Thank you to all of the votes you cast for our 4th Quarter Challenge. We had more votes on this one than ever before, and we ended up with a tie for the Reader’s Choice Award. We will be giving out two Loopy Ewe Gift Certificates for the tie – one goes to Janine for her beautiful Midnight Swallowtail Shawl. This was done with a 150 g. skein of Hand Maiden Sea Silk. 
The other one goes to Jeannie for her gorgeous Order to Chaos shawl. This was done with Dream in Color Smooshy in the Black Parade colorway. A big congratulations to both of these gals for their beautiful work. We also award one gift certificate that is randomly drawn from all entries, so that everyone who participated has a chance to win. That gift certificate goes to Lynn, who knit up a this wonderful Multnomah out of Dream in Color Starry. Thank you to everyone who participated in this KAL. 
It was so fun, that we’ll definitely do another shawl KAL in the future again. In the meantime, there are a whole bunch of you who are participating in our Sweater Challenge/KAL for this quarter. We’re going to say that the finish date for this is July 1st. Why? Because someone I might need that extra time. Of course our Second Quarter Challenge will still start in April, so watch for that, too.
We also had our monthly blog contest last week, where I asked you about your sweater knitting habits (or lack thereof) and favorites. I wish you could’ve seen me making lists of all of the sweater patterns that you suggested, as I was reading all of the comments. I looked up SO many of them on Ravelry. You know, just to make sure I wasn’t missing anything that I needed to have on my list. (This could be part of the problem with making ONE decision. Too many great choices.) We randomly drew two names from the comments. Congratulations to Vicki in CT and Sharilyn in NY who will each be getting a skein of lovely Wollmeise for entering and winning.
Just up on the website (and there were so many things that went up this week): Alpaca With a Twist Baby Twist (new colors for us), Skacel Zauberball (those other two new colors I promised you from last week), Austermann Step (the yarn that has aloe vera and jojoba oil – 12 new colors), Knit Kits in black, Jojoland Melody, Lorna’s Laces Pearl (3 more new colors for us), Madelinetosh Sock, Fiber Optic, Cascade 220, Cascade Heritage, Cascade Eco Alpaca, Cascade Fixation, HiyaHiya needles and accessories, Namaste Monroe bags and wallets, and The Sanguine Gryphon Bugga. Whew! (Note – we pre-sold out of some of the colors of Monroe bags, but we’ll have more shortly. Let us know if you’d like an email when your color comes in.)
It’s always a relief on Mondays to get all of those beautiful things photographed and up for you to see. But come Tuesday, we’re back at it again, unpacking more new things to photo and work on for the next week. (Well that, and of course packing all of your orders to ship!) It’s a revolving door around here, but we like it that way. 🙂
For those of you who asked about the Alien Rock Photo in Friday’s blog (did you click on it to make it bigger?) – I just thought it was a good depiction of how I was feeling with all of the sweater/vest patterns I had to choose from. WH took that photo at a park near here. (Although it might have involved a bit of Photoshopping. You think?)
Sheri whoneedstofinishherSunshineSocks.
Wehavehadgrayfordaysanddaysonend……..
You are a bad bad person luring me into shopping with that enticing e-mail and blog! 😉
Of course I should be able to restrain my self but my reply to that is just “blah!” It’s all your fault I’ve got more yarn than I willknit in several years Sheri! Not that I’m complaining… my husband might be though *lol*
Seriously, I love shopping with you!
As I got out of the car after my trip to the dentist for the six month cleaning, big drops of rain started to fall. I came in the house and found the sneak up e-mail. I try to login and I see Loopy with his feet in the air. That always makes to feel like my heart jumps into my throat. Luckily, he seems to have had a very quick recovery so I could go gaze at the yarn and think what to add to my wishlist because I’m indecisive right now on colors.
Can’t wait to get my new Madeline Tosh in “Dusk” so I can make Wendy’s pretty new “Argus” shawl!
The Reader’s Choices–both lovely work!–surprised me, because I thought you had to use Wollmeise or lots of color to catch the voters’ attention. Congrats to all three winners!
When Loopy went over, I was looking at the skinny Bugga. Again to my surprise, it was still available when I could connect again. I guess that Bugga wasn’t entirely to blame: apparently you’ve just got us all trained to watch for the Monday update. 🙂
EEEK! I won! I was too nervous to even vote. Thank you Loopy Ewe for motivating me to knit lace again. I’ve been stuck on socks for a long time. And thank you to everyone that voted for my shawl.
I was thrilled to tie for Reader’s Choice! I loved looking at everyone’s shawls. Thanks to all who voted for Midnight Swallowtail – that was my second shawl and the first time I used the Seasilk – thanks to Sheri for carrying it. I have two more skeins and I am planning what I will knit with them!
All the shawls were so pretty. It was tough to pick just one to vote for. I’m happy for the winners. And those who didn’t win are still winners in my book. They have something beautiful to show for their time and efforts. Mine still needs to be blocked. But now that I have my blocking mats, it’s just a matter of time.
I love Monday updates. I look forward to them. It’s like a treasure hunt. With everyone who participates coming away with a prize. Sheri, you’re like the head pirate in charge.
I’m already storing away a few goodies for knitters’ gifts. So many cute things and so much pretty yarn.
The elves must be exhausted from all of that unpacking.
Hugs to all of you. And a huge THANK YOU.
Congrats to all the winners!
Congrats to the winners!! They’re all beautiful!
I assume if I were the Vicki in CT that won the random drawing I would have gotten an email? So I can assume it’s not me? Which would be a bummer!!
I have to tell you that my heart skipped a beat when I read the random drawing winner since I also knit a Multnomah, but it was some other lucky Loopy Groupie named Lynn. I’ll find solace in the fact that I managed to grab a couple of skeins of skinny Bugga in the sneak up! 🙂
I hope you’ll have more of the Monroe bags at the Spring Fling. I’m looking forward to seeing it in person. One might have to come home with me. It looks like a great bag.
Congrats to the winners! All of the shawls are so beautiful!
Beautiful shawls! Congratulations to the winners — they both deserve it!
I have to admit, I am showing a strong preference for the Order to Chaos Shawl for some reason . . . 😉
Could we please see a picture of the wallet open? Thanks.
I can’t wait until February vacation – I normally spend $75 a week in gas for my commute, and since I won’t be working that week, I’m spending that money on the Monroe bag (in peacock, of course. Or maybe pink. I can’t decide).
I also can’t wait to see what your sweater choice will be. Happy knitting!
I’m hoping to finish a few items this week so I can happily dig into my sweater knitting (or crocheting). I was lucky enough to go to a yarn shop last week that was having a huge sale on Calmer, so I have enough for a vest or a tank-style top. Yeah!
I think the alien rock would make a beautiful colorway….I could see it in a shawl, a sweater, and even socks! Get busy and find someone to do the colorway so we can have an “alien rock KAL”!!!
Would it be possible to pre-order an Eggplant Monroe? I saved some of my tax return money JUST for it! 🙂 I’m really excited about it, I’m not going to lie. 😉