Knitting connections from yarn-a-go-go: Thank you

This post is a thank you to yarn-a-go-go---without her the February 2008 knit-one-one calendar wouldn't be quite so full! Let me explain.

About 15 months ago I found the yarn-a-go-go blog and like so many of you I was immediately taken with her knitting prowess, her writing style and the general good person vibes that emanated from her. I decided to ask her if she would teach a class at knit-one-one. I asked her. She agreed. She taught. And she wowed us all. (No surprise there, I hear you all muttering)

Inconveniently for knit-one-one but very smartly for her, she decided to concentrate on her writing. But typical of yarn-a-go-go's kindness she didn't leave us in the lurch. She introduced me to Maia of Tactile Fiber Arts. (If you are an avid reader of the yarn-a-go-go blog, Maia is the knitter/spinner with whom Rachael went to Rhinebeack). One meeting, and many e-mails later, Spinning on the Drop Spindle class was hatched. Maia in turn introduced me to Brooke--and that duo will be team teaching the class. Lucky us.

The next introduction from yarn-a-go-go was to Kira of KiraK designs. Kira will soon be teaching the incredibly cute Cocoon Baby Sweater and in March she will be teaching her Sawtooth Skirt pattern. The Cocoon Baby Sweater was an immediate no-brainer for knit-one-one but yours truly had to be convinced that the more amply shaped woman--cough cough here---would be comfortable knitting and wearing the Sawtooth Skirt. Kira and I sat in Sweet Adeline Bakeshop and I kept saying ---pointing discreetly to various female patrons---could she wear it? What about her? And her? Kira convinced me. I agreed. She will be teaching the class in March.

And today I had heart palpitations of the most positive kind when I opened up my Amy Singer/knitty e-mail and there was another of Kira's glorious skirts as one of the winter surprises! Scroll down to the end of the patterns--it's called Bell Curve.

So thank you, thank you, thank you yarn-a-go-go for all the positive, kind, creative energy, and people you have directed to the knit-one-one fold. We are most appreciative.

bags, bags and more bags--- but do we have enough?

Last night I was dashing out the door to go to a friend's house for dinner. Of course I wanted to bring my knitting. I mean what self-respecting knitter ever leaves home without it? But I couldn't find a bag to put it in. Now , let me be clear. I have lots and lots of bags--- a blue bag, a red bag, an orange bag, a green bag, a Temescal bag---you get the idea---the house is over-run with bags. But here is the thing. You can never have enough bags. And you never seem to have the exact right bag when you need it. Right? So what to do? Make another bag? But of course.

See the blue bag with the red stripe in the pic? That bag belongs to my friend Tai. She and I are habitues of the Temescal Market. I never look for her. I look for her bag. And I can spot it and her many fruit stalls away (She was the one to tell me about the black cod----divine---buy it next time you go) And the grey and wine bag? The belongs to Janice. When I go to a party, I know immediately if she has arrived---by her bag. That's the thing about making your own bag. It's like a calling card---except that is way more fun and far more practical too.

So if you are feeling a little bag poor at the moment, join us this Saturday for
the Temescal Bag class---your knitting and your market treasures will be ever so happy to have another comfy place to nestle!

New knitted items: Of slippers, cosies and berets

Those of you who have taken classes at knit-one-one will recognize the slipper basket. And can you see those wonderful slippers right on top----they are so warm, lovable, cozy, comfortable---I could go on and on and on. Malheureusement the slippers are not atually mine---boo hoo. They are on loan from PUnkrawkpurl and Ms Carrie. Maybe after this post I will be able to keep them longer---tee hee. But the blue pair are Tammy's and she has worn them everyday for 2 years. According to her they were getting a little stretched out and skussy so she popped them in the washer and what came out was a new pair. (Well not new but they look new---honestly). The green pair belong to Ms Carrie who has been away for the last few weeks and very kindly left the slippers behind. These 2 lovely ladies will actually be teaching
class in how to make these fab items. And I of course would love to have a whole basket full of them for you knit-one-oners. Maybe if I give up work for a while I can crank out about 20 pairs---not......! But I can knit at least one pair and you can too!

The next knitted item at knit-one-one is my very own press pot cosy. Now who would have thought of making such a wonderfully whimsical item but our very own Speedy Needle Freeman. Of course she picked the colors to match the kitchen and it is perfect. And it keeps my coffee warm. And warm coffee keeps me happy!

The last knitted item is my beloved beret which I have worn every day since Dec 23---that was the day that Tammy presented me with this. It makes me feel ever so chic first thing in the morning when I walk the dog and trundle off to the pool. But the chicness is only one of its many attributes---it feels great, looks marvellous and is an all round winner. We will be offering a Beret class in Feb----the 16th and 23rd to be precise. Watch this space for more info!

poor blog: i am so sorry and thank yous in 2007

I really owe an apology to my boor blog because it definitely has been the neglected child for a while----I am so sorry blog. If I could take you to Sweet Adeline and give you a treat to make it better, I would!

2007 was a great year in so many ways. Knit-one-one really launched and because of that I was run off my feet, met loads of fabulous people, made terrific new friends and really got to know what a terrific community knitters are. When I wrote the business plan for knit-one-one, I wrote that I was attracted to the business because of the kindness, creativity and raucousness of the knitting community. My marketing instructor asked me to explain what I meant. I don't remember what I said at that time but I know what I can say now.

The web team: knit-one-one has been blessed by a fabulous web team----Emily and James. They not only make the site look great but also give encouragement to me when I wonder if having a knitting studio is really mad. They give me new ideas and never ever think that any request is too much. Thank you Emily and James.

The instructors: What a fabulous bunch of people. They make me laugh, keep me on track, feed me ideas, prop me up, act as my mentors and constantly make me glad I started knit-one-one. Thank you Kate, Kira,Tammy, Zoe, Jesse, Rachael, Petra, Elaine, Susan, Julie, Sonya, Carrie

The students: the knit-one-one classes have been filled with my friends, former colleagues and classmates, my swimming buddies, my fellow choristers, my knitting group members, my poodle rescue compatriots, with people I have met on the street, in the market, in the neighborhood and with people who were just names until they showed up to a class. Each student has added to the warmth and creativity of knit-one-one and I just love getting to know them all. Being involved in the lives of these knitters is really a treat. Thank you knit-one-oners.

The family and friends support team: of course knit-one-one has been buoyed by my family as they have celebrated and sympathized with me through the joys and vicissitudes of my first year as an entrepreneur. And the family has been joined by my circle of friends who have acted as advisors, number crunchers, namers, property viewers, hosts, party goers ===actually in fact the family and friends have pretty much done anything that was needed. Thank you!

Pattern people: at knit-one-one we have often asked the wonderful world of knitting designers if we could use their patterns. They have been uniformly gracious, kind and giving. Their generosity has added greatly to the creativity of our offerings. Thank you.

Knit-one-one has been greatly encouraged, welcomed and fed by Jennifer and the crew at Sweet Adeline and we have been extraordinarily well served by Reed at Rudy's Can't Fail Cafe.

My friend Susan G has often said that it is very risky thanking people publicly because you run the risk of inadvertently forgetting someone and therefore insulting that someone! So I apologize in advance if I have forgotten you.

2007 was a year in which to be really grateful. Thank you.