With Mel Archives - SpaceCadet Hand-dyed Yarns

It is a fairly commonly held belief that knitters and crocheters are just really “nice” people. But I have to admit that, when I hear that, I sometimes find myself cringing a bit. It seems too simplistic, too stereotyped. I mean, it’s also a commonly held belief that we’re all little old grannies who knit or crochet because we’ve got nothing better to do — and we all know that’s not true! So when I hear about this fabled “niceness” of knitters and crocheters, it often feels just as cliched.

But while I hate the stereotype, I do have faith in the people. The truth is that knitters and crocheters are simply people, with good days and bad, good points and bad — no different to any other people. The stereotype is built on silly assumptions, but the truth comes from what they do. When knitters and crocheters are nice, by gum, they really are nice. So nice that I find myself taken aback…

#SimplyShare with Mel

My friend Mel, of the With Mel podcast and the designer of the Mauna Kea sweater, blogged this week about a wonderful way for knitters and crocheters to share a little kindness with someone in need. Here’s what she says,

“A Medical Team dedicated to helping local community centers in Haiti will be leaving my hometown in a few weeks. They sent out a request for washcloths: “You can grab an old towel and cut it in to small squares for washcloths” it was said. My heart hurt at this request. My community of knitting friends and I can make a washcloth, a clean, fresh washcloth and share something much, much better…”

Each person who comes into the clinic in Haiti can receive a hygiene package, containing soap, shampoo, toothbrush and toothpaste, and a washcloth. Basic hygiene is so important in areas that are recovering from major disasters, but can we take an opportunity to make this something more than simply basic?

“…I am not saying an old towel ripped up wouldn’t serve a purpose. What I am saying is: I do not want an old towel to take an opportunity away from me to do something kind!… So please consider the simple washcloth. A square. Knit it in garter with two strands of sturdy cotton held together and you can have it done over a cup of coffee…”

And here is where my faith comes into play. I know that Mel’s viewers and followers will come through. I know they will respond from the heart, grab their needles and whip out simple washcloths to send to people who are in need not only of hygiene kits, but perhaps of that personal touch as well. Want to be a part of it? Click here for all the details.

A Mauna Kea Giveaway!

And here is something that I didn’t expect but that has only served to increase my faith in our community. Just before the Mauna Kea kits closed earlier this week, an order came in with a note that read, “I just can’t resist [this], but this kit is not for me. I’d like to sponsor an anonymous giveaway.”

You could have knocked me over with a feather.

How amazing is that?!? One of your fellow fiber-lovers has been so generous as to buy a Mauna Kea kit simply to give away just so someone else can enjoy the fun on making it! Here it is, proof positive that when knitters and crocheters are nice, they are really really nice.

So, if you missed out on a Mauna Kea kit, here is your chance to join in on the fun! You’ll get five skeins of SpaceCadet yarn in the Dark Skies ombre colourway, the Mauna Kea pattern, and membership in the Mauna Kea Knit-Together, with access to an exclusive site with great community support, tutorials, and on-site helps. How awesome is that?!?

Entering is easy!

Simply leave a comment here on the blog post and tell me what most appeals to you about the Mauna Kea pattern (see official rules below).

And then, please take the opportunity to pay it forward by sharing this giveaway with your knitting friends on Twitter, Facebook, and Ravelry. I’m not getting anything out of it, the kit sales are already closed — but when one of our community has been this incredibly generous, I think the best way we can show gratitude and share the love is to spread that generosity as far and wide as possible. Don’t you agree?

Share it!

For Twitter: Woot! The SpaceCadet is giving away a Mauna Kea kit! Click for your chance to win: http://wp.me/p1TnPQ-1Ny #MaunaKeaGiveaway

For Facebook: Woot! The SpaceCadet is giving away a Mauna Kea kit! Click for your chance to win: http://wp.me/p1TnPQ-1Ny #MaunaKeaGiveaway

For Ravelry: The SpaceCadet is giving away a Mauna Kea kit! Click here to enter: http://wp.me/p1TnPQ-1Ny

Yarn Alliance Closes on Monday

Don’t forget, the Yarn Alliance closes to subscriptions this Monday, Sept 22. If you haven’t got your spot, grab it now!

There’s always small print — official rules: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to entrants worldwide, age 5 or older. Void where prohibited. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. Sweepstakes ends 11:59 p.m. EST on September 25, 2014. Official entry is made by commenting on the SpaceCadet blog post titled “Giveaway: the Generosity of Knitters & Crocheters” . Alternative entry method: send a postcard by September 25 2014, containing full name, address, and email address, with the words “Mauna Kea Giveaway”, to: SpaceCadet, PO Box 113312, Pittsburgh PA 15241. Limit one entry per person. One prize, consisting of one (1) Mauna Kea kit in Dark Skies, valued at $135. Total prize value: $135. Winner will be selected by random drawing. Prize cannot be redeemed for cash. Prize cannot be substituted. Employees and family of employees of SpaceCadet Inc are ineligible. A list of winners will be available on the SpaceCadet blog on or after September 26, 2014. Sponsored by SpaceCadet Inc, PO Box 113312, Pittsburgh PA 15241. For full official rules, go to http://wp.me/p1TnPQ-1Ny

If you’ve been following SpaceCadet for a while, you’ll know about my friend Mel of Singlehanded Knits. She’s a designer, a podcaster, a good friend, and hands down one of the most upbeat people I’ve ever known. And I want to share something about her with you.

Now, what you may not have known is that Singlehanded Knits is so named because, several years ago, a coconut falling from its tree landed on Mel’s shoulder, causing serious nerve damage, and she lost the use the of her left arm. Though the circumstances sound almost ridiculous, the reality was devastating, and I know from our conversations, just how hard it was for her. I think many people in the same situation (including me) might have been tempted to just let everything stop. But Mel’s reaction was extraordinary and so inspiring — facing her challenges head on, she refused to be beaten. Instead, she adapted and raised her game — she learned to knit with one hand, she began designing, and she started a blog and her podcast, recorded on the beaches near her home on Kauai, which she called Singlehanded Knits. And the whole time, Mel continued to believe she would one day regain the use of her arm, and worked hard with doctors and physical therapists to make it happen.

This past weekend, she launched a brand-new podcast and a (stunning beautiful) blog. It’s called “With Mel”, and it’s her first step in the process of moving her online presence to a new domain. No longer will she be Singlehanded Knits. And the reason? Well, it’s in the photo below. Can you spot it?

Mel is using both of her arms. She’s using BOTH of her arms!

Now, that’s a small thing in the grand scheme of the world, and I know Mel still has a lot of hard work ahead of her to continue her healing. But it’s also huge. It’s HUGE! When I saw Mel move her left arm during her new podcast, I stopped dead in my tracks and squealed out loud. She can use her arm again!

And when there is an event of true joy like this, I think it’s worth celebrating, don’t you? So this whole post is about nothing more than sharing with you a small miracle, an amazing bit of news to bring a bit of light to your Tuesday morning.

Good morning, everyone. I hope you have a wonderful day!

PS — if you want to add your celebrations to mine, do send Mel your good wishes on her new blog. I know it’d mean the world to her. Aaaaaand that shawl she’s holding in the podcast image I showed you above? She’s doing something seriously cool and collaborative with it on the podcast. Go watch and join in!