About
I received a BA in Home Economics from San Diego State University and then a Master of Science in Home Economics from Florida State University intending to be a college professor in the fiber arts, which I loved. But, the job market was very bleak for a new college teacher back then. I ended up working thirty years for the Government in a Contracting job to pay all my bills and although I was very successful in that career, something was always missing. My first love was fabrics, yarn and creativity. In 1995, I started my Arts and Crafts business, Linda’s Crafts. I have been doing craft shows on weekends in the Southern California area ever since and have branched off into machine Custom Knitting, designing my own patterns and winning many Blue Ribbons at the highly competitive LA County Fair for the past several years. I was proud to win one “Best Of Show” in 2006. I have attended Otis School of Art and Design and attend many seminars and various classes to improve my techniques. I have now retired from my Government career and am working in earnest on a professional portfolio, developing a network of contacts to offer my services to teach and demonstrate machine knitting techniques. I have a on-line store at Etsy.com (search under Shops/LindasCrafts), so you can get all my new patterns as I can get them done. I will also be offering other beautiful garments for sale on Etsy so keep checking back there and save me as one of your favorites.
You stated in your recent blog “At the top, center, is my Studio 860 with Ribber set up on the Power Drive Unit, the KE 100.” I have a 860 and ribber and a KE100, I am missing the attachement to connect to knitting machine to the motor. Would it be possible for you to send me a photo of that part? It would be greatly appreciated.
I am out of the country right now for 5 weeks, in Costa Rica. I can put a picture up on my blog of a close up of how it is connected. It is a special hand crafted handle made out of hard maple wood that I got on EBay. Along with it are long screws to attach it through the handle bracket on the carriage and some wooden fittings that adapt the mid-gauge machine to the power stand. The KE100 was made for either a standard or bulky machine, so the stand clamps wont fit unless you have these adapters. I haven’t seen this handle again, but if there’s one, there might be another. I admit that the 860 with its ribber on the power drive is totally indulgent and probably very rare.
When I get back home, I will do a post just for you. So keep me as a Favorite and stay tuned around Halloween.
Thank you. Please have a wonderful holiday and a safe trip home. I will stay tuned to the blog.
I am back now and will try and get a picture of this handle set-up for you.
Hi Linda,
Just want to let you know I have enjoyed your Blog. What fun! Looking forward to your return to share more knitting with you. Warmest Regards, Brenda Graves
I am looking for the following pattern, could you help me. I don’t find it on the web. I am a beginner machine knitter and would love to order the pattern.
Hollywood Swag Cap & Scarf
Original Pattern from My Blue Heaven Knits
by Linda Jenen
Thank You
Absolutely! That is my pattern and you can access it on Etsy. The exact address is: LindasCrafts.Etsy.com. That is a great beginner pattern and you can make both the scarf and hat in a day! Let me know if you can’t find it there. Linda
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Thanks for contacting me. Can you give me an idea of how long the classes are, how many attendees usually come and maybe a schedule from one of your previous seminars? It is farther than I have ever gone before to teach, but I am intrigued (being a totally California Girl) about your location. Gosh, are you close to Canada? – way up there at least. I will have to do some checking with my husband. Right now, I am furiously making samples and finalizing new patterns for my demonstrations for the Newton’s Knits Spring Fling seminar coming up next week. It is hard to think about next year – also, I don’t want to have a schedule conflict with Newton’s next seminar, so I will check with them also and give you a call sometime on or before the 27th. And, probably, I will need to do a quick check on how much airfare is, etc. etc. My email is lindasuejensen@gmail.com and my phone number is 310-536-9334 just so you have them. Talk to you soon!