A Letter to George Lucas, or An issue of Commerce- er- Common Sense

Dear Mr. Lucas,

I don't know if you actually keep up on Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, or other social media.  I don't know if you watch the news.  I don't know if you know anyone who crafts like a lot of us do, so let me fill you in (briefly) on an event that happened today... The US Olympic Committee sent a Cease and Desist letter to the founders of Ravelry - an internet community similar to Facebook for knitters, crocheters, spinners, and the like.  The basic statement of their letter was to say that Ravelry needed to change the name of the Olympic themed event that takes place site wide during the games.  Oh, and while they were at it, take down every Olympic themed pattern on the site.

Why? Well, because it would be detrimental and disrespectful to the athletes that had spent their lives training for the Games (not to take anything away from that - I was a college athlete - however some of these individuals have been doing their chosen craft since before some of these athletes were born - so, for their lives). There have been charity projects shut down by both the USOC and the IOC - some, that the athletes were excited about! This was showing them that their countries were behind them - all of their countries.  You see, though based in the US, the site is global and has members from countries around the world.

So, the reason I'm writing this to YOU, of all people, is to say THANK YOU.  You have embraced your fan base. You and the folks at Lucas Arts, Studios, and ILM realize that it is the fans and the families of the fans that create things that, in the long run, only promote the initial product.  I can't imagine a C&D letter coming from your studios to a craft site or a fan site saying that all of the "inspired by" patterns and crafts have to come down because it doesn't directly benefit you financially.  THANK YOU for not having a summer clerk on an internship send a letter to a community of two million people with internet access telling them what they are doing will ruin your franchise.  THANK YOU for understanding that what we create (from what you and your people have created) is because we are showing appreciation and trying to participate in the ways that we can.  THANK YOU for understanding it isn't just about licensed merchandise... and knowing that if we can't create it, we WILL turn around and buy it!

Geeks, nerds, crafters, sci-fi convention goers, we all create costumes, hats, washcloths, etc., we create to participate.  We don't create to try to rip anyone off, or to take away financial support from those who need it.  We create to help our communities, to help each other, to help the school down the road who needs new books and is holding a fundraiser, we create to show we care.

Thank you for understanding that and being supportive of your fans, Mr. Lucas, because in turn, they will support you.

Sincerely,
Jenifer

First Contest of 2012!

To celebrate returning to blogging (and I've noticed that I'm not the only one that has been absent from the inter webs...) I'm going to announce my first contest of the year!

To enter, simply leave a comment on this post, saying what project you are looking forward to this spring.  I will select a random comment to win a set of my handcrafted "Inspiration" stitch markers (image on the left) as well as a small sized (perfect for socks and other small accessories) project bag.

Personally, I have two tops that I'm looking forward to working on, and several pairs of socks!  Comment away and good luck!  The winner will be drawn using a random number generator, and will be selected Sunday night, to be announced Monday morning.  Please include your email address, Ravelry name, or Twitter handle!

On updating Ravelry...

First and foremost, I love Ravelry. It is a fantastic resource that the developers have made available, and I would like to thank everyone who advertises for doing so and keeping it a *FREE* resource. The fact that I can find a yarn, its yardage, its weight, and local shops that carry it around me is fantastic. I hate ordering yarn, and prefer to support local shops whenever humanly possible.

I don’t update my Ravelry page that often. I find that I am always a few projects behind. I did take a few minutes the other day to post the Nutkin socks that I just finished (with yarn from Indigo Dragonfly in the ‘Captain Tight Pants’ colorway - see my previous "Socks" post for more info), as well as the vest that I finished as well. However, all of the items that I did for the recent craft fair I did aren’t up. The newest yoga socks, sweaters, and hats that I did for a local boutique aren’t there, and neither is the plethora of armwarmers/fingerless that I did for another shop. I find that if I don’t have the time to post it from my phone, then I rarely update.

I wish I had the option of an app to post my stash as I acquire it, or projects as I finish them. Unfortunately, I have yet to come across an app. It is my understanding that there is one for Android users, however, I have an iPhone… and no Ravelry app. If there is a developer out there reading this… please?  I would (and I’m sure that there are many other knitters out there) love you forever, and ever, and ever!

That Ravelry Account

I went on Ravelry today with the intent of updating and adding some projects that have been done for a while.  I added one.  One.  I had about 15 (at least) to add.  Instead, I wound up playing around, looking at other people's finished objects, works in progress, seeing how many people had made the patterns that I had posted...

On that note, congrats to Ravelry, which was voted best social media site... at this point, over a million fiber freaks can't be wrong!  Although there are many different types of social media that I belong to, both personally as well as through my Kusala venture (Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Blogs, Etsypreneur - which is new, and really cool), the reason that I enjoy Ravelry is that it is basically one stop shopping.  Yes, while there are links to blogs, Etsy sites, etc., everything is conveniently located in one spot.

I will do more later about social media in general, but for now... off to work on those slippers... you know, that pattern that I also bought while on Ravelry.com today.  :)

New projects!

After several requests, I have found a baby bootie pattern that I really like (along with about 3,000) other people...  Slightly different than your normal baby feet, these ones cross over and are super cute (and easy) to knit up. I've done two sets so far:

The first, the ones to the left, are done with a sock weight yarn and a size 3 needle, making them a little on the airy side, but they are knit with a wool/bamboo blend, which keeps them soft and warm. These ones are a little more girly than the others, with shades of blue, green, yellow, and purple - accented with purple buttons.

The second ones are done in a DK weight with size 2.5mm needles and all in blue... great for those who still do the whole blue is for boys thing, but I think they would look just as cute with a little blue and white gingham dress.  :)

I've also been working on a couple of neck wraps, a really cool celtic cable pattern that I found on Ravelry, which I absolutely love.  As well as an adult yoga sock, a sweater for Xavier (which at this point is hibernating, and I might just wind up frogging it, because I don't like the yarn that I was trying to use up.  :(  It's a 100% acrylic, and it just isn't working well with the pattern.  Not to mention that it's really difficult to knit with and is hurting my hands.

No new patterns at the current moment, but I will be putting up some more pictures of the fall Etsy collection soon!

A couple mini-projects....

I finished the sweater... and I really like how it came out.  I will definitely make this pattern again.  I will put up pictures of that shortly.

Over the past few days, I have been working on a couple of projects for my fall Etsy collection and also have had another article published on the Naughty Knitterz website regarding the differences between your local LYS and the Big Box craft stores like Michaels and JoAnn fabrics.

The newest project that I've done has been a unisex cowl in a great shade of army/olive green.  I really like how this one came out, and if you like it too, here is the pattern!  Please feel free to make a bunch to share with family and friends, charities too, but please don't sell the pattern.  Thanks!

Easy Unisex Cowl

What you need:

Size 8 circular needle

Worsted weight yarn (in two colors if you want a contrasting band)

What you're going to do:

CO 124 (Note: I've had a comment saying that it didn't work with 124, and changed it to 122, and then received another comment saying that no, 124 was correct.  I did 124 and it was fine.  :))

Join and work in a K2, P2 rib for 5 rounds (or more, if you want a wider banding on it)

Knit 1 round with first yarn type, change to contrast yarn

The majority of this project will be worked in a half-linen stitch.

Pattern Rows:

Round 1: *K1, bring yarn to front, sl 1, bring yarn to back, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 2: Knit.
Round 3: *Bring yarn to front, sl 1, bring yarn to back, k1, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 4: Knit.

Continue these four rounds until cowl reaches desired width.  I did about 5 inches.
Change back to first yarn, Knit 1 round
Work in K2, P2 rib for 5 rounds, Bind off.

This is a super easy pattern that goes very quickly once you get into a rythym.  It results in a loose fitting cowl that slips over the head, with a cool, nubby texture.  Enjoy!

*Disclaimers, etc:  This pattern  (not the stitch pattern) was made up on the fly as I was trying to use up some extra wool yarn from another project.  Any similarity to previously existing patterns is coincidental.  Thanks!*

Wow Guys!

I just checked my Google Analytics for yesterday, and I had the most visitors yesterday that I've ever had!  WOW!  Thank you so much for all of the visits!  I know that it has a lot to do with the patterns that I put up on Ravelry, and I hope that y'all like them and can use them extensively.  :)

As someone who has mainly been a writer, this whole knitting thing, while it isn't new (I've been knitting for just about ten years), sometimes it is easier to fall back on something that you know how to do well.  I try to invoke some humor... and perhaps a bit of sarcasm... into my writing.  Even if it is about knitting, yarn, and the stupid needles that make my hands hurt!

Again, thank you all very much, and I encourage you to check out my Etsy site for some really cool, recycled notions for your knitting!  My son calls them "Knitting Jewelry".

What a Month!

Holy cow... I can't believe it's been almost a month since my last posting!  This is what I've been working on:

The Shrug This! pattern (which can be found here).  I've made this pattern three times with three different yarns, and here are some pics:

This one I made for me... for once!  It's done in the Lion Brand Nature's Choice Organic Cotton.  It is so soft and comfy - and looks great with both long sleeves and a tank top.  Am looking forward to wearing this A LOT.

The second one is made with Lion Brand Cotton Solids.  Just plain, simple and basic.  This one was made for Sally, Xavier's speech therapist, and I added a single mother of pearl button closure on it, which of course, she is welcome to ditch if she doesn't like it.  :)

The final one (well, it was actually the first one) I made for Ethan's friend Isabel's birthday.  She was turning 9, and well, while I'm good with boy's gifts... girls at this age kinda have me stumped.  :)  So, this one was done in Bernat's Cottontots.

I have measurements and exact yardage as well as sizing on Ravelry under Kusalaknits, and you can find my pattern review at Naughty Knitterz.com by clicking here.

The other thing I've been working on for a while has been a bunch of hats!  They are cute little newsboy/poorboy caps... and they are awesome.  So far, I think I've made 7 or 8 of them.  You can see more pics on Ravelry, of course, but here's one of me in one of them.  The kids' ones are slightly "poofier" than the adult ones, but I think that is probably a good thing.  You can find the pattern here.  I've used various yarns for this - everything from Patons Classic Wool to Lion Brand's Cotton Ease... all have great results.  I do like the cotton as we transition to summer - makes it more of a year-round wearable.

Up and coming projects...

One of the problems that I tend to have is that I like to make a lot of different things.  I see a cool pattern or a cool picture and I want to try it, instead of finishing the things that I already have going...  after playing around on Ravelry today, I found a sweater vesty thing that I HAVE to have for fall, as well as a cute little shrug thing that I am going to NEED for summer... problem is that I need orders people!!!  :)  Or donations... feel free to PayPal me money.  :)  This is just a short little entry today, as I did a long one about my children's FABULOUS behaviour over at my other blog earlier this morning. 

As far as progress goes, I should finish a robot today, and another couple of coffee cup holders that I just got an order for this morning.  Unfortunately, the order that I got the other day on Etsy fell through (LAME) - she never paid for it... so, I was rather disappointed about that.  I also need to get the special surprise project done for the soon to be sis in law (who, is losing weight right now, and this might complicate things slightly... check out her getting healthy blog here.)

Fun Stuff!

Fun thing #1:Today, thanks to the power of Twitter... I was invited to be a contributor to a website called "Naughty Knitterz".  This is a cool web based knitting ring kind of deal, where there is advice for both beginning and advanced knitters, as well as freebie patterns, links, and my favorite part - even being a girl, this is still my favorite part - a whole section for guys.  :)

Fun thing #2:
I had started a project for my little sister, who really isn't so little anymore, for her high school graduation.  She LOVES penguins and all things pink, so I had originally planned to do a pink penguin for her, and if you look on Ravelry under KusalaKnits, you will see it in my queue.  However... I instead decided to do a set of three mini-penguins, because, well, three is WAY better than one!  I have two different shades of pink: one is a dark rose color, another a milkshake pink color, and then they are going to have white bellies and flipper undersides, orange feetsies, and yellow beaks.  I don't know if I am going to do the eyes in all of the same color or change that, but one is going to be the dark pink, another the milkshake color, and the third a stripe of the two.  Very cute... and I hope she likes them.  They wind up being about 5"tall, and I hope to put some pics up tomorrow.

Fun thing #3:
I also have just gotten a request for another robot... hopefully I will get the penguins done by Friday and can start the robot this weekend... gotta make the money!