Happy National Craft Month

Hello! And Happy National Craft Month!! We thought we would use this as an opportunity to tell you a little bit more about ourselves and what we like to craft. My name is Kate; I am the oldest of this sisterly duo.
 
My name is Joanna; I am the youngest of this duo. Of course. I live in Iowa.
 
And I live in Missouri. Two sisters. Two States. We grew up the granddaughters of crafters, so it was only a matter of time before we became crafters ourselves.
 
Though we have mostly taken our crafting in different directions, the love and value of crafting was developed at a young age.
 
I learned to crochet when I was younger at a 4H meeting. My dad talked me into going. He learned to crochet in a similar situation. He thought I might enjoy it. I did. But I was young and busy with other things, like Debate and Forensics, plays and things. I left yarn behind for quite some time.
 
Kate and our grandmother tried to teach me how to crochet multiple times, but it never stuck. I think we all left those lessons frustrated. About 8 years ago... maybe 9.. I taught myself how to knit. I was unemployed and bored. And I wanted a Doctor Who scarf. I am 99% sure that was my motivation. I now know that I will NEVER EVER knit a Doctor who scarf. 16 foot scarves are Kate’s department.
 
They are! I love them! Now I know why Joanna taught me to knit!
 
I don’t understand her love. I’m sure she doesn’t understand some of my knitting tendencies either.
 
I don’t understand her love of lace. Lace and I have a love hate relationship.
 
Oh lace, it has been too long. Anyway…
 
Joanna taught me to knit. She is very patient. It was an interesting experience because we quickly learned we knit like to knit in two different styles.
 
I don’t recall it taking much patience. I’m pretty sure you picked it up quickly.
 
I think I was highly motivated and quickly realized how much I was going to love it. For a while, Joanna learned things first and then taught me. That was until we began to realize our taste in knitting differed with our styles of knitting.
  
I’m told some of my tendencies are crazy. I often knit with finer yarn on smaller needles.
 
I like heavier weights and cables and big big scarves. I knit loosely and often have to go down in needle size.
 
I have always knit tightly, thought that has changed a bit over time. I don’t have to go up needle sizes as often as I used to. I’m not sure I have a particular kind of item I knit. I knit a lot of things for other people. I always need something of interest to keep my attention though.
 
You do knit a lot for other people. But you now do other cool things with fiber too!
 
It is a compulsion. I just volunteered to knit for a kid I know the other day.... I might have a problem. I do have other fiber habits!
 
Well, I find myself knitting for other people at lesser frequency but larger projects. Like massive scarves and recently blankets.
 
Oy. Good luck with that. I have trouble making it through a baby blanket. Three ish years ago I became interested in spinning my own yarn. I believe Kate gave me an online class on spindle spinning. I got a kit and got to work. And then... got distracted. Two years ago I rather unexpectedly found myself meeting a nice man in a parking lot to buy his Wife’s spinning wheel. I’m properly hooked now.
 
I did give you a class! It was Craftsy back then. It’s Bluprint now!
 
Yes! It is a great class! Bluprint is quite the enabler.
 
Perfect segway!! It is the greatest of enablers, second only to the Knit Picks Annual Sale! Someday I will learn to spin, when I am not running around after children, a husband, and life in general.
 
Oh man. KnitPicks is a problem. Instagram is also highly problematic for me.
 
Oh, Instagram... big problem. I have bought so many patterns lately because of Instagram.
 
You can learn now! People with kids spin. Mostly on spindles while their kids play. *enables from afar* There is an enabling finger waggle happening.

Next time you are in town, enable away! I have a spindle. I have fiber!
 
Will do! I have purchased some patterns as a result of Instagram as well. I did buy some lovely spinning fiber I saw on Instagram too.
 
How about we chat a bit about our crafting to learn lists!?
 
I have a feeling your list is more concrete than mine. I do have some crafting dreams.
 
I would like to learn to cable without cable needles. I would like to learn to double knit. I would like to design my own shawls. Those are my things to do this year. And at some point ... I would like to put the loom that lives in my basement to use. One of us should at least. It was a gift. It needs love. Eventually ... sheep to sweater. But that's more of a lifetime knitting goal.
 
At the end of last year, I decided this will be my year of spinning. I have a book and a few Bluprint classes to work though. I would very much like to learn how to spin thicker yarn. My ultimate spinning goals are sock yarns and sheep to sweater. I’m trying to keep my knitting goals on the back burner, but I’m hoping to improve my finishing skills, for tidier knits. My BIG BIG dream is to get into weaving. I just haven’t figuring out how or when I should dive in. I also want to get into knit design, but I’m not sure if I want to start with shawls or something else.
 
Finishing skills are always on my mind. Maybe we can design something together.
 
We should!!
 
Or a matching set of something!
 
Totally! Also, I am on a mission to improve the ergonomics of my crafting. Small changes have made a huge difference in my knitting comfort already.
 
I have great respect for you and your ergonomic goals. I am knitting around a breastfeeding baby or breast pumps half the time so my ergonomics aren't great right now.
 
I’ll give you some tips.
 
We are going to do this sort of post a few more times this month. Letting you get to know us and our addictions. I mean hobbies.
 
Hopefully you enjoy getting to know us a bit better. Feel free to ask us questions or let us know what you are interesting in hearing about us.
 
Also let's us know what you like to craft. We would love to hear from you too. Either here or on instagram!
 
YES! Enable us while we enable you!
 
No one enables a crafter quite like another crafter. Until next time!!
 
Until next time!
 
(After a long pause...

I kinda want to learn embroidery. 

​Me too.)