First Day of Grade 5

Hi Everyone,

My dd had her first day of Grade 5 -- it was an exciting day as she started at the middle school! She was a bit nervous last night, but came bounding in the house today exclaiming school would be a piece of cake this year.

On the knitting front, I've been working on a pair of worsted weight socks for a class I'll be teaching at the end of the month. It's a pretty easy pattern and works up quickly because of the weight of the yarn. I'm just making ankle length socks -- wasn't sure how the pattern would knit up, and I didn't want to waste a lot of time frogging it if pattern didn't work. But it is great basic pattern and you could do a lot with it.

On the reading front, if you haven't read her book series, I highly recommend you pick up Kate Jacobs' books The Friday Night Knitting Club and Knit Two. Such lovely books! I could read them again and again. After you've read them, here is a fun website to go to.

Well, that's it for tonight. I need to get my girl into the tub and off the bed! Have a great night everyone!!!

Fiberlicious!

Fiber is yummy!

Look at these beautiful colours! Anyone would be crazy to not want to pick this up and feel how squishy it is in your fingers. It just begs to be held and made into something extraordinary. In fact, my toes are screaming at me to create, create, create so that they will be warm and toasty -- and gorgeous.

The possibilities are endless. I could do a plain sock and let the colours blend themselves into loverly patterns, I could cable them, I could make them lacy, I could zig-zag the striping! My head is swimming with ideas.

My thoughts race through the countless sock patterns I have in my library -- each one beautiful in it's own category. This is going to require some thinkin'.

Until then I will hold it's squishy-fiberlicious goodness in my hands...

B.

Why I Do What I Do

Hello my loverly friends!

In my office/yarn studio I have a lovely little Christmas tree decoration my mom gave me this year. I keep it out though, because it sums up what I do. It is a knit sweater with a ball of yarn and knitting needles -- it says "If I'm sitting, I'm knitting"!!!!! It makes me smile every time I look at it. Not only because it reassures me that my mom "gets me", but because it affirms that I am not the only one in the world who fills their free time with wonderful art of knitting.

So, one might ask me, why do you do what you do? Well, I love to create things...plain and simple. That is why I love doing pottery -- you take a hunk of clay and with the use of a wheel and water, you can create anything from a small bowl for trinkets to a huge vase as tall as a man. Creating is why I love painting and drawing -- you have a blank canvas in front of you and your imagination guides you. Being creative is why I love photography -- you can manipulate light to create beautiful images out of simple every day things. Being creative allows me to discover new things as I knit -- you can make a simple pair of baby booties to warm little ones on cool days or can knit a shawl with cobweb-weight fibre that is so light and airy, and so complex, that even the spiders bow down to you in humble adoration!

I think the other reason I love to create something from simple items, is because I find it extremely therapeutic. The rhythmic spinning of the potter's wheel, the pedalling action of spinning wool on a wheel, the gentle breath held while pressing down the shutter button...or the quiet clicking of knitting needles. It helps me relax and puts me in a great frame of mind. If I am angry, I create. If I am happy, I create. If I am sad...I create. There is something wonderful about doing something creative to take your mind off the worries of the world. There is something wonderful about doing something creative that puts you in a better frame of mind. There is something wonderful about doing something creative that helps you relax and put everything into the proper prospective.

Hmmmm...I just had an epiphany...

What better form of therapy for inmates than to teach them to knit. Can you imagine the peacefulness of a knitting circle reforming convicts everywhere? Men (and women) righting their wrongs through the power of fibre! Maybe they could knit for a good cause -- Hats for the Homeless...Ascots for Addicts...Scarves for Smelly Cats...

However, they would probably use the knitting needle as a weapon. Whew...who knew knitting could be so dangerous!

Poster Idea

What do you think? If you saw this poster, would you want to take a class? BTW, that is my picture I took so I'm not breaking any copyright laws...

So Hot!

Okay, I have realized the last couple of days that I do not do well in extreme heat. Don't tell anyone, but I am longing for those cool crisp sunny days of fall. I love the sun, but there is just nothin' better than taking a walk on a sunny fall day, coloured leaves crunching under my feet, and a crisp cool air that invites one to curl up after with a good book, or a ball of yarn and some sticks.

I really don't like this heat. Perhaps if our home were air-conditioned, thus allowing me to comfortably curl up in the evening with my knitting in hand and a cup of chocolate caramel chai tea at my side, I would feel joy that we are in the middle of a heatwave. However, the house doesn't even begin to cool down (with the windows all wide open in the evening) until well past midnight. So I sit in sticky sweaty clothes, staring at my knitting bag. I tried to knit last night, but quickly gave up because my hands were sticky-feeling and the yarn just doesn't run through the fingers like it should.

Autumn has always been my favourite time of year, and right now, with the excitement of knitting classes coming up, I just can't wait for fall to arrive. *gasp* I know, I know. We had a long winter and a cold, crappy spring...why kiss away the warm dog days of summer? Only a true knitter would understand, I suppose. Or maybe as I grow older (and more grumpy) the heat just gets to me. I like days around 22 degrees (Celsius), but nothing makes me happier than waking up in the morning with the window open allowing a crisp, cool breeze to wash over me.

Have a great night everyone -- stay cool!

Exciting News

Hi Everyone,

Sorry it's been so long. I've been busy with photography as of late and I am returning to my other true love...knitting...and writing...hmmm...so many loves, so little time.

Well, as for me I have decided to take the plunge and start up a small business here in our new community. I am going to start out of my home teaching knitting classes, selling finished projects, and selling a few products. The closest knitting shop is about 2.5 hours from here...too far in my opinion. I am going to be offering knitting classes starting this fall as I work on my business plan. After a year I will re-evaluate where I'm at, and hopefully find a storefront I can work from. Oh, what a dream come true that will be!!!

Why now? Well, I am currently working two part-time jobs which, let's be honest, I don't exactly jump for joy about. And for the amount of money I bring in each month, I could be making the same amount (or more) and really love what I'm doing.

Have a great day everyone -- it's good to be back!