BROK: The Bob Ross of Knitting

Whoops.

Something happened there and I slipped away, in the ether of the internet, gone in a sea of dust mites and moth balls.

Oh yeah, that's right. I got divorced and had to move and realize the ugly in child custody - that happened.

I knit my way through it. I pulled out yarn I've had from Rhinebecks past, and I slipped stitches, put in yarn overs, purled two together, and with each new project, rebuilt my self-confidence. Now that I have to work full-time again, and parent my kiddo, I can't stay up late into the wee hours of the night working on projects to sell at craft shows. Days go by when I can't even knit. I'm still learning how to juggle it all. But I was inspired one early morning, while waking my son up slowly to the dulcet tones of the inequitable Bob Ross, to create another zone-out show for people.

Knitting.

I love to watch people do things with their hands. When I was in college, watching students draw gave me chills, and made my hair stand on end just to see them sketch. I will watch YouTube videos of people drawing, sketching, painting, quilting, embroidering, knitting, and more. Since childhood, I adored watching people get their hair cut. I am mesmerized and relaxed by it. So why can't I do that? I knit fairly quickly. I used to teach knitting regularly and love to do it, and was even told I'm good at it.

The Christen Knits YouTube channel was born. Come watch me knit. Listen to me talk. Sometimes, I'll teach something. Leave comments. Ask me questions. Tell me what you want to see. Below is a video of me knitting some toe-up socks, in the round, two at a time:



Some ideas I've had (and I'd love your feedback): knitting with an audio track of me reading from my novel, Knitwitch (which I still adore); drunk knitting, because you may not know this about me, but I'M FUNNY AS SHIT; video of yarn cake winding, because the blur is soothing.

When I told my father about my new channel, I received the photo below in response. That's where my humor is from. Go check me out. Share on Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Twitter. And as always, KNIT ON!

You Must Be a Gemini If....

Gemini, and left-handed. Sort of cursed, but only in the way curly coloring books, fun novels, and Pinterest for a brain can be.

I know it's been months, but I've been busy! I find myself interested in so many different things, all tied together with the foundational theme of CREATIVITY. Knitting soothes my soul, but I've discovered that drawing does too. And pretty nails. And writing.

I am working hard to add to the second Knitwitch novel - still without a title, which has yet to be discovered. I have found that writing longhand brings out the "flow," a muscle-memory response, I'm sure, cultivated after over 20 years of writing in a journal. The characters in the second book are the same as in the first, but new ones are also added. I'm excited to get it finished, but it truly has been a struggle. An office would be ideal, as would a cabin in the deep woods in a warm mountainside with a nice lake, plenty of quiet, and maybe a yoga mat. A girl can dream. (If you haven't yet read the first one, head on over to Amazon and either download the Kindle version, or get the paperback and hold in your hands to feel the heavenly AHHH of a book about knitting witches!) I'm not as far into it as I want to be, but I'm trying!

I have created an author webpage, (no blog included). Just something else out in the inter-sphere to lead people to me.

I also fell in love, since Christmas, with a little known product called Jamberry. I ordered some from a friend to give as Christmas gifts, and then I had a party in March. I LOVE THEM. Being as enthusiastic as I was, it only made sense that I become a consultant. I do wish I had made that decision before my party, as I could have started earning right away, but it's still great. So, I am now also found online in my Jamberry store.



Jammin' out with my wraps. This is a combo of Blue Jeans and Twilight Blossom.
They will last for two weeks... if I can manage to not want to change them! :D

Now, I don't want to sell any of those wonderful things short, but I am especially excited about new Etsy shop. Since Decmber, I have been "meditating" with some doodling. For a long time, I was creating drawings I could color in myself. Suddenly, it was suggested I leave them black and white so I could reprint them and color them different ways, multiple times. Genius! I was sure other people would want in too. Once I began doodling, I decided to go ahead with plans I've had in my head for years to make a line of punny greeting cards. So my Etsy shop, Big Serious Stuff, was born.

Selling knitted items on Etsy can be hard - there are many other products, and once something is bought, it's gone, and the shop can be empty a lot of the time. This is especially true for me because I sell much of my inventory at various craft shows (one coming up on April 25, in Duncannon, PA, at the Sled Works!).

Those drawings I was making for myself to color? You can color them too! Download them, and use them over and over again. The greeting cards are going up piecemeal, as I still have to be sure I can print them in good quality. Here are some examples of my work:

 

 

These and more can be found in my Etsy store, Big Serious Stuff, for less than a dollar. The pretty lady is also available in a bundle download of five images for $3.50.

 

I'm very excited about this shop, and can't wait to add more of what I have!

 

That is a brief rundown of the various ponds my toes are soaking in at the moment. It keeps me busy, while I also attend to my two part-time jobs, read to my amazing kiddo, pretend to like a clean house (cover me in dusty books and yarn; honestly, I don't care), and reruns of X-Files and Supernatural.

  

Knit on!

 

(P.S. If you haven't liked my Facebook page yet, please head on over and say hello!)

 

 

Lancaster Craft and Flea Market!

Want to be the best gift giver when family gets together? Want to hear squeals of delight when they open a unique gift that you were able to find for them?

Come out this Saturday, December 13, to the Lancaster Craft and Flea Market at the Zoetropolis Art House! Christen Knits! will be there with some quality hand knit goods.

I am always proud of the quality of my work, and the goods I'll have for sale at this event are no exception. I love every piece, and am a bit sad I won't be keeping it all -- but I am also THRILLED to share my craft with an audience and clientele that loves and appreciates a hand made piece of art!

Here are some of the things I'll be selling this weekend. There will also be many other fantastic vendors, specializing in vintage goods and bobs. Introduce yourself!

Lovely mitts and matching hat, designed by tincanknits (check her out!)

Driving mitts, of my own design

My "new" mom, showing off one of my dolls while at my book signing last month.

What I Do When I'm Not Knitting

I wrote a new article for Hubpages today, Before and After the 30-Day Shred with Jillian Michaels. I got sick in April, and once I recovered, I realized I needed to learn to be a mom, a wife, AND me. It was hard to shift blame, to realize that I really do need to make sure I carve the time out I need to be healthy and happy. When you're tired, learning new roles and navigating relationships, control can slip from our fingers without our ever noticing. Getting sick helped me learn to stand up. I also learned that the results are not as bad as I imagined them to be. Plus, I got my ass back. That's always a nice little bonus. Take a peek!

Christen Knits! Will Be Selling in Lancaster, PA

I am very excited and happy to report that Christen Knits! will be selling again at the Lancaster Craft and Flea Market in Lancaster, PA, on Saturday, December 13, from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm.

Last year was my first year taking my hand knit creations on the road. I had a great time sharing space with a neighbor and friend, Rebecca Adey of ModSew Designs, whose plush, sewn animals were hot sellers. She was gracious and kind, offering me tips, advice, and table space to share.

The Lancaster Craft and Flea Market is held in the Zoetropolis Theater. The second floor is filled with the hustle and bustle of jewelry artisans, knitters, candle makers, flea market finds and more. It's a blast to have creativity and ingenuity come together in one artistic space.

Last year, my knitted monsters were a big hit, so I am returning with even more. I'll also be selling some wearable accessories from fingerless mitts to shawls. There will even be cashmere!

If you are in the area, come out and say hello. Support the local artists and pick up some Christmas gifts or stocking stuffers!

Learn more about the event by going to the craft market Facebook page.

The Go For It Hat: A Free Hat Pattern

I recently decided to let go of my old crobinator.com blog. Unfortunately, it was home to my Go For It Hat pattern, found on Ravelry. In celebration (I decluttered the internet), I'm posting my hat pattern here.

Knit with a bulky weight yarn

When I have knitting classes, of which there are few these days since I've started working in the Real World again, my main goal is for students to produce with the skills I've taught them. Many believe their first project will be a scarf, seven feet long, and wearable. I have found that beginning knitters can quickly lose interest in the craft when the project feels never ending. That's what I had in mind when I designed the Go For It hat.

This pattern is perfect for beginners. Made entirely with a combination of knits and purls, no decreases necessary, the hat looks interesting when knit with one color, and geometric with two. The colors can be changed several times in one hat, making it additionally interesting for advanced knitters who want a project for relaxation. The combination of the two stitches also ensures nobody is getting bored.

The length of the hat is easily adjusted by adding stitches in multiples of 5, creating a more slouchy look. The stitches can also be decreased if you don't like a fold-over brim and prefer a more traditional beanie or tuque look. Change up the texture by using fingering weight yarn (adjusting cast on stitches for gauge), or a bulky yarn. The possibilities are vast and I encourage everybody to take advantage of them.

Knit with two colors of Cascade 220, a worsted weight

Please leave a link to your Ravelry project page if you decide to make one!

AMAZING NEWS! Knitwitch is published!

It has been a few months, but I have been working furiously! I am now thrilled thrilled THRILLED to announce the publication of my novel, Knitwitch!

Knitwitch began two years ago. I had been craving more books about knitting, and was in the throes of a supernatural reading marathon. Why couldn't I find a novel that combined the two? So I followed the advice of other writers: If you want to read a good book, write one.

What began as a brief foray into satisfying my own desires eventually grew into a world of knitting, witchcraft, friendships, romance and history. I loved it all. And now I can share it with you!

Knitwitch is currently available on amazon.com in both paperback and kindle editions. The kindle edition is only $2.99! And it includes free shipping for Prime members!

I hope my readers love the book as much as I do. I will be working with local venues for book readings, signings, and general "let's knit and talk about books!" discussion groups.

If you read Kniwitch, please leave a review on Amazon. And write to me! I'd love to hear from you as I embark on book two!

As always: Knit on!