How to Cast on Stitches for Knitting : Learn to Knit Series - Video 1

Do you want to learn to knit? Knitting is not just for grandmothers anymore! Knitting is a hip art form of expression through our love of fiber, and it has been on the rise for about ten years in the younger generations. I learned to knit about five years ago, and I want to teach everyone I know how to knit. I was really excited to learn to knit, as I fell in love with the yarns first. The plentitude of beautiful fiber out there will sway you, it’s guaranteed.
Some benefits of knitting:
1. Knitting is meditative, calming, and stress free- once you get the basics down.
2. Knitting can be done anywhere. I earned my B.S. in Biology from the University of Michigan, and if you ask anyone who knows me, I knit during lectures, riding in the car on long road trips, while I was studying, in the dentist’s chair….. literally anywhere. No worries about hauling huge supply suitcases- just two sticks and some yarn, and you’re ready to take your art project with you anywhere!
3. Knitting is VERY EASY. There are only two stitches to learn, and then you can knit anything under the sun. Everyone I teach is always shocked at how easy it is to knit.
4. Knitting is FUN.
5. Knitting has been passed down from generation to generation, and is one of the oldest textile based art forms in the world. Think of the Irish Aran sweaters used to identify sailors washed up on shore. Crazy history behind this art form, and you’re about to become part of that history!
The first basic is casting on. Learning how to knit begins with a simple slipknot and this step of getting the stitches ON the needle before you can jump in and begin knitting. So watch with me, pause as you go, and get busy!
Let’s Knit!
♥Rose

Twas the Night Before Christmas Poem- Rewritten

I'm not sure you can top this.  I had my first day of break yesterday, and the goal was to clean the house, including the two squirt's room.  Here is how my Christmas story began....

Twas the first day of Christmas break-

Everything was quiet, and all through the house,
not a creature was whining, not even my youngest mouse.

The stockings were hung on the wall with command adhesive hooks,
and for my future downtime, I had picked several books.


The children were watching some silly cartoon,
visions of all the toys from the commercials landing under the tree soon.

And momma in her ponytail, cleaning the kitchen
was humming Christmas tunes and thinking of stitchen'.

When from under the cabinet overhang, something bit into my heel
A food processor blade slicing me; pure stainless steel!

I dropped to floor with a shout and a scream,
To see that my foot now had a seam.

A four inch long seam, at least half an inch deep,
Made her so mad, she wished that she'd stayed asleep.

Off to the ER, in her manual transmission,
foot wrapped up tight in an army bandage, pain blurred her vision.

11 stitches and a tetanus shot later, she's tucked in her chair
Wishing that fate instead had decided to cut her hair.

There it is folks.  I cut my foot wide open yesterday on a misplaced food processor blade and had to drive myself to the ER, to get 11 stitches and a tetanus shot.  I'm now hobbling around on Christmas eve, trying to get all that last minute business done.  (I'd show you the picture, but it is too gross.) Wish me luck!

Do you have any Christmas injury stories to share?  I'd love to hear that I'm not the only one.  *pout*

Have a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year from biologyrose- aka FrankenFoot.
:)