February 28, 2007Contest: Be a Meathead! (For a Good Cause, Too.)Over years of blogging there are certain knitters that I feel I have formed a tacit friendship with. We may not correspond by e-mail regularly, but we keep up with each other through the blogs, and over time develop a fondness for each other. Larissa Brown of Stitch Marker is one of those bloggers. I've followed her blog for almost three years now since I first saw her version of my honeymoon cami. We've corresponded here and there about trips to Belize and cycling, she knit along in my Charlotte's Web KAL and I knit along in her scrap along. This year, Larissa and her husband have been working on a book about knitalongs, and have run a few really fun KALs for that project. One of them involved a knitalong for Larissa's meathead hats, which she initially created for an art installation. I signed up for the KAL, but the deadline was tight and I had a pattern due for publication at the same time, so I never finished - the pattern and yarn have been sitting in my stash waiting for me to return to them. The KAL was wildly successful and included some really beautiful and unique meatheads, some of which are featured below.  Click on the photo to see more meatheads. The pattern was not supposed to be available again until the book release, but then a friend of Larissa's experienced a terrible tragedy - she lost her husband and the father of her children when he was hit by a car while running. When something like this happens to you, there is very little that anyone can do to assuage the pain and loss. Having lost my beloved younger brother Sam a little over five years ago, I understand this. But little gestures help more than anyone can know, and Larissa is offering her friend one such gesture by making the meathead patttern available to us before she publishes it in her book for a mere $4.50, with all proceeds to go to her friend and her children. Because I already have the pattern, I simply made a $4.50 contribution, and if you have $4.50 to spare, I would encourage you to do the same. You will gain a great pattern and the wonderful feeling that you have helped a family who desperately needs love and support right now. As an additional incentive, I am going to sponsor five meatheads myself. All you have to do to participate in my meathead contest is leave me a comment with your real e-mail address below. (Feel free to put the words "NO SPAM" in it to deter spammers - I can take those out.) A week from today I will randomly choose five people from the comments to donate on behalf of and send a meathead pattern to. If you buy one independently as well, that's great, and I will instead make a $4.50 contribution to the fund in your name. But it isn't necessary. If you don't have the $4.50 to spare and want a shot at the pattern, I really truly want you to participate as well. The goal is to gather up as much support for this family as we can and then knit and wear our meatheads with pride. Posted by Julia at February 28, 2007 09:09 AMIn good causes | main | meatheads | talented friends
Comments
I just bought a copy of the pattern. It is a very kind gesture. Knitters are good people. Posted by: Jeanie at March 7, 2007 05:50 PMThanks for spreading the word. I'm sure she appreciates it. Posted by: rachel at March 7, 2007 05:41 PMJust bought a copy of the pattern. It's so nice of you to do this for a friend! Posted by: Cristina (CrissyPo) at March 7, 2007 11:07 AMLove your blog. I think what you're doing to help your friends (and your friend's friends) is really wonderful. Please count me in on your contest! Posted by: Alli at March 7, 2007 10:31 AMSuch a sad thing to happen to any family. Amazing how together we can all make a difference. I ordered the pattern. Posted by: Gaile at March 7, 2007 10:04 AMI donated, Julia, but please use me as an additional entry for someone else. Posted by: Jen. at March 6, 2007 05:10 AMyou are a good woman who thinks of others...thanks for the well-wishes. i will write a bit to you later via email. Posted by: mamie at March 1, 2007 12:26 PMI saw this a few days ago and had been thinking about it -- more about whether I wanted the pattern than wheter I wanted to help. I decided today it was too good a pattern to pass by, so I just ordered one. Your offer is so sweet. Posted by: Jennifer at March 1, 2007 11:24 AMI am going to purchase the pattern--I missed the KAL by a few days and have been envious of the many hats I have seen on the web. I am so so sorry to hear this story but am happy to contribute in any way possible. Thank you for all you are doing. Posted by: Dawn at March 1, 2007 10:50 AMoh man...that's just terrible...I'll be happy to join this...get the pattern which ever... Posted by: Orli at March 1, 2007 09:29 AMIn times of hardship, every little bit counts. Add me in! Posted by: Michelle at March 1, 2007 08:57 AMI am in, I am there, whatever. That is just such a horrible tragedy. I don't even what to contemplate that happening to my husband! Posted by: britt at March 1, 2007 05:23 AMThanks for posting about this, Julia - I went right over and ordered one. What a sad story! Posted by: Carrie at February 28, 2007 09:08 PMThat is just awful news . . . life can be so unfair sometimes! I just went over and made a contribution.... Posted by: --Deb at February 28, 2007 06:36 PMWhat a terrible thing to happen, but it's so nice that you're going to donate to this lovely woman. I'm definitely going to purchase the pattern to help with this cause. Thank you. P.S. I've never taken a picture while wearing it, but I did knit your honeymoon cami last summer (I'm a relatively new knitter, I'm 19 now, but only started about 2 years ago). It was my first sweater ever, and I loved knitting it (knitpicks shine sport) - I love your blog, you're very knitspirational! Posted by: Sarah Shoemaker at February 28, 2007 02:31 PMI have the pattern too. I made two meatheads for my favourite aunt and uncle the year before he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. I'm heading over now to make my donation. Posted by: anna at February 28, 2007 02:30 PMI'm always so comforted when I see the way knitters come together and take care of others. I'll be buying the pattern soon. Posted by: Shana at February 28, 2007 02:23 PMI bought that pattern as soon as I saw her post- I don't know if I'll make one soon, but they are just too sweet, and you can't help but support a wonderful cause. Posted by: Cathi at February 28, 2007 12:58 PMKnitter's unite! I ordered this straight away. My heart goes out to this family. I will pray for them daily. Posted by: Lara at February 28, 2007 12:54 PMI'd seen a few of those hats around and wondered where the pattern came from! What a nice thing to do - I've already gone over and bought the pattern. Posted by: Kate at February 28, 2007 12:28 PMOrdered a pattern today. What a wonderful idea. Thanks for posting about it. Posted by: Nicole at February 28, 2007 12:17 PMI'm going to head over and buy the meathead pattern..........horrible tragedy. Posted by: christine at February 28, 2007 12:12 PMThis is a great pattern! I missed out on the Meathead before, too. :0) Please include me in your contest: stuart434NOSPAM@shaw.ca Posted by: Charity at February 28, 2007 11:58 AMJust order my own meathead pattern for my own personal meathead! Posted by: Jennie at February 28, 2007 11:50 AMWhat a lovely post - thank you so much. I look forward to finding out who wins. (And even though that is a real email address, I clearly don't need to win the pattern). Posted by: larissa at February 28, 2007 11:44 AMIt's a great hat. I'm sure she appreciates all your help. Posted by: Lauren at February 28, 2007 11:11 AMJust ordered a copy of the pattern. What a great idea to sponsor some additional donations. Posted by: Marnie at February 28, 2007 10:57 AMWhat a lovely gesture! I was too late to join in the meathead fun the first time around, so this is a great opportunity. Count me in! Posted by: Nonnahs at February 28, 2007 10:44 AMDid I do that no spam bit right? Anyway, what a sweetie pie you are, not only donationg your ownself, but donating for others who wish they could. That is really the kindest thing I have heard in a while. You're a doll! (that's a good thing here in the South!) Posted by: lori at February 28, 2007 10:38 AM |