One Year! Who Would Have Thought!

"Did you ever read about a frog
Who dreamed of bein' a king
And then became one?
Well, except for the names
And a few other changes
If you talk about me,
The story's the same one."

That's exactly how I feel right now.  I feel like the frog who dreamed about being a king and became one.  I dreamed about sharing my  love of knitting, and I did it.  One year ago today, I made my first post to Knitting: A Love Story. The first day I had one visitor (which was probably me) and the second day I had ten.  As of today, Knitting: A Love Story has had 12,718. I'd like to celebrate by reminiscing about my favorite things this year. First of all, this is the first picture I posted.  Now remember, I am not a photographer, I am not a writer, I am just a knitter and a story teller.  "Let start at the very beginning.  That's a very good place to start. . ."

MY first post explained why the blog is called "Knitting: A Love Story." "My heart races with excitement at the thought of it.  I catch myself thinking about it through out the day.  When I think about it I smile.  Even when it's boring, even when it's hard, I can't imagine not having knitting in my life.  If that's not love I don't know what is."  My explanation is even stronger today.  Writing about my love of knitting has only intensified my love of knitting.  

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My favorite knitting of all time is shown in this pictures.  Surviver Shawls (March 21 and 27) brought joy and meaning to my life.  I loved planning, buying pink yarn, putting different yarns together, making Magic Balls and knitting these pieces of wonder fabric.  I loved the letters Survivors sent talking about how much the shawls meant to them.  I get a little teary when I think of this wonder period in my life.   I was ecstatic to share the pattern with Jocelynn Brown's readers in HomeStyle.   

Another of my favorite posts talked about criteria for the perfect travel project. (April 1).  This is not the picture which goes which that post "The Perfect Project For Traveling" but I can't find the picture.  I had to change from posting from my iPad to MacBook when the IOS update wouldn't let me access Weebly from my iPad.  Then I got a new iPad.  So, the picture is some where.  This is another excellent travel project though. I am just about finished with it so will do a post soon.  It meets the criteria of: 1) It has to be something not so complicated that you have to keep referring to the pattern.  2) It has to be something small so that it doesn't take over your seat. 3)  It has to interesting so that you find yourself working on it making the miles fly away.  4) It has to have great yarn (of course, I think that is a must for every project.  5)  It has to be something you can knit on then talk to the driver then knit on then listen to a tune then knit on then day dream.  I am going to do a post soon on all of my favorite travel projects.  

OMG!  Look what I just found on my MacBook.  Isn't it beautiful.  I have such wonderful memories of knitting this on trips to Lexington and Traverse City. This is my favorite travel project.

This is my favorite post (June 1, Knitting Transports Me To Another Time And Place).  Not only do I love the Big Bang Wrap, I get all sentimental thinking about knitting it with my Mom.  When I read this, I can't help it but I tear up.  

I've met so many wonderful people through and because of Knitting: A Love Story.  Like Meg, Beth, Hazel and Anne at Twisted Fiber art; Kelly from Knitting On The Fringe; Jocelynn Brown from the Detroit News; Molly from Knit 'n Purl; Oleya from Knit Purl, Kathie who comments and provides feedback on my blogs (I love that); Mary from Yarn Quest; Lori from Little Traverse Bay; Jan Roys a friend from high school who provides feedback; and many, many more.  I think meeting people f2f or online has been an unanticipated treasure from Knitting: A Love Story.

I love field trips taken to my favorite LYSs and discovering new LYSs to share with you.  I can't wait to see where 2015 takes me.  

I loved introducing you to Mary Helen Growt, the wonderful woman she taught me to knit continental and changed my life.  

As I started reminiscing, I realized I needed to stop, otherwise I would just be talking about everything.  I realized I loved everything about Knitting: A Love Story and the journey on which it has taken me.  I never thought I had a year's worth of things to talk about but here I am with no end in sight.

Here's to another year of knitting, sharing and telling stories. Thank you to all the readers of Knitting: A Love Story for helping to make this the best year ever.