Campanula #1 complete

Merry Christmas everyone. With all the Christmas knitting, my Campanulas have been languishing in my knitting bag for a while - but I finished the first sock and I love it - this is Bernat's Cool Cotton and I love the stitch definition - and they are really soft and comfy. I can't wait to finish the second sock - Our Walk for the Cure will be in April - so I'm sure they'll be finished by then...

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday!

Merry (belated) Christmahanukwanzakah!! (or Diwali/Deepavali, Yalda, Eid, Dong Zhi...whatever!) Happy Winter-Solstice Festival(s) of your choice! (I've decided to enjoy them all, please pass the nog.)

Oy to the world!
Love to all, XOX - MezzoDiva

Campanula FO

My Campanula socks are finally complete. I used Tofutsie and I must admit I don't think I would use this yarn for this pattern again. However, I am not sure how fair an assessment that is since I don't believe I will ever use this yarn again for anything. I don't really care for it. I do believe, though, that the pattern needs a wool yarn. Having said that, I am pleased with the overall fit but I don't think it will do such a good job of holding up the shape in this yarn.

One of these days I am going to have to re-knit this pattern again in a wool yarn.

socks for a good cause

HEY ALL - just joined , better late then never - recieved my pattern from ramona today - will pick out the yarn, can't wait to start

pat j

So far behind.

To everybody who is waiting for a swap-package/contest-prize/blog-post acknowledging your magnanimity/email/answer (and perhaps a word or two about my knitting) - please please PLEASE accept my heartfelt humblest apologies and assurances that it's all still underway or on the way.

I am having a little trouble (*ahem* - understatement) digging out from the (literal and figurative) avalanche of obligations and the piles of debris (not to mention the basic life-supporting chores) that were dropped when I was sick and then compounded by the recent spate of concerts.

Soon, my friends. Soon.

New to KAL...

Hi! I just got my pattern, and two skeins of Knit Picks Gloss in Woodland Sage. I'm really looking forward to casting on and knitting these socks up!

First Toe-Up Heel

I turned the heel on my first toe up sock and I think it's a pretty neat heel - I'm really happy with it and this soft comfy cotton yarn too...

Campanula Progress

I'm just about ready to turn the heel on my first Campanula.

I'm using Bernat's Cool Cotton in white and they are so pretty and lacy - they'll be perfect for next spring/summer. I may even be tempted to wear them with sandals - something I never do...

Contest #4 - Pay it Forward - Winners!!!

I am finally here to post the winners for contest number 4. Since only four people actually posted their contest entries, I decided that all four should be winners of this contest. Thank you and congratulations to H-star, Carol, Lisa L, and Affectioknitter. Winners - please contact me at mezzodiva AT sympatico DOT ca with your mailing address so that I can arrange to get your prizes to you ASAP.

Though only four of you posted here regarding your "pay it forward" projects, I hope many of you were somehow inspired by this contest to think about what you can do and look for opportunities to make a difference in your world in your own way, whatever it may be.

My Cure "Pay It Forward"

Ramona has been kind enough to encourage us to share our stories here. I thought I'd take her up on the invitation and post a video link. My surgeon contacted me a few weeks ago to ask if I'd be willing to do an interview for a local news station related to breast cancer. They wanted to find someone who had been diagnosed through mammography. I decided to go ahead and really "go public". If it encourages even just one woman to pick up the phone and make an appointment, it will be worth it.

So here I am, new short CURLY GRAY hair and all!

http://www.fox23news.com/mediacenter/local.aspx

Click on the link and then go to October Buddy Check Reminder.

Lisa L :-)

Moving Right Along

My goal this past weekend was to get the heel turned on the second Campanula sock. Ta Da!

Nothing happened on it today, I'm afraid. I'm shampooing the carpet and I'm wiped.

Soon, I hope, soon it will be done!

I'm Ba-a-a-a-ack!

Don't pay the Ransom! I escaped!

No, really, I wasn't kidnapped. I've just been delayed by the lingering effects of the nasty flu from which I am still recovering, and swamped with all the work that got delayed while I was sick. I have done very little knitting and still haven't entered anything on Ravelry, though I accepted my invitation three weeks ago.

But please don't feel too sorry for me! I did actually manage to finish a Campanula sock that I am making for myself. That's right. You heard me. These babies are MINE!
This was photographed early last night at Knitomatic SnB and I then completed another half pattern repeat and the cuff's twisted ribbing, so all I need to do now is cast off and make another one. Despite the photographic evidence, it's actually a perfect fit. It's being modelled here by the lovely Shelna whose feet are a half size longer and whose ankles and calves are much slimmer than mine are.

I'm just a little busy for another couple of days, but I wanted to drop in here to say a quick "Hi!" to all of you and I promise to post the winners of Contest number 4: Pay it Forward ASAP (The MezzoDiva is swamped right now). Meanwhile enjoy the lovely fall weather - such terrific inspiration to knit wonderful wooly things!

Just in time for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Now that we are all awash in Pink this month, here's to helping myself to a gorgeous pair of socks!

These are J.Knits in San Jose. My first toe-up sock and I thought it was going to kill me!

AfternoonMoon http://girlinfox.blogspot.com

Silly Me

I just spent most of my afternoon working on my second Campanula. I spent so long in one position that my back started to ache!

I believe I have figured out why I kept postponing the casting on of the second sock. Somehow, I had built up in my mind that it was going to be a fiddly knit. Which it isn't. Which I would have known if I had just cast on the second sock right after I finished the first one. But no, I kept putting it off, and the bogeyman kept getting bigger. Until today. I was just sailing along. which is why I didn't realize how long I had been knitting until my back started to complain.

Silly me.

Finally Started Sock Two

So, waaaaay back in February(?) or thereabouts Mezzodiva asked me to test knit her sock pattern. I was hesitant since I had never done any real lace projects at that point. But I decided to take the plunge and knit up a lovely sock. And stopped. So I had 1 lonely sock.

Due to a chain of unfortunate events, (check my blog if you want the story) recently I found myself looking for a project to cast on. Apparently, a higher power of some sort really wanted me to finish the pair! So, I took the bull by the horns, picked up my needles and cast on.

I am now the proud mother of a toe-cap. Soon to be a sock. One hopes.

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving, all!

Pay it Forward

I've received so many blessings in my life...

I'll be taking a group of 1st through 3rd graders to Red Willow Bible Camp http://redwillowbiblecamp.org/index.asp - and I've recruited another woman to help drive. (Neither of us has a child in this age group - so don't think that you can't do things with kids if you don't have any of your own).

I'll be volunteering as Cub Master this year and will help the scouts 'pay it forward' as well. Last night a group of about 10 scouts collected litter in our neighborhood.
I'll be participating in Operation Christmas Child http://www.samaritanspurse.org/OCC.asp?MPGID=1

This one is a lot of fun and kids love to buy the little things to put in the boxes. It helps them to become aware of needy children in the world.

Contest Number Three Extension: keep on Paying it Forward!

Good Mornin', Campanula!

Well, I must say it's good to be back here in Blogland. I've missed you guys, though I have peaked in on occasion to see some lovely new Campanulas completed! I apologize for my prolonged absence, but it's been a heck of a ride here at casa MezzoDiva for the last three weeks.

Because I have been out of commission and I haven't seen very much action here for Contest Number Three, I am extending the deadline for Pay it Forward postings to October 15th.

Come on, Campanula Campers! Let's see more of your great plans to make our world a better place! Just think of three ways you can contribute to your own community. There are NO other rules than this: Get involved. Think small or think big. Do something for your family, your neighbours, your school, your country, the world. It's up to you. Pledge to make your best effort to engage in an activity or make a plan to support a cause that you consider important. And please remember to cross-post here so we can all see them. Also, while I do try to keep up with each and every one of you, it makes my record-keeping so much easier if I see it here!

And in case you need some inspiration, here's a terrific site I came across recently: My Good Deed.

Drumroll please....

TA DA! The finished Campanulas:




I LOVE this pattern. Thanks Ramona for coming up with it. Just to recap, the wool I used was Claudia Handpainted in the Baby Doll colourway

Thanks, Ramona!

I'd like to express my appreciation for my lovely prize for finishing the first Campanulas. The postal service tried to eat the package, but as far as I can tell, all the contents made it.

I got Dream in Color yarn in pale fire, the same colorway I made my Campanulas in, so I think I will use it to make my sister a lovely pair of socks for the holidays. It will be her first time to get two pairs of socks! I know she will like them. I also got a beautiful stitch marker from one of the sponsors--it was very kind of all the sponsors to provide prize material!

I'll keep on reading about people's socks!

I am now SunaSAK on Ravelry if you'd like to be my "friend."

Wa-hoo! Campanula is done!

Wonderful pattern and a great cause! If you are still knitting your Campanula and have extra yarn consider taking them up to knee high. If I hadn't been so impatient I would have kept going!

And, no, that isn't a white sock underneath that is just how pale my legs are! I guess I should have worn shorts more this summer.

Alice
Ravelry: Justafew

Hello Campanula

I just started my Campanulas. I've always knit my socks top-down and this is my first time knitting toe-up socks and I'm really excited about it. I did a little research before I started and I've used short rows with wrapped stitches in other garments before so it was pretty straightforward.

I've had this Bernat cool cotton in my stash for a while and wanted something light and lacy for it - I think this pattern will be perfect.

It sure does make a nice roomy toe box - that should be really comfortable...

Pirk's socks

Sept. 25, 2007:
I changed the picture from yesterday. The socks are now getting the leg part.

Hi,
I am so far behind with my socks, but started working again on them on the weekend.
I had the first one done to the heel turning and now I have the second one as well to the heel (increases).

I am still not sure how to do the heel, unless it's done the same way as the toe part. There are quite a few instructions in the web, and I have printed several of them.

Here is a picture of my second sock.

C'est Fini!

My Campanula Socks are finished! And they feel great! And on a nice note, I finished them last week just as I was finishing up my last radiation treatment - YAY! Many thanks to Ramona for creating this beautiful pattern and setting up this wonderful KAL!

Still Knitting...

I realise I've been rather remiss in posting pics of my Campanula's (still in progress). I am going to knit up the leg until I run out of wool.



I love how this pattern knits up, but it's a little hard to do on the bus since I can't seem to memorize the pattern.

I received my prize wool today! It came with a cool stitch marker and I love the name of the colourway: singed tomato...It was the name that sold me:



I think I might turn this wool into a pair of Campanula's as well. If I am able to do the Walk for Breast Cancer here in Ottawa next year, you can be sure I will be wearing the Campanulas!

Finished!

I finished the Campanula socks tonight! They turned out ok. I made some mistakes but I like 'em. :) And here they are!



Whaddya think?

Robyn

pay it forward

hey all,

unfortunately i don't have a sock to show off (i've been up to my ears in wedding garments), but i've got a "pay it forward" cross-post!

The fight continues: 60 more in 2008!

Congratulations! You did it! WOW! You stepped up and out on the street and made a real difference in the fight to end breast cancer. You were an invaluable part of the family of 5,521 participants who raised $17.3 million to support breast cancer research, clinical enhancements and continuation of the Survivorship program at Princess Margaret Hospital.

The Weekend to End Breast Cancer was a huge success for the fifth year in a row - thanks to dedicated people just like you. On behalf of the doctors, researchers, Board of Directors and other staff of Princess Margaret Hospital and The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, we deeply appreciate YOU for making The Weekend such a spectacular success. Because you committed to supporting breast cancer research, thousands of women and men throughout Toronto and Ontario will directly benefit from advancements like the rapid diagnosis pilot program, interoperative radiation clinical trial, the Breast Cancer Survivorship program and leading edge research done at The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research at PMH lead by Dr. Tak Mak and his research team.

Of course, the fight does not end here. The funds our participants have helped raise over the last five years are phenomenal, but cancer is not a five-year problem. Research and cancer breakthroughs take time and money to support and realize The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation has long term goals that require long term funding so we hope you've signed up to keep fighting cancer in 2008! If you have friends who'd like to join you, please invite them to come on out for this amazing journey.

For a limited time, everyone can register for just $25. Make next year the next leg of this wonderful tradition in our community. Tell your friends and family to register for The 2008 Weekend to End Breast Cancer benefiting Princess Margaret Hospital!

Congratulations and thank you so very much for your important contribution to this record-breaking walk! You've made our community very proud.

Visit here for the news release about The Weekend.

Sincerely,

Paul Alofs
President & CEO
Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation

What a world we could make!

DH posted at I Think: It is time to put aside a few minutes to remember the innocents who were executed on this day in 2001 for the crime of being American, without trial or evidence or representation by counsel. My condolences to the families and friends of these victims, and to the world that has suffered the ongoing consequences of these crimes against humanity.

I couldn't say it any better.

At 5:30 am on Sunday, on my way to Day Two of the recent WEBC, I had the most amazing conversation with a cab driver. He asked me what all these people were doing and why and I explained to him that we were raising money and awareness to combat this scourge that is cancer. We discussed the Weekend and the PMH foundation and recent/imminent breakthroughs in research and treatment. We discussed the sad state of the world, the ubiquitous wars official and unofficial, and our society's all too pervasive culture of impotence, the prevailing impression cultivated by our conglomerate driven economic-political machine, that as individuals most of us are unable to make a difference, so we might as well just slog along as cogs in the system and try to buy ourselves as much consumer-happiness as we can grab to soothe our frustration, but without rocking the boat too much, and please - leave the world-altering decisions and actions to the big boys.

The driver asked many questions about what I was doing and after I told him how deeply moved I was to be a part of this endeavour, how incredibly empowering it was to contribute in even my small way to making this world a better place, he responded in the most profoundly thoughtful, and uncannily appropriate way. He said: "What a world could we make if instead of violence and hatred, all that anger and passion could be channelled into healing and helpful directions, to curing diseases and feeding the hungry and consoling the desolate."

Please remember - this KAL is continuing, and so is Contest Number Three: Pay it Forward. Please let me know when you have posted about your initiatives to make the world a better place. Better yet, cross-post them here so we all can share our ideas and our energy.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world: Indeed it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead
(16 December 1901 – 15 November 1978)

"If you think you're too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito in the room." - Dame Anita Perella Roddick,DBE
(23 October 1942 – 10 September 2007)

You are MY heroes!

Thank you for supporting me and the 2007 Toronto Weekend to End Breast Cancer. When the going got tough, your support kept me going.

This was an amazing experience! I am overwhelmed with emotion, spiritually soaring high and I really don't care that I hurt like hell, though I am hysterically amused by my attempts to climb 14 stairs to shower the previous two nights. DH threatened to video-cam my pathetic crawl up the stairs, but I said that if he did I would leave him - once I could move again.

Despite a brutal hill climb in High Park early on day one (staying there 2/3 of the way up was tempting, but not an option), minor heat stroke and sunburn (you know you’re too hot when the Gatorade actually tastes good!), and walking in the cold rain with a minor chest cold (got some hot herbal tea with honey from Starbucks en route), surprisingly few and minor blisters with potential imminent loss of one toenail (there's a blister under it), other body parts chaffing in places I cannot speak of, and every single muscle and joint aching and stiff with possible exception of one beside my right eyebrow… I am so incredibly glad that I did this I cannot describe the depth of my feelings.

I definitely did NOT do the whole 60km.

Some people do the whole 60km. Many people don't, and even experienced veterans of several previous years sometimes call a halt. I don't know precisely how far I went, but I estimate a total of about 45km. On day one I probably covered about 25km. We started with opening ceremonies shortly after dawn, leaving the CNE grounds by 7:15am. I was feeling pretty good until around 3:30pm I was overcome by extreme heat and my blood pressure was spiking (it crept up through the day, was up to 132/89 mid-day, 138/96 mid-afternoon…), so discretion being the better part of valour, I called it a day shortly before 4pm and got swept to the camp.

There are numerous bike patrols and sweep vans with crews that travel back and forth along the route cheering on the walkers and offering support and water refills and blister care, and if you need a break (or if you fall to far back at the end of either day), they will take you to the next pit-stop (or all the way to camp) where there are snacks and/or meals and water and Gatorade and toilets (incredibly good portables) as well as medical personnel, and all kinds of assistance and support.

On day two I probably did another 20km. I woke up around 4:30am with a cough and fighting a chest cold (but surprisingly limber after the first day, though tired). I suspect the extreme exertion of day one undermined my immunity, as I have noticed that in the past after some extreme bike rides or overdoing other workouts. Nevertheless, I was doing okay once I got warmed up and moving. I twisted my right knee mid-morning and went about another 5km unable to keep it in alignment, then I decided not to risk damaging it further and got swept about 2km to the lunch stop.

After lunch it was hard to get moving, but some bandages and stretching banished the blisters and stiffness and I started to feel pretty good. I actually surprised myself by almost finishing the last 14km, but I completely lost it at the last pit stop just south of the CN tower with 3km to go. I was suddenly unable to even cross about a one block distance to the refreshments tent to replenish my water bottle and I just sank onto the bench and wept. I got swept over to outside the Exhibition grounds and walked one last km in from the Princess Gates and through the closing site and the ceremonies.

Day one is over. Please shoot me now.

Just crawled in the door fresh as day old fish.
Must now attempt to climb 14 stairs to shower.
Ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow …

Vow that next house will have full bath on main floor.
Too tired to write more now.
Love to you all.

XO – MezzoDiva

P.S. I have already registered for NEXT year :0
And I am starting a team: Knitters for Knockers!
If you want to join us in 2008, let me know!

Walking my socks off!

The Weekend to End Breast Cancer 60-km walk is this weekend.

My training sucks lately. Really - I did a grand total of 15 miles in August. Ugh! That’s less than half of my mileage from way back in January, when we had snow and wind-chill feeling like -30C. But the extreme heat waves and humidity absolutely derailed my summer training plans. And in this last week we’re supposed to cut back and not do much. Hmmm... how do you cut back from zero?

I was really starting to panic about it last week, but after several days of growing apprehension, I examined the anxiety and realized it was simply fear of pain. Once I accepted the fact that I will experience some pain, probably during and definitely after the event, and that's okay, I will get through it, my anxiety level dropped significantly.

At least I can be happy that I covered well over 200 miles since mid-winter! I figure that I walked all day several days in a row when I was singing & traveling in Italy (1999) and I didn't train for all that walking. This can't be a lot worse.

Whatever happens to me this weekend, it's nothing compared to what hundreds of thousands of women face every year. And increasing numbers of men are being diagnosed with this disease as well. I am walking to show my solidarity with these men and women, to help raise awareness and to support the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation.

So I am going for it. I'm just going to go and have fun sharing this experience with a few thousand like-minded persons. What's not to love?

I'll be in touch early next week - once I can move again. Meanwhile, keep those Campanula pix and good wishes coming. They will inspire me when the going gets tough!

Toronto WEBC Route and Cheering Stations

If you will be in the GTA September 8-9, please come out to cheer me along the way. I would love to see some Campanula for the Cure representation!

Though the location of Opening Ceremonies, Camp, and Closing Ceremonies will be announced well in advance of The Weekend to End Breast Cancer, the route will not be pre-announced. This is strictly a safety precaution as the route may have to change at the last minute due to traffic signal failures, broken water mains, or any other unforseen issues. Therefore, we do not announce the route.

There are however several cheering stations along the way where your friends and family can come and support you along the route of The Weekend to End Breast Cancer® benefiting Princess Margaret Hospital! Tell them to bring their BIG signs, smiling faces and happy cheers to the following sites:

DAY ONE: Saturday, September 8, 2007
Lambton Park: 9 am - 12 pm
4100 Dundas Street West. Street parking.

Rosethorn Junior School: 11 am - 2 pm
2 Remington Drive, SW corner at Rathburn Road.

Elm Park: 1 - 5 pm
SW corner of King and Elm Streets. Street parking.

CAMP: 4:30 pm - Downsview Park, 75 Carl Hall Road.

DAY TWO: Sunday, September 9, 2007
John Ross Robertson Elementary School: 9:30 - 11:30 am
130 Glengrove Avenue West, NE corner at Rosewell Ave.

Nesbitt Park: 12 - 3 pm
just south of Bayview Avenue. Street parking.

CLOSING CEREMONIES: Halls A & B, Direct Energy Centre Exhibition Grounds 4:30 pm
The ceremonies start at 4:30 pm, but feel free to come cheer the Walkers at anytime between 1:30 pm and 4 pm.

Note: These locations may change without notice if the route changes due to last minute detours.

WIP in Worcestershire UK

This is my first sock done toe up, second attempt at short row heel ( getting it right this time after downloading some great help!)and I love the pattern! I have to confess I made the toe longer as I have long toes & was frightened of snagging the lace or my little toe poking through a gap. Thank you Ramona for your generosity.

Contest 3- Pay it Forward Blog Post

Come to my Blog and check out my pay it forward ideas!



~Carol~

Unfortunately I can't make it to the starting line, but in my place please accept the donation of 5 'Fuck Cancer' Subversive Crossstitch Kits to the KAL contest-o-rama.

xox H

Contest Number Three: Pay It Forward!

As I prepare myself to walk 60 kilometers this coming weekend for the Weekend to End Breast Cancer (gulp!), I've also been pondering what might be another appropriate contest for this knitalong. Inspired by our own Lisa L (scroll to the end of that post), and by the movie (which I have yet to see - but I know the gist of it), I am throwing our collective hats in the ring to share something of ourselves, effect some change and do some good.

For contest Number Three here at Camp Campanula, I am inviting all of you to think of three ways you can pay it forward: specifically, I want you to put on your thinking caps and come up with three ways YOU can contribute to your own community. There are NO other rules than this: Get involved. Think small or think big. Do something for your family, your neighbours, your school, your country, the world. It's up to you.

It doesn't have to be an original idea (I'm rather hoping we can inspire each other), and you are certainly not limited to only three. But please pick three ideas to implement, begin planning now and follow through during the next year.

This contest will remain open until the end of the month - September 30th. After midnight on September 30, I will pick one name randomly form among all the eligible participants and you will receive the lovely prize donated by Mama Llama. But I hope some of you will start sharing your ideas as they come to you, and please post them in a blog entry (instead of the comments) so we can all share the positive energy and inspiration.

And of course, pictures of all your beautiful Campanulas in progress are always welcome.

Update on Robyn's socks

Here are my socks after doing the heels. he he I had no clue what I was doing! LOL I had never done short row heels before - in fact this is my 2nd pair of socks EVER! he he So for the sock on the left, I followed the written instructions I found online without pictures. I didn't know what it meant about double wraps and knitting 3 together so I ended up decreasing a huge amount! LOL I don't like frogging and I figured, these are for me and it's the heel..eh! So for the 2nd sock on the right, I went to find pictures. OH! THAT's how you do it huh? tee hee So the second one came out right and now I have one sock that needs decreasing and one that needs increasing on teh back side.

But hey! At least the front looks pretty good. :)

One down, one to go

Yarn: Knitpicks Essential in pumpkin.
Needles: Size 2

I'm off now to get sock two going. But I wanted to say knitting wool socks on a very hot day is fine. Wearing socks on a very hot day to pose for a photo is funny/horrible.

Joining the fray

I've finally solved my quandry on the yarn to use, thanks to many of you, and have cast on my botanically correct campanulas in Fleece Artist Somoko in Blueberry Mist.

I've done 1.5 pattern repeats and happy so far. I had wanted to have the first sock done in time for Mezzodiva's big walk this weekend, but alas, I have a knitting related injury and have to sit out a few days!

Patience is a Virtue. Forgiveness is Divine.

Edit: In keeping with my original title above, I have decided to remove the content of this post. Thank you to everyone who commented so kindly. I appreciate all your support more than I can say. You should know that this story did have a positive resolution. Further developments are posted at my blog.

Contest Number Three - Prize Teaser!

Here is a picture of the prize goodies in the NEXT contest!
400yds of Pure Cashmere yarn with Heartstings pattern. A surprise gift of stitchmarkers will accompany your package (not in photo). Mama Llama is very happy to be a part of such a wonderful cause, and I'm starting my socks soon!

Many thanks to Mama Llama and all our donors for the prizes we can offer here. Please stand by for Contest Number Three Details early this weekend. - MezzoDiva

Contest Number Two - Winners - addendum

Contest Two Winners - Suna, Rhonda, and Rochelle: please email me at mezzodiva AT sympatico DOT ca and forward your mailing address and a telephone number. Thanks!

Contest Number Two Winners

As promised we have three winners for contest number two, Campanula's Day Out. The assignment was to take your Campanula socks-in-progress out for a day and show it a good time, while hopefully also showing it off and perhaps attracting other folks to our joint project.

Without further ado, our winners are:

Suna (also the clear front-runner and winner for first pair completed) left a note in the comments detailing her Campanula's adventures out and about. I've copied them here for all to see:
1. Went to LYS Saturday, gave a lady the URL to sign up.
2. Went to "Chicks with Sticks" and told all the women there where she got the pattern.
3. Posted her sock photo on Flickr and people there asked her where to get the pattern, so she sent that off, and also posted the information.
4. Mentioned the socks on a sock knitting email list.
5. Sent an encouraging note to a blogger looking for the right yarn for this project.
6. Knitted on it at high school band "Everything Day" when her sons got their uniforms, etc...
I'd say she wins for the most diverse excursions.

Rochelle took her Campanulas-in-progress to visit the Yarn Harlot last week, which was pretty cool, and she had a great picture taken with Campanula and the YH's travelling sock (our Rochelle has a fabulous smile), which appeared on the Yarn Harlot's blog and attracted several more new folks to our joint venture.

And just yesterday,Rhonda took her Campanula on a fabulous tour of M.I.T. and posted a beautiful pictorial essay of our sock's adventures on campus (sadly no student sudsers were included in the official tour).

Please stand by for the specific prize notices. I am waiting for confirmation/arrival of several prize donations which have been promised but for some reason have not materialized here yet. If they do not arrive in a reasonable time, I promise that I will provide alternatives.

My Campanula Sock goes to work with me

And takes a tour of M.I.T. ...

I posted a picture tour on my blog Home of the StitchingNut last night but Blogger kept locking up and by the time I got done it was too late to remember I should post a link here. You were all probably in bed by that time anyway. Right?
Come on by today and watch my sock find out what it's like to work at M.I.T.

Now I've got to help my Campanula grow up into a big sock ...

Robyn's Socks

I started mine yesterday! :) Here is a pic in progress:

I was worried that it wouldn't fit over my super wide feet...but I think it's going to be fine. You can see more info about it on my blog: http://dailyjoy.net/knitblog. I'm using Knit Picks Essential in Pine and size 1 needles. I'm doing 2 socks at a time w/magic loop.

Robyn

Pirk's process

Hi,
I am way behind with my socks, but I wanted to clear some WIPs out of the
way, and then joyfully knit my Campanula socks.
I have started another sock, just to make sure that I remembered how I did the first toe. I want to finish my socks by next Thursday (Sept. 6th) to show at our Trocks knitting meeting. It's a long weekend coming up, so I should be ok.

Campanula Update - Finished!

I just finished both Campanula socks! Here are the baby pictures:


They are a bit loose, but they haven't been washed yet and I expect they'll even out nicely. I did try the bind off suggested in the pattern and I like it! Stretchy but not too. The only trouble I had (aside from finding time to knit!) was coming out of the first heel and getting the stitch count right. This is the first pattern I've worked where the stitch count changed and it did confuse me at first. It finally clicked and I got it on the third try and the second heel was a piece of cake! I do love the Smooshy yarn and am glad I have more!

Another Camanula in progress

I can already tell these socks are going to be pretty!

Yarn: Knitpicks Essential in pumpkin. Needles: Size 2

Progress: My gauge is about half a stitch off which was making for a slightly loose sock (no, I don't own size 1 needles and yes I should)

SO, even though I have a tall foot I did the repeats for a small foot. I just turned the heel and the sock fits really well. It's perfect. Again, thanks for the pattern.

Good luck on the walk and I look forward to seeing more socks in this KAL!

Contest Number Two - Only Three Days Left... (is this thing on?)

I am absolutely delighted by all the beautiful Campanulas-in-progress you guys are showing me. The last couple of days have apparently seen a flurry of Campanula-knitting and they are ALL very pretty! It makes me very happy to see the pattern I designed giving so many people pleasure.

And as you can tell from the growing totals in the donation area on the sidebars, the contributions to the fight against cancer just keep rolling in, which is both gratifying and terrifying - because I really have to do this 60-km walk and it's coming up in just under two weeks! Eeek!!!! I know it won't kill me, but it is going to be one of the toughest things I have ever done and I am really chicken about the physical pain afterwards. Anybody want to donate a massage for me?

In other news, it seems that (other then me) only two people have taken their Campanulas out for some show-and-tell. At least, only two that I can see from the comments and the postings here: Suna and Rochelle. Suna - also the clear front-runner and winner for FIRST PAIR COMPLETED - left a note in the comments detailing her Campanula's adventures out and about. And Rochelle took her Campanula's to visit the Yarn Harlot, which was pretty terrific, and attracted some more new folks to our joint venture.

Remember, folks, there are three prizes coming this time: There will be one for the most creative entry, one for the greatest number of Campanula outings so far (our girl Suna seems to be in the lead here too), and one random draw from all the eligible entries. But, since only two of you have posted a contest entry, I might just have to keep that third prize for myself...(sigh) ;)

I expect to have a prize notice up soon, courtesy of Mama Llama. She is putting together some lovely stuff for us, like a little kit, with luscious yarn (she has some beautiful cashmere and silk), some matching fancy stitchmarkers and Heartstrings Lace pattern to go with it. She said she will put it together and take some artsy photos of it this weekend, so hopefully we'll see some pix by tomorrow!

So take your Campanulas out with you and show them around. Then post about it by Wednesday, August 29, 2007. Tell us all about YOUR Campanula's Day Out. Report on your Campanula's adventures in the wide wide world both here and at your blog!

Look at my Pretty Pretty Sock!

I cast on last night finally! I couldn't put it down--before I knew it I had 3 repeats of the pattern:)

I'm using Socks that Rock in Ruby--Hot Pink/Fuschia

What a fun pattern!

Teal!

Hi everyone! I'm finally going to cast-on and commit to knitting up these socks.

But first, shall we check out the fabulous teal yarn? It's hand-spun, hand-dyed and purchased right here in Calgary from Emily of Twist of Fate



Next step is to do up a swatch to check my gauge. I'm a slow knitter and this is my first knit-a-long. This could take a while...

Pluggin' along...

I've finished the heels and now it's up the leg to the end. I can't wait to wear these:

oooh.. look!

I got mine started late friday night.. and by started, I mean I finally managed to get that strange mess of twisted yarn to stay on a needle long enough to get 30 stitches knitted into it so that I could call what I was doing knitting, rather than making a mess which is what I had been forced to call it for a good while before that. :)



today I got the heel in. I'm not done for the day but thunder came so I figured I best get it's picture taken while I could. unfortunately, doing so seems to have chased the thunder away. :(

anyway, I'm finding this somewhat tedious to knit because I'm too scatterbrained to retain the instructions long enough to knit an entire needle so I'm constantly shuffling things around, but I'm so excited to get the heel in and shove my foot in and find that it FITS! hahaha

it's beautiful, too. I'm knitting it of knitpicks new wool/cotton blend, risata and I'm loving the yarn too. lacy cottony socks, I might actually get to wear by the time they're done. :)

thanks, Ramona, for this beautiful pattern, and for doing all this walking for us, and all women. :)

Oh look again! I went to look at the official KAL page and then I went to look at the fundraising total (70% there !!) and then I noticed there's a *chart*!!!
gosh, I was excited.. but I don't have the ability to read this chart in this format. is it possible someone could turn it into a pdf? pretty please? !

Campanula's around the heel

Well, I finished my short row heel this morning, I think it's kind of clever everytime I do it, but I still manage to favor a cuff down pattern. I did 4 full repeats of the lace pattern and now I wonder if I should have maybe done just 3.5...I have a 7-7.5 foot. It's hard to gauge but it seems a little "baggy" - I was thinking I may just continue the lace in the front and perhabs do ribbing up the back? It could keep my sock up and take up any slack. But then traditionally lace isn't very forgiving, so maybe the leg will pull it all together? Does the ribbing sound like a ridiculous plan? I dread pulling out my pretty heel to take out the 8 rows - what do you think?

It's hard to see what I am talking about from the picture, I am just admiring my heel. :)