Catching Up

Hello fellow knitters!  The last month or so has been very hectic for me!  So as not to bore you, I will keep the details to a minimum, and then get right into the knitting stuff.  As you may know, I previously mentioned that I was expecting at the beginning of August.  Well, that turned out to be the end of July instead!  Just a minor problem on my part, I was put on bed rest and baby had to come a little earlier than planned.  Fortunately, I was far enough along that she was not considered a preemie, and there were no health issues.    And then of course, there has been the adjustment period for me - nobody tells you just how difficult and frustrating the first few sleepless weeks with a new baby can be!  Fortunately, I had my mom to help out a little bit, and now baby and I are getting into a routine and things are much easier.  Whew!!

I've been making some changes to the blog, as you may have noticed if you have been here before.  Just trying to make things easier to navigate and the like.  There are many more changes I want to implement, and will be doing so as time permits.  Also, I hope to make some more YouTube videos at some point in the near future.  I really want to figure out how to make better quality videos, so if anyone has any tips for me, please let me know!!

I have been able to find a little time to work on my knitting, but not much.  I have desperately been trying to complete the next part of the 2nd Mystery Knitting Project, and am happy to say that I am almost there! I have a new book to review, plus some others due to be released soon I want to talk about.  That I am saving for the podcast; other things I want to talk about in the next show are below.  I am not certain when I will find the time to record the next show, so for now this is it.

Craft for a Cause Contest 2010

This is sponsored by Jo-Ann's. Specifics can be found at the link above.  The contest started August 15, and runs through October 30, 2010.  The prize is a $1,500 gift card from Jo-Ann and $50,000 for you favorite charity. Visit the website for all the details on how to enter. 

LAUNDRY SYMBOLS DECODED

Ever wonder what those symbols on the ball band of your yarn mean?  If you wash clothing, you may be familiar with some of them, or none at all.  Personally, I have never much paid attention to them.  However, if you have spent weeks or more knitting a sweater or other large project using a fabulous yarn, now may be the time to start caring what those symbols mean.  The link above can give you the answers.  Clear pictures of every symbol you may encounter, and how to handle fabrics containing those symbols are provided.  You may want to print out this handy guide and keep it with your knitting for future reference.

KNITTING EVENTS

Here is a short list of some events going on around the US in the month of September.  If you happen to attend, feel free to email me about your experience and a picture or two of the event, or, if you know of something happening in your neck of the woods, I am more than happy to list it, or just leave a comment with the info!

*September 4-5: World Sheep & Fiber Arts Festival in Bethel, Missouri  

*September 10-12: Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival in Jefferson, Wisconsin

*September 11-12: Garden State Sheep Breeders 16th Annual Sheep & Fiber Festival at the       Hunterdon County Fairgrounds in New Jersey

*September 11-12: West Virginia's Wild 'n' Wooly Festival at the WVU Reedsville Arena

*September 18-19: 16th Annual Finger Lakes Fiber Arts Festival in Hemlock, New York

*September 25-26: Shenandoah Valley Fiber Festival at the Ruritan Fairgrounds in Berryville

So that's gonna wrap it up for now.  Please check back soon, and until then Happy Knitting!