stitch marker: to make a long story relatively short and see if you want to knit a meathead hat (again?)

November 06, 2006

to make a long story relatively short and see if you want to knit a meathead hat (again?)

SIGN-UPS FOR THE MEATHEAD KNITALONG ARE NOW CLOSED. THANKS EVERYONE!

A long time ago I experienced my first knitalong.

Then I hosted one myself that changed my life. And brought me new friends, including my bestest Sarah.

Now I'm writing a book about knitting together. The book I've been mentioning here is in fact on this very subject, and it's in the works on a very short timeline for a very big fancy publisher who is going to make it pretty and lovely. Our editor is the ne plus ultra of knitting book editors, and she is making this book shine. And she and I both want there to be real knitalongs in the book. So that the glamour shots of several of the 20+ projects are real variations on the written patterns, as knit by...

well...

you.

I had a few takers when I vaguely mentioned book knitting a few posts ago. But now I'm really ready to ask you to do something. And it is this. A wearable meathead hat knitalong.

There will be other knitalongs on a few more book patterns, each with different parameters. But this pattern is dear to me, though simple, and so it is first. And this is how this knitalong is shaping up to go.

Basically, if you sign up for this knitalong you will receive the pattern and will act as one of many test knitters on the project.

But you'll be asked to embellish the hat in your own way, in the place of the cattle tags I use (as in the photo above). You might crochet a flower, attach a plastic bird, a giant pom pom, a tiny pair of wings or gathering of delicious vintage buttons. Bring it on, knitters. After we all knit up these hats together and share snapshots of our results, then I'll ask several of you (maybe not all) to actually send the hats to me and Martin for selection for the book. We'll choose anywhere from 9 to 18 to be photographed for publication. Once it's all finished, your hats will come back to you for you to keep, imbued with the glamour of having traveled to Portland and New York to be lovingly, professionally photographed.

The pattern takes just 1 skein of Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky in any color (or a handspun yarn of compatible weight and yardage), and knits up in about an hour and a half. This knitalong is likely a quick one, not one of those that is about supporting each other through an intensely challenging pattern. But it should be lots of fun because of all the possibilities for these chubby yet elfin hats.

This knitalong means a lot to me, because of the story I linked to above. Because this hat pattern reminds me of the incredible generosity of virtual friends who are ready and happy to respond even when it seems like every time I turn around these days I'm asking you to knit or sew or do something for me. And you come through every time. I would love to see what you do with this simple pattern and the million different variations that are possible because we all are such different knitters, and creative souls. And I'd love to have you, my friends, in my book with me.

Because, literally, that's what it's all about.

So does anyone have a skein of Lamb's Pride Bulky itching to shine?

Fine print:
It's likely that not every hat will make it into the book, so please knitalong for fun as well as glory. I will make every effort to thank every knitalonger in the book, even if your work is not pictured. Let me know if you're in, and I'll send you the pattern via email. You will need to finish the hat by the end of November (negotiable) and upload a picture of it to flickr.com. We'll ask those of you whose hats we are able to include to sign some kind of (very friendly, nonthreatening) agreement, and we will do all we can to provide you with postage $$ at the very least, if not some other kind of compensation. Since the book is about knitting along, the number of people participating may become huge and very expensive, but Martin & I will do all we can to express our deep appreciation.

November 06, 2006 in knitalongs, knitting: hats | Permalink

Comments

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I'm in! I think I have just the right amount of homespun, if you're certain that's okay!

Posted by: Janine | November 06, 2006 at 15:00

How fun! I would love to, so count me in!

Posted by: Taunia | November 06, 2006 at 15:07

I would love to be a part of this. End of November is a perfect deadline for me, as my whole world of overwork and anxiety will come to a temporary end on the 20th, and helping out with your art project will be a welcome break from my own.

Posted by: jodi | November 06, 2006 at 15:09

I would love to participate if that's ok!

Posted by: liane | November 06, 2006 at 15:10

i knit a meathead in the last go-round and would be very happy to do it again!

Posted by: katie e. | November 06, 2006 at 15:32

This sounds great! I can't wait to get started... thanks for letting us play with you on such an exciting venture!

How was the auction/fundraiser?

Posted by: Natalie | November 06, 2006 at 15:55

What a great idea! I'm in - and I can't wait to get started!

Posted by: Jenn | November 06, 2006 at 16:23

You know I'm in. I have a lot of knitting deadlines, though, so if you could turn around the pattern asap it would really, really help!

Posted by: Julia | November 06, 2006 at 17:46

If you need another person, I'll be happy to do it!

Posted by: Sandy | November 06, 2006 at 17:53

I'm in, Larissa! I have some lovely dove gray LP Bulky just begging to be a glorified meathead.

Posted by: katie | November 06, 2006 at 18:20

I'd love to. I have some Lambs Pride Bulky and some heads that could use some hats.

Posted by: Mama Urchin | November 06, 2006 at 18:21

Hi Larissa;

I was in the last meathead knitalong, and I would be happy to help out! And, although I don't have any lambpride laying around, I know where to find some! Count me in.

Posted by: Jess | November 06, 2006 at 18:30

I would love to participate. I already have the Lamb's Pride in a center-pull ball eagerly awaiting its destiny.

Posted by: karrie | November 06, 2006 at 18:41

Count me in! Sounds like fun.

Posted by: beth | November 06, 2006 at 18:51

Hey, I DO happen to have one skein of brown lambs pride! WAIT- it isn't bulky...

Well, I could always make a trip to the Yarn Store....

I'm in if you want.

Posted by: krista | November 06, 2006 at 19:54