Knit a Ninja (Knitja)

I planned to take a couple of shots of my poinsettas this morning when I spied something hiding in the leaves...



Why, its a family of ninja! They hopped out of the flowers. Bowed graciously...



And quickly retreated to the shadows...



Coming SOON! Knit a Ninja pattern for Pink ninja, black ninja and little minja (mini ninja).



You know you want to knit one...

Thanksgiving Haiku

Awoke feeling sick

Hosting Thanksgiving this year

Pray that I'll stay well.

Happy Turkey Day everyone! I'll have new patterns for you beginning next week.

Birthday bounty

Thank you so very much for the many thoughtful birthday wishes. I tried in vain to quietly celebrate my 38th birthday at home last Wednesday which so happened to be Halloween. This was what my evening was like: knit, knit, knit. Ding dong, ding dong, ding dong. Trick or treat!!! Candy, candy, candy. Sit down, get comfy, knit, knit, knit for 3 minutes. Ding dong, ding dong, ding dong. You get the picture. Most would have given up on knitting but I had a last minute submission deadline I was trying to meet so I was VERY focused. Thing 1 refused to deal with the rugrats citing that he was going to enjoy his first Halloween at home by playing X-Box 360 with his friends. Needless to say, I was worn out by the end of the night.

My friends and family are incredibly generous and the birthday celebrations have continued since Wed. Just look at all of the goodies they've given me (not to mention the food I've been treated to).





The Things gave me some Burberry Brit (Thing 1 wants to "un-hippie" me and says this will help me get started) and most everyone else gave me something fiber related: a beautiful needle felted ornament, handcrafted Tibetan prayer flags, Dave Simpson's yummy fiber, Burts Bees hand salve (oh so needed right now), Knit Picks Harmony Needles, many skeins of Karaoke Soy Silk, Lavendar candle by Diptyque and birthday moola from the Rents and MIL. But most of all, I have been blessed with the love of so many friends and family. While all of these goodies are appreciated, their love is the bounty that I speak of. It means more to me than any other gift I could receive. Thanks everyone!!!! (((Big hugs)))

News Flash!!! Yes, I have been knitting and spinning. I finally finished my Hokie socks that I started at MS&W (yeah, I know that was like 6 months ago).






The facts - yarn: Regia Silk colors, needles- stretchy circulars (I LOVE them) size 3, pattern: toe up recipe using figure 8 cast on, 64 sts for the foot, short row heel and 62 sts for the twisted 2x2 ribbing.

And just so you know especially the sock knitters among you, there will be nothing more than "plain vanilla" toe up ankle socks here if I'm knitting them for myself. I don't like ridges across my toes, I don't like anything past my ankles and I don't like patterns that can leave imprints on my feet. I'm uber picky about socks and have been since I was a kid. Therefore, exhibit B - another ankle sock.



This sock is made from handspun Finnsheep and Creatively Dyed Yarns handspun roving. One down, one to go.

Speaking of handspun, I've been spinning like a fiend since I came back from the Fall Fiber Festival.


(from left to right) I finally finished spinning the merino/tencel so that I can finish the second half of my Morning Glory Wrap . I also finished spinning the Blue Moon Fiber Arts Mulberry Silk/Merino to finish my Sahara. I've spun several 50 yard sample skeins with my fiber finds from Fall Fiber Festival 2007. (two colored yarns - one is my first successful attempt at Navajo plying - and ball in back) Creatively dyed yarns Corriedale roving, CVM/Gulf Coast from My Favorite Yarn Shop, "Krinkle" Fall Fiber Fest Rambouilet fleece, Stony Mountain Fibers Cormo (last two) Misty Mountain Farm dyed Finnsheep and Finnsheep/cashmere. I have a pretty good sized collection of handspun skeins that I need to set free into projects. I'm having a hard time letting go of my babies though.

Finally in the crazy crafter department, I had some apples that were going bad and decided to make apple head dolls out of them something I haven't done in probably 30 years.



The Things are grossed out by the "ageing" process which pleases me to no end. Dare I say that the busy-ness of life seems to be slowing down. If it continues, I'll be posting more often than not.

Stuffie butts and such

You asked for it. Here's a butt shot:


Stuffie Butt

Still can't guess what it is? Well, its supposed to be a puppy. Yeah, I know. It DOES kinda look like a pig and a bunnie. Thanks Grace and Renee for figuring out that its a puppy dog. (((sigh))) The original Japanese pattern offered a couple of options to make it a bunny or a cat. But I wanted a dog. If I had made the ears bigger, they would have flopped better and it MIGHT have looked more like a dog. I'm still learning. Trust me, there have been numerous failed attempts. Like this cute mouse pattern from Sewing Stars and my not so cute mouselike creature. A word of advice - don't drink and embroider.


Exhibit A - Sad Purple Mousie (I'm really really mad because she stitched my eyes on all wonky)

Go figure. I'm not even going to show you some of the others. They are true misfit toys. I have had some successes since I posted the puppy. I'll post them soon so you can see that I HAVE learned something about sewing toys.

So what else have I been up to lately? Plenty. I've been...

Felting stuff for a book that I can't show you yet.

Tickled pink because two of my patterns made it into the 2008 Knitting Pattern-A-Day calendar.



Finished a store sample for the Trinity class that I taught last week at SereKnity.


Finished Autumnal Trinity

Attended VA's 2007 Dustbowl err Fall Fiber Festival. Saw Robin and her sweet hubby and sucked a friend into spinning at the same fiber festival (Waves at Heather sheepishly).


H and the sheepies


H and me kickin' it at Monticello

Watched my "baby" go to his first Homecoming dance and play in drumline in marching band just like his momma did a bazillion years ago.







How is this kid almost 15?

Baked cupcakes for a special friend's birthday. YUM!


From the book "Cupcakes!". Thanks for the book TE!

Watching the Autumn sky whilst enjoying the Indian Summer weather (wish it would never end) and wondering where the time goes every single day.


Autumn sky pic taken by my surprisingly observant Thing 1 at 7 am.
Come to think of it, perhaps he missed the bus because he was taking this picture...

What does this look like to you?

Every attempt I've made at sewing softies for the past week have been met with "what's that supposed to be?" by my loving Things. So sensitive and thoughtful, they all are. So tell me, what do YOU think it looks like? Just wondering if my sewing is that awful that you can't tell what the finished product is. (((Sigh))) Maybe I should stick with knitting and spinning...

Sew what?

Shhhhh. Can you keep a secret? Of course you can. Come closer so I can whisper in your ear because if the knitting police get wind of this, they'll revoke my license. I've. Been. Sewing. Shhhhhhhhh. I've been trying to resist the siren's call for ages. I haven't sewn anything major in almost 15 years. I even learned how to walk through JoAnns and only buy buttons and notions. But after all of those years of rehab, I. Fell. Hard.

I blame Amy Butler and Anna Maria Horner for their deliciously beautiful fabrics. And Chef Messy for introducing these to me several months ago. And Amy Butler for coming out with her Rowan Sweet Life Bags



especially this one, the Ashbury

.
And I blame my Grandma for teaching me to sew at age 4. And I blame these cute books for luring me into plushie toys. And I blame these owls


And these cute baby shoes


Yeah, I know my lack of willpower is to blame but I can at least pretend to put it on someone else. I need to stage a photo shoot of all of the above patterns that have been sewn over the last couple of weeks. In the meantime, here's a quick shot of the monster I'm making my nephew...



I'll post about him another time because he's a special feature I want to show you.

Peeps, sewing is near instant gratification. And I love instant gratification. If it wasn't sew darn (ha ha - I crack myself up) painful - ouch, needle pricks hurt, ALOT - I'd go back to the darkside big time.

Yes, I have been knitting as some of you who have seen me in person can attest to. Here's a quick pic of what came off my needles a week or so ago...

Baby Pinwheel Jacket

More details on the mods are on Ravelry. I'll try to copy them over here in the near future.






Pretend all of those unwoven ends are gone and its sorta a FO. Me no likey weaving in ends. And I finished some Saartje Booties but haven't posted pictures yet. No bun in the oven at la casita de Muse. Just lots of new babies from friend's ovens.

I'm slammed these days with a grant from work, new school routine with the Things, a book submission and some patterns I want to post soon so I'll be around sporadically. But I've been reading your blogs and try to comment when time permits. Wishing many happy fiber adventures to everyone.

Birthday Boy

On this day, eleven years ago, after two miscarriages, lots of tears and angst and going two weeks past my due date, Thing 2 was born to the Muse family. What a wondrous gift, my boys are. I certainly shouldn't take them for granted though I know I'm guilty of doing so. This year, my "baby" enters middle school. Where has the time flown to? He is my little chef, artist, naturalist, quasi-vegetarian. Happy birthday, sweet boy. I hope they keep getting better and better every year.

I'm published

Edited to add: Sereknity is located in the Crystal Springs area of Roanoke (sandwiched between Famous Anthony's and the Post Office in the old Flappers location).

Trinity (the log cabin triangle) made it into the Summer issue of For the Love of Yarn. I'm so excited!

If you're local, I'm teaching a Trinity class this fall at Sereknity. Stop by the store during the grand opening this Friday and Saturday for more information.

Got two original patterns fresh off the needles (if you've seen them, please don't spoil the surprise). After some test knitting (Anyone? Bueller?), I'll have them available here. The creativity is flowing like hot lava these days. Yippie!

Hump Day hrumph

Its cold and rainy again and dagnabit its July. Where's my sunshine? I blame the lack of sun on my current blah state of mind. If you want to skip the rant, there's knitting content at the end of my post.

Guess who was the first one to say I'm bored? ME! The kids have plenty to keep them busy, namely, driving me bat shit crazy. I was told by Thing 2 while we were at the pool on Sunday that I take stuff too seriously and that I needed to "lighten up." How can I lighten up when I'm trying to work, corral them into doing chores and other meaningful activities, cook meals and clean all day long? If I'm not breaking up a squabble, I'm constantly being summoned or questioned - "WHY can't I?" is heard a lot round these parts. What I need is a "real" vacation where none of those aforementioned things are involved for a couple of days. Though we been to beach bunches of times this summer (I know you're saying cry me a river), I haven't had a break from being mom/wife/housekeeper. I HAVE mastered superbitch. Just ask anyone who lives with me. Why is the job of being Mom so hard and when did I become such a fun sucker?

I'm bored. I can't start or even finish any major knitting projects because I'm constantly interrupted. Can't afford to go anywhere. Don't have much free time and when I do it goes way too fast. Most days, I can't even get a moment to myself in the bathroom. King Thing says I should be flattered to have the attention of three males. Um, wha? Maybe I'm just looking at the situation the wrong way. Or maybe its the hormones. Don't get me wrong. I love my family. And I'd do anything for them. I guess I'm just worn ragged right now.

Okay, nuff kvetching. Ravelry has me by the short and curlies. I never imagined such a neat tool could exist on the internets. I admit, I pooh poohed it (to myself) not knowing what it was all about until I got my invite. It has so many awesome capabilities. Just don't knock it until you've had a chance to explore it. It is truly worth the wait.

If any of you subscribe to my Flickr feed, you've seen me adding pictures for Ravelry. While I might not be blogging regularly, you can at least see some of the stuff that I'm working on regardless of whether you're on Rav or not. Here are a few shots of stuff that's come off the needles in recent weeks:



Handspun Blue Moon Fiber Arts mulberry silk/merino roving. Used in the diamond rib sections of Sahara


Sahara is still a WIP. Knit with Louisa Harding Grace that I hand dyed this shade of blue using Jacquard dyes. The diamond rib sections are knit with my handspun Blue Moon Fiber mulberry silk/merino roving. I'm still spinning the yarn to finish the sleeves and the bottom sections.


The best beach knitting ever! Not to mention, they're great to wear at the beach. I made mods to pattern to taper them and included garter stitch rows so that they'd lay flatter. The blue is my handspun and dyed tussah silk, salmon is Louisa Harding, the third one is my handspun and dyed merino/tencel and the tropical colored one is Laines du Nord Mulberry silk. Kinda like Pringles - you can't make just one.


Dream Swatch Headwrap on my head


Cheeky Monkey Socks made from Amy Boogie's Cheeky Monkey roving



First half of Knitspot's gorgeous Morning Glory Wrap/Stole still in its unblocked state. Made from my own handspun and dyed merino/tencel in the colorway I named "Hydrangea"


Morning Glory at the beach (Thing 2 and my nephew are playing in the background)


"Hydrangea" colorway

There's much, much more. Some designs are in the works and I owe everyone some serious updates. I promise more soon.

In the grips of Ravelry

Shhhh, go away boys, you bother me. Mom just got a Ravelry invite and she's trying to get her stuff uploaded to Ravelry. No, I'm not cooking dinner. No, I won't look at your high score on your blah, blah, blah game. Yes, I'm going to spend the next few weeks working on this until they pry the keyboard from my cold dead hands. So many things to do, so little time...

Skool's Out 4 Summer

Everybody, sing the song with me. Yippie! Thing 1 and 2 are out of school for the summer. They actually got out on Thursday but today is the first day that I've gotten to enjoy the full effect of sleeping in. Ahhhhh. Snuggling up in the sheets while the faint murmur of the Today Show lulls me back to sleep. On the one hand, I won't have to drive two plus hours each day schelepping them to and from school and to misc. activities. I REALLY get to flex-time with my job so the reward is if I get up early, I get to knock off mid-day and go to the pool and work on my tan - ha ha ha! And I won't have to make lunch, pry the boys out of the bed with a crowbar and yell like a pit crew chief to go, go, go so we're not late to school. On the other hand, I turn into slave driver and entertainment director for the next three months. Anyone want to take bets on when the words "I'm bored" are first uttered in this house? I'm hell bent on not letting them turn into couch potatoes and glaze over in front of the tv or video games. And yet again, I want them to have fun. Which means, I have to come up with lots of chores for them in the coming weeks. It won't be all business around here but I do have a paying job to do and I don't want to hear bickering, cartoons or video games all freakin' day. We'll see how good parenting skills rate in a couple of weeks. Don't place any bets on how good those are, Peeps.

I have some serious catching up to do and this is the one week in many where I'm not out of town for work and can do just that. Yes, I've been knitting. And I've also been spinning and workin' the dyepot and even dabbling with some designs. I've got many FO's to show you and lots of life stuff to share, too. The winds, they are a changin' round these parts so I have some adjusting to do but I'm up for the challenge.

In the meantime, I leave you with a random picture I took while visiting Raleigh last month. They were selling these sock monkeys at The Gap. I got bored while Thing 1 tried on the millionth pair of jeans so I snapped their picture. I should have bought all of them because looking at their picture makes me laugh every. single. time.

ISO of cheese to go with my whine

Warning! Kvetching ahead. Duck and cover if you know what's good for you.

So much stuff has happened recently and its hard to know which end is up most days. The Tech tragedy was bad enough and while I know I wasn't directly affected, I WAS directly affected. Add to that coming home from spring break to the sad news from our friends who were pet sitting that one of our beloved fluffy-butt guinea pigs had passed on to the other side. She was 6 so I'm sure that it was old age but it was still a sad moment for all of us. Needless to say, I've been a puddle of nonstop tears for the last month.

The canine fluffy-butt, Mavis, came home from the kennel after spring break having a hard time getting around and I can tell that her back legs are bothering her. We're giving her pet meds and trying to keep her off all of the stairs but I fear that her time with us is growing short. She's 14 and has had great health most of her life so we feel blessed that we've had her as long as we have. But I'm having a hard time envisioning the day my sweetie won't be there to greet me at the door.

And the other fluffy-butt piggie has been sick for the last two weeks with some mysterious illness that has left her back legs swollen. The vet has run a bagillion tests, she too is on MANY pet meds and is only marginally better. I literally fall apart when small animals and kids are suffering so this trifecta has nearly done me in. Guess I'm just a whimp like that.

Work is kicking my butt and I'm on the road every week from now until August. Gas prices rose 10 - 20 cents in the time I drove the kids to school and back home this morning. The vet bill. OY the vet bill. My joints are inflammed again for no apparent reason so its hard to exercise. I'm on the pill again to get my hormones back on track. So far, its not working so great. Thanks to the pill, my hoohas are ginormous. And I'm fat and summer's right around the corner. Yeah, I need a huge slab of cheese for all of this whine.

Okay, now that's off my chest. Yes, I am able to see the silver lining of life every now and again. I have wonderful friends, most of them fiber friends. They keep me sane and feed my fiber addiction. Sedalia and Maryland Sheep and Wool were wonderful again this year and I've got the goods to prove it (more in another post I'm afraid). My family is doing well and have been so very loving. Got to see Mom, Dad and Grandma last weekend. All of the Things gave me a SpaVA gift certificate for Mother's Day (pedi, mani & massage here I come). I wake up every day to the song of birds, the warmth of the sun and surrounded by the love of my family. I am grateful for so very much. I'm just having a hard time digging out of the dumps right now.

So I'll try to come up for air every so often and post a little something. But don't be surprised if I'm MIA for big chunks of time. I AM knitting and spinning and I promise to show you soon what I've been up to.

Anyone going to Maryland Sheep and Wool this year?

I haven't seen much buzz in bloglandia about Maryland Sheep and Wool this year. Are any of you planning to attend this year? If not, does that mean that I won't have to stand in long lines to get close to The Fold, Koigu and Tess' booths this year? Will I actually get my hands on a skein of the illusive Socks That Rock yarn? A girl can dream, right?

Sanguine Gryphon is organizing a blogger picnic on Saturday and Sunday at 1 pm. For more info., click HERE! I'm going to wear an IndigoMuse button to identify me so please don't be shy and say "hi". Just so you know, this is what I look like...


Sheeps 06 with Heather and Zira

I'll be hanging with H, Ei, Kel and Donna this year. Can't wait to see everyone. But I'd love to meet some of you bloggers out there. Drop me an email at indigomuse (at) verizon (dot) net or slip me a comment if you'll be out there this weekend.

On Friday, I'll be working at Strawberry Festival. If you're looking for an excuse to visit the Roanoke Valley, this festival and the Chili Cookoff downtown on Saturday are two really good reasons. Come out to the festivals and enjoy some great food and fun, stay at the Hotel Roanoke, visit the Mill Mountain Star and bask in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. I guarantee that you'll want to come back again in the fall. Hope to meet some of you this weekend!

Last day before the Chichi prize drawing

Today is the last day to purchase a Chichi pattern and have your name entered into the prize drawing. I'll announce the winners later this week. If you knit Chichi, send me a photo. I'd love to see how your piggie turned out. Thank for your continued support of this Heifer project.

Knitting for Hokies

As many of you have pointed out, there are several Hokie knitting projects including Project Hokie Hope (PHH) that have popped up since last week. I'm a firm believer in NOT diffusing charitable efforts (Non-profit system and community building are a huge part of my day job). My goal with PHH was to get knitters and other fiber friends from around the world to help the families heal. However, I prefaced my efforts by stating that I don't have a huge blog following and wasn't convinced that I'd have the numbers to pull off such a large undertaking. Considering the widespread support and following that Mosaic Yarn Shop has both industry wide and through its customer base (and the fact that they're actually located IN Blacksburg), I believe that our efforts should be channelled into the Hokie Healing project that was launched over the weekend. Visit the Mosaic blog post for more details as they are different than the ones originally set out for PHH. I've already begun knitting several squares for the project and based on the outpouring of support, am sure that it will achieve its goal of providing blankets for each of the victim's families.

Project Hokie Hope will continue with a different and less ambitious goal. Yes, you are welcome to still send in donations and thank you for your support. My thought is that a fiber art piece could be made and then raffled or auctioned off with all of the proceeds going to the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund. However, I'll consult with those of you make donations before a final decision is made. I'll keep you - the blog reader - posted about its progress periodically.

Many thanks to everyone who wants to help with the healing process. It is so wonderful to know that people from around the world are wrapping their arms around one little town in Virginia.

Project Hokie Hope

*** Updated 4-26-07

As many of you have pointed out, there are several Hokie knitting projects including Project Hokie Hope (PHH) that have popped up since last week. I'm a firm believer in NOT diffusing charitable efforts (Non-profit system and community building are a huge part of my day job). My goal with PHH was to get knitters and other fiber friends from around the world to help the families heal. However, I prefaced my efforts by stating that I don't have a huge blog following and wasn't convinced that I'd have the numbers to pull off such a large undertaking. Considering the widespread support and following that Mosaic Yarn Shop has both industry wide and through its customer base (and the fact that they're actually located IN Blacksburg), I believe that our efforts should be channelled into the Hokie Healing project that was launched over the weekend. Visit the Mosaic blog post for more details as they are different than the ones originally set out for PHH. I've already begun knitting several squares for the project and based on the outpouring of support, am sure that it will achieve its goal of providing blankets for each of the victim's families.

Project Hokie Hope will continue with a different and less ambitious goal. Yes, you are welcome to still send in donations and thank you for your support. The requirements for submission, etc. will remain the same but now my thought is that a fiber art piece could be made and then raffled or auctioned off with all of the proceeds going to the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund in lieu of knitting for the families. However, I'll consult with those of you make donations before a final decision is made. I'll keep you - the blog reader - posted about its progress periodically.

Many thanks to everyone who wants to help with the healing process. It is so wonderful to know that people from around the world are wrapping their arms around one little town in Virginia.

**********************************************************************************
Original Post

I'm always comforted and impressed by the support of my fiber friends. You've been so kind to extend an offer to knit for the victims families. I was afraid to take on such a project because I don't have a huge blog following and worried that only a few people would want to help out. What I've learned through your words of wisdom is that no matter how big or small this project is, it will still promote peace and love in the world. And that my friends is what I'm all about.

So on this day of worldwide Hokie Hope (thanks to everyone who's wearing orange and maroon today. It's a lovely site to behold.), I'm launching Project Hokie Hope.

Why are you doing this IM? To show the 32 families who lost loved ones on April 16th that the fiber arts community not only grieves with them but believes in the hope of tomorrow.

What can I send? You can help by sending your expression of hope in the form of something fiber related. Crochet a square. Knit a panel. Weave a triangle. Embroider a rectangle. Tat a circle. Cross stitch a sentiment. Quilt your favorite design. Use your creativity and feel free to express yourself however you are so moved. I'm not putting restrictions on shape, size or fiber art because I personally think it will be very cool to show the diversity of the fiber art community through these memorials. So there is no contribution too large or too small. If you're not the creative type, knit a log cabin square or one of my Trinity log cabin triangles. I'll be sure to post additional ideas as they come in. FYI - Hokie colors are burnt orange and maroon (and sometimes white) but you are not required to use them in your piece. Don't want to make something? Send yarn and I'll pass it on to someone who will make something for the project with it.

I will receive your finished piece(s) and depending on how many are sent in, we may be able to make wraps or blankets for each family. However, I'm prepared to make small memorial gifts with fewer submissions such as pillows or wall hangings. *** Just wanted to clarify that the pieces (unless they are themselves a complete piece such as a shawl) will be joined together to create fiber gifts for each family. So each gift has the potential to be a very lovely work of mixed media art.

When you've finished your contribution(s), please be sure to securely package them and include the following on an index card (your information will not be shared with the families or anyone else unless you specify that you would like for me to include it) :

Your name
Mailing address (if international, include the country information)
Email address
(optional) personal note

How long will you accept submissions: April 20th to June 25th *** Just wanted to clarify that the goal is to send these gifts to the families of victims during the summer. From what I've been told by several university staff, students and friends, the outreach on campus right now while greatly appreciated, is very overwhelming. The staff are focusing on the students, graduation and the getting through the next couple of weeks. I figured that waiting until later in the summer, it would give everyone plenty of time.

I'm aware that there are so very many worthwhile Hokie knitting projects that have begun in the last week and its not my intention to duplicate efforts. Where possible, I've already inquired about how I can work with other projects so that the knitting community isn't overwhelmed with requests. Other projects include:

Hokie Healing sponsored by Mosaic in Blacksburg. Drop off your 8 x 8 squares now through the end of May. For more info., visit Gina and the Mosaic Yarn Shop staff HERE

Mary Read Memorial Scarf KAL in honor of Mary Read both a VT student and a knitter. For more info., visit the blog that has been set up HERE

Knitting for Virginia Tech which is collecting hats, scarves, mittens, etc. for the students who will enter or return to the VT campus in Fall 2007. Visit the blog HERE for more information.

Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund which is the official Virginia Tech fund that has been set up to aid in the healing process. Visit the site HERE to give a donation to the general fund or to give a scholarship donation in the name of a specific victim.

Where can I send my donated piece/contribution? Email me at indigomuse (at) verizon (dot) net for the mailing address. If you're in the region, perhaps I can arrange for you to drop them off at one of the local yarn shops around the area (I'll be happy to stop by and pick them up) and save you the postage. *** Needle on the Square (in Roanoke, VA), Knitting Sisters (in Williamsburg, VA) and The Yarn Lounge (in Richmond, VA) have offered to be drop off sites. I'll add to the list as I find out about other locations.

How can we keep track of progress? I'll take pictures of the pieces as they come in and post them here unless there's significant interest to start a Project Hokie Hope blog and/or Flikr group. I'll also arrange with Virginia Tech to make sure that each one of these get to the families. I hope to add prizes for a drawing in the coming weeks just to show my appreciation for all of those who support this effort.

The sky greeted me bright and early Wednesday morning with this awe inspiring orange and maroon sunrise.



How can you not have hope after seeing something this beautiful?

Still Numb

I woke up this morning feeling like a blank slate. I honestly didn't know which end was up and then the news quite vividly reminded me of the senseless events that had happened the day before. Some of the major events of my life took place in Blacksburg and on the Tech campus. King Thing proposed to me on the marble slab on War Memorial Chapel. Thing 1 was conceived and born in the Burg. We met our very best friends in the entire world there. I got my first job there. The Things attend summer camp there. We're proud members of the "Hokie Nation" and strut orange and maroon every chance we can get. And while I refuse to let this tragic event "define" VA Tech, Blacksburg and Hokies, there's a lot of healing ahead. Thanks for all of your virtual hugs and sentiments. I know that these families need lots of prayers now and for a long time moving forward.


I turned last night to the only thing that comforts me in the face of adversity - My knitting. Oddly enough, I started making some Hokie Trinity log cabin triangles a couple of months ago with the thought of eventually making a Hokie blanket out of them in time for football season.



They've called to me from the UFO basket and want to be a memorial blanket. I'm going to make 32 of them, one for each of the victims. And while in my heart of hearts, I want to make a blanket for each of the families who lost someone to this tragedy (and realistically know that there are not enough hours in the day to do so without some help), I can at least remember them in the only way that I know how. Damn I wish this numbness would go away.

Please pray for our community today

If you believe in prayer, please pray for the many families of those injured, killed or affected by the shootings that occured on the Virginia Tech campus today. The Muse family are diehard Hokies, King Thing and I attended VA Tech and my heart weighs very heavy with this tragic news. What's even sadder is that this is the second shooting incident on campus this school year. I can't even begin to comprehend what has happened. But I do know that our community will never be the same again after this incident.

A pig, Heifer, prizes and a new pattern

First, the pig. Introducing Chichi, the felted pig...



Mom to the little needle felted piggie I made to celebrate Chinese New Year earlier this year. Many thanks to La (email me, I have a free pattern for you) who suggested that I name the little piggie Chicharon (Chicharon is Spanish for fried pork rind). With that inspiration, I settled on the nickname "Chichi". So many fun names were submitted but this one was just perfect.

Chichi is my first (drumroll please) published IndigoMuse original pattern. I'm so proud of how she turned out. Not only is Chichi a whimsical pattern but she also offers a sampling of intermediate techniques making it a delightfully fun skillbuilder pattern.

However, other than periodic donations, I've never felt like I made much of an impact with my knitting which is in sharp contrast to the non-profit work I'm engaged in as part of my job. That all changes with Chichi and is where the "Heifer" comes in. 50% of the net profits from Chichi will support the global efforts of Heifer International. Specifically, Chichi will provide the gift of (hopefully) several pigs in the coming months for deserving families. Heifer is an organization near and dear to my heart because recipients become donors through their "teach a man to fish" philosophy. I'm sure that many of you are familiar with Heifer but if you aren't, please take a minute to visit their site and read about the incredible work that they are engaged in.

Did someone say PRIZES?!? Why yes I did. So far, I have this loverly skein of handspun merino/silk. Its 50 yards of worsted weight fushia yarn. Zira is bathing in the remaining 3 oz which is just enough for another 100 yards or so that I'll also spin up to be given away. Its a beautiful fiber just perfect for a lux version of Chichi, wrist warmers, a baby hat - imagine the possibilities. You are automatically entered into the drawing for these yarns (and more) when you purchase the Chichi pattern between now and April 30th - just in time for you to make something PINK for Project Spectrum! The drawing will be held on May 1st. Purchase the pattern, send me an email with "Chichi drawing" in the subject and you're on your way to winning these goodies.

And so by clicking below, you can purchase the pattern. Chichi is a Pdf. download that is emailed to you once you have completed your purchase (You will need Adobe Acrobat 5.0 or later to open the file). Thanks for your support of this worthwhile project. Enjoy!

Chichi

© Tanya Brooks 2007

* For non-commercial use only. Wholesale/retail inquiries,

email indigomuse(at)verizon(dot)net

Yarn:

Manos de Uruguay, Malabrigo, Rio de la plata or other kettle dyed chunky yarn

Needles:

1 set US 10.5 (6.5 mm) double-point needles

Gauge (unfelted):

3.5 sts/20 rows = 4" stockinette stitch

Finished Measurements:

Body - 9.5" circumference

Ears - 1.5"

Legs - 2"

Nose - 1"

Tail - 5"

$3.95

Effective March 2008, a flat rate of $1 per pattern sold will be donated to Heifer projects. Donations will be made quarterly. Thank you for your continued support!