Inspiration from My Students and from Life

The fall session snow make-ups are finally done. So, now we have a two-week break before the spring session starts. Two weeks to tackle unfinished projects, type up some newly designed patterns, do lots of knitting, and lots of reading---but, I'm missing my students already! So, I decided to write a tribute to all my wonderful students past and present.

The picture above shows lots of creativity going on in class which I love. But, there is also lots more going on at that table during each class. My students constantly inspire and uplift me. Here are just a few examples:

Several students have gone through illnesses, difficulties with children, thorny divorces, and other life crises. It is wonderful to see how their classmates rally around to support them. Sometimes it's just a hug from another student. Or, a student may share their own experiences with a divorce, kids, or illnesses to give hope and direction for that student in crisis. And, the courage of students going through crises is strengthening to all of us. Each student has been a "wounded healer" at some point, sometimes without even realizing it. I feel so blessed to be witness to these "sacred moments".

The friendships that develop between students are always so much fun to watch! For instance, two students who are normally in different classes met in a workshop and discovered that they live very near each other. Now they are walking partners, encouraging each other to get exercise. Several of my classes get together for lunch or dinner because they want to get to know each other better. A number of students have had a friend sign up for the same class as theirs in order to spend time together on a regular basis. 

Getting to see photos of new babies, new grandchildren, weddings, and other joyous occasions as they are being passed around in class is always a thrill! Of course, the biggest thrill of all is seeing photos of someone wearing something one of my students has knit or having a student walk into class wearing what they have recently finished knitting!

In addition to my students being an inspiration, sometimes something going on in my life has inspired me to come up with a new design. This happened recently. Many of you know that I am dealing with chronic iron deficient anemia and have been having periodic iron infusions. Sometimes, while receiving an iron infusion, my arms get chilly. Once the infusion has started, it's almost impossible to put my arm through the sleeve of a jacket. So I have designed a shawl that can easily be buttoned around my wrists. Here are some pictures:

Last week I wore it for the first time to an iron infusion and it felt very cozy and comforting. In tribute to the courageous patients and wonderful nurses in the infusion room and my ever inspiring students, I am going to offer the pattern for my "Buttoned Up Sleeves Shawl" for free for a limited time to anyone who posts a comment on my blog or e-mails me at notesfromknitclass@gmail.com . I hope you enjoy knitting and wearing it as much as I have.

Mary

Spring Classes, some wonderful young knitters

I know it seems like winter will never end, but spring really is coming!

My spring classes will begin in March. There are openings in these classes: Monday morning, Tuesday morning, and Tuesday evening. Some of the Monday and Tuesday morning classes have already filled and the Wednesday evening class is full. So, if you’d like to sign up or get more information, exact times and dates, email me at notesfromknitclass@gmail.com .

I have had the joy recently of teaching some youngsters to knit.

Faith has finished her first project!! It's a caterpillar and she did a great job! She has just started another "critter", the "Knitty Kitty". We have so much fun chatting together while she knits.









Megan is a delightful little girl who came to a morning knitting class one day with her Grandmom, Mary Lou. She picked up casting on and the knit stitch right away. At the end of class we bound off what she had knit and turned it into a bookmark...so cute!! Mary Lou has told me that Megan is continuing to knit at home, which is so great.









I have also had a brother and sister come for a private lesson on a Saturday morning. They have each begun making a caterpillar and are off to a great start!

I just love getting young knitters started...this means knitting WILL continue into the next generation... :)

Keep warm knitters, this is the perfect weather for cozily knitting at home. And, remember to email me for sign-up or more information about spring classes.
Mary

First snowfall and a different kind of December

Look...the first snow and some of our flowers are still blooming!

With various medical issues and procedures, this has been a very different December for me. First of all, my dear students, I'm so sorry I had to postpone all of the December classes.

But I think I made the right decision since I'm still recuperating and catching up on my energy. I do miss all of you and am looking forward to seeing some of you who signed up for private lessons during the next couple of weeks.

I want to thank each of you who have kept me in your thoughts and prayers. It has really helped: I have stayed peaceful through all of the doctor visits, tests, procedures, and endless waiting.

I'm feeling better each day and I'm using this recuperation time to appreciate all the love and beauty that is around me. We had a lovely snow fall last Saturday and I was able to just sit and absorb the beauty of it all. The tree branches were so puffy with snow that they almost looked like they had blossoms on them!

And, I've finished my Christmas gift knitting! : ) Well, actually I'm adding one more Christmas gift knitting project: a scarf for my older son who had a scarf on his Christmas wish list. I just couldn't bring myself to buy him one, so I'm using some yarn for my "yarn stash" to knit him one. I'm halfway done so I'm sure I'll finish it in time for Christmas! I'm calling it" 2 Directional Manly Scarf" since I'm knitting it in 2 directions and in 2 pieces which I'll join together at the center back neck. The color that is showing up in the pictures now is pink but it is really a nice manly brown color!

















One of my real joys these last few months has been teaching some children how the knit. I'll be talking more about that in my next post.


Enjoy this nice cool winter weather to do lots of cozy knitting BUT REMEMBER...do NOT stay up all night Christmas Eve night trying to finish that unfinished gift! Stop knitting on it on Christmas Eve morning, wrap it up just as it is, and enjoy the rest of your day, knowing that your recipient will be thrilled to be getting a gift of your knitting even if it's not finished and it will make Christmas last longer for them as you're finishing it!
Mary