First of all, thank you all for the sweet condolences on our loss of Lewey. A million things every day remind us of him, but in a lovely, happy way. We don’t know yet if there will be another pup in our future, it is just too early to decide that.
So here’s what’s new in the Knitting Doctor world.
I joined TKGA (the Knitting Guild of America) last week sort of on a whim. I’ve been curious about their Master Handknitting certification program for a long time, but figured I needed a block of time free to do all the work for that. My friend Dorothy completed this earlier this year, and it inspired me to look at this a little more seriously.
I am retiring as of February 1st next year, just a little over 3 months from now. I turn 65 next fall, and was planning on a late spring retirement, but moved it up recently for all sorts of reasons. So now I’ll have that big block of time, with no further excuses!
I decided to start smaller. TKGA has a number of terrific looking “correspondence courses” that are much less involved that the full certification process, the one I have signed up for is Basics, Basics, Basics. It is just what it sounds like. I have the first lesson in hand, as well as the yarn, and will get organized and start working on this in the coming months. After reading through the materials, as well as a bunch of things on their website, I’m already starting to look at my knitting more critically, which is the whole point. I’m pretty sure that I’m going to have my biggest hurdles with even tension and finishing techniques.
In the meantime, I have a baby blanket to finish.
The lace edge is knitted on around the garter stitch square, I’ve finished half of it. It’s a bazillion repeats, with short row sections around the corners, which is something new for me. I have been under the misinformation that the baby is due about a month before it really is, so I have a bit of a grace period. This should be a rule for family babies. Just tell me it’s due the first of November when it really isn’t, and I might finish the project before the kid gets his driver’s license.
That’s all I have. I hope your new week starts out well. I’ll leave you all with one last Lewey photo.
I missed your last post and went back to read it. I’m so sorry to read about Lewey’s death. I feel so badly every time one of my animals dies, but, as you write, the million little daily reminders bring happiness and perhaps a bit of wistfulness. I hope you’ll be over-inundated with joyful memories.
Enjoy retirement. If you do decide to tackle the TKGA masterknitter certification, I look forward to some interesting posts about your experience. I didn’t realize TKGA had such a program. I’m only familiar with Royal School of Needlework and Needlework guilds’ certification programs.
Sweet, sweet boy. xoxo
You are braver than I am – I already look at my knitting too critically, and fear that if I tried to do something like the TKGA courses, I’d never knit another stitch. I’ll be curious to see how you go along with it.
I’m pretty sure I’ve “known” Lewey since he was a young ‘un, a dog full of personality for sure. Here’s hoping his loss continues to be mitigated by happy memories for you.
Wow, your ambition is more than mine. I haven’t done much yet since retiring early in July. I have been finding more time for my crafting though and am starting to get a bit of a routine.
‘That’s it’ you say? That is awesome! Can’t wait to see your journey in the next coming year!
I have always wanted to do one of their classes and Dorothy certainly inspired me. But for a later time in my life. Congratulations on your upcoming retirement. Very happy for you.