Hmmm….. I wonder if the new versions of either SymbolCro or Stitchworks would allow me to create a schematics to fill in with a crochet chart. My crocs may never be the same

Think Globally – Buy Locally
Everytime someone says something like that in any on line discussion group, it is immediately followed by all sorts of rationalizations why it can not be done, some is even valid.

The painful reality is not everything we need is actually still made here – some jobs are coming home and if we get enough elected representatives who are more interested in our national best interests, perhaps that trend will continue. We will see after November.

So what to do with those things you cannot do without, but can’t find “made here” (Not in the US? Okay, substitute your own country name and this could apply to you too.)

FWIW, I do ship all over the world, often as not first checking to see if I can point the buyer to a seller in their own country – if for no other reason than postage from the US to almost anywhere is high.

Thus, my rationalization is to stretch the phrase “Think Globally, Act Locally” a bit to allow it to be “if it does not create a job in the US other than delivery of an international parcel, I probably don’t need it.” I don’t need $50 plus designer jeans, I am perfectly happy with $30 Buddy’s Jeans made from fabric woven in the USA and sewn in US facilities — My next sneakers will be New Balance

Using Knitting Needles, Crochet Hooks, YARNandTHREAD as an example – unfortunately there are few US Made products to choose from.

On the other hand, while I understand the obvious economics, I also understand that every time some buys “direct” from another country, you cost American jobs,

Does it cost more and possibly mean we must buy less, yes, but if it helps your neighbor – isn’t that of some importance?

There are brands, distributed by US companies that employ US workers at all levels – from shipping clerks to CEO – Muench yarns of California is a master distributor for both Pony & Knitter’s Pride, there are a number of sub-distributors for these Indian and German made products

Skacel is the legal US distributor for Addi’s (and in this case those who ship to the US are violating their contract with Addi by shipping to the USA – add the helping maintain US Jobs, you are also avoiding abetting the illegal actions of the overseas seller.)

Clover-USA is a master distributor (supplier to Retailers and Multi-line distributors) is Clover. Again, their products are also handled thru a number of smaller, regional distributors who employ your fellow citizens.

Between these distributors and the retailers are employees and the families they support from the shipping companies like the USPS, UPS, truckers and more.

Of course there are the owners, employees and other staff of your independent retailers –

It may not always be possible in the words of Singer Songwriter, Toby Keith, who co-wrote “Made In America ” with Bobby Pinson, Scott Reeves

… spends a little more at the store
for a tag in the back that says u.s.a.
won’t buy nothin’ that he can’t fix,
with wd40 and a craftsman wrench
he ain’t prejudice he’s just,
made in America

So we made a business decision (and yes there is some rationalization involved) If a product did not mean US Jobs on its way to us, then we won’t sell it. (we also don’t sell products we would not use when the tool or supply is appropriate to the task)

A few years ago when I had way too much time on my hands, I researched and determined every item we sold in our online store effected the livelihoods of 5 to 500 jobs in the USA.

Isn’t it worth something to improve the economy of the country you call home and the lives of those who choose to work in your home country,

The choices are yours, I’ve already made mine.

Enjoy The Making

Wheat

Best of Birthdays and every day

The only part of the song that matters ….

>>>
Life’s like a road that you travel on
When there’s one day here and the next day gone
Sometimes you bend and sometimes you stand
Sometimes you turn your head to the wind
There’s a world outside ev’ry darkened door
Where blues won’t haunt you anymore
Where brave are free and lovers soar
Come ride with me to the distant shore
We won’t hesitate
Break down the garden’s gate
There’s not much time left today

Life is a highway
I wanna ride it all night long
If you’re going my way
I wanna drive it all night long
<<<< Thanks you for giving me all the best of yesterdays, todays and tomorrows. Lyrics: Life Is A Highway by Tom Cochran

Flounce 27

Flounce 20

Acting on the theory that you should always have at least three WIPS * while thinking about upcoming holiday and other family and friend gifting, I am trying to decide which of these will be better for the well dressed Football fan, which do you think will work best for Baltimorians or Minnesotans?
(cousin comments especially welcomed)

Now if I can just find a colorway for NY Pinstripes…. for Stitch-n-Pitch in September

* WIPS – Works In Progress

Caveat Emptor – Yeah I “used to” sell this stuff, but I also so use it….
Added: Sept 2015 – I recently was able to track down several copies of the Magazine with this pattern – not so difficult – with the “English Translation” – not so easy: if you are interested visit my e-store The exact yarn is not longer available to me.

Model 37 is such a dull name, Summer Citrus came to mind, so that’s my name and I plan to stick with it … If you are making this, I would love to hear about your experiences.


Every summer I try to do two projects, this one is from the current edition of the OnLine 2012 Spring Summer issue and uses Linie Alpha 11 my all time favorite dk mercerized cotton.

Took me almost two months to track down a supply of all the colors (two are no longer readily available in the US.) Now that my customers are taken care of there is even some left for me.

Took some time today to modify the magazine page shared on Facebook – the color names used in the US are different from the English Translation provided by OnLine so having this info where ever you shop will be something of a help.

Right now I am still in the “interviewing color combos” but I suspect that as specified is going to be it, except I may choose a softer yellow because that strong almost Sunflower Yellow is not really a good color for me. Perhaps I should make some color sticks and see what others think.

Between sizing it to fit, and the plan to lengthen the capped sleeve into at least a 3/4 sleeve (as we get older those upper arms are not nearly as nice as the model) I suspect it will not be available until NEXT summer Although I have a good start on the first yarn choices for the back center medallion.

The pattern is sized for Medium (36-28) and Large (40-42) I need to up-size emough that after medallion it will mean pretty like writing a whole new pattern because some measurements do change and some don’t.

Now that I have seen a view of the front – I am even more interested in working on it – the drop curve should be if not flattering at least not obnoxious looking.

I had forgotten how much I like this yarn, so guess it is time to build up an inventory

Time to go dig out the Pattern design paper and start drawing. Then TV Time will be back to working on the Medallion.

Enjoy The Making

Wheat

P.S. you can click on the image for a REALLY large look – so it may take time to load.