It's easier

To add the beads on the return row than to tuck them in to a SSK or K2tog. I want this last repeat to be beaded like I mean it, but it's tedious. Daryl asked what size beads I am using, and they probably ARE 5s, but I know for sure that I am using these from Bead Stuff of Austin. Those are my colored beads, and they are plopping in pretty easily.

Donation, Soulumination, and I am a big chicken!

I recently joined a local civic organization. One of the group's pet projects is Relay for Life, a cancer fund-raiser, which will take place next month. The event liason mentioned that they needed items for a silent auction. Hmmmmm. I wondered if I could knit something to add to the silent auction??? I am a such a chicken. I am not sure that anyone would want to PAY for my knitted items. I kicked the idea around in my mind a little, because it's scary.

This morning, Austermann Pharao was on sale at Elann. My friend Shui Kuen (designer of several of Elann's patterns) just finished a Swallowtail in Pharao. I wonder what it would look like to knit Pharao up using small beads in place of the blasted nupps. I ordered a little dark green, and some ballet pink, just two shawlettes worth.

Shortly after that, I found Lynette Huffman Johnson's photos of my friends Camari and Brian. Lynette has a job that is both beautiful and terrifying; as the founder of Soulumination, she takes photos of terminally ill children. I've known Camari and Brian since 1986, and have lost and regained contact several times during the past 21 years. Lynette took some wonderful pictures of Camari.

This helped me make up my mind. If my friend can struggle through cancer TWICE, the least I can do is knit up 600 measly yards of cotton, don't you think?

No Afghans for Afghans

because they need SOCKS! Joan reminded us all that Afghans for Afghans is looking for socks! The goal is 250 pair by 7 March. I started mine last night in Tarragon HW. I had a lone ball rattling around (WHY did I order ONE ball? Who knows...) so I started to knit a kid's small. I used the leg of the sock to test an attractive pattern, which is a lot more fun than knitting a swatch. I've never knit a sock with a short row heel, and kind of miss the flap, thanks.

Here's a link to the pattern.

And by the way, go visit Norma for a Red Scarf recap!

Red Scarf mailing time!

YAHOO! Boys and girls, get your envelopes out. It's time to move those red scarves out the door, and into someone else's life.

Here's the addy:

Orphan Foundation of America Red Scarf Project
21351 Gentry Drive, Unit 130
Sterling, VA 20166
You can mail throughout January.

And here's the link for any questions.