Ladies and Gentlemen. . .
UPDATED!! (Updated AGAIN 8/24) (and Again 8/25!)Yes, there will be betting! No bookies though. I couldn't find one willing to figure the odds on knitting projects. Plus I didn't want to have to worry about any of you getting your kneecaps broken on my account. So here's my plan:
You leave a guess in the comments of this post as to who you think will win - Carole, Julia, Erin, Beth , Anne (welcome to the race, Anne!), Vanessa (welcome to you too, Vanessa!), or myself. If you don't have a webpage make sure you leave an e-mail address (soandso AT suchandsuch DOT com) so I can find you! Your guess gets you an entry into the drawing. If the person you bet on wins the race you get an extra entry, giving you two chances to win. The drawing for prizes will happen as soon as the first shawl is finished.
Of course, this is all in fun, so if your knitter falls behind, no threatening e-mails or harrassing comments. That wouldn't be fun. (not that you need to be told that, but you never know what sort of people are out there searching for something and stumbling across this page. . .)
So, what will you win? Well, four people will win some of this:
Hand-dyed corriedale roving from Ingrid of Ward Brook Farm. Each ball is 2 to 4 ounces and I'll send each winner two balls. Don't spin or felt? Just let me know and I'll spin it up for you (click here to see the same stuff spun up). Well, I'll spin it after the Moth knitting is done of course. And after my bobbins are empty of the lovely fleece I'm just finishing up.
There are rumours of some other prizes too, from my competitors, so keep your eyes peeled for that. More details will be forthcoming . . .
So, go ahead, check out everyone's progress. Beth is flying. Carole hasn't started yet (or so she says. Could be she's trying to lull us into a false sense of security). Julia's is incredible, her yarn is knitting up better than I could have imagined. Erin has Mondays off, and I imagine she's going to use that to her advantage. Anne wrote the pattern! So she's got an edge. And Vanessa, she's waiting for some incredible Lisa Souza mohair that will make for a gorgeous shawl. But she's a FAST knitter, so keep that in mind.
And mine? Here's what it looks like right now:
Doesn't look like much all scrunched up on the needles there, but I'm about 8 repeats in. This has a similar Fir Cone pattern to the Shetland Triangle I just finished, and I have the rhythm of the stiches down pat. Of course, that's just the first section. The rest is uncharted territory.
So - Place your bets! The comments are open. You have until Friday night (11:59 Friday, Aug 25th, to be exact). Have at it!
UPDATED!
Beth has added four skeins of Naturespun fingering in "China Blue" (more than enough to knit a moth shawl of your own) to the prize kitty:
And Julia! Julia has upped the ante, with an offer to donate $25 to Sustainable Harvest International for every official racer who finishes up before she does! Looks like she's giving people until Friday to get in (I think, did I read that right Julia?)! Want to take her up on it?? Let me know by Friday so I can get you on the official list of racers.
8/24 Update:
Vanessa's yarn has arrived! She's off and running. And she's got her donation to the prize kitty up too, two skeins of Lorna's laces Shepherd Sock, pick which color you like!
8/25 Update:
Erin's prizes for the drawing are up now too! 2 skeins of Noro Silk Garden, AND a ball of Regia Cotton Surf:
I think we'll leave it as one prize package, three balls of yarn is a good size for a prize. Socks and a hat. Or socks and a pair of mittens. Or whatever.
Don't forget, the comments close tonight at midnight!
posted by Cheryl @ 5:37 PM
151 Comments:
So anyone can bet (even if we're not knitting the shawl)? If so, I'm going to bet that YOU finish first. (Do we get extra entries for sucking up to the host? :) Just kidding!)
I going to place my odds on you. Besides, I absolutely adore the colorway you've chosen.
i'm sucking up to the host too. you're going to win!!!!!
I have to back my friend Julia !
Even though she isn't really racing. Much.
Vanessa. She can be LIGHTNING. She does Starmores in a twinkling.
Go Cheryl go! You'll win with Julia a close second.
I've been enjoying your blog, but never posted- beautiful prizes pulled me out of my lurk-dom...
I will go with Vanessa!
(Your color is a beautiful choice.../yarn lust)
I'll suck up to the host, too:) Yep, you guys are MUCH too competitive for me. I'll be knitting the shawl at a much more leisurely pace when I finish Icarus. That should give me time to find the perfect yarn. Good luck!
I'll bet on anyone BUT me. ;-)
I share a commuting bench with Beth nearly every day, so I'm supporting my gal. Plus, I saw her progress this evening, and she's got plenty of non-DH hours to burn. Plus, she's a women's college girl - we can be fierce. Beth has my vote.
And Cheryl, of course, will be a very close second. (blatant butt kissing)
FYI - I have two balls from Ward Brook that need siblings. Rig the contest, and the Mafia will keep you safe. Just sayin'.
Hmmm, I'm torn--can I vote for a massive tie, no losers?
Or, I'd vote for you. Or Julia. One of the two of you. But then Anne has an edge . . .
ooh cheryl! i had no idea that yarn was that color when it was on the cone!
mmm. can we bet against each other? just kidding . . .
I LOVE all the colors everyone is using but I'm gonna have to vote for Erin because her yarn looks so luscious and the blue color reminds me of my kids' eyes :) Go Erin!
I'm picking Erin for first and you for a close second.
Now everyone quit bothering Erin! She's got knitting to do...
I've gotta vote for Erin.. with you and Beth tied for second. (who can argue with first-hand comment info?)
Man-oh-man, I haven't faced a choice this difficult since....wow, maybe since I had to choose between the captain of the wrestling team and leader of the local biker gang for a senior prom date.
I think I'm going to have to go with Julia though. She may pretend she's not racing, but I'm betting her competitive streak gets the best of her in the end.
Maybe you ... or maybe Beth. Or it could be just any of you... But I have to choose, right?
So you!
I made my way over here via Carole's blog so I have to cast my vote for her. I know that she can do it and I'm putting all my money on her.
You let Vanessa in? You're all doomed. She's probably done already. ;)
I'm going for Carole also. She is going to be the comeback queen :-)
Alright, so not sucking up, but you're my local team (at least as far as I can tell you're the most local right across the bridge), and everyone knows you gotta support the local team. I think it's gonna be close, though, so GOOOOOOOOO TEEEEEEAAAM!
I'm going for Carole, although you all seem to do such a speed on the shawl that it might be real close! :)
I'm going to vote for my girl Carole. Y'all are going to have some gorgeous shawls when this is done.
This is tough....I'm going with Julia, with Beth and you a close second. Race on!
Oops! Forgot my e-mail addie: pointysticksATverizonDOTnet
I'm voting for Beth. That ruby red KSH is singing to me.
Hot d@mn, look how much shawl you've produced! That is seriously impressive. And have you seen Erin's? She's pretty much caught up to us. If she weren't pregnant, I'd suspect doping. ;-)
But now that Vanessa is in, I don't know what to guess. I've been all through her archives and she is a FIERCE knitter! ;-)
And I tremble to click on Julia's link today. She's probably done. ;-)
I'm betting on Anne ... just because.
I'll dig out some prizes from the stash too, maybe some sock yarn to relieve the pressure on the box. Did oyu see Anne's progress? Yipes!
110 stitches between the markers . . .
I must throw my hat in for Anne.
She wrote the pattern, she has dozens of projects going at once, she is competitive (only in a knitterly way of course), she's my teacher and friend.
Ooooh, I like this race! And as impressive as your shawl is already, I have to put my bet on Julia. I've seen her knit.
Your shawl looks beautiful! I love the color.
I'm voting for Carole.
Karen
http://nothingbutknit.blog-city.com/
I am going to vote for you!
YOU are a troublemaker.
And my money is totally on - this is really hard. I'll get back to you....
I'm betting on Julia. She's ahead so far
JaymeKnitsAThotmailDOTcom
I'll have to go with Julia at this point. Go, go, go!
redheadskydiverATyahooDOTcom
I'll vote for Julia, since I saw her site first. All the way until Friday to vote--won't some of you already be done by then? All of them look fabulous so far.
I'm putting it in for Julia. GO Julia!
fenchurch1022AThotmailDOTcom
Have you seen Vanessa knit? I'm betting on Vanessa. Go Nimble Fingers, Go!
Well, I'll cast my vote officially here for Julia. Sheer force of will, I tell you. There's always the chance that Beth will sneak up at the last minute and throw everyone off--beware days with no posts, methinks--but my money is on Julia to win. If CeCe joins up, all bets are off.
Julia. I came here from her first.
oh fsm, i knew i should have had the yarn overnighted!
I am absolutely voting and backing Cheryl...Go, girl!
Actually, I'm pulling for all of you, but I'll vote for Erin. It doesn't really matter, but you guys are really insane, you know?
Double or nothing on my gal Vanessa!
Go Vanessa! Go Vanessa!
I gotta go with Beth. I've got a good feeling about Beth.
I'm placing my bet on Julia.
I'm voting for Julia - with a blog name like Moth Heaven how could she go wrong? :D
(but really, I'm rooting for all of you, what a gorgeous lace pattern!)
I'm going to have to go with Julia... Not only do I covet her yarn, and her arrrr-gyle pattern, but she does have a bit of a head start on you guys...
we'll see how close it is, from the way she's talking, you guys have more free time than her in the next few days. I'll enjoy watching from the stands through my binoculars.
Having come here from Julia's blog, I will throw my vote her way. I'm so impressed with all of you, though!
I am going to vote for Julia, via her blog Moth Knits too! *I hope I win some roving... I really do!*
voting for cheryl via the very scientific "enie meanie minie moe" method.
What a great competition! I'm getting behind Anne! Go Anne go!
My odds are on Julia since the rest of you are new to me
I'm voting for Julia, since I found this contest through her blog...
I vote for Anne since she wrote the pattern, she have an edge.
I'd like to place a bet on Julia!
jschiela AT comcast. net
My bet is on Julia, since I got to this site though her blog. Go, Julia!
I'm betting on Julia! :)
I'm betting on Vanessa because I don't see many in her corner. But I'm rooting for all of you!
I'm putting the stash on Beth
msesqatcomcastdotnet
I'm going with you- It is YOUR contest after all!
I'm betting on Julia. But rooting for everyone :) --Sara
www.saraskates.typepad.com
I lay my bet down on Julia
I vote for prolific Vanessa! You are all amazing. Dee (sheepish56@aol.com)
This is very difficult. I can hardly go against any of my pals. Beth is on a roll, Carole can pull if off by a slip of the hand, Vanessa can too, and Julia well...she's competative. You are all a little crazy but that's good, too. Hmmmm. I'm going to have to go with Beth.
I have to go with Julia on this one.
i'll say beth. why not?
I'll vote for Beth... she has a good first name ;)
Ditto Beth.
Erin finishes first, with you as a close second! Thanks for the entertainment ladies!
Beth knows where I live. And she's definitely fierce. So my vote goes to her! :)
You!
I gotta go with Vanessa. She's a machine..............
I'm voting for Julia.
(racherin@umich.edu)
I'm going to cheer everyone on, but I'm betting on you to win! Simply because you turned me on the the fabulous pattern!
I'll vote for Beth too, just because I love her yarn.
Beth!
I vote for Beth... !
I think Cheryl will win!
Rosalia
demonutz@yahoo.com
I'd like to place my bet on Erin.
Carole! South Shore all the way! Even if she hasn't started yet...
Carole! Go go go go go go go!
I'm betting on Carole.
I think Julia should be the last. Does that count as an entry for the winner? Everyone but Julia.
Ok if I have to pick someone I will pick Vanessa.
Happy Knitting.
I'll vote for Anne! Good Luck to all of you! I'm sure you'll all finish in records time!
Michellelmf@yahoo.com
I'll vote for Anne, but you'll all be winners because you'll have beautiful shawls.
My bet is on Carole
nichols0503@yahoo.com
I have to bet on Anne because of her nimble fingers, her focus, and her ability to function on cat naps....plus as my teacher/hero, it would be a wise thing for me to do. skk42000@yahoo.com
I'm putting my money on Beth. I hear she has a nice long train ride to work every day ...
My vote is for Vanessa. I've seen her knit and weave baskets. She's fast and her work is perfection. Besides, if she wins and I win some of that fabulous roving, she might teach me to spin on one of her wheels. My dear, get the guest room ready.
besski@bellsouth.net
My vote is for Anne. She designed the shawl and has knit it before, I think that will give her the edge.
Karyn
mlcook@earthlink.net
First Vanessa, then you, then Anne, then Julia, and the rest will all finish pretty close after that! :D
Beth! Beth! Beth!
Red is fierce...
Vanessa :-)
I'm a lurker, and I am barely moving ahead on my projects so I shouldn't be wasting time with blogs, but Vanessa is still my bet.
I vote for Julia! Don't know why, I just do. :)
I vote for Cheryl, also using the "eenie meenie..." method. :)
My vote goes to Cheryl - 'cause this is her blog.
Erin - if only for the reason that she will soon outknit her "bump." Beth second, Vanessa third, Julia fourth.
I vote for Anne, she knits faster than the speed of lightning!!
I vote for Beth.
GOoooo Beth!!
Even though she just got her yarn, I'm voting for Vanessa!!
I'm going to go with you, I love the color you're using
I'm voting for Vanessa. I've seen her whip out some serious stitches.
I'm voting for Beth! :)
Go knitters, go!
My bets on Beth!!!
ohhh I love a good competition!!!
GO FOR IT GIRLS!!
I'm voting for Beth, cause she rocks!
Beth! :)
I'm voting for Julia, because she led me here. But I'm so tempted join in the contest! If only I didn't already have so many WIPs.
chris@mediaonfire.com
I vote for Beth! I can't believe how much she's gotten done so quickly.
Anne looks like she needs some more support, so I will totally urge her on! Despite a late start I think she can totally do it.
Here I was, all set to bet on Anne, and then Vanessa jumped into the fray. And I've seen Vanessa knit. I don't think anyone out there knits as fast as Vanessa does, so I've got to put my bet on Vanessa.
Anne's got my vote!
Anne, Don't be wasting precious time reading these comments, back to knitting. I want you to WIN.
i vote for Anne
i bought the pattern yesterday and as i just finished Flower Basket Shawl tonight (needs blocking) i may have to start this too!
go Anne
I'm betting on Carole! Go Carole go! :)
I'm betting on Anne, since this is her design and she has knit it before....Sharon
My guess is Julia. Go Julia!
I'm rooting for Beth!
Delurking to vote for Carole!
pj
I am betting on Erin!
Of course....I could be wrong!
I have bought the pattern myself last week and it is on my list.
This is hard - I guess I'm voting for Beth.
I'm off to buy the pattern - it's beautiful!
I came here from Carole's blog and especially since she's a fellow librarian, I have to stick with her.
I'd have to put my bet on Anne. Go Anne!
This is a tough one, but I think I have to go with Beth, even though Anne wrote the pattern and I know just how fast Carole is (she has handicapped herself considerably insisting on finishing the shawl on her needles before beginning Moth - should she get extra points? nah!)
I've got loyalty to Carole. She might be behind now, but she can come back. I believe!
I am going to go with Beth.
I'm voting for Erin, because if she can still make progress after the shawl surgery she had to perform, I think she has the determination to win!
I thought i already placed my bet BUT because I am a bit computer illiterate, I guess I didn't do it right hahaha. So, I am grabbing' my pom-poms and grabbing a fire poker too just in case and I am placing all mine on Anne. I have seen her knit AND she is fiercly competetive....bet ya'll didn't know that hahaha......and if she THINKS someone is gonna beat her, she'll pour it on all the more! So go Anne, Go Anne, Go Anne!!!debbiejusi@sbcglobal.net
ALl right I'm in the betting pool. Since I was Anne's test knitter, I'm betting on her. By the way, it took me 2 1/2 weeks of knitting, between working my real job and watching the kids to knit it . GO ANNE!!!!!!!
I just love knitters, ya all think of such cleaver things to do and include others in the fun.
I'm betting on Beth.
Thanks,
daisy.128@hotmail.com
i'm going with beth! adrienne (mcfongsATnetzeroDOTcom)
My vote is for Beth!
I am voting for Anne!
Thanks,
bear_clanATsbcglobalDOTnet
I think I'm going to have to vote for Vanessa. Knit fast!!!!
Can't wait to see all the finshed shawls!!
I think I'm going to have to vote for Vanessa. Knit fast!!!!
Can't wait to see all the finshed shawls!!
Anne seems pretty sure of herself! She gets my chips!
- Michelle
naiad@ihateyouallandwishyouwoulddie.com ;)
Oooh. Yeah, my bets on Anne as well.
-Reg
itakenickelsonly@gmail.com
I bet on Julia.
My money is on Vanessa! Just wish she would quit reading blogs and replying to comments.
i vote for vanessa
i want beth to win
i want beth to win
to win anne, to place julia and erin
Anne to win, Beth second and Carole to do a bang up job regardless of when she finsihes. ;)
GoCarole! GoCarole! GoCarole!! I think Carole's gonna finish... but will she be first?? I guess I don't read nearly enough blogs because I don't think I know the rest of the contestants. :)
Oh, jeez. I've got to vote for one? Can't vote for one to place and one to show? Gotta vote for first. Ok, then I'm voting for Beth. I think. Ok. Yes. Beth. Knit FAST, Beth!!
Carole - really enjoy her blog :)
tiwaasaAThotmailDOTcom
Julie - go Julie!!
inkyimpressions at juno DOT com
oops, y'know I meant Julia...just got so darn excited!
I vote for Anne. :)
Doh! It's not past midnight my time! :P
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