the blue blog archives: this never happens

I got my gift package in the mail yesteday for subscribing to the Rowan magazine! Did you get yours? I'm going to guess that you got yours about.... a year ago.

When I first subscribed like 5 years ago, I signed up in the summer, which is apparently the end of their publication year. Ever since, when it comes time for me to renew my subscription, they're out of the little gift package for that year. I've had to wait extra weeks, pick different colors because my choice was all gone, and last year they even told me that they were just going to send me the gift from the next year. You might recall that last year the gift package had two skeins of kidsilk haze in it. I was really excited when it finally came time for my renewal because I'd watched everyone else get their yummy kidsilk haze. Then when they told me they were sending some handknit dk for a purse kit, I wrote to them and said, no I really want the kidsilk haze! They were very nice (they have been very nice every year when they write to tell me that I have to wait or change my choice) and sent me the kit in a different color. And as usual, I didn't knit the kit. I never do! The all seasons cotton and the linen drape from a few years back eventually worked their way into tank tops and the rowanspun dk from even longer ago may never become a Kaffe Fasset pillow, but I'm saving it for something special. I've loved getting the yarns, but I don't seem to convert them into actual things that often.

So yesterday, after waiting some extra weeks and sending in a second choice color selection, I get this year's gift (uh, last year's gift for the rest of you!): two skeins of handknit dk to make a little cabled purse. This never happens, but I felt this intense desire to start knitting the thing right away!

I really needed a change after working on socks for so long. My hands were yearning for the feel of a different gauge and a different yarn. I don't need a knitted bag, but I couldn't stop them! Turns out the pattern is interesting without being difficult and I'm having tons of fun with it. It feels like a little knitting summer vacation!

posted by alison at 9:25 am | in vacation 2007

Comments

I get that "need for a knitting vacation feeling" often. These past two days, after weeks of socks, I've been knitting swatches in DK-weight and sport-weight wool. What a relief!

Posted by: Ruth at June 21, 2007 9:57 AM

I've been feeling the need to knit a sweater after months of socks. However, I have that little gift kit from Rowan (in green, though) and it does look like fun--and not as overwhelming as a sweater. (You're right--I've had that little kit since last summer. I must sign up right at the beginning of the subscription year--my subscription is always my birthday present to myself so I sign up in mid-August). Hmmm, I wonder where I put that kit.

Posted by: Jo in Boston at June 21, 2007 10:10 AM

We all need to switch it up on occasion. Keeps the knitting mojo fresh, don'tcha know?

Blessings!

Posted by: Susan P at June 21, 2007 10:19 AM

It's so pretty! I also love the colour, I can't imagine what colour you would have chosen instead. It kind of looks like it is meant to be red.

Posted by: leeleetea at June 21, 2007 10:20 AM

I just got my kit in the same color! Perfect for Project Spectrum!

Posted by: beverly at June 21, 2007 10:34 AM

They couldn't send you some Kidsilk Haze? How do they run out of that, there is no shortage of Kidsilk Haze in the world, especially since they are the ones who make the Kidsilk Haze! Crazy!

On the other hand, that little purse is going to be adorable.

Posted by: Bertha at June 21, 2007 10:40 AM

I can see why that pattern would call your name. It's beautiful. sometimes you see something and think "yes. I want THAT"

Posted by: Carol at June 21, 2007 10:47 AM

I just renewed my membership and requested the new gift because I didn't want the handknit dk! Looks lovely though and will be a great little treasure purse for wee one.

Posted by: Carol at June 21, 2007 11:16 AM

Holy Cables Batman! I'm feeling a little Aran coming on with that WIP.... love the red color!

And they seriously couldn't put a marker in the file that says "this person gets screwed repeatedly with the gift- and keeps renewing the subscription anyway- save one gift for her?"

Posted by: kelly at June 21, 2007 11:26 AM

Can see why you couldn't resist - those cables are great!

Posted by: becky c. at June 21, 2007 11:49 AM

That is just a happy looking project and a perfect color for it!

Posted by: Stacie at June 21, 2007 12:29 PM

Great cables. I began my knitting life at age 15 knitting cabled sweaters. Love them.

Posted by: gail at June 21, 2007 1:28 PM

Oooo I can't wait to see how this turns out. I got my kit at the end of April and the purse is just something I'd never use...I will live vicariously through you! :) It looks great so far!

Posted by: tania at June 21, 2007 1:43 PM

What a great pattern! Looking good already. Free gifts are so much fun, even if they aren't needed.

Posted by: Jenn at June 21, 2007 2:40 PM

Wow, that looks really beautiful! Is it going to be felted? I've only ever seen felted purses, but I didn't think felting shows off the cables. (Very confused knitter, here!)

How big is that issue? It seems like $55 is a lot for only two magazines, but perhaps it's like a book?

Sorry about all the questions!

Posted by: Rachel at June 21, 2007 3:38 PM

You are a better woman than I - well, a better knitter than I at the least. I persevered with my little bag for about 10 rows and it gave me a headache, so.... back to socks. Looks really pretty though (mine didn't look anything like that, I must've made some mistakes, eh?)

Posted by: Cindy at June 21, 2007 5:04 PM

That color is gorgeous! I love the feeling of heavily cabled patterns. They just feel so rich.

Posted by: Seanna Lea at June 21, 2007 6:00 PM

That's so funny! I have tried and tried to sign up for that group and I always get bumped off. I've emailed them and called to no avail. That's exactly the bag I'd have gotten too... I'll have to try again. 'Cause that's one cute cabled bag.

Posted by: Ann at June 21, 2007 6:00 PM

There is something so decadent about cables - I just love them!

Posted by: Mary at June 21, 2007 6:34 PM

Oooh! Very pretty !

Posted by: Katie O at June 21, 2007 8:33 PM

That is a very pretty pattern!

Posted by: Peeve at June 21, 2007 9:18 PM

Your Dolly Bag is coming along very nicely. Here's mine http://divamaggie.com/?cat=11 . I think my membership began a few years back in the summer as well, but I started renewing as soon as the new gift was posted. I think its every May.

Posted by: Maggie at June 22, 2007 7:52 AM

I'm one of your prize winners - but couldn't find your e-mail address on the side. Please feel free to donate to another worthy winner. Thank you! Sharon

Posted by: Sharon at June 22, 2007 8:03 AM

Don't feel too bad -- My mom gave me a subscription for my birthday in mid-February and I didn't get the gift until mid-April. However, it was the Dolly Bag in the color my mom had requested.
Hearing that the new gift is posted in April, I guess I'll always be almost a year behind when I renew! Maybe I'll take a hint from Maggie and wait to subscribe until the new gift is posted.

Posted by: Harper at June 22, 2007 7:36 PM

Great minds think alike... I ordered the bag in green and got the red last week too. Not sure I'm going to knit the bag, though.. nice to see yours!

Posted by: Karen at June 22, 2007 8:33 PM

So scrolly and beautiful! I've yet to justify the Rowan subscription. One of these days. I won't so it now though(!) In a few months time.

Posted by: Sonya at June 22, 2007 9:43 PM