Back in the summer and fall of 2020, we were trying to find ways to bring business into Ann’s By Design. That and a comment from Carmen the Magician who cuts my hair helped me rediscover the Anemone Hat by Cat Bordhi. It has been one of my favorite things to knit for many years. Since Cat had recently passed away, it seemed important to pay tribute to a woman who brought so much joy to my life.

I always give Carmen something I’ve knit for Christmas. When I gave her the 2019 gift she said, “Next yeat would you make a hat for Lucy?” Lucy is Carmen’s adorable granddaughter. In the fall of 2020 when we all needed something to make us smile, a surprise for Carmen, tribute to Cat and attempt to help Ann’s By Design gave us that smile. The moon, stars and planets aligned and I pulled out the Anemone Hat pattern and decided to spread some joy.

i offered Anemone Hat as one of my first virtual classes at Ann’s By Design. It was a learning experience. Several of my favorite women from Ann’s joined the class and it was fun. Of course I didn’t wait until Christmas to give the hat to Carmen. And here it is!

Isn’t she adorable! When my friend Sally saw Anemone Hat, she wanted me to make one for a new born she knew.

No matter the size, no matter the age, no matter the sex, Anemone Hat looks adorable on all.

Are you smiling yet? I love to make them and look at them. Then there’s Princess Elanor.

OMG! I could just jump into the picture and kiss those cheeks. I even made one for Me.

Ok, now be honest here. Hasn’t this made you smile. I think it is very important to have a pattern in your pocket that brings you joy. If times are rough, like 2020, pull it out and smile. If you’re stuck on a knitting plateau, pull it out and smile. You can find Anemone Hat on Ravelry. Buy it and get ready to smile.

Here I Am! I bet you wonder where I’ve been. It’s been a hard few months for all of us whether we’re knitters or not. In addition to the frightening things that have happened in our everyday life, I have 3 very sad issues related to my beloved knitting. I shared with you that Twisted Fiber Art was closing up shop.

I was so sad. The last day of December, the twisted ladies took their last order. I must say, I purchased several times in December from the condo knowing it would be my last opportunity. You know how I feel about discontinued yarns and colorways!

​I was still grieving the loss of TFA, when I got a call from Ann at the end of December saying Ann’s By Design was closing.

Ann’s By Design has been a huge part of my life for the past six years. I volunteered for a wonderful woman to provide the knitters of Adrian and surrounding communities the opportunity to develop their knitting skills in a community of caring knitters. I have made friends, contributed to the expansion of my stash and been part of a very special family of knitters.

Ann said Ann’s By Design would open Monday, January 4 with 50% off sale and close the end of the month. I hung-up and cried.

We came home early, January 14. I was excited to catch up on Jocelyn Brown’s column in the Detroit Free Press. Jocelyn provided Knitting: A Love Story a boost by writing about it in her HandMade column. She was so good to me, showcasing Knitting: A Love Story in three separate columns. I got so many readers from the exposure.

Here she is the gorgeous, amazing woman who has brought so much joy into my life

Then there was the amazing Knit Detroit Jocelyn arranged sponsored by the Detroit News. I met knitters there who became friends.

The Diet Coke, Twisted Fiber Art Evolution and colorful yarn tell you where I was setting. I introduced Jocelyn and attending knitters to TFA that day.

I kept looking for HandMade in the Friday Free Press HomeStyle supplement. I thought Jocelyn must be taking a break. When I finally checked the archives, I discovered Jocelyn’s last column was December 25. Three of my favorite knitting experiences all ending at the same time! To say I was distraught would be an understatement. I tried to write in Knitting: A Love Story, but didn’t feel I had anything left to say. I felt that anything I shared would be rehashing old news and you would be bored silly with me. Then last week I received the following email. “Good evening. I just wanted to share that I bought a used Aran Knitting book on Amazon and inside I found a column on your Knitting: A Love Story blog. I found it very sweet, and I looked up your blog and will now follow it! I love that you included the Survivor Shawl pattern in the article. Thank you! It’s very inspiring!” So in a used book someone found the Jocelyn Brown article which brought this person to Knitting: A Love Story. Magic! What an inspiration for me to put on my big girl pants and start writing again. This email was the key that started my engine.

Now I have another bit of excitement that burst my depression bubble. Ann’s By Design is going to open under new ownership. My dear friend and knitting buddy Michelle will be the new owner. I have committed to the same arrangement with Michelle that I had with Ann. I will work gratis to help the shop prosper and provide knitters and crocheters with a community of support.

This is my official restart. I have a plethora of projects (oh how I love alliteration) to share and ideas to excite. Please rejoin me to learn about and love everything fiber.