a plea for knitters

Ok, this is one big ass ball of yarn.

Or I should say ball of roving. Shown with a jar of 14" long knitting needles for scale. It is here in my living room because I have a problemchallenge. I'm hoping some of you will join me in meeting this challenge, in return for some small prizes and a ton of goodwill and gratitude.

This is the deal. I have an art installation that goes up at the gallery on October 3rd, for which I need to knit 100 hats out of this here roving. That's right, 100 hats. I use the terms "hat" and "knit" loosely, since these hats will require very little of the time, skill, or commitment that knitting usually entails; the roving is about 1.5 inches in diameter and the needles to be used are US size 19.

Can you see where I'm heading?

I came up with this idea too late to knit them all myself, lest I seriously damage my body and mind.

I'm sending out a plea for knitters who will commit to making a hat or 2 or 3 or more in the next four weeks.

How it will work. By next week, I will send out materials and a pattern to anyone who signs up. I will need to get finished hats back by September 20. They should take less than 2 hours to make, perhaps WAY less (I'm making the prototype tomorrow and will know more then; the hats will be knit at a tremendously big gauge, bigger than the hat shown in the button to the right).

What do you get in return, besides gratitude?

* Recognition at the show and on my website - all knitters will be listed and thanked!
* Chances at winning prizes - knitting & food related!
* The option to have one of the hats sent back to you to keep after the installation ends in November.
(They will all get cattle tags applied to them and become part of an installation that I'm tentatively calling "Conference." The piece of art you get back will include a cattle tag and will be a numbered piece of this variable edition).

Please comment below or email me at knitme9 (at) larissabrown (dot) net to let me know if you're willing and able. In your comment or email, please let me know if you want to make one hat or more so I know how much roving to send. I will be forever in your debt if you make one, but even more so if you make more than one.

I've got 3 knitters signed up for this Great Meathead KnitUp, and I'm making a button you can steal and a list of participants.

If anyone wants more info on my art, you can look here or listen here.

Thanks for your consideration. I love you, man. :-)

Comments

[cari]

How can I say no to a plea like this? Sure, count me in for one. I'd do more but I'm getting married on the 18th and suspect one is all I'll have time for.

[kate]

I'd make one if you don't mind shipping internationally.

[kathi]

count me in, too!

[jillz]

Woo, participant art. Sign me up for 2 hats then if they are quick & easy (if you don't mind sending internationally like kate said)!

[shobhana]

i'll knit one!

[amy [squib]]

I suppose the roving is wool, eh?
bugger. sorry. i would have!

[Adrian]

Count me in. I'll do , say, 3? *goes in search of size 19 needles*

[rebecca]

I can do a hat.

[kristin]

I'll do two hats!

[Laurel]

I'll do 2 hats!

[robyn]

I can do 2.

[Vicki]

I can do at least 2.

[becca jo]

Uh, Yah I can do two!
are you spinnin' that into something or are we going to knit roving?

[mitsi]

i can do one maybe two if you can post to england??

[thuy]

count me in for 2. :)

[Sharon]

I'd be happy to make one or two, as needed.

[Shetha]

Local knitter signs up for 2 hats -- do they make circulars and dpns in 19s??? I don't think I've seen any. I was afraid you were going to ask us to spin it and then knit. I can spin but I think it would take me 3-4 yrs to spin enough to make a hat! Cotnact me and let me know when'where to pick up the goods... if you need my help at all :-)

[Jaime]

I can do 3 hats and might also be able to pick up the materials from you.

[danielle]

i would love to give one or two a try.

[Nicole]

I can do two, if you want to ship to Australia.

[Megan]

I'll make one or two. This sounds fun.

[Christiane]

Put me down for 1 or 2.

[shobhana]

ack! just found out i'll be away the first week in september. sorry, but i will have to miss out on the fun!

[Juno]

Sure I'll make a hat or so. How could one turn down the opportunity to make a giant roving cattle tag art hat? Really.
It is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

[Eklectika]

Put me down for one - email me for my addy...