I have noticed some comments from around blogland(not from anyone in the group--which baffles me as to why someone not participating would care, but that's neither here nor there) questioning the rationale of a "free day". I didn't think it was a big deal; like I said last week, it's the midpoint and I thought it would be a nice treat. It is by no means a requirement, I, personally, don't plan on buying anything. I realize that I have tweaked the rules a little from the beginning, but it's my first time hosting a KAL and I'm trying to perfect the rules for when I move it to it's own blog in April. I would appreciate any opinions or suggestions from all of you who embarked on this first three months with me. My original intention (for me) was to acquire no yarn in three months and I'm sticking to that, and I think that I have stuck to the original intention of the KAL even with the amendments last week(I was trying to take into account specific situations that others brought to my attention as needing to be addressed). Am I over analyzing? Am I wrong in clarifying expectations and trying not to make everything so black and white?
Oh, and while it's on my mind, my weekly blog checks are just for me to gather info to put in the weekly updates. You are by no means required to post every week on your blog--I get that life happens and that sometimes there is nothing new to say. I would only start questioning someone's participation if they didn't post for 3 consecutive weeks at which point they would be deleted but not without warning. It also doesn't have to be a Stashalong specific post--I read through each entry during that week and glean information from that--no need to change your style for me :)
Now onto some sad news:
I have to draw the line somewhere--can we please have a moment of silence(filled possibly with the slightest bit of envy as the journey of two Stashalongers comes to an abrupt end)--
This week two of our group have admitted to falling off the wagon and, unfortunately, they will no longer be an "official" members but they are free to continue their journey in any way they see fit. Stacey and Marsha did fall off the wagon; although I'm not sure if one was dragged off by the one who jumped first or if it was simultaneous. Stacey jumped off after some really, really nice yarn--you can't fault someone for that :)and Marsha "allegedly"(as I have not spoken to her personally)was off the wagon for quite some time ;) I want to take a moment to praise Stacey's honesty as it would be very easy to, say, buy yarn and save it for later--if you were so devious--I'm sure we are all above that, right? I mean, really people, you aren't doing this for me--it's a challenge to yourself, if you can live with yourself then I can too--I'm just keeping track and I will love you no less if you don't make it to the end of the three months(but if you do fall off the wagon at least make it for something really, really good).
Sweetheart Hat
Little Diva's Top Down Raglan
Kim: I worked a little more on my sweetheart hat and I started Little Diva's sweater(with the pattern I bought on my LYS flyby this week) which reminds me of the idea Stacey came up with at knitting on Friday--a drive through yarn shop! You know those times you really only "need" one thing but would be too tempted by wandering? With a drive through you can order your stash "to go" ;)
Amanda: finished a sock and is gearing up for February's projects!
Andrea: is working on her Greek Key Afghan--one of her oldest Stash projects.
Ann: if all went as planned Sunday, she finished her baby cardigan and made some clever post cards for her post card exchange--very creative!
Brianne: finished Hopeful and send some good thoughts her way as she and her family have had a rough week--hugs to you.
Chris: posted some gorgeous yarn pictures this week--as she looked, touched, but didn't buy any yarn--and looking at the pictures she must have will power of steel :)
Cynthia: is deciding on her Olympic Knitting Project and celebrated her Blogversary this week :)
Deena: has joined the Knitting Olympics and is contemplating designing a sweater for it--talk about challenging! She finished her sweater with a wide collar but wasn't happy with parts so ripping shall commence and she finished the cutest handbag(which she now has to knit for all her friends!).
e: nothing to report.
Eliza: finished the back of Cherie, turned the heel on one sock, almost finished with another, and has a secret project on the needles.
Eva: started a new sock and decided on her Olympic Knitting Project.
Hanne: is working on her Jaywalkers.
Hayley: nothing new to report.
Jaya: finished some socks(great color) and joined sockapaloooza.
Jerry: finished Edgar(and the pic has a stunning backdrop--go check it out) and will be seaming bobblicious.
Joanne: is working on some bright socks, has chosen her Knitting Olympics piece, and got some cool needles.
Justsewcrafty: finished a sock, is almost finished with her daughter's sweater, and is sewing a dress for her daughter--busy!
K: finished a sock, started and frogged another, is at about 7" of the baby blanket(I want to see pics of that!).
Kat: needs a vacation(I hear you there!) and completed some fingerless mittens.
Kate: finished a Jaywalker sock, worked on Clapotis II, and a baby blanket. Is still holding strong and hasn't bought yarn.
Katie: got some nice "giftie" yarn this week!
Lauren: finished her first Jaywalker(great colorway), is cleansing her knitting karma, finished felted clogs, tried her hand at dying, frogged some socks, and reworked some others--busy week!!
Liz: got a Better Pal package and her Rowan subscription, is almost finished with pipkin, is trying to finish the hip hop coat--whew, another busy Stashalonger!
Margene: is really moving along on Rosarie, celebrated her anniversary, finished a sock, joined sockapaloooza and project spectrum, and finished a red scarf.
Marina: finished a sleeve on Russian River and began Roscalie.
Marlana: made stitch markers and some coasters.
Mary: is finishing some socks and showed of some pics of her LYS(which is very bright and cheery) and started her new tea cozy.
Michelle: set a wedding date this week and that trumps all knitting news--Congrats!
Nicola: joined the unloved sock swap, finished some stranded socks, and a mitered scrap afghan, in non-knitting news she is in an altered puzzle group which sounds like lots of fun!
Norma: sharing some stuff she acquired in the big yarn swap, got a Better Pal package, and finished a red scarf.
Procrastiknitter: is 25% finished with her fan and feather afghan, is almost done with some basic socks, and she finished some socks.
Ramona: is working on her Jaywalkers(another cool colorway) and she got a new knitting bag!
Ronda: still working on her craft show knitting.
Ruth: finished some socks, finished a scarf, and finished some glovelettes.
Shara: finished a shawl, finished leg warmers, and got some Christmas yarn.
Stephanie: is working on an alien illusion scarf--very cool!
Susan: is working on a perfect pie shawl.
Tam: finished her red scarf.
Teri: has two finished projects(socks and hat) and two more on the needles(hat and socks)--busy, busy.
Theresa: started her hat for CiT(I may be picking your brain on this as I want to do it as well), is working on winter folly and rogue, and started flora.
Tracy: getting very close to finishing Martha and is toying with another start.
Valerie: got a Secret Pal giftie this week and has joined the ranks of South Park :)
Wanda: decided on an Olympic project and I'm sending good thoughts her way for her cousin.
Wendy: is working on some socks that look as though they are being held hostage by a cat :)
Winnie: is almost done with her sleeves for the sweetheart sweater.
11 comments:
All I have to say is...I"m free! I'm free! No more yarn envy, no more avoiding the yarn store, no more buying books (or whatever else is handy?!) to supplement my yarn buying?! It rubs me the wrong way a bit that I'm the first to officially get the boot...but at least I can say my mom fell off the wagon first!! Ha! So, I still stand by the fact that most people would not have passed up the Touch Me yarn on sale...and I have no regrets. It's been lovely ladies...see you on the flip side, or should I say see you at the yarn shop in April?! :)
p.s...thanks for being such a great hostess/yarn police! As much as it has been painful to avoid the yarn shop...I've had fun going through this with friends!!! My, I mean your hat looks beautiful!!
I still love ya--now I can live vicariously through your yarn purchases!!
Your Sweetheart Hat is just stunning!! Such amazing colorwork and color contrast. It looks wonderful!! Take care, Kim! :-)
Well I think you are doing a fine job hosting, and it is funny that someone not participating would have concern about the free day. That said, I won't be using the free day either.
I DO have a question. In trying to clear up my knitting karma, I realized I don't have a yarn I need for a WIP. I won't have technically ran out of yarn, but I won't be able to finish the project if I don't go buy the yarn I need. Would I be breaking the rules if I do buy it? I kind of don't think so, but I wanted to check - LOL!
I think that they should mind their own business! Those of us who are participating are having a great time and I don't have any complaints. I'm not sure if I will take advantage of the free day but it's nice to know it is there. Thanks for all that you are doing and happy knitting :-)
I, too think it's very odd that people would comment about the free day - what does it matter to them, they aren't participating...and I thought the free day was perfect for those folks who may be doing socapaloooza or the Olympics or a charity project - a chance to prepare. I hope to not need sock yarn, but I might, and I'll find out tomorrow.
I'm sorry we've lost 2, but Stacey sounds a whole lot happier ;)
I think you are doing fine with the guidelines for the KAL. I don't plan on using the free day, but I think it's a fun idea. Now, if I had a great yarn store nearby with fabulous prices, then I would take advantage of the free day. As others have said - Why should anyone care if there is a free day or not? I think it's up to each person to make the KAL as strict as they want, within your guidelines.
I think you are doing a great job. Thanks Kim!
It's funny how some people take this so seriously, like you are the stash police. Whatever, it's not that deep. I think I will pass on the free day, just because I'm enjoying thinking of what yarn from stash I will use. However, I've been spending a lot of money at Wal-Mart recently, much to M's dismay. He told me that he would prefer it if I just bought yarn! Isn't that funny.
The sweetheart hat looks great. And you've really made a lot of progress on the sweater for Little Diva. Definitely doesn't take long for a little person's top down raglan. Which reminds to cast on soon for M's nephew!
The sweetheart hat is stunning - love the colorwork!
And I think you're doing a lovely job. I would be totally lost in your place, so I definitely admire you for doing this for us.
Kim - I've been meaning to ask what KPS pattern are you using. It looks great!
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