Looking Back: 2008 in Review

Just to preface my little review of 2008, I've been working on being self-employed for a while now. I've been a knitter and designer for most of my life and have designed and knit many things for myself, my family and friends, and have even sold a few things over the years. Many people have told me that I should sell more of my work, but it's easier said than done.

In January of 2006 I found the CSSD website and checked out the Business Abilities program. I was officially approved to take the program in February and started on Phase 1,

I completed Phase 1 and my first Business Plan in the summer of 2007, then started Phase 2, Business Start Up. The first step to be completed in my business plan was to take some accounting and web design courses.

Sooooo...I applied to take the online distance learning IBDE Web Design Training through Selkirk College in Nelson, BC. I also applied to take some Accounting courses through the online distance learning program at the College of the Rockies, in Cranbrook, BC.

So, what did I accomplish in 2008, my "Year of Education". I started the IBDE program in November of 2007 and completed it at the end of April, 2008. I learned to use HTML, XHTML, CSS, Microsoft Expressions, and Photoshop Elements 5. During June and July, 2008, I took two beginners courses for PHP and MYSQL.

At the same time, I started my basic accounting courses in October of 2007 and in October of 2008, I completed my 4th and final course. Whew!

Now, here I am in January of 2009, I'm feeling... mmm, confused! I have all this new-found knowledge in my head, ideas for many knitting designs swirling around in there, and a business to launch. Where do I start?

To Be Continued...

2009 - Year of Natural Fibres

2009 is the International Year of Natural Fibres.

There is a great video about it here.

A Wonderful Little Art Video

I'm having a very slow morning, my body doesn't want to move. As I was skimming through my email and blogs I came across this wonderful little video.




I'm working on two posts for the new year, a review of 2008 and some plans for 2009. Maybe if I post about them here it will inspire me to get my butt in gear and finish them! :)

Talk to you soon,
Cyndi in BC

Wedding Veil

The wedding veil that I made for my daughter-in-law. I used 20/2 Tencel thread with 2.5 mm needles. I made it in Shetland Shawl style, I did the centre square, then picked up the stitches all around and did the borders, corners and the edging. It took me about 4 months to finish it.

Stand by Me

I love this video! This is from the Playing for Change website

A World Without Water

Found this excellent video today!



It's snowing out here today!

Seabreeze Sweater

I’ve finally finished my Seabreeze Sweater and taken photos!! It’s a bit warm to wear just yet but I’m really pleased with the way it turned out. It’s a little more close fitting than I’m used to but very comfortable. I’ve been wearing shapeless boxy tops for too long I think.









The yarn is soooo nice to work with. I used Apple Laine's Apple Pie yarn.

With a 2mm circular needle, I cast on 240 sts, joined and placed markers at the raglan increase points. 80 / 3 / 34 / 3 / 80 / 3 / 34 / 3

Knit in 2 x 2 ribbing, increasing 8 sts. every 2nd round, until armhole depth is reached (10” in my case).

Then divide for body and sleeves. Body = 328 sts. Sleeves = 130 sts.

I'll see if I can decipher the rest of my notes later.