundraiser, and then I thought, “The knitters! The knitters will help!” And so here I am, with both a contest and a plea for you all to help our organic farmers."

Knittymama has some great prizes (sock yarn!, handspun!), but the contest will only remain open until September 29th (tomorrow!), so check it out. Of course, feel free to donate even if you read about this too late to get in on the contest : )




Pay it Forward

Rosina of Noteworthy Knits has very generously offered to make handmade gifts for the first 3 people who leave a comment on her post (I think you can still leave her a comment, so give her a visit, and check out all the cool spinning she's been doing lately!).

I took her up on it (Thanks, Rosina!), and now I'm paying it forward.

This is "based on the concept of the movie Pay it Forward where acts or deeds of kindness are done without expecting something in return... just passing it on, with hope that the recipients of the acts of kindness continue to pass it along as well. Here’s how it works: I will make and send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment to this post on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I do not know what that gift will be yet, and it won’t be sent this month, probably not next month, but it will be sent (within 6 months) and that’s a promise! What YOU have to do in return, then, is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog."

If you would like to participate, please leave me a comment on this post and email me at octopusknits AT gmail DOT com with your contact info. (mailing address, blog address if you have one, Ravelry or flickr ID if you have one).

I'll try to make you something you'll like!

Hemlock Ring jellyfish, Minimalist Cardigan, and 7.5 random things about me!

Thanks for all your comments on my Mystery Stole, the Hemlock Ring Blanket, and the potential dangers of letting cats play in your knitting (insert evil purring from Bug and Moana here).

I have been home sick with a cold, and not getting as much knitting done as you might expect under the circumstances, so Moana has (very generously) been trying to "help" me with the Hemlock Ring Blanket again.

This is Moana's version of helping:



Awe... isn't she cute?

Luckily, she's also easily distracted.


I like how the "wrong" side of the blanket (while on the needles, at least) looks kind of like a brain.


Looking at the "right" side, I see some sort of jellyfish or deflated and spineless sea urchin.

Ooo! For a second there, I thought it looked like an eyeball!

I swear, I don't have a fever (though my stuffy eustachian tubes can contribute a mild sense of dizziness at times).

...Hmmmm... doesn't the first photo in my post look like Moana is emerging from a walnut?...

I have also started working on the Minimalist Cardigan from the Fall Interweave Knits. I'm using Valley Yarns Colrain - which is a really gorgeous, soft yarn (50% merino, 50% Tencel) with an amazing sheen - in the color Chestnut:


I tried really hard to want to use a non-reddish hue for this (the original is done in a lovely red, and I usually like to use something different), but alas, I just love it in red! Here's a close-up of the moss stitch / 2x1 ribbing interface:


I haven't gotten very far yet, just about 5 and a half inches up the back (still on the first ball):


Not too long ago (I hope!) Tammy tagged me for 8 Random Facts about myself, while Kerry tagged me for 7, so to compromise, here are:


7.5 Random Facts about me

1. I love to bake, cook, and eat.

2. I broke my nose in elementary school playing softball (it's still crooked today!). Yes, I caught the ball with my face. That's the only bone I've ever officially broken (though I'm pretty sure I broke my big toe, playing basketball, a few years ago).

3. I like to watch tv shows like the various CSI's, "Bones," "House," and "Numbers" at least in part because I get to laugh (or stare in dumbfounded disbelief) at their frequent misuse of scientific concepts and misrepresentations of the limitations of certain scientific instruments, not to mention their sometimes bizarre portrayals of how "scientists" behave. (Yes, I'm a scientist.) I do find them entertaining, and that's all that matters, right? Edited to add: (Actually, I'm pretty concerned about what effect these portrayals have on the public's understanding of science and scientists, so my "that's all that matters..." comment was meant to be sarcastic. Can you tell I'm torn?)

4. I'm not a vegetarian (though I don't eat much meat), but I definitely would be one if I had to kill my own food. (I also really dislike killing things in general. I catch spiders and insects I find roaming the house in an overturned glass and free them outside.)

5. In addition to knitting, I like to draw and paint (and I dabble in photography, although I have no real clue what I'm doing).

6. My favorite color is... I can't decide. I don't like to choose favorites (never have).

7. As you may have noticed, I have a major problem with using too many parentheticals (really!).

7.5. I think Bug and Moana are pretty darn cute (major revelation, I know, but hey, this one's only a half...).

If you would like to participate, consider yourself tagged!



Moana says: mmmm.... sheepy...