Oh Athens.

Its funny how such a seemingly small decision can change so much.

On a cold January day, I walked into the local knitting shop. Situated in a cozy red barn out in Watkinsville about 15 minutes from the UGA campus, I have no idea why it took so long to become a solace for me. I would venture in two or three times a year for a splurge I couldn’t afford. An hour later I would wander out feeling anything but thrifty, yet still exceptionally happy. Being a natural fiber snob did not fit into my college budget, and I was perfectly content with my acryl-ick. However, one January day I was feeling bold. I wandered in on a mission. I wanted to teach knitting. I had the skills. I knew I had the ability to teach. I loved all things knitting. I knew I could do it as long as the shop could give me the chance.

I wandered in Main Street Yarns and shopped for a while. Really, I was just working up some courage. I purchased my one skein of Sublime Cashmere Merino Silk and gave my spiel. “I’m a student over at UGA. I want to teach knitting. I have been knitting for 6 years and simply love it. I started and currently run the UGA knitting club, and I just want another way to share my love of the craft.” I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

A few weeks later, I met Lilah, the instructor who I was ‘replacing’ for lack of a better term. In reality, I could never in one million trillion years replace Lilah in any way shape or form. But that is beside the point. I trained and taught with Lilah in a completely booked knitting 101, and I loved every single second of it. I knew I could be good at this. I knew I could bring in money doing something that I loved.

Never did I imagine that I would be teaching knitting classes twice a week. Never did I think that I would be working the floor at a local knitting shop, talking to people about yarns and fibers. Never did I think that I would walk into SAFF and swoon over giant fluffy angora bunnies just because of their fur. Never did I think that I would have such ties established just because of a job, because of a knitting shop.

I am leaving Athens in a month and a half. I am so incredibly excited for the next part of my life: being the wife of Zack Tucker; I’ve found the person whom my soul loves(thanks for the wording, Song of Solomon) However, tears fill my eyes when I think about leaving Athens.

Athens is more than my college town. Sure, I’ve gone to school here, but it is so much more than that. I have my friends from classes and job on campus. I started the UGA Knitwits and love having a life on campus beyond just academics. I will leave UGA with lots of friends, my degree, and a decent GPA. But Athens has become so much more than that. I have a church family made up of friends my age as well as local families- they are all family away from my real family. I have my knitting community- people that I have had in classes, people that are simply acquaintances at Main Street, people who inspire and motivate me. And then I have Grace and Finn, two kids I babysit weekly, kids of the fabulous Lilah actually, kids that have come to mean so much to me. Grace and her spunk and independence and Finn with his climbing everything. I never imagined that walking into Main Street would lead strong ties to Athens. I just liked knitting and yarn.

However, now I am moving over an hour away in a month and a half. I have been blessed with such amazing friendships and families here. I have been touched by so many and learned so much. I’ve never really had to say goodbye to a home. I moved away from home when I came to school, but I always have a place to return- my parents are there, my family is there, I can go anytime I want. But Athens has become a home, and saying goodbye is going to plain suck. But on the positive side, I am going to make the most of the next month and a half. I am going to enjoy my teaching at Main Street and spend my paychecks on wonderful, natural yarn. I am going to snuggle with Grace and Finn and make sure I get all the loud giggles and smiles I can. I am going to enjoy each worship service at Beech Haven and Sunday school class I have left. And I am sure to take you up on a coffee or meal at any local coffee house or restaurant at any chance I get.

Wait, an update?

I used to be so good with blogging semi-regularly and now I really have no idea what happened. It’s not like I haven’t had anything to write about. I have been up to all sorts of fibery goodness recently—I just haven’t been updating.

So what have I been up to? Well, I jumped off the selling stuff ship since winter. Short story: knitting shouldn’t be stressful, and it shouldn’t be a race. Ironically, I’ve only been knitting more. I am feeling more inspired and more adventurous. The pressure is taken off and now I am just knitting for myself and those that I really love.

I’ve never really considered myself an adventurous knitter. I might have been adventurous when I first started knitting. However, at some point I became comfortable and stopped learning and trying out new techniques or project types or anything. Recently, I’ve come to believe that my creativity and inspiration are linked to how much appreciation I have for the recipient of my knitting. I’ve found that I only want to knit with the nicest yarns and knit up the prettiest things, all just so I can keep them. Hence the Ishbel shawl knitted out of bamboo silk pictured in this post.

For a long time, I was anything but selfish. Knitting included, I rarely did anything for myself. Well, for some reason, all that has changed in the past few months. I have been pouring into myself and spoiling myself like never before! Maybe it’s my age? Maybe it’s my stage in life? Who knows? And don’t get me wrong, I am not selfish in the normal college sense. I am not paying my whims and desires so much attention that I have no regard for anyone else… I just have found a way to spoil myself with peace. Coffee, knitting, quiet time. It is just all so good.

Okay so my blogging habits are poor at best, but maybe now that I’ve come clean on my inspiration and previous lack thereof, I will update more often again. Not that anyone cares, but it’s a nice hobby and a good way to take some time out for myself and do a little reflection. Maybe too since this is no longer linked with a business, I will get a little more transparent. That being said I am going to end with a verse that I’m striving to live out. Given that foray on selfishness, it’s important to remember that’s not what I’m created for…

Philippians 2:3-4 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others.”