Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Wollmeise Pay It Forward Giveaway

Last December I posted about my frustrations of not being able to get my greedy little mitts on some Wollmeise. No sooner did I have my little vent, the lovely Tonia paid it forward and so generously sent me a package of some delicious yarns including... Wollmeise. Knitters really are such a generous bunch - I'm still a little shocked at that. (unless of course, you are at an amazing yarn sale - then they'll gouge your eyes out with their knitting needles so that they can get the last of the Socks That Rock bargain skeins).

As mentioned earlier this month, I've been on a bit of a shopping spree lately.


Notice that the yarns on either end are the same. Wollmeise Twin yarn in the colorway Kurbis. It felt a bit greedy to have two of the same colorway when I only need one. So it's time I followed Tonia's example and paid it forward.



To enter for the drawing, leave a comment stating why you're thankful for yarn (let's go with a nice thanksgiving theme - now isn't that special!) and check back on Sunday evening around 9pm ct for the winner to be announced.
You can get an extra entry if you link this giveaway/pay it forward on your blog. Just post another comment with your blog addy.


Can't get ruddy easier than that, can you?!

I must dash now as I've misplaced (please do not say "lost") a cord for my Addi Clicks. I hate it when I can't find things, so although it's after midnight and everybody else is asleep, I'm going to be digging around my house until I find the darn thing. If I make a lot of noise, accidentally on purpose, and wake up the Cute Guy, I'm going to make him search with me so that he can have the pleasure of helping his sweetie. I'm a giver that way!

67 comments:

Marji said...

Well, and I'm up finishing laundry and have been working on the cutest toddler outfit. Hope to get pics on my blog before I have to take it to the Quilted Fox where it'll go on display as a class sample.
Um, ok, I'll bite, because I haven't got a clue why all the Wollmeise love, and I'll even give you a linky. But, what I'll really be happy with is being able to buy a sk of red Blue Sky alpaca silk. I knit my scarf last year from it, and have enough left for half a hat or half a pair of gloves. I'm thinking that unless it went to a giveaway pile you have a single sk of this sitting in your stash. No?

Cynthia A. said...

Thank you very much for offering this contest, Kim. Hmmm...I am thankful for yarn because it gives me peace of mind whilst knitting with it, purpose in creating beautiful and useful things, and a joy in the creation of it when I spin.
I've never been lucky enough to be able to buy WM yarns, and I really appreciate your generosity in paying it forward and offering it to one lucky person here on your blog. ;)

JoAnn said...

I hope you found your keys!

I like yarn because it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside :)

It also makes me dream and be creative.

sskkbb @ ravelry said...

Paying it forward is a very generous thing to do :-)
I don't have a very special or interesting reason why I'd like to win your contest, only it would be nice to finally get to see WM "live". I've heard som much about it, but never been able to get hold of it :-\

Karla wigleyk@esdallas.org said...

I am thankful for yarn because it gives me the opportunity to create special gifts for loved ones. I put love in every stitch thinking about how much each person means to my life and how thankful I am to share our time together.

Christine said...

I'm thankful for yarn because it helps keep me calm when the rest of the world seems insane.

wabi sabi said...

Firstly, I LOVE the rich colors and patters of your blog. Very nice!

I'm thankful for yarn because it gives me a way to meditate without having to sit on a cushion in silence, although I have ideas of blending the two together. I'm thankful that it allows me to make gifties for myself and friends, and that it keeps me waaaaarmmmm!

I'd so love to get my hands on a skein of Wollmeise. I'd be forever thankful. I can't seem to hit an update no matter how long I stay up. Haven't figured out the rhythm of updates yet, I guess.

Anywhoo, thank you so much for paying it forward! I know we are all very appreciative!

~Lisa

Anonymous said...

You are incredibly generous to offer this - I have a lot to be thankful for, but mostly I'm thankful for all of the wonderful friends I have made in this amazing community of knitters. Never before have I met such kind and generous souls. :-)

Karen said...

What a great story. Reminds me of the sock summit and why I'm thankful for yarn. It's my TM. I care for an aunt who has both parkinson's and alzheimer's so I'm always home and being able to knit a strand of yarn into something that will give others pleasure provides me with a sense of well being.

Logan said...

I'm thankful for yarn because it is so relaxing to knit with, especially if the colors are super pretty like that Wollmeise.

It's a fantastic stress buster ;)

Sarah said...

I am thankful for yarn...... because it saves my sanity, keeps my hands busy, and helps keep my families hearts,heads, and hands warm.

Sarah said...

www.bubblybunny.blogspot.com

suzzcq70 said...

I am so thankful for yarn! Its beauty calms me, its possibilities stimulate me, and its strength gives me the strength to get on with each day.

I love to feel connected to such a time-honored tradition of wool and what it can become.

Michelle said...

Wow, what a generous giveaway! I'm so thankful for my yarn, because it keeps me sane! If I'm feeling run down from all the housework and kids, I can go into my closet and squish my pretty yarns, and instantly feel better!

Unknown said...

There are many reasons I'm thankful for yarn... Since I learned how to knit, I developed a passion for creating garments. Yarn has helped me live my passion. The textures and colors help me bring my thoughts together, release tension and stress in my mind. It's also given me the ability to give to my family. I may not have much money, but I have the time to make up for it with my hands. And lastly, without yarn I would've never found Ravelry, which is where I met some of the coolest, nicest people ever and became their friends. A lot to be thankful for... especially for simple string.

Angela said...

I am thankful for yarn because it gives me something constructive to do with my hands. I love that my hands (and sometimes my mind) are occupied, and something beautiful comes out of it at the end!

What a great contest. :D

Unknown said...

http://stringandapairofsticks.blogspot.com/

Trish said...

I am thankful for yarn because it keeps my fingers occupied so I don't bite my nails anymore :) And, now that I know how to knit, I am never bored!
Great idea for a giveaway! Thanks.

mj said...

Wow, never stopped to think about why I'm thankful for yarn. I'd have to say that the colors and texture make me happy. From buying it online or at my LYS, receiving it in the mail, and petting it relaxes me.

MicheleStitches said...

Ever heard of "restless legs syndrome?" Well, my family jokingly says I have "restless HANDS syndrome." Honestly, I am not good at sitting still (as if this mother of 7 gets much opportunity to try!) When I sit, I feel guilty! I have a hard time not seeing the dust bunnies that need to be cleaned, or think of all the things that I should be doing instead of "resting." And even if I manage to put those things out of my mind, I still have a tendency towards being fidgety. This is why I am thankful for yarn. When I DO get an opportunity to be still, I can sit with my yarn and knitting needles, or crochet hook and "fidget" with a purpose. My hands have some useful work to keep them occupied. My mind has something to focus on to keep it busy; and when I am done, I have something useful and beautiful which spreads warmth and joy. Yarn gives me the chance to be creative and explore my love of texture and color. I love yarn!

ContinentalKim said...

I am thankful for yarn because it is the great equalizer... people from all different walks of life and levels of "social standing" will come together and fondle their yarn. They will tell stories to one another about their current projects, help each other when needed and become friends when everything else in the world says they shouldn't be. All of this, because of a lovely bit of fiber, spun with care into our favorite obsession, YARN.

ContinentalKim said...

I am thankful for yarn because it is the great equalizer... people from all different walks of life and levels of "social standing" will come together and fondle their yarn. They will tell stories to one another about their current projects, help each other when needed and become friends when everything else in the world says they shouldn't be. All of this, because of a lovely bit of fiber, spun with care into our favorite obsession, YARN.

catspaw said...

I'm thankful for the hours of pleasure I've gotten from yarn, buying it, looking at it and knitting it. From Wollmeise to my own handspun yarns, I've enjoyed and continue to enjoy the journey!

limejuicy said...

I love this post! How wonderful. I love yarn because it is relaxing, beautiful, inspiring and doesn't judge. And, because of that, I just can't seem to get enough. I'm trying to figure out how to make this whole "yarn fast" thing work. :D

limejuicy said...

blogged! :)
limejuicy.blogspot.com

Marji said...

as regards your background on the blog:
Did you purchase the knitting bag from France that uses the black/white stencil design as the bags main fabric?
And, are those diamonds in the trim strip bordering the red damask interior - are those new? ... as a sort of subliminal message to Mr Cute One?

Betsy said...

Hi, money's tight, and mostly I knit with pretty inexpensive yarn. But every now & then I can splurge for a skein of something really nice, and what a difference. I'd be thankful to be knitting with yarn that's such a pleasure!!

Thorne's said...

I am thankful for yarn because it allows me to be creative. With yarn I can also explore the word of color and texture while knitting.
Without yarn I couldn't knit or crochet?

Cat said...

What a generous giveaway. Thank you so much.

I am grateful for yarn because it soothes me. It makes me stop and focus on the small pleasures in life, the click-click of the needles and the texture of the yarn. Knitting is like meditation.

Crysti said...

Hello! I am thankful for yarn because the colors and textures spark my creative juices and then figuring out what patterns would make that yarn look great makes my brain work in fun ways. And of course feeling it in my hands as I sqoosh it and then knit it up is relaxing and almost meditative to create something beautiful (hopefully!J) out of just yarn and sticks.
Thanks for the great pay it forward!

InJuneau said...

I am thankful for yarn because having it allows me to make gifts for people I love. And I love making gifts for the people I love.

Marianne said...

Greetings from Norway ;)
How nice of you to pay it forward! I am thankful for yarn because I love the feel of it both when knitting and wearing.
With wollmeise yarn (I'm fairly new to that and skeins in general) I love sitting and chatting with my fianceé while he helps me unwind the yarn. It is such a nice break.

ritvis said...

10th of November is my birthday :). I'm thankful for yarn because it gives my so much joy. Colorful yarn and nice needles keeps me running.

mellenknits said...

Oops - I think I deleted my comment :(

Well, here goes again...
I'm thankful for yarn because it gives me an outlet for my imagination after a long and frustrating day of sitting at my computer at work. It's also a nice distraction to "screen shop" when I need a mental break during the day :)
I'm thankful that yarn gives me a way to let my family and friends know I care about them, by wrapping them in a knitted hug.
I'm thankful for the relaxation I get from touching yarn and admiring its colors, whether in my own stash or at my LYS. Not everyone in my family understands that kind of "yarn therapy", but it's real :)

Heather said...

I'm thankful for yarn because it keeps me sane! I'm married to a college student who is also the sole provider for our family of four, and all that translates into crushing poverty until he graduates. Good yarn isn't really terribly expensive (at least if you're a sock knitter...sweaters are a whole 'nother story!), and it's a wonderful little bit of luxury in an otherwise fairly sparse life. I love the feeling that I'm creating something useful AND beautiful, and I love to keep my loved ones warm & cozy. Heck, I don't know what I'd do without yarn in my life...

ludistitcher said...

I'm thankful for yarn because it gives so many people such creative outlets - people spin it, dye it, knit it, etc. and share it with so many people around them. :)

Anonymous said...

Woe, how very generous. And thank you, but none for me, I would feel very bad robbing a newbie of their chnace, I am lucky enough to buy regularly myself.

Denise said...

Hi there, I've never tried Wollmeise, but would love to do so. I'm so thankful for yarn because every time I pick up a skein it reminds me of my dear sweet Mom. She taught me how to knit when I was 8 yrs old. I'm so thankful for the patience she had and the perseverance to keep showing me 'how' when I would stop knitting and then want to learn again a few months later :) My mom is 84 and has been in hospital this week with a chest infection. I'm happy to say she will be coming home on Friday. Not that I get to see her, she's in England and I'm in Texas - but I have such sweet memories and hopefully I'll get over there again next year to visit.

vtcjan at yahoo dot com said...

Thanks for the contest! I'm thankful for yarn because it is beautiful, lifts my spirits when I'm sad, allows me to create beautiful things that I can give to others.

Alice said...

Hmmm...why am I thankful for yarn? Well...yarn has been my saving grace! 3 1/2 years ago I lost my 10 yr old daughter to a car accident and my world was turned upside down. But I had some special people reach out to me with prayer shawls and it made me realize that yarn was more than just string. One of the prayer shawls I received from a lady(complete stranger at the time)is now a dear friend and she started a knitting group. Her and the other christian ladies in this group have been a God send to me. I LOVE yarn and being in this knitting group I realized there is also more to yarn than just Red Heart. I am probably somewhat of a yarn snob now. I so love hand-dyed...especially for socks. Thanks so much for passing along such wonderful yarn! God Bless!

Laurel said...

I'm thankful for yarn because it allows me to make pretty, warm and wonderful gifts for my family and friends. I've never tried Wollmeise but everyone else seems to love it. This colorway would make a perfect gift for my SIL or MIL...they both LOVE autumn colors and I love to make stuff for them.

Cat said...

I blogged!

http://knitlitandbullshit.blogspot.com/2009/11/bad-blogger-bad.html

Crystal C Rutherford said...

I am thankful for yarn because it lets me enjoy calm,centering moments of knitting as well as the enjoyment of the finished object.

Crystal C Rutherford said...

I mentioned your giveaway on my blog
http://crunchyfamilyrising.typepad.com/crunchy-family-rising/2009/11/sharing-some-finds.html

Donna said...

I guess I have never really thought about it before, but I am thankful for yarn because it enables me to be able to create toys or socks for people that I love. The joy on their faces when they receive something that cannot be bought is worth more than any amount of money.
The act of knitting also keeps my stress levels under control as no matter how difficult the day - knitting gives my brain something else to think about.

Jodi said...

Ooh, I'd love to try woolmeise! I'm thankful for yarn because of the substantial feeling of actually creating something beautiful, something rare in this world of cheap, factory-made goods.

tien said...

i'm thankful for yarn, because it allowes me to sit and rest without looking doing nothing. And it keeps my head clear yogawise, without having to bend my limbs in impossible angles.

Kitten With a Whiplash said...

1. Because I'm hopeless with a paintbrush, pecil, charcoal, even crayon. With yarn I can beI'm Van Goch meets Pollack.

2. My cooking comes with a warning - try at your own risk as long as the health insurance is paid up. With yarn I can be Emeril meets The Ace of Cakes.

3. I couldn't write a grocery list, let alone the Great American Novel. With yarn I can be Twain meets Krantz.

4. Most importantly because it's too hard to wrap live sheep or llamas or musk oxeses around knitting needles. Much easier with yarn.

Thanks for a fun contest.

Philigry said...

oh, such a nice giveaway! I wanted to pop over and tell you about the eggs! they do taste a lot different, a lot better! They are a lot thicker and stand up nice and tall in the frying pan! yum!
I am thankful for yarn because i am able to make beautiful things that fit my long arms perfectly!

ritvis said...

I have shared this nice lottery with my friends http://maarithannele.blogspot.com/2009/11/arvontavinkki.html

One Sheep said...

I am grateful for the pleasure I recieve while working with yarn, and for the ability to provide warmth for those I love; whether they be in my immediate circle of friends and family, or amongst those whom I will never meet, but who will receive an item I've knitted for charity.

mysteri1229 said...

wow! what a great offer.
I am thankful for yarn and yarn arts because they make me special.
Every morning at work I knit during treatment team. Because of this, I have a reputation for my knitting. I have made things for folks (usually items that were started for someone else, but claimed by a work friend instead - lol). I also have quizzed my co-workers when I was not sure about colors or patterns and generally received good advice. I even have gotten a few commissions.
I am not extremely talented or original. But yet, yarn has given me a reputation for being so in the eyes of my co-workers
Thanks again and have a great Thanksgiving everyone!

Anonymous said...

I just wanted to say thank you for this, thank you for paying it forward, for adding to the positive love and energy we so desperately need right now.

Denise said...

Hey Girl,
I'm back and love your give away contest.

I'm thankful for yarn because it has saved over the last few months from going completely out of my mind worrying that I'm being a good mum.

ikkinlala said...

I'm thankful for yarn because it lets me knit, which keeps me both calm and warm.

Claudia said...

I'm ever so thankful for yarn because it provides me endless stress relief. Knitting is a form a meditation for me and keeps me sane.

Sarah said...

I'm here via Mary Catharine at Warmth in the North. Thank you for your generous giveaway - I'm thankful for yarn because it brings me untold pleasures in the working of it, the wearing of it, the thinking about it, the looking at it!

PeaceofYarn said...

I am so very grateful for YARN because it is a relaxing, meditative form of creativity for me. I love the challenge of knitting a pair of lace socks or crocheting a soft baby blanket. Yesterday I bought a weaving loom so I'm really becoming a full blow yarnaholic! I've never been able to buy Wollmeise so winning a hank would be a dream come true for me this Thanksgiving!
You are very sweet to pay it forward! Many thanks, PeaceofYarn

EdaMommy said...

My turn! ^_^

I have to say there've been some interesting comments here - I think "Wabi Sabi"'s comment hit's closest to home for me, especially if you combine it with busyHSmom's - working with yarn is a meditative act for me, and one that I can pursue with purpose and productivity - someone can use the end result. I am grateful that yarn gives me an opportunity to share creativity while at the same time provides me with some meditative space.

This is a very lovely thing you're doing - thank you!

Paulette said...

Very generous of you to give away your WM. I've yet to even see WM!! Thanks for paying it forward!I love yarn because it's beautiful, wonderful to touch/squeeze, gets you excited to start yet ANOTHER project!, fun to knit, very calming when you need that, makes THE BEST socks, hats etc, it's great to make gifts for other people, and you do meet some really wonderful people who share the joy of knitting. I don't even think that covers it all, but I do love yarn!!

Paulette said...

Just re-read your Blog title---are you really in WI---me, too---in Sheboygan. Where are you? You could come to our knitting group!!

Alex said...

Very generous of you!

I love yarn because it makes me feel like an artist. Yarn, and knitting, makes me feel special - I can create something beautiful and functional out sticks and string.
Yarn, in my hands, feels calming and satisfying, like a baby blanket for grown ups!

Anonymous said...

this is funny, today to the Wollmeise web site for the first time, it's so confusing so I went on ravelry and I found/joined the Wollmeise group because I'd love to get some of their yarn. It looks a bit complicate for the time difference and more (I read so many posts) and then I read your post... so here I'm trying to be fortunate. I's been a pleasure to know your blog. you can find me on ravelry I'm lorelostintheusa

docrock said...

I am thankful for knitting because it opens up the fellowship of wonderful women in my family, my circle of friends and the larger circle of knitters in my community and beyond

michelle said...

I am thankful for ANY and ALL yarn coming into my life. Ironically it wasn't really until I joined Ravelry that the world of vast fibery goodness truly came into my life. Prior to that my knowledge mainly consisted of acrylic & cotton yarns as that was what my Mother and Grandmother used. I am thankful for them passing on the gift of knitting and crocheting and how a gift from the heart can be the greatest treasure of all.
AND in the spirit of Thanksgiving I am thankful for you running this giveaway and I wish you and everyone entering a wonderful Thanksgiving!
<3 Halloweentango on Rav

Päivi said...

What a nice story :)

I am thankful for yarn because of all the relaxation it gives me in this crazy world! I just love to watch it, love to hold it, love to enjoy all the colours and materials. I am thankful that yarn gives me all these positive thoughts :)

I have never ever seen any Wollmeise, so I'd be so, so thankful of that too :)

Karen said...

I love to PIF. :)

I am thankful for yarn because it gives me a great satisfaction to present someone with something that is a little piece of me and knitting allows me to do just that. I know that is a little selfish, but at least it is the best kind of selfish.

Thank you for doing this give away. I'm trying to think of something of my own to PIF and not having a lot of luck for the last week or so. I think I'm going to put together a piece of jewelry. It's been a while.