QueerJoe

Getting an antique circular sock knitting machine into working order takes a LOT of work and experimentation and practice. Multi-Factorial Failures The most difficult part

So much to write about and no coherent way to express it except just heave it out there. Regurgitated Bits Just like you can spot

If you’re not interested in craft show hints or tips (or reading about my aching feet and back), just skip to “Current Knitting” below.  This

After a very hectic one-day craft show last month in Flemington, I’m looking forward to a leisurely, enjoyable time of socializing with other artisans and

QueerJoe’s secret for making routine, annoying, and/or painful tasks into pleasant activities?  Find someone you trust AND like to perform them. Latest Visits In the

  This is not news to many of the people who read this blog, but I want to demonstrate with one quick and simple economic

Do you publish videos on YouTube?  Did you know that as the number of subscribers to your YouTube channel reaches certain levels, there are extra

With the approach of December comes my second and last craft show for the year. Prallsville Mill! Each year for as long as I can

Thinking about holiday gifts yet?  And I don’t mean the gifts you want to give, but instead the gifts knitters want to get! Holiday Shopping

Watching Antiques Roadshow or seeing a vendor at the Flea Market with old dolls on their table really creeps me out…and I have trouble watching

Gloating is never a good thing to do…especially when it comes to technology. Bad Day of Internetting For those whose eyes glaze over when I

It’s not been a century, but in 2002 the first blog entry was posted on QueerJoe and now 16 years later and over 2000 blog

  Judging and evaluating are incredibly useful tools for assessing what you like, establishing aesthetic tastes and determining how to prioritize activities, people and belongings.

Since two days ago, a lot has happened in my life…I’m honestly glad I didn’t have to contend with work. Conglomeration of Items Blog Conversion

  Seems that converting 16 years of blog entries from Blogger to WordPress isn’t quite as simple as I’d hoped. What Converts – What Doesn’t

Since the blog has been redesigned and now that voting is in full swing for the mid-term elections here in the U.S., I thought I’d

Using Lookwide, I recently posted a new micro-podcast on how using the technique of extrapolation allowed me to turbo-boost creativity.  It has also had significant

Only doing two craft shows a year, the preparation for the first one is always a major event! First Craft Show This Sunday, October 28th

Now On WordPress As part of migrating the web site, a number of things happened: I purchased a hosting package where I could host an

While not a full time job in any way, organizing the annual Men’s Spring Knitting Retreat happens throughout most of the year. Playing for Work

As a follow-up to the blog entry where I asked you which bills you’d use to pay in cash, I’ve found that most of you

QueerJoe\’s Tips for Successful Colorway Blending First of all, Carol Sulcoski has published two books on the topic of knitting with handpainted yarns and knitting

I’ve never considered this as an insult, although I’m sure it was flung at me like an insult over my life. Happy Birthday Mom! My

Photos like the one on this advertisement I received in the mail really inspire and energize me. Be Inspired! I put this local mailer up

Yes, QueerJoe has finally realized that Chinese-made red MAGA caps are the way to go. What’s That? – That’s Not What MAGA Stands For? There

I had my Sally Fields moment this past Sunday at the Flemington Fine Artisans Show in Flemington, NJ.  Show customers really seemed to like what

I have always been more of an optimist.  I am more hopeful (usually) than worrisome and I will often imagine the future as a bit

It’s been a while since I’ve been in my local yarn store (LYS), and I didn’t realize how much I missed it until I went

Resistance to the insane direction that this country is heading comes in many forms. Two Types of “Friends” This blog, Facebook and other social media

I just got the electronic postcard (above) to promote my first Artisan/Craft Show at the end of the month, and it’s no wonder this show

Is it me, or is there very little historical perspective in political arguments any more? Depth of Field In photography and other image-based art, there

Everyone knows how common it is for two people who are in long-term relationships to be complete opposites in some area of their lives. Types

Full disclosure…this household owns an iMac, a Mac Book Pro and an iPhone 6S…but the only reason I stay with Apple products is because it’s

Two of the great joys of participating and selling my fiber-craft at shows each year are: Getting to show off my knitting/crocheting to a public

With the breaching of all Yahoo accounts, the sales of election advertising to Russia on both Facebook and Twitter and the general distaste for all

When I started designing my own sweaters or scarves or other garments, it wasn’t an easy process to put together a comprehensive method for creating

It’s been a year since I retired and I wanted to acknowledge this important milestone. Retirement Goals As I was readying to depart my last

Recently, the New Jersey Mycological Association recently sponsored their 2017 Fungus Fest.  Years ago, this was the event that solidified Thaddeus’ hobby as an amateur

Aesthetics are objective, but I truly believe that there are certain general rules to design that can’t be broken without having something look bad.  What

Sometimes when I hear or read something that seems hateful I feel obliged to assess if the person is trying to be hateful, or is

Do you find it infuriating that companies like Equifax can be so careless with your personal financial information? Hours of Effort In addition to spending

Music has never been something that I’ve ever had an aptitude for…playing, listening, appreciating. Relying On The Kindness of Friends Don’t get me wrong, a

I primarily identify as a knitter and I have sometimes relied on old ideas about crochet to make fun of the craft.  But truth be

Normally when I need help on something that requires massive internet research, Thaddeus does that for me. When It Comes to Cell Phones… Unfortunately, I

Someone I know who’s been knitting for a few years now surprised me by noting that he never realized there was more than one type

Hard to imagine that once I’ve put in all the time of knitting items for the craft show, I still have to update the inventory

This Saturday, September 9, 2017 I’ll be having breakfast and lunch and wandering the Garden State Sheep Breeder’s Festival for anyone interested in joining. Schedule

Whether it’s slow food as the antithesis of fast food, or now slow knitting, the concept of traditional and slow seems to have returned. Slow

People slow down as they approach their destination.   Reasons Why We Stall Have you ever noticed that as folks driving home get closer to

Okay…first of all, the real name is the Garden State Sheep Breeder’s Association Festival (GSSBAF…sucky acronym) and second of all, it’s not like the size