Weblogs are such great things! Especially when they have a means through which visitors can interact with the weblogger behind the weblog. When one has a weblog and starts sharing thoughts, pictures, stories through it, one can expect nice people to visit and, if a comments feature or message board exists, expect those nice people to share feedback.

But in the nearly 4 years I've been keeping weblogs, I've discovered that with the good comes the bad. Just as there are loads of nice people, there are always a few people who occasionally surf in and act an ass - usually in an anonymous manner - by leaving rude or snotty comments for no reason. Or, for a reason that is valid to no one but them. Some webloggers delete these comments. Some edit them. Some leave these comments on their site and ignore them. Some turn them into blog content. Some require registration before commenting, and only let a select few view and/or leave comments. Some turn off comments completely. Some filter comments, deciding which ones get published and which ones don't. Whatever the weblogger feels the most comfortable doing.

I like the comments feature because I enjoy knitting feedback from my visitors. I don't belong to knitting groups, guilds, or meetups. This is the only place where I can share and receive feedback about knitting. So the comment feature stays. However, I choose to filter comments instead of deleting the ones I find to be inappropriate (something I used to do) because this is my site and I have the final say on what will get published on my dime. This isn't an open arena where anybody can prance in and act a troll to me or my visitors; this is my weblog in which I've invested my time, effort and money so I am the one who decides what content is worth publishing here. Further, filtering allows me to keep comments on archived entries open, as unsolicited spam and other commercial links I don't endorse can't make it through the filter.

With the exception of the above, all comments make it through, whether I know the person who is commenting or not, and whether the comments contain critiques, compliments or questions. And they make it through unedited, unless the comment contains a commercial link I don't endorse or the author comments anonymously or with bogus info. Other than that, I certainly don't tweak comments or change them in any way. Rest assured that what you type is what is going to get published if I hit that "approve" button. And 99.9% of the time, I hit that "approve" button.

I love me some stashy goodness! Lots of Phil Ruban in variegated light blue, solid green-blue, fuchsia, red, coral and purple. Somewhere in Contres, there's a knitter wondering what happened to all the Phil Ruban in her local Phildar boutique. When I went into the boutique, the Phil Ruban wasn't on sale because the saleslady did not know that IT HAD BEEN DISCONTINUED. I was the one who announced it to her. [Hee!] She checked on the computer and discovered that it had been discontinued, so she put it on sale right then and there. Good for me, because all of the good colors were still available as they hadn't been put on sale before I got there. Score!




Also added to my stash: some GGH Java from Marta in Germany, who sent it in exchange for web work. (I had been planning on doing the pink cardigan [Jacke en Apricot] from Rebecca 27 ever since I saw it in the mag that Athena sent me back in May.) I received the Java about a week before I went on vacation and was able to swatch it while in La Loire. It's a really nice yarn; light and airy.

3 brand spankin' new skeins of Phildar Copacabana yarn, enough to make the lovely ribbon tank I made last year. The color is Aquatique (the same one featured in the pattern book), and all skeins are the same dye lot. The 3 skeins make up to size 42/44 cm chest measurement . Also up for trade is a brand new copy of the Evasion pattern book, which contains the pattern to make the tank. [Note: I bought this copy of the Evasion pattern book for purposes of trading it. I have my own copy of the same book, and here they are together to show that what I'm trading has never been used.] And! I'll also include a translation into English of the Copacabana tank pattern. To further sweeten the trade, I will include the latest copy of the crafty Marie Claire Idées magazine, also brand new. The magazine contains sewing, knitting, embroidery, decorating and lots of other crafty projects. (Here is a peek inside of it, so you can see some of the neat-o crafty things we do over here in la France.)

I like doing occasional open calls to swaps, because I figure it's a good way to share some French knitting goodness with others, and trades are always fun because they make me feel like I get knitting presents in the mail. This is what I'm looking for in exchange (brand new and never used, please): Rowan 36. Set of five bamboo US3/3.25mm double pointed needles. The Fall 2004 issue of Interweave Knits. Orville Redenbacher Microwave Popcorn. Okay, I'm kidding about the last one. But not about the others, and those are what I'm looking for so, er...please don't offer something else unless it's in addition to those things and you'd like for me to add on something else, too. If you'd like trade with me, e-mail me.

[Update: The call to a swap is CLOSED! Thanks to everyone who kindly offered to swap exactly what I was requesting.]

*Bit of unrelated trivia: I've prepared open calls for bids before. But on companies! [Hee!]

Japanese knitting magazines! They're my new favorite thing. She also sent some candy and an extra treat of cute fabric, which I'd love to use as the outer covering for a needle case, maybe? Thanks, Pinku!

I also got a copy of R2 magazine from Marie of scifiville. I'm now seriously tempted to try some of the R2 yarn...maybe knit "Tasty" or "Flush". If I make a dent in my stash this summer, I just might do it. Thanks, Marie!

Freshly added to the stash: Some fluffy Phildar Cecilia. Vintage cardigan, thou shall be mine! (I'm all about the cardigans lately. I can't help it. They're just so PURDY!)

New mags I've just gotten:

1) VK Knitting, Summer 2004 issue courtesy of the ever-thoughtful TAMARA, who sent it just because. [Gracias, Tamara!] My favorites: The "Just Peachy", a.k.a. "Goddess" tank, Bobby Summers's lacy v-neck and Gayle Bunn's halter. Huzzah!

2) Phildar Hommes Automne/Hiver 2004-2005. Much, much nicer than last year's, which I didn't even buy because I found the designs to be...well, I just didn't buy it. This year's edition is much nicer, I think. I've got a few possibilities mapped out for Monsieur Le Hubby. He deserves the knitting love, too.

3) Interweave Knits Fall 2004, thanks to KRISTEN, who sent it because I showed a yearning for it. [Merci, Kristen!] Boy, oh boy. Nice stuff in there. I find Annie Modesitt's (one of my favorite designers) Sideways Spencer very charming. I also like Shirley Paden's Tuck and Lace.

Lovely Tahki Cotton Classic from Jenny! This would make a wonderful tank, or maybe Polka Purl Dots from IK's Spring 2004 issue?

The Novita Winter 2004 from Finland [!], with the additional treat of a bar of chocolate from Iris! This is the first time I've seen a Finnish knitting magazine and boy, oh boy do my Finnish neighbors got it going on when it comes to knits. Great stuff, and I'm particularly charmed by this saucy sweater. Love it!

This is non-stash related, but too cool to not share. Some fun surprise treats from Heather, including lip balm, candy, freeze-dried ice cream like the astronauts eat, space shuttle toy, a little coin purse (that my son is now using to store his toy cars so he can attach it to a button loop on his pants!) and some goldfish which my son ADORES. My son opened the package first thing and was so excited he could barely stand it. Just for Heather, here are some pictures of his pajama-ed, spiky-haired self showing off his space shuttle. (I can hear him playing with it right now as I type this.)

Back to stash-related goodies, I also received the latest Rowan mag in trade from Carrie, and the Noro Knits book in trade from Sarah. Wonderful things to knit in both! I've got my eye on a few things from the latest Rowan, and the two things from the Noro Knits book.

In short: My online knitting buds ROCK!

The text reads: "For the miss and young woman who prefer a hat with a brim, this genuine Joan Crawford model ['designed for and posed by the famous Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer star'] is an excellent choice." Wire hangers optional. (Yikes. That last phrase was a groaner, I know.)

Speaking of hats with brims, we've got lots of finished bucket hats for the Bottom's Up Bucket Knitalong:

Brynne knit a Bottom's Up bucket in the smallest size for her baby boy [awww!] using sport weight Sugar 'n' Cream Cotton, and made a matching one for herself as well; Stacey knit her snazzy Bucket o' Chic using Recycled Silk from Mango Moon, Carissa knit an adorable Bottom's Up bucket using pink and white Cotton Fleece [with trim in either intarsia or duplicate stitch. I'm not sure.]; Katy has cranked out another Bottom's Up bucket [wow!] for her son's teacher using Kitchen Cotton, Debbie C's little girl models her cute Bottom's Up Watermelon [!] bucket knit in 3 different colors of Tahki Cotton Classic; Celia knit a "Bucket o' Peace" complete with brim in contrast color and peace symbol in intarsia [!], Emily knit a Bottom's Up bucket for her baby Sophie [awwww! And let me point out again the hat Emily knit for her son in spring] using Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Cotton Ball; Kyla knit a hat for her cousin, and poses in a adorable shot with her cousin wearing the hat; Wendy made her fourth bucket hat a felted one (and added a scarf to match); Ellen looks smashing in her Bottom's Up "badass" bucket knit using Cotton Fleece; Marlena models her blue Bottom's Up bucket knit using Cotton Ease; Maria knit a Bottom's Up bucket in a pretty color; Kathen knit two striped hats in summer colors; April knit a Bottom's Up bucket [love that brim] using Lion Cotton in Sunflower; and Froggy's daughter [awwww!] models a red Bottom's Up hat knit using Cotton Ease. [Added 31/08: Laura, in true knitalong spirit, knit her little girl a Bottom's Up ribbed bucket in marathon fashion; and Rossana knit a multi-colored Bottom's Up bucket using Rowan ASC in Blackcurrant and pink, and very creatively added a crocheted flower with an i-cord stem to the top of the hat. Check it out!] WOW. Look at all of these great hats! Can you stand it?

Any other hats by knitalongers I haven't mentioned yet? Tell me now, because tomorrow is the last day for bucket hat photo submissions in the summer portion of my bucket hat contest! And I'm gonna say it now: Picking prize recipients is going to be HARD.

In other fun knitalong news, we have even more sponsors for the Reader's Favorite photo. And I have something to share: I think that the sponsors of the Reader's Favorite photo should be entitled to nominate their favorite hats on which we'll all vote. (Incidentally, voting will take place next week, and will be done via the comments in the last bucket hat entry I will publish for the knitalong.) Here are our sponsors so far, and what they are going to be giving:

Julia - a hank of Cascade 220.
Wendy - Crochet necklace kit.
Jenny - 2 skeins of Fortissima Colori and 1 skein of Trekking sock yarn.
Alison - 1 skein of Calmer in shade 463 for a lace cap.
Kathi - Beaded ring kit.
Eileene - Set of custom-made stitch markers.
Katy - 1 skein of Cherry Hill Tree Windsong with a scarf pattern.
Georgina - 3 skeins of Blu Jeans Indigo yarn (2 dark blue, 1 light blue) by Plymouth.
Marlena - 1 hank of Artful Yarns Fable in Goldilocks colorway.

I'll say it again: WOW :-)

[NOTE: A list of all the knitalong participants with links to their finished hats can be find on my sidebar, or at this entry. Sponsors, feel free to write to me to nominate all of your favorites.]

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer high-end/natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?

I am a Nice Yarn Snob. I'm not the kind of Yarn Snob who turns up a nose at acrylic blends or who will only shop at a store that only carries pricey yarn. I like me a good, fancy yarn in any sort of blend and I'll shop at ANY store that carries a nice selection of yarn. But! I draw the line at shiny 100% acrylic [sorry, Red Heart] or ultra-flashy novelty yarn, even if it's high-end, because I find it unpleasant to knit.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?

I don't spin. I crochet decorative bits, but not entire garments [insert 1970s flashback].

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)

Allergy tests have revealed that I'm allergic to every single pollen in existence, dust in humid environments, some detergents, miscellaneous foods, and certain perfumes and perfumed cosmetics. Everyday I thank the heavens above for not giving me any allergies to wool.

4. How long have you been knitting?

Since August of 2000.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

You betcha. Buy me stuff...NOW.

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)

GARDENIAS. Oh my gosh. I love gardenias.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?

Is there snow in Alaska? My grandpa used to call me "Sweet Tooth". I had all my baby molars capped before I was 10, and one of those molars even had a little silver crown which I was terribly proud of because I was a strange child. (Thankfully, the silver crown fell out when my adult molars grew in.) My favorite candies: gummy candies, jujyfruits, twizzlers, peanut clusters...the list goes on!

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?

I like to hand-make cards.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if you want to make her a CD)

I am the Queen of Eclectic Musical Tastes. You'll find everything from Hipsway and Garbage to mariachi and the Brandenburg Concertos by Bach in my MP3 player. I like all kinds of stuff: 60s (the Chantelles, the Righteous Brothers), 70s (Blondie, early Pat Benatar), 80s (Joan Jett, Def Leppard, Vixen), 90s (garage bands, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Robert Palmer). I even like Jesus Jones and Julio Iglesias. [I am sticking a big "MOCK ME" sign on my back by admitting that last one, but it's true. So there you go.]

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer?

Blues, deep reds and pinks. When it's winter, you'll usually see me in my uniform of black.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I have a French husband of Spanish origin who prefers Mexican food and a 3 year old child who will dance for candy because, apparently, he has inherited my Sweet Tooth. I also have a faithful Bichon Frise of 9 years who will dance for pieces of cheese, soy crackers and bits of lettuce. She is named Lucy, after my favorite Peanuts character.

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)

To grow my hair down to my feet and ride through the town on a horse like Lady Godiva.

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?

Phildar! Rowan! Plassard! [Drools helplessly.]

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

Scratchy 100 percent wool ones and scratchy 100 percent acrylic ones. Those novelty flashy multi-colored yarns that will knit up quickly into a boa or look like a tribble.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?

Vintage sweaters.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

Sweaters, hats and toys. (Me no like socks.)

17. What are you knitting right now?

A baby sweater on 3mm needles.

18. What do you think about ponchos? (this is really a curiousity question for us)

VIVAN LOS PONCHOS!!!

[*cough*skinnyrabbit.com/projects/fall2003_poncho.php*cough]

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?

Circular needles, bay-bee. Addi's. Inox BAMBOOOOOOOOO.

20. How did you learn to knit?

I taught myself. Moi même. Yo solita. All by my lonesome. Just me, myself, a few knitting books and the internet. Yes, it is possible.

21. How old is your oldest UFO?

I think it's 2 years old. A teddy bear with 2 arms, two legs, a body and the beginnings of a head STILL on the needles. It's sitting at the bottom of my knitting bag in the hopes I'll finish it, already.

Date: Saturday, 6:45 p.m. Right before store closing time.

Place: PHILDAR.

Duration of shopping time, including chatting with ladies at shop: 15 minutes.

Booty obtained: Big ole mountain of Pegase yarn, so I can make jackets for two of my favorite guys.

Conclusion: I like me a good yarn expedition.

And I've also received some goodies from my knitting buds overseas that are too fabulous to not share with everyone:

1) Kathi sent over a surprise box filled with all kinds of wonderful things: An origami kit, biscuits, cookies, toys for the Captain, a tote, Sanrio goodies [!], candy, stitch markers, a sample of the beaded ring for the bucket hat knitalong prize, and a crochet magazine with a huge-eyed doll on the cover that I expressed a yearning for. My son and I were gobsmacked as we pulled everything out of the box! The Captain kept saying, "For me??? For me???" as I showed him what he got. Such a thoughtful gesture. Thank you, Kathi!

2) Donna sent over Australia's Knitting Magazine (I love seeing what knitters overseas are knitting!), and some Yowie's (chocolates with toys inside, like Kinder eggs) for the Captain! (There were three Yowie's, but the photo only shows two because the Captain attacked it before I could take a picture.) The next day he insisted on taking the toys - which turned out to be three Australian animals - to school to show off to his friends. And a few weeks ago, I received the sweetest postcard from her daughter Em, as a thank you for the prize yarn I sent her as a reward for her adorable dancing tutu shots. This surprise made our day. Thank you, Donna and Em!

3) I received some knitting treats in trade from Wendy and Ei: Wendy sent over the Debbie Bliss Alpaca book [wow, wow, wow at the designs; I've got two on my wishlist] with some post it notes that read "It's hard being a Goddess". [Hehe.] And Eilene sent over the Rowan Ribbon Twist Collection [wow, wow, wow at these designs, too...I've already picked a project to knit from here] and some Addi needles. Thanks, Wendy and Ei!

What an goodie-filled entry, eh? I think I should just title this entry "WOW!". So I did :-)