Tag Archives: anniversary

One Decade

4 Replies

OK, y’all. This is going to blow your mind. Or at least it blew mine. Because it’s been 10 years since I started writing this silly little blog!

If you count it as a job, I’ve been at this for more than twice as long as any other job. It’s been fun, it’s been challenging, and it’s kept me making progress with my knitting and designing life over the years.

Should I have jumped ship for Instagram or TikTok 5 years ago? Probably. But hey, I’m still happy to be chugging along on my never-redesigned site from literally a decade ago. (And what a decade!) Thanks for coming along on the ride with me.

What’s your longest job?

Happy Birthday to On the Needles!

4 Replies

On the Needles is 4 years old!  It’s potty-trained, running around, and getting ready for pre-school.  It’s probably learning its letters and is getting the hang of drawing.

Or whatever 4-year-olds do.  I’m not an expert in 4-year-olds.

img_4637But, It’s exciting!  I’ve been at this way, way, waaaaaay longer than I expected to be when I started this back on 2013.  I’ve written more patterns, and met more people than I planned.  I’ve even turned this whole knitting/pattern-writing thing into an actual part-time job, which I never thought I could do.

It’s been fun, working on my writing skills and my knitting skills.  I love sharing the projects I’m working on, and I especially love sharing my patterns.  I love teaching you guys techniques and skills that I use every day (and I hope you like that, too!).  I’ve even enjoyed learning how to take not-terrible pictures (sorry about today’s, though- it’s crazy foggy here, it’s almost 10, and I’ve still got all the lights on inside the house).

I’m going to keep going as long as I can still think about things to talk about.  I hope you’ll be willing to come along with me.  And, of course, please let me know if you have questions about anything, suggestions or ideas- I’m only one person with one brain, and sometimes it gets a little empty, so help is always appreciated.

Here’s to another 4 years!

Happy knitting!

I’m Three!

5 Replies

It’s official!  On the Needles is out of its terrible twos!  OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

It’s been three years of three-days-a-week blogging, sharing patterns and writing in excessive detail about the fluffiness of yarns and the drape of knit fabric.  Thanks so much for coming along with me on this adventure, I really appreciate every single hit and “favorite” and I love hearing about everyone who tries one of my patterns!

Speaking of patterns!  I just checked over on Ravelry, and apparently I’ve published 44 patterns-  that’s more than one pattern every month since I began this whole knitting-as-a-job thing!  And, I’ve been included in 5 pattern collections from KnitPicks!  (And there are more in the works!)

I absolutely love sharing my favorite activity with you guys, and I’m constantly surprised when people actually show up to read what I write!  So, thank you for reading (and knitting)!  Here’s to 3 more years!

Inspiration: Wood

4 Replies

5 years ago this week, my husband and I threw an awesome party in a city park in Austin.  It was pretty great.  There was a swing band, a margarita machine, a taco bar and peacocks running around (because why not?).

Oh, and we got married.

26018_10100112108749980_1067908_nIt was probably one of the best days of my life.  We had friends and family come in from across the country (and overseas) and we had the best time ever.  It was a great big fun party, and the best part was that I was married to my best friend at the end of it.

(Ew, gross.  Sorry.  I figured I should say something sappy for my fifth anniversary, since that’s kind of a big deal.  But who wants to hear this stuff? No one…  Let’s talk about yarn instead.)

The traditional gift for fifth anniversaries is wood.  (Who says it’s traditional?  I don’t know.  Someone on the internet.)  But, since I’m me, and wool isn’t the traditional gift until the 7th anniversary, let’s use some creative license and look at wood-inspired knitting patterns.

I love the complicated-looking cables on this hat.  Very cool.

Wood Hollow Hat by Kirsten Kapur4160940108_f5785d7ea0_z[1]The last thing I need to make myself is another over-sized pullover, but this one is so pretty, I might have to make an exception.  The subtle tree-branch cables are gorgeous!

Wood Pullover by Carrie Bostick Hoge

DSC_0900_medium2[1]This gorgeous blanket would be fantastic over the back of a leather wing-back chair beside a fireplace in a cabin high up in the Cascades.  Or, on my Ikea couch, next to my TV.  One or the other.

Wooded Trail Throw by Michael del Vecchio

Uptown_DK_Mtn_Ridge_Knits_Wooded_Trail_Throw_Ravelry_medium2[1]Happy Anniversary, Tristan!  I love you!  Here’s to many more happy years together!  (Sorry, everyone. I’m done with the mushy stuff. Promise!)

Are you married?  How long?  What was your last “traditional” anniversary present?

Happy Blog-Day To Me

2 Replies

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOn The Needles is two!  It’s going to start throwing temper tantrums soon.  (Or whatever it is that two-year-olds do.)

It’s been fun, you guys.  I really didn’t expect this blog to go very far, and two years later, I’m still writing it three times a week (I think I’ve only missed one day, but I’m not even sure about that), and I’m getting hundreds of visitors every day.  It’s kind of amazing.

I’m actually turning this whole knitting thing into a semi-legitimate job, too, which is something I didn’t expect, even in my wildest dreams.  I never thought I would do anything knitting-related in my professional life, yet here I am.  How awesome is that?

And, you guys, I have so much more awesome stuff coming up, you don’t even know! I can’t say what it is yet, but you should totally be sure to come back on Wednesday.  I have a really exciting announcement and a super cool giveaway! (I know, right?  A real, actual giveaway!)  You’re totally going to want to get in on this.

So, keep reading, and I’ll keep writing, and together, we’ll keep knitting.

Happy Birthday to On the Needles!

2 Replies

It’s been a whole year since my first “Hello World” Post!  How about that?  I’m pretty pleased with how this blog’s grown, and I hope you are, too.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAIn numbers (because I’m a nerd), here’s our year together:

I’ve published 156 posts.

We’ve chatted with 186 comments.

Almost 100 of you visit this site every day. (This blows my mind… I don’t think I even know 100 people in real life!)

I’ve written 17 patterns this year.

The most popular pattern is my Socks by the Numbers, which you have cast on 52 times (according to Ravelry).

Basically this means that I’m having a really great time working on this blog with you guys.  And, I hope you’re enjoying it, too.  I’ve got plans for more awesome next year (and the year after that, and the year after that), but let me know if there is anything else you’d be interested in seeing.

Here’s to another fantastic year of knitting and blogging!