What ho, Jan! How did we let our 3rd bloggiversary slip by without a contest? I intend to correct that by the end of this post.
I took a look back over what we’ve done over the last 3 years. When we got started, you were knitting socks, I was knitting hats, and there were one or two frogging instances right off the bat. We were already relying on our pets, some sadly departed now, to give us relief when knitting bit us in the behind.
A year later, you were knitting more socks (among many other things), but from Colorado instead of Virginia. We had the first sighting of that bear. And I was in Cleveland shopping for wedding dresses with Karen while madly knitting on my first Bohus sweater. Marie had gotten married to Heidi, Jenny was home from a year in Korea, lots of living in that year!
Last September, I was starting another Bohus (ahem, no finishing of that one yet), you were still knitting socks, usually from the air as you travelled the globe to defend our country, and you had bought property in Pennsylvania after yet another move had brought you back to the east coast. Ruby approved heartily. And this year brought us the contributions of that reknowned fiber expert, Dr. Yarn.
And this year, you continue to travel the globe, a sock for every country and little baby caps along the way, me staying put but staying busy with work and knitting, both of us watching our adult children with such delight. We’ve both made strides in our designs, getting a few patterns onto Ravelry and even submitting items to some other contests.
Two big changes for me this year - kittens and spinning. And yes, they coexist, mostly peacefully. Neither one leaves my knitting alone.
I’m finally knitting something out of my handspun. It seems I had to accumulate enough to feel I could start to use it up. I’m knitting Saroyan by Liz Abinante out of my Lorna’s Laces handpaint, worsted spun. I did not put enough twist in the ply, nor is the yarn very even, but I am absolutely satisfied with how it is working up.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how important some of the connections we’ve made through the blog are to me. I just received a new bag I’d ordered from Sallee, so she can be my example of the many wonderful bloggers and readers with whom we’ve connected. The bag, by the way, is one of Sallee’s new designs available at her NanaSadieRose site. It ties to your belt or belt loops for portable knitting. As always, impeccable construction and fabulous color.
Now, what everyone has been waiting for - some celebrating - with prizes! Here’s the deal - leave a comment with one of your favorite moments from our blog since its inception and your name will go in the hat for one of three prizes, one for each year.
It was a thrill to be selected for publication in 1,000 Fabulous Knit Hats, so one copy of that is in the prize pile. I’ll sign my pattern in the book if the winner wishes. Bohus continues to be a major theme of my knitting, so one copy of the hard-to-come-by Wendy J. Johnson/Susanna Hansson booklet, Bohus Stickning - Radiant Knits: An Enchanting Obsession is also in the mix. And we’ll round out the offering with a copy of Jenn Wilder’s Fiber Art Almanac 2011, a great place to take knitting notes and enjoy a wide variety of fiber trivia and stories.
Contest deadline: Saturday October 23rd, 11:59 pm central time, or until I am able to select a winner via random number generator, whichever comes latest.
The kittens and I are looking forward to our fourth year. I hope you are, too.
Love,
Ellen
P.S. Speaking of contests, I won another one recently! The 1,000 Fabulous Knit Hat contest led me to investigate the designs of Woolly Wormhead. She just celebrated her 5th bloggiversary; I was a lucky winner of a set of her e-books. Check this designer out - both classic and edgy stuff, very clever construction. You will see some of her designs showing up in my knitting soon.
Jan and Ellen are identical twins who have always had an innate fashion sense. Crafting is an integral part of their lives and they stay stitched together sharing their love of knitting, family and community.
October 10th, 2010 at 10:06 am
That’s quite a journey! Looking forward to watching another year unfold. Your Saroyan is lovely; it’s a great use for that handspun! And your kitties are adorable, even if they don’t leave your knitting alone.
Thanks for the sweater design question; I just had quite a bit of fun writing a very, very long answer to what seemed like a simple question. It seemed a bit more helpful than “well, you just /do/ it.” =)
October 10th, 2010 at 10:37 am
What a great contest! And I loved your summary of the last 3 years…can’t wait to read about the next 3!
October 10th, 2010 at 11:44 am
Happy blogiversary! And wait–you’re leaving us hanging like that on the bear? (Or am I just late to the party?)
October 10th, 2010 at 11:59 am
What a great recap! I think I found you right around Marie and Heidi’s wedding - that’s been a while now, I hadn’t realized. So many good moments! Including the wedding shawl, and all of the happy family pictures. I think that you taking up spinning, Ellen, was a pretty good one from my perspective, since it gives me someone to commiserate with
And speaking of which, that shawl is looking absolutely gorgeous - talk about something you can wear with pride!
October 10th, 2010 at 7:00 pm
Congratulations on your blogiversary. Great blog and beautiful knitting!
October 10th, 2010 at 9:15 pm
Happy Blogiversary! I think my favorite was your Sock Summit recap post, but that’s probably because it was the first post I read, having only just found you in Portland last year…and how delightful it’s been to be blog buddies and friends ever since.
And “meeting” Jan through you has been special, too. I’ve enjoyed making bags for both of you, and am delighted you like them all so well!
May you go on for a number of years with the blogging - I am so hopeful it doesn’t completely fall out of “favor” that blogs go by the board. I’m staying put, that’s sure…
((((hugs))))) to you both!
October 11th, 2010 at 6:29 pm
I just started following your blog about 2 months ago. I really enjoy your connection to other knitters and bloggers. Loved learning about washing cashmere and knowing who Jasmin and Gigi were. Happy Blogiversary and many more!
October 11th, 2010 at 7:13 pm
Ellen (and jan),
Congrats on the anniversary.
I liked entries about the wedding shawl, and anything Bohus.
Cheers and needles,
Laura
October 12th, 2010 at 5:34 am
Three years already?? It really has flown by! And I know what you mean about looking back and seeing from whence you have come. It is fun to do from time to time and we all improve with kittens!
October 12th, 2010 at 7:17 am
Congratulations on your third anniversary. I just started reading this past year after I met Ellen at Shepherd’s Harvest, she was wearing a beautiful shawl and sweater. We were in line to buy fleece won in the silent auction. I liked the post where you wrote about drum carding the entire fleece in one weekend. Here’s to many more years!
October 15th, 2010 at 8:01 am
OK- how very much do I love that Lornas Laces in Saroyan???!!! I didn’t even know you could GET her roving…. I’m crazed for some now!
So— my favorite post is definitely Aug. 10, 2009, cause I’m IN it!
Yea, Sock Summit!!! Rereading that post just made me smile all over my face, and think how grateful I am for the Cellmates, and the great time we had in Portland, and since!
Here’s to the next year… AND hopefully getting that mni-giraffe. I’ll keep my eyes open at Rhinebeck. Surely SOMEONE is breeding them?
October 15th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
Hi, Cricket!! waving madly…
Ahem.
Hello, TwinCellies!
You know, I have to second the SS09 entry.
That is where I started, too. Then I went back to the beginning, and watched and read in awe. You two have done/do such cool stuff - and the knitting, while fab, is only one part of it all.
Thanks for including so much fascinating stuff - and for being such wonderful friends.
xoxox
October 16th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
I likes when mom wrote for Coming Out I believe last year but my favorite is when I posted this video in your comment section. Love you Aunt Ellen and mom!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFDaEHBXKxI&feature=player_embedded
October 18th, 2010 at 9:42 pm
Congrats on three years! I would love a go at these books!