Last year I really enjoyed my Knit for Lent experience, so I thought I'd give it another go this year.  Instead of hats, though, socks will be my project of choice.  Mostly because the sock I knit for the sock tutorials needs its partner, but also because I firmly believe that everyone deserves a pair of handknit socks. If you're interested in joining along, just jump in with occassional photos on our CAS facebook page!

In other (non-CAS) knitting, this is what I surprised Thing 2 with for her birthday yesterday.  Needless to say, she's thrilled. As thrilled as a newly minted 14 year old can be, that is.

While i just LOVE getting boxes of handknits, there are some other kinds of boxes that are just as lovely.

Like boxes that hold CAKE!

Our Lower Mississippi, Intercoastal Waterways and Gulf chaplains Michael Nation and Winston Rice were oh-so-kind to send up a King Cake all the way from Covington, Louisiana!

And what's so special about King Cake?  Well, there's a baby (plastic, i've been assured) baked right into it.  And if you get the piece with the baby, you're responsible for bringing the King Cake to next year's Mardi Gras! I did not get the baby. 

As we move from Mardi Gras into Lent, I've decided to continue with my year-old Knit for Lent tradition--this year, I'll be working exclusively on socks, using the new worsted weight pattern.  So every day I'll post my progress, and we'll see how many pair I can complete in 40 days.  If you're interested, you're welcome to join me--and we can all post photos on the Christmas at Sea facebook page!

And thank you Winston and Michael for a great Mardi Gras surprise up here in Port Newark!

Let's knit socks!

Never done that before?

Here's how:

There are six parts to the video, so pour yourself some tea, grab your needles, and let's KNIT!

That was the shout-out from St. Ann's in Brooklyn for a community wide knitting bee this past Saturday!

St. Ann's Rev. Nell Archer approached me in the late fall to see if I was interested in coming out to her parish to help out with a knitting bee, and to see if we could get some traction going on starting a Christmas at Sea group. Well, let me tell you, we had a great crowd--18 or so people, most of whom were experienced knitters.  I helped another five get started, too.  There was time for a Q&A about SCI and Christmas at Sea, and I had enough foresight to bring along the CAS iPad which is loaded with photos of the work we do. 

If you're interested in starting a group and need some help getting it up and running, give me a shout-out; I LOVE travelling to spread the news about CAS, SCI and the work we do, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE meeting knitters!

Back at the office though, the boxes continue to arrive daily.  Today we had some treats from Connecticut.  I've got a soft-spot in my heart for Connecticut.  They are home to the absolute worst part of I-95, so they deserve some commiseration.  But on a positive note, their state nickname is the nutmeg state, which is downright adorable.

The bundle of stripey seafarer hats comes from Gwynne L. from Kent, CT.  Gwynne is a hat-maker extraordinaire, and I love her use of stripes. 

Fran C. from West Hartford sent a huge box on behalf of the knitting group at St. James'.

The knitters at St. James' have been knitting for CAS for quite a while, and you can see how beautifully they go at it--look at the stitch definition on the mariner's scarf--just awesome! 

Thanks again, Gwynne, Fran and the St. James' knitters!

The boxes just keep coming--it really never lets up!

This week's treats include:

Trinity Reformed Church in North Plainfield, NJ sent along this HUGE box with sets, vests, and helmets, and a good question--when we pack up the gifts, are the helmets paired with a scarf?  Nope--the helmets are packed solo.  Only the hat is paired with a scarf.  The reasoning behind this? Well, the nice thing about the helmet is that the opening adjusts really wide, so the bottom part does a fine job of keeping the neck warm.

Barbara M. from South Carolina sent in five sets (among other things), and she purchased her yarn from Jimmy Beans Wool, taking advantage of our CAS partnership!  Good for you Barbara!

Then St. James' Episcopal Church in Painesville, OH sent along an entire box filled with seafarer beanies--and you all know how I feel about stripes! Thank you so much!

In other news, the latest issue of The Knit Before Christmas newsletter will be hitting your mailboxes soon--keep your eyes posted for it--it has some very interactive treats!

After a long sojourn to Phoenix, Arizona, I'm finally back in Port Newark.  Never thought I'd say this, but after a week of weather that's too lovely and drivers that are too friendly, it's good to be back in the grit of it all.

And welcoming me back were plenty of boxes!  I spent the bulk of the day opening, counting and sorting, and as always, there were plenty of treasures to be found:

These ditty bags are courtesy of Betty Mc. in Woodstock, GA.  I LOVE how she embroidered nautical themed icons on the bags--anchors and life rings!  So clever!

And then from Myrn W. in Sparks, NV, there were nine beautiful sets.  I love how she coordinated the hats and scarves using variegated and solid yarns.  And take a peek at that edging!  Nicely done Myrn!

These sets are from Betty H. in Scottsdale, AZ--again, great use of stripes and yarns that compliment each other! 

Speaking of Arizona, while I was there, I got the chance to meet up with some knitters from the Pleasant Valley community center.  This group is quite prolific, and what a treat it was to visit a group so far away!

My other purpose for the trip was to attend TNNA--The National Needlearts Association--winter trade show.  This is a trade show where wholesalers and manufacturers are exhibiting yarns and books and accessories for knitting, crochet, needlepoint, etc to retailers.  I was there with a booth to meet retailers and introduce Christmas at Sea to them--perhaps it would be a fit with their shops' knitting charities.  I had quite a grand time, and got to meet some fabulous people, including a woman who is former coast guard and now owns a yarn shop in California, and a man who was accompanying his wife but was also a container ship pilot!  Whodda thunk?!

Here's a view of my booth, and the goodies I had put together for the retailers:

Just prior to TNNA, my coworker and I ran in the Phoenix 1/2 marathon.  It was really long.  13.1 miles long, to be exact.  But we had a grand time, and we both finished with times better than we had projected.  But it was exhausting, as evidenced by our before and after shots:

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For the past few weeks, I've been enjoying the view of completely empty cubbies, but the boxes are starting to pile up.

So yesterday, I set about opening the new year by opening some boxes, and again, the treasures inside never cease to amaze!

First, from Phil in Vermont--an awesome card and helmet!  Phil's been knitting for us for 2 seasons now, and he's gotten his LYS involved, too!

My handwritten notes attributing these photos to their knitters got lost!  Word to any app developers out there: make a notes app for the phone (maybe there is one already, i'm not that tech savvy)!

Anyway, I LOVE the seafarer beanie, especially the blue ones with the contrasting interior.  Nice touch!

I love the enthusiasm that comes in each box--and this one clearly states its case on the outside too!  I agree--Christmas at Sea does ROCK!

The result of unpacking? This:

2012 has started off with a bang!!!

And a footnote: I'm off to Phoenix next week.  The purpose is two-fold.  First, a co-worker and I will be running in a half-marathon.  (yikes--I don't know what i've gotten myself into, but it will all work out. . .I think).  Then after that, I'll be participating with a booth at TNNA (The National Needlearts Association) trade show.  I do have some spare time though, and if there are any knitters or groups out there in the general area, let me know--I'd love to visit and meet you in person! 

http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2011/07/a_tightknit_commu...

I've been a member of Ravelry for a super long time--it's a treasure trove of information, and a great way for CAS knitters and crocheters to find each other (we have our own group: Christmas at Sea). If you're not already Ravelry-ing, check it out!

 

Folks, pat yourselves on your backs--21,164!

that's the total number of handknits received between Jan 1, 2011 and Dec. 21, 2011. 

I am just overwhelmed--this sets a record for Christmas at Sea!  And we did receive plenty of boxes over the holidays, but those will get added to 2012 totals. 

So, I hope you all had the merriest of holidays, and rested your fingers--we've got a lot of knitting to do in 2012!

 

Yessiree Bob, we are all done packing for CAS 2011.  Here's a video showing the aftermath of the Christmas room here at SCI.

Thank you everyone who sent in all the hats and scarves (a final tally will come later--i'm still counting!).  Thank you everyone who sent in playing cards and toiletries and candy and snacks. Thank you everyone who sent in such kind notes and photos with your knits and donations.  Thank you everyone who takes time out to call me in the office, just to see how things are going and to ask what we may need. Because of all of your efforts, we are able to warm the holidays of thousands of men and women working on the blue and brown waters during the holidays!

You guys ROCK!