I finally just finished catching up on e-mail – thanks for all the comments and interest, everyone! About Sophie – she’s definitely sensitive to some things in my diet, and has been since she was born. If I eat chocolate or dairy, she has tummy trouble, as evidenced by constant spitting up and pain. As soon as I stop eating chocolate and dairy, she is the happiest baby on the planet. I was especially quick to pick up on this after a year and a half of hell with my older daughter until we discovered *her* food allergies. I appreciate the helpful comments, though.
Today the mail carrier came early again, and he brought four more packages. Made me late for a play date because I just couldn’t get out the door without peaking inside the packages quick-like. And I just about had a couple of heart attacks. Are you people trying to kill me with your generosity?
Oh, and one more thing before we start opening packages. I had a moment of panic today when I realized that a knitting deadline is coming up, one that I’ve been ignoring because of this whole blanket project. In two and a half weeks, we have a photoshoot scheduled with our photographer, Jeff Dunn. He’s the guy who did our wedding and another photoshoot after Julie was born. He is really nice and does great work. I really want to have that little Bavarian twist sweater done before this photo-shoot so that the girls can wear the matching pair for the pictures. Right now, I’m up to the underarms on the body, but have not yet started the sleeves. I guess that puts me at just under halfway done on the project. It’s going to be a real stretch to see if I can cram it in between now and then, but I’d really like to. Forgive me, blankie, you may be getting even less attention in the next couple of weeks. I’ll try to keep doing at least one blankie block a day, though.
Oh, and one more last thing. The blankie and I will be at the Yarn Cafe in Maple Grove tomorrow afternoon for a while around 3:00. I’m meeting some friends for some yarn shopping and coffee. If you happen to see us there, say hello and meet the blankie.
Now, package #1 is from Mary Jane in Bedford, Texas. I was a little upset when I opened this package, because it is so clearly *not* what I asked for. The yarn is perfect, don’t get me wrong, but it is all very new, unused, perfect condition. Then I remembered the conversation Mary Jane and I had via e-mail. Mary Jane has a bit of an over-stashing problem and she swore that I’d be doing her a favor by taking some sock yarn off her hands. I warned her that if she sends me enough to make a pair of socks, that might be what happens to it, and she said fine. I will probably pass some of this on to better homes at some future point, but for tonight, it is mine, all mine. 
I got a little nervous just looking at the outside of this next box – the mailing label is from the Websters in Oregon. Please, please, I thought…don’t let this be more new yarn for me to feel guilty about. No, it was much better than that. A huge pile of very high quality leftovers from Carol. In her note, she says she tossed some really good memories in along with the bits of yarn. Carol, You couldn’t have said anything nicer. This blanket started out as a way for me to save all those happy memories from the socks long after the heels have worn out. I’m using yarn of my own that is left over from socks I wore the days my daughters were born, from my first pair of socks ever…you get the idea. I’ll take good care of your memories.
Jana in Moses Lake, Washington sent a nice collection of leftovers. I especially love the pink one. Jana, I hope your back is feeling better!
Heather in Gorham, Maine sent a nice little package, and she included her business card from her store Spin Me A Yarn on State Street. This looks to be about a full skein of Wildfoote and most of a skein of really pretty Opal.
Okay, and here is your cute kid picture of the day. Please try not to be too upset about this picture. I have been doing my darnedest to keep Julie out of my yarn and knitting, but you have to understand that she watches me open these packages every day and sees the huge piles amassing in front of her eyes. It is very hard for her to understand why Mama gets to play with the yarn and she doesn’t. The other day I accidentally left my work basket where she could reach it while I wasn’t watching, and she grabbed a couple of balls that had been slated for direct entry into the blankie. Before I realized what was happening, they were hopelessly tangled, and she was having so much fun playing with the yarn, I decided not to stop her. In this picture, she was talking about her “long yarn hair” and wearing it as a wig. I only wish I had gotten a better picture while the moment lasted. I’ll try to do a better job at protecting the stash from now on, I promise.
You may just have to make the girl a wig.
http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall04/PATThallowig.html
Oooh excellent idea Knitty cat! I think she would look adorable in one of those. Shelly, the pictures your photographer took are AMAZING! I especially like the photo of the hands, just darling…
Knitty cat, you are funny! I have actually made one of those hats. I made it for my friend Julie who died of ovarian cancer last year, and I got all the hats I knit for her back after she passed away. Maybe I’ll have to see if my Julie will pose for a picture in it.
I’m wondering what your stash looks like as is. It’s amazing (and wonderful) to me to see all the yarn pooring in like that.
We are all looking forward to seeing how much yarn you decide to part with. You clearly indicate you ‘think’ you’ll give it away. Hope you don’t have to give it more thought than all of the people who sent their yarn to you. What other options are there, but giving it to others? You could donate it to a group that knits socks, etc for charity. Or perhaps you could sell it on ebay? It will be interesting to see which way you go and how long it takes.