About Twisted Knitter
Twisted Knitter is my knitting blog handle; my real name is Janet and I live in a SE Texas suburb between Conroe and Houston. I've been a blogger for years but now I blog mostly about knitting-related things . . . occasionally I sneak in something unrelated to knitting.
You can also find me on Ravelry and Flickr (where I've been posting photos since August 2004).
I've been knitting since 2003 and my passion for it increased with each successful finished project. From over a dozen felted bags and many socks, it never occurred to me that you couldn't knit with wool in Texas. (Did you know that's the first thing people assume about Texas knitters - that it's too hot here to knit?) Houston has a large and accomplished knitting population and I've been fortunate enough to attend workshops taught by Beth Brown-Reinsel and Nancy Bush.
I'm not much of a garment knitter; I knit mostly for tactile and visual reasons. I'm taken in by yarn that's "my" color or a fiber that feels luxurious. I quickly abandon a knitting project that isn't satisfying or fun. I knit first for enjoyment and second to master a skill -- I will knit a pattern repeatedly until I feel I have mastered it. Recently I shared some of what brought me to knitting in the first place and the fact that my blog is something that I do for myself. This is the space in which I am generous to myself and others and I try to be kind even when I share strong opinions.
My hope (and continued goal) is that I demonstrate that I am interested in my readers and fellow knitting bloggers. I enjoy getting to know you through your blogs and your Flickr photostreams. I'm grateful that so many of you have continued to blog about what is going on in your lives and not JUST the knitting projects you're working on! Recently, I decided to post more up-to-date photos of myself, because many of you already do -- and this helps if I ever run into you while I'm working or attending a fiber-related event. If you're meeting me for the first time, I'm really shy (though I seem standoffish) and I guarantee I will figure out a way to say something goofy even when I am consciously trying NOT to. Susan is the first fellow knitter I met in the flesh and I'm delighted that she and I are still knitting more than dishcloths after all this time. (I am *so* not opposed to knitting dishcloths - and I still knit them proudly!)
I have three sisters; Jayne is in banking, Joan is an attorney and JL works in the entertainment industry. I'm married to Paul and have three kids - a daughter and two sons. My sons prefer that I not blog about them; however, I'm pretty sure my daughter doesn't mind. Prior to my choosing to be a stay-at-home mom, I worked as a database administrator -- first for a building products manufacturer in Oklahoma City and later for Marathon Oil Company.
Thanks for reading!
Comments
Ahh! I am so glad to know a bit more about you. It really helps to connect the voice to the writer. Knowing what you are about besides knitting, allows me to develop a well rounded and broader view of the blog am reading.
Cheers to you, Janet!
Posted by: lucy | May 14, 2008 12:00 PM
What a wonderful "about". Learned some things I hadn't known.
Posted by: Debbie | May 14, 2008 01:43 PM
Thanks for sharing! I think it's always fun to learn more about people.
Posted by: kim | May 14, 2008 02:11 PM
(((( Janet )))) I love ya, dear!
Posted by: Liz | May 14, 2008 02:16 PM
*waving* Nice job, my friend!
Posted by: Kim | May 14, 2008 04:35 PM
wow, you come from a family of girls... names that start with J :) hehe me, too, except with me and my sisters, our names start with K.
thank you for this about me page. i learn a little bit more about you day by day. i love your pictures on flickr - that's where i visit you the most. sorry i don't comment much, but i read your blog from time to time.
Posted by: daysies | May 14, 2008 05:44 PM
I am one of three girls as well (in addition to two boys). I appreciate knowing more about you and really like the old typewriter graphic....
Posted by: Avice | May 14, 2008 07:57 PM
I can't believe it never occurred to me that I was your first fellow knitter! Wow. I'm honored that you remembered and that you told everyone, too. :)
This is a really great About as well. I must also confess that I'm a little proud of myself for knowing a lot of it already...but there's always something more to learn, and that's what makes this a great place to be. Thank you for sharing!
Posted by: Plum Texan | May 14, 2008 10:13 PM
so happy to have a little more knowledge of you...
Posted by: Theresa / tdoes wool | May 14, 2008 10:55 PM
Wow, J-Lo is your sister! Well I never! (tee hee!)
I'm shy too - not standoffish - so I know exactly what you mean and how you feel. Also the goofy (see first para of my comment...)
Thanks for sharing this.
Posted by: RoseRed | May 14, 2008 11:08 PM
Luv your very thorough 'About Me' page! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Stacey_CrimsonPurl | May 15, 2008 07:12 AM
Now this is an "About Me" page that really says something. :) Plus I love the "typewritten" text.
Posted by: Chris | May 15, 2008 09:35 AM
Awesome post...now I really feel compelled to look at the about me page on my own blog and re-assess it :) P.S., I have travelled to Texas for work (oil and gas of course) and I have to say the people in Texas are the friendliest out of anywhere I have been :))
Posted by: Raina | May 15, 2008 10:13 AM
Thanks for the tid bits.
Posted by: chrispy | May 15, 2008 06:16 PM
Love getting to know you better. :)
Posted by: Jennie | May 15, 2008 08:39 PM
Janet, I so enjoyed reading this blog. Even I learned a thing or two that I didn't know about you. Thank you for putting yourself "out there" and sharing what a wonderful person you are.
Alisa
Posted by: Alisa Vratil | May 16, 2008 05:32 PM
I never really thought about an "about me," but I do think it's nice to get to know more about the bloggers we tend to read on a daily basis. It's like extending that extra cyber-hand shake to get to know our online friends.
thanks for sharing! :)
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa | May 17, 2008 08:09 AM
I've been reading and enjoying your blog for years. You're right below the Yarn Harlot on my blog list. Thanks for letting us know a little more about you and your family.
Posted by: Kim | May 20, 2008 02:02 PM
This is excellent, Janet.
Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: D a r i n | May 22, 2008 08:07 PM
I'm shy too. Database administrator – who would have thought? Does the mathematical aspect of knitting patterns/stitches appeal? I'm a tactile and visual knitted too, and don't have the patience for garments. Plus they are tricker to get the fit right.
Posted by: greenolive | June 2, 2008 08:42 PM
Thanks for sharing, Janet! I love your knitting philosophy.
Posted by: Brenda | June 7, 2008 03:59 PM
Wow! I feel like I've almost met you in person!
I'm a HUGE dishcloth fan. I started out as a knit fabric developer, back in the day, so I made (oh lord, when I think about it) hundreds of swatches. As an instructor, I'm still amazed at knitters who don't like to swatch, and I encourage them to knit dishcloths.
They're a great way to learn a new pattern, and if you're a process knitter, the commitment is small; how can you go wrong? I'm trying washcloths, but chenille doesn't like me.
Posted by: sahara | July 24, 2008 12:16 AM
Just found your blog (I think I came over from Tiennie Knits) and I am really enjoying it - the knitting, the photography and the personal bits. Keep it up! You go on my bookmark list (not sure that you should feel that is any great honor, but there you have it.)
Posted by: Trudy Gongora | August 15, 2008 06:03 PM