Thursday, June 21, 2012

Shame on the USOC, and mini skeins

If you haven't heard, the USOC (US Olympic Committee) has decided to go after Ravelry for the Olympic fan event, the Ravelympics. Read the full cease and desist letter here. The thing knitters are taking issue with (mostly) is not the claim of copyright infringement (which it is, technically) but both that the USOC is wasting time and money attacking a group that is not making any money from their Olympic themed event, but also that the USOC is claiming that knitting is denigrating and offensive to the spirit of the Olympics. I've loved watching the Olympics for my entire life, but if the USOC does not apologize for insulting knitters and our desire to participate in the Olympic spirit, then I will not be watching the Olympics this summer. Want to let the USOC know what you think? Knitter or non-knitter, post on the USOC facebook page in support of knitters engaging in the spirit of the Olympics (and spending many hours knitting while watching the games!)

Meanwhile... I posted 6 different sets of mini skeins on etsy yesterday. Mini skeins are perfect for adding a little bit of color to a project, stripes, or of course, for the Beekeeper's Quilt or any of the other scrap yarn blankets, scarves, etc.

Upadate: The USOC issued this response to the flood of angry comments from knitters. As many others have pointed out, this is a pretty lame attempt at apologizing for what was clearly NOT a form letter but a very personalized, detailed, and demeaning letter. And really, to show YOUR support of ravelry, WE should send you hand knitted stuff? Knitted Olympic themed stuff from those patterns you asked ravelry to remove?

Update again: The USOC updated their apology to be a bit more contrite, and said they would no longer consider legal action against Ravelry. Hooray for the power of knitters! In 48 hours we were put down, responded, and received two apologies from a powerful organization! I am so thrilled and impressed, and I love Ravelry and the community it creates more than ever.

Monday, June 18, 2012

The Sound of Slipping

The sound of finished projects slipping to the floor after the last bound off stitch that is! After spending a marathon memorial day weekend knitting 6-8 hours a day, I finished the 2 blankets that had deadlines at the beginning of June. While in Colorado for a friend's (gorgeous!) wedding, I finished my own wedding veil (finally!) and shortly after returning I finished the Wall-Es. In between all of that, I've made some good progress on Ryan's socks in spare moments, and I've started on the Boba Fetts. At least without the blanket deadlines looming over me the amigurimi feel like they are going faster!

The biohazard baby blankie: A chart that I will eventually get converted from paper to electronic form and posted, because, well, I'm pretty pleased with how it came out! The parents were also thrilled, and that's what really matters.

The wedding blanket for the friends who got married in said gorgeous wedding- they love it, and it did indeed come out big enough for both of them to cuddle up under, so I did my job! They loved it so much that they sent photos, during their honeymoon!!, of them cuddled under it in a cabin in the mountains. Also, they took it on their honeymoon! Way to be appreciative knit recipients friends. Rest assured your future babies will have many handknits to wear!

My wedding veil! I know, isn't it gorgeous?!? When I first bound off, there was a little moment where I held it up and went, "seriously?!? THAT'S all the knitting I get for all that work?!?" and even after blocking its still a pretty small shawl, for having worked probably close to 100,000 stitches over the last 18 months! But it really is beautiful, and I got a little weepy when I tried pinning it on with my dress (sorry, none of those photos until after the wedding), and I'm quite proud of it if I do say so myself. I am, however, also swearing off cobweb yarns for the foreseeable future!

Ryan's socks are really coming along, and aren't they just charming? Also, he is a very willing foot model. Always a plus.

The first Boba Fett off the hook! Its adorable, and I love it, but I am really really really tired of crocheting little space toys. I really can't wait to be done with that.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

New Worsted Wooly and Chubby Bunny

Lots of new colors posted recently! In Worsted Wooly, Endor: Endor's inspiration is pretty obvious- the lush greens and browns of the forest moon! 


In Chubby Bunny, 3 new colors. First, Keukenhof: Keukenhof colorway is inspired by the riot of colors in Holland's famous tulip gardens, during the spring tulip festivals. This colorway is a complex rainbow, with colors ranging from almost black to bright orange, magenta, and blue and overlapping into many subtle shades.


Undersea: Undersea colorway is inspired by the high contrast and bright colors found when snorkeling in shallow waters on a bright sunny day. The brightness of the yellow, blue, and green makes this a very cheerful yarn.


Earth Day: Earth Day colorway is inspired by the beautiful shades of green blanketing the earth. It ranges from deep navy blues to a range of bright and dark greens and hints of yellow.