Recap: Knit & Sip

Tuesday evening I taught 9 brand new knitters a post-apocalyptic life skill.  Call me an enabler, a pusher, heck, a dealer even, but this is one addiction that’s laden with benefits.

The goal was to tech them how to make a tiny scarf and hat set to adorn their favorite (alcoholic or non) bottle. (Mine happen to be of the alcoholic variety).

I really do love teaching knitters, my nervous excitement is too positive a feeling.  Any negative nerves were induced by driving and parking anxieties (a topic for another time…or not).

The class was held at a coffee and booze shop called Hooked on Colfax in Denver and although I’d never been to this venue before, I totally love it and would hang out there regularly were it not for the aforementioned anxieties because it is so far from where I currently live.  

Around 6, the students started rolling in and once everyone was seated with their beverage of choice, we began.  

By the end of the evening, many had half a scarf completed and they all had personal charm from the colors that were chosen, to the creative increases and decreases that are standard amongst first (second, third, fourth, twenty-eighth) timers.  Some even had finished pieces:

I hope the students had as much fun as I did, really really.  Learning to teach is almost as difficult as learning the thing being taught, constructive advice is always welcome!

Knit & Sip – A Class

Frequently I hear folks say that they wish they could knit when they find out what I do.  I’ve taught many a man and woman, and now I’m teaching a class through the brand-new and awesome Tentiko!

Next Tuesday, December 11 between 6 and 8pm, I’ll be teaching a basic knitting class at Hooked on Colfax. 

Students don’t need to have any prior experience and materials are provided.  At the end of the class, students will have a scarf and (possibly) hat fit to decorate a wine bottle!  Spots on the class are limited, and they’re filling up super quickly (yay!) so if this is something you’d like to learn just in time for the holidays, go sign up now and I’ll see you next week!

Holiday Handmade Recap

This weekend was Fancy Tiger’s 5th Annual Holiday Handmade Show and I’m proud to say that I was a part of it.  Getting into the show is pretty competitive and I was shocked and honored to be chosen!  It was my first two-day show and I worked it by myself, no less.

New Pattern Organization Strategy

Load-in on Friday afternoon went fairly smoothly, thankfully they had helpers to get things out of cars and into spaces quickly.  Set-up was stress-free (I think mostly because I’d done a mock set-up in my living room the day before) and my neighbors were awesome!  With the friendly folk of My July on one side and Colleen H Designs on the other, the two days were a breeze.

Friday’s Booth

The shoppers came and they shopped.  They lined up in front of the doors at least an hour before the show even opened!  How dedicated is that?

The Pattern Basket

I met some super cool folks, made some friends, learned a lot, worked out my arms and legs (carrying all of your product, table, chair, displays up three flights of stairs certainly is a work out), and all-in-all had a great time! I hope to do it again next year

Now, I must start preparing for my next show this Saturday.

HaHo Holiday Show

Holiday Handmade

As I’m sure many of you know, I’m participating in a few craft shows this season! The next one I’ll be in is being held next Friday evening and Saturday (Nov 30th and Dec 1st) in the Sherman Event Center in Denver, CO.

one of the sooper sweeeet graphics for the show

I’m so stoked to have been accepted into this show, the competition is fierce and the show is widely marketed – it was even featured in Martha Stewart!

From Fancy Tiger’s Facebook Page

I hope you’ll all swing by and say Hello

Full Moon Harvest Festival This Saturday!

If you’re in the Denver area, please come out and say hello this Saturday at the Full Moon Harvest Festival put on by Green Spaces!

All of the pretty details

It’s sure to be a fun time with lots of music, food, beverages, artists and great people

First Half Marathon Recap

I ran my very first half marathon on Saturday, the Denver Rock n Roll Half Marathon, it was tough, but I feel good for having accomplished it!

Because the organizers set groups off in waves (with 15,000 people, how can you do it any other way?) and I had estimate a longer time for myself (which I met) I was in the next-to-last corral to start the race.  The waiting was probably one of the worst parts for me since I usually just “get up and go” when I run around my neighborhood.

Thanks to my buddy for having a phone to take this picture after the race!

During the race, my only real “issues” were dodging so many folks on the road, listening to all of their conversations and around mile 10 my gut cramped up (probably from drinking the Gatorade at the last station too fast so I could keep moving).  Other than that, I had the normal aches and pains in my knees and feet but I feel that, even though my average pace was slower than intended, I finished strong.

Comments on the Rock N Roll Race:

• there were fewer bands than I imagined there would be (cowbells don’t count as “live music”)
• the Expo was pleasant, I went Thursday afternoon so it was less crowded which was kind of nice
• volunteers, and especially the Police men and women keeping us safe from getting run over, should have a smile on (like they actually want to keep us safe)
• I love that the chip on my shoe didn’t have to be returned after the race, one less thing to worry about
• all of the folks at the finish line were nice, smiley, helpful and made me feel like I accomplished something

What I will do differently next time:

• train more
• bring my own music
• have my cell phone handy in my own pack or my checked bag for post-race-finding-of-folks

Almost Time!

Yesterday, after another very long day at the cafe, I headed into Denver to check out the Rock N Roll Expo.  I picked up my race bib, swag bag and tshirt.

can’t wear the shirt till the race is complete

Tomorrow I’m taking it easy, resting my feet and gearing up my head and body to do something I’ve never done before.  And with some 15,000 people no less.

I imagine you won’t be hearing much from me until next week!

FO Friday: I broke double digits!

Now, I know the title of this post seems to have nothing to do with knitting and that you’re probably confused.

Truth? This post has very little to do with knitting except that knitting is like running in that every little bit counts.

As some of you know, I’ve been training for my first half marathon, the Denver Rock n Roll Half Marathonthat’s happening next Saturday, September 22.  I’ve been struggling with training for this race for a few reasons.  Mentally, I want to do it, I want to cross that finish line and I know my muscles can handle it. Physically, thus far in the training process, I’ve been dealing with a *ton* of knee pain in my left knee, the joint pain stops me long before my muscles are tired.

shoes + tapes + foam roller = holly can run!

I’m not going to bore you with the details, but I’m working with a Physical Therapist on fixing the pain and yesterday was my long run for the week.  Not only was I able to complete more than 10 miles, I did it with what I think most runners would consider “normal” amounts of pain!

superfeet make for super knees

I’m so stoked and much MUCH more confident in my abilities to cross that finish line next week.  Where I was feeling like throwing in the towel and giving up last week, now I feel like I can do anything (that involves my sneakers hitting the ground)!

What accomplishments have you achieved lately?

So Fancy

My favorite LYS, Fancy Tiger, just had their 6 year anniversary this past weekend!  I needed some swatching yarn and a knitting-people fix so I took a real shower, put on real clothes and skipped (drove) on down to Broadway to join the festivities.

phone pic, taken amidst the action

Believe me when I tell you the place was packed.  The owners, Jaime and Amber, were so generously handing out goody bags to the first 100 people who walked through the doors and I was lucky enough to snag one before scampering off through the crowds to find the perfect swatching yarn.

The line was long, yes, but it moved very quickly and when you’re in a line like that, you’re in good company and so waiting was actually enjoyable.  I also brought knitting in my purse and was able to knit while in line too (and nobody looked at me weird either! yay for yarn stores!).

Can you believe that I didn’t even open my goody bag until I got home?  True story. I broke through the staples in the car but decided it would probably be a safety hazard for the vehicles around me if I delved into the deep whilst driving.

Wanna see my loot?  Of course you do.

free tshirt (it’s so soft), free stickers, free tattoos, free fabric and free Bhedawol

As we all know, photographing reds is difficult but suffice it to say, this yarn is beautiful, the color is gorgeous, its very soft and it’s perfect for the design I’ve got in mind.

knits up beautifully

What did you do this weekend?

Long Weekend

You know those weekends where you do enough stuff and have enough adventures to fit in an entire week but really it was only three days?

I had one of those.

There was baseball to be watched

There were obscure signs to be seen

there were roller coasters to be ridden

There was Casa Bonita to be experienced

(if you don’t know about Casa Bonita, educate yourself)

There was fooseball to be played

There were pianos to admire

And, of course, many more things that didn’t make it on camera.

And I’m taking another trip this next weekend to take advantage of the Memorial Day Holiday on Monday (New Mexico, I’m comin’ at ya!).  Perhaps I’ll sleep next month sometime.