This and That


The list that brings me joy:

-fluffy comforters and quilts during this cold snap
-knitting the sweater that is near completion and dreaming of wearing it soon
-an ankle brace!!
-woolly socks and warm mitts
-sliced cucumbers for a snack that echoes summer

I had so much fun teaching my first knitting classes.  I loved seeing what colors were chosen.  If only you could have heard the thinking going on after the cast on!  I take for granted what I can do with my eyes closed.  Teaching others to knit became a moment of stillness in time to stop and observe.  As they left I wondered which ones would continue the knitting as their craft.  Some? All?  Would they be the kind that pick it up and put it down over and over until the "aha" moment, r be like me all those years ago, stubbornly determined to get it.  Pushing myself to continue and yes there were many many tears shed because that is how I get-emotional.

I hope you have a lovely weekend!  We are getting a bit of snow and I'm going to thoroughly enjoy it because it's supposed to disappear with in a week with warmer temperatures heading our way!


Comments

  1. Tracey ~ CloverJanuary 25, 2013 at 8:20 AM

    I am so glad you had such a super time teaching your class Karen, helping create new knitters in the world must be an awesome feeling.

    Now, what is the stunning purple yarn in your photo? I am having some serious yarn envy ;)

    Enjoy the snow, we are colder this morning, but sunny.

    ReplyDelete
  2. DeborahJanuary 25, 2013 at 9:13 AM

    Glad you had a great time teaching :) love the bowl in your photo :) have a wonderful weekend sweetie

    Bee happy x

    ReplyDelete
  3. TamiJanuary 25, 2013 at 9:14 AM

    I would love to teach knitting. I have taught individuals before, but not a group. How fun! Tami

    ReplyDelete
  4. PaulaJanuary 25, 2013 at 9:21 AM

    Loving your photo today! Perfect mix of color, fiber and warmth on this cold New England morning! Hoping the ankle brace brings comfort...or at the very least a little stability in this icy time. Stay warm and congrats on your first class ~ I bet the knitters went away excited and inspired (I do hope you showed them some of your finished projects!) Have a wonderful weekend :) ~ Paula

    ReplyDelete
  5. MelissaJanuary 25, 2013 at 9:22 AM

    I repeat, I wish I was there to take your class...or just be a fly on the wall. Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  6. ~koJanuary 25, 2013 at 9:34 AM

    Enjoy your snowy weekend! We will be doing the same here too! And an ankle brace? Oh my! Hope this weekend brings rest and healing too!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Mama Gone GreenJanuary 25, 2013 at 9:39 AM

    Glad your first class went well! Happy weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lady CordeliaJanuary 25, 2013 at 9:44 AM

    " ...stubbornly determined to get it. Pushing myself to continue and yes there were many many tears shed because that is how I get-emotional. ..."

    um.....me. me. me.

    So proud of you. Some may not continue, but some will and you'll know them for years and they will give you many thanks for being a great teacher.

    ReplyDelete
  9. AndriaJanuary 25, 2013 at 10:15 AM

    Sounds so fun and rewarding. I taught myself to knit when I was in bed with a cold and bored silly. I wish I'd have had a teacher, but I got there in the end :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. bookworm-MaryJanuary 25, 2013 at 10:52 AM

    Love the photo-- the yarn colors are sooooooo pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  11. UnknownJanuary 25, 2013 at 11:26 AM

    What a great gift to share. It is amazing how much you know without thinking about it. Enjoy the snow and cool weather. I am hoping our drive next week is smooth with little snow!

    ReplyDelete
  12. EileenJanuary 25, 2013 at 12:53 PM

    I really enjoy teaching people how to knit and or sew. But most of all I love seeing them finish project and the smile on their faces. Enjoy your snow !

    ReplyDelete
  13. ShannonJanuary 25, 2013 at 1:17 PM

    It's so inspiring to see you out there sharing your talents! I'm enjoying a little snow today, well at least until I eventually need to grab a shovel. Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousJanuary 25, 2013 at 2:04 PM

    love that bowl yarn!

    ReplyDelete
  15. UnknownJanuary 25, 2013 at 2:42 PM

    I love the bowl of yarn! Yay for loving teaching!! And yay for ankle braces. I hope it's feeling better. Enjoy your snow!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. stephJanuary 25, 2013 at 4:21 PM

    I'm so glad your class went well!!!! You've given each and every one of those students a gift---some will cherish it and some will eventually discard it, but for the ones who 'get it'----as we both know....they'll never be quite the same again!!!

    hope the ankle is feeling better.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Debbie JonesJanuary 25, 2013 at 4:58 PM

    Lovely post! There is always joy in the ordinary when we look for it. Wish I could be in your knitting class. Enjoy your weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  18. debbyJanuary 25, 2013 at 5:24 PM

    Oh sorry to hear about your ankle Karen...I hope the brace helps.

    Glad to hear about your class too... I've never taught knitting to more than two people at a time. It must be daunting to teach more...but so rewarding to know that you've shared a skill that can bring so much joy and creativity to others.

    Enjoy the snow this weekend.
    Deb

    ReplyDelete
  19. Kim January 25, 2013 at 6:55 PM

    Your bowl of yarn looks lovely. So happy to hear you enjoyed teaching your first class, those are some lucky ladies. Enjoy your weekend, we are getting snow right now :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. flyingjenJanuary 25, 2013 at 10:12 PM

    I'm sure you have so much knitting knowledge to share. They are lucky ladies to be in your class. I wouldn't even know where to begin to teach someone to knit.

    ReplyDelete
  21. MistyJanuary 27, 2013 at 12:54 PM

    I envy you a little, what I wouldn't do for snow right now. All we have here is rain and more rain.

    ReplyDelete
  22. fjord girlJanuary 27, 2013 at 2:09 PM

    Love the rich colors of the yarns here....and the beautiful cearamic bowl. I bet you are such a wonderful teacher- where do I sign up?!
    (Thank you so much for your kind words on my blog Karen)
    Have a lovely weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Annie CholewaJanuary 27, 2013 at 5:26 PM

    Enjoy your dose of the white stuff when it comes. Our snow has melted away now, all we have are puddles.

    I hear you on teaching folk to knit, every time I teach a class I have the exact same thoughts.

    Thank you for the get well wishes, very much appreciated :D

    ReplyDelete
  24. tessJanuary 27, 2013 at 7:32 PM

    Aw, I wish I could have been there for your class - I bet you were an awesome teacher! I have a frame that's just like that, except all brown tones. Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  25. AnonymousJanuary 28, 2013 at 8:03 AM

    I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I knew you would be a natural… xo

    ReplyDelete
  26. EmilyFebruary 3, 2013 at 11:24 AM

    I'm so glad to hear your knitting class went well! It always amazes me watching new knitters learn to knit and wondering if they will continue on or not after lessons.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment


Your comments are welcome as long as they are relevant to the post and spread joy, thank you for visiting and sharing your ideas.

Popular posts from this blog

Weekends

Image
My weekend happily contained: -wearing the above woolens all at the same time without being hot -so many walks and taking in the changing leaves. -a leaf shower on Saturday-the wind swirled the leaves off the trees up in the air to float down -changing screen savers to autumn themes! -a craft fair where my husband and I say "we could make that", but we don't. -french fries at the craft fair -scrambled eggs and toast for dinner because we were lazy. -football season has descended in my house. he was in the front room watching whatever is on today -I sat in the family room and watched A Tree Grows in Brooklyn .   Now I want to read it again. -Oh! I finished the socks!! So I wound up about six skeins of yarn and have three projects ready -started a cowl for me in fall colors (I hope to finish before fall ends) -enjoying Spirits of Joy .  Hannah graciously had a one day free sign up for her birthday at the end of September which I luckily saw on Twitter.  Than
Read more

Happy List

Image
  - neighborhood pumpkins - my oak trees showing off - new friends at 'school' - Tai Chi hour - lunch out with my husband - cold morning walks - an unexpected warm up - all the fall knitting (imagined and real) - wearing wool - browsing knitting patterns - sister outings - dark chocolate - blue skies - neighborhood dogs - the kids coming to visit next weekend - the to-do lists that I am creating - afternoon reading (possible snooze) - apples! - soups! - hearing the breeze whisper through the trees - setting intentions - giving myself grace when I need it the most - solitude - grandchildren laughing - Holly being Holly - Blue skies - phone calls from family and friends - the kindness of others - assuming everyone is doing their best - drinking water and staying hydrated - hot decaf green tea in a BIG mug - first sip of coffee - geese flying in V formation and honking all the way (delightful!!) - Focusing on gratitude - focusing on joy  What would make your happy list?
Read more

Knitting News

Image
  Good morning to you! How are you? I'm excited about my hat that I've been knitting enjoying the sea of stockinette stitches. When I first started the hat I thought it would be too small, now I wonder if it will be too big. Gah. I will find out soon I guess. I wish the photo about showed how beautiful the colors are in real life, you'll have to trust me on this! Below is my next knitting project, the habitation throw . I will definitely use the pink and gray, I'm still not sure about that purple, I might have a look-see in my stash and do another ponder about that color. I chose this pattern because I can use up some of my stash and I adore Helen Stewart's patterns. What are you working on this week? Also: I will probably not be posting this Friday and the following Monday because of my family visiting. I hope to be back next Wednesday (unless I change my mind).
Read more