BarCamp / YarnCamp

Now tell me the truth: would you be able to explain a BarCamp to anyone? Well, I wasn’t until earlier this week. But fortunately there’s wikipedia and here’s their definition:

“BarCamp is an international network of user-generated unconferences primarily focused around technology and the Web. They are open, participatory workshop-events, the content of which is provided by participants. […] The format has also been used for a variety of other topics, including public transit, health care, education, and political organizing [and has been] adapted for specific industries like banking, real estate and social media.”

Ahhh … that’s what it is? What is it again? 🙂

A BarCamp is a conference that isn’t a conference but an unconference. It’s when a bunch of people, all of whom are interested in the very same subject (i.e. yarn!) meet at a certain place and time to benefit from each other’s skills and know-how. No rules, no hierarchy, no agenda. At least not in advance. Because the content of all sessions is driven and created by all participants during the course of the event. So if I want to learn how to knit socks, or have others take part in my knowledge of crocheting flowers, or learn about possible penalties when yarn-bombing  – I can not only suggest any of my favorite topics but vote for them to take action. And it’s up to me whether I give a lecture or listen to others, whether I impart knowledge or gain skills or both. Sounds great, doesn’t it?

So why am I blogging about it?

yarncamp

The lovely Ms. Elise over at “Gemacht mit Liebe” (= “made with love”) called my attention to the first German YarnCamp (ever!). Fifty tickets were available and – guess what! – I am going! Not sure (yet) how, but I am going! Well, part of me is going and needs to convince “the other half” …

  • “It’s far …” – “Take the train.”
  • “Someone needs to take care of J while I am gone” – “Drop it! He’ll be with his dad. They’ll be fine.”
  • “It’s on a Sunday …” – “Take Monday off then.”
  • “I’ve never been to any of those … (sigh)” – “No one has. It’s the first!”
  • “What will I do there?” – “Well … knit?! And blog about it once you’re back?!”

This is where I am at. But like I said: I am going. And I am happy 🙂

Someone to watch over me

It has been a while since I crocheted an iPhone sleeve for my friend. Rather convenient than design, but with a pretty button, I sent it to her as a surprise. It was so quickly done, I even forgot to take a picture. End of June, my friend came to visit and even though I was pleased to see her using the sleeve – it was in a bad state: all scraggly and ragged. Obviously, my choice of yarn had been wrong (too much wool – not enough acrylic).

Anyhow, I took a picture to have it “on file” with all the other stuff I have made over the years. And afterwards I forgot all about it (again), leaving the picture on the camera.

Until now.

Tonight I downloaded all pictures and here is what I discovered. It made me laugh out loud. Do you see what I see? No, not the ragged sleeve. The monster inside, carefully watching you with only one eye.

iPhone sleeve

I think it is hilarious. I might even crochet a summer sleeve for my friend, hoping that the monster will like it too.

July 15, 2013

My little boy will be 9 tomorrow. 9! And he is so very excited. In the past we would celebrate his birthday at my parents’ in the countryside. This year will be different. For the first time ever J really wanted to have a birthday party with all his friends. So we sent out invitations …

“There were ten in the bed and the little one said, roll over” Are you familiar with the lyrics? In case you’re not: at the end it says “There was one in the bed and the little one said, ‘I’m lonely…[sigh]'” – that is pretty much were we are right now. French kids spend summer vacation at their grandparents’. And as we are in the middle of summer vacation most of his (French) friends are gone. If it wasn’t for two there would be no guests at all tomorrow.

Fortunately, J makes the best of it. He suggested we’d go to the movies (something I would have never done with 10 kids) followed by a barbeque in our garden. And that’s what we’ll do.

crochet heart

I started making a garland for him the other night. A heart garland … But after I made two hearts my son would catch me (unprepared), take those hearts and use them as bookmarks. There was no need for him to say anything. Even I understood: No more garlands for the beautiful boy he is – inside and out. He has outgrown heart garlands.

But if you feel like making one – here’s the easy and very lovely pattern.

Leftover Bits of Yarn? No more!

Do you ever wonder what to do with leftover yarn?

Confessions of a Yarn-A-Holic posted a wonderful link today: 34 Adorable Things to do with leftover bits of yarn, composed and arranged by Buzz Feed. (Thank you for posting this!!) Below are my favorites: pom poms as bookmarks and a clock sweater.

Maybe I should post pictures of the yarn stamps, the bows and the ahern too.

Maybe you should have a look at the article yourself. Eventually, you’ll like it just as much as I do!

Pom-poms make bookmarks you won't want to stop playing with.

Give a clock a much-needed sweater.

Flower Power II

When I was 14 my (then) best friend would move to Hamburg with her parents. I was devastated and begged my parents to do something, to keep them from leaving. Of course, there was nothing they could do about it, but wonderful as they are, they suggested we’d host a farewell party for my friend, which is what we did. And it was good – a day to remember.

Not much later – when I was 18 – I was the one to leave, as I went to Paris as an au pair. My friends would take me to the main station (yes, back then one would take the train to go to Paris) to see me off. I remember it as awkward when the train finally took off and they all stayed behind.

The feelings I had back then stayed with me. Whenever I would relocate it would be bittersweet, anywhere between excitement and tears, anticipation and drama. So when reading Dilly’s post about her “lovely friend and partner in crime” (I love that!) returning to her native land, how sad she was to see Georgia go and her intentions of doing a yarn bomb for her I couldn’t but sympathize. Even more so, when I read she was in need of crochet flowers. I love crochet flowers.

There were two nights left, enough stash at hand and even some “flower experiment” remains laying around that I could use. Hence, I would crochet, pack 99 flowers (and a pom-pom that J had made) in a box and send it to the UK.

Häkelblumen

“Thanks for getting involved!” Dilly wrote (to a total stranger and clearly not knowing what to expect), “No idea of posting times but if they don’t get here by Weds I promise to add them to the yarn bomb anyway :)”. Well, the mailman obviously ran all the way and the box made it by Tuesday: “I received your package today. (…) We are still planning to hit our target tomorrow. I will try and post pictures as soon as I can.”

Pictures were online this morning (here are some more) and seriously made my day. Thank you Dilly! And to all others: we should do stuff like that more often. It doesn’only look good but feel good. So if anyone is planning on doing a crochet flower yarn bomb …

Hookers unite 🙂

crochet flowers