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Here and Back

Here and Back

Nov 30th 2012

It is pretty obvious that my New Year’s Resolution should be to do a better job of keeping up with the blog. It is not that nothing has happened, but that lots has. Everything from holiday hilarity (think dogs eating whole plates of summer sausage) to engagements to meeting special friends for the first time to astonishing developments in the family. I will do my best to get back to some of these as we move into the new year. For today I am so happy that baby Benjamin has finally arrived. He is the grandson of dear friends. Their son (Benjamin’s dad) married a wonderful young woman from Brazil who is not only very intelligent, very articulate in 2 languages, but also just plain gorgeous. Isabella also helped Laura as a summer nanny when the kids were younger so our families are very close. Our son-in-law Brian who is a native of Minnesota says in our town there in no 6 degrees of separation—2 degrees at the maximum. Because Benjamin is the best of 2 national traditions—United States and Brazil—I wanted to do something special so I knit a blanket with 2 sides, one has the colors and flag of the US and the other Brazil. It took me almost as long as the time since I last blogged. Actually I had it almost done and hated the separate blocks so frogged the whole thing and did it as 2 continuous pieces.

I have to say I was happy to finally finish just a few days before his arrival. We are just coming out of the busy holiday season here. Actually just yesterday the winner of the $500 “win your wish list” sent her order so she will be having a great start to a new knitting year.

The topper of the season (and there is always a clear winner) was the customer who called to tell us that her boyfriend had kindly and lovingly bought her 3 pairs of circulars that were on her wish list. They arrived and somehow in his wrapping attempt he cut through all the cables. Not one, not two, but all 3! He knew how much she wanted them so he attempted a repair with black duct tape. We were all pretty sure that it was a mixed response—happy that he was trying to fix things and horrified at the destruction.

I have a few more babies on the horizon and a stash that just won’t quit so I want to find a basic raglan sleeve baby sweater (cardigan) done in the round. If you know of a good one I would be happy if you would share it.

One wonderful addition here at work is that we now have Peggy helping with Customer Support. She has a fascinating past life as a newspaper columnist and she is a knitter! We know that some of you may have been in contact with her and that she will do everything she can to help.

One last thing for your consideration: We have a fabulous new kit and pattern from the famous designer Shirley Paden and we have the original sample. We wanted to try and help the victims of Super Storm Sandy in whatever way we can so we are auctioning off the sample which is stunning done in 100% Jade Sapphire cashmere.

You can find all the information One day left to bid – Join your fellow knitters in bidding for a great cause! The Shirley Paden Lacy Arches Cardigan Sample Garment is up for auction. Made with 100% Cashmere from Jade Sapphire Auction: All proceeds will be donated to @RedCross Hurricane Sandy relief http://ow.ly/gDLPt

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