Friday, June 12, 2009

I think this calls for a celebration...

I revel in my job as a yarn enabler. I consider it my highest duty, really. A few days ago the new Valley Yarns catalog arrived on my doorstep. Or, rather, in my mail box. Valley Yarns is Webs' own line of "quality yarns at affordable prices". I have not been shy about relating my love of their yarns here and on Ravelry. Because I am not at Webs all the time I miss out on hearing some newsy bits. As a result I was happily surprised to discover that Webs is now offering new "grab bags" - not just their close-out grab bags, but a new idea where a knitter can buy a selection of one skein each of various Valley Yarns in their preferred color family. It's an excellent way to try out new yarns. This excited me. I personally remember grab bags as a kid and always delighted in them. It was just pure fun; opening the bag and poking around inside, seeing what I'd gotten for my investment. With these yarn grab bags you just can't go wrong. One skein of these yarns will, as a rule, generally be enough to knit at least a hat. The tons of patterns and books available for "One-Skein Wonders" abound. It's pretty easy to find something to make while you acquaint yourself with the yarn.

But then Kathy sprung this one on me. Webs' volume discounts will now apply to books as well as regularly priced yarn! Let's say you order yarn and books totaling $60. You'd get 20% off of your total order. Order $120, and get 25% off your order. Add in the ease of on-line ordering and getting all your items together - books and yarn (and, if you need them, needles and notions too - although these don't count toward your discount amount, why not go in for one-stop shopping?) all in the same package!

This announcement made me feel a little flush with yarny joy. Overcome, I made a decision to do another give-away! I will give away one skein of sock yarn (enough for a full pair of socks) and one signed (and personalized if you so desire!) copy of that book of mine to four random commenters on this blog. This contest will end, and names will be drawn on Saturday June 20th. All comments made through midnight of Friday June 19 will be entered in this give-away. One comment per person please! Duplicate comments will be disqualified.

And now, because I am flush with the new life around here, including my own (but more on that later), I give you food for your weekend: Chick-A-Bees!






This one is my favorite, I must say. After bugging us for 9 years (NINE, the poor deprived child) Girl is now a beekeeper, and has the sting on her neck to prove it.
I think a celebration is really required. Share in it with me and leave your comment by midnight on Friday June 19th!

98 comments:

Bogie said...

Thanks for the heads up on the WEBS discount. It's great news and definitely cause for celebration. Yay!

Cheryl (cheryl.perry@gmail.com) said...

What a cool kid you have that wants to be a bee keeper!

The chicks are so cute. Too bad chickens aren't as cute. But they are yummy!

And I love contests and books!! Not to mention sock yarn!!! :))

jmx2_us@yahoo.com said...

What a fascinating road to take, beekeeper. Such a honey of a job! The chicks are sweet and so cute, hopefully, many will become layers and will life a long and happy life.

I am currently addicted to socks, 2aat, and think your contest is exciting. On Ravelry, I'm know as Iknit4joy, my e-mail addy is jmx2_us@yahoo.com

I just noticed the 'word verification' below (eledn) and I almost typed elephant...hehehe

Judy

alcatmom said...

Growing up we had a neighbor who kept bees and he would let us watch while he worked. He also liked to tell us tall tales and we loved hanging out over there. There is nothing in the world like comb honey! YUM!

Kristi said...

Bees and chicks and contests, oh my!

Awesome news from WEBS - I have been good and resisting, but may stop in when I am in town in a couple weeks. I haven't added to my stash in forever!

Anonymous said...

I love your 2AAT book. I've been making socks for everyone in my family and my niece wants to learn. I think I have a "Knitter in the making". I would love to give her a copy of your book and show her how to use it. You are awesome! I really enjoy reading the thread on Ravelry about your book. Thanks so much for making my life easier!! NO MORE SSS!!!
wyvon54 (wyvon54@yahoo.com

ccr in MA said...

Ooh, yarn! Sock yarn! Temptation!

Nice chicks!

GerryART said...

Bought your book a year ago and have been knitting 2-a-a-t ever since. I feel sorry for those who knit sox one at a time. I spread the good word about your book and magicloop method.
Am looking forward to the new book.

Jessie said...

ooooooohhh ... a contest! I was just in Webs today lusting over sock yarn - and wondering when I would take the leap and try my first pair.

Deb said...

I love the chick pix! My father kept bees for many years, until a year or so before his death. I miss the honey he collected, and the smell of his honey house.

I love socks and yarn too!

Anonymous said...

Wow! Sock yarn AND a book!! Count me in!! I just ordered your Nichole Beaded Sock Pattern today...haven't decided the yarn/bead combo yet.
pvb

ps
Love the chickies!!

pvbyt@yahoo.com

lizzzknits said...

I already have your book and have adapted several pairs of socks, but I certainly could use the yarn, and could gift the signed book.......or give away the unsigned one!

This really changes the concept of cute chicks!

Jules J said...

Count me in for the give away!! <3 the pictures of the cluck-nuggets and the busy bees. I was so glad to talk to Meg about them. Sounds like a lot of fun. I hope they do really well.

This is kinda unrelated.. but I need suggestions for where to get good needle felting fleece. ^_^

pamM said...

Love those chicks! I thought our city was going to allow chickens but they changed their minds...So I guess I wil be stuck knitting socks 2 at a time rather than raising layers!(I can always use books and yarn)
gorillakeeper over at rav

Diane said...

Socks, next on my list to learn. Thanks for the inspiration!!

Kira said...

Love the new book discount at Webs! The chicks are adorable. My husband is jealous of your daughter--he has always wanted to have bees but alas, is allergic.

Kristine Kat said...

Thanks for letting us know about the book discounts. I've ordered yarn from Webs before and now I have another reason to shop there. It's so easy geetin over $60 in the basket!
kkat

PurlingPirate said...

Bees?!?! Seriously?!?! What will she do with them? Honey? Balm? I think it's fascinating and want to hear more about beekeeping!!

Not that baby chicks aren't cute too!

Bridget Smith said...

I've always thought that beekeeping sounded interesting. And then I am reminded that I am very, very afraid of bees. Oh yeah, that might stop me from pursuing that hobby. ;o)

(Flew in from Ravelry, where my user name is BridgetLeigh.)

Tricia said...

Wow, those chicks are so cute!

Elizzabetty said...

Those chicks are just too damn cute!

dockstdr said...

Love making socks 2aat - it just makes sense. I, too, have a daughter who has started beekeeping and has chicks and pygmy goats along with her horses and dogs.

Anonymous said...

The chicks bring back memories. We ordered some one time and they were delivered by the post office. The rural delivery guy who was our mailman for years sure was glad to get to our house that day. The chicks kept peeping all the way.
I would love to win a signed and personalized book. I do have one already, but would be more than glad to donate the one I have now to someone who does not have one. Also love getting sock yarn. I don't have enough now LOL!
I am deliknitter on Ravelry and my email is wj61830@aol.com or wj61830@peoplepc.com

pegmac said...

wonderful love more sock yarn. can't wait for the new book.

pegmac said...

l Love 2AAT book but would really love a personalized book. And sock yarn we all need more sock yarn right? pegmac on Rav

Anonymous said...

Those chicks are sooo cute. I will have to try Valley Yarn's sometime.....especially their sock yarn!!!

Wendy (scwendy) said...

My goodness those little chicks are so cute!! I had to scroll back up twice, because my 4 year old wanted to see them again:)

We have a place closeby called Bee City and I am always nitrigued with how drawn to honey bees children are. It seems that once a person really gets bitten by the bee bug, it is often a life-long passion.

craftymomofjandb said...

I have to say, I was a skeptical sock knitter until I tried 2AAT (unreasonable fear of dpns) but now I'm pushing your book on book browsers at stores, my fellow snber's and anyone else who will listen. Is it an overstatement to say that your book changed my life...I don't think so :)

I'm now a happy and fearless 2AAT sock knitter thanks to this oh-so-groovy technique and I look forward to 'mastering' it so that I can version other patterns to go 2AAT. Thanks so much!! I haven't friended you yet on Ravelry, but I will soon. I'm craftymomofjandb. Look forward to seeing you on the Rav!

Debbie said...

I received the WEBS catalog too and thought I was the only one excited about the new discounts on books, apparently I was wrong. Love the little chickees!!!

Anonymous said...

I am terribly impressed by your daughter becoming a beekeeper. Does her interest stem from the depleted bee population?
Anyways I love knitting two socks at a time, unfortunately have never seen your book other than on the internet, but have often heard very good things about it. But I have looked for it locally, but they can't seem to keep it in stock.
I am known as canadianknitter on rav. email is rosie1800@gmail.com

Jennifer S said...

Aww. Those baby chickens are such a nice addition to my day. :)

You're right. Grab bags are too fun. I think we ought to have more things come in grab bags. Maybe baby chickens? :)

><

Nancy N said...

Oooh, discount news AND a contest! And a chance to suck up ... I just got your book out from the library and it has really got my wheels turning, but it's due next week... it's a great book. Your chicks are adorable ... the bees... ummm... husband's whole family has a pathological fear of bees. Best from a pictoral distance. :-) (n2n on Rav)

Anonymous said...

My dad kept bees for years. I don't know how he did it--he was a long distance truck driver. If I'm not mistaken, he got home from a trip and the bees had relocated to another hive!

I'm really excited about your contest. 2AAT is more favorite sock knitting method.

Tracy
phoenixfire on ravelry

Anonymous said...

I'm must starting a pair of socks with your 2AAT method....

The little chickies are sooo cute! Are they a specific breed?

SOX ROCK!

swknits on Rav!

Sandy said...

Melissa -- Please tell me you did not just call your chicks (or your daughter, or her new charges) "food"?! ;)

Anyway, they ARE adorable (the chicks) -- wonder how our HOA would feel about me keeping chickens in the backyard....

tarheelfan said...

Would love a copy of your book and yummy yarn. I haven't done 2 at a time yet, but working my way to it as I just learned magic loop recently. tarheelfan on ravelry and williams1240@att.net.
Thanks!

ikkinlala said...

Those chicks are adorable! (And I'd love to enter your contest, please.)

ikkinlala AT yahoo DOT ca

Rita said...

Cool kid, cool chicks, cool contest. I need to get back to knitting socks.

coffeechris said...

Me too, love grab bags. Thanks for the tip on Webs new grab bags and discounts. Chicks are so cute and beekeeper, so sweet. I would love to win the yarn and your book, would make my day.

marcy said...

Saw the same thing and was tickled! can't turn a contest down. anymore than you can say no to girl, apparently! hehe!
knittinggolfer

Noelle said...

I love, love, love 2AAT socks - you may remember I'm the one trying to get all the patterns in your 2AAT book knit up by year end - I'm half way and have half a year left, so I just may make it. If I win this book, well I'll have to knit all those socks too :-)
Noeller67 on Rav

Diane said...

I received the Webs catalog and am sorely tempted by the grab bags. I have to try your Ogee socks since the first two letters of my last name are O'G.

Laurel said...

Two at a time sox are the ONLY way to go! No SSS.

And, better you than me dealing with the bees! YIKES! (I've never been stung and my brother is dealy allergic.) But I love their honey...

The chicks are adorable.

Anonymous said...

Ok a signed copy of Your book would make me try that one long circular method. Socks are my most favorite thing to knit.

lyndystitches on Ravelry

Amante said...

A signed book from you will get me over my second sock syndrome!

kathydeckard@sbcglobal.net said...

The patterns you included in your book are so attractive that I think I will make each one! I am lucky enough to have a granddaughter in my life who will love the toddler sized cuties. It is hard to find a book in which I like EVERY pattern!

Thanks for the inspiration!!

liveandlearn on Ravelry

Paulette said...

I love the chick pics! My children used to refer to them as "peepers" in our house, and several times we have had empty kiddie swimming pools with peepers in the laundry room. Thank you so much for the chance for a book, and for the peeper memory.

Celena said...

Love your book! It has really caught on ... I've taught three ladies in my knitting group how to do 2AAT socks.

Your chicks are so cute. Ours are all grown up but are still cute. Watch out for roosters ... they are mean! :)

Hubby keeps bugging me to get bees. I might have to let him try it out.

~Celena (that's my rav name too)

Lisa in western MA said...

Cause for celebration, indeed! I haven't received my catalog yet so didn't know about the discount or grab bags. Grab bags and sock yarn don't count for the stash, though, do they?! Of course, I can always find room for more ... and the book! Please count me in!

Lisa (ljapple@crocker.com)

Kristen said...

I would LOVE to win a copy of your book and some sock yarn to get me started! Thanks for having a contest! (I'm globalite on ravelry.)

Ravelry name badbie said...

Love the bee's, my nine year old daughter is begging for a snake!!!!

granjudy said...

Beekeeping is a wonderful hobby. Just wait until you taste honey from your own hives. Truely there is nothing sweeter. When Girl has more confidence and access to wheels, consider rescuing swarms. DH & I had fun doing that when we kept bees. Just learn all you can about it first and know a lot of the "honeybee" swarms will really be yellowjackets or hornets. Most people don't know there's a difference.
SO many of my favorite things in this entry, bees, chicks, yarn & book giveaway, discounts & grab bags of yarn. Bees and chicks are not in my future, but I can definitely see some more yarn & books.
Thank you for 2 at a time socks. I confess I've not yet read yoour book, but just the idea made sock knitting possible for me. I'm such a procrastinator, I was afraid to knit socks, certain I would never knit the second of any pair. Now, when one is done, so is the pair. Lovely

Unknown said...

ooh I just bought your book and am attempting my first 2AAT socks, but would LOVE a signed copy and more yarn. There's always someone I could give the book I just purchased to! Ravelry ID: Debi1

maruschka said...

I had no idea baby chicks came in so many colors - I know, I've led a sheltered life! Adorable :-)

I already have your book, but I would happily gift it to someone (probably my daughter) if I happened to get an autographed copy!

That would "bee" awesome.

maruschka on ravelry

Unknown said...

cute chicks. My Grandma raised chickens and Grandpa was a beekeeper!
I am currently knitting 2 socks ata time. I found some great stitch markers... sock 1 and sock 2 ( 2 of each) so no more confusion which sock goes where!

(ravelry) KnittinDeb @ gmail.com

Unknown said...

Ah! I was sorely tempted by the grab bags when I saw them in the catalog. They were neat groupings too. I was torn by the cottons family and the luxury.

Lollie said...

I just got my Webs catalog too, but I don't remember seeing anything about books now being included in the discountable items. Thanks for telling us! And thanks for a new contest!
Lollie

Kathryn (TosaGirl) said...

First of all, those baby chicks are too cute for words.

You're book is the reason I have too much sock yarn. I would never knit a second sock because the idea of doing the same project twice seems silly to me. Because of this, I never even tried to make the first sock. Then I took a class based on your book and I was hooked. I just wish I could knit the socks as fast I can buy yarn.

Annie in the Round said...

We just got chickens this year and my family would love to keep bees at some point.

Annie in the Round said...

I forgot the email.

Anonymous said...

I love celebrations and a contest also, what a great day! I would love a signed copy of your book and Webs yarn, sock yarn!

raverly id: cottongirl

Anonymous said...

Cool pics.

Thanks for having an awesome contest. Just finished a pair of socks for oldest daughter, 1AAT. Youngest daughter has now made a request for socks for herself and 2 daughters which I would like to do 2AAT. If I win this I can start sooner rather than later!!!

Thanks again.
Becky
meika_lee@yahoo.com

NutmegOwl said...

My darling girl just got nibbled on by a chicken for the first time this weekend - oh, her toddler self was NOT amused.

Thanx a million for the techniques in The Book - working up 2AAT Hedgerow Mitts right now!

Lois said...

Seeing your chicks always reminds me of when I was a kid and we had baby ducklings.
Sure would love that sock yarn and book (personalized of course).
Lois
lois@futura.net

Anonymous said...

How generous of you to have a yarn giveaway, thanks for the opportunity to enter. Your pictures of baby chicks reminds me of when I was a little girl and my mother raised chickens for the eggs and the occasional fried chicken. This I am reminded of by my older sister, who says it was her rooster, which after chasing me around the back yard pecking at my heels and with me screaming bloody murder became that evenings dinner. When I got older my mother raised Batam chickens, which are a small breed with small eggs. Only recently I asked my husband if he could build me a hen house. I guess I know where to come if I have any questions. Thanks, alicathd

Debbie aka Cheesegirl said...

Great pictures of beautiful chicks!! I'm in bed with a nasty cough and in between coughing fits deciding which 2aat sock pattern to knit next.
I'm moodybq on Ravelry.

Debbie

Sarah said...

Love your book Melissa. Keep up the great work. I'm orbit29 on Ravelry.

Yvonne in Southwest Virginia said...

Celebrating right along with ya!
Sometimes it's so easy to get bogged down with the hard parts of life that I think we all forget that we have much to celebrate...

Thanks for this contest, and for reminding me.

Anonymous said...

That is an extremely attractive hand in that picture... i should get its number.
and i think that Girl should get an amazing present for her first bee sting, especially since it was in the neck. she probably couldn't turn her head all the way to the right for days after... definitely deserves a present. being an unbiased outsider might i recommend sushi? books perhaps? a shiny new smoker? money?

Clari said...

I think I have to get on the WEBS mailing list! Thanks for explaining their discount. I was wondering about that. Your chick pics made me so happy (the bees, not so much). Thanks for having another contest. Love "that book of yours." This is so much fun!

BTW: Rav ID "Claribel"

Cathi said...

Love that last picture of the baby chicks the best! How neat to have your own source of honey soon.

Cat

Anonymous said...

I am definitly going to check out the Webs discount. Thanks for letting us know!

Anonymous said...

What a great idea, book and yarn!! I have yet to get the two at a time.. but, working on it.
Santaptr4 on rav...

Susan said...

I don't know whether I'm more excited about the chance to win your book and some yarn, the Webs grab bags and discount, or the oh-so-adorable baby chicks... Who am I kidding? I'd love a signed copy of your book and some free yarn! Now, off to buy my own Webs grab bag and ask my apartment rental office if baby chicks are allowed under the leasing rules... :)
DukieWoman on ravelry.

HAnnUlrich said...

I am so excited about Webs and their Valley yarns. I am a recent convert to Valley yarns and really like the quality. And tyhose baby chicks could take anyones attention away from yarn, even a yarnaholic like me!! HOw adorable! anyway, I am finally taking the plunge to 2 at a time socks - i did the legs but not the heels so I am looking forward to the class! See you at webs sometime!

ME215 said...

OK, I could has sworn I already commented, but I guess not. Love the pic of Girl and the bees. :)

Mary Ellen

Umm Abbaad said...

Thanks for the info on Webs. I've not yet tried Valley Yarns but will be checking them out - being a yarn addict and all ;-) Those chickies are tooo cute
Rav id: amazpadz

SurpriseAvonLady said...

Hi! Thank you so much for the information on Ravelry to enter the contest. I love your book and I'm working on my first sample pair of 2 AAT socks.
Those chicks are soooo cute and fuzzy looking.
Dawn
Knitterdawn@gmail.com
Ravitar: Knitterdawn

Unknown said...

Please include me in your contest. I'd so love to win the book and the yarn which would teach me to 2AAT.

Please & thank you.

P.S. Those chicks are adorable!

Anonymous said...

Well, you'll be happy to know that since I apparently don't travel in your circles often enough I hadn't heard of Valley Yarns before, so you weren't preaching entirely to the choir. I mostly am a "reclaimer" and a Knitpicks fan, but I loved their website and their variety. Thanks for the info.

Paulette
fuzzy-slipper@rogers.com
Ravelry - fuzzy-slipper

Anonymous said...

I am new to two at a time socks but I love it so far. It is so nice to be done with a pair at the same time.
I love those little chick too! They are sooooo cute.
Loretta

Rettashouse

Renee said...

I LOVE that WEBS is doing these new grab bags. It is an awesome idea and I cannot wait to get my reimbursement check, I mean yarn money (isn't all 'extra' money yarn money?!) to purchase one! And the pictures of those chicks...absolutely adorable. Made me feel bad that I had chicken for dinner =(

nay on ravelry

Barb - (barbd@q.com) said...

Just a note to let you know how much I enjoy your book, I have quite a few patterns marked for later use. I am currently working on your Classic Sock pattern for my hubby. He charted some flames so his socks are going to be hot rod socks - he also wants a sweater to match.

On Ravelry, I'm knittingquilter

Unknown said...

YAY!I love contests and 2aat socks. The bees and honey looked wonderful.

On Ravelry I'm ashkat and my email is aomspach@gmail.com

estacam said...

My husband is a bee keeper as well. It's really fantastic and the honey is heavenly. Not to mention how gorgeous the flowers are.

I love your two at a time sock knitting method, it's the only one for me!

Pam said...

I'm a 2AAT convert! How great that your beekeeper is pursuing her interest. On Ravelry I'm PR727. Thanks!

Dawn said...

Great news about WEBS, just wish I was in the US!

The chicks are so adorable, I love all the different markings too.

And great that your daughter is finally beekeeping!

I am in the process of my first 2AAT socks, going all out and doing toe up. I would love the book as all I have done so far is from the internet and my budget is LOW so it would be amazing to try a top sock yarn for the first time too!

Celebrations all round!!

Cathy said...

I need to try 2 at-a-time! Oh the possibilities...

It's great about the beekeeping-I hope your daughter gets a lot out if it! Czerwica on Rav

Mindy said...

I've never ordered from WEBS before, but now you have me thinking I might have to try it. :)

The chicks are so adorable and your daughter is very brave! I am so afraid of bee stings.

I am new to the sock world. I'm knitting my first pair now. Thanks for the contest.

mindyknits (at) gmail (dot) com

kathy said...

So - I'm just catching up on the blogosphere after another 8 days of the part of my life I call "Tradeshow Warriors".

Thanks for posting about the grab bags, book discount, bees and especially the cute chicks. Again I am comforted to know that when the world ends as we know it, I will simply drive the 20 minutes to your house, assume my duties and live on. Now you just need cows of your own that we know by name and grapes and then we can all be content at the MMO retreat.

But, as I began reading the comments, I only got until post #3 from Judy, when my lack of "prairie survival skills" once again reared it's ugly head.

I read part of Judy's comment as "The chicks are so sweet and so cute, hopefully, many will become LAWYERS and will live a long and happy life". I thought "hmmm, strange wish for the chicks". Then I re-read the sentence and realized I had put in LAWYERS for LAYERS. I feat there is no hope for me.

Anne said...

I was just looking at your book on Amazon and thought I would see if you have a blog. I so have second sock syndrome and I *must* have your book! And to top it off, I find that you have chickens and bees and WEBS is my new LYS. Here's hoping my name gets drawn.

asterpurl said...

Thanks for hosting the contest! I was glad to see the news when I got my catalog too!

JodyS said...

Hi there, just joined your group this week and will be trying 2 at a time socks tomorrow. I was excited to see that you were having a drawing. I love your pictures of your chicks and little girl. She is very lucky to be a beekeeper. What fun!

nisha on ravelry said...

The baby chicks are SOOO cute.
I love the patterns in your book, but haven't quite gotten the hang of doing them two at a time yet. :)
I keep getting the ends all tangled. I'll get it eventually.

Jenny said...

Your pics are great! Cute, cute chicks!

Found your blog through ravelry - I'm feelinfroggy over there. Glad I found you!

Unknown said...

I would love your book and some yarn! The group on Ravelry is so friendly and supportive. I'm working on my first pair of 2AAT toe-up at the moment, but I prefer working down from the cuff -by the way I'm based in Ireland - is your offer open to overseas folk?

Unknown said...

I love your book! I'll never knit a single sock again : )

Unknown said...

oops, I'm AKJulie on Ravelry...