Click on the menu items above (or down here) and check out what I’ve got going for you …

My Thinking Spot – just so you know just what I’m designing/knitting … thinking about … reading about … learning about. This is the main point of my site … to update you on me and mine
My Knitting Credentials - or how YOU know I know what I’m talking about ….
My Hand-knits Design – everything from baby items to menswear to gorgeous sweaters and home accessories … all designed by hand, with love from me
Books You Might Enjoy books on knitting and non-knitting subjects that I’ve really enjoyed … or not … with lots of my often very candid reactions for your reading delectation
Design Tools of the Hand-knits Designer Trade — notes on how I do what I do … what resources I use and recommend … or even just what I have on the needles or in my head right now

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And now a bit about me and mine …

I grew up in the San Francisco of the 60s and 70s.  Most of my teachers in parochial school were closet hippies so we were always doing creative things — macrame, recyclable crafts, and lots of needlework.  My mom was big on and crafts and of her seven children, I inherited this “gene” the most (altho I do have a brother who is a phenomenal graphic artist).  She was a great enabler, helping me to buy the latest McCall’s Needlework & Craftsmagazine … or the issue ofWoman’s Day with knitting and crocheting from the Partridge Family.

At about the age of 8, I taught myself to knit — sneaking under my older sister’s bed, absconding with her knitting and knitting away on her piece, learning as I went.  Before she came back in the room, I’d pull out what I’d knit and she was never the wiser!

Until, one day she found out…

Mom split us up and took me to the store to get yarn (acrylic … cheap but effective), needles and the book – Knitting Without Tears.  After reading, and re-reading, and re-reading … I was hooked!  I began designing at the age of 12 and haven’t looked back since.

I currently have published designs in a few books (see the “my knitting books” sidebar), magazines, online e-zines, and online websites.  I have a Ravelry store-front, where I sell pdfs of many of my designs.

Why By Hand, With Heart? I’m a strong proponent of hand-knitting. Altho I see the benefit of machine knitting, my focus is on using my hands to create what’s in my heart. Each of my designs is made for someone — someone I know and love or someone who is loved by the person knitting up my designs. I pour myself into each of my designs … sharing a bit of my heart with your hands. This is serious to me … this is part of me … this is what I do.

In addition to knitting … knitting … reading ABOUT knitting … and knitting some more, I am a free-lance writer and (in my copious free time) I homeschool my three youngest children — known as Hambone (13), Kit (12), and HotRod (9-1/2).  My dh is a Catholic high school teacher (theology, philosophy and head of the science department).  We are a blended family (I was widowed) and we have 5 older kiddoes who we don’t see often enough, but who are always in our thoughts and prayers.

Won’t you join me on this adventure into loving, living, learning (and of course, knitting) in the heart of my home?