Thursday, June 21, 2007

A Whirl of Activity

It's been far too long since we had a cartoon around here, don't you think?

Argument

I don't think that's the final version of this idea, so imagine this as a tantalizing glimpse into the rehearsal room of my mind. Come on, try.

1,000 Knitters Shoot

The ladies at Arcadia Knitting have decided to open early for the 1,000 Knitters shoot. I am delighted. Here are the new details in a convenient, compact, clip-n-save format:

1,000 Knitters Photo Shoot
Arcadia Knitting
1613 W. Lawrence Avenue, Chicago
July 14, 2007 from 9 am-6 pm

Knitter 0001 casts on tonight. The scarf will begin with a skein of the first yarn I ever bought, on my first visit to a yarn store, in 1991. I've kept it all this time, trusting that a suitable project would present itself. And presto, a mere 16 years later, here it is.

By the way, there was a question about doing this at other yarn stores around Chicago. I have no objection to it, but offers to host have not been forthcoming and I've had no chance to do the legwork on my own. If you have a yarn shop (or other spacious, well-lit venue) and think this sounds like your cup of tea, drop me a note.

Christening Shawl

I'm on the move with the edging. As it is now off the circular needle, there will be a photograph. Just not now, because I have to get to the office and still have no pants on.

Speaking of Work

If good wishes count for anything, you all have guaranteed that my new gig will be equal parts boffo and socko. Thank you kindly. I wish to report with pride that I have now gone three days without wanting to hit anyone or set fire to the conference table. It has been such a long, long time since I could say that.

42 comments:

Unknown said...

I have to say how envious I am that I won't be able to be in Chicago for the 1,000 Knitters. I would have given such a pose.

As for your well-aged skein of yarn, I think I still have some of the original yarn I ever bought too, but it will NEVER become a wearable garment. I may frame it like some restaurants frame their first dollar bill.

Anonymous said...

I still have bits of the first skein of yarn I ever bought, but I don't think it'll ever be used for anything -- it's neon orange acrylic, and I bought it at Wal-mart.

I might have some of the first skein I bought as an adult (when I started knitting again). Now you've got me wanting to look for it...

Anonymous said...

I wonder how much a quick trip to the Windy City would set me back? Fly there, participate in 1,000 Knitters, fly back that evening... hmmm. How lovely that you still have your first skein of yarn, this really IS a great project for its use! And I wanted to extend congratulations on the new job - while it's a tad belated, it's still heart felt....I'm glad you're not setting fire to your co-workers or punching the conference table either.... :)

Pink said...

I can't believe I've managed to comment before commenter eleventy sixteen as usual...not that I have anything uberspecial to say...just that your blog is such a treat to read, I love the cartoon today and wish I could be one of 1,000 knitters.

Lisa said...

What a wonderful way to celebrate this entire project by utilizing something very special. I too am saddened by the fact that there is no way that I can join from Houston in this wonderful project, except via participation in your exceptional blog.

I am also glad that your new job appears to be satisfying. I know how this change can be so beneficial in so many ways to the creative soul.

Keep up all the excellent work and I can't wait to see the FO {Shawl}.

NeedleTart said...

Mazel Tov!! You do great work.

Kara Lewis said...

Man, three days, huh? I'm quite impressed. I'm still working on three hours. Congrats!

Anonymous said...

Love the cartoon, can't wait to see the shawl and I'm so glad that so far, everything is going well on the job front!

Marcy said...

I wish I were still working at Arcadia so I could watch. Maybe I could fly in for the day.

Sharon Rose said...

Okay, so my newest London Taxi arrives in Tacoma, WA on the 10th. Then I have to wait for Customs to release him (3-7 days). Even if it happens on the 13th... darn it. I'm going to miss this. And you're even ON THE WAY - I'm headed for Philly! The yarn gods can be so cruel.

Lisa said...

Oh PSHAW!

There's a long tradition of photography done sans-culottes.

You're a dreadful tease, Mister Habit!

Glenna C said...

The 1,000 knitters project just sounds so fantastic. It makes me want to fly down to Chicago on July 14th just to watch and smile :) I can't wait to see the results.

Sandra said...

They just switched our conference table from wood to glass and chrome. I think they were reading my mind...

Sneaksleep said...

So you blog in your underwear, too?

Anonymous said...

The cartoon reminds me of the time my mom found my sister's chihuahua, Ava, at the end of a skein of fun fur, looking not unlike Gulliver in the hands of the Lilliputians.

geogrrl said...

You didn't want to set fire to the conference table? Whooh, now that's what I call improvement!

I've had my own violent disagreements with yarn. Once I've wrestled it back into a manageable ball, I make it sit in the corner for a while and think about what it's done.

Victoria said...

congrats on the setup of the shoot!

congrats on getting the shawl off the needles!

congrats on being able to have a job that doesn't make you want to kill people!

Yeah for you!

Rebecca said...

I am soooo glad that you've gotten a job involving your heart's true passions and can now replace the image of 'the database is down' with someone tumping over the library's card catalogue. What a lovely place to knit that would be, sitting amongst all those slightly yellowed, typewriter produced, papery-smelling index cards. Now I'm going to have to search every University affiliated magazine in the Chicago area so I can find what else you're writing! Or, I could just wait until the accolades start roooolllling in, which should take about a day and half. Good job, you! :-)

Anonymous said...

"...because I have to get to the office and still have no pants on." I didn't think I could possibly say this about Franklin, but this is definitely TMI. I like to think of you as always perfectly attired and coifed. Can you imagine Mary Poppins blogging half-dressed? Neither can I!

ccr in MA said...

Best wishes for four days of non-fire-starting employment, and then five, and so on.

mc78 said...

There's nothing worse than putting your pants on in the morning.

Anonymous said...

Excellent! Congratulations on all of it, especially if you got your pants on.

Amy said...

I don't think of angora as violent..passive aggressive with a tendency towards mania, yes, violent, no........

Laura Sue said...

Sigh and if only....especially since 7/14 is my b-day! Wouldn't that be a hoot! But it's a long way from NC to Chi-town, even if a lot of knitting could happen along the way!

Linda said...

I notice that you still have the Portrait Project linked in the sidebar. Does this mean you haven't completely given it up? I'll be there at the 1,000 Knitters shoot and am looking forward to it! I had thought about getting all made up, but then figured it would be better to appear as I usually do. I'm just not a gal who's into maquillage. I'm just hoping I won't have too many creases on my face from lying on the chiropractor's table that morning.

Anonymous said...

But what if 1000 knitters turn up the first day..............????
Wish I could see your face when that happens

Anonymous said...

Oh, in a world where people take things entirely too seriously, I love you, Franklin, for your humor, your grace and your exquisite drawings. If this is just an inkling of what is going on in there . . .

rosesmama

Tippymarie said...

Franklin, you are the best. Even without pants. Maybe because you aren't wearing pants. Hmmm.

I will be in Chicago next month. Wouldn't it be fun to stalk Franklin up close and personal?

Sandra

PS: We need cartoons AND baby pictures. And where has Delores been?

Anonymous said...

I too have a job that makes me want to set fire to the entire office and run. So I'm quitting and opening up a yarn shop in Austin Texas. You're welcome to come there anytime (after September 1) in case you want to take pictures of Texas knitters as a part of your 1000. And of course, Dolores is welcome as well - she might like our cowboys.

katerina said...

Yeah for lack of violent and arsonistic tendencies - and the jobs that cause us such thoughts!

I can't wait to see the beginning of, and of course add to, the 1000 Scarf!! I'm curious as to what it was you bought... maybe you should have everyone guess what would've caught your eye 16 years ago! hmmm....handpainted lace-weight cashmere?

Anonymous said...

Vives les sans culottes! Liberte! egalite! boucle!

Friday's Mom said...

Le Roi est mort! Vive le Roi! Franklin, it is so-o-o-o good to have you back with all your creative ideas and wicked sense of humor and wit. Your post is like Rip Van Winkle's would have been had he blogged in his sleep and again after he woke up. Congratulations on the positive changes you have made to what sounds like an unpleasant situation.

Peevish said...

Ah, the pleasures of a job which doesn't inflame one's homicidal tendencies!

Vanessa said...

I'm so glad things are going well for you these days- I don't know why I was just remembering that funk you were in a couple of months back and how completely far from that you are now. You're heading up a momentous project, finishing a gorgeous shawl and loving your job. I bet the weather is fabulous there, too. Congrats to everything!

Anonymous said...

"I wish to report with pride that I have now gone three days without wanting to hit anyone or set fire to the conference table."
I am so jealous I don't even have words.

Congratulations on your new job. I hope it stays this fabulous.

And if you make it out to Portland for a 1,000 knitters shoot just let me know and I'll be happy to find you a willing, well-lit venue.

Lisa Whiting said...

Hello there Franklin,

This is Lisa from Loopy Yarns. I was reading thru your bolg about your thousand knittners project and I was wondering if you wanted to do a second sitting at Loopy. We would love to host this! feel free to give me a call at the shop. 312.583.9276

lisa

Anonymous said...

I can't wait to see the shawl. You are the lace knitter of DOOM.

As for the job––three days of not wanting to hit anyone, is worth the transition alone. The universe works in your favor!

Anonymous said...

Franklin, please put this cartoon on a bag for us to buy. Pretty please?

Code Purl said...

Congratulations on your new job. Why do we torture ourselves by staying in jobs that make us crazy for waaaay too long?

Anonymous said...

Hi Franklin,

I own My Sister's Knits a yarn shop on the southwest side of Chicago. You had drinks with Stephanie Pearl Mc Phee after she left my shop last summer. Anyway, I am interested in the 1000 knitters event for my shop. I don't have your email address so I thought this was the best way to get a hold of you. I look forward to hearing back from you.
Thanks
Carol

Anonymous said...

Carol at the charming My Sister's Knits shop is willing to host a photo event for you. Her shop is in the Beverly neighborhood (Chicago) just by the Rock Island/ Metra 99th Street stop. She can be reached at 773-238-4555.

Jan (who is really wanting to be one of the 1,000 knitters photographed by you!)

Quasipsyco said...

A quick note:
Considering your current goal for the portrait project, perhaps you should update your website?
http://www.franklinhabit.com/portrait/index.html

I was flipping through the archives (read: catching up on every post that was from before I met your blog) and I came across the soft launch of said site.
Curiosity demanded that I click, which is standard practice for every link you provide, and it is a very lovely site.