[NOTE] I continue to update this list to reflect the remaining states still needing representation -The response has been overwhelming - thank you to everyone who has expressed interest! So far, we have over 40 men who have signed up to be a part of the project - I am still looking for guys from the following states: (I will remove the states if I have at least one participant for that location - but if your state is not included, and you want to participate, PLEASE EMAIL ME ANYWAY! I am glad to have more than one person for each state! - the project will possibly include more than one version of publication!
Alaska
Arkansas
Hawaii
Idaho
Mississippi
Montana
Nevada
New Hampshire
North Dakota
South Dakota
Tennessee
Utah
Vermont
Wisconsin
Wyoming
If you or someone you know (a guy!) wants to participate in the project, please email me and let me know the name, email, blog (if you have one) and the state you claim - which could be your residence, hometown, birthstate, whatever... and I'll get you included in the project - as soon as I get most of the states included, we'll be sending out questionnaires, etc. On my website you can click on the Knitting Men Project tab and read more about the process. Thanks for helping me get the resources together to assemble this project - with any luck it will become a force to show publishers, designers, magazines and LYS's that there are guys all over the USA who are knitting (which might lead to an increase in male oriented projects!)
Thanks!
What a beautiful place for a retreat - nestled north (I think it's north?) of the Golden Gate Bridge, we were at Point Bonita YMCA - bunkbeds, staying up late, knitting and learning...
The grounds were beautiful - we saw deer, racoons and even a skunk (who was cute!) - I was enamored with the fog, cool temperatures, drizzle, moss and atmosphere - it's not what I'm used to in Los Angeles, that's for sure!
a short and easy hike down the pointe brought us to this big steel door through the mountain - it is the entrance to the path that leads to the lighthouse - and is open only a few hours a day a few days a week - I loved the rust colored algae or rust or whatever it is around the door - the color was so beautiful!
I tried to get a photo of the bridge at night - and while I was very still (sat my camera solidly on a post, set the timer, did long exposures) I didn't take into account the mist and fog in the air... it's fuzzy because San Francisco is a bit fuzzy - it's misty and hazy and foggy and I LOVE it!!
Here are some other photos from the trip - I had a great time and suggest any guy who is interested in knitting visit the Men's Knitting Retreat website or the group on ravelry!
Poor Darrellllll... (founder of menwhoknit.com) - when are ya gonna get out of the brigade? :)
a view from inside a part of the brigade (used for WWII I think) - not sure what this really was, but we thought it'd be a great place for a bar or dance club - that is; if they'd put up some railings...
Mr. Farris again taking great photos of the city and the bridge...
me and my buddy Michael - he helped me immensely with my circular sock knitting machine... (and he MADE a pair of socks on his while doing so!) - see that sweater? he made it - an insanely talented guy - can't wait to learn more from him and the other guys next year!
and last but not least, Point Bonita Lighthouse - a beautiful spot... (and I got great cell phone service out there!) I know I didn't show much knitting on this post - but knitting WAS done - I just didn't photograph it... I got about half of the front of a sweater done, and took a few classes as well. we learned twined knitting, hand spinning on a drop spindle, freeform knitting/crochet, mosaic, and entrelac among other things. Wanna be involved next year? please do... just get in touch with the guys who organized it and they'll email you as it gets closer. WonderMike and HizKnits from Y Knit were the ones in charge this time -- amazing men - along with everyone who attended...
I can't wait to go back!
After the Men’s Knitting Retreat, I have been thinking seriously about compiling a collection of stories and interviews featuring knitters and fiber artists from all 50 of the United States. While this is a very premature request, I wanted to find out among you who might be interested in sharing who they are, how they began to knit (where they learned), etc. etc. - I have started a webpage linked here - it's very much under construction, but everything has to start somewhere, right?
This will be for a Senior project at my University - a “culminating” project and will hopefully record our section of the arts and crafts community and showcase our diversity throughout the country as well as document the current specifics that we may see as relevant… things always change, so I think it’d be neat to get our stories down on paper…
If you’re interested in participating, please send me an email here
and while I am sure I’ll get multiple entries from some states, I am glad to accept everyone - and as time goes by I will edit as needed. For now, all I need is a report of interest :)
Thanks!!
PS when you email or reply, let me know which state you’re “claiming” as your own so that I can keep track of that - and if you send a private message, be sure to include your email… and any other links like blogs or ravelry / menwhoknit ID's as well as etsy stores, or anything that might help me know a little about you so that I can take into consideration those participating as the interview questions are developed.
This project will begin in Early January, 2009 with culmination and completion in Late April / Early May, 2009 - it will (with any luck) be the final project before my BS degree from Middle TN State University (even though I live in California) - it's a long story :)
Participation will include answering a set of interview questions online, possibly phone conversations, submitting photos of yourself and/or work, business, hometown, etc. that could be used in the project. More details will arrive as they are developed.
thanks!
ps for those of you eager to hear all about the Men's Fall Knitting Retreat, I just haven't had a chance to write about it yet - it was one of the most enjoyable trips I have ever taken - and I'll leave you with this: I can't wait till next year! -- a full report with pics to come soon...
[NOTE]
My friend knitroyknit on ravelry wrote this post on a forum there - it gives me hope that prop 8 may not have passed. PLEASE read it, and sign the petition - we must all make our voices heard to show how important equal rights are!] - thank you! (and sorry again for the politics instead of yarn - it'll be yarn again soon, I hope!)
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FRIENDS!!
About an hour ago, my colleague personally contacted the California Secretary of State. The woman she spoke with confirmed that PROPOSITION 8 HAS NOT BEEN CALLED. She stated that they are still counting ballots…and they will not know the results until DECEMBER 13th!
All media has announced a victory for Yes on 8! THIS IS WRONG. Keep the pressure on the Secretary of State to count all the provisional and absentee ballots (rumored to be up to 3 or 4 million!) !
Roughly 400,000 votes separate yes from no on Prop 8 – out of 10 million votes tallied. Based on turnout estimates reported yesterday, we expect that there are more than 3 million and possibly as many as 4 million absentee and provisional ballots yet to be counted.
Tell them that you want ALL the proposition 8 votes counted!
CA secretary of state: (916) 657-2166, or you can lodge a recorded complaint by calling 1-800-345-VOTE
There’s also an online petition going around! SIGN IT HERE
We will never be done fighting!
What else is being done? the ACLU has filed this petition asking for immediate relief
Want to become more involved? here are some more links:
http://www.marriageequality.org
http://www.aclu.org/
http://www.noonprop8.com/
http://www.nclrights.org/
http://www.lambdalegal.org/
http://www.hrc.org/
and again, thank you!
It's time for us to take action. If you believe that anyone should have the right to marry the person they want, regardless of gender, please take 5 minutes and write your senators and congresspersons. I have attached a letter addressed to CA Senators Feinstein and Boxer. Please download, add your name, address and signature line at the bottom, print, and mail it. The more that we share our concerns, the more that our representatives will begin to pay attention.
For those of you who do not believe in equal rights for all, I respect your beliefs-- and hope you'll move past this post if you're not interested in open discussion. In the end, we're all here looking to lead good productive loving lives... the passing of Prop 8 in California has no benefit that I can see.
The only silver lining in the prop is that it does not appear to forbit civil unions to be created for same sex couples. If it's 100% the same except for the name, then I'd be fine with that - of course, in the forms across the state that ask single, divorced, married - I'd check "married" - but baby steps...
This letter will hopefully make a point and might someday down the road help any couple who wishes the benefits of marriage. Thank you for taking time to stand up for equal rights! :)
we are still safe, but eek - I make one lousy post about preparing for disaster - and talk a tiny bit about how it's important to be prepared... then fires erupt all around us... (this is the view looking from our house across the street; fires are only a few miles from us in the hills you can't see because of the smoke) We are keeping safe and remain prepared (I was a cub scout for exactly one day) - if anything else happens near us I'll let you know :)
This is really just a "for instance"... Let's say an earthquake... or your car broke down on the way across country - middle of nowhere - your cell phone isn't working - you need to just make it through the next few days. Thankfully nothing bad really happened... but if it did (or does) I want to do my best to be ready... I talked with my partner and he updated my kits a few weeks ago - I thought it'd be good to share with you--
I'm preparing for the trip up just north of San Francisco from Los Anglees for the Men's West Coast Fall Knitting Retreat (Nov 7-9) and decided it was time to get our emergency kits updated. This is what is in my "car" kit:
Hand Sanitizer (individual packets)
Manicure kit (tweezers, fingernail file, small scissors, etc)
Flashlight and Batteries
Bottled Water
Lighter(s)
Toilet paper
Collapsible Travel Cup
Elastic Bandage
Facial tissue
Baby wipes
Pad of paper
Pencils
Pencil sharpener
Chewing Gum
Chapstick (I have Carmex because it comes in a little sealable container that is less likely to leak)
Antacid (Tums)
Plastic Silverware
Raincoat
FM Radio (with batteries or crank up style)
Heavy duty gloves
Latex Gloves
Bar Soap
Ready to Eat Food (I have hard candy, canned soup, etc.)
Polyester Rope or cord
Hydrogen Peroxide
Disposable Camera
Duct Tape
Cooling Headache Pad
First Aid Kit (Bandages, dressings, alcohol prep pads, whistle, etc.)
I know most of you will tell me I need "emergency knitting" in my bag also... but what else is missing from the bag? I want to post about the kits at the house as well (I have one for work also) but I'll do that another day when I open it up and inventory it...
I hope this will prompt even just one person to get a little kit together - keeping in mind their climate and what they might need - it just might save your life or the life of someone else! - Everything I listed fits in a duffel bag and stores nicely in the back of my car... and it's there... just in case.
On another note, I have completed more cards and I'm adding them to the shop tonight - please check them out and if you're interested in any, please purchase - remember, the proceeds go to Living Free Animal Sanctuary - and they'll thank you! I usually have at least 5 of each card made up - so if you want larger quantities, please let me know.
I was lucky enough to be perusing her blog when she proposed the idea of paying it forward - simply put, the idea was that she wanted to do something nice for some people without expecting anything in return - I was one of the first to respond, and sent off my address....
a good amount of time went by (as has with my similar attempt) until randomly out of the blue I got a package from our mailman - I couldn't figure out what I had purchased - and was actually starting to get frustrated with myself - thinking I need to stop buying online so much... then, I opened the package -
A beautiful card and this amazing pillow were inside - She made this pillow out of recycled neckties on her 1935 Singer Featherweight (221) -just for me!!- I love love love it - and can't thank her enough for the kind gift - it made my day and will be amazing in my guest room - one day -
See, I have this "plan" of having a guest room one day - with an old iron bed or old wood bed - with an armoire full top to bottom of old comfy quilts - my mitered square blanket will make it in there too... as will the Kaffe Fassett pillow I have yet to start... it'll have wood paneling or shingles or siding on the wall - folk art or vintage photos on the walls - and will feel like stepping back in time...
All of that is later in life - for now there is no guest room - but I have a pillow to add to the special collection that will one day make up that comfortable haven -
Check out her website - see what she's up to - you'll be amazed at her talents!!
Thank you again, V for the beautiful gift!
I have so many fond childhood memories. There was that cardboard box that sat in Grandma’s laundry room and was pulled out every time I came to visit. I knew the toys and coloring books were there waiting for me as we parked around the corner, and as I walked down the sidewalk past her rose bushes and that white metal rocker to her screen door. I remember the moments right after my parents left – I would put my little suitcase in Grandma’s room and we’d talk about what I would like for dinner.
Chicken and Dumplings…banana salad… and ice cream; whatever I wanted – we’d make a list, get her black metal rolling grocery cart out and make our way up the narrow sidewalk to the store. Keeping me safe, she’d always walk between me and the busy street– and while we walked, we’d look around and tell stories. When I was visiting Grandma, it seemed I could have anything I wanted, right down to desert! My favorite was chocolate ice cream. She’d buy a half gallon without any question (even though her favorite was butter pecan) and smile as she watched me gobble it down…at that time I didn’t realize that her buying me ice cream or a toy meant tighter budgeting for her… splurging for her grandson meant sacrificing down the road.
One afternoon, while Grandma was either ironing for someone or maybe repairing uniforms for the folks at Kentucky Fried Chicken, I remember asking her to make me a pillow for me. She stopped what she was doing and asked me what the pillow was to look like. We’d pull out a box of fabric scraps buttons and ric rac and I would design the pillow while she finished mending or hemming or sewing on her work. After she got to a point where she could take a break, she’d spend a long while sewing a one of a kind creation just for me. I find joy in giving handmade gifts because of my Grandmother. She taught me to create and through my family I have grown to realize that the value of a gift is not related to its cost – the best gift I ever received was that of encouragement from Grandma.
I don’t have any of her pillows anymore. Growing up, they were lost in the shuffle – but what has not been lost are the memories I have watching her do her very best at every craft – the finest work – and working with what she had to solve problems. I believe this is where I get my creativity… working with what you have….
I remember my naps in Grandma’s room – the freezing cold of her air conditioner – dozing off in the powdery smell of her bed – waking up and playing music on her record player – “Fiddler on the Roof” … “The Gatlin Brothers”… dulcimer music … Elvis Presley’s “How Great Thou Art”…
I also remember going to Eastlawn Elementary to fly a kite with her… I remember going to the creek, and her losing one of her shoes – chasing after it as it floated away… I remember sitting in her lap, laying my head on her chest and dozing off; totally safe… listening to her talk and the vibrations through her ribcage… listening to her heartbeat… and to her singing.
I remember one day probably around 3rd grade, Grandma wrote me a note and told me that she’d pay me $1 if I would memorize Psalm 23; The Lord’s Prayer. She wrote in this note that it’s an important message. I sat down and memorized the prayer and returned to her… recited it for her… "The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul..."
She smiled and gave me a dollar. The last time I remember seeing that note, I had rolled it up and put it inside a glass jug – probably 6th grade. Being an adult, even today, I still don’t know the gifts I have received from my family – the strength I have witnessed – the creativity and love and understanding – the feeling that no matter what struggle I had there would always be open arms to go to…
She taught me all those years ago not to be afraid – and in her letters to me, she assured me (even decades ago) that she was not afraid of dying. She told me not to be afraid – that death is a part of life – and I know now, with the passing of Dad in 2007 that while it may seem like a scary path to travel, it’s something we all must do. I find comfort in knowing that Dad is there, along with Uncle Dave and so many others waiting to welcome her to Heaven.
Growing up is hard... it’s impossible to believe that my Grandmother’s time on Earth is over. The years have been difficult, and while some may feel left behind, I am doing my best to be brave. I know that she is watching over each one of us– doing everything that she can to protect us… standing between me and the busy road, just like she always has. Venice Kunnecke passed away today, August 20, 2008 around 2PM in Southern Indiana surrounded by her family. She was 95.
Am I the only one who didn't know about this website? www.knitmap.com is a fun search engine type site that tells you all the yarn stores in a given area! It also has space for reviews, ratings, etc. - a great site to help plan your next yarn crawl! :)
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