AUTHOR: Knitti-me TITLE: DATE: 5:48:00 PM ----- BODY:

Hello, hello, is this working...? (tap, tap, tap - blow into microphone) Testing? Testing? Hi , my name is Marie and this is my first baby step into the world of blogging. I have been a knitting blog reader for quite a while, but now I think I'm ready to join in. I learned to crochet at a summer class offered at church when I was about 9 or 10. And that was it, I crocheted anything from Barbie "bed spreads" and "rugs," baby doll blankies to eyeglass cases, hats, granny square vests, etc. I also learned how to knit during the same summer, but didn't quite take to it as I did crocheting. Once I hit puberty, all craftiness drained out of me. Knitting came back into my life in the form of my mother-in-law. My husband (who is from New Zealand) and I were honeymooning in New Zealand and his mother was kind enough to show me the basics of knitting and got me started on a vest. I acutally finished it but never really wore it. It hung around in my closet for about 16 years, then off to the Goodwill. Once husband and I were back in the USA, I started to knit a pullover for him. Well, after only getting the back done and half the front the project ended up in the bottom drawer...and knitting left my life again for about 12 years. About three years ago, a coworker would bring her crocheting to work. My hands began to itch to take up needle work again. I thought, "I can do that," and really it was like riding a bike. I was back in fine crocheting form again. But where does the "knitti-me" come into this story, you may ask? I'm getting to that. Because my mother-in-law was such a master knitter, I was always a bit intimidated to take up something when I knew I could never get to her level of expertise. Still, my crafty buddy at work encouraged me to give it a try. Besides, my mother-in-law is half a world away, it's not like I'm going to run into her at the yarn store. So here I am knitting again after 17 years (can you tell I've been married a long, long, long time?). I'm still in the scarf, hat, and throw stage. My one attempt at a cardigan was woefully unsuccessful; but I will persevere. Stay tuned for the continuing adventures (or misadventures) of knitti-me and "oh crochet baby!"

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