I’ve always been a private person. I never spoke out in class, I hid when a camera was near, and I never, ever kept a diary or journal. To be honest, I’ve never liked being the center of attention. So nobody is more surprised than I am that I decided to write a blog. But here I am, stretching beyond my comfort zone and putting myself out in cyberspace to talk about my many relationships with yarn and needles and what I’ve learned along the way.
To begin, I want to share five of my top knitting rules.
1. Do not leave projects involving double-pointed needles on the floor if you might walk across that floor in the dark. One of Murphy’s Laws of Knitting states that you will put at least one of said needles through your foot, which is exactly what I did when knitting the sleeve of this Norwegian sweater for my father. The knitting gods were smiling on me, though, and there was very little blood and none of it stained the sweater.
2. Always carry spare needle if knitting with bamboo needles on trans-Atlantic flights. Another of Murphy’s Laws guarantees that you’ll break one shortly after take-off and have to spend six hours reading and re-reading the in-flight magazine.
3. Keep at least one of your early knitting projects. This will keep you humble. My first project, a pair of baby of baby booties that would have fit a basketball player, went missing decades ago, but I still have the second—a hobby horse made out of a sock. I’m glad to report that my tension is tighter now.
4. If your stash makes you guilty, hide it (the stash as well as the guilt).
5. Sock yarn is not considered stash. Buy a ball at every knitting shop you visit and you’ll never need to wonder what to knit next.
Your father is a fox, and your yarn stash ain’t bad-looking either. Congratulations on your first blog post!
Yea! I’m so glad you decided to start a blog. It’s been ages since I’ve seen you, at least I can stay somewhat connected here.
I love my “Knitter’s Handy Book of Patterns” book. It’s the most used book of my collection, and I look forward to reading your blog posts!
Ann! Hello! It’s so good to see you here, and you couldn’t have mentioned rule #1 a little earlier? 😉
Welcome to the blog-o-sphere!
That sweater is WONDERFUL!
I also have a blog, which is supposed to be a knitting blog; but it keeps meandering all over the place. LOL
Please visit!
http://markiesnana.blogspot.com
Excited to see you are blogging – rule #1 also applies to sofa, and cars.
Welcome to the blog side, Ann 😉
I look forward to checking in often.
Congrats on your new blog! I love your rules and I look forward to reading more of your posts!
Looking forward to more!
welcome to ‘blogs-ville’!! i will add your blog to my order of daily computer visits!!
Welcome to blogdom! And it’s high-time, I’d say.
Love the knitting rules especially number 5 🙂
Anyway, welcome to blogging Ann! I really enjoyed our chat on KnitCast a few years back.
http://www.scifiville.com and http://www.knitcast.com
I may have just gone speechless from shock. An actual BLOG. Go you! And welcome to Blogville. Thrilled to see you here!
#2: So true. Also applies to being passenger in car crossing Canadian border, just so you know.
I’ve just added your blog to my RSS feed. (Ann Budd on RSS. Who knew?)
Great to hear from you. Blog often.
P.S. Your dad is a hottie.
The hobby horse is adorable and the norwegian sweater is fantastic. I’m afraid that all of the rules above apply to me.
Welcome to blog world! Blog often!
(Your Dad and my dad could be twins!!!)
bonjour mon amie! wonderful post, lovely father and i will be seeing you in blogland…xo
Having recently retired and taking up knitting and crocheting again, your blog was an inspiration! Love the rules, love the sweater and your Dad’s proud face! I’m looking forward to more rules, tips and pics. Congratulations!
Welcome to the blogosphere, Ann – it’ll never be the same (in a very good way)!
yay! so exciting to see a blog from you! i hope you’ll stick around!
Welcome to the blogosphere!
Now every day can be a little bit like being in class with you. Happiness in a blog. Thanks Ann!
Hi Ann, welcome!
I’ve been a fan of yours for years, and have taught many people to customize sweaters (and vests!) starting with a base pattern from your book (which means I’ve sold many copies of your great master-plan books, too!).. and before that, your book got *me* started on successful, well-fitting sweaters, too!
I like the hobby horse! I sewed a hobby dragon for my sister (who collects dragons).. but I don’t think I’ve knitted one for her yet… must ask!
Looking forward to more posts!
Can’t wait for rules 6-10!
Well done! Like the rules and welcome to blogging. I’ve got a few pictures of my amateur efforts on my blog. Yours are great. Now the hard part is posting regularly.
Welcome to the Wonderful World of Blogging!!
Advice I give to new knitters and first projects… felt it!
It covers a multitude of stitch tensions! LOL
Welcome to the wonderful world of blogging. All five of your rules resonated. Your books are a standard reference for me and I’m sure your blog will also be a valuable resource. Looking forward to reading more.
Well well well! It’s very exciting to see you here. And can I just say how much I love that Lori Gayle called your dad a fox?
Great tips, and glad to see you blogging!
Yay! I’m so glad to see your blog – I’m a huge fan of your patterns and books, and I’m looking forward to reading more. Thanks for sticking your toe in the blog waters!
Love your knitting rules… especially the last one.
I’m pretty impressed that your second knitting project looks like it involved intarsia. Going on 3 years and I haven’t made more than a swatch involving that technique.
I am just thrilled that you are here in Blogland!
Your dad’s sweater is gorgeous!!
I recognize your hobby horse from your “Gifts” book (purchased at Rhinebeck along with Simple Style) and wish my kids were small again so i could make them one. Luckily I know some little’uns that deserve horses!
I especially like Rule 5 – I knew there was a reason I have so much sock yarn.
I JUST started a blog too! I look forward to reading your musings. You have inspired me before and I cant wait for it to happen again!
Welcome to the blogosphere! I still have to work on rule 4 but I believe that I’ve mastered rule 5!
Your Dads cardigan is awesome!I love those patterns,and I agree with everyone of your rules!!!
Oh and welcome to Blogger World 🙂
Rule 5 is a very good idea.
Rule 6. Do not leave project within reach of cat’s paws!
Oh your Blog is a breath of fresh air! Congrats!
Hiding the stash? I second that emotion!
lovely start to your blog. Did you knit your Dad’s cardigan from your book or from a pattern? I LOVE your books and use them all the time, even if I have a pattern–it helps with modifications.
lovely, that sock transformed in a horse!
Tell us more about that beautiful sweater and handsome man wearing it! Thanks for the advice.