My mother taught me to knit when I was 8 years old. After learning to knit and purl I made a purple scarf for my doll. It wasn't until I went to college that I became serious about my hobby, however. During that time I made several sweaters and even a pair of argyle socks. I continued to knit after marriage, making baby sweaters for our children and Christmas gifts for relatives and friends. For several years, I attended local craft shows, where I yearly sold approximately 30 Mary Maxim children's sweaters, numerous Christmas stockings and other novelty items I'd knitted. In 2002 I completed the Knitting Guild Association's Master Hand Knitting program. After receiving the Master Knitter designation, I was asked to join the Master Hand Knitting Committee and served as a committee member and later a co-chair. The Master Hand Knitting program is a wonderful program for those who want to improve their knitting skills. I throughly enjoyed the co-chair position but the work required more time than I felt I could devote to it so relunctly resigned in August 2004. Since that time I've become certified as a Knitting Judge through TKGA and received the Craft Yarn Council of America's Certified Knitting Instructor designation. I've had patterns published in the Knitting Guild Association's magazine "Cast On" and "Crafting Traditions" magazine. I'm now concentrating on designing and knitting for our family and friends as well as knitting for charity. In addition I continue to promote knitting through teaching classes and judging at county fairs.