Packing for Stitches Midwest

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

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

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 . . .

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

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

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

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!