First attempt with photos

Ok. So I figured out how to include photos on this thing. But I can't figure out how to turn it so it's the right direction. Anyway, here's a nice photo of the lace scaft that I finished the other day. The first time I was able to block something and it work! Apparently my outdoor chairs are enjoying a little handmade love.

Here's a close up of the leaf pattern. I used a great new yarn called "Yummy" (Kollage) that is 80% bamboo, 20% Merino. I absolutely loved working with this yarn! I was introduced to it when a friend of mine took me along on a "yarn tasting" at this quaint yarn shop in MD. I thought it was such a great idea! We sampled many new yarns made from bamboo, hemp, and corn while enjoying fruit and wine. What a great night to spend with yarn freaky friends!

The pattern can be found here (Branching Out).

Blogger Newbie

Hello to all who venture to actually read this blog site. I am new to this whole 'addiction' of on-line blogging, and have been coaxed into trying it for purposes of joining some on-line knitting groups. You'll have to forgive me for my random mumbo-jumbo that is sure to follow. I've never been good at keeping a journal... or consistently keeping a stream of thought while I'm writing for that matter. I suppose that I should start off by giving a little background about myself. (That's what they do with these things, right?)

Anyway, as I mentioned, I'm looking to expand upon my knitting craze. I've been knitting for about 2 years. I had found that the atmosphere at work was getting quite tense and I began looking for something to help ease my own tension, and posibility bring down my blood pressure. As I looked around at my colleagues, I noticed that there was a popluation of people who seemed more relaxed and patient than others and I desperately wanted to be like them. The one thing they all had in common was that they knit. I teach and often present my students with the opportunity to buy those cheap Scholastic books from book orders (remember getting those in school? - I have such fond memories of my childhood orders!) and I happened to notice that they were offering a how-to knit book. I figured that if they were marketing it to 3rd graders, then I should be able to learn how to knit with it, right? And so it began. Slowly at first, casually mentioning and sharing projects and problems with other knitters in the building. I then came to work with a fabulous knitter who has really taken me under her wing and has stretched my confidence (and comfort level for that matter) and now I'm super ready to search for a little adventure in my knitting. In fact, if I can figure out how to attach photos on this thing, I'll post some of the projects that I'm currently working on. I've created links to some of the on-line patterns that I'm currently working with as a start.

I guess this is a good start, huh? Maybe more will follow.