This thing I do
Knitting
by Gigi Cagampan
Years ago, I chanced upon a sale at Superstore for a 22 needle children’s knitting machine for only $5.00. Little did I know that it would evolve into a serious hobby. That started my collection of the various makes and models of circular knitting machines which can actually make useful items.
This came in very handy and as they say, there is a reason things happen. I have been handling the Crafts and Treasures table as the St. Andrews Spring Fair for about 10 years now and the hand crafted items are usually donated by the senior ladies with all the proceeds all donated to the church. Over the years, my “suppliers” either moved on to a better place or have checked into care facilities leaving my table empty. To keep the tradition going, I started handcrafting items to fill the table. Fine Arts, arts and crafts anyway had been my interests ever since I could remember.
To date, I make scarves, hats, booties, socks, slip ons, headbands, neck warmers, cell phone covers, net book covers, shawls, and even (yes!) dish scrubbers that are intertwined with discarded onion mesh bags. Mind you, not only are you helping the environment by recycling, you are also putting some savings into your pocket . Knitting is also therapeutic and calming. This is one of my videos which I created and posted so my niece could learn to use her machine. Before I knew it, I had subscribers, was offered revenue sharing by You Tube and even had “fan” mail to respond to.
The possibilities with this machine are endless and I have even opened up a online store on Etsy. I am now up to 7 circular knitting machines which range from 18 to 42 needles. I also have 5 flat bed machines and hand needles, crochet and afghan hooks in various sizes. To those who are my friends on Facebook, when you see my status as “In the basement,” I’m most likely cranking away on my machine while listening to music postings.
This came in very handy and as they say, there is a reason things happen. I have been handling the Crafts and Treasures table as the St. Andrews Spring Fair for about 10 years now and the hand crafted items are usually donated by the senior ladies with all the proceeds all donated to the church. Over the years, my “suppliers” either moved on to a better place or have checked into care facilities leaving my table empty. To keep the tradition going, I started handcrafting items to fill the table. Fine Arts, arts and crafts anyway had been my interests ever since I could remember.
To date, I make scarves, hats, booties, socks, slip ons, headbands, neck warmers, cell phone covers, net book covers, shawls, and even (yes!) dish scrubbers that are intertwined with discarded onion mesh bags. Mind you, not only are you helping the environment by recycling, you are also putting some savings into your pocket . Knitting is also therapeutic and calming. This is one of my videos which I created and posted so my niece could learn to use her machine. Before I knew it, I had subscribers, was offered revenue sharing by You Tube and even had “fan” mail to respond to.
The possibilities with this machine are endless and I have even opened up a online store on Etsy. I am now up to 7 circular knitting machines which range from 18 to 42 needles. I also have 5 flat bed machines and hand needles, crochet and afghan hooks in various sizes. To those who are my friends on Facebook, when you see my status as “In the basement,” I’m most likely cranking away on my machine while listening to music postings.
Springtime, and the shooting is easy - with Bert Quibuyen
Not quite sure what to do behind the camera? Don’t know which lens will suit your needs? Here’s a boatload of tips and advice from photography buff Bert Quibuyen on how to take technically excellent and aesthetically compelling images…the easy, fun way.
See some sample of Bert's work
See some sample of Bert's work