I bought myself an Easter treat!
For two years, I’ve been trying to get myself together well enough to host a big “Factory Farm Eggs are Just Mean have an Eggless Easter” awareness campaign. Purchasing eggs from factory farms to celebrate new life, new growth and a beautiful spring is simply hypocritical. The chickens that lay those pretty, white eggs suffer horribly and may already be dead. As part of that, I’ve been working on an egg pattern. But lots of folks have already designed eggs. So I kind of stall.
When Elizabeth from the Sitting Tree offered a kit with little skeins, the pattern and the tote (with a yellow bottom YAY) I really couldn’t help myself. Her little egg pattern is elegant in its simplicity and I’m going to give away half a dozen of them (them = Elizabeth’s pattern in PDF form) to random commenters on this post. Even if you call me names in your comment and say that I am trying to ruin agribusiness you are still in the running. But if you’ve ever seen a picture of chickens crammed into a battery cage, you won’t be calling me names. Just leave a comment before the end of the day Tuesday, March 26, and be sure that I can reach you by email to send your pattern.
If you do buy eggs this Easter, look for humane certification labels or find a friend with well cared for backyard birds. Even better: knit yourself an alternative.
Awesome! That’s such a great idea. Plus I think they’d be more fun for my boys to play with after the hunt.
I loved my time raising chickens in my backyard! I wish I could have another flock, but my dog is not to be trusted…
Lovely kit! I may have to try and find one of those. Would love to have one of your patterns. Thank you.
Very cool! And handmade eggs can be reused for years to come in Easter egg hunts!
These are definitely a better option than plastic candy filled eggs for a first-egg-hunt toddler. I’d love to win a copy of the pattern. Thanks
What gorgeous yarn, and your knitted egg is adorable. This is something I’ve thought about but never got around to doing…
Our eggs come from happy chooks. I went and checked out their living conditions to make sure.
i just recently managed to get on a local egg-purveyors regular list. local eggs every week! i’m in heaven.
I am coming up on my 1 year anniversary for our backyard chickens. I live in the central part of my town just minutes from our downtown and we are thrilled with how fun and easy it is to raise chickens. I am also a new knitter and hoping to do an egg for each of my boys! lovely photos on your blog!
Am so glad that you are back…have missed you, Emily….and your idea is a great one. These little knitted eggs are darling. Thanks for the opportunity.
We love the eggs from our local farmers. Thanks for the great giveaway. Love that tote.
You are right, it is so sad. I would like to receive the pattern and make some knitted eggs. Thank you!
I wanted to buy one of the easter baskets too. Lovely.♥
Living “down the road a bit” from two large chicken plants, we see those poor things stuffed in cages and have seen the farms they are raised on. Poor babies! Thank you for taking a stand in this horrible abuse of animals. Kudos to you!
I love these kits and have also wanted a good simple egg pattern.
BTW, my eggs come from very happy chickens. I know this because they are in my backyard. 🙂 We haven’t “bought” eggs in years. Chickens are wonderful pets with the added bonus of a ready supply of fresh eggs.
We are lucky to have access to farm eggs where I live. Now giving the kids knit easter eggs in their baskets might make them think I’ve finally gone over the edge. But based on their reaction I’ll be able to decide if I should look harder for that full scale xmas tree pattern I’ve been wondering about….
The pattern is lovely. I wish farm fresh eggs were more affordable. (and for that matter, I would like American wild shrimp, free range turkeys and organic lamb to also come into my price range.)
Cute! Excellent looking pattern.
awwww i love your knitted egg!!!
Those are great!
I prefer farm fresh eggs whenever I can get them. I really wish fresh and healthy food was more affordable. It is difficult to purchase when you are on a tight budget.
For all the folks wishing that fresh eggs were more affordable, just remind yourself why factory farm eggs are so cheap.
If it’s a change you want to make, just use less. I haven’t used eggs for baking in years. They are much better as quiche.
I am fortunate to have friends who have chickens that run free and am gifted many dozens of eggs in exchange for knitting. Would love to win one of these kits.
WELCOME BACK!!! Have missed you & Miss Ellie. Hope Great Gran is doing well. Blessings to you for seeing the other side of so many things and reminding us that we can choose to see clearer.
My son goes out to one of my co-worker’s house in the country and helps feed her chickens. This week he even went over to her house in 40 degree weather and cleaned out the chicken coop. We get eggs from her because they taste so much better. He even names her chickens.
Coincidentally, I’m off to the farmer’s market this morning to buy nice local eggs. The knit eggs are adorable.
Cage free eggs all the way!! We really want to be urban farmers but our lot is too small according to city code. So we buy cage free eggs at the store. And that basket is adorable!!
Love the cute basket set with the mini skeins to make cute eggs. I went to her etsy shop and she must be out of them. 🙁 Must try again next year.
Such a good idea. Much better to decorate with than the old plastic ones (although those do hold chocolate…hmmm). Either way I would love this pattern!
Dearest Emily, thank you so so much for promoting humane eggs. We raise chickens, ducks, and geese and sell their eggs at the local farmer’s market. They’re not only free range, but “free reign”. Chickens are such curious and entertaining creatures. And they love, love, love to run. I always smile when I see their funny run, but then it immediately reminds me that there are many caged chickens unable to run, see sunlight, and scratch in the dirt. Don’t include me in the giveaway. Just wanted to say: Keep up the good work! 🙂
Cage free eggs are about $5.00 a dozen here, so I budget for them. But they taste and look better as well as not coming from horrifying circumstances. Hadn’t been by in ages, study is kicking my arse, glad your return coincided with my break 🙂
Emily, while I am a knitter only by marriage (I am good at winding yarn, however), I have been reading your blog since before your daughter was born. We have been fortunate to have a steady supply of local eggs (of the backyard variety). Besides the superior ethical standing, the eggs are just so much better. When the chickens get out and start eating bugs, the yolks get so vibrant and stand so tall. Fresh eggs transform the things you cook with them. Go for the eggless Easter!