Listen to my chat with Lara Neel, the girl with the unforgettable laugh on Podcast # 114 of Math 4 Knitters, Crafty Living.

We talked about the sad story of my very first knitting,  this year’s South American Knitting Adventure complete with penguins, Iceland and Betty Rubble among other exciting topics, you’ll be on the edge of your seats!

Ok, where the heck have I been? Answer: All Over The Place!

Too much to cover, and I’m in a hurry to get to my daughter’s birthday celebration – Happy Birthday Sophie – my dear darling dumpling!!!

I have to mention that I took a class from the amazing Sarah Swett, she knocked my motif-making right on it’s head! This was at Madrona in Tacoma Washington at a fabulous Hotel, the Murano…wowee…I saw all kinds of friends there – fun fun fun – what a fantastic event I aim to go again, and again and again!

Now I’m back in Maine and last night was a bona fide blizzard! Woo-hoo life is good.

I’ve got a book signing tomorrow at my local yarn shop, Heavenly Socks aka Helen’s. I have my hot pink Sharpie. There will be coffee and goodies!!!! Ten AM – Hope to see you there!

What am I making? A Hat for Green Mountain Spinnery’s Sugar Season Retreat!

The yarn is dreamy!

Free For Three! Call me crazy but I’ve got an I Love You giveaway for 3 days only!

I was hungry and needed a sweetie. I wanted sugar sprinkled heart-shaped Valentine’s cookies. When none were to be found I whipped up these little cookie hearted mitts. They kept my mind off the real thing. Best thing? The next day I attended The Nordic Museum’s Knit Cafe, held the first Sunday of every month. Here, besides sensational knitters of all stripes you’ll find delicious coffee and delectable treats, including … sugar-sprinkled heart-shaped Valentine’s cookies!!!

Knit Cafe’s knitters are a welcoming group of all skill levels, from absolute beginners to world renowned experts like friendly Evelyn A. Clark, lace knitter of the highest order. I know, Evelyn A.Clark…be still my heart..and as you would imagine, she is kind and generous. This group is an intrepid lot too, having gone on many knitterly travels, including Iceland many times over!!!! The heart continues to beat wildly! ( Have you heard about Gudrun and I? That is another post…soon! ) Knit Cafe knitters are a game bunch of knitters, agreeable to becoming hand models at the drop of a hat! In chilly windy weather, balancing atop wiggly chairs. Not only that…Mary, for that is the owner of the lovely hands pictured, Mary is a conceptual stylist who came up with the powerful image below! Hail Mary!

So as a thank-you to all my readers, because I love you, get My Heart Cookie Mitts pattern here, based on motif #147 in my book 200 Fair Isle Motifs: A Knitter’s Directory.

Slater Mill in Pawtucket Rhode Island is one of my favorite places to teach. There is such history there and the folks that run the event are the nicest in the world. On Friday night is a reception and a book signing with Deborah Newton, consummate pro and author of the unequaled tome Designing Knitwear. She’ll be signing copies of her book Finishing School . Finishing, the most important part of knitting, made fun! Yes indeed my dears. From 5-9 Cash Wine bar, not to be missed!

Saturday I’ll be teaching Andean Intarsia which I learned myself from patient Andean villagers. Mind bending and delightful! You will not believe what you will learn. I’ll bring along some fantastic examples from my Chullo collection for you to marvel over.

Sunday what better way to spend the day than knitting Fair Isle socks? Easy or complex you can choose, we’ll cover the basics and explore beyond the basics. Color, pattern and technique, there is always something new to learn.

February 10-12, 2012
Slater Mill 4th Annual Knitting Weekend
67 Roosevelt Avenue. Pawtucket, RI 02860
slatermill.org