Closing of The Gifted Purl and visit to Lorna's Laces

I was kind of sad when Mollie closed The Gifted Purl even though I knew she was having problems physically and was unable to keep up the shop. I have however started classes at Kathleen's house and in many ways this is a much better situation. Kathleen is truly a master knitter and teaches knitting at a local school through the park district and the Thursday night class at her home is flourishing. Right now I am in the process of learning to make socks, which is vey difficult! The other positive thing is that I can now buy yarn from other sources without feeling guilty! Kathleen was invited to bring her students to a tour of Lorna's Laces, an independant yarn manufacturer in Ravenswood, IL just outside of Chicago by a group from Jean Ann's (sp?) in Barrington, sow we all met up at the Caribou Coffee on Rte. 59 yesterday and went on the tour. It was so much fun! The owner of Lorna's (not Lorna) showed us the different types of yarn they make and then demonstrated how they hand dye the yarn. We did not get to see how it is spun, which was a little disappointing. Afterwards we all purchased some discounted seconds yarn. We then went to lunch at Chicago Pizza just about two blocks away and had a good lunch. Then after lunch we headed over to One Knit Shop and checked out what they had. It is a tiny store and they sell expensive yarns. I bought an Elizabeth Zimmerman book and some needles. At church last night, Pastor Bill Hybels spoke again about the importance of tithing and giving the best you have to God, which reminded me that I have to start working on my budget again. My goal is to get my side business going and 10% of all profit is to go to the church's community center. I have anther order for a scarf and told Karen (from work) that the total cost would be $22, $11 for the yarn and $11 profit, so $1 goes to church. I'm also selling stuff on Ebay of which 10% goes to Willow.

2011 Blizzard!

We have about 2 ft. of snow at this point (10:30 am), on Wed. 2/2/11. Needless to say, I am stuck at home! This will allow me some time to catch up on reading, knitting, and cleaning the house, and maybe doing my taxes. I have been reading Nora Murphy's ``Knitting the Threads of Time Casting Back to the Heart of Our Craft''. She is a very eloquent writer, knitting in her personal life experiences with the history of knitting. It is truly a lovely read! Since I have finished projects, I may start the next ones: socks and a sweater vest for myself! I am also in the process of decluttering my condo and have placed items for sale on ebay under my other Username: fightingirishlass. Check it out!

Just finished!

I finished two of these projects yesterday: the neck warmer and the yarn necklace. The mittens were left over from a Christmas order. I am keeping the neck warmer and have placed the other two items along with the mobius scarf up for sale at Kuna's Hair Salon in Schaumburg, IL! I sure hope they sell!

Mobieus Scarf and Christmas orders

I am so glad to have internet access again! I have been so busy having had three orders for hats, mittens and scarves! In fact, I still have to redo a pair of mittens as they were too small for the recipient. I also just completed a mobieus scarf which I have posted for sale on Etsy.com. I completed a mobieus as well as a hat for a coworker for Christmas as I had drawn her name and she wanted a hat and scarf. I will try to keep thisblog updated as possible. I am also knitting myself some socks. The Gifted Purl is closing this week and I'm not sure how I feel about that. I am planning on taking classes with Kathleen at her house. She's planning on starting in February.

website

My  new website is: https://sites.google.com/site/hookedandpurled/

Busy, Busy, Busy!

I have started the Christmas orders ( I have three for hats, mittens and scarves for two toddlers and a teenager -all girls). I decided to start with the toddlers' hats, and am almost half way through the first one. I really have to be diligent in order to finish these by the deadline!

At work we do a Secret Santa thing, where we write down things we want/need that are under $10 along with our name. I drew a coworker who wants a hat, mittens, scarf or socks, but I am not sure if I will be able to make these items by our Christmas dinner on 12/16/10 (not sure of exact date).  May have to buy her something.

I have a friend who is going to help me promote my business/website after Thanksgiving so hopefully I will soon be able to start posting stuff for sale.

I am almost finished with my scarf! Have just a wee bit more to do on it!

Hats, mittens and scarves Oh My!

I have been very busy trying to complete my hat and scarf, and am almost finished. Over the past two weeks I have received two orders for hat/scarf/mitten set for two female toddlers aged 3 years,  one complete set for a 13 yr. old girl, and a dress scarf for a co-worker's wife for her birthday in 2011. I am so busy! I love it! Plus, 50% of my earnings will go to the Community Care Center! In addition, I am trying to finish a crocheted afghan, which I hope to sell, and make mittens, hats, and scarves this winter to donate to the center. I have yarn at home that I can use so it won't cost me anything but time to make and donate them! There are so many children and adults who do not have proper winter wear. It really bothers me to see children without hats, scarves, gloves/mittens and snow boots!