Thoughts and Ponderings


The past few days have been quite busy around here.  My daughter goes back to her apartment tomorrow.  I tidied up the Christmas decorations and rearranged some books.  I still have grand plans of thinning out the books upstairs.  I believe I have books in every single room in this house!  I kind of like that, makes me feel like the scholarly type :)

I have pulled a long term knitting project out to work on which is this shawl.  It becomes twice the knitting for me because the lace section cannot be committed to memory (I'm slipping!).  So I knit what I think is the pattern and then I unknit and start again.  When a project sits neglected for weeks, there are dire consequences. As much as I love to knit, I hate to unknit and reknit.

Don't you love my project bag?  My sister made it.  When I was visiting her during Thanksgiving, I went through her fabric stash and picked out some fabrics.  She said "that is not what you want" and then chose the above while shopping.  I love that about her, she knows what I want :)  The ipad cover was one of my Christmas gifts--I am so loved!  I'm trying my best to get her to open an Etsy shop,  but I have a feeling it will be a sister effort.  Any tips?  Recommendations?

Now for a bit of exciting news.  I will be teaching some knitting classes at a local quilt/knit shop in town starting later this month.  It is such an exciting opportunity for me and that is why you have seen some small projects being whipped up since mid December.  I've been knitting samples for display at the shop.  I look forward to sharing my knowledge of knitting and meeting new people in my area. This opportunity gently fell into place right before the new year, so it was meant to be.  I am SO excited about this :D

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!

edited to add links to the projects on the right:  cold mountain shawl and fetching mitts which I wore yesterday while out and about :)


Comments

  1. AnonymousJanuary 4, 2013 at 8:41 AM

    I wish I lived close by to you so I could take a knitting class from you! You will be an amazing teacher to those lucky enough to be your students. xo

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  2. eidolonsJanuary 4, 2013 at 9:11 AM

    That's excellent! I've been told that teaching others to knit is an extremely rewarding experience. (:

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  3. MelissaJanuary 4, 2013 at 9:30 AM

    Oh I wish I lived closer! There is so much I could learn...you'll be great! Have a wonderful weekend!

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  4. flyingjenJanuary 4, 2013 at 9:59 AM

    I agree with the others. I wish I lived closer. I know you have so much to teach, and there is so much I need to learn!

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  5. stephJanuary 4, 2013 at 10:04 AM

    you will be a GREAT teacher!!!! I'm tickled for you!!!! and love that bag.....sister does have good taste!!!

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  6. RosemaryJanuary 4, 2013 at 11:02 AM

    Teaching will be so fun!! How exciting! :)

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  7. AndriaJanuary 4, 2013 at 11:17 AM

    How exciting is teaching knitting!! So happy for you. And you are right, those are amazing presents from your sister, she is very talented!

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  8. ShannonJanuary 4, 2013 at 11:33 AM

    That's so exciting about your new class and etsy shop! Good luck!

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  9. Lori annJanuary 4, 2013 at 11:53 AM

    oh wow karen, that is such good news! lucky are the ones that will have you for a teacher. lovely bag and sis, and i love how close you are. this photo is full of so much goodness, may i ask what the grey piece is in the background?
    p.s. i have a very unreliable memory, and always have a chart nearby, i don't like going back either!

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    Replies
    1. karenJanuary 4, 2013 at 12:18 PM

      I added links in the post to the shawl and mitts. The pattern is dead simple it's just that it moves one stitch over every other row, my marker slips under the yo....well let's just say i need to FOCUS on it :)

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  10. PaulaJanuary 4, 2013 at 12:56 PM

    Yes to etsy... I know I need more yarn bags! I wish I lived closer, too. I am going to start knitting class this month at my lys....it's the only way I am goingvtonprogress past swatches! Ha! Can't wait to follow your adventures in the new year!

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  11. come on in xJanuary 4, 2013 at 1:52 PM

    Your teaching will be an adventure, good luck x I have been thinking of thinning out books too, I think so far i've given 1 to a friend! I love books so this is going to be a tough process x

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  12. AnonymousJanuary 4, 2013 at 2:01 PM

    very cute bag! and book purging...wish you the best.

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  13. DonnaJanuary 4, 2013 at 3:04 PM

    You have an awesome sister. What a great bag! Congrats on the knitting classes. I am hoping that enough kids sign up for my winter session so I can teach again. It's so much fun to watch new knitters.

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  14. Kim January 4, 2013 at 7:20 PM

    I love the bag, so cute! Congratulations on the knitting classes, that will be so much for you and your students :) Enjoy your weekend.

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  15. UnknownJanuary 4, 2013 at 7:23 PM

    I wish I was closer. This year I am taking a knitting class and learning how to make something other than scarves!

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  16. Tracey ~ CloverJanuary 4, 2013 at 7:30 PM

    How wonderfully exciting Karen, I am so happy for you and all those who will be blessed to have you as a teacher. I wish we were closer, I would be the first to sign up!

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  17. AnonymousJanuary 4, 2013 at 7:31 PM

    I wish I could come take your class too! What fun!
    Love the project bag - can never have too many :)
    Have a wonderful weekend.

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  18. Mama Gone GreenJanuary 4, 2013 at 8:59 PM

    wow! teaching is exciting. and I DO love the bag!!

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  19. TannaJanuary 5, 2013 at 9:28 AM

    I love that you will be teaching knitting!! I'm sure there will be many ladies (and perhaps a few gentlemen) who benefit from your knitting knowledge!! Your sister is just the best. And, I'm looking foward to seeing that Cold Mountain! blessings ~ tanna

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  20. Erin @ Wild WhispersJanuary 5, 2013 at 11:11 AM

    I love love love your bag! Yes your sister should sell! Great work, indeed!

    Good luck with the knitting classes... I've been teaching non-english speakers (primarily Korean women) to knit since the fall, and it has it's blessings and it's challenges. But what joy on faces when the connection is made and they get it! Blessings on your teaching!

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  21. JenniferJanuary 5, 2013 at 2:45 PM

    congratulations. what exciting news that you are going to be teaching,especially something you love so much. i did a book purge a few years ago, there are a few that i miss and wish i had kept but for the most part it's been okay. now it's all paperback swap and the library, except of course for those few that are just too special.

    love the bag, the pattern is perfect!

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  22. Shirley-AnnJanuary 5, 2013 at 4:26 PM

    Oooo how exciting for you Karen! What a lovely thing to sit and teach others something that you love. For the longest time I have had a dream to one day own my own little store filled with stitching goodies and holding little workshops. You are a very lucky lady! May it be a huge success and a blessing for you :o)

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  23. sylviaJanuary 5, 2013 at 5:37 PM

    karen, this is wonderful! sharing a craft is so rewarding, i would totally sign up for one of your classes if i wouldn't have to cross an ocean to attend :)

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  24. Obaitori January 5, 2013 at 8:18 PM

    Oh how lovely for you! I too would love to attend - big ocean in between - but my goodness it would be wonderful. I think you would be a brilliant teacher. Good luck with that book thining. I've just decided to buy more bookshelves. I've thinned and thinned and am looking forward to putting them on the shelf. Rasta says hi to Frodo. Love Katie xxx

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  25. UnknownJanuary 6, 2013 at 10:58 AM

    That shawl will be gorgeous! Congrats on your new endeavor. what fun! And such a talented family you have. You could both succeed very well with a shop.

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  26. AnonymousJanuary 6, 2013 at 1:01 PM

    Oh! Congratulations!!! What wonderful news in the New Year. You will ROCK that class, I have no doubt!

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  27. Susan@ Tea&CakeJanuary 6, 2013 at 6:09 PM

    Karen, that is exciting news! Your students are so lucky to have such a warm and knowledgeable teacher. I have a feeling that this is going to be the start of something wonderful for you : )

    I DO love the knitting bag your sister made for you--the fabric she chose is fabulous. And, what a tremendous gift to have something so lovely from her hands.

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  28. Lady CordeliaJanuary 7, 2013 at 11:35 AM

    Congrats on your news! I second another commenter by saying: you'll ROCK it!
    XO
    C

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