Best Wishes

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.  Please enjoy your time with friends and family, and think of others.

new classes

I have 4 knitting classes scheduled for the winter   the Fair Isle hat,  Elizabeth Zimmerman's Surprise Jacket,

Sonoma Hoodie and a dog sweater!!!

This is a small world

I've heard and used that saying so many times,  when I run into a friend while 100's of miles from home, or I meet someone new and find that they are married to my 3rd cousin on your grandmother's side of the family, or ......well you know what I mean.   But sitting in the airport the other day, just watching all the people pass.... made it clear to me that there are millions and millions of people.... living a life, wanting the basic things is life we all should have,  food, shelter, love and compassion.  I sat there and watched, and made eye contact and smiled and even though everyone was in a rush to catch a flight or get their baggage, they all smiled back.

Getting it together

It's been a busy 30 days!!! To NY and Back,  the move, new classes at Broadway Quilts and the International Knitting Studio, and now back in NY.   Handed west  today.  It will feel good to get settled!!!

Where did this month go?

The trip to Rhinebeck was absolutely wonderful.   All 10 Divas were there, plus a few more ladies, and we made a new friend. .  It was great, it's been a while since we were all together.  The chatting did not end until late at night and then began again early in the AM.   Lily Chin's class was outstanding, as usual..........The Fall weather was gorgeous ........ Everyone is planning to return next year.  

Rhinebeck bound

Looking forward to Rhinebeck,  lots of great friends, great classes and yarn.   Lily Chin's class is on the schedule and who knows I may add another....  See you in Rhinebeck  
That's me ( on the left) last year in one of Lily's classes

Alpaca Visit to Brookfarms



Brookfarms, Glen Ellen Ca

My visit to Brookfarms was wonderful.   It's amazing how beautiful and gentle the Alpaca is.   What beautiful eyes, large round, gentle and kind .
The added treat was spending a lovely Fall (95 degrees) day in the Valley of Moon, Sonoma Valley.  The other night driving home there was the most amazing moon rise--yes "moon-rise" The moon was huge, golden, red and orange -coming up from the mountain. 10 minutes of absolute wonder and then somehow 10 minutes later, the moon shrunk and floated up into the night sky!!!!

This area is heavenly- "Another day in paradise"

Sonoma Hoodie

Sonoma Hoodie-  My new pattern It is so easy to do.  Knit from the top down and in the round for the sleeve.  I used a crochet hook to weave in the ends and absolutely no sewing.  Then I found all these great sports buttons in my stash. 

Elizscknits on Ravelry

Alpacas in Wine Country

Sept 25 and 26 is  National Alpaca Farm Days & Weekend Brookfarms in Glen Ellen is having an event.
Knitting and spinning demonstrations, yarn and  roving  for sale.  Alpaca is a gorgeous yarn and it seems that the number of alpaca farms in the US has increased greatly over the last few years.   Why even one of my physicians has alpacas as pets!!!

In a classroom again

I knew I couldn't stay away for long.   This summer a new quilt shop opened in town,   Broadway Quilts.  Of course I had to visit and when I introduced myself, Gery (the owner) asked if I'd be willng to teach a kids beginning sewing class!!  Well, of course I would!!!  And so it began.... We had a wonderful summer with classes for adults and kids, everyone was really attentive, worked dilegently and so willing to learn..  the projects are bags, beautiful bags as you can see below.  Fall classes have begun and again I have a wonderful group of students.  .   

Sewing Class at Broadway Quilts

the finished bags- Kids Love to Sew

OTN & super garage sale find!!

I love to go to garage sales!!!  It my only addiction (not counting yarn, needles and books-- well I have to go somewhere to find this stuff!!) and I found this basket at a sale a couple of weeks ago.  Isn't it lovely!! 

Mini Mochi yarn (pattern online www.straw.com)

Last month was  the anniversary of  Elizabeth Zimmerman's birthday and and a local yarn shop had a celebration.   A group of women from the International Knitting Studio met at Village Knitters in Santa Rosa and  it was a great night.  

Lots of demonstrations, beautiful yarns and I saw this hat.   A few of the ladies have been asking to learn fair isle knitting and this is a wonderful  introduction to learning the technique-- The trick in this design is that the yarn is variegated and the color changes happen as you knit.

Sept 12th

It is Sept 12th.   On Friday as I drove by a local school, I watched as children placed small American flags carefully and neatly in rows on the lawn.  It took me a few seconds to realize what was happening- the respect and honor paid to those who lost their lives was clear------thank you

Rhinebeck here "we" come....

Have I mentioned the Divas?   We are a group of women, most friends since high school,  who have reconnected and travel together.  Our last big trip was to the Dominican Republic,  wonderful time, but best of all fantastic to be with great women.   We may not have contact on a day to day, week to week or month to month basis, for that matter, but we do enjoy getting together to have fun, support each other and share what life brings us.    Well anyway, we are going to Rhinebeck this year some for the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival, some to take in the sites of the beautiful Hudson Valley, some to shop, but all to share some time together.    I am so looking forward to this trip.    

Back again

My apologies for the delay in getting back to my posts!!! It has been a busy time for me.  Moves, sales, classes to teach ( sewing and knitting)  and new friends.   This is heaven!!
 I published a few patterns on Ravelry   Elizscknits and one in particular is very popular.   Sophia --It's  top down and no seams at all.  I have more to knit and write and looking forward to posting the patterns.   

Have to run off to garages sales!!!

Pi Shawl

This week has been super busy and the weekend it going to be even more busy &  fantastic.  I'm going to Stitches West- have 3 classes scheduled.  Again I'm so happy to be able to participate in this event.   My knitting has been focused on design and since the classes are all about design, I decided to start a Pi Shawl-  The ladies at Sonoma Yarn have begun a KAL and although they meet on Thurs. nights and I will not be there for a few weeks-the idea of bringing something "easy to knit" along with me to the convention was a no brainer!!! 

Just finished these sweaters and will teach a top down class in May.  I have more sweaters on the webiste
http://www.seamlesslysimpleknit.com/

Publishing on Ravelry

Hi,  Finally finished the revisions, reviews and additions to the pattern I've been working on and although I'm tempted to tweak it a bit more-  I've got to let it go out into the world of knitter's so that they can create this fun, easy, no sew sweater.   The sweater is titled "At the Game" and it was posted to Ravelry (for Sale) this morning.  My Design store is Elizabeth Calabro.    I'm so excited!!!  There are two versions. One is
"At the Game" a basic pattern incorporating short row shaping, top down knitting and no sew techniques

and  "X At the Game" which I consider the extra special instruction sheet, that includes photo's of all the steps and detailed instructions.   I personally love to make this sweater and I decided that although my goal was to design instructions enabling the beginner to have total success--the experienced knitter should have the option to purchase a pattern and not download all those extra pages.    

Back on Track

Created a schedule for myself and I'm happy to report that I have accomplished so much in the last few days.  Figured out how to use the timer and video features to my satisfaction.  Will have videos to share soon on via my website.  Short row wrapping-finally found a great technique that makes sense to me.   http://www.elizabethknits.com/

Making Time Work

I'm not sure excactly when it happened, but I have lost control of my time.   My life has always been regimented, controlled by bells and schedules, due dates and meetings.  Now I'm totally to my own devices.  I taught time management, created detailed plans, schedules and agendas for large and small groups of people and rarely felt overwhelmed by this.  Now I have "all the time in the world" and it just doesn't seem to be enough.  Is it that after all those years of working and  raising my daughter, that this freedom I have now has spoiled me???  I can knit, travel, sleep late, eat, read and do nothing when I want to and not based on when I have to.    There are so many things I intend to do now and I'm feeling "a lot" overwhelmed----I guess it time to make a daily schedule-but without the bells.

A peek at the beginning of My Pattern "At the Game"- still working out the final draft and will be posting to Ravelry (ElizSCKnits)

I did finish these socks though - great instructions and Chris loves the socks.  He actually asked me to make him another pair. 

Back to reality

It's been a busy couple of weeks, well really who am I kidding---I have been relaxing, sunning and taking in all the beauty of the wonderful island of Maui---- Great views of nature, whales so close that you can hear them sing, Waves so tall that the surfers get lost in the white water, flowers so lovely that it's hard to believe the colors that exist in the world.   Sunsets and rainbows, yes rainbows-it rained but just a touch.

I did knit the whole time.  Socks from the bottom up, loved it.  Knitting More Circles Around Socks,  Great photos and a wonderful way to make socks two at a time on circular needles.,  Just my cup of tea, or should I say Mai Tai.   

knitting groups/ new projects

Well I have attended my third knitting group.   A lovely group of women affilliated with the Sonoma Newcomers.  I feel like I'm in a hotbed of knitters since I've been here-very nice feeling. I highly recommend joining a knitting/crochet/crafts group if you enjoy the craft and enjoy being with people.  So much information is shared and always laughter.  What beats that?

OTN: a whispy blue variegated lace mohair scarf--All for me!!!

NOTN: (next on the needles)  Socks " Toe-up " I think is best- for my trip next week, easy to carry and hopefully quick also. 

Happy New Year / New Decade

Wishing everyone a wonderful New Year--  Christmas gifts finished-well almost (still have to refine a crochet bag)  so I'm posting pictures of some of the items that were given away

Audrey's sweater: my design and the pattern will be available soon.  Knit in Vanna's Choice- easy care and quick to knit. 

Neck wrap-- Ivory Aran wool

Lucious Laces from Ravelry -- I added beads on one side

Elizabeth Zimmerman's Baby Surprise Jacket- So much fun and amazing to do. 

This was knit in Baby Bamboo by Sirdar

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