November 23, 2004

A tight-knit circle of GAWKs

You may be familiar with the Grammar Avengers web ring, and even the GAWKs (Grammar Avengers Who Knit). You may even be a member of that web ring (and we're glad to have you). However, you probably don't know how it all started. See, within the Grammar Avengers there is a core group of four bloggers, and the GAWKs really sprung from a private joke within that group, a joke that got a lot of play in the comments of each member's blogs but was also continued in group emails...

It feels strange to say this, like I'm outing myself as a Freemason or something. Yes, I've been fortunate to make many friends in the knitblog community, and have met several of them face to face. Some have become rather good friends. I adore you all. But here's the thing. With the four of us, the original Grammar Avengers, it's really something special. I love these three. It's been going on quietly for almost two years now, behind the blog scenes. Group emails, little presents, running jokes, a serious glee if we should find all four of us online at the same time (and then the slumber party mode would kick in and watch out...), anointing of nicknames... They knew I was engaged before the rest of you. Sorry. And I've known big stuff in their lives before you've known. And there's big stuff we STILL aren't blogging about and probably never will. Within a community, it's natural for like minds to gravitate to each other, to form a special bond. Why does this feel weird to talk about? (GAWKs, why is this hard to write? Why do I think I'm going to offend someone? We've been emailing about going public about this, but so far no one has made the leap. Here goes.)

Okay. Here we are, the girl gang with red pencils firmly in hand. We're writers, we're editors, we knit with a vengeance: me, Alison (dubbed La Brainy within a group email and my how that's spread. Funny), the Divine Ms. Em (that one's also spread), and Rachael who defies all nickname because she's just so...well...Rachael. There we are. Why do you need to know this?

Because we've just embarked on a group project, and we're going to want to blog about it. The only way to blog about it is to first explain our special friendship. We're making round robin Retro Prep sweaters. For example, Em gave me the yarn for her Retro Prep and the pattern with sizing info marked up. I'm knitting her first sleeve. I will then send that sleeve, the pattern, and the yarn to Rachael, who will make the second sleeve. Then she'll send it on to Alison, who will make the body, join, and finish. While I'm making Em's first sleeve, Rach is making mine, etc etc. We'll each end up with a sweater created by the other three. It will reflect the different stitch styles, etc. and it will be very much loved. (Yes, each of us has her own copy of the pattern. Don't get your copyright laws all in a bunch.)

Whew. Okay. That's done. So Em. Here's the beginning of your first sleeve. (Who loves ya, baby?)

emsleevestart.jpg

Posted by cari at November 23, 2004 09:00 PM
Comments

Cool beans. *This* should be entertaining.

Hey, thanks for the you-know-what!

Posted by: claudia

That's a very cool idea.
I'm making some "pass-along" hats for holiday gifts with one of my knitting groups. You knit a few rounds then pass it along to the next knitter.
Maybe I'll finally get cracking on my Retro Prep...

Posted by: Jessica

I think it's a great idea and it'll be fun to read about and follow the progress, though I'm a teeny bit jealous of the four of youse (note bad grammar).

Posted by: Jackie

What a wonderful idea! Can't wait to see some of the progress.

Posted by: alison

Awwwwwwwww. OK, that's a stupid comment. But ... awwww. OK, how about "That's so cool"!
I'm not sure what the big reveal was, though. People always team up. Good for y'all.

Posted by: valentina

That's a great idea, lady. I know that I treasure something someone else has made for me more than if I made it myself. And for you to have such a great group of friends all working on your sweater... That's a sweater that will be full of love.

Posted by: Jenn

Sounds just peachy and it will be fabulous to see it all finished up - then you have to get the group shot of you all.

Posted by: Alison

Okay, just how many alisons will end up commenting in this box? Wow! La Brainy hasn't even arrived yet! And I just have to say, the last alison's comment is inspired. A group photo. Oh, yes.

Wonderful post, m'darlin'.
xo

Posted by: Rachael

Ok - I really don't have anything to say... but figured I'd add one more Alison to the bunch! Keep up the good work!

Posted by: Alison

You know, you all (oops, I mean y'all) are going to have to meet up in NY (oops, I mean KnitNY).

Posted by: Irison

Hot damn, that's a mighty fine sleeve.

This was an excellent outing, Ms. C.

I love the idea of a group photo when we're all done.

*cough* *hack*

Posted by: Em

The red pencil just makes the shot! I'll gladly volunteer to take the photo at KnitNY ~ I've not yet been there, but am hopeing for a February visit. Is there a completion date goal?

Posted by: Maggi

Saw-WEEET idea. I bet this will be copied. Once or twice. I'm not naming any names. But you will always be the first, youse guys. (grammar avengers, descend upon me!)

Posted by: Norma

Group photo at Knit NY! Be still, my beating heart... xo

Posted by: alison

wow, what a fabulous idea! it will be great to watch your progress and that group photo is a must.

Posted by: froggy

I remember having conversations back in the late 90's with people who really believed that the Internet would keep people in their houses and deprived of human interaction. The blog world really explodes that myth, doesn't it? The round robin sweater idea is awesome, and I can't wait to read more about the project and I REALLY can't wait to see the FOs. Along a similar line, I gave my marked up, well read copy of "Becoming Light" by Erica Jong to one of my dearet girlfriends with an inscription asking her to pass it along once she had read it and marked it up, too. I don't know where the book is now, but I like knowing that it's out there.

Happy Thanksgiving, Cari. :)

Posted by: elisa

That is such an awesome Idea. I look forward to reading about it

Posted by: morgan

I love that idea...very cool! I can't wait to see the sweaters. Talk about knit with love!!!

Posted by: Eilene

What a totally great idea! I think it's so sweet and nice and fun...and I can't wait to see the sweaters!

Blogging is funny - my friend (who lives in town but also has a blog) Anne Marie just met one of our blogfriends this weekend (frecklegirl) and I was totally jealous because I didn't get to be there. And to tell any of my friends here, they think it's so bizarre -- internet friends? who are these weirdos? but people's blogs have so much personality, and it's so fun to put an actual person's voice, etc, with it.

Anyways, that was a big tangent. But yay for GAWKs!

Posted by: Carrie

This is kinda nerdy and technical, but it looks like you're using a circular for the sleeve instead of DPNs. As one who has not had good results with DPNs (ladders - yuck!), I would love to know what size circular you recommend for sleeves. I think it would also be interesting to know if you prefer the circs? Thanks for the info!

Posted by: Raquel