Friday, March 16, 2007

Happy One Year Blogiversary... to ME!

It's like a broken record. Everywhere you look people are having a blogiversary. I believe something must have been in the water (or yarn) that month because a year ago today, I also got bit by the "blog bug"! I think I started reading 10 blogs consistently then, but as of today, I have 216 blogs that I'm subscribed to. Yes, insanity has hit an entirely new level around here. So much has happened in a year and I've made some great new blogging friends (although I've only met two of them) and I'd love to increase that number this year.

Of all the stats I located about my blog though, these are my favorite:
  • 4,776 people have visited my blog (about 1,000 of those were in February)
  • 127 posts have been written (including this one)
  • 536 comments have been left here
Thanks to all of you who frequently comment. It really does make my day to see so many comments on a consistent basis. I sincerely try to respond back to every comment I receive, but occasionally one falls through the cracks (or I can't locate an email address) and for that I'm sorry. I hope you continue here with me for my adventures into my second year, and I look forward to whatever my blog brings me. (an income would be nice)

In honor of my one-year blogiversary, I'm going to do the predictable and give away yarn. I was going to make it a contest, but I don't want you to have to work too hard for your freebie, so here's what I'd like. Leave me a comment on this post about your favorite yarn, knitted item, knitting book, and knitting accessory between now and Monday, March 19th at 12:00pm PST. I'll use a random number generator to choose the winner and that person will receive this skein of Trekking XXL. Come on people, it's time to finally de-lurk. After all, this is FREE.

Since I haven't posted since Monday, I could bore you with all the things I've been doing, but I won't. I will, however share with you the best part of the week. On Wednesday I went to Laura's beautiful home up in the hills of Orange County California. WOW! Talk about some stunning views!! Of course, I didn't think to take any photos because I'm an idiot! It's the truth, what can I say? We had a wonderful afternoon of showing off some of the items we've knit and I brought my yarn haul from Stitches West to show. The time passed too quickly (as usually is the case when knitting and yarn are involved) and as I drove home I was very thankful for blogs. I finally realized that the reason I blog is to keep in contact with those of you who have the same obsession for knitting as I do. I love connecting with people who can appreciate the joy, happiness, sadness and frustration that we call our craft, and the opportunity to hopefully someday meet some of the amazing people we correspond with through our blogs. Am I sounding too sappy? Okay, I'll shut up now.

In family news, my baby girl is turning 4 years old on Saturday.



This is Kya and I guess she's really not my baby, as much as she is my dog, but since I never had kids of my own, (other than step-children) I consider my pets my kids. I know some of you may understand. Ever since she was a puppy, she'd lay on the ground and roll her ball around with her paw. It's one of my favorite things to watch her do, so I just had to include a photo of it for you.

And just so my handsome 3-yr old doesn't get left out, this is Duke.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy, happy blogiversary! And happy birthday to Kya - what a real beauty she is - and so is Duke, my gosh, your furry babies are just the cutest!
As for your contest - yay for contests ;) Now, let's see what I can come up with here:
My fave yarn has to be "Schachenmayr Extra" which I'm working with right now for CMs "Avast" - this yarn just has the perfect feel, it isn't too soft but also not too rough, knits up beautifully, is very forgiving and machine washable - what more could a knitter ask for?
Then, my fave knitted item must be the brown lace sweater that I did 2 years ago - I still wear it religiously, especially in spring and autumn, and just totally love it!
Fave knitting book - this is a German one called "Die grosse Strickschule" by Katharina Bass - there's basically everything in it that a knitter has to know, and there hasn't been any knitted item for me (except socks and smaller stuff) for which I didn't use that book - especially when it comes to finishing techniques and the likes, it's extremely helpful.
Last but not least, my fave knitting accessory - does a tool count too? That would be my brandnew Addi Turbo circular needles - absolutely adore them!
Again, Happy Blogiversary and yay for many more amazing entries! I'm glad to have found you and your blog!

Carole Knits said...

Happy Blogiversary. I'm glad I found you and I'm glad you're here!
Okay, my favorite yarn is Knitterly Things Vesper sock yarn. My favorite knitted item is whatever I'm knitting at the moment. My favorite knitting book is Sensational Knitted Socks and my favorite knitting accessory is my metal chart keeper. Technically it's an accessory for cross stitch but I think it's marvelous for lace and cable charts.

Karen said...

Happy Blogiversary!!! It's been so great getting to know you, and I look forward to reading about all your adventures in the next year(s)!! And here are my favorites:
Yarn - Koigu for socks and right now, Brooks Farms Four Play!
Knitted Item - my "Cuppa Tea", of course!!
Knitting Book - Sensational Knitted Socks wins hand down (or "feet" down)
Knitting Accesory - my mini-Kacha Kacha counter

One last question. How did you figure out how many comments had been left? Is there a place in Blogger that will total them all for you, or did you get it from your Stat Counter?

jill said...

Happy Day to all!

Hey, will Duke sell me the secret recipe to Bush's Baked Beans??

Favorite yarn: Lorna's Laces and Trekking tie.

Favorite Knitting book: The Barbara Walker Stitch volumes.

Favorite Knitting accessory: my clipboard currently because it keeps my brain organized.

I'm with Karen in wondering how you figured out the total of comments left. Blogger baffles me at times.

Emma said...

Happy Blogiversary!

Favorite yarn: Mm, so many, but for socks, Fleece Artist
Knitted Item: I think my Odessa hat with beads turned out so so pretty!
Knitting Book: Mason-Dixon Knitting for the photos and breezy style.
Knitting Accesssory: Can't do much without my row counters. I need a few more of the little things!

KeanaLee said...

Happy Blogiversary! Your dogs are adorable(I have 2 dogs too-black lab & border collie) Funny DUKE actually looks like Duke from the Bush's Baked Beans commercial. LOL

Favorite Yarn: so far, sock yarn
Fav book: Last minute knitted gifts
Fav accessory: my needles
fav. item done by me: socks I made for my daughter with Mekixo yarn

Laura said...

Happy blogversary, gf! It sure was fun on Wednesday, wasn't it? :-)

You know, I have to at least *try* to get that Trekking yarn out of you, so here goes (all favorites subject to change without notice):

Yarn: STR
Knitted item: My Kaffe Fassett sweater
Book: Victorian Lace Today
Accessory: Sheep stitch markers

Ricki's here with me, and waves a paw (from this safe distance) at the dogs in hello.

abby said...

Happy anniversary! That's a lot of writing, and a tremendous amount of reading you do! So here are my favorites:

Yarn - Morehouse Merino
Item - Mitered Square blanket in Rowan Denim and Cotton Classic for a friend's baby. I saw last weekend that she sleeps with it clutched to her chest in a tight grip.
Book - Mason-Dixon Knitting (first knitting blog I found, I think)
Accessory - 'though it's been said, many times, many ways: Addis

Congratulations!

slyn said...

Happy Anniversary! I think it's been a great year, I have learned so much from you! I love the pictures of the dogs too, you really do take beautiful pictures.
My favorite yarn, not that I have actually used it, is the malabrigo. My mouth waters every time I think of it!

Lara said...

Happy Anniversary to you!!! Many of us seem to have the same anniversary months.

Favorite Yarn: Anything Rowan
Favorite knitting Book: Currently Lace Style
Accessory: Addi Turbos
Knitted Item: Lady Eleanor

Now, I plan to visit a friend who lives in Sunset Beach sometime in June. So maybe we can meet up? I really want to go to Knit Cafe. Have you been there? Anyway, I will let you know when I have a date planned out.

Teyani said...

Happy Blogiversary :-) This is a wonderful way to meet people, isn't it!
My favorite yarn..well, Sock Hop Yarn (grin)
Favorite book? Sensational Knitted Socks (and the new one- More Sensational Socks, will be out within a few weeks - yay!)
Fav knitted item? my lace alpaca shawl in pattern swallowtail. I feel fabulous when I wear it.
knit accessory? probably that would be the little glass stitch markers that are made by a friend of mine - they're not just functional, but beautiful too.

Anonymous said...

Happy blogiversary to someone who, like me, felt compelled to follow the knitblog herd at this time of year.

My favorite knitting item? I guess it would be too transparent to say Trekking XXL, wouldn't it?

I don't know that I could possibly narrow down a favorite anything related to knitting. My favorite knitting book is probably Knitting for Baby by Melanie Fallick, which is an odd choice, I know, given that I don't have a kid, but I love all the baby patterns and I have knit far more from that book than from any book I own. Plus if you knit the patterns in order you could go from an absolute novice knitter to a fairly advanced one. So that's my vote for a favorite.

Cathy said...

Happy Blogiversary! Time sure does fly doesn't it? I love the picture of your "baby" and even though I have 4 children of my own, by Beau is still considered my little "boy" - he is quite possibly the biggest baby in the house! lol Nothing like the love of a furry friend is there? I know what you mean about blog friends too - it IS great to have "met" people that enjoy the same things and don't get totally bored listening to the ramblings of an obsessed knitter and crafter!

Yarn - Trekking for socks - I LOVE knitting with it and I love the colors - I have a pair going in the denim shades and want to make more.
Knitted Item - recently it is my peekaboo mittens - I have so much fun knitting them and everyone loves them - instant gratification knit!
Knitting Book - Mason Dixon Knitting - there are so many great projects in it and it is a truly fun read to top it off!
Knitting Accesory - The mini-Kacha counter wins hands down - I LOVE this thing and plan on getting a couple more soon, because of course I always have more than one project going at a time!

Enjoy your weekend!

Angelika said...

Happy blogiversary. My god, your babygirl looks almost like mine (Retriever/Chow-Mix). Happy B-Day to her too. I'm pretty versatile and knit lots of things with whatever yarn or needles I have handy, since the mailorder system here is so slow and the next yarn store visit requires a full wallet and a 45 minute drive. Walmart just doesn't do it all the time. So free yarn is always welcome ;) Don't party too much and I hope for many more blog entries in the future. I love to read it.

Anonymous said...

Happy Blogiversary! Duke seems very happy to have been included in your Blogiversary post.

Fave yarn: The yarn I just made; it's my first and it really sucks, but I made it :)
Fave item: Sweater I made my handsome little great-nephew for Christmas (not only do I love the colors of the yarn, but he looks so darn cute in it).
Fave Book: Knitting Nature (because it was a gift from my daughter - a very thoughtful gift)
Fave Accessory: My sheep stitch markers given to me for no reason at all by a fellow blogger.

Anonymous said...

Happy blogiversary! I hope to see you around the blogosphere for many, many more! let's see...

Fave yarn: I do love Koigu, but I think STR is a close, close second
Fave item: My Snake River Socks. They're going to get worn out soon, I'm afraid, because I wear them every chance I get.
Fave Book: Ooooo... this one is hard... I guess any of Barbara Walkers Treasury Of Knitting Patterns. I turn there often for inspiration.
Fave Accessory: rubber bands for braces used as stitch markers

Kimberly said...

I'm so sorry I missed your blogiversary! Happy belated bloggiversary and I'm one of the many who is so very glad to have 'met' you, although I haven't been around much lately. Blame it on the lungs. :)