So Much Going On and So Much On My Mind

Hey, I'm finally having a few minutes to sit down and catch my breath. It's been a full schedule of coming and going, on the phone on the computer back out running the roads, work, knitting, selling my car, etc. It's been nuts. Then lets add a couple of things that have really been laying on my heart.

Giving. Sounds simple enough. But, it's something that I did a lot more of when I lived in Atlanta. I had more time then and could sit and knit all evening and make things to give aways. Now though my direction for giving is a little different. I don't have a single person or group in mind. I just know that I want to knit and donate when I knit. So I've been asking around to different churches, organizations and charity groups and found a couple that could REALLY use the help. One is a clinic for children and the other is a ministry for the homeless and especially our military that are homeless and living on the streets. Now, if any of you feel in your heart that you would like to join me in the outreach, please email me at knittingsatori@gmail.com. I know for a fact that right now the military homeless are in serious need of socks. Not just hand made, but bags of socks from like Hanes/Fruit of the Loom, etc. I have seen so many wonderful things happen when a person gives. I know I've experienced a few miracles when I've given that could take a whole blog post to talk about. But, really, if you would like to join me, I'd love to talk with you. The child's clinic is mostly looking for blankets, small hand knit or crocheted toys/animals, hats, scarves, mittens, things a long those lines.

One true thing about people in the hand craft community is that we are always ready to help another person, no matter where we are at in our lives. That is an amazing character for such a large group of people. I have seen knitter's and spinners, freely help and assist other's that they have never met face to face, just communicated with online. It's a great thing.

Another thing on my mind (and not so deep) is knitting related also,

Stitches South. I am so hoping that I can work things out financially so I can go. It's looking good right now. Meeting up with some of my knitting students from Atlanta would be so great. I miss them. I would also like to connect with some of the customers/Ravelry friends from Smoky Mountain Spinnery. I guess I need to come up with something that has my Ravelry name on it, so I can be recognized. Any suggestions? I'm even thinking about setting up a meeting time over by the concessions so we could all meet up for a little while.

Writing my bio. I am in a place where I have to write my bio. Let me tell you, I tried it last night and I'm not good at it. I sound pretty dull. I can blog, I can encourage and I can share from my heart and experience, but putting something together about myself in an exciting way. Well, not so much. If any of you have suggestions PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, let me know.

Buying a spinning wheel. This subject has come up many times on my blog. I guess it just wasn't the right time. But, I maybe able to in the next couple of weeks. I'm really praying that it works out. I've got it down to two, (which is great progress from me asking everyone about their wheels). Both are Schacht wheels, The Matchless is my dream wheel, every time I walk by the Matchless at the Spinnery, it calls my name. I love that wheel. My other choice is the Side Kick. What a cutie. It's of course compact, and more portable, spins well, and again the one at the Spinnery and I are on good terms. We like each other. :-)

So that's some of what's been going on. Before I go let me share one of the projects I have on my needles that I'm loving. It's the Agave Scarf, by Universal Yarns. (the link is to the Ravelry description to it) The pattern could be written a little different at first, but once you get it, OMG, you will love it. It's a great knit, easy to watch TV and do, and it's beautiful when finished. 

I'm off again. Out to do my running around for the day. Enjoy yourself, smile a lot, and knit often.

Pictures from Stitches South 2009 Atlanta

STITCHES South 2009 Atlanta

We had such a great time. We saw some beautiful yarn and talked to so many people. My daughter and one of my knitting students went with me and since it was our first time to Stitches we oogled over everything. LOL. I don't think that they had ever seen so much yarn in one place. ;-)

Well let me take you through the pictures.

This is a closeup of Tradewinds by Creataively Dyed Yarn. Color: Java. it's 100% superwash merino. 500 yards of beauty. You can find her on Ravelry also. Her user name is Creative, and she has a group. Here is her link. http://www.ravelry.com/groups/creatively-dyed.

Here's the full hank picture. I got the ball winder out this morning and while I had my morning coffee I got this all ready. Now I have to find the perfect pattern.

This is called Rick Rack by Interlacements. It's 1200 yards and hand dyed by Judy L. Ditmore. It's 100% Rayon which I've not used before, but they had a shawl made up in this and it was breath taking. So this is shawl bound.

This is the full shot of the yarn.

Break time with the goodies. Just behind were we were sitting was The Knit Witch's booth. I had a great time there.

On the way out Victoria wanted a picture by the socks. Though we got in a little trouble for it, we still got the shot. LOL. OOOOOPPPPPS!

This is my daughter Sara and me leaving. I didn't want to go. But my feet and wallet insisted. They just didn't seem to have a sense of humor.

And here are the "girls" Victoria and Sara. They had a ball. I am so glad that I had a little part in opening up more of the knitting world to them. They are great knitters and great women.

So that was our Market Day together.

Stitches 2009 and Ravelry

OMG, what a great time I had today at Stitches 2009 Atlanta. I had my daughter and one of my knitting students with me. It was great. I hope they enjoyed it as much as I did.

Not only did we see some of the most beautiful yarn, I got to talk to some of the ladies I know from different Ravelry groups I'm in. One of the fun things was watching the demo of the Knit One Below knitting. I got to meet the author, Elise Duvekot, and got her to sign my book. I am really excited about making the socks out of this book. I mentioned that I was a knitting teacher and she handed me a stack of the free patterns for the Knit One Below Scarf, to share with my students. She was extremely nice.

So right now I am working on pictures of the goodies I got, very soon I'll have them posted. Right now, my feet are up and I'm requesting a margarita.