Queen Bee Knits

Knitting, Living, Loving, Baking, Tips, Tools and Idle Chatter

Finished!

Posted on April 14, 2013 by Queen Bee Knits

There! It’s finished … well, off the needles

My Bermuda shawl is ~~one row away from being~~ finished. If I weren’t so lazy on this Sunday morning, it’d be finished already … but I just got back from my atelier and forgot to get my bigger needles so that I can bind off “very” loosely.

So I decided to blog instead.

I replaced my wrong-sized needles yesterday (with a bit of attitude from the LYS owner who sold them to me on Tuesday. What?!) and they will have to be the next project re-started and finished because I have eleven days until my brother’s birthday. I’d hate to disappoint! But he may be getting one sock instead of two! 🙂

Gone knitting.

Knitting Interrupted

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Queen Bee Knits

This work thing sure has cut my knitting time!

I used to knit for hours each day. Now I’m lucky to have a few minutes here and there throughout the day to even think about yarn. Today I actually took a break at lunchtime and knitted a 2-stitch i-cord for ears of a tiny bunny for my mentee. (Her request; an award for completing her goals!) I only have to give it eyes and a tail and it’s a gift that will be loved.

Sleeves to frog and re-knit (wider to fit the arm holes), a back to re-knit because I must have been “on something” when I changed balls of yarn smack dab in the middle of the back at mid-shoulder height.

Tunic to finish (ha! Maybe by winter!)

Socks for the youngest brother’s 50th birthday – after I replace the chewed needles.

So much knitting … so little time.

Gone knitting!

Not Knitting but Grateful

Posted on April 7, 2013 by Queen Bee Knits

My new school – teaching on a beautiful day!

Well, I’ve once again joined the working world with a temporary job outside of my home.

While I am enjoying working with children in the elementary school environment, I am noticing that I am not knitting enough to feed my passion and art. Partly because at the end of the day I am pretty tired and partly because I still have all my work at the house to do, too. And my little dogs (and now our new big dog) have missed me and need some of my undivided attention … as does their “father”!

I have a pair of socks for my nearly 50 year-old brother on the needles. I reverted to my favorite (go to) sock pattern and have had some lovely green (with a hint of blue) yarn that I bought for exactly this reason last summer. His favorite color is green and this yarn by Plymouth Yarn Co. called “Happy Feet” is a superwash Merino and with my brother’s feet, I bought three skeins (he wears a size 14 shoe!)

Seacolors Yarn …

I have deconstructed the sleeve on my Boxy Cardigan that I started last summer with my Maine wool from Sea Colors Yarns. The pattern was pretty straight forward but someone clearly forgot to have the sweater test knitted – the sleeves are at least two inches too narrow to fit into the shoulder. (You do get what you pay for! This was a free pattern. Lesson learned!) I will unknit them and then add more increases to make up for the two inches and see how that works. I hope I don’t have to start over from scratch because I don’t like it – and I spent a lot of money on the wool and want to love the garment that it becomes!

Dropps Tunic (Pattern #111-21) in Berroco Pure Pima (color 2243)

I still have my Pima Cotton tank on the needles. The back is done and the front is getting close but, honestly, I haven’t worked on it much at all! It’s really time to focus on this garment as we’re getting ready for that sleeveless shirt season!

I have several ideas that I want to knit when I’ve wrapped up a few of my WIPs … a tea cozy by the Queen of Tea Cozies, Loani Prior … it’s the daffodil one. We don’t have daffodils here in Florida and I miss them. A Stash Buster Shawl and I have yarn for a sweater and hat for my niece. I also want to knit myself a Wonderful Wallaby! It would be perfect for those cool (or even cold) evenings in Maine this summer.

I’m so grateful to be working with these great kids who really need the extra support to bring them up to grade level by the end of the year. I love the teachers that I’m working with and I am blessed to have the opportunity to work close enough to my home that I can (well, I could) walk to work. And since it’s temporary, I am hoping to pick up the needles more when I get to Maine after school ends.

Gone knitting!

Selling Hand-Knits – Sale!

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Queen Bee Knits

I have an online shops (or two) and I have an inventory of knitted items that are all done and ready to go to their new forever homes. They are currently listed in two online shops (some may not be listed yet. I really have to check my storage box!)

When I price items that I’ve knit, I (obviously) have to recover the price of the yarn and other direct costs that I incur. It’s always nice, after that is taken care of, to make a little bit of money for my time. I never “really” get paid for my time. Nobody could afford to buy a garment that would accurately reflect the time that is lovingly given as I make each of the garments that I sell. Sometimes, I make a couple of bucks. It’s all good.

So, for the big holiday week, I am offering all of the already knitted items that I have in my storage container inventory at 25% off! That’s right … basically, I’m getting my money back for the supplies … the money that I’ve already shelled out … and you’re getting some great hand-knitted by the Queen Bee garments. And, considering the crazy weather we’ve been having, you may be able to wear it now!

You can click here to be magically transported to my 3 B Street shop! Use coupon code “FRIEND” and you’ll get 25% off anything purchased between today and Thursday!

Thanks for shopping & reading and Happy Passover & Easter!

Gone knitting!

Miranda’s Lesson

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Queen Bee Knits

This is Miranda and the mermaid sweater that she knitted. She knitted it without a pattern. She’s been knitting for about a year. Let me make sure you hear what I’m saying (writing?) … She designed the sweater by herself. Without a pattern! She found the mermaid online and knitted it into her sweater with only about a year of experience. Note that each sleeve is different: One with a two-color cable and the other with fish swimming around the cuff end. I am simply in awe of such a fearless knitter.

I was fortunate to meet Miranda at Knit Night and also to have her in a class last week. She picks up a concept very quickly and even if she is struggling with size 1 (US) needles and sock-weight yarn, she has a great attitude. Telling herself “I can do this” just quietly enough that I could hear her but not loud enough to hear throughout the shop. And I think what I’ve learned from Miranda is that if we practice encouraging self-talk, we can do anything that we want. We should not fear trying new things.

Learning hexipuffs

Miranda’s attitude is in stark contrast to some of the adult students who don’t share the same habit of cheering herself along through a challenging project or technique or just something new. We learned hexipuffs, i-cord … and that when we use positive self-talk, we can accomplish much more than if we beat ourselves down because we aren’t immediately proficient at a task.

A good lesson and an impressive teacher. Thanks, Miranda!

Gone knitting!

On Being a Mentor

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Queen Bee Knits

I’m a mentor at my local elementary school. I had been feeling like I was missing being around children. Mine a grown and have full lives of their own; boyfriends, girlfriend, jobs, social lives, homes to clean, dog to walk … all the things that they’re supposed to have as young adults. I did my job as a mother and as a result of having done it well, my kids have moved on and are building lives of their own. It’s a good thing. And I was still feeling like I had something to offer to children. So I signed up as a volunteer with our local school district not really knowing where it would lead.

A little over a year ago, I got a call from the counselor at my local elementary school. She was looking for a mentor for a student – a third grade foster child. While the “warming up” was slow, I know now that she was holding herself back because she’d been disappointed by adults who had been in her life and was hesitant to trust that would stick with her. We had a great time visiting over lunch at school every week. I often brought a little craft project or a book to read together or a puzzle to solve and was there for her when she decided she wanted to talk. When I met her, her foster family was going to adopt her. This fall, she moved again to a former foster home two and a half hours away from me. Now, I choose to drive down to visit with her every other week – I started out visiting every week but she’s so well adjusted now, I know she’s OK when I’m not there every week. But at first, she was having a rough time.

Last night, her “foster mom” called me and we had a face time session. I love to see her snuggled up at home and smiling because her report card was a good one and she’d been to a fun Super Bowl party. Normalcy is a good thing for children. Especially those who’ve had a rough start.

Last week I got a call from my neighborhood school again. This time, there’s a little third grader who is in crisis. Grandmother takes care of her and her siblings and cousins. We’re going to meet again next week and I’ll help her get up to speed on her math and be there for her so she feels important to somebody. No strings. No manipulation. Just a grown-up who’s there for her. This one is adorable, too. And so needy.

I’m so lucky to be able to work with these two little girls. They help me as much as I help them. They give me purpose and allow me to give something back to the community that I live in. And they give me joy – a lot of good laughs despite their difficult circumstances and hugs. There’s nothing like the full-heart feeling that you get when you make a difference in the life of a child. And there are so many children today who need a solid adult presence in their lives.

All you have to have is an hour a week and a phone to call your local school … you won’t be sorry. I’m proof!

Happy New Year! Welcome 2013

Posted on January 1, 2013 by Queen Bee Knits

It was a low key New Year’s Eve at our house last night. We welcomed in the New Year with a couple of friends, some food, drinks, games and lots of laughs.

2012 was a full year – a mixture of blessings and sorrow but without the sorrow, how can you appreciate the blessings. We said farewell to a beloved mother and an adored Cocker Spaniel. We welcomed a new great-nephew and a new niece. Celebrated birthdays and anniversaries. Entertained guests and family in Florida and Maine. Watched two children graduate from college and enter the “grown-up” world with new jobs. Joyously celebrated my big brother’s new liver and improving health. Enjoyed comfort and good health.

And now ahead to 2013! We entered the new year with a clean house, clean sheets, clean laundry and (most) projects finished. “Out with the old and in with the new!” I am looking forward to growing my business this year. To teaching more. To improving my website. To designing … or publishing some designs that I’ve created. To reaching a second level of certification.

Gone knitting!

It’s the Most Wonderful (?) Time …

Posted on December 9, 2012 by Queen Bee Knits

Over the years, I learned to dislike the Christmas season … yes, I am a Grinch-y Christmas person. I’m not sure when I made the turn but somewhere along the line, the expectation of making Christmas perfect for everyone got bigger than me. And it grew and it grew like the Grinch’s heart. I keep trying to scale back the expectations and it’s difficult. Even with no kids in the house and even though the pressure really only comes from me. I’m still not in love with Christmas.

So, for this year’s goal for myself, it’s to try to keep it simple. Focusing on what’s important. I’m not going to have all the gifts ready – my daughter’s leg warmers are probably not going to be finished. But she knows they’ll get to her as soon as it’s humanly possible. The rest of the family I’m keeping in my heart with small gifts to acknowledge the day. The hundred and fifty cards may not be sent until after Christmas (Happy New Year!) I want to make cookies because it’s a tradition. I want to have a small something for my family to open on Christmas and know that they’re with me in spirit although we’re separated by many miles. I want to be relaxed and enjoy the season!

I know I’m blessed to have children and family that I’ll miss on Christmas because that means I have people in my life that I love. I want to hold that close and remember how grateful I am for my children, my family and my friends – and you, dear blog readers are in that extended family, too.

Merry Christmas. Happy Hanukkah, whatever you are celebrating I hope it’s filled with joy, wonder, good health – and maybe a little bit of yarn!

Gone knitting!

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Posted on November 28, 2012 by Queen Bee Knits

I will not tolerate anything less. That’s all there is to it. It doesn’t matter what your excuse. I have worked hard and continue to work hard to treat people the way that I want to be treated. I am cheerful and positive and respectful. I don’t tolerate bullying or disrespect. I choose not to be part of groups who are critical and mean-spirited. I don’t even want to hear my knitting students speak negatively about themselves.

Life can be hard. I’ve lived through some tough times. Life can be wonderful. I’ve lived through some wonderful times. I truly believe that we create the world that we live in – and we can affect (effect?) the future by our present behavior and beliefs. I am choosing to be grateful for the wonderful things in my life. I am grateful for three healthy and productive children, some money in the bank, a job that I love, my little dogs, a bed to sleep in and a roof over my head. I have food in my belly and yarn in my atelier. I am so grateful for my family that is growing again this year. I feel so blessed.

I feel sorry for those who are not able to be grateful and positive. Those who have to criticize or bully because it only means that they’re not as blessed as I am and that they don’t feel gratitude for what they have that is positive in their life. Like the Grinch, my heart swells (grows?) when I think about how lucky I am. And while my life is not perfect – or without it’s challenges – I am thankful and happy and blessed.

Gone knitting!

How to Have Unhappy Employees

Posted on September 4, 2012 by Queen Bee Knits

One of the calls that I made this afternoon was to my area’s public school district human resource office. The first call was to the “head” person and, as usual, she didn’t answer her phone and her voicemail was full. I have left (probably) half a dozen messages over the years for her. The only time that she returned my call was after I called the Superintendent to say that I still hadn’t heard from her … and then the response was speedy and friendly (but never went anywhere after the gratuitous meeting.) The second call was when I hit “O” and got the front desk. I know the woman who works there and, no I am not a fan. It always seems like I am causing a problem in this department. The attitude seems to intimate that the day would be much better if I hadn’t pestered them while they were trying to work. Ahem! I am trying to find a job … and would like to work for the schools. I imagine that I am not the only person in this position. And, OH! By the way, there are jobs that are supposed to be open … I’m trying to help you fill them!

The third call (all within the same call … transferred and transferred again all without so much as a “hello” or “good-bye”. Explaining that I had paid for fingerprinting that was never added to my file and could I get my new prints with no charge. No. Fingerprints cannot be transferred. They must be re-done every two years. I really tried to explain what I was trying to accomplish again using different words but it didn’t work. Not sure if she was really listening to me anyway. So, if I want to be in the queue for temporary work, I have to fork over the bucks and get printed and drug tested again … and I may just sit in the queue or not even get added to the queue like the last time.

This is the third time that I’ve tried to “work” with these folks. And from the top on down, it seems that they’re all unhappy. Put-upon. Inconvenienced by the people who they are there to “help”. I’d love to be a happy voice at the other end of someone’s phone call. Maybe they’d like to switch lives with me?

Gone knitting.