March 18, 2005
Christmas in March!
If any picture is worth the thousand proverbial words, surely this one, sent to me by Big Sister, is:
These are some girls from a Girl Scout troop in San Diego, reeled into the Dulaan project by Big Sister, who have made 14 (!!) blankies. Is this not the best picture ever? The joy, the smiles, the beautiful young faces, the good hearts, the sunshine, the bright colors! This also means that between The Mysterious K, me, Little Niece, Little Nephew, Big Sister and the Girl Scout troop, we have made 18 blankets. I am so proud!
Oh, Dear Readers and Brigaders, I tried, oh, how I tried to make a stirring and inspiring announcement—something Churchill-ish, something Patrick Henry-ish—about Dulaan at Guild. Like last time, I practiced my little heart out, even while brushing my teeth, sounding something like, “Hi, by nameb isb Ryan. Ptooie. Ib bwantedb tob followb upb (ptooie) onb bthe articble babout bthe (ptooie) Dulaan (ptooie) Broject (ptooie). Gargle, gargle, spit.” But the karmic hand that has so graced the project in its online form seems equally determined to trip it up at Guild.
Last time, as you’ll recall, there was no time for announcements. This time, there was time but my announcement and I ended up being the only thing standing between 90 rabid women and their version of Christmas in March, the Guild Fiber Frenzy. On Fiber Frenzy night, Guild members bring yarn, knitting books and knitting-related items to sell. For the first half-hour, everyone wanders around perusing the wares but can’t yet buy, then announcements are made, then the buying begins. Read that carefully: Looking, announcements, buying, in that order. By announcement time, the women are worked up into a buying lather. Think horses behind the gate at the Kentucky Derby; think the annual bridal sale at Filene’s; think Gremlins that have been sprinkled with water, think...well, think a bunch of women at an LYS that is going out of business and selling fine yarns at 50% off. They tried, oh, how they tried to be good, to be quiet, to be attentive, but much of what I said was still drowned out by many busy little hands rooting around in piles and piles of crinkly bags. Ultimately, not a single flyer was tucked into a single knitting bag. Sigh. (Lest I sound bitchily judgmental and “me versus them,” trust me, I was one of “them.” As soon as I was done with my announcement, I was all over those tables of yarn. I bought some beautiful pink Muench Tessin and a skein of WoolPak in a warm, earth-tone variegated colorway called “Cabin Fever.”)
Please send good e-thoughts to The Mysterious K today, albeit for a supremely silly reason, so your B-grade warm thoughts will do. Our Frankie is getting a teeth-cleaning at the vet, and TMK comes all over lonely and melancholy when her little bundle of joy is not in the house. She thought that this, placed in “Frankie’s” corner of the office, would make a good substitute...
...but it didn’t. She says the ball hasn't been moved an inch, and she can't figure out why.
One last note before Knit-In Day, LindaK says she is bringing a pile of fleece (fleece fabric, not fleece from der sheep, which is what I first thought) to the Knit-In, so if you don’t feel like knitting, or want to bring a non-knitter, you can make blankets and be one with the Girl Scouts girls! Last chance before tomorrow to let MaryB know you’re coming! If you want to join, please email her at maryberg2@mindspring.com. (P.S. We've heard whispers about folks who don't want to come because they're too shy, but to those shy folks I say, truly, don't let that stop you. All we'll do is sit and chat and eat and knit. I know in-person almost everyone who is going to be there and they are the loveliest bunch of women. Besides, at least in my world, there is no greater joy than a knitting get-together! Come make it a part of your life! At least come for a piece of TMK's delicious Chocolate Tofu Pie which sounds awful but is really bliss on Earth. MaryB will testify to this fact.)
Yay blankies! I am now a convert to the 2000 by July idea. Of course!
I have to admit, the faux Corgi creeped me out a bit. I was reading and saw it peripherally and part of my brain just knew something was horribly wrong. (What the ... that's not right. They taxidermied Frankie? His eyes aren't right. His paws are wrong. Oh wait. Ok, whew)
Posted by: Patti on March 18, 2005 10:28 AMOh, my Gawd, Patti, TMK and I had a huge laugh over your comment! If it makes you feel any better, when I gave the stuffed Corgi to TMK a few Christmases ago, the "real" Frankie's reaction was exactly the same. She, too, thought, "What the...that's not right."
Posted by: Ryan on March 18, 2005 10:35 AMHave there been any murmurings of an East Coast Dulaan-in that I don't know about? Should I start that murmur?
Posted by: Susie on March 18, 2005 10:44 AMSusie, if you've got the place and the time, please, go for it!! I would love to hear of an East-coast Knit-In. I know there are plenty of folks from over yonder who are participating.
Posted by: Ryan on March 18, 2005 10:52 AMThe news of the 90 items from the Charitable Crafters warmed my heart and knowing all the fine items that have been cataloged and photographed so far is inspiring, BUT that picture of the Girl Scouts with their blankets literally brought a tear to my eye. Thanks for posting it, Ryan. You (and Cuzzin Tom) have given us ALL an opportunity to do something so worthwhile--words simply cannot express....
Mary B
Posted by: Mary B on March 18, 2005 11:01 AMYou are not alone, dear MaryB. My reaction was the same when I first saw the picture, plus many, many goose bumps. You know, the kind that tickle and make your hair stand on end but in a good way?
Posted by: Ryan on March 18, 2005 11:04 AMHi Ryan!
I'll be at Mary's on Saturday. I've been reading faithfully, although I haven't been commenting. I'm going to dig through my stash tonight and see what I've got that's Dulaan suitable. Would it be useful to bring yarn to donate to the cause? I've got more yarn than I can realistically get knit in the near or far term.
TMK has my sympathies. I'm always a mess when dear Chloe has to go to the vet, especially if it involves anesthesia.
I wish I lived a bit closer to Seattle... I'd stop by. But the drive from MN is a bit long :-)
Posted by: melissa on March 18, 2005 12:29 PMI have been asked again about this, so I will post it here for all: as for what to bring tomorrow (for those of you who are coming to the Knit In): 1. Bring yourself; 2. Bring some knitting for the Dulaan Project; 3. Bring extra yarn if you have any you want to donate; 4. Bring delicious snacks (we have to keep our strength up, after all); 5. Drinks: I will have on hand sparking water, coffee and tea. Bring wine if you wish to imbibe (and a Designated Driver if you want to really imbibe.) Bring any other beverages you would like--beer, Coca-cola, etc.
Most of all, bring good humor, willing hands, and prepare to LYAO. (Ryan will translate that for anyone who can't figure it out.)
Mary B
Posted by: Mary B on March 18, 2005 12:40 PMryan-
count me among the most slow of knitters but isn't that our doubting dave on the flier for the Dulaan Project? left hand side, 2nd one down. I knew they went to deliver the goods, but I think it's funny that he is on the flier and yet still did not believe in the power of knitting....
Posted by: anj on March 18, 2005 12:59 PMYou and your eagle eye are right, Anj; that IS Dave in the photo--but those are just the stock photos that they gave us permission to use; they weren't taken specifically for the flyer. I suppose I should clarify that Dave is completely, 100% behind this project, has been from the start, and fully appreciates our efforts; he was just skeptical about how much we would actually produce, the silly, silly man.
Posted by: Ryan on March 18, 2005 01:11 PMPoor Ryan! I hope you made it through the fiber frenzy without any lacerations or bruising!
TMK, you'll enjoy Frankie's presence much more after the teeth cleaning. Really. ;)
Enjoy the Knit-In everyone!
Posted by: Kristen on March 18, 2005 02:49 PMI wish those sweet girls could all know exactly how beautiful they are and it breaks my heart a little just thinking about it ('cause I remember being that age too well).
Posted by: Kristi on March 18, 2005 05:54 PMPoor Frankie.... no, that's not right. Poor TMK!!! It's always hard when they go to the vet for things. I finally got my Agatha back after three weeks away with her stud boy but it's worth it, she's preggers!!! Hope Frankie has better breath and TMK can enjoy babying the darling for a day or two. I always give the girls frozen grapes after teeth cleaning.
AnnaMarie
Posted by: AnnaMarie on March 18, 2005 06:15 PMAwww, that picture of the girls and their blankies is just precious. And I always die inside when poor Vincent has to go for his teeth cleaning. Full anesthesia! Awful. But his teeth always look so great afterward, and I feel so much better about his health in general -- you know the drill. But still. So hard!
Posted by: Norma on March 18, 2005 07:11 PMI can remember being a Girl Scout! Boy, that was 40 years. . . o, never mind. 'think I'll call Mom and say thanks for being my troop leader. She even took us camping. My Mom does not like to camp! And I love to see kids doing for others!
Posted by: Laura on March 18, 2005 09:04 PMHi Gang!
Well, they let me get as far as S. Korea, where I got some time to kill and they got a cheap internet cafe!
Big smooches to my other cuzzins and their Henry Ford-like binky production!
Mongolia or bust!
Posted by: Cuzzin Tom on March 19, 2005 01:05 AMI announced Project Dulaan at our local guild meeting last Saturday. So far I have made 2 mitten pairs, 3 scarves and about 10 hats. We'll see how much the group will add by June.
Count us in!! El Segundo (CA) Slipt Stitchers
by: Monika Martinez
Posted by: MOnika Martinez on March 24, 2005 08:23 AM