Announcing:

I had the thought a while ago that I would set aside everything else and work on nothing but Dulaan projects for a month to see how full I could stuff my Dulaan bag :)  And it occurred to me that it would be fun to invite you good folks to join me.

Many of you are already familiar with the Dulaan project.  In brief, knitters all over the world create garments to help warmly clothe the desperately poor of Mongolia.  Materials can be anything you have to hand - acrylics, wools, blends - so long as they would knit up into something warm.  Likewise, colors may be any or all :)

In the first year of the project, 4,517 blankets and garments were collected and shipped to Mongolia.  In the second year, the goal was 4,518 but what is actually being sorted and sent are 12,085 items!  Next year’s goal is set at 12,086 but I’m betting the Dulaan brigadeers will swamp that figure easily :) 

More information on the project is available here and here.  You can also click on the Dulaan button on my sidebar.  If you decide to participate, you might want to take a copy of the button for your own blog or home page.  Please do not link to the button on my site :)

Patterns for many types of items are available here.  This list is not meant to be an all-inclusive or restrictive list - these are simply options that the formidable Ryan, the mover and shaker (the one with the determined and generous heart) behind the Dulaan project, over at Mossy Cottage, has provided.  You may have other favorite patterns that you prefer to use.  Everything is welcome.

Now, on to the good stuff :)  Here are the guidelines for the contest:

1.  Create at least two items (there’s no uppper limit - make as many things as you’d like or have the stamina for!) for the Dulaan project and send me a picture (address is on the sidebar) along with a brief note describing your items.  The picture should clearly show the number of items but should not be too big :).  I will make a Dulaan Kick-off Contest gallery to display the talent and generosity of all who participate - with appropriate credit, of course.  When your pictures are received, you will be entered in the contest.  You can knit or crochet any warm item you like (or make blankets - see the linked Dulaan information) - sorry folks, pairs of mittens or socks count as one item :)

2.  The deadline for entries is noon, EST, October 27, 2006.

3.  I will hold the drawing on October 31, 2007 - Halloween - to determine the winners.  This also coincides pleasantly with The Yarnpath’s third anniversary.  I’m afraid I don’t have a lot to offer as a prize, but the winners will receive one of these:

...or

Click on images to go to the production and notes pages for each color.

There will be two winners.  The individual who makes the most stuff will get their choice of the two yarns pictured above.  There will also be a random drawing (names-in-the-hat kind of thing) and that individual will receive whichever yarn remains.

These yarns are hand dyed (by me, heh…) and are heavy worsted/aran weight wool.  No promises are made as to suitability for anything in particular and what you see is what you get :)

So - anyone game?