Traveling along, knitting a sock ...

time after time ...

As I commute into work by train, I have the good fortune of being able to knit. A great way to work on a gift or socks right? That's what I'm thinking and right now it's a sock ... one that looks like the Painted Desert. The yarn is "Trekking pro natura" ... 75% New Wool and 25% bamboo.

But I'm also contemplating how strange it is to think I'm knitting with a yarn made with animal hair and plant fibers. In my past life as a crocheter I almost always used Acrylic. But it's the fact that now, in this life, it's the natural renewal fibers that I'm knitting with that makes me feel good. I'm loving the way it feels in my hands as I knit. And the fact that it's from a renewable source.

I'm more into recycling than I ever thought possible. I also like to use paper bags or reusable bags for my shopping. Plastic is made with petroleum and I'm all for getting away from petroleum products as much as possible, if I can. So I've decided to either ask for paper at the grocery store OR bring my own canvas bags from now on. I wish more Stores would consider promoting this.

Well ... that's just what was going thru my head today ... as well as the "Name My Teacozy" contest. Which isn't even related to each other, LOL.

Well I've come up with the Top 10 List .... which, between 3 judges, we'll come up with a name by Friday or Saturday morning at the latest. Here's the list. Is there a preference to one over the others from anyone out there? Want to take a guess to which one I might pick? Frankly I do have a preference to one of these but can I convince the other 2 judges it's the right choice?

The names are in no particular order ...

Keeping Ewe and Tea Cozy
New England Haven
I felt like tea cozy
Will ewe pour? teacozy
My Little Felt-Tea World cozy
Tea and Sheepathy
Locus Amoemus
Crafter's Paradise Tea Cozy
A Knitter's Dream Cozy
Be-EWE-TEA-ful PastoraliTea cozy

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Oh and by the way, I have another announcement ...

I got a note from a friend in New Hampshire that works for the Southern New Hampshire Services and they need donations of yarn. Would you like to clean out some of the unwanted, don't know what you would make with, or have no time for Yarn? If you like to donate knitted or crocheted items to worthy causes, but haven't the time to do the work ... help the Seniors do it for you! Donate yarn! NOTE: Also need patterns, knitting needles, and crochet hooks too.

BTW, they like Acrylic the best due to easy & multiple washings.

I plan to get together with Dee in April if anyone at M.I.T. or from Salem's Community Knitting group would like to send some yarn up with me I'll be happy to carry it along. I have some of my own to bring anyway. And remember the ladies knit and crochet for charities all year, so donate as often as you can.

Give Dee a call for pick up if you live in New England or send in your donation to ...

SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE SERVICES, INC.

The Community Action Agency for Hillsborough County

Dee Martin, Volunteer Services Director

40 Pine Street, Manchester, NH 03103

Telephone: (603) 668-8010 ext 6022 Fax: (603) 645-6734

dmartin (at) snhs (dot) org www.snhs.org

Who knew a skein of yarn could change the world?

In 2006, 84 RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) volunteers knitted over 3,000 goods such as hats, mittens, scarves, chemo hats, lap blankets and much more to be delivered to inner city schools, hospitals, nursing homes and the American Cancer Society. The total cash value was over $28,000, but the impact it made on the lives who needed help to stay warm was priceless.

Volunteers warm the hearts, hands and feet of many children and frail elders in the community. They are making a difference by knitting year round to keep up with the constant demand come the winter months.

Can you help these seniors change the world one stitch at a time?

We need skeins of yarn of all colors to keep these volunteer needles going. To donate yarn, please email dmartin (at) snhs (dot) org or call 1-800-322-1073 x 6022.

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If you write or call ... tell her that Rhonda the Stitchingnut sent you!

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Thanks for your help. Time to do my Spring Cleaning

(might take me a couple of weeks or more ... ask me why.)

p.s. don't pay any attention to the posting time ... I typed a draft early in the morning in order to post at Noon EST. ;-)

Spring is here ... would you like a surprise?

Before I tell you about my suprise ... Did I tell you that Lily Chin will be at the Seed Stitch Fine Yarn Store in Salem? Originally she was going to be here the weekend of Mother's Day, but they didn't want to interfere with Mom's Day, so dates were changed. Here they are and of course I've signed up for a class. I'm taking the Reverse Cable class. How about joining me if you live in the area? I hope to also see you there for the book signing on Friday!

Lily Chin to visit

Seed Stitch in Salem MA.

May 4th,5th,6th
For times and prices call the store: 978.744.5557

This is a brief overview

May 4th-Reception and book signing.

May 5th-AM Workshop

Short Row Shirring: Sample the incredible textural possibilities of pop-out, 3-D forms short rowing.

May 5th- PM Workshop

Reversible Cables: Eliminate "wrong sides" when making cables. Learn how cables work and how to chart them.

May 6th-AM Workshop

Keeping "Trim": Learn different ways to rib and avoid puckering at lower edges.

May 6th-PM Workshop

Crocheted Tips, Tricks and Hints: Learn new ways to work a foundation chain, join new yarn and color,attach buttons as you work, create invisible circular joins and the list goes on.

Okay now for my surprise....

How about a Contest?

"Name My Teacozy" contest!

I enter my tea cozy in Seed Stitch's contest on March 31st. Voting will be by the customers that go into the store for the first 2 weeks of April. Their votes determine the winner. Cross your fingers for me okay? Well maybe I should show you my tea cozy first, huh?

I found out last night we can "name" our tea cozy too. So I need some help in that area. Since I got mine done this week and I've been promising to show it to you ... here's a slide show. Once you view the slide show, come on back and help me with a name. The one that I pick [with the help of my DH and DD], will get to pick from the prizes pictured below.

Presenting the Tea Cozy by Stitchingnut ...

see the Slide Show right here.

Leave a name for my tea cozy in the "Comments". We will pick the winner March 30th so you have until March 29th, Noon to leave a "teacozy name". I figure we'll need at least 24 hours to decide which name we like the best, LOL. I'd love to get a variety to choose from ...

So be clever, witty, or serious!

The prizes will be:

1. the felted heart pin not the wood sheep is one of the prizes to pick from or

2. the 3 in the second picture or

3. the book by Vicki Howell, New Knits on the Block.

And you know what? Just to sweeten the deal .... If I should win the design contest at Seed Stitch ... I'll put everyone's name in a hat that contributed to the "Name My Teacozy" contest and draw another winner in Celebration.

I might even draw TWO names!

p.s. I just found out that I was put in Yarnival on March 15th. Check here to read about the other entries as well.

Yippy, I'm on the World Wide Web!