I found an island in your arms

October 29, 2007

It was my first Rhinebeck. And with all that’s going on, I was bouncing around in anticipation. Danielle and I rode together and shared a hotel room, and met up with MafiaMom, who shared a bed with me.

[sidenote: alas, there was no chance of a torrid Rhinebeck love affair for the Mafia, what with my work-wife in the next bed and my Mom snoring away at my side. not that I was hoping for a torrid love affair or anything. nope. not me. ahem. argh. and a little grrrr. and another apology to everyone i flirted with over the weekend. it can't be helped. terribly sorry. I will ~~not~~ be better behaved next time. i ~~lie~~ promise.]

Anyway … back to the beginning … Danielle and I dashed out of the office a wee bit early on Friday evening, so we could ~~compensate for Danielle’s slow ass driving~~ - ~~sit in traffic with 1000 of our closest friends~~ get a head start. I loaded all my gear, and got in the passenger seat. On the floor was an enormous bag with a fat envelope that said, “open the bag first, then this.” I opened the bag. I saw miles of knit squares. I read the letter, and the spreadsheet(!) of names and blog addresses. And I said:
Holy Shit.
Oh my God.
Are you Kidding?
Are you Serious?
How the Hell?
Oh my God.
This is Incredible.
Did you really?
What?
How?

I was in total and absolute shock. The best kind of shock. The kind of shock that says I’m being held up and surrounded and loved and snuggled by this not-so-imaginary crowd of generous friends, many of whom I’ve never met in real life. How can this be? How can I be so lucky? Really? What have I done to deserve this unbelievable expression of support:

-a mere 2/3 of the Maf-ghan seen here, being held by my favorite LYS maven-

I wanted to roll around in those miles of wooly squares. I wanted to wrap the blanket around and around and around me, like a shield. An amulet. A protective coating. A skin. Giving myself a layer of lanolin that would keep the rain drops from reaching me. And then sit in front of a fire, knees drawn to my chest. Let the heat penetrate the knit stitches and get trapped in there. And watch the flames dance in the fire. And see the flames morph into lovers-to-be and adventures-to-be and learning-to-be and Little-Man-growing-older and my-whole-life stretched out in front of me. Knowing that each of those stitches, trapping heat against my body, represents the kindness of people in far distant homes.

Then Danielle started telling me the stories. And I read the cards and the tags. And then I came upon Danielle’s square, which looked so familiar. I saw the yarn at her house, she explains. It was the first yarn she spun on her new Schacht! Oh my god, the first yarn from the wheel? That’s seriously important yarn! With that realization, I lost it. The floodgates opened and I cried (and I.do.not.cry.I.just.don’t.). Deep heaving sobs. All over Danielle’s handspun square. All over the Maf-ghan-in-progress. All over every single one of the 80(!) squares sitting in my lap. [sorry guys]

While driving, she hugged me (thank you Cambridge traffic). After getting it together, ahem, I spent the next hour fondling each and every square, reading every single card and tag and present, and listening to stories about how I almost discovered the project on countless occasions, and how many people were involved, and about various seaming parties and conversations and well-wishes. And I cried a little more. That’s how the rest of the trip to Rhinebeck went — I fondled, I cried. I fondled, I cried a bit. I fondled, I teared up. And so on. Until we stopped for dinner and I got it together. Then the clouds broke open and the sky cried on my behalf, while I drove white-knuckled through torrential downpours toward the Hudson River Valley.

At Rhinebeck, I hugged a LOT of people. And thanked them. I occasionally checked the spreadsheet (that Danielle … she is seriously organized) to see if so-and-so participated, to be sure that I wasn’t hugging and slobbering all over someone who had no idea what I was talking about. For someone who.does.not.cry, I told a LOT of people about the crying. I bought fiber, two of Maryse’s cards (including the one featuring her Maf-ghan square), and a Golding spindle. I spun. I knit. I met and hung out with a whole cast of incredible people. I misbehaved. I drank at every opportunity (thank you yarn-company-sponsored open bar at the Ravelry party). I spent some hardcore Q.T. with some of my favorite people on earth, including MafiaMom, who wore the poncho I finally finished. I taught MafiaMom to spin on Julia’s wheel. Julia’s wheel was clearly built to teach; it’s the Jonathan Kozol of wheels.

She took to it, but the fiber complained a little — Mafia on the right. MafiaMom on the left. Telephone cord: like mother, like daughter, even the same fiber.

I got an early birthday present from MafiaMom, who found his beautiful antique yarn winder at an estate sale

I brought some beautiful Cider Moon sock yarn from the stash, promptly tangled it, was thankfully rescued by the ever-generous Team Cheryl and Terry …

only to wind it into a center-pull ball so tightly that no amount of tugging would release the center. Even Sara couldn’t pull the center out with a crochet hook. Perhaps that’s a sign that I need to relax?

I watched Cate cut her Autumn Rose.

Which is when I met the awesome crazy Canadians that I tailed for the rest of the weekend.

And, since it is now 1:59am, the Sox have won the World Series again (yeah Sox!) and Xifey has finally returned from her nightly jaunt to the next door neighbor’s house, I need to sleep a bit before I’m expected to act like a professional human being in a few hours.

There will be more blogging about Rhinebeck, because I still need to do the link-fest. As well as more blogging about the Maf-ghan, including links and pictures and the stories behind each and every square. And there are a couple of other AMAZING bloggy prezzies to post about. But right now, I’m going into radio silence as I:

1) wait to hear about the used car that I’m trying to get at auction (i.e. half price), and

2) wait hear if my offer was accepted on a very cute condo. gotta get outta this place, if it’s the last thing I ever do**.

Please send some of that amazing loving energy to the condo deal. Remember how we got Ms. 1890 together? Let’s do it again. If the Maf-ghan is any indication, then clearly my peeps are capable of incredible acts.

*extra points to the person who can identify the post title without googling it. big points to the person who can say the next line. kisses to the person who knows this one**.

*** ETA: Danielle would like me to add … if anyone is still interested in knitting a Maf-Square, there are a couple open spots. Email her at ASwimInKnits AT yahoo DOT com.

*** ETA #2: Danielle says that the remaining spots are now taken. Thank you to everyone!!

Entry Filed under: Divorce, Dykalicious, Give It Up, Knitting, Peeps, Spinning, Travels. .

56 Comments Add your own

1. Francesca | October 29, 2007 at 3:28 am

Sending lots of good vibes for the condo deal!
2. Thorn | October 29, 2007 at 3:40 am

Here’s my story, because I didn’t get a chance to send it along:

First of all, I lost a week. I seriously thought there was another week before I needed to get the square sent out. And then suddenly I needed to send it in two days, and my knitting has been rebellious lately so I totally did not trust it to behave and make an 8″ square when I wanted it to. So I did a mod-ish log cabin-y square. The darker green color, btw? I have ordered enough to make a nice cabled sweater out of that stuff for me. I can’t wait for it to arrive. Some far off, lofty day. ahem.

Anyway, I finished it. I stayed up MUCH too late weaving in ends. And then I didn’t get to the post office the next day. I was in a panic. I emailed Danielle and warned her my square might be a day or two late.

The next day, Saturday, we were meeting friends downtown, but first stopped to grab coffee and scones for breakfast. Caz scarfed his down before I was halfway done, and so when we pulled up to the post office he said, “Is it all set?” I replied, “Ysnnrrffg mmffggrrrnn,” (mouthful of scone, y’see).

So he took the package into the post office for me, under instructions to send it 2-day mail. When he returned several minutes later, I asked if everything had gone all right. He said, “Well, they told me they couldn’t guarantee it arriving before Wednesday with the 2-day mail, so I went with overnight mail instead. I know it’s important.”

Good luck with the condo, lady, and I’m so glad you had a wonderful Rhinebeck. I’ll see you there next year!
3. Danielle | October 29, 2007 at 6:55 am

Break on Through — the Doors (next line — a country in your eyes). I spent my v. early teen years listening to my mom’s vinyl. Glad you wrote about the Maf-ghan first, ’cause now I can post my not-nearly-so-elegant recap
4. Suzanne | October 29, 2007 at 7:13 am

“I gotta get out of this place, if it’s the last thing I ever do. I gotta get out of this place. Girl, there’s a better life for me and you. ” I had to google to come up with the band (The Animals), as all I could pull up from the well of memory was “Trogs” which I knew wasn’t right (but an interesting off choice nonetheless).

More later. Big hugs,
5. Cheryl | October 29, 2007 at 7:40 am

Yes! That’s a good Volvo choice! What’s the mileage on it?
6. Cetta | October 29, 2007 at 7:49 am

80 Squares! You are loved
7. maryse | October 29, 2007 at 7:53 am

look at mafia mom spin!!!!!

good condo vibes good condo vibes good condo vibes

(do you need joe to help you change the locks during the booty call?)
8. PumpkinMama | October 29, 2007 at 8:16 am

Its seems the maf-ghan is serving its purpose. Although, now that I think about it, I think its really supposed to help KEEP you from crying, technically. Glad Rhinebeck was restorative and big props for teaching mom to spin, another one down the rabbit hole.

Be well.
9. Sara | October 29, 2007 at 8:46 am

wowza - how awesomely cooooool re the blanket. You got peeps for sure
10. Justine | October 29, 2007 at 9:24 am

craxy canadians we are, I enjoyed having a tail, it good and great to finally meet you in person
11. Bertha | October 29, 2007 at 9:25 am

Oh yay, I see my little block in that picture! I am so glad Danielle revealed the surprise! I can’t wait to see it in it’s full glory once all the squares are seamed! I will be sending all the vibes I can muster that you get both the car and the condo! xoxo
12. Marisa | October 29, 2007 at 9:46 am

THe quilt is beautiful, and so fitting right now. I’m thinking about you and sending you serious condo mojo. Let’s talk this week, okay?
13. Erin | October 29, 2007 at 9:58 am

Cause girl, there’s a better life for me and you, but Suzanne beat me.

I’ve been dying for this post!

Fingers crossed for car and condo!
14. Kat | October 29, 2007 at 9:59 am

Sending you some good condo/car mojo. Sounds like the trip to Rhinebeck was just what you needed.
15. Kathode Ray Tube | October 29, 2007 at 9:59 am

I’m so glad the maf-ghan cheered you up and helped you feel less awful. It was fun to contribute to such a wonderful gift for you. Danielle is uber-organized, isn’t she?? Thanks, Danielle, for doing this. And sending you good condo-vibes, big time.
16. Pi Grrrl | October 29, 2007 at 10:18 am

Condo vibes on their way. Car vibes too. Hope you didn’t felt any of the squares with your water works. I got goosebumps myself when Danielle told me how many squares she had! The poncho looks awesome on your mom.
17. Elinor | October 29, 2007 at 10:19 am

Oh, Mafia - I’m so glad you liked the Mafghan!!! The finished product looks beautiful! I hope it cheers you up a bit. Kudos to Danielle for herding all of us cats! Good luck with the condo and GO SOX!!!!!!!!!!!!!
18. PatchesMom1973 | October 29, 2007 at 10:35 am

good luck with the condo offer! fingers crossed! glad you liked your mafia squares!
19. Lisa | October 29, 2007 at 10:59 am

Fingers crossed on the car and the condo!

I am so glad that you liked the surprise. It was an honor to be included and I cannot wait to to see the rest of the posts. Not awake enough to fill in the songs….I know someone will.

BIG TEXAS HUGS and MOJO!
20. Lucia | October 29, 2007 at 11:09 am

Hey, cool, I see mine — right in the middle of the bottom row. I got gently laughed at for swatching it first. What can I say? I’m a mad swatcher.

Just think of it as a big warm 80-fold hug.

((80)Mafia)
21. Sarahfish | October 29, 2007 at 11:21 am

Definitely enjoyed being tailed by you. I loved meeting you!

The Maf-ghan is unbelievable. So wonderful! I had no idea they’d organized that for you. You’re definitely loved, you are! And you made me cry too. So there.
22. margene | October 29, 2007 at 11:29 am

You have the best friends!
23. no-blog-rachel | October 29, 2007 at 11:42 am

Well reading this made me get all teary too - and I’m at work so I’m trying like hell to hide it!

I’m glad you love your Maf-ghan! I was so happy and touched to be invited to be a part of it.

Strong condo vibes coming your way from CA. I bought myself a condo after my divorce and even though it was plain and cheap and tiny, to me it was heaven, and a wonderful place to retreat and be safe. I hope yours helps you heal as nicely as mine did.
24. Rhonda the Stitchingnut | October 29, 2007 at 12:01 pm

We gotta get out of this place
Girl, there’s a better life for me and you
Somewhere baby, somehow I know it

Hey I was in high school I think, when the Animals sang that song. And that was back in the 60’s.
25. Em | October 29, 2007 at 12:37 pm

I am so glad you have a great Rhinebeck and enjoy your Maf-ghan!!

Just so you know, there were many more squares that didn’t make it to the Maf-ghan! ( I knit one — it was WAY too big. I knit another — it was tiny! and then it was too late… You deserve an afghan big enough to carpet a ballroom, and I bet if you counted the other missed squares, you could!
26. femiknitter | October 29, 2007 at 12:50 pm

Yay–I”m so excited you finally know about the Maf-ghan! I’ve been waiting to see pictures of the FO, and it’s looking great! I hope it keeps you warm and comforted.

And of course, I’m sending you good condo vibes.
27. Laura | October 29, 2007 at 12:51 pm

Hooray for friends with needles and yarn!

Glad I could help out on this one.
28. Alex | October 29, 2007 at 12:55 pm

Good car and condo mojo coming your way from out west! I’m glad I could help with your awesome blanket and glad that it’s making you feel better.

(Lucia, I swatched first too!)
29. Sharon Rose | October 29, 2007 at 1:01 pm

Thrilled to have been part of the yarny group hug. Here’s another squeeze for the next time you’re running low: *squish!*
30. Mel | October 29, 2007 at 1:24 pm

I kind of told Danielle about my square in bits and pieces, but I’m not sure how coherently it got passed on. The yarn is a ball of Plymouth Boku that I bought as an impulse from the back room at Webs last spring, figuring it would tell me what it was supposed to be. When Danielle contacted me, it practically leapt into my hands, no doubt wanting to give you some of that NoHo Lesbo good energy.

For the stitch pattern, I settled on aran honeycomb pretty quickly, partly for practical reasons (it’s warm and it’s an easy stitch pattern to memorize) but mostly in the hopes that it will bring you sweetness in life. ‘Cause, honey, you deserve it.
31. britt | October 29, 2007 at 2:07 pm

I wish I had known about your condo business. I have a condo available, though probalby not wher eyou want to live, nevermind.

GOOD Luck on the condo I know the stress! Keep me updated.
32. Amy | October 29, 2007 at 2:16 pm

Oh, I’m so glad to read this whole thing, and especially the last part, since October was just too much for me but I would love to send some woolly goodness your way.

(And it sounds like you’re looking to buy a condo, but we have one near Tufts coming up for rent soon if you’d like a more temporary place that’s very stash friendly.)
33. Sneaksleep | October 29, 2007 at 3:11 pm

Oh, I’m so glad you know about the Maf-ghan now! It took me forever to make my square–I kept not being happy with the stitch pattern and frogging and restarting. I really wanted it to be something you could stand to look at for more than 5 seconds. The yarn was a skein I won from a friend’s blog contest (in keeping with the blog-friends theme), and I had not been able to figure out what it wanted to be, until Danielle emailed me. Then I instantly knew it had been waiting for its chance to help keep you warm and loved and comforted!

Good car and condo vibes!!!
34. DeltaDawn | October 29, 2007 at 4:05 pm

Wheeeeee! My god it’s a powerful Maf-ghan and you wrote about it so incredibly. Danielle’s some friend.

Condo vibes? We’re well practiced vibers, so you may as well count on it!
35. megincl | October 29, 2007 at 4:19 pm

Wow! That is some true love there in those stitches! Here’s to some good, smooth, fast, easy vibes, both car- and condo-related.
36. roro | October 29, 2007 at 4:26 pm

Hurray for the Maf-ghan!! Sounds like a pretty incredible time at Rhinebeck. Sorry you didn’t get any action, but I hear that two days of fondling wool releases the same endorphins.

I don’t hear the phrase “ass munching fuck face” enough. I have my fingers crossed and good vibes going on your condo deal!!!
37. Meghann | October 29, 2007 at 4:51 pm

Ahhh, the maf-ghan is great!!! I was really hoping to get a square to Danielle, but things have been more than a bit insane here at chez radiant. Looks like Rhinebeck was awesome!!!!
38. Deidre | October 29, 2007 at 5:16 pm

Wow! How nice to see it all together! Danielle is a sweetie and I am sad that I didn’t run into the two of you at Rhinebeck.
Flirt your ass of baby!
All the best on the car and condo!
39. pamela wynne | October 29, 2007 at 6:09 pm

Ah, the Doors!

And YAY, Maf-ghan! It’s HUUUGE! I’m glad it’s doing everything it should — and it’s not even put together yet!
40. Brenda | October 29, 2007 at 8:04 pm

That maf-ghan is going to be something when it’s done! I hope it does its job of making you feel warm, safe and loved.
41. mamacate | October 29, 2007 at 8:14 pm

Oh, I do wish I’d gotten my square in. I may still…

It was great to see you and not be flirted with. Despite the shoes (which I’m getting rid of because they’re way too big without handknit socks. ANYWAY I want a report of this weekend’s activities…
42. megan | October 29, 2007 at 8:21 pm

Happy Maf-ghan! May you pull it over yourself in times of need, and just REVEL in the love that made it (and know that there’s a whole lot more love out here, even from us who didn’t/couldn’t make squares).

Good thoughts on car/condo!
43. Kit | October 29, 2007 at 8:42 pm

Even if life rose up and bit so I didn’t get a square made, you did have loving thoughts sent your way. Rhinebeck was awesome. Sorry we didn’t run into each other, but the general happiness made the place good.
44. PainterWoman | October 29, 2007 at 9:14 pm

I am SO HAPPY YOU LIKE THE MAF-GHAN!! And while I knew my limitations enough to know a square wasn’t in the offing, I’m glad Danielle knew to invite me to submit good karma-yarn for assemply purposes. Since mine was also overnited… probably THE most expensive skein I’ve ever had!! Hugs.
45. carole | October 29, 2007 at 9:29 pm

It sounds like a great weekend!

And I”ll vouch that torrid love affairs come from where and whence you least expect!
46. Cynical Knitting Gal | October 29, 2007 at 11:31 pm

So glad the weekend was good! And, thrilled to know that you are able to feel all the emotions that went into the Maf-ghan!
47. Manise | October 30, 2007 at 9:00 am

The Maf-ghan looks wonderful! What a great colorful hug! So glad to have been able to participate. Nice to have seen you at Rhinebeck and that you had the well needed break and fun with your fibery friends!
48. Ruth | October 30, 2007 at 10:20 am

I met B two months after being dumped by a man I really thought I was in love with, right about the time I decided that I was happier without being in a relationship, who needs that sort of sturm und drang.

Love walks in when you least expect it, is what I’m trying to say. In the meantime, keep doing what you’re doing. I’m so pleased that WB gave me the time to get a square in for the maf-ghan. She must have somehow known how important it was to me to be able to contribute …
49. Linda | October 30, 2007 at 11:18 am

I’m thrilled that the maf-ghan had its intended effect! It is gorgeous, even in its incomplete state, and I hope it gives you much warmth and comfort. It’s a safe bet that every stitch was created with love. I know the square I knit was.

I was so glad to be able to meet you in Rhinebeck and give you a hug in person!
50. Beth S. | October 30, 2007 at 11:27 am

OMG OMG I see my square!!!!

Holy cow, am I behind the times, though, A condo?… We need to catch up, grrrrl!
51. Christy / Not Hip | October 30, 2007 at 1:14 pm

Yay! I’m glad you love it. Looks like you had a great time also.
52. JulieFrick | October 30, 2007 at 4:47 pm

There it is! The Maf-ghan! I’m SO thrilled to finally see it in real life!
53. Laurie | October 31, 2007 at 7:00 am

I’m so glad you liked it. That it helped. That it might assist the healing. *hug*
54. Dorothy | November 3, 2007 at 10:47 pm

What a beautiful Maf-ghan! That is a fabulous amount of love.

Sounds like you had a great time at Rhinebeck. I’m very glad you did, you needed it.
55. julia fc | November 3, 2007 at 11:50 pm

Thinking of you. Crazy, ain’t it?
::dust settling:: see you soon? The tea shop in town rocks, just ask Allison.
xo
56. Mafia, you’re such &hellip | May 15, 2008 at 10:46 am

[...] 15, 2008 ‘Member this? Well … the Mafghan is finished and was delivered to me by the incredible [...]

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