June 11, 2007
Pictures!
Looks like we’ll have a reasonable turnout for our first (and most likely only) Knitting and Spinning Retreat and Barbeque with Buddhist Overtones. So far, I’ve heard from:
MaryB
Gail
June
LindaK
Camela (from Portland, and whom I have yet to meet, "ships in the night" and all that)
Moirae
ElaineandLeslie
KT (whom I may have met, but only fleetingly, at Madrona. Yes? No?)
Maybe Kathleen
There was a quick moment of heart-stopping excitement when Norma of The Green Mountain State said she was considering coming, until I reluctantly put the kibosh on that by ‘llowing as how, before he came here, Cuzzin Tom would actually be on the East Coast, in, and here’s the kicker, The Green Mountain State. So I’ll let the two of them hash that out.
Anyone else? If you’re interested in coming, lemme know. (The vital stats: July 15, 1 p.m., TMK’s house, bbq, free monk given away with every ticket.)
P.S. KT, you asked for a phonetics primer on Cuzzin Tom's first name. As far as I know, the “Kon” in “Konchog” rhymes with…hmmm…okay, “lawn” or “spawn.” And the “chog,” rhymes with, well, “dog” or “frog.” So, if you can say “lawnfrog”, “lawndog,” “spawndog” or “spawnfrog,” yer on your way.
To spur you on as we reach the mailing deadlines for Dulaan (in other words, please mail now, not June 30th, dear knitters!), I have pictures from Dulaan 2006! Unfortunately, I know nothing about the images; they just arrived in the mail on a big, shiny disc from Meredith with no 'splainin' but, trust me, they speak for themselves. Some even shout.
As always, have tissues at the ready, perhaps even one inserted up each nostril in preparation, since many of these pictures, even the ones that make you smile, will undoubtedly result in spontaneous waterworks.
Anyone recognize anything they knit in either one of these pictures?
For those of you who remember the pictures of the male prisoners from last year, here’s a better picture of our informal “mascot,” the man sporting the daisy hat:
Some Dulaaner out there is apparently churning out these cheerful fleece beribboned—or perhaps bebutterflied—hats:
If ever there was a picture that was worth a thousand words, this is it. The face, the eyes, the crossed legs, the telltale cane, the plastic sandals, and the Dulaan hat, scarf, and socks. How can a picture be moving, inspiring, humbling, and satisfying all at the same time?
Proof that, no matter what the size of the knitted item, it will always find a wearer:
To wrap up for today, although there will be many more pictures to come, two pictures that will make you smile:
OMG I could just eat them up. The matching frog caps... Verklempt.
Posted by: Carrie on June 11, 2007 03:25 PMThank you Ryan for the pix! They are inspiring--and those froggy hats are to die for!!!
Posted by: Nancy O. on June 11, 2007 03:32 PMThank you, Ryan. I'll be sniffling in a corner if you need me.
Posted by: Cookie on June 11, 2007 03:58 PMDelurking just for this.
I love those frog hats! They are my favorite pictured knitted item, though the tiny baby hat comes in second. What wonderful work you are all accomplishing.
Have a wonderful day.
Tina
That's it!! I have an Avalanche vest that needs the banding and armholes finished and it shall be finished TONIGHT!!! You have inspired me!
Posted by: Rachel F on June 11, 2007 04:15 PMI made it all the way to the last one before bawling.
Posted by: martha in mobile on June 11, 2007 04:24 PMWow! What great pics! I'm starting soon for next year!
Posted by: lisa on June 11, 2007 04:46 PMAlmost made it without a sniffle. Until that last one. I have dutifully started assembling no sew double thick fleece blankets since I knit too slowly to be useful, and it appears I have absolutely no skills in the areas of measuring and cutting accurately or in straight lines. Sigh. They'll still be warm though, and that's what counts, right? I'll do my damndest to make them not look like arse, but the aforementioned skill vacuum could be a problem.
Posted by: Rachel H on June 11, 2007 04:50 PMI'm feeling everything at once. Thank you so much, Ryan, for being the logistical and inpirational conduit for all of this. You're an absolute peach!
Posted by: marylee on June 11, 2007 05:13 PMStop, just stop, you had me at hello!! I mailed my box this morning, I swear. You're killing me with those frog hats. And the round-cheeked urchin in the last photo? Oy! If she showed up at my door I'd give her my car.
Posted by: becky c. on June 11, 2007 05:20 PMFine alright already! I'll knit another hat before Friday, sheesh.
You could've just asked ;-)
Posted by: Lexy on June 11, 2007 05:35 PMThere's mine! In the back, third from the left .. oh, wait, never mind. Wishful thinkin'.
Speaking of wishful thinking, I just want to snatch up that last little girl and bring her home and dress her in pink all the days of her life. So sweet!
Five items (across the finish line just barely) going into the mail tomorrow.
Posted by: Kirsten on June 11, 2007 05:38 PMThose photos are just incredible. LOVE those fleece hats. Who made those? Hopefully she'll step up and identify herself (I assume it's a she) in the comments!
P.S. I can tell when I'm not wanted. pffffft. Hee. (kidding!)
Posted by: Norma on June 11, 2007 07:18 PMLurker here, just letting you know my five should be in the mail tomorrow or the day after. :) Every time I try to whip up another hat right before a deadline, I'm late, so I'm sending them now. Thank you! Wonderful pics!
Posted by: Kasi on June 11, 2007 08:09 PMAttention Frog Hat Crocheter: you are a genius. Ryan, my five hats will be in the mail to Flagstaff this week.
Posted by: Donna on June 11, 2007 08:10 PMI shipped off 6 items, my five plus one more last week. I posted a picture this morning on my blog. Thanks for doing the 10,000 campaign Ryan, it encouraged me to get more items knit. I will knit more than 6 for next year.
Posted by: Wendy on June 12, 2007 06:35 AMThanks for the smile! I love the froggie hats; they look like they're hugging the kids :)
I shipped off 9 hats, 2 vests, and 3 pairs of socks last week.
Posted by: Julie on June 12, 2007 08:11 AMI am knitting as fast as I can. Really.
O those little froggies !
Sniff !
Trying to get together another Sweet Briar box before Friday! This is significantly harder when there are only a dozen people on campus. But! I met a very nice lady in town who has been scouring thrift shops and buying up warm cloths. She says she just sent off her fourth box!
Thanks for sharing the pictures! All the faces really make it worthwhile for me.
Posted by: Emma on June 12, 2007 10:14 AMThank you so much for those pictures, Ryan. Sniffle sniffle sniffle...
Hey. Wait a minute...Konchog's going to be in Vermont??? That's right over the border from me!!!
YESSSSS!!!!
Posted by: Lee Ann on June 12, 2007 12:06 PMThose pictures are truly priceless...thanks for sharing! Even though I only made a couple of hats, it felt so good to be a part of Dulaan this year.
And the man with daisy hat is a man of great security in his masculinity! ;-(
Posted by: Julie White on June 12, 2007 05:08 PMThat was supposed to be smile :-) not a frown!
Posted by: Julie on June 12, 2007 06:34 PMI managed to sew up seven double-layered fleece hats, but nothing as fantastic looking as the ones in those photos! Gives me something to aspire to for next year... :)
Posted by: vatergrrl on June 13, 2007 05:40 AMHey! I think I actually saw a couple of my hats in these pics. How fun! Well this was just the kick I needed to finish up a couple things and get them out tomorrow. Ryan, you can put me down for 8 items. *sigh* I always wish it was more.
Posted by: Laurie on June 13, 2007 09:35 AMPackages addressed tonight. Mailed tomorrow. Promise.
Posted by: Laura Sue on June 13, 2007 12:14 PMAfter seeing these lovely photos I am doubly determined to finish 3 fleece blankets today to ship out tomorrow. Those faces make me happy and teary-eyed at the same time!
Posted by: Lydia on June 14, 2007 07:25 AM