We did get 8″ of snow this weekend! It was so pretty falling on Saturday. Knitting Daughter and WH were working, so College Guy and I went shopping in the snow. Still not done with Christmas shopping, but I’m getting closer. I also spent some time spinning and knitting. These Noro socks are really fun to knit. In fact, I was having so much fun watching for the next colorway to emerge that I probably made the cuff of these socks too long. 
Oh well. I am knitting these on size 0’s and getting 9 st. to the inch. I got 8 st. to the inch on 1’s, but it felt like the knit material was a little too loose. I like it done on the 0’s, better. This is color S185. We have lots in stock and more due in any day, so you ought to be in good shape for getting it here as soon as we get it put up for you! (Added later: Noro is up – go see!)
These RAKs have been so interesting to read. I find that I’m frequently saying, “Oh my gosh.” As in, “That’s a great idea!” or “What an amazing and giving person she/he is.” or “I need to be doing that, too.” And I have loved all of your blog comments, but also all of your emails as well. It has alao been fun to help many of you do some yarn-y type things anonymously. 🙂 I had one email last week and she wanted me to share this with you. I do agree with her that giving sacrificially is a really nice thing to do and kind of the “next step up” in RAKs. Read and see what I mean:
“Hi Sheri- have been thoroughly enjoying the RAK challenge on your blog- you’ve inspired me to sacrificial giving- and I’d like to put out a challenge to others- to do the same… RAKs can be big or small…. but what’s really changing me in practicing this– is by making them sacrificial… not just giving out of abundance- but giving as a sacrifice.
Recently a knitter on ravelry had his entire stash raided and stolen…. (long story). I knew I’d be sending out yarn.
First, I looked through my stash to see what I could spare— then I saw my gorgeous skein of Wollmeise. Wollmeise has to be a healing balm in any situation- don’t ya think? (Of course I bought it from The Loopy Ewe) I already pkged it up- It’s shipping to him in the morning.
I know- I know it’s just yarn- but I cannot tell you how good it feels to know he’ll be delighted- (oh man- I hope so) and that this little sacrifice might bring a little Christmas cheer into his life.) I’d love to anonymously challenge others to step up their RAKS to something that is a bit of a sacrifice…. and see how wonderful that feels!”
I know that many of you have already been doing RAKs that stretched you. Remember that giving sacrificially doesn’t have to involve money – it might also mean sacrificing some of your TIME to help someone else out. It’s a whole different level of feeling great about helping others, isn’t it? Keep up the great work! You all just inspire the heck out of me. Leave your comments today on the RAKs that you’ve worked on this past week. Again, on Wednesday, I’ll use the random number generator to pick a winner of this week’s Loopy Loot gift package. I know that’s not why you do RAKs, but it’s meant to encourage you to share your RAKs and ideas with all of us so that we can do them, too!
I’ve been doing some spinning, too. Not too much, because of the volume of knitting that needs to be done. But here is my latest and I love this colorway. I have a spinning area set up in the basement (actually, the very first Loopy Room space – I’ll have to photo it for you.) I’m hoping to do more spinning over the holidays, as I have a long way to go in order to get good! But I’m working on it. Are there any St. Louis spinners out there? I’m thinking of doing a monthly evening “Spin In” here at Loopy Central.
We’re ready for preliminary signups for Loopy’s Spring Fling Knitting Retreat! We’re leaving them open until Friday morning. We’ll get back to you by Friday of this week to confirm your spot. (Why not just take the first 60 signups? I didn’t want you to have to stay glued to the website and battle for a spot!) Your deposit isn’t due until January 15th, and we’ll send you a bill for that. Go check it out. We have Wendy and Cookie coming to teach classes, and lots more fun things planned. We can’t wait to have you here!
Sheri WebGuyisprintingpostage/addresslabelsforyourorderstoday.Nicetohavehimhere!
Last Friday, I gave a change to a woman so that she could feed the parking meter and still get her daughter to a ballet class on time. I was in DC where many of the local businesses do not provide change for parking meters…not that there were any businesses within a 100 meter radius of that fairly residential street.
i know this might not seem like a big deal or a big sacrifice to many, but here’s what i did this morning…
i took a bag of holiday peppermint flavored millstone coffee (which i love and hoard as far past the holiday season as i can possibly make it last) and brought it to work to share with my co-workers. everyone loves it and it feels good to share the cheer and holiday spirit that it seems to evoke. 🙂 if i can get my hands on another couple bags, i think i’ll bring another in. 🙂
We have an angel tree at work, which allows us to give presents to a local family who otherwise would not have any presents. This year, I chose an 8 month old girl, and her tag said to get a shirt in size 2t. Of course I went way overboard and got her a few outfits and a toy on top of the 2t shirt.
I also bought coffee for friends the other day. They didn’t expect me to, and were quite surprised when I paid the bill. But it was fun to see their faces when I told them it was taken care of.
I don’t think I did any RAKs last weekl. But I exhibited a huge amount of patience while waiting in the “blizzard is coming” grocery crowd. OMG, the people and lines were crazy!! Since I’ve been carless, I haven’t been in the public much this last couple of weeks. I rubbed DH’s head because he has inhaled some nasty fumes at work. He’s OK but was feeling out of sorts.
That handspun looks awfully purty! The colors seem to blaze right through the computer screen.
And I read that Cookie is coming to the Sping Fling! I just love her patterns and sense of design.
Having been a student for many years (too many to admit) I couldn’t always afford to give money to charity. Now that I have a “real” job, I’m giving to the local food panty where I live and the Ronald McDonald House in my hometown. I’ve been reminded so many times this season that I’m in a better situation, and I’m happy to be able to give some of that good fortune back.
Thanks for sharing that inspiring story re: RAK… I’ve had a hectic day at work and reading that and later, others RAKs bring peace and joy to my heart… : )
And, your Noro sock looks great! So does your latest spinning photo – great job!!
I signed up for the Loopy Retreat – it looks so wonderful! I need something fun to look foward to in the spring!
My RAK for the week was donating to a children’s fund that our office building is collecting for…not an original idea, but knowing that the children will be cared for and thought of during the holidays season always makes me feel good… : )
My Rak… or rather my family’s rak for the month is collecting canned goods and cereals for a local shelter. I am really working hard to instill in my children that helping others is very i mportant.
Your Noro sock is looking fabulous. I can’t wait to buy some.
Melissa
I am taking on work this week that is not exactly mine, to help out… It is good to help, but it is not always the most motivating work, so I feel like it is an act of kindness.
I paid for two of my coffees, but only took one — so that the next person who ordered the same (grande plain coffee at Starbucks) would get it for free.
I shoveled and snow-blew our 85-year-old neighbor’s driveway.
I shoveled and snow-blew our other neighbor’s driveway.
I did both of these twice, because the plow came through and un-did the good I did.
In the midst of a five-hour commute that usually takes 20 minutes (yes, it took me 15 times as long as usual to get home), I got out of my car and pushed another woman (in her car) out of a snowbank — and actually managed to motivate others sitting in traffic around me to join in and do the same.
In the midst of that same commute, I got out of my car and cleared off the windshields of the cars around me.
I think that’s all. I really appreciate this opportunity to look back over the week and remind myself that, even though I frequently feel very selfishly caught up in my own life and insanity, I actually manage to do a pretty OK job of keeping other people in mind, too.
I was reading a friend’s blog- she mentioned how much she loved ginger- and was reminising about a chocolate candy bar with ginger that her mother had bought her from a trip to Jamaca when she was in High School. I remembered that the Target by my house carried a candy bar with ginger. I got her one, and a squekie tennis ball for her dog, and put them in the mail with a card. She recieved them today, and although she’s not the biggest fan of dark chocolate (I knew she didn’t and apoligized in the card)- she LOVED it. It made me feel so good to know that I had brough a good moment in her day- a good Chocolate moment 🙂
I left change in the soda machine, some little one will be delighted, maybe not mom tho,LOL, I always dim my lights when I am stopped for a train, and I have noticed that others do it also when they see me do it. (I go to work in the dark and get home in the dark).
I would LOVE a monthly spin in! You do get a few odd looks when you’re out spinning with a spindle in public..
Hi Sheri – I did find myself engaging in a RAK last week. I did some extra driving to help out an overwhelmed friend get her child to a park event. (Although I followed it up by forgetting to pick up another friend’s son for basketball practice so I’m not sure if that erases the RAK.)
I tried to buy lunch for a street person at a local restaurant the other day. He was drinking a coffee and had his sign with him so I knew he was one of our local street people. It was really hard for me but I went over and asked if I could buy him some lunch. He replied no thank you, that he just needed money for his rent. I couldn’t help him with cash (had none, just debit card) but I felt really weird afterward. But then there was a notice in our local paper that the food bank didn’t have enough sponsers to do christmas for needy families. So we signed up to provide some toys and christmas dinner to a family that can use a little bit of extra help this time of year. I am really looking forward to doing their shopping this week!
I’m so glad you got snow. We really didn’t need/want any due to the ice storm earlier in the week, so was glad we only got about 1 inch. 🙂 Looking back, this past week was such a chaos…my contribution was more moral than anything, encouraging all my friends (and customers at my lys) through this mess, offering them something warm to drink and listening to their specific situations.
I’m in charge of our church Christmas ornament drive that raises money for our pre-school. We had our last ornament pickup on Sunday.
I had a number of ornaments that were not picked up, so I called everyone to let them know where their ornaments would be available to pick up at their convenience. The RAK part was hand delivering some of the ornaments to people I knew would not be able to pick them up before Christmas. I’ve been getting delighted calls all day.
We’ve had 19 inches of snow this past week–it’s not even winter yet! The other day I was walking home from the grocery store and saw a woman struggling with her shopping basket (the piles ofsnow along the curbs are huge). I took her basket and gave her my hand to help her across. She was surprised but very grateful.
In a very busy Target (pre-storm and full of shoppers), the cashier was pleasant and unflappable,and defiitely worthy of a mention to the manager!
I love reading the RAKs. Since I live in the city, we don’t have drive-through anythings–not even the banks have drive-throughs–and I don’t drink coffee, so I’m never at Starbuck’s. I’ve tried to be more courteous at the grocery store, though!
Wow…I had never thought about the RAK’s in terms of giving up some of my own yarn. Pay for someone else’s yarn I can imagine but I can’t even imagine what yarn I would give up out of my own stash. Kudos to the anonymous stash sacrificer 🙂
My RAK last week was yesterday. I baked 4 loaves of pumpkin bread. One for the neighbors across the street and next door and the other two loaves I brought into work. I think there is a half of one slice left. I think they enjoyed it 🙂
My other RAK was not maiming the man who decided to jump the entire nine-person line in the grocery store. He just sailed on up, apparently not realizing that we were standing in line waiting for the checker. The line was Not Pleased. I was next and I merely smiled and told him that the end of the line was the other way. He actually blinked and said, “Oh, I wondered what you guys were standing around for.” Hence, the level of restraint necessary to not maim him is actually a RAK.
Sigh.
I participated in a club Christmas Family drive. I shopped for 4 children and a father .I bought clothes for them. It was such I hoot. I have never bought the sizes that i looked for that day…it was a challenge and fun!
We got snow this weekend and took the kids sledding. There was a van stuck in the snow in the parking lot as we were leaving, and my husband got out to help push – after they got unstuck and on their way, we were next to get stuck, and someone else helped push us. I hope this wasn’t the start of a chain of people getting stuck and getting pushed! My husband also helped the neighbor’s shovel their driveway, then later that night they brought over some cookies. so nice! so, my husband’s been out there helping…I also had a chance for a RAK when a man accidentally knocked over a display of jars in the grocery store, I stopped and helped him pick them up.
Your spinning looks great! I love the colorways.
The loopy retreat sounds like so much fun, but I won’t be able to go this year, as I’m saving up for a house.
My workplace is having our Christmas party this week and we always do Secret Santa exchanges. I suggested to my boss that we do our part for the community and instead of buying something for our co-workers, we bring food and toys for the local food bank. She agreed and it was posted a flyer right away. A lot of people were miffed at me! I can’t believe it! I’m taking heat for trying to be charitable? Would they rather have a somewhat useless gift from someone they may not know very well or give the gift of a few meals to someone who is less fortunate? Well, I’ve bought a big bag of groceries to bring in and hopefully the RAK fever will set in!
OK- this doesn’t TECHNICALLY count for me- but for my family- we’ve been dumped with 12 inches of snow here- in Michigan… and my guys shoveled the neighbors- and then drove the blower over to my inlaws and cleared their walks;)
Personally- I heard about a crisis pregnancy center in our area looking for donations of baby goods. I’ve been holding onto my baby stuff. We can’t have any more children… but— you know this kind of makes it “official” (like it wasn’t already!- I’m absolutely, the queen of denial)
I cried a bit when I packed it all up…. but holding onto it for nostalgia when someone else NEEDS it.. just seems selfish…I kept the most precious memory packed things- but rest will be blessing mom’s in need for Christmas:) That feels great.
(besides- if God ever chooses to give us an opportunity to have another little one..(adoption… or miracle) …I trust He’ll remember to make sure we have what we need;) He always has.
I posted my RAK already, but I guess it was on Friday’s blog entry. So I will copy what I entered here:
RAK – Last week I received a ham at work from my boss’s insurance agent. It is a beautiful Maple Glazed/Honey Coated Ham. Unfortunately, we do not care for really sweet ham. DH sliced it on our electric slicer, I repackaged it in smaller portions using one of those vacuum sealer machines and we have given it to an elderly couple who lives near us. They have one meal a day delivered during the week so we thought this would be a nice supplement to their meals.
My friend was kind enough to invite me over for his parent’s early Christmas celebration. His mother cooked for almost 12 hours trying to get ready for the 23 guests that were scheduled to arrive for the feast. After everyone enjoyed their dinner I slipped into the kitchen and washed all of the dishes and tidied almost everything up before she caught me. She was thrilled that she wouldn’t have to spend two hours cleaning up after her guests after everyone left.
Here in the nation’s 2nd worst city for traffic, Seattle, I practiced RAK all day yesterday by letting cars in front me who were trying to enter the moving traffic lanes! In some cases, if there was a stop ahead or traffic was moving slow and it was apparent the line-up from a parking lot was long, I’d let 2 cars in! Yes, doesn’t seem like much but when folks are mired in mall Christmas traffic, I saw it brought a lot of smiles–perhaps not to the folks behind me but I figured it was a small thing. I also remembered to be pleasant to every single clerk who checked me out!!! And to thank you and told them to have a restful evening–Practicing a life filled with RAK is something we should all do, 365!
Love the hand spun. Great colors! And the sock is very cool!
The wee man in the snow looks like he wants to go to the Spring Fling to thaw out.
My husband and I went to a local nursery that is a tourist spot as much as a place to buy beautiful plants, pots, gifts and decorative items (Roger’s Gardens – don’t miss it if you are in SoCal!). As expected, the place was crowded with more lookers than buyers. We filled two carts and got in line. Up walks up a woman and her young son who is wearing his basketball uniform and no jacket. They have one thing so we let them go in front of us and start talking with the kid. He just lost his first game by two points and was cold and disappointed. My husband gave him a pep talk about sports, while the clerk is having trouble with the register. The woman kept apologizing and we kept reassuring her that it was no problem. Eventually it all works out and her transaction is completed. The clerk thanked us for our patience. He also told us that most people don’t buy plants at this time of year( we had “several” ahem). He was so happy to see plants and to have patient customers that he gave us 50% off an expensive plant! A RAK with instant feedback!
I also turned in an earring I found on the floor of a store, thanked a man who had been in the military for 20 years, opened doors., put carts in the parking lot cart keepers and let in cars.
We’ve had some temp workers at my job in the past few weeks. I’ve been trying to be super nice to them, because temps often get treated so badly!
The handspun looks lovely and you got snow! All we got was rain.
So this past week I donated my yearly coat to our local coat drive. And this morning while walking from the gym to work I helped a woman save a 20 dollar bill that was going to blow away. It was very windy and she dropped her money at the bagel cart. I saw the 20 dollar bill go flying and stepped on it as soon as it hit the ground so it wouldn’t fly into the street. Then I picked it up and handed it to her, she was pretty grateful, losing a 20 is not a good thing. This was actually good for me as I didn’t think about how cold I was for at least one full minute. Brrrrr……..
We finally got some snow too. It was bitter cold here this morning but is supposed to warm up through the week. Maybe the snow will stay a few days anyway.
Your sock looks wonderful
My Rak: I am knitting some of the fingerless mitts for my daughter to gift. She is giving them to her friends for Christmas and has waited a bit too long to start them. So I am helping her out with this even though I still have a great deal of my own Christmas knitting to do. Also donating food to the Love Chapel it is a food bank here and still knitting hats for the Giving Tree at my daughter’s school.
I think your spinning looks great! You learned quickly, i think you’re already good! Course I’m no expert, but…
My RAK involves a neighbor who had a baby last week. Adorable little boy, weighing just over 5 pounds. He won’t keep his little hands under the blanket but likes them by his face and was scratching himself. I whipped out some baby yarn and knit him a pair of soft fingerless mitties to cover his hands. His hats are way too big for him yet so I have a hat on the needles and that will be tonight’s knitting.
Hi Sheri,
Thanks so much for adding a little incentive for the RAKs! I’m really enjoying reading everyone’s entries, and have been getting some good ideas.
Here’s mine: I’m part of a co-op that buys meat wholesale for our dogs (on the BARF diet) and our monthly pickup is limited to a one hour window on a specific day (this Wed). I’m lucky to have a very flexible work schedule and volunteered to pick up a few cases for someone who has to work. I know that missing the pickup is a huge pain in the behind and am happy to help out… and luckily at this time of the year having about 300 lbs of frozen chicken sitting in my vehicle all day is not an issue 🙂
We have a neighbor who has 3 pit bulls chained in his backyard and they are neglected terribly at times. We often go over and feed and water them because he’s gone for days on end. The weather hasn’t been bad until this weekend, but we couldn’t stand the thought of them being in 19 degree wind-chill temps with no shelter. So, we bought a crate for the youngest dog and repaired the other 2 crates that they had knocked over, or couldn’t reach and we filled all 3 crates with pine straw so they could burrow into it to keep warm. And we fed and watered them. My husband was so ticked off about this ongoing situation that he had called this guy in the middle of the night but we didn’t get a return call until yesterday. Turns out, he’s in Missouri with the power company trying to restore power to the storm victims and the person he had asked to feed the dogs hadn’t… probably because he was out of food and she couldn’t afford to buy any… but maybe just because she “forgot.” We have 2 dogs and 8 cats ourselves, and cannot bear to see animals cold or hungry, so these dogs are our “ongoing RAK” for as long as they need us!
I’ve been home most of the week, and RAKs to my family are more a matter of survival during snowstorms…
But I did let the two people behind me at the grocery checkout go ahead (I had many things, they had few). I’ll be looking for more opportunities this week!
Last week at work there was a meeting about the health insurance change (again) and they were giving out tootbrushes as freebies. My department has about 15 people so they gave me a ziploc bag of them. When I took them back to the department, I said ‘I have your insurance packets and a freebie toothbrush, or we can donat the toothbrushes to the homeless shelter.’ Everyone agreed, so after work I stopped at the shelter with them. I guess that’s a ‘we’ RAK, not an “I” RAK.
I would SOOOOO love to go to the Loopy retreat. But I won’t be able to this coming year. Maybe next time.
My RAKs were small. 🙂 Letting someone merge early, letting someone cross the street even though I had the right of way, bringing cookies to work (Choc. Mint Moose, of course), and I too sent some yarn to the poor man who had his stash stolen. Funny huh? 🙂
Even since you brought up the challenge, I’ve been looking for ways to just doing something nice for someone else! I surprised myself last week… someone on ravelry was looking for an out-of-print Knitscene to make the Central Park Hoodie. I said I saw one at my LYS. She asked if I can give her the contact info and or if I’d pick it up for her and she’ll trade yarn for it. I picked it up for her and told her I’m sending it to her as her Christmas gift. Before you brought up the challenge, I don’t know if I would ever have done such a thing. You should be proud of yourself of the difference you have made in so many people’s lives in the last few weeks – for the people who RAKed, and who have received.
I had a RAK very close to home this week. In anticipation of the first storm(of two) to hit the northeast this week. I gifted my mailman a bag of lindt chocolates, on a day he had to slip around in a pretty good storm( commuters in the area made national news because quick trips turned into 5 hour feats of endurance).
I was not sure i could keep a cup of hot chocolate warm on the porch for his arrival, so i thought the bag of lindt’s might do the trick.
I received a handwritten thank you MAILED to me the next day. I thought that was very cute!
Today was out going to the grocery store when I noticed a “little lady” trying to get her husband’s attention to open the trunk so she could put the groceries in. Well they were probably in their 80’s & he didn’t hear her. So I said I’ll help you put them in your trunk. He slowly got out with the key to open the trunk & I put their groceries in. They were both so cute!! It’s just raining here but snowing up the mountain. Get your shopping done & have fun with your family. Merry Christmas!
My RAK was a little foolish and/or dangerous for me to do in retrospect. I was pulling out of my driveway this morning and was flagged down by a guy who had been walking down my street. He asked for me to give him a ride to the end of our street(which meets a major street) so he could catch a bus to the doctor’s. It was unsafe of me to agree to it, being an unarmed tiny female and all. But he was sick, it was freezing/snowy, and it’s about a 1/2 mile to his destination. I couldn’t say no!
A friend recently had foot surgery and was on crutches. I helped her with getting packages out of her car and a couple of other things that she needed to do. Again, not so random, but acts of kindness nonetheless.
I am subbing in a lower socioeconomic school. Twice a month they have this program called Pickles and Popcorn and they sell them for 50 cents. There were 4 kids who were having a particularly rough time outside of school (family issues) and never get to participate for financial reasons. So, I anonymously contacted their teachers and paid for them to have a special treat. Totally made my day!
Since I’m somewhat “married” to my chair these days, RAK’s are somewhat difficult to come by, but I think I have two things that may qualify:
1. Gave a knitting lesson Friday to the mother of one of my students. Her husband has recently been retired from a military career, so they are new to our community. I think it was the company as much as the sock knitting lesson that she needed and wanted. I count it as a RAK because I really needed that three hours for my own Christmas knitting.
2. Spent an hour a week for the past three weeks, reading Jay McGraw’s book, Life Strategies for Teens with a 9th grade boy, who’s really struggling with adolescence.
Again…it was just time…and perhaps a bit of wisdom that has come through raising five teens of my own.
I’m finishing up my Christmas gift socks…almost regretting doing the diagonal ribbing pattern as it seems to be taking forever on the last sock!!! But it’s a beautiful yarn, so guess that’s the redeeming value. And, of course, purchased at The Loopy Ewe.
Joan
My RAK gave me a sore back and arms and….. I shovelled, picked and cleared my elderly neighbor’s icy driveway and walkway yesterday and this afternoon.. My husband was doing ours and I was doing hers. I felt good. She was so happy. I made cookies today to bring to her tomorrow.
🙂
My husband is working long hard hours on getting his charity website off the ground, on top of his regular 40 hour week and all that he does to be a great dad and husband. Needless to say, he’s been a bit stressed, so I cleaned his home office and organized his desk for him as a surprise. He was so happy, after he saw it he had a smile on his face for the rest of the evening!
I sent some boxes of tea to coworkers (anonymously) as a pick-me-up.
Sheri, I love the Noro sock! Thanks for showing it. It’s the first one I’ve seen online (and I’ve been looking). I wonder how much it will bloom after soaking? Hmmmm…
On Saturday (in between storms) the kids and I headed to the library. The entire lot and side street is metered, so I always make sure to have change. Right before I drove off, I fed my meter to the max, along with the couple in front and behind me. No one should have to rush out of the library!
Yesterday while shoveling out my car from the latest snow, one of the neighbors that live up the street came down and snowblowed the side of my vehicle out. Yay for neighbors!
I love your handspun yarn. The colors are beautiful. The only thing I was able
to do this week was check on a neighbor who had surgery and wasn’t doing well.
Since, I’m ill myself, there is not a lot I can do for her. I just check to make sure
she is o.k. and if she needs help, I will get it for her. I wish I could go to the
retreat. My daughter-in-law is bringing most of the food for Christmas and I am
going to knit her a pair of socks. Is that a RAK?