Llama to the rescue
Monday July 09th 2007, 12:53 pm
Filed under: Life

Recently, the hard disk on my six-month-old computer crashed and told us all to go to Dell. Today it’s the new flat-screen monitor. I am writing from one that I cannot post pictures from, but hopefully that will (again) get fixed quickly.

I was not happy. Oh well, there was housekeeping to do anyway. Fi fie fo fun.

I’ve mentioned before that I like to have little handknit fingerpuppets, made in Peru by a women’s cooperative to put food on their tables, to give to unhappy little kids to make life easier on their moms as well as them–grocery store lines, waiting rooms, church, you name it. They’re adorable, they’re quite inexpensive, and it’s so easy to turn the day around and make people smile with them.

My daughter said she was going to make a run to the drycleaners, did I have anything to send? Sure, and I picked up my husband’s suit and started checking the pockets.

And found a little wool llama with a cheerful multicolor dash of yarn decorating the back of its head and a matching saddlebag-type decoration, just ready to slip on one’s finger to wave hello cheerfully. I did not expect that. He’d wanted to have one ready, too. It completely made my day. Wow, I love that man!


12 Comments so far
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Aww, you have rubbed off on him. It is really wonderful to see that they do pay attention and listen to us.

Comment by Sonya 07.09.07 @ 1:07 pm

What a cool guy. I always like it when someone tries to help keep my little guy happy when he is having a “moment”…

Comment by Amanda 07.09.07 @ 2:01 pm

Sounds like you are lucky to have such a great hubby. Could you please tell me where you order the puppets from? This is probably redundant but I’d like to help in some way too.

Comment by hyjinx 07.09.07 @ 3:18 pm

Oh, how lovely. Where do you get them? It sounds like a good idea……

Comment by Carol 07.09.07 @ 6:00 pm

How sweet. 🙂

Comment by Romi 07.10.07 @ 6:17 am

My kids have a few of those finger puppets that a vendor gave them at Flock and Fiber last year. They’re fun little things, aren’t they?

Those bugbands sound too good to be true. Let me know if they work out — I hate smearing my little guys with bug repellent if I can avoid it.

Comment by Michelle 07.10.07 @ 9:21 am

Awwww! Hooray to you and hubbby!
While I was at camp, I had brought some scraps of yarn to make “little people” for some of the little kids there. I made a total of 8 throughout the week, and it was so fun to see the delight in their eyes (and Mom’s) when they had a tiny new toy to play with! I hope to make more soon (for stash reduction purposes) and keep them on hand to “pull and Alison” when I am out and about!

Comment by Pam Sykes 07.10.07 @ 9:34 am

Awwww! Hooray to you and hubbby!
While I was at camp, I had brought some scraps of yarn to make “little people” for some of the little kids there. I made a total of 8 throughout the week, and it was so fun to see the delight in their eyes (and Mom’s) when they had a tiny new toy to play with! I hope to make more soon (for stash reduction purposes) and keep them on hand to “pull an Alison” when I am out and about!

Comment by Pam Sykes 07.10.07 @ 9:35 am

oops, twice, SORRY!

Comment by Pam Sykes 07.10.07 @ 9:35 am

It sounds like you two are perfect for each other. You both have big hearts. 🙂

Comment by Lisa 07.10.07 @ 1:49 pm

Hello Alison,

Yes, I did talk about your book on my podcast last week. I have started a knit-a-long to go through Elizabeth’s Zimmermann’s Knitter’s Almanac and we have begun with July – the Pi Shawl. I talked about your book as being in the spirit of EZ.

Here is the text of the review.
With a nod towards this month’s knit-along, a Pi Shawl from Knitters Almanac, I would like to introduce you to a shawl knitting book that is a wonderful complement to Elizabeth Zimmermann’s. Wrapped In Style by Alison Jeppson Hyde is a collection of 33 shawls and 4 scarves. This book reminds me of Charlene Schurch’s sock books in that it showcases how versatile a humble shape, like a sock or circular shawl can be. All of the shawls in Alison’s book are made using the same top-down construction. This base serves as a blank canvas for a lovely variety of lace patterns. The shawls are knitted back and forth but are shaped to form a circle that drapes beautifully over the shoulders when worn. The shaping is done with regular increases like a traditional Pi Shawl. Basically, a circular version of the Pi Are Square shawl rather than being horseshoe shaped. The shaping is done with regular increases like a traditional Pi Shawl.

The presentation of the shawls is particularly appealing. Each one is shown draped over the shoulders of a model and also spread out flat so you can see the pattern clearly. Instructions for each project include a chart and written directions.

I was surprised and thrilled to see that Alison explains how to knit a gauge swatch for a lace pattern. The common held belief has always been that since it’s a shawl, rather than a fitted garment, you don’t need to worry about gauge. The reality is that some knitters who tend to knit tightly would benefit from a swatch to be sure they choose a needle size that will give them the flowing fabric so necessary for the elegant look of a shawl.

My favorite part of Alison’s book is that she has a lovely inspirational story behind the designing and knitting of each shawl and scarf which were all given away. Her generosity of spirit helped me remember what a joy it is to share my knitting gift with friends and family.

Take care,
Kelley

Comment by Kelley Petkun 07.10.07 @ 4:43 pm

Thank you, Kelley! As a hearing-impaired person, I can’t tell you what a treat it is to have you share the transcript with me; thank you! And thank you for the kind words on my “Wrapped in Comfort” book. Very much appreciated.

Comment by AlisonH 07.10.07 @ 7:06 pm



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