It all started with a Stitch N Bitch book and a pair of size 8 and nine needles.
I made little things then like small cell phone cozies or pouches for my mom to keep her rosary in.I made a scarf for my boyfriend (which he still has and is so tattered now... ahh love) and a few other small knits but didn't truly explode until I found the knit blogs.
It was summer and I was searching the Internet trying to find the address of a LYS called Handknits. In my Google search however I came across a knitting blog - and what an opener to have to the blogisphere: good ol' Cara from January One. I remember thinking at the time at how cool this was and was shocked that they actually left each other comments. I vaguely remember what Cara posted that day but I know I just felt compelled to leave a comment not really thinking she was going to email me back... and she did!
I started a blog that August and oh the places it has taken me. I went through a huge "what do I want this blog to be about and why am I doing this" phase as we all do and still re-visit that often. I changed my name about a year ago to Tentenknits from Minor Obsessions as I just felt it sounded better. I've met some fabulous other knitters and bloggers am excited to continue to meet and know some truly amazing people! I know I've become a better and skilled knitter because of the experience.
Having a blog is such a new experience. I've always kept journals growing up but those were mostly stream of conscience writing where one sentence to the next had nothing to do with each other. I probably described my latest crush or what kind of food I felt like eating that night. Total and utter jibberish! Having a blog means you actually have an audience (albet it might be one or two) and you must try to make sense!
I consider myself a not to shabby writer with a passion to be a really great writer (and knitter, and photographer... we all want it all sometimes, no?) My whole formal education was surrounded around the idea that I wanted to be a journalist. However, it's pretty obvious at times that I am not a master of grammar. I had found one of my old standardized testing scores (9th grade) and while I was a kick ass reader (99th percentile!) I was terrible at the language arts (79! oops). It is a skill though which I feel like I am improving with each post. (sometimes with a little help of a bottle of red).
And my knitting - wow. It's amazing to look back and see the difference from one project to the next. It's a blur to me now the point at which I decided to go from knitting scarves to socks and lace. When my confidence to make myself a sweater came through in full swing and now I feel ready to tackle anything.
New project to help ween me back to the office hours.
I truly am so grateful for all the readers I have as I recognize there are thousands upon thousands of blogs out there to visit and you've decided to pop by mine! (WOO HOO!) I hope you get inspired by what you read and see as I've been inspired by so many of you! I too am humbled by your wonderful words and comments and I look forward to seeing what the next year of blogging and knitting and dreaming will bring.
Happy Blogiversary! I'm new to this whole blogging mystery and am enjoying it immensely.
Love your blog and love your knitting.
Posted by: Kathy W | August 18, 2007 at 11:45 AM
Happy Blogiversary!! Keep the inspirational projects coming. I'm hoping it will rub off on me and I will take a break from socks and knit a sweater!
Posted by: suze | August 18, 2007 at 11:46 AM
You've come a long way baby!! Happy Blogiversary!
Posted by: Cara | August 18, 2007 at 12:06 PM
Happy blogiversary! I'm proud to say I've been a tenten reader for quite some time!
Posted by: JulieFrick | August 18, 2007 at 12:53 PM
Congrats on your Blogiversary! I am a fairly new reader to your blog but I must say your FOs just keep getting prettier and prettier!
Posted by: Alice | August 18, 2007 at 01:18 PM
Happy Blogiversary!
Posted by: Allegra | August 18, 2007 at 01:30 PM
Happy Blogivesary! I really enjoyed this post. You are a very good writer and I always enjoy your blog and your projects!
Posted by: Beverly | August 18, 2007 at 02:00 PM
Happy Blogiversary, I think I started reading around the time you switched names, you've always got great inspiring projects, keep up the great work!
Posted by: Christine | August 18, 2007 at 02:17 PM
Happy Blogiversary ;)
Posted by: Dorre | August 18, 2007 at 02:20 PM
Happy Blogiversary!:)
I am new reader--and really enjoy your blog!
Beautiful FOs!
I have toyed with starting my own blog--perhaps one day!
Posted by: rene' | August 18, 2007 at 03:15 PM
Many of us found blogland through search engines...isn't it a grand place? Happy Blogiversary!
Posted by: margene | August 18, 2007 at 05:49 PM
Happy Blogversary!
Posted by: Nancy | August 18, 2007 at 06:00 PM
You have been an inspiration to me, your knits are gorgeous! Keep having FUN! That's what it is all about.
Posted by: Linda | August 18, 2007 at 06:15 PM
You are a GREAT writer, I always look forward to your posts. Happy Blogiversary!!
Posted by: Heather | August 18, 2007 at 08:29 PM
Happy blogiversary! I've just started subscribing to your blog, and am so inspired by your beautiful knits. Can't wait to see what the new one will look like. Here's to another wonderful year!
Posted by: Elizabeth | August 18, 2007 at 09:08 PM
Happy Bloggy-Day! :) January One was the first blog I stumbled on also. I have enjoyed reading your blog, and look forward to your future projects!
-Ash-
Posted by: Ashley | August 18, 2007 at 09:13 PM
Happy Blogiversary!
I was just cruising through the webrings and came across your blog; gorgeous knitting!!!
Posted by: knittymama | August 18, 2007 at 09:57 PM
I'm probably your biggest fan. Happy blogiversary. What's the book with the new pattern?
Posted by: Leslie | August 18, 2007 at 10:07 PM
Happy Blogiversary!
I am a new reader of your beautiful blog filled with all kinds of wonderful knit works :) My journey to the knitting world has also began from "Stitch N Bitch" book back in last November. As the climate where I live gets extremely hot in the desert, I totally forgot about knitting till my visit to Soho area last month. I stopped by the yarn shop "Purl" in Soho, then it reminded me of getting back to knitting again, then now found your farbulous blog...
Posted by: merumo | August 18, 2007 at 10:56 PM
Happy Blogiversary! Your knits are so beautiful and very inspiring. Thanks so much for sharing them with us!
Posted by: claudine | August 19, 2007 at 05:23 AM
Happy Blogiversary!!!
Thanks for all of the beautiful and inspiring projects.
Posted by: Kirsten | August 19, 2007 at 08:57 AM
Happy blogivarsary!!! I love coming here to see what you're up to!
I learned to knit from the same book!
Posted by: stacey | August 20, 2007 at 10:17 AM
Happy Blogiversary to you, my Fifi sister! Not surprisingly, I learned to knit the same exact way as you. Wishing you many happy blogiversiaries to come! xo.
Posted by: Nonnahs | August 20, 2007 at 01:07 PM
Happy blogiversary!
Posted by: Kim | August 20, 2007 at 01:54 PM
happy blogiversary - I've really been enjoying reading your blog! Here's to another successful and inspired year.
Posted by: lekkercraft | August 20, 2007 at 03:04 PM