Knitting & Crochet

Posted by Renee Blixt

It may be summer, but in knit time, Xmas is just around the corner. Now is a great time to start planning for all those Xmas gifts you want to make this year.

Give yourself a break and at least think about some options:

Christmas Eve Quick Knit & Crochet

Knitting Lessons for Christmas

Stocking Stuffers

Posted by Renee Blixt

First of all, thanks to everyone who sent me their warm well-wishes for a speedy recovery. It's going slowly, but productively. In another couple of months, I should be fairly back to normal.

That brings me to the subject at hand; my secret stash is no longer a secret.

I was at PT all week. Meanwhile, my husband has taken on the project of re-sanding all our wood flooring and installing it in the rooms that did not yet have it. Every closet had to be emptied.

Every closet.

And I wasn't there to protect myself.

So, it happened. A closet was emptied, the yarn stash starting rolling out and it kept on rolling. Then, there was the next closet...

Now, my dear, sweet husband (who I'm sure is reading this!) knew about my yarn...issues. OK, so he calls it yarn...problems. To-may-to, to-mah-to. But I'm pretty sure he didn't know the extent of it. When he cleaned out our bedroom closet, he sure found out. I truly can open my own LYS.

I didn't even remember there was so much. There are whole boxes filled with the same dye-lot yarn--maybe 5 or 6 boxes. Alright, maybe 25 or 26. The point is, I have a lot of yarn, but I actually forgot about it over time.

Ergo, in honor of my loving, understanding husband who would never ask me to get rid of my yarn, I'm asking all of you to check your yarn stash. See how it's doing. Please help the yarn fulfill its destiny. Here are some articles to help you out:

Knit or Crochet Leftover Materials

Crochet Stocking Stuffers

Scrap Knit a Stash Scarf

Good Luck!

Posted by Renee Blixt

Well, it seems as if I'm on my way back to physical therapy. I was there back in March, and (I will not mince words!) it was hell.

Let me explain a bit. I was hit by a mini-van about 7 years ago. I was not in a car at all. I was hit as a pedestrian in downtown Chicago, at lunchtime in front of many, many people--some of which I knew. And, it happened right in front of a cop. Luckily, I did walk away, albeit painfully. My neck was hurt especially, but really my entire left side felt horrid.

They never caught the guy.

The luck I'm about to describe is almost too awful to believe, but it's true. I went to PT a couple of months ago for my neck. I got through it, and I learned a lot. I felt so much better!

So why go back?

Because my lower back has three herniated disks, and it's their turn to throw a tantrum. The pain shoots down my leg and back up to my neck--again! Now, it's causing migraines on the left side of my head and searing pain down my left arm.

I'm really not sharing this to complain; far worse things could have happened. I just wanted to let you know what's going on. I'll get through it--I did once already!

This time, however, I can't fall back on my crafts, as my left arm is screaming. Guess I’ll just have to find the knitters/crocheters and talk about it, instead. :o)

Posted by Renee Blixt

Reminder--Deadline for 2008 Design Contest is Approaching!

The CGOA called for entries last year to what they hope will grow and become an annual CGOA Design Contest. This contest is open to CGOA members, only.

Rules are simple, and this inaugural year, they are not asking for written instructions. Entry is open to all members.

Judging will take place at CGOA's annual conference in Manchester, NH, July 23 - 27, 2008. Items will be displayed on the Show floor. Winners will be announced and prizes awarded on Thursday night, July 24, 2008 during the Key Note address. Deadline for entries is June 15, 2008.

Good luck!

Posted by Renee Blixt

I love fishnet stockings.



Let me rephrase. I love wearing fishnet stockings. Okay, actually that was awhile back. In an attempt to be considerate of others, I don’t wear them anymore. No one wants to see that.



I never did like nylons. They itch. They’re unbearably hot. They’re not machine- washable. They cost $24.00 per pair and get runs in them within 15 minutes of putting them on. They give legs an unnatural tan. They bag with wear and contribute to elephant calves. They are extremely difficult to maneuver in the ladies’ room. They add a filmy, scratchy layer of skin to their wearer. And, truth be told, unless you get the expensive ones, they just look funny.



So, because of the aforementioned issues, I was drawn to fishnets—not necessarily because of how they looked, but because of how easy they were to wear. They’re comfortable as well as a bit sturdier. They breathe.



I’m not talking solely about the type that most of us are familiar with (black with holes about the size of a quarter.) Fishnets are now available with smaller netting in all the colors imaginable. Contrary to popular belief, they don’t have to look “cheap.” A light beige pair made up of smaller holes can look perfectly business-like; gray stockings of the like are timelessly elegant.



Recently, I came across a lovely crochet book, and I featured it in an article. It’s got all types of wonderful patterns, but one in particular caught my eye. You guessed it—crochet stockings. These are NOT socks; they are feminine fishnets. They’re pretty, they’re practical, and they’re gorgeous enough to make me think about wearing them again.



Relax--it was just a thought. *smile*

Posted by Renee Blixt

How many of us learned how to knit or crochet (or both!) from our mothers or grandmothers?



My grandma taught me how to cross-stitch when I was 8 years old. My very first project was a tote bag made to carry all my hoops and threads. She thought so very much of it.



I found that bag a couple of days ago. It really wasn’t very good, but I sure do think a lot of her for not saying so and thereby encouraging me to keep going.



This Mother’s Day, I encourage all knitters, crocheters, embroiderers, seamstresses, and crafters to recognize the teacher in their mothers. They were the ones who taught us so many “firsts.”



If you yourself are a mother, take this Mother’s Day to teach your daughters or sons the craft you most love. It’s most definitely a win-win situation.



Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms, moms-to-be, and to those women who are like moms to others. Thanks for all you do!

Posted by Renee Blixt

Greetings Dear Readers,



I’ve just completed the Physical Therapy Program I started weeks ago. It was…very…intense. Wow. I must admit that I’m glad it’s over, but I did meet a bunch of fantastic people that I won’t soon forget. They made me laugh when we should probably have been crying, and I know that they kept me sane at times. Yes, it was very, very tough. But I wouldn’t trade the experience or my new friendships away.



In addition to making so many new friends, I learned a lot about myself, as well as my injury. I needed to learn to cope with it, to manage it, and to live with it.



So, I suppose the question may be—Have I? Have I learned how?



Well, I certainly was taught skills that will allow me to be proactive against the injury I sustained a while back. And, I’ve established some lifestyle changes that will be of great assistance. I am also more educated than ever before about dealing with pain.



But, most importantly, I met people that were inspirational in the way they lived their lives. If I can do things the way they do, and have the terrific attitude that is displayed by them all the time, then I’ll be okay.



Yes, I have learned how.



Thanks everyone! And now, back to our regularly scheduled programming… :o)

Posted by Renee Blixt

Hello Dear Readers,

This week, I started an intensive physical therapy program to address an old injury that refuses to be ignored any longer. While I've been able to take my knitting with me, I haven't been able to keep in touch with you--hence, the purpose of this blog.

My writing has slowed considerably for now, but I'm not going anywhere. I want to thank all of you for your patience and for your warm wishes. This is the hardest thing I've ever personally taken on...well, maybe it's not fair isle, but you get the picture.

The response I get when I take knitting out of my bag is absolutely amazing--on the rare occassion at therapy where I'm not lying broken on the floor or crying. :o) There are SO MANY knitters and crocheters EVERYWHERE! It's an instant bonding moment when they come on over to talk about yarn, as well as everything else under the sun.

Lesson learned? Sure thing. No matter where I go or what I do, knitters and crocheters are there for me. Thank you for that.

Posted by Renee Blixt

I've mentioned before how much I love one of the perks of writing--meeting people in the industry. It never gets old. Not even when it happens twice in one week.



This week, I not only got introduced to a fun new game and a whole new product in the crafting industry, but I got to meet its creator—Hannah Braun-Ellen.



Hannah, who is a very gracious and sincerely nice person, sent me her “Bead Trade” game. My friends and I played it last weekend, and we had a blast.



We played it “poker-style,” because that’s the type of game this particular gang likes. Although I lost, it was worth it because we had so much fun.

This is just a little thank you note to her. It's also an invitation to visit Hannah’s site.



Thanks, Hannah! It was so very nice meeting you!

Posted by Renee Blixt

I've mentioned before how much I love one of the perks of writing--meeting people in the industry. This week, I not only got to know one of my favorite websites very, very well, but I had an excellent tour guide. Her name is Angela Modzelewski.

I contacted her at KnitPicks.com to get permission to review their website and some of their products. She was very gracious and made sure that I had what I needed to complete a good review.

This is just a little thank you note to her. It's also an invitation to visit Knit Picks, and in particular, Angela.

Thanks, Angela! It was nice meeting you.