Hi There!

Hmmm...what to say? :)  Let's see....I've been knitting 'for real' for about 20 years.  My mom and grandmother originally taught me how to knit probably on Canochet Beach in Narragansett, RI. 

In those days, it seems that everyone was either playing bridge or had their knitting or needlepoint in their laps; eating nectarines or cherries and trying to stay cool under the umbrellas-- watching the waves crash along the shore.  I was probably around 9 years old, or so, and I distinctly remember having long aluminum needles and some red yarn. 

It'd be nice to say that my love for most things knitted got started there and I became a lifelong knitter right from the start.  Ohhhhh, so not so!  As I recall, I just basically got frustrated and gave up.  All I seemed to be able to make, at the time, were knots and holes!  I ultimately put away the red yarn and got into latch hooking rugs which was the latest 'craze' at the time. :)

My dad's mother was also a knitter, but I actually think of her more as a crocheter.  Although I can recall quite a few knitted afghans that she made, and some leg warmers for me and prolly a sweater or two... I rather think for some reason that she preferred to crochet.  She used to make us all crochet slippers and I remember that she taught me how to make pom poms using cardboard ring cutouts and squeaky acrylic yarn.  Ahhhh...the Seventies.  :)

Anyways, when I got accepted into Syracuse University I decided that I *NEEDED* to knit myself a  wool sweater before I started my Freshman Year.  That's where Lopi Icelandic Wool came into my life (still one of my favorites)!  What also helped me at the time, was that a close friend of mine was also going to college in a 'cold place;' so we were kinda on the same knitting page and prolly shared a pattern or two. 

So, that summer I started over in knitting, and my mom helped me knit thru that first sweater, and then a subsequent cotton top, and another lopi sweater or two.... all of which have stood the test of time!  By the way, my mom is a great knitter--and a  great 'finisher' too.  She's made some beautiful sweaters and hats and I always marvel at her stitches. :)

As far as my knitting philosophy goes, I encourage all my students to use quality yarns that feel great when you touch them.  I feel that if you are going to spend ALL those hours knitting on a project, you should enjoy the yarn and love the way it feels on your needles and in your hands. 

Speaking of needles, out of ALL the needles I've knit with, I have to say that I LOVE the way bamboo feels when you knit with it.  It's something about the friction of the wood and the organic-ness of it all.  That's why I have chosen to use bamboo needles OVER all other woods for my Beaded Needlery™. 

It's funny, but it's EXACTLY twenty years post my first sweater.  After gaining multiple degrees in unrelated fields; having done quite a variety of different 'job thingies' along the way;   it is knitting and beading that now occupies much of my professional time---who would have thunk it?!:) 

So these days, in addition to taking care of my daughter; teaching beginner knitting and solving knitting 911 problems for my students; knitting & beading and working on new patterns; I enjoy kayaking, spinning fiber, gardening, drumming in an indie rock band, and baking yummy cookies for my friends.

In some ways I suppose, I've come back to my red yarn, only this time I'm using better needles and making the holes where I want them.  :)  Thanks for visiting!

:) Happy Knitting and Very Sincerely Yours,

:) debb