Inspiration
3 Things to Look Forward To
Dear friends,
Anticipation is one of my favorite emotions—it starts when we’re babies, perched in a high chair, with strained carrots heading toward us on a tiny spoon. You know how babies smile with their whole bodies? That’s kind of how I’m feeling right now.
Here at MDK we have a number of things on the horizon that are making us bounce up and down, do little jigs in front of our stand-up desks, generally feel that twangle of excitement. We love thinking up new things for you, and the only thing better than the anticipation is what happens when we finally get to show our new things to you.
You have been unfailingly supportive of MDK since 2016 when we created this place—and for some of you, you’ve been with us since 2003 when Kay and I started throwing our letters to each other up onto a newfangled thing called a blog.
It all continues to exist because you have continued to show up here, to engage with each other, to write us, to shop, to come to our events and workshops. We’re feeling ultragrateful to you for this enduring interest from you.
Kay and I were just talking about what it is that keeps us working so hard, when honestly we’re kind of getting to an age where some folks around us seem to be slowing down. We both started laughing, and we instantly agreed that there’s nothing else that would be so endlessly interesting, ever changing, and meaningful to us. “What else could we possibly be doing?” Kay wondered. “We could start a blog?”
Of course, if you asked us a question like that on a day when the website is misbehaving, or a dude rolls up with five trashed pallets of some treasured new yarn, or we have to pay the credit card bill, our answer might be more like: because we have lost our everlovin’ minds.
Meanwhile …
Sorry. I meant this post to be a superspecific set of things to look forward to.
Thing 1: Knitting a pair of DK-weight socks. The new Field Guide No. 27: Sock Odyssey is so good. Get your makings here. Looking forward to mailbox fun of the yarn variety never, ever gets old.
Thing 2: Getting ready for Natalie Chanin’s class on September 6. Sign up here, then go pick out a kit over at the Alabama Chanin School of Making site. The anticipation of awaiting the arrival of one of those kits cannot be overstated. And spending time with Natalie telling stories and teaching is such a thing to anticipate.
Thing 3: Voting.
; )
Love,
Ann
1. Socks. Hmm. Never had the urge, but I am signed up for Celia’s class next week.
2. Natalie. Love her! I’ve been to Florence, have all her books, and am in the middle of my third year of Swatch of the Month. At the end of this year I’m going to stitch select pieces together to make one or more throws.
3. OMG. I am so excited to vote this year! You’ll probably get some commenters saying “I come here for stitching, not politics.” Fair enough. Skip over this part and keep knitting. But note that we said that we’re excited about voting, not voting in a particular way. We SHOULD be excited about voting! We’re so fortunate to live in a time and in a country where we the people are in charge of what our public institutions do. We may not always agree, but we can be open about our views without fear of retaliation and we can work within the guardrails of our democratic system to effect change. So yes, vote for the candidates of your choice, respect the will of the majority, and keep working for what you believe.
Hear, hear!
I never really had an urge to knit socks either but vanilla socks have become my go to easy knitting project. The heel and toe can be a little fiddly but the leg and foot are all stockinette in the round (unless you choose a patterned sock…). And now I’m slowly working my way to the warmest and most comfortable socks I’ve ever had in my drawer. Also, someone I know recently said “knitted slippers” and it feels like a whole new world has opened up!
Amen sister. I also thank you and Kay and all your contributors for expanding and enriching my knitting life and ya know my life in general.
How fortunate we are to live in a place where we can vote AND talk about it on a blog! I am honored to vote. And I am delighted to read of women who keep doing something they love as they get a little older. I started a new career at 68 and have begun a PhD equivalent. Why not? Let’s all use our divinely given rights, talents and time! And admire you for doing it, too…as well as for your great yarn and gatherings! Thank you for being great role models….except for the standing desk. Still thinking that over…hard for reading….
I’m with you Jane! That retirement thing was overrated (for me, anyway) so I decided it was time to get that degree. I’ll be 70 this fall—a couple months after starting my sophomore year. MDK and their attitude toward learning new things (and life in general) embody that spirit.
Jane and Susan-I’m with you- getting a PhD at age 64! When I’m asked why am I getting a PhD, I try to answer others with a, “Well, why not? I can be 64 with or without it….!”
My “pinto bean” arrived. Now to pick a pattern and decide do I begin before current WIP is completed….
What a wonderful way to start the day. The comments are heartwarming!
My dad drove me to City Hall to register to vote the day I turned of age (long,long ago). He was waiting for me outside with tears in his eyes. ( Dad never cried)He said that he used to think about a day like this when he was in a foxhole in France and made me promise that I would always vote. We had lots of disagreements around the kitchen table. But, we always held each other’s right to vote with the highest regard.
On a lighter note, I read this post early this morning and digested it on the way to my daughter’s to watch my young grandchild. I was feeding her oatmeal as my daughter was scurrying around, getting ready for work. I got lost in my thoughts during the process and midway to the baby’s waiting mouth, I said ” I think I’m going to try knitting a pair of socks”. My daughter stopped in her tracks and said ” Mom, what in the world made you say that?”….I replied,” Ann Shayne”. Her very quizzical look followed…before she went back to the twelve things she was trying to do at once! I am looking forward to coming back to MDK when little Savannah takes her nap and choosing my yarn! Thank You!
Your story about your father was a wonderful way to start my day. Thank you.
I look forward to every morning so I can read the few knitting blogs left, yours foremost among them. (I leave knitting podcasts for later in the day). Knitting has rearranged and keeps broadening my world instead of my age narrowing it. New friends, new places, new adventures – although Zoom-ing is still on my never do list (sorry, other issues). And I am about half a generation older than you guys. So you have Lots of time left.
I read my emails right after perusing my weather map in the morning, before I even get out of bed. I start with reading those I’m least interested on and work my way up to my favorites. I save the best for last, which is the MDK email. Great way to start the day.
Concerning voting, I once heard someone say they don’t bother because they are a Republican/Democrat in a heavily Democrat/Republican area, so their vote is meaningless. I said there are probably lots of people there who feel the same way but how will anyone know if you don’t vote? So yes, I think it’s important to vote even if you feel like your voice may be lost in the wind.
I always remind these “my vote doesn’t matter b/c Electoral College” folks that they have local and state representatives to vote for, too.
Yes, yes, yes to your thoughts on voting, Carol.
Agree but in reverse order!!
NEVER STOP! … except for walks and tea.
I’ve been starting my day with MDK for years and have all the Field Guides. Does anyone recognize the patterns in the photo at the top of the post? I’d love to know the name of 2 of the patterns: The brown (scarf?) with the circles on the left of the pic, and also the peach, gray, cream, mustard knit near the center of the photo. Thanks in advance to any “pattern detectives” who take the time to comment!
Gina, the peach-gray …. is the SSP shawl by Isabell Kraemer.
Elisabeth
The gray one with circles is Winter Suns by Olga Buraya-Kefelian (olgajazzy on Ravelry).
Hi Gina,
We are going to be telling you the names of those patterns very soon! We’ve had some wonderful ones knitted up in our new yarn Jane. Please stay tuned, won’t be long!
Kay
Wait! New yarn Jane??!! You just kind of snuck that in there, didn’t you, Kay?
More wonderful temptation on MDK. Love it. Can’t wait. You guys rock.
Can’t wait!
I like your list: things very small (socks), very big (voting) and an extraordinary sewing workshop for the sewing enthusiasts. Maybe I’ll be inspired to start my own list.
Thank You!!!
I just want to say how much I love MDK. And, let’s ll get the vote out.
Voting has been on my mind almost everyday and even more exciting to do it since the last week. May I also vote to do an intarsia Field Guide? It’s something I’d love to learn within a supportive group. Thanks MDK.
Yasss! Seeing a woman my age running for President has been a shot in the arm – I’m far from done, too. There’s still so much I want to do: socks, sweaters, and blankets, and oh yes making sure our daughters and sons enjoy the rights that I have. Two weeks ago I was exhausted at the prospect of having to fight for these rights all over again. Today I’m feeling strong and invigorated, ready to roll up my sleeves and get busy!
I, too start my day with reading the emails. I always love them. And please vote. Your voice matters.
Thank you Ladies for not slowing down. You make every day a joy to be part of a fun, learning and exciting knitting world.
And YES VOTE.
When someone says “Vote this time and you won’t have to vote again” there seems little room for interpretation.
Vote carefully for candidates so that you can keep voting on a regular basis. I think there are elections nearly every year in the United States for some level of government, judges, school board etc. Presidential elections suck up all the oxygen in the room but you should vote in all elections. Local ones affect the quality of your life in observable ways.
Can I brag a bit? The St. Paul, MN City Council is all women under 40 (all but one POC). Our Mayor is a progressive Black man. Our MN governor is Tim Walz (suddenly in the national spotlight!) who, among other things, made school lunches free and is protecting trans people and reproductive rights. My MN state Representative and Senator are women of color. My US Congresswoman and both US Senators are women.
I voted for all these people to represent me.
Yes!
Wow! You live in a great state!
Sorry, typo, Both US Senators are women.
Love you and kay and your wonderful MDK!!
Vote for sure!can’t wait for a woman to be president!
Lori
Another “mature” voice here: at 81 taking time out from knitting for part-time editing of a local newspaper, and inspired once again to be involved in this year’s election. (I worked the 2004 election as a community organizer, already the “mature” member of the team.)
Never missed a vote since my first, in 1964, when you had to be 21 to vote. Ran for office 4 times; won once (school board).
Needless to say I am delighted to be part of this community that brings together people — mostly, but obviously not exclusively, women — who share disparate but harmonious views of living and working.
I’d like to add to the chorus! Thank you Ann and Kay and all MDKers* for all you do that keeps my mind engaged my hands busy and my heart full.
These comments are so encouraging!!
*all who work at MDK, all who contribute, all who share in the comments, all who read the emails, all who participate in whatever way they can.
Huge AMEN to this beautiful post and to all of the comments! I currently live in very, very northereastern, very rural California. I don’t know what I’d do without MDK in my life! I feel so blessed to have the MDK community in my therapy toolbox, reminding me daily of all the caring, loving, knowledgable and creative people there are in the world. You all enrich my life immeasurably and bring me joy and hope, not to mention invaluable information, tools, and fiber treasures. I received my 2 skeins of Beautyberry Agni Y yesterday : ) Can’t wait to give it a whirl!
Call me a “2003 community gal.” Love you both so much for providing and building this community. I’m still knitting away on my Shakerag skirt but have my yarn to start those Fatimah socks asap!
Voting! Top of my list! Finally, a pep in my step. Seeing light in this long trek!
And then knitting and more knitting ☺️
So many good things! All signed up for the workshop (which will hopefully encourage me to open the kit that I bought a year ago and have been not stitching lest I Ruin The Beautiful Thing), and ready to vote!
1. I have a pair of socks on my needles with the FG by my side. So far so good. I started with the flex needles and then switched to the Chiaogoo mini needles and they are perfect for this knit.
2. No classes (or new yarn) for a while as I need to clear and pack my house to move to another home and state. Very excited.
3. Voting is extremely important. It is a privilege given to us that not all people in the world have and to squander that is not a good thing. I have a friend who was proud of not voting. I told him that if he wasn’t a part of it then he also could not complain about how things were done.
I love your site, your yarns, definitely your field guides and your energy. Thank you for a very positive voice in this world. Now if I could only figure out how to knit well with my carpal tunnel splints on my wrists I’d be all set. Keep doing what you do.
Love all these comments! Yeah MN! You rock! I hear from some new friends that I met on a trip to Norway you have an awesome fiber community too. Sitting and knitting in a coffee shop right now. Joy! Pure joy!
Completing the sewn bind off for the Pressed Flowers Shawl.
Keeping my circular needle open for Cecelia Campochiaro’s workshop on August 9th.
Looking forward to voting.
We should always exercise our right to vote, be deeply grateful for our democratic process of free and fair elections, and have respect for a peaceful transition of power.
VOTE!
And maybe buy a lottery ticket for all the things I’d love to have and be able to do ….
But VOTE!!!
(And if you haven’t heard any of the score from ‘SUFFS’ …. Give it a listen. )
I’m so grateful MDK is here – please keep going!
I have yet to try knitting DK weight socks. I currently don’t have much knitting time and so am dedicating the time I have to my current WIP’s before I cast on anything new. But the new field guide did encourage me to add DK socks to my Ravelry queue – so, someday!
I love that MDK isn’t craft specific – the stuff on Alabama Chanin’s site looks so nice!
I didn’t think knitting was political when I first started, but it has ceased to surprise me how vocal this community is – and I love it!
Reading this email and comments late at night after a day that matches it — thank you! I was lucky to go to my local library to 1) pick up my hold copy of 52 Weeks of Socks because it’s time to learn how to knit socks AND 2) cast an absentee ballot in WI primary election because of the 2 state constitutional amendments. Then went to a coffee shop to knit, eat chocolate and talk about voting and knitting with friends. This is almost kismet.
In the pic above there is a pink orange and gray striped something. Can you tell me what it is? I love it! Thank you for your books, field guide and everything!
Jen
I love that the content on your website is very inspiring. I would also like to extend an invitation to you to visit my website Grosir Kaos Kaki and we can collaborate with each other. Warm Regard.
1 and 2 absolutely:)
Thing 3: you betcher bloomin’ clapotis!
Vote—yes! And do a little bit more—knock on doors, register voters, make calls. Your state or county party office can offer training and all the info you need, as well as connecting you with like-minded folks. And don’t forget your down-ballot candidates!
YEAH VOTING!!!
Thing 2: I would love to join the sewing class. But, wow, $348 to make a top plus $99 for the class!!?? Seems exorbitant. Am I missing something?
You don’t have to buy a kit. When you sign up for class you get info on what you could use to get started. If you’re interested in learning the technique but not sure if it something you want to invest in, join the class. Her books also have great instructions on how to make whatever you want without having to buy a kit.
One of my fondest memories is the family tradition which began when my daughter was 5 (some 35 years ago). We would look at the paper ballot and ballot book together beforehand and discuss all the items on the ballot, marking up our own ballot with how we were going to vote. She always came with me to the in person voting location and stood on the top of my feet to reach the ballot. She then filled it out with what we had decided (with a little help from me), and we put the ballot in the box together. Two “I voted” stickers later we were done. Voting is such a privilege and we are all so lucky to be able to participate. Vote on!
Yep…I just turned 79 and I’m looking forward to a solo road trip this winter. Some people are stunned that I’m “brave enough” to do this. I know where to stay so I feel safe. I’ve got my AAA card in case of problems (like a flat tire on a long stretch of uninhabited highway, which happened). Don’t stop living because you’re old by someone else’s standards.
Socks? Nope. Not my cup of tea. I’d rather make shawl after shawl. My zone…
Love the sewing kits but…way out of my budget range. I’ll just appreciate the work of others. Post photos please!
Voting!!! YES! We are so privileged to be able to have our voices heard. Ladies and gents…I’m part of a generation that fought for women’s rights. And civil rights. Don’t be casual about voting. We’re watching a slow erosion of the rights so many people have fought for. Wherever you are on the political spectrum, just get out and make your voice heard.
Stepping off my soapbox now…
Thing 1 – doable and fun.
Thing 2 – not in my budget – I wish
Thing 3 – MOST IMPORTANT – VOTE.
Just want to say that I enjoy getting Snippets SO MUCH and I think you are both SO INSPIRING and I love singing “Pardon me, I didn’t knit that for you”.