Recently in Amazing Charlie Card Mittens Category

Most of you must remember this. By late last week I had mostly tucked it away as one of those quirky encounters particular to life on the internet.

However, last weekend an email arrived in my inbox from one of Christian Artisans group's moderators (not the moderator who participated in the original thread), apologizing for letting the whole discussion get out of hand. Wearing her moderator hat, she closed the thread to further commenting, and wanted me to understand that many members of the group had written to her in concern.

Needless to say I was quite touched. Although the whole matter was (in my opinion) over and done with last month, Theresa still took the time to compose and send a thoughtful note. It takes a certain grace to stand up and say "We were not fair to you, and we're sorry."--essentially taking responsibility for someone else's actions and apologizing for a whole group. It would have been very easy for her simply let the matter drop, especially when the entire "situation" happened on line. And, indeed, I was never offended by the original thread. Perplexed? Yes. Mildly amused? Yes. Happy to have a topic about which to post? Certainly. But, really, people can believe whatever they want--no moderator's going to stop that. All is forgiven, so let's just move on.

I had to think a bit about how to blog about this. At first, I thought that I would simply cut and paste the email (with Theresa's permission, of course). Later I thought that instead of sharing a private note with the entire world, I would instead write about it. And since I was so quick to share the original post, I felt a responsibility to share a (positive) outcome.

Real knitting content tomorrow.

The cold weather that's been hanging around in New England has made it easier to be knitting a pair of my Charlie Card Mittens in April.

I need to run down to Windsor Button at lunch to buy a button. I started these about a month ago, and slowly knit my way through. I have only some ends to weave in; otherwise, these are done.

You'll see them again. Promise ;-).

Yay! I just finished sewing the pocket to the top of my right-hand mitten.

I am an idiot.

This just proves what I've known for a very long time: I need a vacation. Luckily, that's exactly what I'm about to do, and as a result this blog will be taking a short break. I have no plans to do any blogging while I'm lying on a beach somewhere warm.

Expect to see sundress photos upon my return.

We have a pair!

Miranda's mittens are done. Or, almost done. Miranda, you have to let me know if you want the i-cord connecting string attached to the mittens so that you can keep them with your coat. Leave a comment here or email me privately to discuss.

For everyone else, I'll share the pros and cons of the mitten string. For the mainly pedestrian me, the string is essential. The CharlieCard stays in my mitten, the mittens stay with my coat, the coat remains on my body. So long as I don't lose the coat (no small feat these days) the mittens and the card stay safe.

If my life were a little more car focused, I would ditch the string. You can't drive while wearing the mittens (much too slippery) and you cannot let them dangle from your coat sleeves while maneuvering your vehicle. This especially applies to those of you with a manual transmission. Trust me. Sooner or later the string and mitten will wrap themselves around the gearshift, you'll move your arm and pop the car into neutral. Fun times.

With the mittens complete, or almost, it's time to turn my attention back to Shannon's sweater.

It's not really magic that's making these mittens, it's my knitting.

I am so very close to finishing mitten number two. Perhaps because of a fall spent knitting lace, double-knit hats, and loooong scarves my project perspective changed. These mittens take no time at all. It is so satisfying to notice progress even from one subway ride.

Of course, I'm enjoying these mittens so much that I knit them a lot more than just during my commute.