Yarn-along: finished projects and the business of knitting
~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~ Ginny at small things
It’s done! Waiting for daylight so I can photo this one and get the design uploaded. This took about 815 yards of the fingering weight color-changing cotton from Wolle’s Yarn. I just love the way the colors fell in this design, Love Knittin’ in the Spring. Will post design ASAP.
I went with teen son and our exchange student to see The Monuments Men. Excellent movie … no “sex, drugs or rock’n’roll”, intellectual rather than violent, a story-line rather than all special effects. It helped that I had a no-brainer knitting project to keep me from getting “itchy”. I had actually started a skinny scarf but messed up about 10 minutes into the movie. So I ripped it out …. CO 120 sts in the round … and made the cowl you see here (which measures out 9 inches high x 18 inches around, unstretched). This yarn was from a swap on Ravelry that I moderated … the idea is from Stacey Trock’s “magic balls“, a great project for using up bits of yarn (my design, Color-filled Cabled Cowl, was made with one of these balls of yarn). The cowl, more like a gaiter, is k1p1 ribbing … so a very rhythmic, easy knit in the dark.
I continue to devour everything I can find on the business of knitting and increasing the bottom-line … the state of the economy (especially since dh is a Catholic high school teacher) means that I have to bring home more money but we really want me to be home, homeschooling the last two. My design/teaching/writing work allows me to do this … I just have to ratchet it up a notch or two. One of the things I desperately need is for dh to finish the studio so I have somewhere to put everything. It’s about half done and will be finished over spring break (but that’s not till April). So I keep reading and planning and reading some more. Jo Packham, the editor behind the excellent periodical, Where Women Create, has published two books which I am finding fascinating (ok, to be honest, I’m a tad envious over EVERY page in these books): Book of Inspiration: in the studio and behind the scenes with extraordinary women and Decorate Rich: creating a fabulous look for less. I also have her, Book of Organization: the art of creating order, on order and can’t wait to delve into that one. Packham has a great way of showcasing creative women who are “making a go” of their talents — how do they work, live, play, create. If you’re putting in a studio or other workspace (or you’re lucky enough to already have one), you really can’t go wrong with anything by Packham!
For read-alouds, we’ve jumped back into the Middle Ages (still doing the special unit on the Olympics but don’t want to forget all we learned about the Middle Ages so far) with a reading of The Boy Crusaders:a story of the days of Louis IX. The story is well-written and easy to get into … a tale about Louis of France and his crusade and two young English boys who decide to go (even though the King of England had banned anyone from participating in the French monarch’s crusade!).
So, what’s on your needles and reading table … wanna come play?
It’s so colorful!
Ice been following along as you try to expand your business. I’m not a knitting designer (yet) but I am also trying to merge into the world of business to help the family. Balance is key and the hardest to do.
That is so wonderful to get a studio!
Thanks Jenn. It’s hard because my generation is so very tied to being corporate and successful. I don’t want to be corporate but I sure would like to eke a living out of my God-given talents. Slow and steady wins the race …
Hugs and prayers,
mary G.
Wow, the poncho is gorgeous!
We saw Monuments Men on the weekend too. Really enjoyed it. I think about all that lost history while watching Colin’s war movies (history major). And that’s just thinking about the bomb damage. I wonder how much is still out there missing.
Knittin in the Spring is simply gorgeous! Good luck with your business – you will find your niche and it will take off.
Thank you, Donna! It’s nice to know when someone is in my corner!
Enjoy!
Mary G.
The colors on your poncho are simply gorgeous! I absolutely love it! I just finished reading The Monuments Men but haven’t seen the movie.
Beautiful poncho! I love the way the colors came out.
Thanks, Jennifer … I have the book on hold at the library but have to wait for others to finish first. It’s a pretty cool story, isn’t it?
Enjoy!
Mary G.
Thanks Cathie,
I’ve made a few things in Wolle’s and I think this is my favorite colorway … the blend is such fun (especially with all the dreary weather we’ve been having!)
Enjoy!
Mary G.
It’s hard hey, the balance thing and trying to know how to best use what we do have; I just finished reading Dave Ramesy’s book (Protestant finance guy) but when I was telling my husband about some of it (he understands these things much more than I) he said that a lot of the advice form the page I was talking about is no longer true as the economy tanked after the book was written (2003, 2007). So it is hard to know how and what to do in that regard. And to honour God, to do the best we can for our family; well… I guess in the end the prayer of ‘Our Father’ and ‘Give us our daily bread’ comes to mind. God will not leave us…
lovely knitting! I am still in the ‘baby stage’ of knitting but am finding it pleasant! 🙂
Elizabeth,
Thanks for stopping by. It is hard to balance things and the economy is so shaky right now. God will provide … just want to make sure I’m doing everything I can to do what He wants!
Holler if you ever need any help with your knitting … I love talking fiber!