Blogiversary - and a giveaway

So it was a year ago tonight that I first started doing this blog thing (I know my archives go back to August 2005, but that was because I went back and added in posts and FOs to try to sort of track my knitting obsession from the beginning). I date the beginning of my knitting obsession with my discovering of the online knitting world, and knitting blogs were certainly a part of it. Since starting my own blog, my interest has expanded into other craft blogs as well (especially sewing blogs, but also general craftiness and kid-focused crafts as well). I love the online craft community, and have gained so much knowledge and inspiration from my visits to the many wonderful blogs out there.

I started this blog partly because I wanted to be a part of that amazing community, and partly because I wanted to track my own projects, dreams, wonderings, and learnings in someplace other than the jumbled space that is my mind. It has been such a great experience for me to be able to go back and read old posts, look at pics of old FOs and get both a sense of accomplishment at what I have done and a sense of my own growth as a knitter, a seamstress, a mother, a person. Greater still has been to get encouragement, advice, and general wittiness from those of you who are kind enough to visit my blog. I treasure every comment that has been left.

Now's my turn to give something back, humble though it may be. Just a small little something.

MmmmmMalabrigo
1 skein
#195, Black

This sweet little bundle is looking for a home. I bought this with a specific project in mind and then went a different direction (both in terms of color and yarn). I'm certain I could find a use for it someday [1 skein is the perfect amount for any number of quick projects: a hat, a scarf, some wristwarmers, some thick bedroom socks, or even as the upper color in some felted clogs], but I'm also trying to be disciplined with myself about stash management right now. I thought Malabrigo would make a nice little giveaway for one of my readers. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post. On Thursday, January 18th (because 18 is my favorite number), I'll draw a name at random [hey, given my normal amount of blog traffic, you have roughly a 25% chance of winning!]. If I pick your name, the skein is yours. [fair warning: Rachel has a real talent for winning this kind of random name-drawing competition. Exhibit A. Exhibit B. edited to add: Dude, seriously, it's uncanny. She did it again. Exhibit C.] Check back sometime late Thursday or early Friday for the results of the drawing.

Thank you, blogland, for everything you've given me. Mwah!