Netting, More or Less: a class dealing with increases and decreases

Time seems to be flying by as usual.  My new netting class is beginning to take shape.

I did finally finish the Projects Page for my new netting class.  It took longer than I had planned, but is now up.  I also added a Supplies Page and a tentative list of the videos and handouts (otherwise known as the Syllabus) that will be included in the class.

Oh, yes, I did decide to include the snood pattern in the class.

Why do favorite authors have to die?

It's happened again.  One of my favorite authors, Diana Wynne Jones, recently died and there have been many blogs written in response.  Since I never personally knew her, I am grateful to those who were able to share some of their memories with us, like Patricia Wrede, Robin McKinley, Neil Gaiman, and Emma Bull. 

I began reading her books in the 1970.  Because I was a young mother, married to a college student, one of my favorite places to visit was the local public library. Since there was no inter-library loan in those days, I was stuck reading whatever the library had in their possession.  I do remember reading Dogsbody, Cart and Cwidder, Drowned Ammet, and The Spellcoats.  I think I also read Charmed Life, The Magicians of Caprona, The Homeward Bounders, Witch Week, Howl's Moving Castle, and Archer's Goon at this time.

Then we moved again to a town where the library did not have any of her books and no way to request them.  One day, while visiting a local bookstore I found the complete Dalemark series including the fourth one, which I had not read.  I decided to splurge and get it.

Once the library had free inter-library loan available I made sure to request all of her books that I could.  I made sure to introduce my children to this wonderful author.

Links to the past: Net hairnets and snoods

I just found a wonderful list of links to hairnets (snoods).  Some are net with embroidery; some have the design net into them; all are different and beautiful.  A special thanks to Alys for compiling the list and for Alwen for directing me to it.

Progress is being made toward the second beginning netting class in Rita's Netting Nook.  I think I've decided on the techniques that will be taught (increases, decreases, square mesh netting, and creating a net chain), finished the first time through the patterns that will be included (more rectangular bags, more headbands, dishcloths, and maybe a hairnet / snood), and photographed half the finished projects.  I am almost ready to start writing scripts and filming the videos.

If I do decide to include a pattern for a hairnet or snood, it would be this one.








I hope to have the photos up on a new Projects page posted on Rita's Netting Nook by the end of next week (if not earlier).

Oh, the weather outside . . .

The past few weeks have been filled with ice, snow, and schools closed because of ice and snow.  I just read that in the month of January alone we got 40.5" of snow.  So far in February we have had 15.7" and since November we have had a whopping 63.1" of snow.  The record for snowfall for this area was set at 107.7" back in 1996.


While I have been doing netting and knitting, some of my time (more than I'd like) has been spent shoveling the driveway with a snow shovel and the help of two sons who are still at home . . .

 . . . and moving the snow off the roof of the carport. We measured about 20" and figured we had better remove it before the next storm. 

The poor mailbox is almost hidden in the piles of snow that surround it.

This week is the first week since Christmas break that school has been held every day. I'm hoping the last part of February and the month of March will be easier on us than January and the first half of February have been.

I've got my boys to help me shovel

Yesterday I was reading an e-mail from someone about my age who was commenting on the fact that she just had herself, her husband, and a cat at home.  I found myself wondering how that would feel.  This morning I decided not to envy her at all.


When I woke up and looked outside, the overnight snowfall had the snow higher than the three steps to my front door.  When I opened the screen door, it bushed the top of the snow.
 
I had forgotten that snow could get this deep.  At this point we figure it was about 20 inches.  Plenty of snow for me for one day, but it is still coming down.

Looking Up to the Front Door

Looking Down from the Front Door

I am grateful that I have two strong sons who are still living at home and who can help me shovel my way out of what Mother Nature so kindly dropped on our doorstep.  No need to get a snow blower yet.

Receiving His Gift

God’s gift to the world when Jesus was born is ours to enjoy all year long.
Each day can be brightened with peace and good will as the angels proclaimed in their song.


Worried souls can be calmed, broken hearts can be healed if we listen and truly believe
In His teachings and power to transform our lives.  Let us open our hearts and receive.


We receive His gift fully by doing His will.  It’s not ours if we simply admire.
By our taking His hand and our following Him, it’s our legacy, full and entire.


Does someone have burdens I might help to lift or tears I could help cease to flow
Or wounds I could heal that I know nothing of or need comfort that I could bestow?


I’m already busy, of course; aren’t we all?  Our schedules we needn’t belabor.
Even if I had time, I have scarcely a dime I can spare for a friend or a neighbor.


So why should I worry about other people?  I’ve got such a big load to pull.
And then through my protests I hear words profound: Serving others enlarges your soul.


In serving your fellows, you’re serving your Lord.  As you have done unto the least,
So have you done unto the greatest of all.  And your love and your joy are increased.


So come unto God as you give of yourself, and thereby you are storing up treasure
In heaven.  Meanwhile here on earth you will give and receive sheaves of joy beyond measure.


Don’t tackle the world.  Start small, close to home.  And gradually you’ll come to know
The difference that even small efforts can make.  From little starts good things can grow.


Merry Christmas to All
December 2010             

Each year since 1971 my husband and I have crafted a Christmas poem.  This poem is number 39.

"Net Like A Lacemaker" Class Is Done

It's done, it's DONE, IT'S FINALLY DONE!

You can finally register to take my basic netting class - "Net Like a Lacemaker."

I feel like I've been working toward this forever, even though it's only been a year. But now the class is ready (at least I hope it's ready).

All the instruction videos are done.
All the handouts are done.
All the patterns have been made (at least twice).
All the pattern instructions are written.

It's time to actually hold the class and hope the nice, wonderful, understanding people registering for the class will work with me in taking care of any problems that come up.

There are a couple of things you need to know about registering for this class:

1. Class size is limited this time.
   
2. You need to join Rita's Netting Nook as a free member or login if you are already a member.
3. Register for the class.
4. Get the supplies you will need for the class.
   
5. Wait until Jan. 3, 2011 when the classroom opens.

Basic information about the class:

Cost: $35 USD
Start Date: 3 Jan 2011
Length: 8 weeks


If you want to see what is included in the class, look at the syllabus.

If you have questions or problems registering, contact me.

I hope to see you there.