When can I knit?

It seems like time is speeding up.  Doesn't it?  I  managed Marriott hotels and I was a General Manager for the last ten years.  Now, I'm a college student.  I became disabled a couple years ago, but I decided that I am determined to get back to work.  I wanted to do something that could really make a difference.  I wanted to touch peoples lives on a deeper level.  So I decided to become a Psychologist.  It is my dream to get well and be able to go back to work.  I want to make my time count.  I want to make every day count.  Going back to school has been very rough on me.  My health challenges continue to place limits on my energy level and I fight like hell to make the grade.  I was thinking this morning about how fighting illness and trying to go to school at the same time might be similar to, let's say, being a Mother, Father, working full time with children, or single and working two jobs etc...  We all have something in common, time is short, and we are only human.  For those of us who enjoy knitting and other crafts, it is often hard to fit our hobbies into our schedule.  Do you ever find that just when you get a chance to rest, you don't feel like knitting or when you want to knit, you don't have the time?  I do!  I don't have a group of followers on my blog yet, but if I did I would want to know how they do it.  How do you fit your knitting and crafting time into your busy schedule?  I struggle, I try to set aside time for my knitting projects, but many times I am interrupted.  In the past I've become frustrated and have put aside projects for months at a time because I can't seem to make progress.  I try and push knitting into my schedule wherever I can.  I would certainly be interested to hear how other people fit their own knitting or hobbies into their lives.  Trying to strike that balance today between life and craft.  I'll get there, someday!  Best Wishes!  -Bill

Winter Coping Skills

Everyone I know has a way of filling their free time during the many months of dark, rainy, snowy, cold we are beginning to embark on here in Spokane, WA.  For instance, Mt. Spokane is great for snowboarding, skiing, or just hanging out and taking in the sights.  Then there's league night at Lilac lanes! You could certainly make a healthy habit out of attending every Chief's game.  Go Chiefs!Or, you may choose to experience a delicious meal at one of the many great dinning spots here in Spokane.  You could fly south for the winter with the rest of the "snow birds."  You could make use of the downtown nightlife, have a few too many and end up experiencing yet another of Spokane's attractions, It's local cabs.  I say that jokingly because I often wish I could have seen the day when crowded Spokane streets bustled with street cars, horses, and model T's.  It seems, these days, that Spokane could use a little glitz and glamour of it's glory days.  So while the Mayor and Mr. Worthy work on that, the rest of us have to find a way to bring a little glamour into our own lives.  Never is this more important than in winter.  I believe that what winter lacks in color, even though I love the tremendous white sheen of an early morning snow, knitting, crafting, and crocheting are what brings us glory, glamour, and beauty during these long winter months.  It's ok if you have 10 projects you've started and not quite finished yet.  So do I!  Think of what it means to learn, practice, and pass down a skill to your children and loved ones that will last them a lifetime.  This is certainly the time of year where many knitting needles, crochet hooks, sewing machines, glue guns, and first aid kits come out of their closets. But don't neglect your creative side this year.  No matter what you do to fill your free time this winter, remember, every culture throughout time has had one thing in common; it's ability to create and to beautify the lives of other's itself and others.  Let's take a lesson from our early ancestors, never stop creating!  Keep this winter season alive by sharing your craft(s) with your family and loved ones.  For me, this is the essence of how and why I endure these long cold winters up here and don't run screaming back to Miami.  The essence of creativity and the spirit of giving.  Whatever your crafty endeavors, I wish you all the best!

My Stash!

I have some really great projects in the works.  I've been busy building my stash.  I'm super happy with the little area I've created.  I like to refer to it as my knitting studio :)

Wrapping up 2013 and looking forward to a new year!

Well, My St Ciaran Shawl has been temporarily put on hold while I am finishing my Men's Zip Neck Pullover, and the Aran Island mittens for my Grandmother.  Even though I first learned how to knit 30 years ago, It wasn't until this last year that I became a heavy, daily knitter.  My stash has now taken over my spare room and my project que continues to grow.  I find with knitting that bravery comes with time.  I've also learned the hard way never to think you know it all.  Last January I knitted the "Marshal" sport pullover in 100% Baby Alpaca. I didn't think much of having to decrease the space between my increases while knitting the arm in order to get all my increases in before the arm was done!  Ok, so I clearly had a problem right from the get go.  But, I thought, I can fix it, I'll just spritz the damn thing when it's done.  Wrong!  Alpaca should come with a warning label that reads something like this, "WARNING, if you do not block your swatch, you will cry many tears."  So lesson learned, humility is key.  When we think we know it all, we stop learning.  2013 has been a great year and I've learned so much about knitting.  At one time (I can't believe I'm telling you this) I used to seam my knitted sweaters from the wrong side, sometimes even using a single crochet!  Well, when I first learned how to knit, there was no internet of course, I did not know anybody else who knitted, and I was a self taught knitter with a couple of beginner's books and no mentor.  I could go on.....  So here's to 2014, and may I continue to grow as a knitter and (future knitwear designer!)