Progress.

Square Count: 71
Squares Needed: 18-20 (Plus the corners, which should be arriving shortly)
Locations:
USA Kentucky C-Ville
Canada Manitoba Woodlands
USA Utah Logan
USA Texas Katy
USA Arizona Glendale
New Zealand Unknown Wanaka
USA New York New York City
USA Wisconsin Madison
USA Oregon Gearhart
UK Unknown Unknown
USA Florida Crestview
Norway Unknown Bergen
USA New York White Plains
USA New York Endicott
USA Minnesota Columbia Heights
USA Washington Lacey
USA Maryland Columbia
USA California Redlands
USA New York Binghamton
USA Illinois Chicago
USA North Carolina Hendersonville
USA Pennsylvania Conshohocken
USA Washington Tacoma
USA Oklahoma Broken Arrow
USA Alabama Huntsville
USA Maryland Huntingtown
USA Georgia Acworth
USA Idaho Moscow
USA California La Habra
Canada Ontario Oshawa
USA Oregon Portland
USA Massachusetts Somerville
USA Massachusetts Worcester
USA Wisconsin Madison
USA New York Babylon
USA California San Francisco
USA Washington Renton
Canada Ontario Stouffville
USA Nevada Boulder City

The current layout. Subject to some minimal changes as the final squares arrive. The corners will be double large white/offwhite squares, and the binding will be off white.

~The Gnome

It’s -17 degrees here (yes, celsius, no I’m not Canadian. I’m in all science all the time mode), I think it mght have affected my brain (and no, I don’t think it’s especially cold, I miss MN winter).

Many people have mentioned it, and the Yarn Harlot is currently demonstrating it with the Knitters Without Borders drive, but it still never ceases to amaze me how generous fiber artists can be, without a second’s hesitation.

Now of course, like any group of people, especially one as disparate and varied as “all crocheters and knitters” there are the bad apples, sour grapes, and rotten eggs. But seriously, wow, there are more precious stones in these fibrous sands than one could possibly rationally expect to find. Squares have arrived from literally all over the world along with well wishes, and apologies that they couldn’t do more/make more.

Trust me, this is enough. It’s almost overwhelming in it’s thought and generosity. Not to mention the individual beauty of the squares. You can feel that each stitch was made with love.

Square Count: 64
Plus: Some Xmas gelt , mate tea, thistle buttons, a magnet, and probably something else I’ve forgotten because my brain is melting.

From:

USA Kentucky C-Ville
Canada Manitoba Woodlands
USA Utah Logan
USA Texas Katy
USA Arizona Glendale
New Zealand Unknown Wanaka
USA New York New York City
USA Wisconsin Madison
USA Oregon Gearhart
UK Unknown Unknown
USA Florida Crestview
Norway Unknown Bergen
USA New York White Plains
USA New York Endicott
USA Minnesota Columbia Heights
USA Washington Lacey
USA Maryland Columbia
USA California Redlands
USA New York Binghamton
USA Illinois Chicago
USA North Carolina Hendersonville
USA Pennsylvania Conshohocken
USA Washington Tacoma
USA Oklahoma Broken Arrow
USA Alabama Huntsville
USA Maryland Huntingtown
USA Georgia Acworth
USA Indiana Moscow
USA California La Habra
Canada Ontario Oshawa
USA Portland Oregon
USA Massachusetts Somerville
USA Massachusetts Worcester
USA Wisconsin Madison

Ok, so I’m cracked, wacko, lost it. After having the afghan about 1/4 seamed… I’m taking everything I’ve done out, and redoing it.

Why?

Because it wasn’t right, and incorporating new squares as they came in was going to be a color matching nightmare. And maybe because I’ve been hanging around with too many bad influences who like to do things like this. This will be better and faster. But it means lunch will be spent undoing what was done, and Friday night and most of Sunday will be spent seaming again.

What am I doing with Saturday? Why, I’m driving north into the cold to visit the shop of the fabulous Boogie, owner of Spunky Eclectic to try out some wheels, and maybe pick up some more fiber (because clearly the pounds of it lying around isn’t enough, hush you). ‘Cause… yeah, I think I’m ready to upgrade my wheel.

Now, back to my western blots, protein gels, and lab presentation

~The Gnome

My good friend the Tsock Tsarina is fond of saying, “It’s the people, stupid” in reference to big events where things are acquired. Because, it is.

And that stretches beyond events, as I’m sure she’d tell you.

It wasn’t the gifts of the holidays that made them good for me, it was the family. It wasn’t the rest, or food, or drinking at New Years that helped, it was the friendship and easy companionship.

And now that I’m back, I come home every day and go to my front door to check for little packages. They’re coming in from all over the world, sometimes with extra notes, sometimes not. And they warm my heart and make it all easier, knowing that this many people all over the world really do care.

If you’ve sent a square, check the photos and location list to see if you’re included. If not, then I’ll add them as they come in and post an ongoing total.

The current square count is 40 Squares
Locations squares have been received from:
Kentucky C-Ville
Canada Manitoba Woodlands
Utah Logan
Texas Katy
Arizona Glendale
New Zealand Wanaka
New York New York City
Wisconsin Madison
Oregon Gearhart
UK Unknown
Florida Crestview
Norway Bergen
New York White Plains
New York Endicott
Minnesota Columbia Heights
Washington Lacey
Maryland Columbia
California Redlands
New York Binghamton
Illinois Chicago
North Carolina Hendersonville

And the squares themselves:

Squares are still coming in, so please feel free to send in the next week.

~The Gnome

Dyed some more, whee!

Playing with some new techniques (when am I not?)

All more of the 80/10/10 Cashmere/Merino/Nylon

So, we have…
An XL Sock Roving (125g) for those who need to make big socks, or long socks. (or, you know, a shawl, or cowl, or monkey-cozy)

Sea Serendipity
Bursts of color bloom like bubbles and corals and anemone in this swirling blue and green roving.

And in “normal” sock size (100g) we have

Autumn Serendipity
Red and orange and yellow leaves swirl against a sky threatening snow

Tornado Sky
Just before the swirling grey and purple tornado clouds hit, the sky turns yellow…

This one also reminds me strongly of late in the fall, when the Montock Daisies and the late Asters bloom. White and purple with gold centers.

Munstead
Soft grey-purple and grey-white of Lavender “Munstead” blooming. Softer purple than Hidcote or Longwood.

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And beyond dyeing, I’ve been spinning again. Cernunnos was put to the side while I work on getting Dionysus out in time for the holiday.

Noiled silk. No photo can do justice to the soft variegation and gorgeous silver undertone on this particular single. Wish I could repeat it.

I also got the honeydew off the bobbin. It needs to be whacked still, but it’s not as bad as I thought it was. (can’t get whacked until there’s a place to put it in warm water that isn’t full of freezing water or dye).

And… I started on my little brother’s hat. Crappity.

This yarn is great for socks, soft, lovely. Not good for crocheting a hat like this. Doesn’t have enough loft to it so it’s making a way too dense fabric. It’s not going to be flexible enough. But if I use a larger hook or looser stitch or knit it… it won’t guard against wind. Crappity crap crap. Will either try double stranding it… or… um… something.

But, last night we got our first stick-to-the-ground snow! I love snow. I want more. Now.

Whee!

~The Gnome