Friday, December 23, 2011

A Chinese Xmas with A Side of Twisted Loop

Only a few days before Christmas. It's amazing how time flies. Yes I still have a few last minute projects but of course it's nothing like previous years. Maybe that it's the fact that I enjoy sleeping when I can now (to a certain extent), or that I would like to be able to enjoy knitting after Christmas rather than having to take 4 months off to recover. This year's celebration is a bit laid back which is nice to know. The huge celebrations are fun occasionally but being put into a drunken stooper from all the food, people, and exhaustion after the fact isn't my idea of fun. This year for instance we are going to dinner with Max's parents on Christmas eve and my parents are coming over for Chinese food on Christmas afternoon. Pajama's are optional but highly encouraged.
Since August I have been teaching and helping out at one of the local yarn shops. Most knitters never see the inner workings of a yarn shop and so I see it as a unique adventure that has taught me so much. Fixing issues and showing knitters that knitting a hat backwards really doesn't work has actually helped my own knitting as well. I have to admit teaching is my absolute favorite part. Seeing a student's face when that light bulb moment occurs makes it all worth it. Starting in just a few weeks there is a total of 9 classes I have going on to help pay for the upcoming knitting retreat in Canada! While I know some people would say that it's Canada.... not Italy, or somewhere across the ocean, I am still excited because it will be my first time to physically be outside of the country. Oh yeah, and I have to get a passport... wooooo hooo! I am already practicing the Canadian anthem so I can start singing it the second we cross the border. This is big people, very big. My great friend Judith and I are going to Tophino at Middle Beach Lodge Resort for a knitting retreat with knitwear designer Amy Swenson. Check out the pics here...http://www.middlebeach.com/. I started drooling the second I saw it and it's an amazing deal compared to some knitting retreats that are in the thousands just for the classes. So in the mean time I must teach, teach, and teach again to save up money to head north.

One of the many things on my list of to-do's this upcoming year is finally get more of my patterns down on paper to sell. It's a whole different mindset to go from knitting it to actually having to write it. Luckily with being apart of the yarn shop I now have a great source to sell my patterns through. Plus I am working on getting them online but the site didn't want to cooperate with me tonight. Here is the first of many for anyone and everyone that would like to take a look. The next step is to print it and have it in the store as a hard copy. Here is the link for the pattern.... Twisted Loop Cowl. Hopefully there are more to come.


Finally a quick note to my husband, Max. I just don't know what I would do without you. Thank you for being next to me during the hard times with a hug and a kiss telling me all with be alright. You do so much without question and telling you thank you will never be enough. I love you!

Happy holidays to all my friends and family!

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Ovate shawl #2


Ovate shawl #2
Originally uploaded by maxandlindsey

Ovate shawl #2 blocking right now

Ovate shawl #1


Ovate shawl #1
Originally uploaded by maxandlindsey

Ovate shawl #1 blocking as we speak