Looking Ahead. Feeling Grateful. No Regrets.

If you haven’t already heard the news, I’ve given notice at my current company to finish my Capstone Project at Columbia.

My last day will be November 1. It’s been an incredible experience to work with a hugely diverse group of people over the last 6 years. I’ve made great friends, mentored some wonderfully bright people, and learned so many things that I’m bursting with ideas for the future.

One project that has been particularly meaningful and rewarding over the last 6 years has been co-hosting, writing, producing, and editing our podcast. First, with my co-hosts Liz Shaw and then Michelle Urcuyo, I’ve had so much fun sharing interviews with some of my favorite people from the yarncrafting industry. It’s given me a forum to talk about my beliefs about keeping knitting and crochet fun and unstressful (fix it—or fake it—on the next row!), that there are always opportunities to make projects your own, and that swatching is the one thing none of us do enough of.

In addition to my fabulous co-hosts and awesome guests, this show has given me the opportunity to get to know my incredible listeners. With over 1.4 million downloads over the last 5 years, there have been quite a few people who have followed us from the beginning.

Today, I went online and I saw comments that included these:

We will miss you! Very best wishes to you as you start this new and exciting journey!!!
– iHeartCraft

Yes, we will miss you! Good luck with school and whatever else the future has in store for you. I look forward to hearing from you and Michelle in that other podcast you’re planning.
– Cinderga

Good luck with school and everything in your future. I’ll miss Yarncraft and I hope that the company continues the podcast. It s a very valuable educational tool. I’ve learned a lot. It’s like having a LYS in your home, car, mass transit vehicle etc.
– Deebee

Zontee,

It has been an absolutely pleasure listening to your voice on the podcast over these past several years. You have made me laugh, made me smile, and I even wept tears of joy during one episode when you read my post about how my grandmother taught me to crochet. I’ve even had the pleasure to say hello to you in person at Stitches Midwest last year. I wish you all the best in your continuing studies, and I hope you will have continued success with your future.

Thank you for being a part of my yarn crafting life!
Laura K in IL

I’m so touched by the outpouring of kind wishes from these listeners, some of whom I’ve met and others whom I’ve never met, but all of whom I feel connected with.

If you asked me 6 years ago if I could ever imagine hosting a podcast, I would have laughed. But now, Michelle and I are talking about possibly doing a new podcast in the near future in the humorous audio-essay vein. We may even think about doing some video podcasting (with fancy cocktails).

Thanks so much, yarn industry, for embracing me over these last 6 years. I hope you’ll keep in touch. I’ll keep knitting, crocheting, and weaving.