June 01, 2007
Where's My MaaaaaaaMaaaaaaa?
So that I have a touch of fiber around me at all times, I’ve been keeping this sheep in my office:
A few days after I brought it in, one of my male co-workers declared, tongue-in-cheek, that I was practicing bad "land management," that I’d left the sheep in one place too long, and that it was, as it were, “over-grazing” that part of my desk. (Don't ask. We're state workers. We get our entertainment where we can.) From that point on, whenever I left my office, I would come back to find the sheep had moved. I found it on other parts of my desk, on my bookcase, chair, window sill, filing cabinet, and behind my door. I enjoyed all the well-meant teasing but, one Friday, I just tossed the sheep in my drawer and left for the weekend. I came back on Monday to find this (which, I assure you, does have four legs; you just can't see a couple of them):
In fact, there were three of these googly-eyed, cotton-ball lamb-monsters, all made by my employee, who'd been sucked in by the other prankster, and all pining for MaaaMaaaa...who has now returned to the flock:
It being June Foist, and June 15, the recommended shipping date for Dulaan, looming large, I’ve started to moosh around the oodles of Dulaan things I’ve been given to see if I can make any organized sense out of them and, right away, this lovely collection floated to the top, an entire box of Avalanche Vests:
Here’s one that falls into the “do I reeeeeeeally have to mail it?” category, a vest knit by Evelyn Clark. Note the pockets—not part of the pattern, just echt Evelyn.
Also, in response to a presentation I did at their monthly meeting recently, the members of the Eastside Knitters Guild have all turned into raving, slavering Dulaan maniacs (Dulaaniacs? Dulaniacs?). Let’s just say we have some tranquilizer guns on stand-by.
To feed this insatiable, uncontrollable need, I threw a pile of kits for Avalanche Vests into the cage, threatened the more aggressive among them with my cattleprod, slammed the door shut and stood back. Sure enough, two weeks later, I was handed a stack of seven vests. I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed all the variations on a theme, like these.
A vest with i-cord ties instead of buttons:
A vest with just one, large button. Very Paris.
A trompe l’oeil vest that has been seamed but still sports buttons:
My favorite from the Eastsiders, Western style buttons with yarn threaded through the middle for a very Bonanza look:
But, even though I haven’t seen this vest personally, my all-time favorite Avalanche Vest is this one, knit by Renee Stauffer of the Dulaan Yahoo group. I just love how the colors threaten to break out into a complete riot, only to be subdued by the midnight blue.
Myself, I’m trying to squeeze out two more items for Dulaan before the 15th, the Yo-Yo Vest, which you saw on Wednesday Tuesday and the Steam Scarf which, true to its name, has mysteriously evaporated and disappeared over the last couple of days. Seriously. Didn’t frog it, just can’t find it. I do, however, have photographic proof that it existed:
P.S I forgot to mention on Tuesday that one of the people driving up from Portland for the Dulaan-a-Thaan is hoping to find a place where she can crash for a couple of hours before heading south again. Please email me if you can oblige her and I'll put you in touch.
So nice to work with people who have a sense of humor, eh? (And who know better than to rifle through your desk!)
Posted by: Kristen on June 1, 2007 12:35 PMOk my husband really thinks I,ve lost it now and I have snorted white wine all over the keyboard of my laptop! - your co-workers have a lot to answer for :-)
Those "lambs" are hilarious :-0
I've discovered that three skeins of Avalanche yarn makes two Elizabeth Zimmermann Three-Spiral hats from the Opinionated Knitter. So much fun to knit. http://farm1.static.flickr.com/244/520696369_29031c0190.jpg?v=0
I'll see you tomorrow.
Wait... we have to mail this stuff to Dulaan? That totally defeats my plan to stuff everything into the "to be mailed" tub and leave it there until the heat death of the universe. Curses!
I should go peek in that tub. I actually don't even remember what's in there. *shame*
Posted by: Erika on June 1, 2007 01:24 PMThe sheep are hilarious. You should leave some around the office and tell people you're starting new flocks. Then every once in a while, make one out of a q-tip and tell people it's shearing time.
Posted by: Carrie on June 1, 2007 01:29 PM"Make one out of a q-tip and tell people it's shearing time." OMG Carrie, that's brilliant!!! Leave little tufts of cotton on the sill....
Posted by: Janine on June 1, 2007 01:38 PMOMW, Ryan, seriously, you must make some q-tip 'just sheared' sheep, thank you Carrie...and Janine (leaving little tufts of cotton) that's too funny.
Posted by: marianne on June 1, 2007 01:43 PMMy husband kindly mailed off a box of 25 items just today! That's the second box (I can't remember how many in the first box. 10?) so I think I've made my "I'm knitting five" quota.
Mostly kid-sized stuff, so now I'm starting to think about bigger stuff since we've so completely clothed the little ones!
What a great thing you got started here, Ryan!!!
xoxo
Posted by: MaryB in Richmond on June 1, 2007 02:01 PMwe have a fold-out couch if she doesn't mind 2 nosy cats & a toddler.
jen[at]gonzopants[dot]com
Thanks, Jen! I've forwarded your email address on to her. Her name is Camela.
Posted by: Ryan on June 1, 2007 02:22 PMI have a similar sheep in my office, but clearly my co-workers are nowhere near as fun as your! Expect a shipment from Rochester NY coming soon!
Posted by: Julie on June 1, 2007 02:51 PMThanks ladies for the laugh!!! Cotton ball sheep and QTips....I love it! Ryan, my company also works with the state...Texas Dept of Transportation to be precise.....what part are you?
Renee, I LOVE your vest--what yarn did you use? And the I-cord ties, great idea!
Dulaaniacs....yup, that's definitely me. It's like Animaniacs (my fave!), but different.
Posted by: Nancy O. on June 1, 2007 03:35 PMNancy O., I work for the Washington state community college system. I manage a team of technical writers, and we work for a company/division/department, I don't know what you'd call it, that writes all the admin software used by the colleges.
Posted by: Ryan on June 1, 2007 03:38 PMMy box has also been packed and waiting for me to get organized (right) for weeks. I promise I will mail it Monday! Probably 25 hats and 3 pairs of socks.
Posted by: Linda on June 1, 2007 03:44 PMI love the sheep. The q-tip idea is priceless. You have to do it. Sounds like you have some fun co-workers.
Posted by: crzjane on June 1, 2007 07:18 PMIt is so nice to work with fun people. That is just precious. As are those vests! To die for. I mailed my box Monday.
Posted by: Norma on June 1, 2007 07:41 PMI will SO be there tomorrow- not at six but a bit later. I will bring Snacks and yummies and I will be in my jammies. Might not stay all night and I WILL be there. Cannot wait to mett y'all.
I saw this today and thought of you: http://www.sandysknitting.com/archives/001194.html
And if I had a couch, or anything to sit on but dining room chairs, I would totally offer ze Portlander a place to crash. Alas, I can't even find the sheets for the bed after the move. Viva la sleeping bag!
One last thing - how late can we come by the store to join in the Dulaan-a-Thaan? I forgot that I had agreed to meet a friend for dinner, and wasn't sure if coming after 9pm was ok or not.
Posted by: moiraeknittoo on June 1, 2007 09:56 PMMoirae: you can come any time between 6pm and 6am. We'll be there all night! ;-)
Posted by: The Mysterious K on June 1, 2007 10:21 PMOMG. Your co-workers are so funny! Creative folks for sure. Something about being in the "techcnical" field brings out the need for some creativity in the workplace!
I know I'll be missing out on the fun tonight! I'll be thinkin' 'bout ya'all.
Posted by: Naomi on June 2, 2007 12:44 PMA platter of sub sandwiches (turkey, ham, pepperoni, and veggie) and fresh-baked cookies will hit the Dulaanathon about 10:30 pm tonight. Should serve 8-9 people. Hope that carries us into the wee hours.
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