New Beginnings

Finally got started on "Eye of the Storm". So far I've finished the first chart, it will be a little slow going since I have several other projects to complete but here's a peek:

"Storm" Progress...

...finally! I finally found some time to work on the pattern for the "Eye of the Storm" shawl. I spent like 2 full days working on it. The first day I get it all charted out, yay, okay I like this, this is good. Then, next day, getting ready to format it - okay, I really don't like how this part looks...and this part..don't really like it. Another full day, coming up with about six different versions, narrowed it down to four - which one, which one? Hmmm...draw numbers out of a hat (well, not really a hat, more like throwing the peices of paper on the desk, closing my eyes and picking one), then the random number generator. Is this really the one I want? Okay, picked the third version - now it's good! Had to go buy some needles, running out of needles (all of them with WIPs on them), ordered some beads. Now I shall begin...

New Mystery Shawl Along

Orders are now being accepted for the next regular Mystery Shawl Along to begin on July 12, 2008. This is separate from the Anniversary Shawl Along that begins on June 12, 2008.

For more info and to order, visit www.goddessknits.com. This new MS9 will be held on the new website I have setup instead of the Yahoo group. You will need to register on the new website in order to receive the pattern: www.mysteryshawl.com.

"Eye of The Storm"

The name for the tornado shawl - I think it's appropriate. I've decided to make it triangular because of the yardage for the yarn I plan to use. I originally thought about making it square and using a different yarn but then I remembered I had another yarn that would be better.

This:

From Yarn Chef called "Buttercream" in colorway "Calm" - also appropriate. I was planning on using this for a Winter Mystery Shawl but when I remembered I had this I thought this was perfect, mostly because of the color name but the colors themselves also, blues, purples and grays. Don't think this is a regular colorway but maybe you can request it. I did notice she has a "Thunderstorms" colorway up now, that would work as well.

More info to come...

Donations or Not?

I've received quite a lot of feedback on my raffle attempt dilemma. Many good suggestions and a lot of people confused about why I'm not allowed to do this. Basically the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals is the agency responsible for enforcing these rules, approving and issuing licenses, etc.

This is their definition of "Raffle":

26. "Raffle" means a lottery in which each participant buys a ticket for a chance at a prize with the winner determined by a random method and the winner is not required to be present to win. "Raffle" does not include a slot machine.

Basically if someone gives you money for a chance to receive something in return, it is a raffle, even if you call the money receipt a "donation". According to their rules you must have a gaming license to have a raffle AND you must be a non-profit organization to obtain a license. Some of the wording in their "rulebook" is confusing and I would probably need an attorney to figure it all out.

So, this is what I have decided so far: I am going to design a commemorative shawl pattern which I will sell to anyone who wishes to purchase it. I will then be donating the proceeds, less expenses, to an organization offering assistance to those affected by the NE Iowa tornadoes - tentatively this will be the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa.

I will be posting updates here regarding the pattern progress, when it will be available, etc. So bookmark this page!

No Go

Okay, it's a no go on the Tornado Raffle. I've discovered that I can't have a raffle because I am not a non-profit organization and don't have a gaming license. I guess I'll have to come up with something else. Any ideas?

What to do..

On May 25, 2008 an EF 5 tornado went through Parkersburg, Iowa causing devastating destruction and 8 deaths. Debris from Parkersburg has been found as far as 100 miles away. This tornado headed east and caused more damage along the way until it dissipated. Originally it was thought that it continued further but another tornado actually formed near the town of Fairbank, which is about 10 miles east of where I live in Oelwein. This tornado changed direction shortly after leaving Fairbank - had it not, it would have hit Oelwein. It did come close though - Hazleton is about 5 miles away. We had some debris falling around our home and then the tornado sirens went off. We headed to the basement then it became very dark outside, we knew the tornado was passing by then. The electricity went out because some power lines went down in Hazleton. After it passed we all came upstairs but were concerned about the possibility of another tornado and with the power out in the entire town how would the sirens go off again? Fortunately the worst had passed and the lights finally came back on. The next day we drove through Hazleton to see the damage. We were lucky!

Here is a map of the tornado path, see how close we came?
http://www.wcfcourier.com/special/2008tornado/map/

You can also see many photos and stories of the damage here:
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=t&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGIH_enUS218US222&q=tornado+parkersburg

And here:
http://www.wcfcourier.com/features/2008tornados/

I've realized how lucky we were and how close we came to having a tornado come through our town - there hasn't been one here since 1968. Of course, it could still happen, tornado season lasts until October! After seeing all of this take place I wanted to do something to help and I came up with this idea: to raffle off some of my finished shawls.

All of the proceeds of the raffle - less PayPal fees and shipping costs - will go towards helping these communities. I will be selling "tickets" until July 3, 2008 and I will choose the winners by random drawing on July 4, 2008. All winners will be notified by email and their names will be posted here as well as the blog I have set up specifically for the raffle: Tornado Raffle

New Mystery Shawl KAL

To celebrate the third Anniversary of Goddess Knits, I am offering a FREE Mystery Shawl KAL on Yahoo.

If you wish to join, simply go the the Yahoo group and apply.

Membership will be open until May 30, the group will close to new members beginning May 31.

New Patterns Available

Three new patterns available from Goddess Knits:

• Midwinter's Eve
• Blodeuwedd
• Elizabeta

Two New Mystery Shawls to Begin

Yes, that does say SHAWLS, that is not a typo. There will be 2 Mystery Shawls beginning in April - the regular Mystery Shawl that will be held in the Mystery Shawl 2008 group and one in a new group Spring Mystery Shawl.

These will be managed simultaneously - clues will be posted every other Saturday instead of every Saturday. So one Saturday will be for one group, the next Saturday for the other group, etc.

PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU ARE ALREADY IN THE MYSTERY SHAWL 2008 GROUP YOU DO NOT NEED TO ORDER THE REGULAR MYSTERY SHAWL, YOU JUST NEED TO STAY IN THE GROUP TO RECEIVE THE PATTERN.

If you are NOT in the Mystery Shawl 2008 group and wish to participate in the next regular Mystery Shawl you DO need to order it. If you wish to participate in the Spring Mystery Shawl you DO need to order regardless of whether or not you are currently in the Mystery Shawl 2008 group.

I will be setting up a Spring Mystery Shawl on Ravelry shortly.

Elizabeta Available on Ravelry

A new sock pattern, Elizabeta, is now available on Ravelry. This pattern will be available on the Goddess Knits website soon.

February(?) Mystery Shawl

I am now accepting orders for the next Mystery Shawl. I don’t have all the details ready but will put that info up on that group when I do.

PLEASE NOTE: I SET UP A NEW GROUP FOR THE NEXT MYSTERY SHAWL SO YOU WILL NEED TO JOIN THAT GROUP. THE FILES FOR THE NEXT MYSTERY WILL NOT BE IN THE OLD GROUP. NEW GROUP SITE: http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/mysteryshawl2008

PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR ORDER NUMBER WHEN YOU JOIN SO IT WILL BE EASIER FOR ME TO SORT THROUGH.

Also, anyone joining for this next Mystery will be able to get the following Mystery at no charge, so you will receive 2 for the price of 1!

Stole Finished and New Socks

I finished my stole design for Donna Druchunas' new book to be released next year. I used Jamieson & Smith 2 Ply Jumper yarn - this was my first time using it and I really like how it knitted up. I won't show the complete stole until the book is released but here is a peek:

I also have a new sock pattern available on the Goddess Knits website, called Airmid - she is the Goddess of herbs and healing.

New Patterns Now Available

Three new patterns now available from Goddess Knits:

What Stone Are You?

Amethyst
Take this quiz!

Mystery Shawl 6 Set to Begin

I am now officially taking orders for the next Mystery Shawl set to begin on Saturday, December 1, 2007. Please visit my website Goddess Knits to place your order. Remember you will also need to join the Yahoo group in order to access the pattern files.

This will be the last Mystery Shawl for 2007. Next year will be a new year and there will be some changes and I hope everyone will be happy with them.

On a Lighter Note...

The Mystery Shawl 5 went very well. I love seeing all the photos of finished shawls in the different yarns - they are all gorgeous! I'm still amazed, when I see them, that I actually designed them.

Mystery Shawl 6 will begin, most likely, sometime in December. It will be a triangular shawl with a winter/snow theme. I will put more info on the website when the time is closer.

Plus I have other things going on - working on the Sockdown Ravelry and joined the SSEC 'cause I keep accumulating sock yarn! I'll be offering a prize there too! Also working on a design for a book coming out next year.

Can't wait for the snow to be here, it makes me feel better! You know Seasonal Affective Disorder - I have it in the Summer. Maybe that's my problem LOL. I know it's supposed to be Fall but it sure doesn't seem like it.

MS5

With Mystery Shawl 5 coming to a close, I'm thinking about Mystery Shawl 6. This will the the last Mystery for the year. Also, Halloween Mystery Shawl will be closing to new members soon so it's not too late to sign up. The last clue will be posted this Saturday.

Next year is a whole new year and the Mysteries will continue but I will be doing things differently. More info to come when I have it all figured out.

Ravelry

I finally got my invite to Ravelry about a week ago and I'm impressed so far. The way you can link everything together and see who's working on what project. I like how I can see which of my patterns are someone's favorite or see photos of WIPs. And the group thing - I keep finding ones that I like so I'm in like 25 groups. Is it possible to be in too many? Anyway, I think this is a great community project.

Website Now Back Up

The Goddess Knits website is now back up and can be accessed through http://www.bopeepswoolshop.com or http://www.goddessknits.com.