Waiting on the front porch.

I scheduled a pick up! I had a tote I needed to return. Carrier pick up is a free service. I really hate waiting in line. With the long weekend they’ll get there on Tuesday no matter what I do. So I figured why not? The race has started and I’m still in my PJs drinking coffee!

But it’s not very dramatic.

Hurry up, Letter Carrier.

Labels get printed tomorrow!

You’ve got a Small Flat Rate Box, now you need supplies:

• Ball of Dish Cloth Cotton – Peaches & Creme, Sugar’n Cream, you know the kind. I had a hard time getting the “super-sized” balls to fit in the box, so you might want to stick with the standard.
• Knitting needles – I used US 5s, Mom used US 7s – it all depends on how tightly you knit. The finished cloth should be around 7 inches square, beyond that, gauge is not that big of a deal.
• Small treat for your teammate – the box is small, your treat to pass onto the next knitter will need to be small too!

One more thing.

Is that another Small Flat Rate box I see? Could there possibly be one more team?

In completely unprecedented circumstances, every single knitter who signed up for Revenge of Dish Rag Tag is present, accounted for and ready to knit. I did not have to call up a single alternate this year.

But I had 12 disappointed alternates.

So I’m making one more team.

Y’all don’t mind a little more friendly competition do you?

Filling the Official Box of Revenge of Dish Rag Tag.

The USPS’ Small Flat Rate Box (available for free at your local PO) ships anywhere in the US for $4.95. That price includes tracking if you use Click N Ship. It’ll cost you an extra $.75 if you ship from a store. Tracking isn’t optional.

The USPS’ Small Flat Rate Box (it has “Small Flat Rate Box” printed on it so you can be sure to pick up the right one) is about the size of an old-school VHS tape box. It can hold a finished dish cloth, a ball of cotton (you’ll have to smash it to get it in there), pattern, instructions and a small treat or two.

The USPS’ Small Flat Rate Box (like many things these days) is not made like it used to be. It’s pretty flimsy and might survive three consecutive team members, but probably not more than that. It would be a good idea to pick up a spare the next time you’re near the PO – your team’s box’s last stop might be to you. Accept no substitutes!

The USPS’ Small Flat Rate Box will keep shipping reasonable/predictable for the next team member. Priority Shipping is a requirement for the game so you may as well use a free box and everyone should have to work as hard as I did to get that yarn in there.

I’ve got a great ice cube tray with a cover that I use to freeze all kinds of things: leftover tomato paste, the other half of a can of broth. This morning, I froze the extra coffee from breakfast.

I’m a Culinary Genius.

The coffee cubes went in the blender with almond milk (it’s what we had – way more drinkable than soy if you haven’t tried it) and a big shot of agave (no reason not to use honey or vanilla syrup).

Almost as good as candy. And a whole lot colder.

New in my shop.

Here’s the concept sketch:

I left off the tummy and added whiskers.

One of these days I’ll do a post series titled “From Picture to Pattern.” But that day is not today, Ellie has shared a cold (the deluxe version with fever). Today is a win if I answer all my email.

*blows nose*

‘Scuse me.

My Mom offered to make a couple of starter dish cloths for me since she was test knitting the pattern.

She ended up making six.

I guess that means it’s a pretty good pattern? With her six, my three and Great Gran’s four, I’ve got a few more than I actually need for the team boxes.

Speaking of teams, assignments have been made. If you are signed up for Dish Rag Tag and you haven’t gotten an email to that effect, log in without delay and correct your email address (or check your spam folder)! While you’re there, take a peek at your teammates and get in touch with your Captain.

Two weeks until the start of the race! Will I be ready? Will you?

Dish Rag Tag for 2010 is full at 120 knitters!

If you’d like to be an alternate should any participant be unable to fulfill his or her Dish Rag Duty, please contact me by email (emily@yarnmiracle.com) to get on the list.

We’re going to try to get team assignments made by the end of the week! Watch your email and this space for additional status updates.

**Signups for 2010 are full at 120 knitters!**

It’s 6:00am central on Tuesday and Dish Rag Tag sign-ups have reached 96 participants.

We have decided to extend sign-ups to 120 participants. That means 10 teams of 12 knitters.

Now that your place in the race is secure, tell your friends there might still be room for them.

**Signups for 2010 are full at 120 knitters!**