Happy 2014!

It's been a little while since I've posted--I've been enjoying time with my children who are home from college, and have been putting regularly scheduled knitting projects on hold to make them some warm slippers to take back to school. Their friends are next. I really take a lot of pleasure in knitting for my kids and their friends--they appreciate the items and I feel like I'm enveloping them in love and warmth.

In perusing my Ravelry projects page, it looks like I completed 16 projects in 2013--including an afghan for my son to take to college, several scarves and cowls, and a sweater for my daughter. I also knit several projects that were sold in my Etsy shop, although I would have liked the number of projects sold to be higher than it was.

For 2014, I am committed to taking some Craftsy classes and hopefully the Craft Yarn Council Certified Instructors program so I can begin to realize my goal of incorporating knitting into my next career stage. I had hoped to take the leap in 2013, and to devote more time to preparing over the holidays, but it just hasn't happened yet. I'm not giving up--I'll use this forum to keep me on goal and I'm committed to reporting to you, my readers, about my progress. Help me stay motivated to realize my dream if you can!

Wishing a Happy, Healthy, productive and peaceful new year to all.

Activity!

Have been working hard on many fronts--my "day job," my personal knitting (I'm participating in the 2 KnitLit Chicks Poncho Comeback KAL; I'm making the Easy Folded Poncho pattern with the  that I bought a few weeks ago. Using luscious Juniper Moon Farm Herriott (100% alpaca). I've had several "false starts" until I think I arrived at the dimensions that will fit my small frame and the seed stitch edging that will keep me from going crazy with severely rolling edges.

Then, just got several new orders in my Etsy shop from a dear friend. I'm hoping this will be the start of a busy holiday season and maybe my "new direction" will be able to begin. Stay tuned.

Serious Knitting for A Cold Winter!

With both of my children at school in Michigan, I feel the need to keep them warm from afar. I am happy to report that I finished my daughter's sweater, the fabulous Estelle Pullover by Linden Down. I am going to wait until she comes home for Thanksgiving to block it--she may want it a little longer and perhaps a little wider (not so form-fitting). I have been trying it on as I go (thank goodness for Try-It-On-Tubing!) and it fits me great--I will probably make another one for me. We are almost the same size, so I think with a little blocking it will be perfect on her too.

The Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted is Superwash, so it should have a lot of give/growth during blocking.

Next up, in between a few Etsy shop orders I've gotten, is a nice warm scarf for my son, who is experiencing the Michigan winter for the first time (and it came early this year!). I found a great pattern in Cathy Carron's 60 Quick Knits, and I'm altering it to use bulky yarn, which I use almost exclusively for my shop items. We have a long car trip coming up this weekend, so I should be able to make good headway on that and have it ready for him for Thanksgiving too.

Nice to know that maternal instinct can be satisfied through knitting--I know they've always got a little bit of Mom's love wrapped around them.

Getting Serious

Last weekend was the trunk show at my daughter's sorority. While I only sold a few items in person, I did generate some interest in my Etsy site. I think if I had had more inventory there, I would have done better.

I'm determined to make my shop work! So today I took the plunge and signed up for some Google advertising as well as some promoted advertising on Etsy. We'll see what happens and I'll take it from there. Also posted the newest item that I sold at the trunk show, knit in a few days this week and sent off this morning.

I'm liking the colorful backgrounds. One of the things on my list is a photography class, perhaps this one offered on Craftsy.com.

I'm looking forward to documenting my journey as an independent crafter here on my blog--come along for the ride (and all suggestions welcome!

Getting Ready for the Trunk Show!

Next weekend I'll be testing the waters for my online business, SchoolSpirit Knits on Etsy, at my daughter's sorority trunk show at the University of Michigan. I worked on photographing some of my new knits today and posted them on a variety of social media. What do you think?