On Friendship and Knitting

Did I ever tell you that my grandmother taught me to knit?
My grandma, Irene, was this tiny little lady with the loudest voice and most colorful language that I have ever encountered (even to date). We lived with her when I was younger, and she and my great aunt Helen, became my babysitters by default. Anyway....grammy probably was fed up with a 6 year old running around and messing with her yarn... and she taught me to knit. She taught me by sitting across from me and having me mimic her hand movements. She was a left handed knitter and was an effective teaching tool.
I picked up knitting again as an adult and have discovered this amazing community of knitters in bloglandia.
I have gotten to know some of you like sisters... and really appreciate all of the kindness I come across in cyberspace. I wish I lived next door to some of you.... and have met folks that I actually live near that are becoming new friends. I am grateful for all of you and your support in this fiber spiral that I am in. It is a good ride friends..... Mama is so not complaining.
That makes start thinking about Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. I know that a lot of you are coming to Columbia for MD Sheep and Wool. And wouldn't it be fun to meet up? I think so. Maybe dinner on Saturday night??? (My husband has been calling this the KNIT-BLOGGERS BALL)
If you are interested in meeting up... email me here. I really want to get together! Maybe MOUSE the button-goddess wants to make a "KNIT BLOGGERS BALL" button? hmmmm......

And ... speaking of kindness.... Mama got some KOIGU-Love from her friend Scout. If anyone has ever interacted with this lady you would quickly come to understand that she is a dynamic and kind woman that is so very passionate about fiber. So this is what she sent me:

Much love and gratitude to you mama!

Jill sent me a beautiful skein of orange Manos, a groovy MOM calendar and a pattern for felting flowers.... all for leaving a comment on her BLOG-VERSARY! Thanks Jill... I already felted the Manos into an Easter basket for the cowboy!

PuppyMomma bought me lunch on Friday... and now I have a new friend!!! How cool is this blogging thing?

So... back to Irene. See... I feel that my knitting and connecting with other knitters and the kindness of other knitters is all because of Irene. I feel like I am honoring one of the best parts of her with my knitting. Her willingness to be kind and be giving. She was no saint.... but she was a really great lady. So, Irene has a hand in this fiber-love of mine and I can hear her say" Dolly, your doing O.K."

Said Dreamers....

Some thoughts...

Did you ever have that dream that you were giving a public address naked? Or maybe the one where your high school/college calls and says that you didn't really graduate because you missed a PE credit?

I believe these dreams are produced when said dreamer is overly anxious.... there is something that said dreamer needs to work out in the dream state. Well..... this said dreamer is a little anxious but extremely pleased that my little sock yarns are getting such rave reviews from you all. Thanks.... I really love this and appreciate all of your ideas and support. There are some REALLY discerning knitters out there that have skeins in the mail/ in development... makes me a little anxious, BUT extremely pleased.

See, this said dreamer really believes that it takes a village to do anything in life. Thanks to you all for being a part of that (for better or for worse!) ... I have gained such valuable skills and insight from corresponding with you all. So Mama wants to say Thanks!
And as a thank-you to all of those who read/lurk and comment..... I am having a contest!

Leave a comment on this post by Sunday April 2nd and I will put your name in a raffle to win... you guessed it!

One skein of C*EYE*BER FIBER yarn

in the colorway of your choice!!!

Drawing to be held on Sunday, April 2nd!

In other news:

I have a couple of personal things to report....

Did Mama ever tell you that I have never had a babysitter outside of family and villagers...EVER...in 2 1/2 years! All of that is going to change! And... she came to us through the power KNITTING! I met the sister at my first SNB (well... they call it a knitting meetup)... and was intrigued by this amazingly intricate blanket she is making for her boyfriend. (She is 16!!!) I sat with her and it finally dawned on me that she may babysit.... set up 2 (count them) 2 dates in April!!! Gotta love a sister who knits! I had to discourage her from taking partial payment in yarn!!! You see the road she is heading down????.... Go give her a HOLLA and check out her blanket!

And... even though all of you read Scout..... go wish her a happy Birthday!!! Butter that nose mama... may you have a great year!