Wednesday, January 25, 2012

YARN ALONG

"Now, let us all take a
deep breath, and forge
on into the future;
knitting at the ready."

~ Elizabeth Zimmermann


Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Joining with Ginny

I finally decided I was done
with excuses and cast on
my abigail cardi using
tern yarn  in barnacle.
I have learned how to do a
new stitch, purl front/back
and with my Addi lace needles
I am moving along at
a good speed.

As many of you know my
daughter and her family
will be moving this coming
summer. Usually I spend
most of my time with my
three year old granddaughter
so I have been feeling a
little sorry for myself.
I gave myself a little talking
to and have come up with a
plan, a knitting plan. I have
decided I want to become a
Master Knitter! I know I
have only been knitting less
than two years, but I feel it's
important to have goals and
this is a goal I really want.
I still have a lot to learn, but
with a good plan and a lot of
practice it's doable! I just
A Master Class for Knitters
which I think will be a big
help in me reaching this
goal. Does anyone else
what to join in?

What have you been reading
and knitting this week?


  

46 comments:

  1. Good luck on becoming a master knitter :) I think having goals is an excellent way to keep enjoying and progressing with knitting!

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  2. Wow! Good luck. I only found out recently there was such a thing as a master knitter. Sounds grand and regal and all things good. Love the Abigail, too. I recently received a Quince gift voucher and I'm so indecisive about what I'll make with it!

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  3. I thought you already were a master knitter?!?! I am so sad that your daughter and sidekick are moving. That is not fun at all. You will have to plan frequent trips to visit each other and do not forget skype!!!

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  4. Finishing school looks AMAZING - I'm thoroughly intrigued and look forward to your thought on it in the future. Master knitter - what better job description could there be?!?!? MARVELOUS!

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  5. Wow, how exciting for you! Lots of luck with the master knitting!

    *hug* I can't imagine how you're feeling about your daughter and her family moving this summer.

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  6. yay! What a perfect plan and goal. I'm getting restless with all three stitches I'm capable of- I need to seriously start pushing on my knitting skills. Summer tends to be when I knit the most (which seems backwards now that I think about it. I guess I just like knitting around the camp fire or out by the lake).

    sorry to hear about your daughter and her family moving away.
    but I love how God uses moments like these as a vacuum, pulling something into your life that wasn't there before. Knitting adventures, new friends, another hobby, whatever it may be. :)

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  7. A Master Knitter, so THAT's what the top level of knitting is! And good on you, focusing on such a goal. That yarn is gorgeous, and has a lovely name no less.

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  8. It is good to have goals, and this is a lovely goal. I'm sorry to hear about the changes you will soon face with your granddaughter not visiting as often. But then those times together will seem even more special.

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  9. I completely want that master knitter book. Let me know if it is beneficial for you. I have always had trouble tying in my ends neatly...

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  10. I totally understand how you feel about the prospect of being a long-distant Grandma. I'm one to 5 of my grandchildren, and it's most definitely different than with the two who are here in town. But it's still wonderful. And when we visit--it's like we were never apart. And the visits are very very very special to them (and me!!!!).

    When I had the shop, I felt that the master knitters program was something I should do. I completed part one, did part two, but they changed the requirements of it between the time I got my "package" and when I turned it in about 6 months later. I was a bit sad that they wanted me to totally redo the entire thing--and about the same time we sold the shop--and I just never got back to it. It's really a wonderful way, though, to really KNOW your knitting. You look at your stitches a bit differently, you are more confident of pattern directions--and when you can make some technical changes to a pattern to make it even better. I'll be your most ardent cheerleader!!!!!!

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  11. Can't wait to hear and see how the book works out for you. I only started to knit last Spring prior to that I knitted a tiny bit at age 5 but not enough to really learn the skill well. Good luck!

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  12. I have Finishing School on my library list also... it looks like such a great book. Definitely let me know what you think!

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  13. My niece is about the same age as your grand-daughter and is very close to my mom. I think my mom would feel just as sad as you are. (((HUGS)))

    I think becoming a master knitter is a great goal and I wish you the best of luck.

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  14. Very best wishes with your Master's class! I cast on for a new cardigan too (Sawtelle)...funny as it doesn't even seem like winter here in WV...and it's in a charcoal grey too...

    Have a lovely day!

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  15. Those books look like lots of fun! I have a few friends who are Master Knitters and they all enjoyed the process. Best of luck to you!

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  16. I am sorry your folks will be moving. That is always hard, but good for you for forging ahead. Imagine all of the lovely handmades you will make for them. I saw that book. Please let us know how you like it.
    Congrats on the new stitch! It always feels wonderful to add another skill and one that brings so much pleasure.
    xo,
    ang

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  17. Love the tern colorway. Kudos on new skills. I have toyed with the idea of Master Knitter. I seem to be the go-to person for my friends' questions. I may need to check out that link. So sorry about your daughter and grand-daughter. Facetime and skype until you see each other face to face.

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  18. I think goals are a must, so rock on Master Knitter!!

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  19. that's great plan! I want to learn lots of new knitting stitches this year because I only know 2 or 3 now... :) good luck with your project and also with your goal! and thanks for stopping by and commenting on my blog :)

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  20. great plan! are you planning to become a master knitter through knitting guild of america?

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  21. Tracey,

    I am sorry about your daughter moving..can't she leave your grandaughter behind..smile..

    Good for you for taking the Masters in Knitting class...I am not even close to be ready to start that....but I will keep it on my mind. Please keep us in the loop in how you are doing.

    This weather we have been having has been keeping me feeling blue...my husband has thought some bright and cheery paint was what the doctor would order...so now our home is a wreck and there has been a lot of painting getting done....can't wait to see the color you choose for your living room.


    ~~Renee

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  22. Pretty great goal if you ask me. The abigal cardi is going to be beautiful in that color!

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  23. good luck with your course, it sounds really good! I really love the colour of the yarn you are using :)

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  24. Good luck on becoming a Master Knitter. What a great goal!

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    1. Tracey...you will be a fantastic Master Knitter! I think that is a fantastic goal in light of your granddaughter moving away. The cardi looks great, too!

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  25. I am just trying to be able to knit mittens at this point so I thing that is a bit out of my realm...but in my sights for the future! I will enjoy watching your progress and what you knit along the way! So impressive and inspiring that you can teach yourself. I just ordered the book that Ginny from Small things suggests new knitters get and it should arrive today, so I hope that is of help to me! Good luck!

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  26. i have nikkis book too tracey!

    its so hard to think on the sad part of this post, i'm sending hugs to you my friend.

    i love your plan (and confidence and bravery) you are already on your way to being a master knitter. you are a natural and will be brilliant, i'm sure.

    i recieved my teachers certificate through the craft and yarn council of america, i think they offer the master knitters program too. i would love to join you, although i feel i'm turning into a lazy knitter. i'm so enjoying unchallenging myself. hee hee. but i will be here cheering you too. steph and i jumping up and down!
    xxx

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  27. I'm doing the Master Knitting course, too and think you will really enjoy it. Be prepared - lots of research! I feel for you with your daughter moving away. My first-born daughter lives far away and is pregnant with her first, and my first grandchild. I moved away and took my mom's grandchildren from her and now feel that pain she must have felt. Ah well..... such is life in this century! The finishing book sounds interesting! Joining you today on a Yarn Along....

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  28. I love the quote at the top Tracey.

    I've been looking at the jumpers over at Quince yarn too...after making lots of Christmas presents for everyone else I'm dying to make something for myself...silly but I feel guilty...

    It's so hard when your family move away but I'm so glad we now have the technology to keep in touch all the time.

    Good luck with your plan...

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  29. You've got me curious. I wonder what constitutes a master knitter. Oh, now I'm going to have to find out!

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  30. oh hmmhh the abigail cardigan looks good!;) and this brown yarn..beautiful! I wish that everything turns into what you wish and want to reach, I am sure everybody can reach his dreams no matter if big or small..
    JenMuna

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  31. That yarn has such wonderful texture!

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  32. What a wonderful goal! I can't wait to follow along on your journey!

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  33. Oh, what a good (and fun) goal! I hope you teach us along the way! How do you find that book? I sometimes wonder how many things I do incorrectly (especially when weaving in ends...). I've been eyeing "Things to Make and Do" for a while. Such a lovely book! :)

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  34. What a fun goal, good luck! I am sure you will be sharing your journey with us and I look forward to that.

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  35. Wow, I didn't know there was such a thing as a Master Knitter. How neat! What a great goal.

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  36. Master knitter? Really? O.K. ;)

    Please keep us posted on how the book feels to you. It sounds wonderful and I'm curious to know if it's friendly (in a masterly kind of way of course).

    Blessings, Debbie

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  37. Oh you will be a terrific master knitter Tracey!!! Congrats on your goal!! And I am sorry about the moving. Being on the other side, I have many heavy feelings about this too. Maybe all this means is that you will be traveling south more often :). Hugs my friend....
    xoxo

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  38. Wow! That'll keep you busy.. are they moving far away? I'm sure you'll miss them all dearly, but to have big goals to work towards will definitely help, I'd say!

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  39. Good luck to you on the Master Knitting goal! That's something I aspire to one day. It should definitely keep you busy.

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  40. I love the goal, and that book likes well worth the read. I might have to pick that up in the coming days.

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  41. I love the look of the new stitch! It is hard not to be real close to a daughter and her children but the times they come to stay are really wonderful and skype helps.

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  42. Sorry about your grand daughter moving away but congrats on the decision to become a Master Knitter! I thought about it a few years ago but it seemed like so much work ...

    That book looks really good!

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  43. What a great goal! I've only been knitting for a year, but I love learning new knitting techniques.

    That's a lovely color for the Abigail cardigan. I've been wanting to try Tern because I've loved Chickadee and Lark so much.

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  44. This book intrigues me.
    Looked for it via our local library catalog
    no luck there
    Barnes & Noble does list the hardcover version
    I'll pop over to their store for a look-see

    However, Tracey, I have yet to knit a 'real' sweater
    I'm not counting the Shawlom 'cardi' as a REAL SWEATER

    but am always interested in improving my knitting.

    I ♥ knitting.

    woolly hugs

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  45. p.s.
    Tracey, there is always a video chat option to seeing family that is afar

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