Today’s challenge for Day 5 of the 3rd Annual Knitting and Crochet Blog Week (a.k.a. 3KCBWDAY5) is to create a post that stretches your creativity, looking at a different way to present content on your blog.   Well, this one definitely was a challenge for me.  I’m not much into modern dance or poetry as the instructions suggested were options.  Well, I’ve used different methods already.  Most of my posts are converted to both video and audio.  And I’ve never posted one of them as a blog post.  The first video is the blog post, and the second is an updated version... (Read More ...)

March is National Craft Month.  And Joann Fabrics is celebrating all month long. As I wrote recently, I’m now a knitting and quilting instructor at my local Joann Fabrics and Crafts store.  It’s fun meeting and teaching other crafters.  And of course making the items for the classes is fun.  I wanted to make some of the projects, both to show some of the prospective students and have a better idea of what they need to learn in class to complete the project successfully.  And knitting along to show the next step is also fun, and helpful for the students. The scarf I just finished... (Read More ...)

At the beginning of January, I went to JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts Store, where there was a sale.  The store in Florence, SC is less than a year old. As I was checking out, the clerk asked if I wanted to take any classes.  Well, one thing led to another and they needed a knitting and quilting teacher.  Two of my favorite crafts! This past weekend I taught my first knitting class. More importantly there are now three new knitters! Jackie, Marcy and Pamela did GREAT!  The time flew.  They made my job of instructor easy – and fun! We had a nice discussion about how much easier it is to learn... (Read More ...)

Barbara wants to know how does she find the right pattern row after ripping out a lot?  She’s feeling frustrated with following a chart. Great question! And Barbara, congratulations on stretching yourself to try what sounds like a complex knitting chart! Been there, done that!  When starting to knit lace or any pattern with a knitting chart, it’s easy to get lost.  Especially when knitting with interruptions or to relieve stress. Some charts have over 20 rows of knitting in the pattern repeat.  Yikes! Is it any wonder knitters get frustrated? Many lace knitting instructions suggest... (Read More ...)

I have finished my first sock of 2012! And what I have decided is I’m working on my own version of a generic sock.  Right now it’s knit cuff down, because the arch shape seems to work best that way. The arch shape is based on Elizabeth Zimmermann and Meg Swansen’s “Arch-Shaped Stockings” pattern, available from Schoolhouse Press. My current interest in socks started while caring for my mother. In her later years, it was often hard to keep her warm.  And her feet in particular would get cold.  The socks available in the stores were seldom what she wanted, so I decided... (Read More ...)