So a year has passed since my big life-changing decision was made. In the past year, I've culled 23+ years of possessions to fit into a 2 bedrooom apartment (mind you, I could still cull more...cause stuff is EVIL and grows when you're not looking at it!) and moved for the first time in 15 years.
My head has been filled with stuff and things and there hasn't been room for much else.
Thankfully, almost 6 months into living in my new space, my fog is clearing.
I tweeted recently:
What this means is that I am refocusing my energies on making Knitty what I want it to be. A lot of work is ahead of me, and I'm excited about all of it. I'm grateful to have Jillian as my Catalyst to help me make things happen. She's like creative caffeine with a little bit of mind-enhancing drugs blended in. (Legal ones, of course.) She helps expand my mind.
The first big step will be announced soon. Another project has been underway for more than a year, and as soon as is possible, I'll announce that one, too. And I'm just ready to start research on the 2nd volume of No Sheep For You -- my book about knitting without wool. The first volume had a lovely 7-year run, but now that it's out of print, it's time for me to update the front matter with new fibers and give you a whole new selection of patterns that don't use any wool at all (for those who are sensitive, allergic or just prefer not to use wool). It'll be my first self-published book, too. Yup, lots of good things are taking over in my head and heart, and I'm so glad for the change.
The most important thing you can do right now? Is to sign up for the Knitty mailing list. So far, it's been used mostly to announce new issues and surprises and the occasional sponsored message (which helps us pay our bills and keep Knitty free for you!). But as these new products are announced, it'll be THE place where we'll announce what's happening and how you can get involved.
You can sign up here. It's free and it makes my little heart sing every time one of you joins us. And no one will see your email address but me (just me, personally, really). Ever.
We're also having a little beginning and ending party in this issue.
First, a loving salute to Donna Drachunas who has given us her last column this issue. Donna has been with us since 2011, and we're really sad to see her monthly column end. But we know she'll be back now and again with an Ethnic Knitting pattern, and we look forward to that! So it's not goodbye to Donna...just see you soon!
In the beginnings department, we welcome legendary weaving guru Liz Gipson to our roster of Columnists. Liz adores the Rigid Heddle loom. As knitters with sizeable stashes, both Jillian and I know what a handy tool this little loom is to help us use the beautiful yarns we've bought in a quick, novel and delightful way. Liz starts this issue by helping knitters understand that warping is not scary and we can't wait to see what she'll be teaching us in issues to come!
Yes, that means we now talk about spinning, crochet and weaving in Knitty, and we're thrilled about that. Yarn is yarn, and whether you make it or use it or both, we think there's no reason to discriminate. Having a variety of needlecraft techniques at our disposal makes us happier...because it's always about the yarn. So though our primary focus will always be knitting at Knitty, we're proud to be multi-craftual!
Like to win stuff? Who doesn't? Stay tuned to the knittyBlog where all our contests happen. Watch our Twitter feed just because it's fun and silly, and because if anything spontaneous happens, it gets announced there first! Join in the fun on our Facebook page, where we recently surpassed 100,000 likes! That's a whole lot of liking! (We like you too.)
I'm looking for places to teach in 2015 and beyond!
Check out my personal website to see what kind of classes I offer. I love to meet knitters all over the place, and would be thrilled to come to you! Sign up for my mailing list to be the first to know when new teaching dates are announced. I'm ready to hit the road again!
Amy Singer
[editor, Knitty]
photo: Amy
Singer
Patience, pets.
As I write this there is still over a foot of snow on the ground. It's hard to imagine that spring will ever come, but last week I noticed it's getting light earlier and yesterday I saw a cardinal. Spring is coming, just slower than we'd like.
Sometimes spinning can be that way, especially if you're learning something new. It seems like your yarn will never turn into the yarn you're practicing for, but slowly, sometimes without even noticing much change, your yarn blooms into the yarn you've always hoped to make.
In this issue of Knittyspin there are two patterns that I hope will call spring to us quicker than it seems to want to come; a fractal spun stole, Nahant by Rachel Henry and a new style poncho that can also be a shawl -- our cover pattern -- Hybrid Vigor by Mary-Anne Mace.
I hope spring and your yarn bloom beautifully for you!
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