November is the anniversary month of this blog, in just a few days, it will be one Year old and I will be, well let’s leave it at a lot older than that For many, the Holiday season and our birthdays are often a time of reflection. I just happen to have both in same time frame.

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Each year as we all reflect, it seems there is just no end to the natural and man made disasters that call on the charity of us all each year.

It is both heartwarming and utterly fascinating to see how the on-line community so often, so generously and so quickly responds and especially those very special people who like to bend string respond with comfort by whatever means they can.

Generous as those who practice the NeedleArts always are, when I read a note that saying someone wanted to help a friend who lost her home replace your yarn, hooks and needles, I thought how generous, but then I remembered something written September 1st, 2005, by Karey Bresenhan of Quilts, Inc wrote:

” I am terribly concerned about the urgency of the short-term needs of these poor souls–(Katrina evacuees) … for shelter and perhaps long-term living arrangements. Most of them left New Orleans with nothing but the clothes on their backs. I know there are other projects that are being started for quilts for long-term needs, but right now, folks, these people have NOTHING and most of them have NOTHING to go home to. They need help NOW! ”

In other words, comforting as new craft tools and materials might be, there are/were more urgent needs. So Karey’s words have stayed with me, and admittedly coloured how I have chosen to help since then. As we each decide how or if we can respond, some by making squares or afghans or quilts; others by remembering that the Red Cross is a wonderful way to see that their ability to provide immediate relief and necessities not just to major disasters such as fire or flood create wide spread devastation, but also locally to that family whose home has burned to ground, or to firefighters in communities across the country.

I am fortunate to have many “fiber art” friends and much loved family who live in Southern California and especially in the San Diego area. So, this year, in lieu of the usual “nice dinner” to celebrate my birthday, we are sending donations to the American Red Cross– divided between our local chapter and the San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter

I will be using the donation link for San Diego on-line donation service and designating the monies be used in both cases for:
Local Disaster Relief Fund

I would ask my friends and family who would normally send me even a dollar birthday card in the mail, to donate those dollars to the Red Cross Chapter of your choice instead. Email good wishes are enough for me – there is so much more needed by others.

I encourage you to use the On-Line method and add the amount of first class postage – even pennies can makes a difference.

If you can, please do participate in other initiatives to bring hope and comfort to victims, be it afghans or quilts for local law enforcement to have and distribute, or larger efforts to benefit the San Diego folks,

Not sure how to find your local chapter? Just plug in your zip code here:

And, if you can, be a regular Blood Donor – you can get information about this by finding and contacting your local regional center. – it just might be your life that is saved as a result of your generosity.

And yes, as the subject implies, I have a few more “Charity Challenges” in mind. So stay tuned.
Even if we don’t have a lot, it is so easy to share just a little.

Did you know the USPS had noticed that “In recent years, knitting has become quite popular again, both in the United States and internationally.” So has created some Knit Stamps for the 2007 Holiday Season?

YARNandTHREAD folks just gotta love these, they may have been machine knit, but using the High Res images that can be downloaded will allow any Yarn minded Philatelicists to hand knit, tapestry crochet or use duplicate stitch to create make these for your holiday decorations

© 2007 USPS. All Rights Reserved.

Not a YARNandTHREAD person? Well think about cute little miniature ornaments for in Counted Thread, a graph is a graph – Peyote Stitch Earrings, thread, yarn, its all just string – some is just lumpier than others….

So many possiblities, so little time…. guess I will just have to go research the applicable fair use to avoid any copy right issues.

Almost enough to make me think about starting to address those Christmas greeting cards early or at least on time this year or quick gifts or…..

How Cheap Can Cost The Yarn User Dear

It seems like nearly every day the “topic” of yarn substitution comes up on some e-group or another dedicated to using yarn.

Until recently, we in the US could often find great deals internationally if we were of a mindset to be a bit patient. It is sort of interesting to see how the mindset of willing to wait that mail order “requires” and particularly international mail order can clash with the “I Want It NOW” behavior of most netizens. But what do we lose when we choose customer service and price over customer service?

Each time I see this question and many others, I cannot help but think how fortunate I am to have been exposed to the expertise and assistance that can be found in an independent yarn shop where the staff has the experience and knowledge to have educated me in a way that ASCII text and even YouTube simple cannot.

Why not you ask? Because when it comes to yarn substitution, gauge is an integral part of the equation.

Although I have been fortunate to live in places where there are such shops, ones where the staff is knowledgeable and helpful, not everyone shares that advantage.

There is one shop where I often go that the owner knows her customers well, and those she does not, she makes a point of trying to. The advantage to the yarn user is that by having this type of relationship the yarn user can save a heap of heartache by taking advantage of the unique support offered by an experienced independent shop’s staff.

How so? Simple, because they get to know you and what you like.

When a new yarn, similar to the type and weight you enjoy comes in, they can show it to you.

When they have seen several of your projects over time, they have a “feel” for how you work, loose, tight or “on gauge” – so when you hit a problem, they can spot it – and help you get past it.

They can suggest patterns that are appropriate to your skill level and help you steer clear of those that may, because they are not really edited or teched properly cause you trouble. More often than knot, they will also know about errata and can help you avoid that pitfall as well.

I have often read complaints from those who are upset if they visit an independent retailer and find them unwilling to offer ‘free’ help for yarns purchased elsewhere – whether the shop carries the yarn or not.
But if you think about it, it is not really all that unreasonable.

After all IF you buy a sewing machine, say on line, but then you need to learn how to use its features, you cannot really expect the local independent sewing machine store to give you free lessons on the machine functions – the reason the machine was cheaper on line is because they know they will not have to provide much in the way of support and in the case of factory warranty, it is a lot more likely you are going to go to that local shop than ship it back to them.

So yes, the same yarn might be on that retailer’s shelf, but is it really fair to expect them to pay for your support when they have no profit from that sale? Perhaps if you often buy from them, but if you are just using their shop as the local public yarn library and denying them any profit, maybe not.

We so often seem to confuse customer service with customer support. But the truth is, many of us need more from our yarn retailer than just fast shipping and lower prices. We need product SUPPORT and that means help making good choice in yarn substitution.

Next time you are trying to make a decision that really only means saving a few cents, consider supporting the either your local yarn shop either by visiting their store, or their on-line shop – you may find the level of support well worth a few extra pennies.

But what about those who do not have the advantage of a local shop with an experienced staff?

Tomorrow or the next day

In case you have been wondering why so few blog-a-mentries this month, I have been preparing swatches and samples of some wonderful yarns and will start blogging about that rather soon. Good as I am I cannot crochet and type at the same time.

The pleasant combination of:

– the gradually developing Symbol Crochet cross reference

– a question on the Crochet Partners about finishing, and

– my rather happy current pass time of swatching and sampling several yarn lines for crochet.

means that many of my Crochet related References are “handy” (read piled around my sit’n’stitch chair)

So with my usual caveat about turning chains, the book for those who wish to move beyond the square or rectangle and begin to take advantage of the many wonderful new patterns for garments (not to mention wonderful yarns just asking to be hooked) I really really like Nancie Wiseman’s book:
The Essential Book of Crochet Techniques.

Tiny URL To Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/2s4mrb

This is not a stitch book – although it does cover the basics. Nor, is it really a book covering the many niche techniques of crochet such as hairpin, broomstick, double-ended and similar speciality techniques.

There are several areas where I could wish Nancie had gone further, and at least one thing that would have *really* helped the Crochet who wants to upgrade the quality of thier finished work by using yarns available in your local Yarn Shop or on the Internet rather than just limited quality of product sold in most craft or other chain type stores.

The Essential Book of Crochet Techniques really is a quick reference with good visuals for the details essential to creating a well done garment.

According to the publisher,

From the first chain stitch to buttonholes and blocking, readers will find expert guidance for mastering America’s hottest comeback craft! Dozens of tips guarantee a frustration-free adventure for first-timers, and will help seasoned crocheters sharpen their skills.

• Take an easy walk through each technique with close-up, color photos and detailed illustrations

• Start with basic crochet stitches; then learn about gauges, increases, decreases, seams, trims, edgings, and finishing

• The book’s take-along size and lay-flat binding allow you to easily crochet on the go

• Includes introductions to filet crochet, intarsia crochet, and the afghan stitch

In the “Wheat’s Reference Rating” This book is rated:

Even with two small “wish she had” in the layout and organization of information; this is a great little book.

Rated CDF, (the only way you will get me to give it up is to pry it from my CDF/Cold Dead Fingers

Many of you are probably aware that a new PBS (Public Broadcasting Systems) show dedicated to Knit & Crochet has started to be broadcast.

As usual MPT-Maryland Public Television is a bit late, but better later than never “I suppose”

Subject: RE: Needle Arts Shows
Date: Thu, 13 Sep 2007 16:18:54 -0400
Thread-Topic: Needle Arts Shows
From: Juliana Eagan
To: Wheat Carr

Wheat,

Thank you for contacting MPT!

In response to your inquiry, please note that “Knit and Crochet Today”
will be on Saturdays, beginning October 6, at 8AM.

“Needle Arts Studio” is not on our current broadcast schedule at this time.

You are welcome to check back with us for more updated information.

Juliana Eagan
Audience/Viewer Services
Maryland Public Television

Not in Maryland, You can visit the show website

http://www.knitandcrochettoday.com/

or TINY URL: http://tinyurl.com/2pyudn

Now if everyone would just help me nag MPT, maybe we could get Shay Pendray back on the air here – I miss NeedleArts Studio You can email them at: comments@mpt.org

For those not in MD, here is the link to PBS to locate your local Affiliate.

http://www.pbs.org/stationfinder/index.html

Or Tiny URL: http://tinyurl.com/2qrvog