When I started my knitting blog four years ago, I figured I would simply share some projects, write something light-hearted, maybe meet a few knitters in the real world. I didn't imagine I'd grow to care about these people whose lives I followed on blogger and typepad and wordpress. I didn't consider that one day, one of them would just be gone.

Jennifer Walsh, whose knitting blog was Finding Her, died recently after a lifelong struggle with cystic fibrosis. She was waiting for a double lung transplant in Massachusetts, but she never got her miracle. Jenn was only 28.

I never met Jenn, but we corresponded for years and I always admired how brave she was about her illness. She once wrote that even on her toughest day -- which is probably so much tougher than I can even imagine -- the worst she let herself feel was "blah." In her final posts on her blog detailing her illness, 65 Roses in Bloom, she talked about starting an etsy shop to sell her handmade items, since she had been too sick for other work. She even bought a new camera and a light tent. Her final finished object was a pink crocheted afghan for a baby shower she didn't get to attend.

Her friend Talana, who also has CF, was kind enough to break the news to me on Ravelry, otherwise I might never have known. Talana will walk in Jenn's memory this May.

Jenn's fiance (they postponed their wedding because she was too sick) told me that donations can be made in Jenn's memory to:

NTAF: National Transplant Assistance Fund
150 North Radnor Chester Rd Suite F-120
Radnor, PA 19087

warm hats and steelers, etc.

While I'm cruising on Harper, sometimes I just need a quick hit project. Last Tuesday was one of those days. I was home sick, sipping tea and watching "Law & Order" between naps, and I just wanted some instant gratification.

The remedy? Sideways Grande Hat from Boutique Knits.

Yes, it is my powder rooom.

This is the latest in my series of recession knitting, meaning I'm either using stash yarn, swapped yarn or frogged-finished-object yarn. You may remember this yarn from one of the biggest debacles in my young knitting life, the Trapeze Jacket. At least something good came outta that thing.

It's done in Berocco Ultra Alpaca, which isn't my favorite yarn. But it's totally warm and toasty, and it falls just at eye level, perfect for appearing mysterious and shifty.

The only thing I don't like is that it reminds me a little of Angelina Jolie in "Changeling." Click here for photographic evidence. (And I fall squarely in the Jennifer Aniston camp, so I'm no Jolie fan).


Everyone is sick of hearing about it, but I'm SO PSYCHED about my Steelers winning the Super Bowl! Fan or not, do yourself a favor and listen to this song.

Thanks for the cookies, Chris!