Knitter's Journey

Name These Hats

2012-01-21T11:39:00.000-06:00

New Year's Resolution: Blog More!
I haven't been away, just knitting away. So here are some of the results of my labor:

Santa gave me not one but two volumes of Barbara G. Walker's Treasury of Knitting Patterns, and I have been having fun playing with stitch patterns. These hats were inspired by a stitch in her 3rd Treasury that she calls "Lazy Rib." She showed the pattern in a single solid color yarn, but I immediately saw the possibilities for stranded knitting.

I used Kauni yarn with its wonderful long colorways. The eye popping combinations of color that you see here just magically happened by knitting with one strand from the center of the ball and one strand from the outside.

These hats are the first 2 of a planned series of 3 variations on this pattern. The 3rd will be a stocking cap, still in the works. I will be putting these on Ravelry soon, but the problem is, I don't know what to name them.

Here are some of my ideas:

Name ideas for the 3 Hat Series:

Whoville Hats

Crazy Lazy Rib Hats

Crazy Caps

Whacky wondering rib hats

Individual Pattern Name Ideas:

Paintball Pillbox Hat

Sunspot Square Hat

Spot and Squiggles Square Hat

Your votes or suggestions please! (There's a free pattern in it for you!)

Viking Knitters and Viking Knit

2011-08-05T11:35:00.008-05:00

I was in Minneapolis last weekend for the TKGA/CGOA Knit and Crochet Show. As always, I enjoyed meeting new people.

This was a smaller show, but the attendees had flown in from all around the country, so I felt like I was introducing myself to a whole new audience. I had customers who hailed from New York, Massachussetts, Alabama, Texas, California, Washington, and Alaska.

I also made many new connections with other knitting professionals. I was both flattered and excited to be approached by
1) an editor from a craft publishing company about a book opportunity
2) an editor from Creative Knitting Magazine who wants to do a product review of one of my kits (watch for it in the February issue) and
3) Three young ladies from BeadTV and Knit1TV (internet channels) who would like me to produce a knit with wire tutorial video for them.

Wow! Yippee! Yahoo!

I should also mention that I introduced a new product at this show. Voila!

It is called the Viking Knitter's Bracelet. My Minnesota customers thought I created it and named it especially for them (football team=Vikings), but as a true blue Packer fan, I could never do such a thing. The name comes from the "Viking Knit" wirework technique which produces a chain that resembles knitting. As you can see here, I paired it with handmade clasps made from recycled knitting needles. It was a hit! In fact, it was such a hit that I sold out! (Clasps have been ordered, and it will be on my website soon).

So, all in all it was a very nice visit to Vikingsland. I hope to return soon.

Midwest Fiber and Folk 2011, Bubble Wrap, and more

2011-06-30T07:52:00.012-05:00

I had a great time, as always, at Fiber and Folk last weekend. Sales were good, perhaps a little too good. I was there by myself, and I was so busy on Friday and Saturday I had trouble keeping up with the pace at times. I apologize to my customers out there who had to wait. Sorry, sorry, sorry!

Some of the excitement in my booth was generated by my new shawl pattern: Bubble Wrap, that you see above. I love this pattern! Except for the fan border, which I admit is a tad difficult (but beautiful!) the pattern is easy to memorize and fast to knit. I love the texture and the fact that it is totally reversible.

The sample that you see here was knit in Blue Heron Rayon Metallic--absolutely gorgeous yarn. The pattern worked great with the handpainted yarn, but I think it might look even better on a solid yarn or kettle dyed semi-solid. I plan to start a knit along for the shawl soon and I will be curious to see it in different colors.

Bubble Wrap is just one of several new patterns and kits that I am planning to introduce. I have new patterns and kit ideas at various stages of development for:

a cute cell phone holder
women's gloves
a dressy summer top
a viking knit bracelet kit

Hopefully, at least one of these new kits/patterns will be ready for my next show, which is just around the corner at the Knit and Crochet Show in Minneapolis at the end of July.

Yikes! I'd better get knitting!

I'm Back!

2011-05-15T14:49:00.005-05:00

Okay, this is kind of embarrassing. I've been MIA for (yikes!) 10 months.
I have lots of excuses for this:

1) life intervened -- lots was going on in my nonknitting life. For a while there I wasn't knitting much, and since I would like this blog to stick to my knitting, there were times when there wasn't much to say.

2) I was rebelling a little bit against blogging. Admit it fellow bloggers, after much blogging without comment, don't you start to wonder, is any one out there? Blogging sometimes feels like talking to myself, so is that therapy or is it insanity?

3) I have been keeping a few secrets (which I am about to reveal). For the last 5 months or so, I have been working on new designs and I have been contemplating trying to get at least one of them published by a print or online magazine. Most magazines require that patterns for submission not be published elsewhere, including on blogs or Ravelry, so I have been holding back, but I think I can tell you that since January I have designed the following:

* A new Knitter's Journey necklace kit. (Actually it is a necklace/bracelet--it's convertible!)
* A lovely shawl that uses Blue Heron's gorgeous Rayon Metallic yarn.
* Some very clever gloves that I have already knit up three times with two different yarn weights and 3 color variations, but I am not quite satisfied that I have found the best yarn for the pattern.
* A cardigan using Knit Picks yarn -- this is completely planned out, but as I have only knitted the back thus far, I have a long way to go before this one will be finished.

I am racing to finish as many of these projects as I can before I start the summer show season. My first show is June 3rd and 4th at the Hoosier Hills Fiber Festival in Franklin, Indiana. It will be my first appearance there, and I am excited for a new venue.

---Watch this space, and my Ravelry page-- Secrets to be revealed in the near future!

Fiber and Folk 2010

2010-07-15T08:54:00.005-05:00

I'm packing the car and heading to Grayslake for Midwest Fiber and Folk. This is my 3rd appearance at this festival and I'm so happy to be back. I love the folk music and the mix of vendors. I suppose its because of the music, but I've noticed that this is the one fiber festival with a significant number of men in attendance, with a male to female ratio of something like 1:3 instead of 1:100.

I am bringing some goodies with me that aren't listed on my website and may never be due to their limited availability or one of a kind nature, in particular the Heart of Stone kits and Flower Pin/Earring kits. I almost hate to part with some of the Heart of Stone kits that I put together -- each stone is unique and I put careful thought into the complimentary bead combinations. The Flower Pin and Earring kits will only be available while supplies last. I expect they will go quickly at just $9 for pattern, beads, wire, and findings to make 2 flower pins and 2 sets of earrings. Do check come and check it out this weekend at the Lake County Fairgrounds. I'm booth 203. Hope to see you there!

A Haul of Hearts

2010-06-16T19:23:00.000-05:00

I went to the Bead and Button show last weekend and I scored a haul of hearts! I've been desperately searching the internet for more gemstone donut hearts to use in my Heart of Stone necklace kits, and I was worried that I would never find more. I found 35 hearts in a variety of colors at the Eclectica booth, and I snatched them up. I think I have now cornered the world market in 42mm stone hearts. Now that I have a somewhat larger, albeit still limited, supply, I will be adding Heart of Stone kits to my web store. Of course, I will continue to sell them at the knitting/jewelry shows that I do. I will be sure to have a nice selection on hand when I go to Giralte Beads and Yarn this Friday and Saturday. It will be interesting to see how long it will take before they are all gone.

Trunk Show

2010-05-27T10:23:00.001-05:00

I have some exciting news! Knitter's Journey will be hitting the road this summer, with Trunk Shows at local yarn shops. The first such event will be at Giralte Beads and Yarn in Cedarburg, WI. If you're in the area (Southeast Wisconsin), Stop in at the store Friday, June 18 between 1 pm and 8 pm or Saturday, June 19th between 10 am and 4 pm to say Hi!

I'm so excited about this event. Giralte is one of my favorite LYS, especially because they offer both of my craft addictions --beads AND yarn! I have a feeling I may be doing as much shopping as selling while I'm there, because the selection is irresistible. I will be doing in-store demonstrations of knitting and crocheting with wire on a continuing basis. It will be a great opportunity for crafters to learn all the tips and tricks for knitting and crocheting with wire without having to pay extra for a class. I'll have a huge selection of kits, including many bead and color combinations that are not on my website because they are limited edition.

I love meeting my customers, and I love teaching even more. What could be more fun than meeting my customer's and teaching my favorite subject all day long?

Barcelona

2010-04-15T22:10:00.000-05:00

Well, it's about time I told you a little more about Barcelona. What can I say except LOVED IT! DH and I both enjoy city vacations, especially cities with unique culture, entertainment and street life. Barcelona has it all.

For unique culture --there is the fact that it is Catalonia and not Spain!
(A sign that we saw grafittied on a wall, by the way). Barcelonans are proud of their culture. I was a little surprised to find more people speaking Catalan than Spanish. That really was OK, everyone understood me when I tried to speak Spanish, not because my Spanish is any good, but because my college French kept getting in the way of my High School Spanish and the words that I kept coming up with were a strange half-breed Franglish which were actually more like Catalan than Spanish!

I loved that we came upon Catalan folk dancers and some sort of Saint's Day parade, complete with giant fairytale parade people. Neither of these were staged for the tourists, but seemed to be sincere celebrations by everyday Barcelonans--The folk dancers were everyday people dressed in jeans who met every week at the square in front of our hotel to practice traditional dancing. The giant statues were, well, we never quite figured it out, but it was obviously some sort of tradition for families to enjoy with their children because whereever we saw them there were families with children parading behind.

Barcelona celebrates its unique history and architecture,especially Gaudi.
We visited Parc Guel, La Sagrada Familia, and La Casa Mila and loved them all.

We saw lots of other tourist sites including several good museums, a beautiful downtown park, the seafront, Montjuic, and the Gothic cathedral but my favorite thing about Barcelona has to be the street life. People walking everywhere all day, all night--late night shopping and window shopping,street entertainers on the Ramblas and in the squares.

Barcelona is a great place to visit, and from what I can see, a great place to live.

Knitting Here and There--from MSN to BCN

2010-03-24T08:51:00.000-05:00

Hola! Were you wondering where I've been? After all, it's been almost a month since I last blogged. Well, I've been busy keeping true to my name--knitting and embarking on some wonderful journeys.

My first journey was a quick trip to Madison, where I was a vendor at the Madison Knitting Guild's Knit-in. The Knit In is a great little event that I was lucky to be a part of--vendors are drawn by lottery, and I was fortunate to get in for the second year in a row. It was a long day, but thoroughly enjoyable. While there, I obtained some lovely handpainted yarn from Sandy of Sandy's Palette--I swapped with her for a sale kit, and I think each of us went away happy and thinking we had gotten the better deal. I couldn't wait to start knitting up my new acquisition, so even though I already have a pair of mittens on the needles, I started another pair with my swap yarn. It would be a perfect small project for my next journey--a week in Barcelona!

There is so much to tell you about Barcelona! For today's post, I'll stick to the knitting, but watch for another post in the coming days for a strictly touristy take on the city. My knitting adventure in Barcelona started on the plane. My DH admitted to accidentally pulling out one of my "sticks" when he picked up my project from the seat pocket where I had left it. We searched deligently, but the needle was nowhere to be found. I wasn't upset though. The loss of my needle simply meant that I HAD TO visit a yarn shop in Barcelona.

On arrival in Barcelona, we made our way to our hotel, checked-in, and immediately set out for the nearest yarn shop, All You Knit is Love. The shop name reflects the warm and friendly nature of the shop owner, Jennifer, an American ex-pat, and her Catalan spouse, Miguel.

Jennifer quickly helped me find replacement needles. I enjoyed a quick tour of the tiny store, and took special note of the lovely locally produced roving. Unfortunately, I don't spin, so I passed up the roving for a European (Norwegian?) yarn in a beautiful teal shade for more mittens as a souvenir. My husband enjoyed a lengthy chat with Miguel about business and European Cup soccer while Jennifer and I talked knitting. We enjoyed our visit so much that I decided to return for the shop's S&B knitting the following evening. The knitting ladies (and one knitting man) welcomed me with a Catalan kiss on both cheeks.

I cannot say enough about the friendliness at All You Knit is Love. The shop never lacked customers during the two days that I visited, and although I don't speak Catalan and my Spanish is both limited and rusty, I could tell that the customers were loyal and felt a sense of community towards each other and the shop. I was pleased to hear the owner's good news that they will be moving to a bigger location in a busier street nearby. They are moving just two blocks over to Barra de Ferro 8--a great location, just off of Princesa and around the corner from the Textile and Picasso Museums. If you are a knitter and a visitor to Barcelona, a stop at this shop really must be added to your itinerary.

Someone Reads This Blog! and Sheep in the City

2010-02-28T21:35:00.000-06:00

I just enjoyed a nice weekend at Sheep in The City. It's funny how every one of these fiber festival/retreat things that I go to are different. Sheep in the City definitely wins the prize for being the most social. Jan, owner of Just 4 Ewe yarn shop and the organizer of SITC, knows how to network and create fun, and she has a loyal crowd of followers coming to this event for the classes, cakewalk and comedy!

I registered late and was lucky to get a table. Despite my cramped and less than optimal location, I had good sales, so I'm not complaining. The only thing that was not so great about this weekend was that I taught 2 classes, and I felt they didn't go as well as my knitting classes usually do. We were pressed for time and I was overtired from just 3 hours sleep the night before. It was Ok, but not great . . . I know I can revise and make it better.

I think that what I enjoyed most this weekend were conversations with customers. A couple of my customers told me that they first found me online. One mentioned that she bought a couple of kits online, and had no problem following the directions and making the bracelets without having taken a class on knit with wire. (That's always good to hear) Another told me she had downloaded my Tallinn Twist--the free pattern I have on my website and on Ravelry. I was especially tickled when a last minute customer on Sunday told me she likes my blog and that is actually how she found out about Sheep in The City. So hello loyal fan(s)! Thanks for the complements, it's what keeps me going.

Stonehenge

2010-02-13T08:34:00.000-06:00

Color and texture, that's what its all about. Whether it's yarn or wire and beads, I love making new combinations. Here's the latest new jewelry idea. I thought I'd call it Stonehenge because of the stone circle. I will have kits in sodalite/navy, brecciated jasper/brown, and snow quartz/silver. Love it! These kits will make their debut at Sheep in the City in 2 weeks. Can't wait, can't wait!

Heart of Stone for a Cause

2010-02-07T22:33:00.000-06:00

I knitted up a few more necklaces over the weekend. I wanted to make a Heart of Stone necklace in pink because the heart is so different from the jasper one that I made first. The pendant is a bit smaller with a much larger hole. I could have done this in silver wire, but I want to offer something with pink wire with a percentage of sales going to ABCD - After Breast Cancer Diagnosis. This is a wonderful breast cancer support group in my community. I don't know if its that I've reached a certain age where these things seem to happen, or if its simply that we are poisoning ourselves, but lately every time I turn around someone I know is diagnosed with breast cancer. Currently, 5 women at work, 1 relative, and 2 good friends are battling the disease.So I hope by donating 2% of sales to ABCD for every pink wire kit sold that I can do some small part to help women deal with this disease. I suppose the large hole in the heart is appropriate for association to this cause. Of course, I've made this second necklace and I still haven't written it up. It isn't difficult though and should get done soon if other tasks don't get in the way (which of course they always do). I think by Valentine's day will be an appropriate goal.

Blogging Backlog

2010-01-23T13:37:00.001-06:00

Well, once again, time has passed, and I haven't blogged. I was certainly busy up through Christmas. Grad school is over! Hoorah! Holiday entertaining kept me quite busy too. But now, that is all done, and I have been relishing having my evenings and weekends back to myself. I have been having fun knitting, knitting, and knitting.

I completed quite a number of projects that I haven't posted. These pictures aren't the best and I will need to retake some that I wish to make into patterns or kits for sale, but I just felt an urgent need to post something here, so I'm not going to be too fussy about the photography.

So here we go. This is what I've been up to:

1. The Buttonless many Buttoned Vest. This is a Cheryl Oberle pattern that I actually completed in August, but I didn't post a picture because I planned to get buttons and finish it before blogging. I haven't been eager to finish because, quite frankly, it's an UGH! Not that I don't like the pattern, but the yarn is totally blah! Blah color and a stiff texture. It is a silk/wool blend that I received in a stash swap. Now I know why it was swapped. The yarn has no elasticity and the vest doesn't hug the body. I will find buttons and finish it, but I'm not sure I'll ever wear it because I feel like a chunk in it.

2. This next item is another UFO. I started these mittens a few years ago. I call them my Baltic Mittens because they have a Latvian scalloped border combined with some Estonian braids. They are not quit an Ugh!, I do like the pattern and colors, but I knit them at too tight a guage and I wish I had made a gusset thumb instead of a waste yarn thumb. For whatever reason, I made many mistakes while knitting these and reknit several times. Now the yarn looks lumpy. One mitten is done, but I don't have the courage to start the other right now--too time consuming, and other projects are pressing to get done. Back to the yarn basket for you!

3. Adult sized All American Baby Hat Finally got around to figuring the size adjustments to my All-American Baby Hat pattern. I have the new pattern with baby, child, adult sizing for sale on my website. I'm not sure what to do about the pattern on Ravelry. Do I replace the original or post this additionally?

4. Heart of Stone Necklace This will be a new kit for Knitter's Journey. I still have to write up the pattern, but I will have this for sale by Sheep in the City at the end of February.

5. Ribbon Winner Mittens -- This is a child sized version of the mittens I knit that took 1st place at the Wisconsin State Fair a few years back. I really made these as examples for the Mitten class that I will be teaching at Sheep in the City and Hands on 2010. My knitting buddies are urging me to write this up as an individual pattern and offer it for sale. I suppose I should. The problem is, I used old yarn and I don't know if I can find similar ribbon yarn. If I can find the same or similar I may make kits.

6. Baubled Rib Aran Mitts -- I started making these as a sample for the mitten class, but I may also write this up as a separate pattern. I really do love these. I can see making a variation for gloves and fingerless gloves. They need a name though. Something Irish, I think. Ideas anyone?

Hmmmmm . . . looking back on this post, I see a theme here. Knit now, write later? So, now instead of a blogging backlog, I have a writing backlog. It may be a while before you hear from me again.

Tallinn Twist

2009-12-06T11:11:00.000-06:00

Just an update. I decided to call the nameless easy Estonian rib hat the Tallinn Twist and posted it on Ravelry a week ago. While I must admit, Kathrow's suggestion to called it "Screwy" was catchy, "Tallinn Twist" fits my Knitter's Journey Travel inspiration theme. (For those of you who don't know, Tallinn is the capitol of Estonia.) To date, 184 people have downloaded the pattern,it has received 93 hearts, is in 14 queues,and there are 5 projects already underway. I guess that's what happens when you offer something free. I'll be posting it to my Knitter's Journey site soon to see if that helps generate a little traffic there. My website needs so much work, it's a bit overwhelming--which I suppose is why it never gets done. Requesting your patience please. It will get done. Eventually.

Experimental Charity Hats

2009-11-29T10:38:00.000-06:00

Well my annual Mitten Tree gig is just around the corner, and I hardly knit anything for this worthwhile charity project, so I got busy this week and knit a few hats and mittens. Here are the hats. Always easily bored, I decided to experiment with something new. I grabbed some Noro Silk Garden that I had in my stash and created this hat using an Estonian spiral ribbing. This first hat came out smaller than I thought it would, but it is for charity and it will fit someone, probably a 2 or 3 year old, I would guess. I tried to maintain the spiral pattern up to the top, but had difficulty seeing it in the lumpy Noro yarn, although I liked the color changes combined with the spiral pattern. I decided I needed to try this pattern with a less lumpy, long colorway yarn.

Now, like any good knitter I have lots of stash. I have dozens and dozens of skeins of lovely wool, much of it handpainted and beautiful, but other than the Silk Garden, how much of it do you suppose I had on hand in a long colorway? You guessed it, zero, zip, nada. So of course,like any good knitter, I had to run to my LYS to purchase new yarn rather than use up any more of the dozens and dozens of skeins in my stash. (Did I mention this is for a charity project?) I bought one skein of Universal Yarns' Shades and one skein of Wisdom Yarns' Poems to continue my experiments in hats with Estonian ribbing.

Here is my second hat, sized for an elementary school age child, it used approximately 1/2 of the Shades skein. As you can see, I decided to add corkscrew tassles. I love it! The pattern is so ridiculously easy that I'm thinking of offering it as a free pattern on Ravelry. It will be interesting to see how many people will want to knit it up.

For my third and final experiment, I decided to try combining the Estonian ribbing with a patchwork top to create a flat top tocque. I used the Poems yarn in a rainbow mix, and this is pretty darn cute as well, although my picture doesn't do it justice because you can't see the tocque shape when it is not on someone's head. The hat is just a bit small for me because I made it child sized for the charity project, so that's why you don't see me modeling it. I tried it on the cat, but she isn't a very good model either. While I like this hat, I prefer the corkscrew topped experiment number 2. Also, I had to use every bit of the yarn to make the child sized version 3 tocque, while the Shades yarn used in version 2 has enough yardage to make 2 child size hats or an adult hat with a good amount of leftovers. I can't wait to post experimental hat #2 on Ravelry. I'd love to see how many fans it gets! My only dilemna--what to call it?? Corkscrew Cap seems appropriate, but I try to name my knitting patterns with travel related names (All American Baby Hat, Eiffel Tower Gloves, etc.) to promote the Knitter's Journey theme. Perhaps I should call it Estonian Rib hat, but that sounds blah. Any suggestions out there?

Eiffel Tower Gloves

2009-10-31T10:32:00.000-05:00

Ooh la la, Do I love these gloves! They are soft and luxurious and just that little bit glitzy. Tres Chic! As the name implies, I was inspired by the famous icon of the fashion center of the world, Le Tour Eiffel. Can you see the little Eiffel Towers? I used the same Angora that I used in my Dust Bunny sweater and I love the feel of them.

I am not sure my pictures do them justice. I'm not that good at closeup photography. I'll try taking a few more pictures and see if I come up with something better. I will be posting the pattern on Ravelry soon.

Chicago, Chicago that Toddlin' Town

2009-10-18T19:42:00.000-05:00

I seem to be spending a lot of time in the Chicago area. I was there yesterday for YarnCon, and I'll be there again in May when I teach and vend at the new Hands On Retreat.

YarnCon was fun, easy and interesting. So fun to see the crowd skewed towards younger knitters. You know, we knitters always tend to wear our wares at these events. At Stitches and other established knitting events, you tend to see age 50 and older women wearing lovely shawls and fair isle sweaters that show off their years of knitting experience. But at YarnCon, you see 20 and 30 somethings wearing funky hats and colorful scarves made in wild handpainted yarns and with innovative stitches or quirky patterns (like space invader scarves and guassian hats).

The event was easy for me because it was just one day and not far to travel. It's certainly a lot easier to do than the typical 2 or 3 day fiber festival, although it was a bit of a challenge to unpack the car and be set up in an hour. My husband tagged along to help. He's a trooper, but it would have been more fun if one of my knitting buddies could have come along. . . They would have appreciated the booths of the other vendors. There was handpaint everywhere. I didn't shop though. Too busy. That's a good thing.

I have not yet blogged the other Chicago event that's coming up for me. I am so excited! I'm going to be both an instructor and a vendor at Hands On, which takes place in near Midway airport in May. I will be teaching both knit with wire bracelets and "Mitten Masterplan." I really love knitting mittens. I've developed a class on designing your own mittens that I've taught at my local yarn shop and now I will be teaching at this new retreat. Although it is a brand new event, Hands On is a mitten maker's answer to the Sock Summit, and I feel so lucky to be teaching there!

I tend to give away as gifts or donate most of the mittens I make, so I don't have many mittens on hand for Hands On,but I've got until May to make some more. I'd like to have a variety to show my students--super simple to difficult, colorwork, texture work, children's and adults. I'm very, very excited about a pair of gloves I just designed. I have just one glove done, so I'll hold off from posting pictures, but they are going to be beautiful. They are made with leftover angora from my Dust Bunny sweater, so they are soft and elegant as well. I can't wait to finish them and show them off.

Well, this is a bit of a rambling post. If you have any interest in mitten knitting. Check out the Hands On site. If you are interested in attending, sign up now! Registration began Friday night and some classes are already sold out. They are not maintaining a waiting list, so book now!

Pictures - Finally

2009-10-09T16:15:00.001-05:00

I got some pictures from my sister from Wisconsin Sheep and Wool (See September's post) Here you see: 1) Me in my booth - and my cousin who stopped by to say Hi.
2) Like I said, it was sheepy.
3) My puppy love, Winston. I hope he found a new home.

Wooly Headed

2009-09-21T21:45:00.000-05:00

This is just a quick post to explain what I've been up to. Busy, busy, busy is all. Too busy to blog. I was at the Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival last weekend. It was my first time as a vendor at this event. It's definitely the sheep-iest of all the fiber shows I do. I loved the sheep and the sheep dog trials. In fact, I fell in love with a border collie puppy named Winston who was looking for a home. He looked at me with his big brown eyes and snuggled in my arms and fell asleep. I knew it was never going to happen, but I did actually call the DH to see if I could bring him home. Of course, we would never get a dog. We are cat people and our cat is not dog friendly (or other cat friendly for that matter). I must have been under the influence of all those sheep at WI Sheep and wool because I was certainly being wooly headed.

No pictures from Sheep and Wool, sad to say, I still haven't found my camera charger. I may need to buy a new one. My sis was at the fair to help me (Yes,the same one who helped me in Madison--proof that she still loves me after that little sisterly adventure). She took a few pictures. If she sends me photos, I'll post them here.

I do have other things I should be posting pictures of. I have a rather large finished object, The Many Buttoned Vest from Cheryl Oberle's Folk Vests was started and finished since my State Fair post. Well, it's 99% finished because I don't have any buttons for my Many Buttoned vest. I'm envisioning some celtic looking brass buttons, but I have yet to find them.

I have been crazy busy with school (i.e. my job) and school (i.e. grad school). The only reason I'm writing now is because I'm taking a 5 minute a break from writing lesson plans. (Uhm, okay, 20 minute break, and yes, it's because I'm procrastinating on writing those lesson plans.) Sigh . . .better get back to it.

State Fair

2009-08-13T09:42:00.000-05:00

I went to the State Fair yesterday with sisters Liz and Donna and Liz's grandkids Alex and Marcus. What a great time! The State Fair has something for everyone, and each of us had an agenda. I, of course, had to see the knitting. Donna, who once owned a horse and has been in equine withdrawl ever since she gave it up, had to visit the horse barn. Liz wanted to spoil her grandchildren, and Alex and Marcus were determined to be spoiled. We all had our wishes granted.

I was glad to see Knitting has moved out of the cavernous Wisconsin Exhibition Hall to the cozier Horticulture, Culinary and Craft building, but I do wish the Fair would do something about the display cases and how they display the craft exhibits. I make this same complaint every year. Knitting, quilting, sewing, and woodworking are all jumbled together in the display cases with no apparent rhyme or reason to the arrangements. I wish they would group the winners by class and category so you could easily see what separates the Blue Ribbons from the rest of the crowd, but alas, I don't think the State Fair people read my blog! As usual, the vast number of knitting entries reflected older knitting traditions and simple but well executed patterns. The top winners were definitely worthy of their awards though. I was especially impressed by the colorful and intricate first place socks.

We all enjoyed the horse barn and were lucky to visit at a time when the horses were being taken out of their stalls to be readied for show. The Percherons, Belgians and Clydesdales were breathtaking. We even had a chance to see the Budweiser Clydesdales pull their wagon, complete with Dalmation dog riding shotgun.

Our visit was centered on the interests of Alex and Marcus, ages 4 and 7. We rode the Skyglider and visited the tractor exhibit, which included 100's, if not 1000's of matchbox size tractors on display, tractor tricyles for the kids to ride, and a kiddy "tractor pull" competition. It was little boy heaven! We watched as Alex rode a camel and Marcus rode a pony, and both children bungee jumped on a trampoline.

We did our best to support the economy. We ate corn and corn dogs, funnel cake, ice cream sundaes and creme brulee. All of us bought some sort of souvenir--Donna bought colorful leashes for her grandkids, Liz got a purse, the boys got toy cars and light up guns, and I got craisins, goat cheese, cranberry mustard, and a badger t-shirt. What can I say? When you say WI-SCON-SIN, you've said it all!

Fiber and Folk 09 - The Report

2009-07-26T12:48:00.000-05:00

It's hard to believe I've been back from the Fiber and Folk Festival for a week. I'm always a bit wiped out when I come back from an all weekend show. So after a few days to recover, take inventory, do paperwork, I'm ready to blog about it.

I absolutely love this show! I love the vendor mix and the folk music. I couldn't believe my good fortune to catch the music of Peter and Lou Barryman. I used to go see them at the Club de Wash (are they still in business?) when I was a student in Madison many moons ago. It brought back old memories and made me feel young, although most of the songs they sang were about growing old. I'm right there with them! Sigh!

My friend Rosa accompanied me on this trip. A shout out to Rosa for her energy, enthusiasm and easy going personality! What can I say about someone who doesn't complain when I insist that I have to drive back to Milwaukee upon arrival in Crystal Lake when I discover that I forgot to pack my display baskets? She is up for sainthood. AND, I must say, that woman is a knitting machine! She knit 5 kits while manning the booth without batting an eye!

Thanks to Rosa helping me, I was able to teach a class on Friday. I had 8 students, and they were all very enthusiastic about the class. They loved the fact that they walked away with a finished bracelet. Here are pictures of their finished work.
I'm very proud of all of them.

These pictures come courtesy of one of my students. They are the only pictures I have from this year's Fiber and Folk because I packed my camera, but the battery was dead and the charger was at home. Memo to self: make check list before packing for shows, include display baskets and charger for the camera.

Fiber and Folk Kick Off

2009-07-15T12:00:00.001-05:00

I'm just about set to leave for the Midwest Fiber and Folk Festival in Crystal Lake, IL. The Fair lasts Friday through Sunday, but there is a preview evening for students on Thursday night. I enjoyed this fair last year, but I worked it alone and didn't get to see anything besides my booth and the bathroom. This year I will be taking my friend Rosa with me to help in my booth. I couldn't do it without her because I will be teaching a class on Friday afternoon. I packed lots of additional kits, probably too many, but I can't help myself. I keep buying beads and yarn, and I have to sell it so I can buy more beads and yarn. I'm excited that I have a spot in the gym this year. Last year I was in the tent outside and hot sticky weather with thunderstorms in the afternoon kept the crowds down. Air conditioning is one of those niceties that we tend not to appreciate until its not there. Well, better run. I have 100 or so kits to label before I pack the car.

Welcome Uncle Sam

2009-07-03T08:42:00.000-05:00

I finally wrote up the Patriotic Baby Hat pattern that I blogged about in November. It is available through my Etsy shop, here. What, you say it's too late to knit a hat for the 4th? Hah! Get ye to a yarn shop and start knitting! Seriously, it makes a great gift for any American baby when you don't know the gender of the unborn child. Or, especially, for military moms and dads. I really do like this hat. I may need to go back to the computer to work up big kid and adult sizes.

P.S. Thanks to my colleague at work for allowing her daughter to be my model. Desperate for a model, I went to the school Daycare and looked for any awake babies, and she was the only one. Fortunately, her mom agreed that I could use her likeness. Even more fortunately, she is cute as a button!

Dust Bunny

2009-06-30T12:30:00.000-05:00

Here it is--Stardust in black angora . . . I've decided to rename it Dust Bunny, since it was collecting dust as a UFO for a while there. I began this little cutie in January of '08 but lost my enthusiasm quickly and set it aside a number of times. I finally finished it last week. What made me set it aside was that I was worried that it would be too small, not that I wasn't getting gauge, but you know how you have a pattern with set dimensions and you have to decide to make it either too big or too small? Well, I decided this style would be better too small rather than too big so I made the smaller size, but then the really worrying part was that I gained more than a few pounds between the time I started and the time I finished. I need not have worried. It fits beautifully and it is so soft, I feel like I'm being hugged by a bunny when I wear it. This was an intermediate difficulty pattern but the sewing was difficult, mostly because I knit it in a very fluffy black angora. That, combined with old eyes and not so great lighting makes the finishing tough. The seams are respectable though.

Bridal Jewelry

2009-05-30T12:43:00.000-05:00

I joined Etsy recently, (you would think I would have done this ages ago!) and the Etsy Knitters Group is organizing a "knitted wedding" album. Both my "Chain, Chain, Chain" necklace and "Chips and Stones" bracelet in quartz crystal and pearls would be perfect. I just donated the finished items shown in these pictures to the fundraising auction at the school where I work, and they sold for an overbid price. I have kits available to make more, but I'll have to get busy making another set. Now that June is upon us, I think the finished items may sell better than the kits.

I have to admit, I prefer to sell my kits over the finished jewelry because I always want to create something new and different and don't want to make the same thing twice. However, this bracelet is so pretty, I don't mind doing it again and again.

Journey into the Past

2009-05-19T12:01:00.000-05:00

I had a wonderful rendezvous the other day with my college roommates. The three of us haven't been together in at least 25 years. (Oops I guess I just gave a clue to how old I am.) Linda and I have kept in touch, but neither of us knew where Bonnie was after she moved, married, divorced, and moved again. Thanks to Facebook, we have found each other again. While Linda lives across the country, Bonnie is still here in the Midwest, just 20 miles from me. We had a loooooooooong lunch (from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.!) catching up with each other and just enjoying each other's company.
This is my second reconnection to the past within the last year (I saw my college beau in March last year) and it somehow makes me feel connected and affirmed. I keep singing the Brownie song in my head, "Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold."

Camp Minikani Encore

2009-05-04T13:02:00.000-05:00

It's Camp Minikani time again! This year I taught the gemstone flower pin craft that we did for Mother's Day last year. Since Moms or Dads are at camp with the students we couldn't exactly call it a Mother's day surprise, which took a bit of the excitement out of the project for some students. The girls loved the project because they wanted to claim the pins for themselves, but most of the boys weren't convinced to make a pin for Mom when she was right there helping them with the pin. Oh, well. They seemed to have fun, and no one found it too difficult. I wish I had some pictures of some of the finished products--some of them could have been sold on Etsy or Ebay. Here you can see me in the process of making a pin and leading the group through the steps. They worked hard and almost everyone finished in the short time we had to complete our projects. I'm proud.

Knitter's Journey to Savannah

2009-03-26T09:34:00.000-05:00

I picked up my needles and flew South last week to the beautiful city of Savannah, Georgia. I went with my husband, as usual, but unusual for us, we travelled with friends to enjoy a group vacation experience. Savannah is a lovely historic town, and the Spring weather and flowers make it the perfect place to visit at this time of year. There is much to see and do. My favorite part of the trip was simply the beauty of the flowers and historic homes.

I loved going for long walks to explore each day. We took a stroll through an enchanting colonial cemetery and went on a night-time enchanted ghost tour.

We went on a dolphin tour and were not disappointed. A small pod of dolphins played a game to race along with our pontoon boat for part of the tour.

I was surprised to find out how much I like southern cooking. We ate local regional cuisine most of the time. It was delicious, but not so good for the supposed diet . . . burp!

Of course, I had to seek out yarn. I found it at a small shop in Savannah called Wild Fibre that was close to where we stayed, and at a fantastic shop in nearby (well, okay, a 110 mile drive, but worth it) Charleston, SC. Knit was filled to the brim with fiber of all kinds and colors. I was surprised to find so much wool south of the Mason-Dixon line.

Our visit coincided with the Savannah Music Festival, and we got to enjoy all sorts of quality entertainment, including Blues, Jazz, Zydeco, and World music.

We even had a chance to be part of the entertainment by participating in a Shape Note Singing Songfest (above). On Thursday, our first full day, we enjoyed "The Blues was Born Here" with Phil Wiggins and Corey Harris, followed by a blues band that was put together by the Music Makers Relief Foundation and included Beverly Watkins. Please check out the Music Maker's Relief site, they are a wonderful organization that tries to help older musicians record and perform to earn a little income in their later years. On Friday, we heard the mellow jazz of Dianne Reaves, and on Saturday we enjoyed a Zydeco dance party and the music of local jazz singer Kim Pelote and her trio. My favorite music was that of Marshall and Anger with Vasen. This unlikely combo of a bluegrass duo with a Swedish folk trio created some incredibly jazzy, upbeat, footstomping, contemporary world music.

It was a fantastic week. If you hurry, you can enjoy it too. The festival lasts through the second week of April.

Report from Madison

2009-03-16T08:39:00.001-05:00

Well I didn't get to meet the Harlot, but I did sell a lot of jewelry kits. It was a hectic weekend, and I must say I out-did my self in my ability to get stressed out and panicked over nothing, a skill that I excel at if I do say so myself. This post is simply a detailed saga of my self-induced hysteria.

Thursday: The stage is set for anxiety overkill. Instead of packing for the show on Thursday night, I work on my taxes until 11 p.m., trying to get things in order so the DH could take them to the accountant on Friday. Unable to balance the books, I go to bed without having taxes done or suitcase packed.

Friday: Already in a franctic mode, I am up at 4 a.m. on Friday morning, trying to pack my suitcase and organize the inventory for the Knit In before heading off to work. Fortunately, I am able to sneak out of work 1/2 hour early (hope the boss doesn't read this)and have time to almost finish packing just before Sis arrives. As we pack her car, Sis cuts her finger and bleeds all over the house. Unable to find a bandage, we make an unscheduled stop at the local pharmacy before heading out. We arrive at our niece's house in Madison at least 1/2 hour later than planned (having also taken a wrong turn and driving 10 miles out of the way). Darling niece and her husband and baby treat us to a pizza dinner and give us a gift certificate to stay at the local Holiday Inn Express. (The plan had originally been to crash at their house, but when I hold her we had to get up at 5:00 a.m., she remembered how she had this gift certificate for a local hotel, and wouldn't we like to use it?) I was getting very sleepy by 9 p.m., so we excuse ourselves to make our way to the hotel. We arrive, only to find that there is no electricity in the hotel, nor in the entire city of Verona.
Sis, "Let's go to another hotel."
Me, "Uhm, this is free. NO."
We check-in in the dark, not exactly having a sisterly bonding good-time. Fortunately, the lights come on after about 20 minutes and I am able to sleep while Sis reads.
Saturday: We are up at 4:45 a.m., shower, dress, eat breakfast, and leave the hotel shortly after 6 a.m. without asking the front desk for directions to the conference center where the Knit In will be held. After all, I have Mapquest instructions in my purse (from my house and not from the hotel, duh!). I think I know where the conference center is, and who needs the advice of a human anyway? We promptly get lost and do not arrive at the conference center until 7:10 a.m. I have, in the mean time, started to go into panic attack-bitch mode. Knowing I have just 45 minutes to set up my booth, I freeze like a deer in the headlights when I see my booth space and seem incapable of figuring out how to set it up for 20 minutes. I am nowhere near ready to sell when the first shoppers arrive at 7:45. I'm finally minimally set up and make my first sale around 8:30 a.m., at which time all the customers disappear to attend classes and listen to the Yarn Harlot. I do not have another sale until 11:00 a.m. Customers trickle in until noon, when all hell breaks loose as classes dismiss and 400 crazy knitters all try to spend their money before 1:30 p.m. when they are back in class. It is calm between 1:30 and 3 when business picks up again as the afternoon classes let out, but it is not as busy as I expected because an announcement was made to shoppers that the last shuttle bus to the park and ride departs at 3:30. The market closes at 4 p.m. and Sis and I pack up the car and are on the road back to Milwaukee by 4:45. We make the mistake of discussing politics on the way home. Somehow, through it all, I realize that I have made money and should be happy, and that my sister still loves me.

Can't Wait

2009-03-08T21:16:00.000-05:00

Well, Sheep in the City was way too much fun. Spiderlady,(aka Jan from Just 4 Ewe) did an incredible job for a first time event. There was a yarn cake walk, a fashion show and a very silly, very fun Sheep to Shawl challenge of the Madison vs. Oak Creek guilds. I was there by myself as a vendor,and I had a bit of a rough time Friday because I was running behind on getting set up, and then had to teach a class. Jan had someone cover my booth, but I don't think I'll sign up again to teach without having someone to work the booth for me--just too hectic. Anyway, I worked hard, but had fun and even made some money while doing it. My Monday night knitting friends stopped in on Saturday and kept me company for a good part of the day.

I'm sooooooo excited to go to the Madison guild's Knit In this next weekend. I hope I get to meet the Yarn Harlot. I'm afraid I won't be able to sit in on her lecture because I'll be stuck behind my booth, but maybe, just maybe she'll stop by and buy a kit. Wouldn't that be a dream come true? My sister is coming with me. She will help me set up and cover me for lunch, but she will be enjoying the classes. It should be so much fun to have a sisters day together. We are staying overnight at our niece's, so that should be double the fun.Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait.

Hope to See You

2009-02-26T04:59:00.000-06:00

I will be vending at Sheep in the City in Milwaukee this weekend, and then again at the Madison Knitter's Guild Knit in. I've been too preoccupied with Graduate school and my real job and haven't done a knitting show since Stitches Midwest. I'm going to enjoy focusing on knitting this weekend. I've packed a few new color combos of my kits that I'm excited about and I won't mind sitting in my booth all weekend if I can knit a few necklaces for my own jewelry box!

I know I'll see a few friends this weekend and I hope to meet some new ones. I'm especially excited about the Knit in in 2 weeks. My sister will be visiting from Florida and she's going to help me at my booth. The best part though, the Yarn Harlot will be there and I hope to meet her.

I haven't been posting because once again I've been either working or sleeping. Such is life. At least this weekend work will be play.

H-E double toothpicks week

2009-01-24T09:14:00.000-06:00

Everyone has a bad day at work now and then. Life has been pretty good for me ever since I changed jobs 4 years ago, but I think my bad days have been saving up for this last week. The worst thing that happened: I was in charge of setting up a computer in the library for the younger students to watch the inauguration. My phone was ringing off the hook just before the students were supposed to come in and I didn't realize the time. Of course, there were technical difficulties (which would have been resolved if I had everything set up earlier) and we had no audio! Children and teachers scrambled to watch in other rooms and I was left with egg on my face.

The phones ringing off the hook is at the root of hell week. I was asked to do centralized scheduling for parent teacher conferences. Nice idea, but 37 voice mails and 176 emails before I walk in the door, and it just keeps coming . . . I am still not caught up despite working lots of (unpaid)overtime.

Just stressing. . .thanks for listening.

Domino hat

2009-01-07T17:14:00.000-06:00

I enjoyed a two week break for the holidays and spent way too much time making this lovely hat using the domino knitting (mitered square) technique. I love the pattern. It's a variation on one by Maureen Mason Jamison called "A Flower for Annabelle" This is not the first thing I've knit in the domino technique. I made a vest a few years back that took 2nd place at the Wisconsin state fair. I remember now that when I made the vest I thought it was georgeous but too slow and time consuming, and I would never make another domino knit item again. This hat took the better part of my 2 week vacation to complete . . . way too much of my valuable time. But it is cute. Another problem--this hat is supposed to be for me, but it came out just a bit small. I only had a horizontal gauge to go by, and I had to adjust the length at the top by elongating the diamonds. Even then, it just covers my ears, though it looks perfect on my young knitting buddy here. She's hinting that she would like it, but I'm stingy and I think I'll keep it.

Knitting Defined

2008-12-17T09:49:00.001-06:00

How cool is this? I stumbled upon this excellent Web 2.0 tool called Wordia. They call themselves the dictionary redefined. Users can upload video of words that have special meaning to them--I see it as an absolutely excellent teacher tool. I wish I was teaching language arts right now! Here is their most excellent definition of knitting

Oh, by the way did I say that this was excellent? Hmmm . . . I wonder if there is a web2.0 thesaurus tool.

Goal Reached

2008-12-10T13:17:00.000-06:00

We did it! My friends and I reached our goal of 50 hats and mittens for the Senior Kindergarten's Charity Project--the Mitten Tree. Kudos to my friends, the North Shore Knitters, who did the bulk of the work!

This is what 50 hats and mittens looks like:

I made 4 hats in the last week. Here they are:

It was a joy to spend a little more time knitting,and I was glad to use up the stash. I'm determined to keep up the mitten tree knitting throughout this next year to reduce my stash further. I also plan to work up some fancier hat and mitten patterns. I love small patterns that have a bit of a challenge to them.

Perhaps I'll design something Latvian-like to honor my young knitting protege. Now that the weather is getting bad, we have had more indoor recess, and she and I got together a few times this week. She has progressed to purling and can see the difference between her stitches and knows when she makes a mistake--not bad for a 6 year old.

I'm also looking forward to knitting with more young friends over the Christmas
break. Two students won knitting lessons from me in a fundraising raffle, and I would like to honor my committment.

Election Day Hat

2008-11-04T11:59:00.000-06:00

I have been knitting, I just haven't been blogging too much. One entire baby outfit -hat and sweater--was knit and given without a picture taken because it was finished in the nick of time and my camera had dead batteries.--

I had another baby overdue for a gift and I decided to start with the hat, since I didn't feel sure I'd have time for the sweater. So I looked at the yarn on hand suitable for a boy baby, and this is what I came up with. I "invented" it; although I'm sure someone else has come up with the very same pattern before because there are only so many ways you can make a 5 pointed star on the top of a hat. Of course, I never write anything down as I knit, but this is so cute, I'm trying to count my stitches to record this one for posterity.

It is darlingly modeled by a patriotic bear, but it is the perfect size for a newborn - 6 month old. I've got lots of yarn and I think I'll make a few more in big kid size as well.

I hope baby L will wear this today to remind everyone to vote--I wish I had one to match. . .I'll have to work out the adult size as well.

Rainy days and Mondays Never get me Down

2008-10-03T12:49:00.000-05:00

Well, my friend Isabella and I have knitted together twice. We had great fun. Unfortunately, the after school time when we had arranged to knit together didn't work out because I have students coming after school for extra help. We came up with a compromise though. We will knit together whenever we have indoor recess. The weather has been uncharacteristically sunny and beautiful. Twice already Isabella has caught me in the hallways and said, "I wish it was raining."
"Me, too." I reply.

Latvian Lass

2008-09-20T08:33:00.000-05:00

I had another charming conversation with Isabella, my young friend who knows how to finger knit. Isabella is a kindred spirit. She loves texture and color, and so when she saw me wearing a colorful novelty yarn scarf the other day she stared at me and then started a conversation.

Isabella: I like your scarf. Did you make it?

Me: Yes, I did. I like your hat. Did you make it? (Did I mention that she was wearing a darling crocheted beret that turned her school uniform into an haute-couture ensemble?)

Isabella: No, I bought it in Riga.

Me: Riga? Isn't that in Latvia? Did you go to Latvia?

Isabella: We went there this summer. My mom is from there.

Me: Oh! How wonderful. I've always wanted to go to Latvia because of the knitting. Did you know that Latvia is really famous for their knitting?
You should see their knitting, it's very pretty with lots of colors.

Isabella: (excitedly) I know! You should see their hats!

Together: You should see their mittens! (giggles)

Isabella and I have decided that we will knit together after school. I can't wait to knit and giggle some more.

A Great Place on A Great Lake

2008-09-02T23:49:00.000-05:00

Friends and I enjoyed a "River Brewery Cruise" along the Milwaukee River this weekend. We enjoyed brewery tours at Lakefront brewery, the Ale House, and Rockbottom, but mostly we enjoyed the art and architecture on Milwaukee's River Walk and the absolutely perfect weather. We also discovered Grohmann's Labor Museum on the MSOE campus and had an incredible dinner with city view at Roots.

I love my hometown. We have a world class Art Museum, Public Museum, and Zoo, a beautiful lakefront, great county parks and bike paths, an incredible number of great restaurants at reasonable prices, a symphony, ballet, and repertory theatre. We have comedy clubs and Comedy Sportz. We also have smaller theater groups--Chamber theater, children's theater, and not just one, but two opera companies.

We're known for our summer festivals. We celebrate Festa Italiana, Polishfest, Germanfest, Fiesta Mexicana, Irishfest, and the grand daddy of them all Summer Fest.

We have several small museums that are absolute gems--The Betty Brinn children's museum, the Discovery World Museum, the Eisner Advertising museum, the Pabst Mansion, and the Labor Museum (pictured above).

Oh yeah, we also have a major league baseball team and basketball team.

So why is it that more people don't think of Milwaukee as a tourist destination?
I think a major reason is that most Milwaukeeans don't realize how good we've got it, and people who've never been here just don't know.

Milwaukee is a best kept secret. This last weekend we let 100,000 or so Harley riders in on our little secret. I hope they don't keep the secret, but spread it around. Milwaukee is a great place on a Great Lake.

Squeezing it all in.

2008-08-20T09:58:00.000-05:00

Just a quick post about the craziness of getting ready for Stitches. I think I'm ready. . . I was slightly surprised to count up the total number of kits I've added to inventory just for Stitches. I've got 80 new bolo kits and 157 new knit with wire kits. Lots of amethyst and turquoise which is always popular with my customers.

Just a little concerned that I'll be able to fit all of this in the car. I have Melissa coming later with her van to take overflow, but I have to have all my display stuff and some of every style to start off and it has to all fit in my '98 Honda Civic. Plus me, my suitcase, and my husband who is taking off work to help me set up. I'm almost wondering if the empty seat in the car is worth more to me than my husband's muscles. After all, I can always use a little exercise.

I will post a pic after the car is packed . . .

I still have to make a few new signs, pack boxes, and work on the paper that is due for my Grad school class on Tuesday after Stitches. . . . and squeeze in a visit with my college roommate who is here from California for her annual trip to Wisconsin.

Better run. . .

I get by with a little help from my friends

2008-08-18T08:51:00.000-05:00

I am so blessed! My knitting buddies have been bending over backwards to help me get ready for Stitches. Last week, I invited Lynn and Kathy over for lunch and knitting, but they decided they'd rather help me pack kits. They saved me hours of work. Then Melissa called a few days later and offered to pack kits on Saturday. Between the 4 of us, we added more than 100 kits to my inventory for Stitches.

Melissa has also volunteered to be my helper at Stitches. We'll be driving down separately because she has to work on Thursday, but she's coming right from work to join me at the market preview. She'll be helping me manage the crowd on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. My husband is driving my car back to Wisconsin after he helps me unload and set up on Thursday, so we will be taking Melissa's van back on Sunday.

It's hard to believe that there once was a time in my life when I felt I didn't have many women friends. When I was in my late 30's, I found that my high school and college friends had mostly moved or drifted away due to marriage, children, job changes. I found new friends through an activity that most people think of as isolating and anti-social--knitting. The women that I found through my Monday night knitting group are far from the old-fashioned knitter stereotype. They are fun-loving, funny, witty, supportive, creative, kind, charitable, honest and open. They are, in short, the kind of people I'm proud to call friends.

The Great Milwaukee Knitting Guild

2008-08-13T08:10:00.001-05:00

No, guild members, that isn't a typo in the title. I know you are the Greater Milwaukee Knitting Guild, but I'd like everyone to know you are really and truly great.

I did a vendor appearance/presentation on knitting with wire at the Milwaukee Guild last night, and I had an absolutely wonderful time. It was great to see Melanie, Susan, Jean, and other knitting buddies from the days when I was a member. I was impressed by their program events and ideas --they are doing a bus trip to Stitches, and Vivian Hoxbro will be visiting them in October.

I plan on being there for the Hoxbro visit; she is fantastic! (Fortunately, it will be held on a Thursday instead of a Tuesday, so I'll be able to make it.) They also talked about a year long guild competition, with the category being "something made with beads." What a great idea! Hmmm. Maybe that's why so many of them bought my kits. I hope I will be helping someone win.

Someone there also mentioned that a GMKG member won a ribbon at the Wisconsin State Fair in the jewelry category for making one of my knit with wire kits. I'd love to find out who it was and get a picture of the winning item for this blog. I'm always most proud of my customer/student successes. Their success and words of thanks are what keep teacher types like me going. Guild members were most appreciative of my visit and had many kind words to say to me, to which I can only reply, "No, you've got it backwards. I thank YOU!"

Midwest Fiber and Folk

2008-08-04T08:20:00.000-05:00

I'm finally posting my pictures from Midwest Fiber and Folk, which was held
July 18-20. What a great festival. I wished I could have been both a vendor and an attendee at the same time. I loved the combination of Folk music with the fiber festival. There were an incredible number of vendors, a variety of fiber arts were represented, although it was mostly yarn. I worked the event by myself, so it meant I really had no time to see much. I only saw a few booths and the mainstage/cafeteria area as I dashed to the bathroom or made a food run while my neighbors watched my booth.

Speaking of my neighbors, let me introduce you to Karen. An amazing woman who runs her own spinning supplies business with her husband, despite being legally blind. I find it inspiring and humbling to meet people like her.

Doing these fiber fairs is hardwork. I was exhausted when I got home. I found this one to be particularly tiring because of the long hours (Friday 4-9, Saturday 9-7 and Sunday 9-5) and because I was working alone. Still, I would do it again.

I had good sales and happy customers. Here is one of them. She was another vendor, but I'm afraid I don't know her name or what booth she was at. She bought a kit on Sunday morning and came back in the late afternoon to model her completed work. (She's wearing "Chain, Chain, Chain" in Quartz Crystal and Pearl) I'm so proud of her!

I took a few other shots of my booth because I'm always asked for booth shots for juried shows. These aren't the best examples of booth set up for me though--the outdoor setting puts some limits on set up and presentation and its difficult to take a shot that shows just my booth without my neighbor's booth in the background. Still these pics are good for showing you what the festival is like, and my life as designer/manufacturer/PR person/sales and marketing manager/web master/President of Knitter's Journey, LLC.

Finally having recovered from Midwest Fiber and Folk, I'm gearing up for the big one. Stitches Midwest, T-17 days and counting. Hope to see some of you there.

Bolo Byways

2008-07-16T09:01:00.000-05:00

How can it be that I have my summers "off" of work, and I still feel so busy that I can't get around to blogging? I suppose it is because I've been designing the "Byways Bolo" pattern and making oodles of jewelry and packing kits for the Midwest Fiber and Folk Festival. I'm also teaching one summer school class. The class is not a lot of work for me, but it's taking up much more of my days than I had planned. (1/2 hour commute each way, minimal 1/2 hour prep, plus 1 and 1/2 teaching = 3 hours/day) Then there is my grad school class. Reading, homework, group meetings. Sigh! So here I am procrastinating from doing any and all of the above by blogging.

Here is my bolo design. It has been so much fun to make different colors and different style cords. The flower is wire crochet and I've made both crochet and knitted style cords. This is definitely the most fun to make of all my jewelry patterns.

Summer is shaping up

2008-06-27T10:35:00.000-05:00

I'm in! I finally heard from the Midwest Fiber and Folk Festival, and I will be a vendor there. Yipee! The festival is July 19-21 and I've got a lot of work to do between now and then.

I'm glad to be busy but its hard to balance all the knitting and jewelrymaking I need to do with my desire to get more exercise and lose weight this summer. They are counterproductive activities. I finally lost a total of 2 pounds! I've got to remember to keep my eye on the prize, stay encouraged. Good things are happening after all. It looks like summer is shaping up.

The Big Question

2008-06-24T09:10:00.000-05:00

I have been off from school for 2 weeks and 2 days now and I am really missing the children. It looks like the summer school classes that I offered to teach didn't fill, so I will have a long lonely summer.

I don't have any children of my own, but working in a grade school these last 3 years has filled a need I didn't realize I had. It has been a mixed blessing though. Working with children has brought me joy and job satisfaction, but it has made me confront "the big question." That big question is a running dialog that I have had with myself for as long as I can remember. It goes something like this, "What is the meaning of life? How will I contribute to the world? Who am I? Do I have enough confidence in myself to achieve my goals? Am I doing the right thing? Will I die without regrets? Will I die loved?"

I once thought I had "the big answer" to "the big question." "The meaning to life," I remember telling my philosophizing college friends, "is that everyone wants to love and be loved." Yet, I struggled to find love long after my college days were over. When I finally met my husband, I had just turned 29 and he was 37. He was a single dad, funny, kind, and spiritual. There was just one thing. "I don't want to have any more children," he warned me. "I'm too old, I don't want to start over." For my part, I wasn't so sure about being a mother anyway. I had very little experience with young children. I had only babysat a few times in my life, and those occassions had seemed neither successful nor enjoyable. I was very concerned about what kind of a mother I might be. My own mother suffered from severe depression, and we kids were often neglected. Would I be the same?

Yogaman and I married, and I kept putting the question of children on the backburner. Interestingly though, my subconscious kept bringing it up. As I approached my 40th birthday, I began to knit more. Under the pretext of doing a fundraising craft fair for my women's club, I made 15 baby outfits in one year, pouring my creativity and repressed mothering instincts into each one. I can't say that I felt an urgent need or desire to have children, but I knew the question was there. I was just afraid to voice it out loud.

For some reason, I had always thought that 43 was the age at which one must have or not have children. When I was 43, I finally decided that I had decided not to have children by not deciding. I recall a discussion with my friend Linda, who was one of my few friends brave enough to ask me the big question directly. I told her the truth. If Yogaman, had wanted to, I would have wanted. But I did not have enough confidence in myself, and now, I wasn't sure I had the energy.

Having felt that I had finally made a decision, I started to talk more openly with Yogaman about my struggles with childlessness. Not to convince him of a different choice, just seeking acknowledgment of my sacrifice. I told him I needed to be creative, and he was supportive when I decided to quit a lucrative job so that I could pursue a knitting business. I started Knitter's Journey as a craft business, and started to look for part-time work to supplement it. That's when I saw the ad for my job at the school.

Every day of my job I smile and laugh over some little thing that the children do. How could I not have known how sweet children can be? Now when I start to play the dialog in my head, I know the answers. Everyone wants to love and be loved. Children bring love.

Hey! I'm working here!

2008-06-19T16:02:00.000-05:00

Yahoo! Yahoo! Yahoo! I'm going to be a vendor at Stitches Midwest, and I'm pleased that I will have a spot next to my friend and mentor Cheryl Oberle. I also booked a gig to teach knitting with wire at French Knots II, and I am waiting with baited breath to find out if I will be a vendor at the Midwest Fiber and Folk Festival.

My Knitter's Journey Knit with Wire kits are a part-time business for me, and I didn't put as much effort into it during the school year as I should have, so I'm pleased that with just a little effort I've got some business. I have got to turn my website into a true store though. Right now it lets people know I exist, but it doesn't make sales.

I "worked" on my business this week by designing a new pattern. It's not quite ready for publication, but I'm loving it. I couldn't put my knitting down. Yogaman can't understand how I can have off all day (school's out) and not get around to mowing the lawn, cleaning the cat box, painting the garage, etc., etc., etc. I have been accused of playing, and I'm afraid I have to plead guilty. Knitting in the sun, too much fun!

Sex in the City, Socks in the Suburbs

2008-06-17T16:16:00.000-05:00

Once again, apologies for the blogging hiatus. Where was I? Finishing the school year, reading my first book of the summer, knitting a baby shower gift in 24 hours, designing a new pattern, enjoying my lovely backyard, and generally engaging in hedonistic pleasures.

Yogaman and I went to see Sex in the City last week. It was an interesting experience. We entered the theatre as virgins. We don't have cable and had never seen the show before. We were a bit surprised by how much sex there was in Sex, but I have to say, we both enjoyed it. Although I would rate it as an average movie, I was surprised at how much discussion it generated between us. We kept talking about the movie and re-hashing the story line for two days. It brought up lots of questions about our relationship, our past relationships, our friends' relationships, and men vs. women, cats vs. dogs, Mars vs. Venus.

Then Yogaman decided to bring home DVDs from the series. We became addicted to Sex. We watched one episode after another every night. Yogaman fired questions at me. Is that what it's like when you get together with the knitting ladies? What do you talk about? While I can't say we don't occassionally discuss the love lives of knitter A or knitter B, I'm afraid my knitting friends and I talk more socks than sex. Footwear fetish? We're talking merino, not Manolo. We do occassionally go orgasmic over a gorgeous handpaint and the latest fashions, but we've got nothing on Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, and Charlotte. I didn't tell Yogaman that though. Taking a cue from Carrie and company, I think I'll string him along for awhile.

Craft Teaching Event #4

2008-05-16T09:04:00.000-05:00

Here is a pic from the 4th of 4 craft events that I did with children at my school. The second grade has been studying gems and minerals, and since I have loads of beads and wire, I suggested that they make gemstone flower pins as a craft activity for Mother's Day. I'm not sure if I would rate this as a successful lesson plan or not . . . It was a bit difficult for 2nd graders; there were lots of cries of, "Help me, Help me . . . Can you help me Mrs. P?" and it took a bit longer than planned. However, I had several indications that Moms and children both enjoyed the project. One young man liked his pin so much that he couldn't wait till Mother's Day to give it Mom. Another Mom told me she would like me to teach how to make the pins so that she could make more with her two boys. A third mom approached me in the cafeteria on the day after Mother's Day to show me that she was proudly wearing her pin, and to thank me for the cherished gift.

As long as I have happy customers, I guess that is all that matters.

Once in a Lifetime

2008-05-14T09:37:00.000-05:00

My birthday celebrations were extended over several days. The day after my birthday, DH and I enjoyed a lovely italian dinner at our favorite neighborhood restuarant, followed by a concert. We saw Glenn Hansard & Marketa Irglova, billing themselves as "The Swell Season" in what was perhaps the most incredible concert of my life. Hansard projects unstoppable energy and enthusiasm. He is a songwriter's songwriter, passionate about his work and about music. I am reminded of Sting and Paul Simon.

The concert opened with Hansard singing acapella in the front of the stage, practically in the middle of the audience. Boy can he belt it out! As the concert progressed, he brought in Irglova and his back up band, former members of the Frames, to sing nearly all of their hits from the movie "Once."

The highlight of the concert had to be when Hansard brought out the Whitefish Bay 8th grade choir to help him sing the chorus of "Falling Slowly." Apparently the teens, or their teacher, had contacted him a few weeks prior for permission to sing the song. Not only did he say "Yes," he said, "Why not sing it live in front of a sold out audience?" He also had them help with a cover of the Pixies' "Gigantic" with its inappropriate lyrics. You have to love that Irish sense of humor.

Not b-a-a-a-a-a-d for an old lady

2008-05-13T11:53:00.000-05:00

So here I am at my birthday soiree. My friends are camera shy, and are giggling off screen. It was a perfect party. There was a little drinking, a little knitting and a lot of teasing. My sister tried to give me one of those red hats that indicate you are a youthful old lady, but I refuse to wear it, since I am simply youthful and not an old lady at all.

My knitting buddies also showered me with hats. I challenged them to knit 1 hat for every year of my life for my school's mitten tree. They managed to produce a dozen on short notice; they have until December to knit the other 38. You can see the hats on the little Christmas tree here. We also taped one cotton ball for each hat on the sheep poster. I'll track their progress here as time progresses.

I had a birthday sale of Knitter's Journey Jewelry and kits, and contributed profits from the sale to Heifer Project. We raised enough to purchase a sheep and a pair of rabbits! Not b-a-a-a-a-d!

Craft teaching event #3 Camp Minikani

2008-05-11T09:56:00.000-05:00

Well, I'm behind on my blogging again. I have so much to report of the knitting/beading/crafting nature that I think I shall have to break it down into separate posts. Here is the first --

On May 1, I joined my second grade friends and their parents and teachers at Camp Minikani. I was just there to teach a craft activity, while the students and their parents stayed overnight. I was worried about the weather because we held our class outdoors, but it turned out to be a lovely day.

I taught the children how to make beaded keychains. With a bit of help from their parents, all my young friends succeeded in creating a finished product in just 1/2 hour, and they were all quite good! Now, if they just had keys to put on the keychain, they could unlock the door to the wigwam that they built with the art teacher!

Seriously, the camping retreat is a wonderful tradition that my school has been doing with 2nd graders for many, many years. It's a treat for me to see the children with their parents, and to know that many of them are experiencing nature in depth for the very first time. I'm honored to take part in this special event.

Preemie Hats

2008-04-28T11:59:00.001-05:00

The babies just keep on coming at my workplace. I made these little preemie hats for the newborn twin daughters of my co-worker. He and his wife recently welcomed identical twin girls, Grace and Hope, weighing in at 2 and 2 1/2 pounds. They are facing some medical challenges that come with premature birth. I hope these hats will keep them warm and help them grow.

As I was stuffing these hats in my coworkers mailbox, I learned of another impending birth at work. Fortunately, I have until November to get it done. 5 births last year, 3 so far this year . . . the daycare is full!

Art Night and Other Happenings

2008-04-27T12:27:00.000-05:00

Event number 2 of my volunteer activities, Middle School Art Night, was Friday. I schlepped in my knitted jewelry and some kits and set up a lovely display, which, regretfully, I do not have a picture of. I met a few parents and chatted with co-workers, but it was not the big event I though it would be. It was only open to the school community and not the general public. It was not meant to be a sale, just promotional,which I knew, but in chatting with people, I realized that while I was promoting my business, I was not effectively promoting sales. I haven't got any art fairs lined up for the near future, and I'd better get working!

Event number 3, the 2nd grade camping retreat is at the end of this week, and I'm looking forward to it. I hope the weather will be good. It was in the 70's this week, but they are forecasting snow for tomorrow. Then again, that's no reason why it shouldn't be sunny and beautiful again by Thursday. Ah, Wisconsin! You've got to love it.

DH and I enjoyed a play and dinner out with friends last night. Our friends will not be able to join me at my little birthday soiree, but they surprised me with an early birthday card and a donation to my heifer project scheme. I feel certain that I shall raise enough for a sheep,and maybe even a fiber basket,and that's exciting. Perhaps I should make a little sheep poster and glue on cotton balls with each donation, as we get closer to our goal.

I realize that I'm blogging so that I can put off writing my final paper for my grad school class. I'm also ignoring the idea of going in to work and finishing the movie that I was making for the music teacher. . . . Unfortunately, I don't much more to say, so I'll just have to stop writing so that I can buckle down and write.

Mittens in May

2008-04-16T12:14:00.000-05:00

My birthday is coming up in just a few weeks. It is one of those nasty birthdays ending in a zero, and I've been dreading it for the last 6 months. I finally decided I have to both celebrate it and do something for a cause so that I don’t feel sorry for myself. I therefore proposed to friends and family that we pay tribute to my birthday and my favorite charities – My school's Mitten Tree and the Heifer Project. Here's the deal: Mitten Tree --knitting friends may pledge to knit a hat or mittens, (to be completed by December) for the school mitten tree, with the goal of accumulating 1 hat for every year of my life –as it is a significantly large number, group co-operation is needed, and they had better start now.
Heifer project --Yes, it's a bit tacky to ask for money, but I'm asking non-knitting friends to give a buck or two for a ewe. Put a few bucks in a birthday card and I will donate the total proceeds to the Heifer project. I hope to collect enough for a sheep or a fiber basket. I'm also having a Knitter's Journey Jewelry sale party at my house, once again donating the profits to Heifer. It does not help me feel anyyounger, but it does help me feel better. A few glasses of wine with my birthday cake may help as well.

Back at Work

2008-04-12T17:14:00.000-05:00

Well, Paris was a dream. I've been back to work for two weeks already and loving it.
Everyone at work enjoyed the blog posts, and I have sent my friend Margaret off to enjoy a 3 week stay in Paris with a recommendation to dine at Cafe Breteuil. My husband has also been talking up the trip, and he is passing on his leftover euros and subway tickets to a friend at his workplace.

Stop me if I've said this before, but I really do love my job and the children. While I'm not a teacher but a staff person, I do have a teaching degree, and I try to make teaching opportunities happen whenever I can. Most of these activities are extracurricular(read unpaid), but my time is freely given. In the first 24 hours that I was back at work from Spring break, I offered or was asked to help out with 4 such activities. First, I volunteered my services to demonstrate knitting and jewelry making at Middle School Art Night. Next, the second grade team asked if I would return to their camping retreat to teach the beaded keychain that I did with the students last year, then the science teacher told me that she would love it if I could teach the craft activity that I had suggested to her as an activity for students to do for a Mother's day gift, and finally, because my boss is out on a two week medical leave, the Brownie moms asked if I could pinch hit for my boss and teach digital scrap booking to the 3rd grade troop. I said yes, yes, yes, yes! Laughing all the way, because it is so much fun!

I already taught the digital scrap booking class (photostory.) We had 27 girls, 19 computers, 3 moms and me. In one hour and 1/2 everyone made a mini-movie and had burned it to CD to take home. I could tell it was a great success because I heard the girls talking about it the next day, and 2 girls asked me follow up questions. The Brownie Moms were very grateful, and I received a pack of Thanks A lot cookies and a Computer Badge as compensation. It was great, and I'm looking forward to the next event.

A Knitter in Paris - Day 7 (Le Fin)

2008-04-01T21:02:00.000-05:00

Our last day in Paris. I walked with my friend over to Les Invalides to visit the Musee de l'Armee and Napoleon's Tomb. I got a couple of cool pictures of knight's armour that I will use for my Days of Knights summer school class. My friend then left to go to his business meeting, and we promised we would try to see each other again before another 20 years go by.

My husband and I then did some last minute souvenir shopping, but did not buy much. I actually found a very nice yarn shop, Le Droguerie, right next to Les Halles and St. Eustache church. It was very busy. They carry only their own line of hand dyed yarns, but in just about every fiber and color. The shop had many garments of their own design on display. Most were of simple construction, but with unique embellishments of ribbons, buttons, beads, or felt appliques that they sold in the store. It was tempting, but I didn't know what I wanted, and you had to request help to buy anything. It was beyond my patience and my limited french to wait for an available clerk. I admired and left with all my Euros still in my pocket.

That evening we had another rendezvous--this time with my step-daughter's best friend from grade school who has been living in Paris for the last 8 years. We had a great time meeting her and her fiancee, and loved the restaurant that she recommended. It was a gourmet affair, typiquement francais, as you can see from my husband's enjoyment of his "gambas." Also very french, was the cute little chien you see here. He trotted into the restaurant like he owned the place, and the staff greeted him warmly. As he passed our table, he stole my state fair blue ribbon winning mittens out of my coat pocket, and tried to turn them into his appetizer! Fortunately, he was bi-lingual and understood No! No! No!(Non! Non! Non!)

Paris Day 6 The Rendezvous

2008-03-30T11:51:00.000-05:00

It is Easter Monday, a holiday in France. Many shops and museums are closed so we headed to Montmartre, where we visited Sacre Couer and the artists stalls. We encountered buskers coming and going. The best was the Italian guitarist pictured here at the steps to Sacre Couer. You can tell he was quite good by the size of the crowd. He could really sing and play guitar, but he was also incredibly funny.

We arrived back at our hotel around 4 p.m. to find that my friend, my ex-copain if you will, had arrived at our hotel. He came up from Lyon to meet us. It's been 28 years since we dated and 20 since I saw him last. It was so nice of him to come.

We had a bottle of wine and then went out to dinner and tried to catch up on 20 plus years. We long ago went our separate ways and both have happy lives in our native countries, but I always think fondly of him and of our college days. Can you guess which is my husband and which is the French guy?

Oh, and how does this relate to knitting you might ask? Well, mon ami Francais was the recipient of my very first knitted article, a rather badly knit hat. Alas, you all know what happens when you knit something for a boyfriend.

A Knitter in Paris - Days 3 - 5

2008-03-29T07:08:00.000-05:00

The beauty of Paris is that there is so much history and culture, and yet it is mixed in with a large, bustling metropolis where people go about their every day lives. It is a tourist city that is not devoted to tourism. A place where subway vendors are rude to American tourists whose French is rusty, but where a sweet old gentleman will go out of his way to help the same obviously lost tourists navigate the streets of Monmartre.

Language was not really a problem for us. English is much more widely spoken than it once was, but I tried to practice my French. Though I only had 1 year of college French and it has been more than 25 years since I had an opportunity to use it, I was able to make myself understood. I probably made a grammar mistake in every sentence and I no longer have an ear for the accent (Mostly because I don't have working ears! I have pretty bad hearing loss and am supposed to wear hearing aids, but I never do.) Still - I was able to get where I wanted to go, order what I wanted from the menu, and argue with the waiter when the bill was wrong. Pas mal!

The weather was not good when we were there. Temperatures hovered around 35 - 40 degrees Fahrenheit, at best. It rained every day in the afternoon. There was even snow and high winds one day. We could tell that this was unusual for this time of year, because flowers were already in bloom and there were green leaf buds on the trees. Oh, well! Cold weather is good museum weather. With our 4 day museum pass we saw the Orsay, Rodin, Louvre, and Cluny (Musee National de Moyen Age) museums. We also used it for our entrance to the Pantheon, the crypt of Notre Dame, and the Palace of Versailles. Oh, and I nearly forgot, we also visited the Conciergerie, where Marie Antoinette was inprisoned before they chopped her head off. The Louvre and Vesailles are great, but the Cluny and the Conciergerie were probably my favorite museums. Smaller, more focused, and far less crowded, we were able to take our time, read the exhibits, and truly learn something instead of just "seeing" the "must see" exhibits.

We walked or used the metro to get around, and found we needed to stop at least twice a day for a hot tea or coffee to warm up. At 4.40 euros for a cafe creme or pot of tea at today's exchange rate it translates to $14/person/day or $28/day on coffee or tea. Fortunately, you can stay as long as you want in the cafe to warm up, watch the world go by, and knit.

Paris Day 2

2008-03-28T08:42:00.000-05:00

We did not explore far from home on our second full day in Paris, still we saw so much because there was so much to see. We discovered a great view of the Eiffel tower could be seen just at the end of our block. We discovered the open market and shops of the Rue Cler, where I was pleased to find a yarn shop. Very small, and not very original by American standards, but I was pleased to see it was there! The american knitters whom I had met the night before said they did almost all their yarn shopping on the internet or on trips home. Quelle domage!

Art and romance were far more prominent than yarn. We bought a 4 day museum pass and used it at the Rodin museum and the Musee d'Orsay (full of impressionist paintings-- Monet, Degas, Renoir, Manet, etc.) Traveller's tip--The museum pass is well worth it for the priority entrance and ability to skip long lines. You can buy passes for 2, 4, or 6 days. We bought the 4 day pass and thought it was well worth it for both the price and the quick access at both the Louvre (day 3) and Verailles (day4).

A Knitter in Paris - Day 1

2008-03-27T12:11:00.000-05:00

I am back from my Paris trip. So many stories to tell and photos to share! It was an incredible trip to a romantic, historic, fashionable city. I'd been there before, but the last time was 26 years ago. My memories (and my French) were fading, but I wanted to show my husband a bit of this wonderful city. We both love history, and we mapped out an itinerary that demanded 1 or 2 museum visits per day, plus all the major monuments. We packed it all in, and by the end of the week, I managed to meet my personal agenda as well - a meet up with anglophone knitters, a visit to a Paris yarn shop, and a dinner with a dear old friend.

We stayed at a lovely tourist class hotel near the Eiffel tower called Hotel Tour Eiffel Rive Gauche. If you are a Rick Steves type of traveller, and prefer smaller hotels with personal service at a reasonable price, this is a great place.

Being so near the tower, it was our first tourist stop. Also near the hotel, was the Musee du quai Branly--Paris' newest museum, with highlights of third world cultures--lots of great textile artifacts to interest knitters and fiber enthusiasts. The highlight of our first day, was my meetup with Kai, Ellen, Kate, and Lindsay. All American knitters working in Paris in various professional jobs. They meet Wednesday evenings at Le Depart, a cafe just a short walk from Notre Dame on le boulevard St. Michel. It was great fun, and so easy to find them. I have tried to meet up with other knitters in my past travels, but except for knitaways, knitting camp, and visits to yarn shops (which are, of course, capitalist knitting enterprises) this was the first time that I managed to meet up and knit with locals.

Les tricoteuse (and un tricoteur, since Kai is a guy) are a friendly, youthful bunch. They are hardworking professionals, but they are also devoted to their knitting and the camaraderie they found in their group. Je vous les recommendez!

I have many stories to tell from Paris--both knitting and non-knitting. Watch for future posts. A bientot! (Excusez moi, Francophones, I don't know how to type all those accent symbols. You will just have to use your imagination on the spelling.)

WWII Veteran's Story

2008-03-17T09:05:00.000-05:00

This is not a knitting story, but a story of a closeknit bond that I have to my dear Uncle Bob. This last week, I invited my 82 year old uncle to come to my school to be interviewed for an oral history project. Uncle has many interesting WWII stories to tell.

First there was the story of how he asked for a deferrment of his draft date so that he could finish High School. Not only did Uncle Bob receive the deferrment, but the draft board also deferred the enlistment date for his twin brother, my dad, (who had dropped out of high school to work and didn't deserve an educational deferrment)Their deferrment meant that they would not have to report to duty until June 20th, 1944. If they had been inducted on their 18th birthday in January, they would have completed their basic training with perfect timing to be shipped off to Europe for D-Day. That gives a whole new meaning to the value of education.

My father entered the Navy and was in the battle for Okinawa. Uncle Bob went into the Army, arriving in Europe in September of 1944 as a replacement troop. Although he arrived late in the war, he saw plenty of action, earning two battle ribbons and the bronze star.

Telling his stories after 64 years, Uncle was still able to graphically describe in great detail, the battles he was in, and his strategy for survival.
My favorite story though, was not a battle story, but a human one. It was the spring of 1945, at the end of the War in Europe. Uncle Bob was assigned to string telephone communication wires in a German town that the Allies had occupied. He was going from house to house in and out of apartments so he could string the telephone wire. In one apartment, he came upon a heavyset, middle aged german man in a room filled with money. Gold coin and german bills were heaped on a table. Who is to know how the man acquired the money, Uncle didn't ask, but he assumed it was not honestly, or the man wouldn't have been hiding it in his apartment. Uncle lashed out in anger, calling the man a *!@!* Nazi. He scooped up an armful of money and threw it out the window. Then he filled his rucksack with more of the money . . .

Listening to this story that I had never heard before, I was worried about where it was going. I needn't have been.

"I took that money, and went to the outskirts of town, where there was a D.P. (displaced persons) camp. I gave them people all that money. They were so grateful. They didn't have a thing. They didn't even have proper clothes or shoes and nothing to eat. I suppose I could have set myself up good if I had kept some of it. . . but, oh, they were so grateful."

Charming Chat

2008-02-20T12:20:00.000-06:00

I had a lovely discussion today with Isabella, age 5. Isabella knows how to fingerknit. She makes scarves. Did you know that if you fingerknit with thin yarn, it will have holes, but if you use big yarn you will have holes but they won't be so big? And if you use big yarn, you can make it so it doesn't curl?

I do not know any of these things. I only know how to knit with sticks. Isabella is going to teach me if I will teach her how to knit jewelry. I think it's a fair deal. I've signed up for fingerknitting 101.

A Public Apology

2008-02-19T10:23:00.000-06:00

This is a public apology to Nola. When I saw her on Monday, I realized she really did want to throw her coffee at me on Saturday. (You will have to read Saturday's post to know what transpired) I did not mean to cause offense, and thought I was teasing a good friend. But alas,I realize I too would be discouraged/disappointed/sad/angry if someone pointed out flaws in my knitting. She has done me a favor in pointing out my personality flaw. -A little too anal and talking without thinking! I shall work on it. If only I could frog back words, I would. I'm sorry.

Scoop de Loop

2008-02-16T12:19:00.000-06:00

I finally got my butt over to Loop, a not quite new yarn shop that moved their location to be closer to me. First,however, I stopped in at the Alterra Coffee next door for the Saturday Stitch N Bitch that I had also been hearing about but never got to. Both were pleasant surprises. Nola from Monday night knitting was at Alterra with a couple of senior knitting ladies and their spouses. One of the elderly gentlemen was a crocheter, the other was a non-knitting spouse, but they blew me away. I thought my husband was supportive of my addiction, but these guys take enabling to a new level. I joked with them about what tightly knit couples they were, and the conversation unraveled from then on.

Nola was wearing the beautiful and difficult aran turtleneck that I saw her making last year, but never saw modeled before. I promptly (but politely with some apologies) pointed out that she had crossed a cable the wrong way smack dab in the middle of the front. A true friend, she did not throw her cup of coffee at me, and just explained to the senior ladies that I suffer from anal retentiveness ad-nauseum.

Moving on to Loop, I discussed the possibility of their carrying Knitter's Journey Jewelry Kits with the owner. With a potential sale on the horizon,of course I spent my potential profits before walking out the door. Anyway, my scoop on Loop: I was pleased to see a nice amount of traffic in the store, and mostly young knitters at that. The store is a nice size with very high ceilings and filled with light. It is not the biggest yarn selection I've ever seen, but she carries some high quality unique stuff along with a good selection of standards like Cascade 220, Noro,and Cotton classic. The young owner was very friendly, and I will definitely return.

Paris, Je t'aime

2008-02-03T14:10:00.001-06:00

It is cold and snow covered here in the Midwest, and I am dreaming about my upcoming vacation. We are going to Paris for a week in March, and I am starting to research and plan my daily itinerary. I know I will be able to find a yarn shop--my sister was just there, and she said she visited one in the Latin Quarter, and I recently spotted one in the film, "Paris, Je t'aime," so I know it is not mission impossible.

A pilgrimage to a droguerie/magasin du laine/tricoterie or whatever they call it, will be an homage to my knitting roots. I was first inspired to knit when I was a poor college student, backpacking around France in the summer of 1980. It seemed that every time I got on a train, I would spy a french woman knitting something tres chic out of gorgeous designer yarns. I fell in love with the possibilities of color and texture, and I begged my mother to teach me to knit when I returned home. My very first project was a wool cap for the french boyfriend (the reason why I was backpacking around France in the first place.) Malheureusement, the boyfriend hat was as cursed as the dreaded boyfriend sweater. We parted ways and moved on with our lives.

It is funny how things work. If I had never dated the french guy, I don't think I would have ever learned to knit. Knitting has been my mainstay in my adult years. It has helped me to de-stress and be creative at times when I was unfulfilled in my work. It has given me lasting friendships, (Monday night knitters - 8 yrs and counting)and a heightened sense of self-esteem (state fair blue ribbons). So to Paris and to my friend Hugues ---Merci.

Building a Knitting Community

2008-01-25T13:55:00.000-06:00

I have been trying to get my co-workers to join my Stitch N Bitch group or to found one of our own. There are plenty of knitters around here. But it's like trying to knit a Fair Isle sweater for an extra large man--a slow,somewhat difficult, but colorful process. It's hard to get more than 2 people together at one time. We are a work hard/work long hours team of dedicated educators and support staff. Lunch hours don't work for a meeting time --teachers feed students at lunch table and administrative staff tend to eat in 10 minutes and go back to their desks. After school is often scheduled with meetings, tutoring or catching up.

It was Faculty In-service day today, and I was able to carve out 1 hour of knitting time by offering a team building, feel good Knitting Workshop. Unfortunately, far too many workshops were offered, and we were only 3, but I was happy to hook them in. (Knit them together???) I extoled upon the virtues of knitting in community, and we had a wonderful time. None of the participants wanted to be photographed, but here is the lovely shawl-in-progress of one of my newest knitting buddies. I will keep prosthelitzing. Eventually, it will happen. Perhaps I need to go to the students instead of the teachers. A knitting club is in my future.

Appreciated Knitting

2008-01-18T09:48:00.000-06:00

Is is so nice when you give a knitted gift and it is actually appreciated! I was tickled pink to receive these pictures from my co-worker - showing her daughter in the little sweater I made for her. I had already posted a picture of her in the sweater with matching cap back in March when she was born. You can look back on my old post and see how much she has grown! It's nice to see that the sweater still fits, and that she has gotten almost 10 months of wear out of it. It looks very cute with the little green pants outfit.

It has been truly fun to knit little outfits for all the babies that were born at my workplace. (3 boys and 2 girls!) It exemplifies one of the many reasons I love knitting. I am relatively new at my workplace, and my little act of kindness has helped me get closer to my colleagues. Plus, of course, I love children and don't have any of my own, so it's kind of a surrogate motherhood thing.

Blue Ribbon Red Mittens

2008-01-14T10:07:00.000-06:00

I've already posted about the Mitten Tree project that I do with the kindergarten children here at my school. Here is another pic from that event that one of the teachers just shared with me. Here, I'm showing the children my favorite hat and mitts. The mittens took the blue ribbon at the Wisconsin State Fair last year. (The vest I'm wearing took second place a few years back) When I shared that little bit of information, the children applauded!

Because these mittens are special, I did not donate them to the mitten tree. I told the children that I was saving them to wear after Christmas when I knew Santa was bringing me a red coat. You should have heard the uproar that caused! How did I know I was getting a red coat? Did I talk to Santa? Thinking fast, I said, well--I had only asked for one thing, and I had been really, really good this year. I was 99% sure I was getting a red coat. Never having had little ones myself, I did not realize how quickly one can create controversy.

So, Santa did deliver the red coat, and I wear it to school with my red hat and mitts. My prediction came true, and the children are truly in awe of me.

Baby Cardi with Baby

2008-01-11T13:50:00.000-06:00

Here is another pic of the Baubly Baby cardi, this time with baby. She is such a doll, and I was happy to see how well it fit!

Bubbly Baby Cardigan

2008-01-05T10:49:00.000-06:00

Voila! Here is the finished baby cardi. I hope it fits. I made up the pattern and relied on memory and judgement for the proportions. I'm sure it would fit a newborn, but the baby is already 6 months old and the arms may be a bit short. I have more yarn, so I'll rip it out if I have to, but of course I'd rather not. It is made with 3 colors of cotton (sorry, I don't remember the brand) to which I added some Berroco FX yarn. I made it in cotton because I wanted it to be washable for the Mom, but I'm not sure how these baubly things will hold up. It may not fit baby for many washings anyway. That's Ok with me, as long as she snaps a picture of the little darling looking cute.

As soon as I finish one project, I have to start another. I should make the 5th baby sweater. The mom is on maternity leave, and if I start it now, I could probably have it done when she returns. However, I'm slightly babied out for the moment. I'm sure she wouldn't mind a cute sweater for a one year old a little later.

I should make 2 knitted bracelets. One is a special order/sale and the other is a gift. They only take 1 and 1/2 hours each, so I probably will get around to making them this week and the recipient will not feel like they waited long.

Enough of the shoulds! What I really, really want to make is something with my luscious Italian angora that I bought at Stitches Midwest 2006. It has been calling to me from the stash for all this time, and I have always put it aside for should knit items. Enough is enough! I'm going to knit something for me for a change. I've already started swatching. Depending on how the swatches look, I may knit a bolero from a Rowan mag a few years back or perhaps it will be something from Adrienne Vitadini or the cute little short sleeve front tied sweater that I saw on Knitty.com, or perhaps an original Knitter's Journey if all else fails. Whatever it becomes, it will be soft, fluffy, and elegant. I can't wait!

Knitting Lessons

2008-01-01T13:22:00.000-06:00

Allow me to introduce my newest knitting buddy, "E." (Shown here with Mom's permission) E was the winner of the Knitting Lessons that I offered for our school fundraiser/raffle. We got together for lessons over the Christmas holidays. E is a star student and is certain to be a State Fair prize winner some day. She already has two projects on the needles, a scarf and a purse. I can't wait to see her progress when we are back at school.

I've been a bit slow at working on my own projects. I'm currently working on baby project #4, for the 4th of 5 babies born to coworkers in 2007. Here it is in progress.

I just finished the second sleeve, and just have to sew it together and add the button band. I have the cutest jelly-bean-like buttons for it. It should be cute. Watch for a show and tell in the near future.

Mitten Tree

2007-12-20T15:51:00.000-06:00

Well, I did my Mitten Tree thing again. It was such fun. This year I read the book The Mitten Tree to the children and I contributed a record 11 hats and 6 pairs of mittens. Here are pics.

The wonderful teaching day I had with the children was followed by sad news the next day that my brother passed away. I was greatly comforted by the support of coworkers and knitting friends, and though this has been a very sad time for me, I feel truly blessed that I have the love of coworkers, students, family, and friends. I hope that all readers of this blog will enjoy the love of family and friends over the upcoming holidays. Peace.

Teaching children to knit

2007-12-02T06:38:00.001-06:00

I taught knitting to 2 little girls and their Mom yesterday. The girls are incredibly cute, ages 7 (just barely) and 9. It was only the second time I tried to teach such young children,and I made the mistake of trying to teach them casting on. It was perhaps further complicated by the fact that 9 yr old is a lefty and everyone else is a righty, so I thought I'd accommodate the 9 yr old and teach her continental knitting while everyone else learned the American way. That wasn't a good idea either.

Despite the initial frustration and floundering, we soldiered on and all learned the knit stitch at least. Mom mastered everything - casting on, knitting and purling. The 9 year old is highly motivated, and I'm sure I will have a future State Fair winner there. I will have another knitting lesson with them over Christmas break, and I hope to get pictures then.

Life Interrupted

2007-11-29T00:01:00.000-06:00

Well, my vow to post daily lasted exactly two days. Life has interrupted. Or more precisely, a life has been interrupted. I received a call on Monday that my brother was in the hospital but he was refusing treatment. He will be sent to hospice care and will not return home. His story is so sad. It is unbelievable that someone has had to endure so much suffering.

12 years ago,when he was just 45, brother had a stroke that left him partially paralyzed and with short term memory loss. His left arm is paralyzed, and he cannot maintain his concentration long enough to read or watch a movie from start to finish. He managed to live on his own all this time, but his health has been deteriorating. Last year, his left leg was amputated above the knee. He has been fighting gangrene in his remaining leg, but he is losing the battle. He had a massive heart attack on Monday. The doctor's recommended treatment is that they amputate his leg and put a stint in his heart. If they do this, he may live for many more years. But what would his quality of life be? So he has decided to die.

I have been reluctant to blog much about my personal life in the past, but I want the whole world to know that I love my brother, that I will remember the happier years.

If you know someone who is a chain smoker, perhaps this said tale of what smoking can do to you will help them quit.

Prize Mittens

2007-11-24T09:39:00.000-06:00

I vow to be a better blogger. Even if it is just a quick picture and note, I will post every day until I get caught up on my knitting news.

Here is my student, S., with the mittens that I made for her for completing her reading program. I only have 3 students in this extra-curricular class, so I decided I could make each of them a pair of mittens for completing the course. S was the first to finish. She seems to like them. Her Mom tells me she is learning to knit as well. I shall have the entire school knitting before I am done.

Teaching the Next Generation

2007-11-23T13:48:00.000-06:00

Once again, I must begin my blog with an apology for not posting much. I actually have been doing a bit more knitting, having completed 4 sets of children's mittens, 2 hats, and another baby vest since my last post. But I have also been busy with work and Grad school, which started 3 weeks ago. I have a backlog of knitting posts to get to.

At the end of October, I contributed knitting lessons to the school student raffle fundraiser and am excited that I will be passing on my knitting knowledge to the younger generation. I offered 3 different knitting prizes -- a Knitter's Journey Knit with Wire Kit and knitted jewelry lesson for a middle school age student, Private Knitting Lessons (won by a first grader) and Mother/Daughter lessons won by a 3rd grader. I'm excited to share my knowledge with the young winners. But interestingly enough, all three of the prize winners already have some knitting experience--even the first grader! All are very motivated to learn to knit. The 3rd grader told me she was so excited to win the raffle prize that she screamed when her name was called. According to the 1st grader's teacher, she has been knitting since Kindergarten. Her grandma has already taught her the knitting basics and she knits lots of scarves, but I was her inspiration when I spoke to the kindergarten and demonstrated knitting in conjunction with our Mitten Tree student charity project. I look forward to doing my Mitten Tree schtick with the kindergarten once again within the next few weeks. This pic is from last year or the year before, but it's always the same . . . the students are fascinated that two sticks and some string can make so many things. I love young children. I love to teach. I love to knit. Teaching young children to knit it the greatest joy of all.

Baby vest

2007-10-02T09:30:00.000-05:00

As promised in last week's post, here is the finished baby vest. It was so quick and easy. It could have been done in one weekend if I had plugged away at it. This is for baby #2 of the 5 new babies at work this year. (Baby #1's outfit was posted in May) The yarn was from a Lorna's Laces kit that I won at a knitting get-away weekend (Another good reason to go on knitting vacation -- free or good buys on beaufiful yarn) I think I have enough yarn leftover for another newborn vest --2 gifts for $0! With 3 more to go, the price is right.

I created the pattern on the fly, and while I think it will fit, I'll make the neck a little wider for the next one. Those babies have big heads.

Is it cheating to post UFOs?

2007-09-25T21:51:00.000-05:00

How can September be almost over without a post? I've knit just a wee bit. A vest for a new baby at work is almost done, but I'm too lazy to get out the camera and take a picture of it right now. Will post when finished.

A factor in the infrequent posting is that I've always felt it's a bit of a cheat to post a picture of a garment in progress, rather than post a finished object. Some knit blogs will document the progress on a project every day even if it's only 2 rows! I say that your knitting has become an excuse to blog rather than a blog about what you knit because you are not knitting! You are spending all your time blogging!

Passionate knitter though I may be, I've actually been in a big lull in my knitting ambition for the last year ( even before starting this blog). I used to knit at least 2 hours/day and recently I find a week may go by without my having picked up my knitting. Perhaps it's because I've been doing a lot of small gift projects for others and not much knitting for myself. I do love to make knitted gifts, but there is always a sense of obligation and deadlines (must be done by Christmas/the birthday/baby's due date) when making a gift.

I much prefer to make something for myself -- something out of luscious yarn, in a pattern of my own design--a long term project that I may end up re-working if I don't like it. When I have a knitted gift project, I always feel the deadline dampens my enthusiasm. The luscious angora that I bought at Stitches last year has been calling to me for some time, but I will not touch it until I get these baby gifts out of the way. Pretty much a serial knitter, I try to work on one project at a time and try to get things done. That being said, I still have more than one UFO in my knitting basket. Now if I would take a picture of every UFO in my stash and post one per day I will look like I'm a prolific blogger and goddess knitter. But I'm actually knitting less than I have in years --does that make any sense and is it a true representation of me? No!

I imagine some knitting bloggers out there may have a few opinions about that. Your comments are welcomed.

The Step Daughter's Wedding

2007-08-29T23:10:00.000-05:00

My step-daughter got married this last weekend. It was both a hippie wedding and a grand extravaganza. The wedding lasted 2 days. Darling Step-Daughter, (DSD), is a nature girl, so the wedding was on the beach. A risky choice. It was a bit cool and drizzled as we walked back to the cars.

The Friday night ceremony for close family and intimate friends was followed by dinner at a very nice restaurant. On Saturday, there was an outdoor reception from 3 pm to 9 pm at another park(half way across the state!)for extended friends and family. There would be food and dancing and a bonfire at night.

So what does a knitting step-mom wear to such an affair? That was the agonizing question for me for several weeks (well, months, really) as I searched for the right dress(es) and tried (but failed) to diet. In the end, I bought a simple jerzey knit summer dress with cap sleeves, a low-scooped back, and flare at the hemline - but it was in a beautiful shade of blue and it begged to be accesorized. I knit this shrug and made a necklace, bracelet,and earrings to co-ordinate. I finished the necklace at 2:30 p.m. on Friday and we left for the ceremony at 4:45 p.m.

I was definitely glad that I had made the shrug. All the other women were wearing sleeveless sundresses and shivering in the cold, but I was just right. I was definitely the most dressed up person there next to the bride, though.

The same was true on Saturday, when I wore a sleeveless summer dress with a garden print. I haven't gotten any wedding pictures from DSD yet, so the only pictures I have are these that DH took. You can sort of see the Friday night outfit in the picture on the left. I'm the one who looks like a lush with a wine glass in her hand. The only picture of me from Saturday is this lovely rear-end view.

What is it about the internet that inspires one to post such unflattering pictures that do not make the cut into a traditional photo album?

The Knitting Screw Guy

2007-08-23T09:47:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it's almost 2 weeks since Stitches. I meant to post this story right away, but didn't get around to it.

When setting up my booth at Stitches, I was helped immeasurably by my neighbors at Mind Your Knitting. I'm forever indebted to the husband of this family business team. Since he may want to remain somewhat anonymous, I'll just call him "Screw Guy." Screw Guy saved my sales for the weekend.

As mentioned in a previous post, Stitches was my first retail venture. (I only sold wholesale to yarn shops prior to this.) Besides packing 500 Knitter's Journey Knit with Wire Kits, I had to get display fixtures and get a merchant number so that I could accept credit cards in order to do the show. My credit card validator and my merchant number arrived just in time as I was packing for Stitches. I knew I had to swap the new merchant number plate for the generic one that came with my validator. I packed a screwdriver and figured I'd take care of it in Chicago.

Well, guess what? One of the screws just wouldn't budge. It looked like the head of the screw was stripped. Panic set in. No Validation plate = no credit card sales.
Screw Guy to the rescue! Not only did he have a better screw driver, he had an arsenol of tools that had no business being at a knitting show. And am I thankful that he did! Screw Guy loosened the screwed up screw with a few quick twists of his superior Philips head. But we weren't out of the woods yet! When I swapped the plates it was evident that the new plate was larger than the old plate- it covered the numbers of the date. But never fear, Screw Guy was here! He had a sharp little cutting tool handy. He expertly cut the plate down to size. I breathed a sigh of relief. Thanks to Screw Guy, credit cards of Stitches attendees were now free to lay themselves down on my validator bed.

Thanks again to my superhero, Screw Guy, fighting for truth, justice, and the American Way . . . CHARGE!

Will work for food

2007-08-14T13:08:00.000-05:00

Sorry, there is no picture. I tried to get my friend Carolyn to wear a sign, "Will Work For Food" but she wouldn't go for it. Carolyn is retired from working as a wholesale sales rep in the gift industry, and as you can imagine, she was a great help to me. She has great sales skills and a keen eye for merchandising. She was the one who suggested I turn the baskets on their sides for a cornucopia effect, which made a great difference. We had many positive comments from both vendors and customers about the booth and the baskets in particular. Obviously, it worked, since sales were good.

Boy did we work! We arrived Wednesday to check in and drop off our stuff and we spent all day Thursday setting up. Showtime was Thurday night, when we were open for business for 2 hours. Friday and Saturday we were on our feet selling from 10 - 6, and Sunday we worked 10-4. Our evenings were busy with paperwork, and I had to make samples for the demonstrations I did every day. Our only compensation was food -We enjoyed 2 great meals at the Hilton Garden O'Hare. Am I following my bliss or going crazy? I may not be rich, but I am happy.

Stitches Midwest 2007 Thank Yous

2007-08-13T10:46:00.000-05:00

Well, this is it! This is what I worked all summer for. Here is my booth at Stitches. I was so pleased with the comments from customers and vendors that they liked my booth. Not bad for a first time, do it yourself on the cheap venture. I'm especially proud of my logo and banner. I designed it myself with the help of my knitting buddy Melissa.

This mammoth undertaking could not have been tackled without the help of my knitting buddies. Special thanks go to:

Melissa - for help with the logo and packing kits in the 11th hour.

Lauren - for her savy retail merchandising advice -especially her suggestion to use glass block to create shelves and risers.

Karen - for her enthusiasm for my product and support with her pocketbook by being my first Stitches customer.

Kathy - whose appearance on the other side of the booth on Saturday was a welcome surprise

Lynn - for her willingness to listen to me going on and on about this venture on our morning walks.

and most importantly,

Carolynn- who volunteered her van and came to Chicago with me as my unpaid employee. An entire post shall be devoted to this wonderful lady, but I have to talk her into letting me take her picture first.

I was also helped considerably by new friends - my vendor neigbors at Mind Your Knitting.

From what I understand, the attendance at Stitches was down almost 40%. Was it poor promotion? Is knitting that much on the decline? Or is it that the Rosemont convention center is cavernous, dirty, and ugly with far too much walking required for elderly or out of shape knitters? Still, I had very good sales and I have made contacts with several guilds and yarn shops to do presentations and sales.

I'll write more later....

Busy Girl

2007-08-02T20:56:00.000-05:00

I can't believe I blogged only once in the month of July. Can I really be so busy? It's summer, I should have lots of time. I was teaching summer school the first 2 weeks of July, but it was only 1 90 minute class.

My husband and I enjoyed a mini-vacation to Austin, TX. I was surprised at how much there is to do there. There are lots of good restaurants and bars/clubs with live entertainment. I enjoyed the LBJ library and the Lady Bird Wildflower Center.
I actually got hubby to go out dancing!

Austin is a nice town but way too hot and muggy at this time of year.

I actually relaxed and read Harry Potter while on vacation. I was surprised how I really was instantly in vacation mode. I forgot all about Stitches for a while. In fact, I kind of forgot about knitting. I didn't seek out any yarn shops while I was in Austin, although I did spot one by chance when we went out to dinner.

Speaking of Stitches, I've got 500 kits packed and I'd like to pack 100 more since I've got the supplies. I really have to crank things up. I have lots of details to take care of. I've only been able to work on Knitter's Journey in the evenings because I've been taking a 2 credit podcasting class this week.

Well, busy girl has to get going.....bye!

Packing for Stitches Midwest

2007-07-18T13:01:00.000-05:00

Okay, it's about time I updated this blog. Where have I been?

Well, mostly in my basement studio/bead factory, but also right here at my computer, working, working, working because I'M GOING TO BE A VENDOR AT STITCHES MIDWEST!!!!!

I've been going a little crazy buying beads and wire. My goal is to have at least 500 kits at the show, which shouldn't be too hard because I've already packed 250. Because I need so many kits, I've been branching out into more gemstone and wire color combos and I'm really excited about them. I can't wait to knit a few of these for myself.

I've also been busy with business organization and getting my website launched. At this point, it's an informational site, but the store is coming soon. I'm rather pleased with myself for getting my site up and running. I did everything myself, including the logo design. Please, please, please, check it out at http://www.knittersjourney.com

I hope I'll see some of you at Stitches. The teachers are great, the market is super, and the multitude of knitters is awe inspiring. (Go to the Stitches link at right for more information about classes, etc.)

Knitting Camp

2007-06-30T09:18:00.000-05:00

It's Knitting Camp time, and I won't be there. Sigh! It's not in the budget this year. It has gotten more expensive while my income went down due to job change. I've only been twice to the one and only original Meg Swanson's knitting camp and that was in 1998 and 2000, so it's not like I'm an oft-timer, but I aspire to be.

What is the allure of knitting camp? Well, it isn't the Best Western hotel or the great nightlife of Marshfield, WI. (Although, contrary to popular pre-conception north central Wisconsin is scenic and the summer weather can be quite lovely.) No, what brings me back to knitting camp is Meg herself and the company of fellow campers.

Meg is one of the original knitting goddesses, descended from a knitting Saint, Elizabeth Zimmerman. Being Elizabeth's daughter and protege, Meg has a wealth of knitting knowledge to share. It isn't simply Meg's knitting know-how that I admire. I'm charmed by her wit, her humour and her slightly British manner. (Obviously Elizabeth's influence, but something that seems quite odd to me since I live in the same suburb of Milwaukee where Meg was raised and I know that hers is certainly not the local accent.) Although Meg has an incredible knitting pedigree, she is unpretentious and patient with even the newest knitter. Meg's classes are packed with knowledge and well presented. I know of no other knitting retreat that uses technology to such great advantage. With close circuit TV and large monitors around the room, there is never a struggle to see the teacher's knitting.

Of course, I'm not the only member of the Meg Swanson fan club. Meg's camp draws knitters from across the country and even from around the world. The camps I attended included a handful of Canadians, a Brazilian, and an American living in London who flew in just for knitting camp. Yarn shop owners and knitting designers were common in the crowd. Show and tell was inspiring, if not breath taking at times.

I find the fellowship of knitters to be rejuvenating. Among my fellow campers I've found community. At the 2000 knitting camp, I discovered two campmates lived within 5 miles of me. We enjoyed the camp experience so much that we decided to continue to meet when camp was over. I now knit at the local bookstore every Monday night with these ladies and a few other knitters that we've picked up along the way. They have become my best friends and have given me much emotional support over the years.

Yes, I'm missing knitting camp. I shall just have to sing the knitting camp theme song to get over it: (sung to the tune of Koom-by-yah,)

"Come buy yarn, my Lord, Come buy yarn, Come buy yarn my Lord, Come buy yarn . . ."

Knitted Jewelry

2007-06-08T15:36:00.000-05:00

It's the end of the school year, which explains why I haven't been doing much blogging. I was doing a little bit of knitting, of which I'm most proud. I made some lovely knit with wire necklaces and bracelets, and I've decided these are worthy of adding to my Knitter's Journey product line. I hope to be a vendor at Stitches, but being the creative and unorganized person that I am, I have yet to get the application in. It's really putting the cart before the horse, but I'm eager to go the Bead and Button Show in Milwaukee this weekend, where I will buy oodles of beads for my kits. With summer here, I can KNIT, KNIT, KNIT. I hope to finally finish my website, knittersjourney.com this coming week! From educator to entrepreneur--that's the goal for this summer.

Don't drink the water . . .

2007-05-18T15:29:00.000-05:00

Something is happening at my workplace. Babies are bursting out all over. Baby #1 was born at the end of March. I finished her little hat and sweater ensemble with about 1 hour to go before her Mom started maternity leave. Here she is looking very sweet. Looks like it will fit her for another 6 months or so.

Baby #2 is due within the week. Here is the progress so far on her outfit. It could have been done, it should have been done, it would have been done if I hadn't started hating the yarn. Not that it isn't pretty. It will be lovely with ducky buttons. However it is a cotton-silk blend that has no give and no loft. It is not as soft as a baby's sweater should be. Mom-to-be is still excited about it, so I guess I better keep knitting.

Baby #3 is due sometime in June. Well, I do have the yarn for it, perhaps I should think of knitting a 1 or 2 year old size straight off, because it looks like that might be when it gets done. I haven't made any promises to Mom #3.

Dining out with my knitting heroines

2007-05-09T08:49:00.000-05:00

If I haven't yet convinced you to go on a knitting vacation, here is another reason.
When you go on these knitting retreats, you can meet, and sometimes befriend, knitting goddesses. This picture was taken at Stitches Midwest a couple of years ago-
had a fun time at dinner with the owners of Habu textiles, fellow Midwest knitters Joan and Maria, and instructor/designers Lily Chin, Cheryl Oberle, and Joyce Williams. Knitting goddesses all.

Midwest Masters in Neenah

2007-04-29T19:36:00.000-05:00

From Midwest Maste...

I'm just back from the Midwest Masters in Neenah. Click the link above for the complete photo album. I only went for 1 class and to hang out for a little bit, but I had an incredibly great time. I took a class on vintage knitting with Joan McGowan Michael.

I have to admit, I hardly took the class. I was a very bad student. I was 1/2 hour late (the reason why is worth another post) and I was chatting far more than I was knitting. However, it was worth the class fee just to see the gorgeous garments she made. A beautiful young lady named Rebecca modeled many of the sweaters for us. They all looked terrific on her.

My trip up to Neenah really paid off for me. As I had planned to do, I delivered some of my Knitter's Journey Knit-with-Wire kits to Yarns by Design (the shop that sponsors this wonderful event) But I had additional, unanticipated sales that day. My knitted jewelry sparked great interest from my classmates. In addition to selling some jewelry, I met two yarn shop owners who may have me teach knitting with wire in the near future. It was truly magical how I was making sales without trying. After the class was over, I walked into a few shops with a friend. A gallery owner admired the necklace I was wearing and ordered half a dozen necklace,bracelet and earring sets on the spot! Sorry, I don't mean to go on about myself. Having a knitting business is something that I had dreamed of doing for many years. Even though Knitter's Journey is still a micro-business, I'm thrilled with every sale.

My afternoon ended on another upbeat note when I ran into Bonnie and Anne, fellow knitters whom I know only from these retreats. We keep meeting every 6 months or year or so, and it's sweet to catch up with each other when we meet. One of my favorite things about these knitting vacations is the extended community of friends that I have found. While it was a short trip, I've more to say about my "vacation" to the Masters. Watch for a future post.

Wildcat Mittens the Sequel

2007-04-24T12:07:00.000-05:00

I should have known I would be outed! Young Friend brought in his mittens so that I could take a picture of them for this blog. Of course, other friends saw them. "Are you going to make me a hat?" "I'd like a scarf."

Since he has already been exposed, here is Young Friend, modeling his mittens. (Shown with Mom's permission) As you can see, he likes them. YF and his Mom were s-o-o-o-o appreciative, it was even more fun to give than to make. Mom tells me she only lets him wear them on special occasions, and that she will save these in her "treasures" chest. Now that is the joy of knitting!

Wildcat Mittens

2007-04-13T17:18:00.000-05:00

One of the most enjoyable and quick projects I knit this year were these "wildcat" mittens that I made for one of the young friends I work with. They are just your basic gored thumb mitten knit with 1 strand sport weight wool and 1 strand of Funny. I am a little bit afraid to blog about them, for fear that other young friends will see this blog and wonder why I didn't knit them a pair. I acknowledge it might have been a bit unfair of me to have made a pair for just 1 of my 14 students, but here was my reasoning:

1) At the time, I thought that maybe, just maybe, I could actually knit 14 pairs of mittens by Christmas while working full time at the real job, teaching at my LYS, creating the kits and packaging for Knitter's Journey Knit-with-Wire kits, knitting hats and mittens like crazy for the school Christmas store/craft fair, and meeting the yearbook deadline.

2) I reasoned that I was making a proto-type for future craft fair mittens, I had to work out the pattern any way.

3) I chatted with Young Friend's Mom about knitting, and she seemed to really appreciate handmade things, so I knew they would be well cared for and appreciated.

4) I regularly give out prizes for accomplishments in my class and Young Friend had done well and qualified for a prize

5) He asked me if I would make him a pair.

Let's hope that my other 13 students don't learn the secret to getting a pair of mittens out of me. Surely they won't want mittens in Spring?

Let's see, if I start now and knit all summer, I might have mittens for all my students by Fall. Of course, that would take care of this year's students. Then there's next year's students. Oh, and my lunch table. And the entire kindergarten since I work with them on so many special projects, let's see, I think that's 70 pair. Oops, I forgot last year's students. Oh, dear. . .

Totally Wired

2007-04-08T20:57:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I taught a class at my LYS on knitting with wire. It's the 3rd or 4th time I've taught it for them, and the students love it because they can actually finish a project in class. Here are some examples of what we did -

I first experimented with knitting with wire the summer before last, after I attended the Bead and Button show in Milwaukee. I've been crazy about knitting with wire ever since. Here is my first wire-knit necklace.

I've made a ton of jewelry, with the intention of selling it, but I haven't sold much because 1)I'm busy with my real job and grad school and it's hard to get the marketing done and 2)I keep liking what I make too much and deciding its mine and 3)maybe I'm just really shy about getting out there and selling my stuff.

I have been a little bit entrepreneurial though, because my LYS didn't sell all the clasps and wire needed for my projects, I had to supply it, so I've created kits that they sell. They are selling well, we are both happy. Now if I would just have time to get the marketing done and stop being shy about it. . .I'm not quite ready to go global, but I've taken the first steps on another journey inspired by knitting.

A Southern Yarn-A Knitter’s Journey to Asheville

2007-03-28T10:18:00.000-05:00

I’ve just returned from a mini-vacation to Asheville, NC, a yarn paradise—in fact, that is the name of one of the yarn shops there. The Asheville area has everything I like in a vacation –good weather, pretty scenery, a cosmopolitan city with lots of art and entertainment, and most importantly, good yarn shops. The Chamber of Commerce even prints a brochure called “The Fabric, Fiber, Bead Trail” to assist the knitting tourist with finding places to leave her (or his) money behind. I used the brochure to find my way to 4 shops in the Asheville area. I loved them all, but managed to keep my money in my wallet (only because my stash currently exceeds the capacity of an entire closet).

I appreciate all handicrafts. Besides knitting, I dabble in jewelry making and collect pottery, and Asheville has an abundance of those crafts as well. The city has a unique history of promoting rural folk crafts through craft guilds and folk schools. We visited some gorgeous galleries. I was especially impressed by the Allanstand Craft Shop at the Folk Art Center, The Southern Highland Craft Guild, and the New Morning Gallery.

I liked every shop I visited, and realized that each had something different to offer. If I lived there, I don’t know if I could have a single favorite. My visit was brief, but here are my impressions:

Asheville Home-Crafts
In Grove Arcade
PH: (828)350-7556

-Small shop, not a huge yarn selection, but nice.
-They offer finished crafts for sale. Lots of knit hats and accessories were on display; and it seemed to attract local knitters who were looking to both buy and sell.

Earth Guild
33 Haywood Street
PH: (828)255-7818
Toll Free: (800)327-8448

-A full-service craft shop, in business since 1970!
-In addition to yarn, they sell dyes, beads, polymer clay, looms and weaving supplies, spinning wheels & more.
-Friendly owners told me about the classes they offer.
-Lots of yarn on cones(good for weavers, but also good quality for less money).
-Had their own line of Dragonfly Yarns-special died cottons and chenille.
-Emphasis on high quality knitting yarns over novelty yarns.

Purl’s Yarn Emporium
51 College Street
PH: (828)253-2750

-Colorful and bright,I loved the way yarn was arranged by color rather than type.
-Friendly male clerk.
-Eclectic clientele--lots of college students and 30-somethings, male and female.
-Nice selection of books and novelty yarns.
-Cozy sitting area for their knitting nights.

Yarn Paradise
6 All Souls Crescent
Biltmore Village

-Quaint building in the Biltmore village.
-Cozy knitting table, a knitting group was in session. I was warmly greeted by very friendly owner and her loyal customers.
-Great selection of yarns, both basic and novelty.
-Nice selection of unique buttons.
-Lots of finished objects on display to inspire you!

Knitting Away

2007-03-19T16:46:00.000-05:00

For me, knitting and travel are intertwined. Knitting on airplanes is another one of my favorite places to knit. In years past, I traveled a lot for work and I would get loads of knitting done while waiting at the gate or flying cross-country. I love being creative and productive, blissing out on knitting while my fellow travelers are bored and irritable.

I don't travel as much these days, but when I do, it is usually for the soul purpose of knitting. I discovered the joy of knitting vacations back in 1998, when I went to Meg Swanson's Knitting Camp for the very first time. Prior to that, I had been an at-home knitter of intermediate skill at best. Knitting camp opened my eyes, sharpened my skills, and made me hunger for more. I started seeking out knitting retreats and workshops offered by yarn shops, TKGA, and Knitter's Magazine (Stitches). I convinced my husband to go with me to New England, New Mexico, Scotland, and Ireland for the knitting. I also went on lots of retreats without him. I will probably ramble about knitting vacations often in future posts. I have the intention of adding links to my favorite knitting vacations.

I'm posting pictures from one of my favorite knitting vacations--Cheryl Oberle's Knit-Away. It was a terrific trip that combined knitting with scenic beauty. A special bonus - my fellow knitting campers threw me a surprise birthday party. These pictures are from May of '05 at the Knit-Away in Taos. Cheryl is a terrific teacher and a goddess knitter. If you ever have an opportunity to take classes, sign up immediately! I know she will be doing a Folk Shawls workshop in May at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC. They offer lots of knitting retreats. Check it out.

The Journey Begins

2007-03-19T12:53:00.000-05:00

My first blog, so I shall begin at the beginning. When did I learn to knit? What inspired me to learn?

Despite the fact that my mother was a talented knitter, her crafty knitting style did not inspire me to pick up the needles. Instead, my inspiration came as I rode the train between Paris and Lyon during the summer of 1980. Backpacking around France as a poor college student, I spent a great deal of time that summer on the trains. Over and over I would see French women knitting with gorgeous designer yarns that were nothing like the yarns in my mother's stash. I returned home and begged Mom to teach me to knit. (Which, of course, she didn't do, because she was left handed and I am right handed . . . but that is another story.)

Fast forward to August of 2000. Some knitting friends and I started to meet at a local bookstore cafe. Our group quickly grew from 4 to 14. My circle of friends expanded, and existing friendships deepened. We continue to knit together, every Monday night. Our knitting group is regularly approached by women who say they used to knit, or that they would like to learn. When I was knitting at home, no one ever asked me to knit. In the first year that our knitting group gathered,five people asked me to teach them to knit, and I have taught many more since. Like everyone these days, I'm very busy with work and family, and I don't have much time to knit. I find the time by taking my knitting with me everywhere. I knit in public wherever I can. My favorite place to knit is at an outdoor cafe. Preferably, when I am on vacation somewhere. I hope to inspire new knitters around the world!