It’s funny how a little thing can make your day, huh?

Heather of HeatherKnits and Hege of Pine Cone Lodge both nominated me as a Rockin’ Girl Blogger
Man, it’s just a little pink button, right? But here I am, getting all silly and smiley over the darn thing! Heather’s totally right, it’s a matter of time before it makes it’s way around the knit-blog-o-sphere, but it made me smile nontheless! And it is so fun to see what blogs other people enjoy - just when you think you have found them all!
I guess the reason that it tickles me so much is that I did not anticipate how rewarding this ambiguous sort of relationship with my blog, the interwebs and the knit community would be. I didn’t really think too much about “readers” when I started blogging. I was doing it really for myself, to document my projects and fiber exploits; and because I’ve always enjoyed writing, it seemed like it might be fun. I didn’t have plans to keep up with it very regularly, or really any specific plans for it at all.
Somehow, it became this thing that I look forward to doing. I look forward to writing. I look forward to time spent reading other blogs - learning from and admiring other people’s projects. I look forward to hearing from other knitters in the comments and via email. I subscribe to a ton of blogs, some I read quite regularly, some only once in awhile and all of which I enjoy immensely; but I never considered that there might be a few people who would subscribe to & read my blog too, and that’s so fun.
I’ve met some amazing people, and that’s really just the coolest thing. Because I blog, there are a lot of GREAT people I’ve come in contact with that I would never have had the opportunity to meet in my daily life. I have had so much helpful support and advice on my projects and first design, some incredibly generous folks that I don’t even know have donated to my 3Day walk, and I’ve learned a ton - not just about knitting, either - I even learned why all those damn cucumber flowers weren’t making any fruit! All things that wouldn’t be possible without this little corner of the internets. Very cool. Way cooler than I ever thought having a blog could be.
Anyway, back at you Heather (truly, she is one Rockin’ Girl Blogger - Check her out. Master sock knitter extraodinaire, Spinner, World Traveler, All around cool chick) And Hege (Who is so incredibly kind, helpful and talented - have you seen her colorwork? Really, she’s amazing, and I so enjoy corresponding with her. Rock On Hege - you can totally say it!!)
And here are 5 other people that are Rockin’ Girl Bloggers in my book (actually folks, it’s really hard to pick just 5 - there are so many great ones out there, just check out my blogroll to the left. Believe me, with enough hours in the day you could multiply that number forever & ever. These are just 5 that I really enjoy and have gotten to know just a bit)
- Dawn - I think she’s my long lost sister or something. She’s an amazing spinner, she’s doing swatches for Melissa Leapman, and has had an essay published in a book by Annie Modesitt (which really, I need to get my hands on & read already!!)
- Ruth - Because without her, I wouldn’t have joined the design workshop and all the fun things that have followed. She’s a great knitter and a great writer. You need to read the adventures of Florence if you haven’t already.
- Mel of Remarkable Cow - Because she was my wonderful SP at one point (truly wonderful!), and is just an all-around really sweet person.
(Who knew there were so many knitters named Mel! Mel, meet Mel - I think you are both in the same state too!)
- Jacque - Because she doesn’t know me, but she took a chunk of time out to help me out and give me some good advice from her experience. And she’s got some great designs! She rocks! Ooops - she’s already taken.
So here’s yet another!
- Susan - Because she is just terribly friendly and fun, a wealth of knowledge on plants, and a great knitter!
Seriously, there are SO many great girl bloggers out there - again, check out the blogroll for more! Well, that was fun
And, by the way, Some pics of practice with the handspun!



Click for big! I’ve been swatching a bit with my handspun - I’m thinking a little airy shoulder wrap… Brioche stitch in the round with paired left-slanting decreases and increases. It creates a nice curved hem, which for some strange reason I didn’t anticipate - but really like. In fact, I was about ready to ditch this until I took it outside and started playing with it. Now I think it may have some potential… Reversible, a little extra warmth in the AC…. hmmmm. What do you think?