September 27, 2006
Ugly Duckling Redux
First, as a proud auntie, I have to send a big shout out and a "you go, girl!" to my niece, and, although I may be biased on, oh, so many levels, I think you will want to, too, when you read what she’s doing.
This bright and caring young girl has become involved in a program in which children assume the roles of United Nations representatives. Like the real representatives, they have to represent a particular country, champion a specific real-world issue associated with that country, and do their best to convince the rest of the “United Nations” to fund and support their chosen issue. Guess what country she has chosen? Mongolia! And guess what the issue is that she will be “campaigning” on? “Our” children, the ones who live on the streets and in the under-city tunnels! I’m just completely in awe of this program and of how my niece has taken the Dulaan issues to heart. You’re a pretty special kid, niece!
Secondly, imagine my delight when I received an email earlier this week from local knitter Irina containing this picture of a sweater knit from Avalanche yarn. As I emailed Irina back, “The last time I saw this yarn, it was lumped together in nondescript, amorphous skeins in a [clean] garbage bag, and now look at it!” But that is, after all, the magic of knitting, isn’t it, Dear Readers?
Irina calls this the “Steppe Sweater” and says that, in its current incarnation, it would fit a child 10-12 years of age and would require approximately 600 yards of bulky yarn. She is writing up the pattern for this size and for a smaller one and I will post it to the suggested patterns site when I get it.
Distributing this yarn has been like having a college-age child who is good-hearted, friendly and easygoing yet who is a sloppy dresser, is sorely lacking in social skills, has a bad case of acne, and has B.O., but whom you still have to send out into the world to sink or swim. And two weeks later, he comes back with all of his appealing personality intact and yet now looking like Prince Charming with perfect skin, dreamboat eyes, a white, toothy grin, and charisma to burn. And this keeps happening over and over, thanks to people like Melinda and Irina!
I may or may not post Friday, Dear Readers, since, around noon-ish that day, TMK and I are climbing into our Conestoga wagon and heading over the mountains to Eastern Washington to visit the “mother-in-law” who has had wrist surgery. Not quite a trip to Venice but I’m looking forward to it all the same!
Posted by Ryan at September 27, 2006 12:57 PMAre you still contemplating ways to mail the ugly ducklings out into the world, or are you just going to knit little vests until it's gone?
That sweater is pretty durn cute.
How wonderful! Both the neice and the sweater. :D
I'm sitting here reading blogs and working on a hat for Dulaan, btw. Must learn to make sweaters.
I hope it's a good/safe trip.
Posted by: Cookie on September 27, 2006 01:30 PMCarrie, I'm still very much thinking about mailing the ugly ducklings out into the world. I recently figured out how much you can fit into one of the $8.10 post office boxes (8 skeins; about 480 yards) and, during our trip, TMK and I plan to iron out the finer details of soliciting requests and doing the mailing. The major challenge right now is that we have primarily the "less exciting" colors left but even I have learned from the Steppe Sweater that you can take neutral colors and turn out something really striking!
Posted by: Ryan on September 27, 2006 01:33 PMI did Model UN for the entire time I was in college. It was a great experience and it's something I'll always remember as a true learning experience that was fun at the same time. I'm so glad your niece has found it!
The Steppe Sweater is amazing, and some of my stash yarn (not really practical for South Texas) has been desingated for Dulaan this year.
Posted by: Shanti on September 27, 2006 01:53 PMHave a safe trip, Ryan--we'll see you when you get back! Please tell your niece WAY TO GO!!!
Posted by: Nancy O. on September 27, 2006 02:04 PMHappy trails to you. Kudos and attagirls to your niece!
Posted by: marylee on September 27, 2006 02:11 PMThat Steppe sweater is awesome! I loved it the instant I laid eyes on it, and then to find out it was knit from the Avalanche yarn? You know some pretty talented knitters. I'm looking forward to seeing the pattern.
Your niece rocks! No surprise, given who her aunt is ;-)
Posted by: kmkat on September 27, 2006 03:37 PMOh MY WORD, that sweater is awesome. Irina! Beautiful! and so creative.
All right, Ryan, I'm gonna have to have some of that yarn. Let me know the postage amount. I can't stand it any longer.
Way to go for your niece!
Posted by: Norma on September 27, 2006 03:48 PMHugs to your niece from me too! She has the makings of a fan club here.
Before I read a word of your blog, my eyes landed on the photo of the sweater and I felt a smile come onto my face. What a great sweater it is. I can hardly wait to get the pattern and make one, two or????
I am usually just a 'lurker' on your blog, but as long as I am here, let me tell you how much I enjoy it. Thanks for all you do and enjoy your trip.....it should be a nice weekend weatherwise.
Ann
Irina's sweater is adorable!!! Love it how people can create lemonade from lemons . . . although *your* analogy of the kid in college is much more descriptive.
Posted by: Karen on September 27, 2006 06:43 PMKnitting is quite wonderful to make such nice garments. I'd be really interested in knitting a smiliar sweater. I can wait patiently (or not) for the pattern. It would be quite nice for the Dulaan project!
Safe travels
Posted by: gerald on September 27, 2006 07:04 PMOhmighosh, I love this sweater, it's darling! And I love the neckline, how neat is this! I'm adopting it right now. I'll be happy to see the pattern too. Great idea, Irina.
Posted by: sheila on September 27, 2006 07:27 PMOh, I forgot to say kudos to your niece too. Her project is wonderful. Guess she takes after her Aunt.
Posted by: sheila on September 27, 2006 07:44 PMPlease send my best wishes for a speedy recovery to the mother in law!! Mary B
Posted by: Mary B on September 28, 2006 07:18 AMHello all! I'm so excited--my first box to FIRE is on it's way this morning! And based on what I stuffed into it, I guess I need to reevaluate my 2007 goal. I got 22 infant/toddler and teen/young adult caps out, so maybe I need a higher goal.....say 60???? Yeah, 60 sounds good. Pencil me in for that. :) Next up, scarves, scarves, scarves!!!
Posted by: Nancy O. on September 28, 2006 08:27 AMYAY! You know, we can always mix the weird colors with crazy mohair for cloud hats, or overdye it, or make it stripey with other stuff from our stash. Fear not, there will not be any little warm-but-boring children running around the steppes.
You need those stomper machines that FIRE uses to fill up their shipping containers.
Ah, you just gave this tough ol' Mongol monk the sniffles! Please have your niece, who's my...um...what? second cousin? email me. She'll be the best U.N. rep ever. Can she also call for some kind of floor vote on putting John Bolton through a paddy wagon involving all hundred and whatever other reps?
Posted by: Cuzzin Tom on September 28, 2006 07:08 PMMy daughter also did a Model United Nations project and it was a fabulous experience! We learned a lot also. the little sweater is fabulous!!
Posted by: gail on September 28, 2006 08:39 PM