The first three.....

Here are my first 3 scarves. In honor of the George Family siblings.....

My mother was raised in North Carolina. She moved to Virginia when she married my father. Each summer we would drive a bazillion hours in an un-airconditioned car for a weeks visit.

Mary is my mothers oldest sister. The first born. She was about 20 years my mother's senior. She's the one everyone ran to when they had "troubles". She took care of everyone. We stayed with her when we visited. You could walk a few blocks to downtown from her house. She once owned an antiques store. I fell in love with a little bank that looked like a dog. When you dropped in coins his ears and tongue wagged. She gave it to me. Her last job was in a cross stitch shop.

This scarf was designed with her in mind. A simple pattern that's knit in a soft yarn.



knit in 1 skein of Misti Alpaca Lace Wt.


George is the oldest son. Named after his father. My mother always speaks of him with a little awe in her voice. The big brother who left home before she was born and became "an important person in his job". I don't remember meeting him. I'm sure I did. There's a picture of my mother, father and me (at about 1 month of age) sitting on a swing in his yard.

From what I've heard about him I thought this scarf would honor his memory...the stitch fools you with it's complicated looks.




knit in Berroco "Ultra Alpaca"

Clarine LOVED fashion. She was always perfectly dressed and couifed in the latest style. She watched her carbs decades before it was fashionable.

Here's a shawl/scarf that will always be in style.



knit in Purled Llama "Concha"

So those are the first of the "George Family Scarfs and Shawls Patterns for Knitting". All are available at Ewe Knit Kits & Yarn.

It doesn't look like I can add more than one blog on Flickr. I did figure out a work around for the time being.

We had a fun Guild meeting tonight. Yes January 1. Why? Because we ALWAYS meet on the first Monday of the month! We kicked off a Vest Knit-Along. We're using a TKGA pattern. It's free to members. It should take most of the year to finish.

We also decided on instructors to bring in. One of our members will teach a cute sweater with hood that can be sized from doll to large man size. And we're inviting Edie Eckman to come in for the weekend. There's also 2 authors that we'll invite and hope to coordinate their visit with a LYS book signing.

And as usual at our first meeting of the year, we had a Yarn Sale! I stayed away from the tables...I need no more yarn! I did sell a few skeins though.

I think I'll run off and see if I can find some of the buttons I use to have.

Tomorrow I'll try posting pictures!

January 1 2007

It's time for my annual post....which I plan on making a weekly or more habit in 2007.

It will soon be 2 years...TWO YEARS....since I left a mortgage paying job to enjoy my life. And I am.

In 2005 I still had a severance payment every 2 weeks or so, so money wasn't a big concern. But I tracked every penny I spent. That's how I learned I can spend a bundle in Target and Barnes & Nobles! I continued to work parttime and that paid to increase my yarn and book stash.

In 2006 the big money stopped but I continued to track money spent or wanting to be spent, learned that not going into Target and B&N everytime I went grocery shopping doesn't stop the world, health insurance is expensive and the big lesson....I can live on a lot less than I had been.

2006 also brought the relationship I have with my mother and siblings to a new direction. I stepped away from the decision making for her and let my siblings handle it. My Sunday's have become much quieter without the phone ringing every 20 minutes questioning why I had chosen X over Y. My siblings now have to do the research, make the decision and carry it through.

In 2006 I jumped into knitting pattern design. I knew I wanted a "theme". But what? Working with knitters I saw the direction most were taking after the Years of Fluffy Scarves was into simple pattern work. So after a few false starts I decided on scarves and shawls. Thus was born "The George Family Book of Scarf and Shawl Patterns" (that's the title in my mind, nothing formal yet). In the works (with 3 published) are a collection of scarves/shawls designed with one of my mothers siblings in mind. I'll write more in another post about them.

This past November I was re-elected President of the local Guild

And because of a disagreement with a neighboring Home Owners Association, I'm STILL Secretary of my HOA.

I'm still working and teaching part time at Ewe Knit Kits & Yarn.

Bailey, my very large Chihuahua, turned 13 in December. He and I are both turning grey at the same rate, but he sleeps more.

And I bought myself a digital camera for all of the holidays I usually buy myself a gift (birthday, Christmas, etc.) Now I must figure out how to use it!

I'm not sure how I'll use the blog now. Putting up pictures sounds like fun. I don't think Bailey will appear in many though. He usually turns his head or puts his ears back when his picture is being taken which gives him an "I'm bored" look.

So, here I go. Back into the world of blogging.

Almost a year

It's been almost a year since I last posted. It was a quiet winter of knitting next to the fire, a quiet spring spent knitting on the patio, a quiet summer knitting in air conditioning and a busy fall knitting and designing and being President of a knitting guild.

As for my non-knitting life. I like not working for a big bank. I must watch my spending, but that's good for me. I still work a few days a week at Ewe Knit Kits and Yarn which pays for a few knitted related things. I've lost 25 pounds. I sleep all night. I've let my hair grow. I'm eating better. And I smile more often. I bought a new computer, moved to high speed cable. Bailey's more spoiled rotten, if that's possible.

So I plan on coming here more often now.

It's a knitting life

It's been 25 days of pure knitting bliss! I've knit 2 sweaters, started 2 others, finished a few small projects, taught knitting classes (group and private) and am on my way to a more relaxed way of life.

I've fallen in love with Knitting Pure and Simple patterns. I've finished one top down rolled neck raglan #9724, started a second and have plans and yarn for a 4th and 5th one.

The neck down jacket #201 out of Encore Colors is at the seamstress having a zipper installed (I know I know...I did pay attention to Bess at the retreat and did sew in a zipper on a little bag BUT I knew taking it down it Stacie the zipper would make it into the jacket this year!)

Also on the needles is the KP&S summer cardigan #221. I'm using Rowan Calmer in Powder Puff a very soft pink. It's like clouds in my hands.

Classes are going well. My KP&S class (see I told you I like those patterns) meets Tuesday nights. They're all doing a different top down pattern and coming along nicely. First sweaters for 3 of the ladies!

This Monday I begin the Beginning Knitting - Part 2 classes. It's a beginning class for those who know the knit/purl/caston/bindoff/simpleincreases and want to try a few more stitches. I've got ribbing, simple cables, knitting in the round, i-cords, more increases and decreases, gauge, and a few more techniques on the agenda.

KnittaPalooza is almost here. We've received several boxes from Trendsetter's filled with trunk show fashions...Beautiful things let me tell you! Lorna's Laces trunk show is on it's way. Books by all of our guest instructors are in stock...Lily Chin, Barry Klein, and Beth Brown-Reinsel (Knitting Traditions)).

I still have to finishe my homework for the Lily Chin Tips and Tricks class, decide if I want fish or chicken for Saturday night's dinner and fashion show, decide on the color of yarns for Beth's Latvian wrister's class and double check that I have all the needles. Whew! Glad there is a still a few weeks before the 11th!

Thank you for the encouragement Kim and Donna. I've been so busy in "retirement" that I haven't had time to think about my former life.

I been spending my time at Ewe Knit Kits and Yarn. Last Sunday we had a big blow out super duper sale (30%-50% off many items). We were slammed! It was fun and crazy and hectic all at the same time. There were 6 of us working, 4 behind the registers and 2 walking the floor. I'll bet there were not less than 10 customers in the store at one time all day. New and old knitters and and crocheter's stocking up on yarns, needles and books.

The yarn sellers got their chance too. I was able to grab enough Cotton/Wool in pale yellow and a more in marine blue for 2 sweaters.

As well as working more hours at Ewe Knit's, I'll be teaching more classes. I've scheduled Beginning Knitting Part 2, From the Top sweater, and How to Read a Pattern for the next 2 months.

Since I'm going to be spending more time at the store, I was thinking of writing a blog about the goings on there. I would have access to a camera and could post pictures of new yarns, etc. Would anyone be interested in reading it? Leave me a comment and let me know.

And don't forget about KnittaPalooza!

48 hours later

Went back into the office on Monday to turn in my pc, id badge, access key, etc. I was hugged and good wishes were offered by 3 of my peers, others turned their heads when they saw me. Was it because they didn't know what to say or were afraid if they looked at me I would bring bad luck?

Who knows.

What did and still does bother me is the reaction or should I say lack of reaction from my "bosses" My imediate boss took the "stuff" said thank you and walked out. Didn't wish me luck (good or bad) and mumbled a "bye" as she turned the corner. And her boss (who I reported to for a good year didn't call or email a message. And you know what...I EXPECTED IT! Wasn't surprised at all. My choice to get out was the right one.

I do know that I have slept well the past week. I'm still getting use to not running on a schedule. I need to remember to be spontaneous!

As for knitting..since this is a knitting blog....I finished the Knitting Pure and Simple top down so easy! that I started another KP&S pattern. A zippered sweater/jacket.

And I've worked a few more hours at Ewe Knit Kits and Yarn. And by the way...Sunday we'll be open from 11 - 4 with a "super" sale. I don't know what the sale will be so if you're in the neighborhood stop in.

Well off to do somthing else spontaneous!