Sun - February 11, 2007

New interweave books 



 
"200 Braids to twist, knot, loop or weave " by Jacqui Carey (£ 12.84) is a fascinating complication of braids that is well-illustrated and clearly explained. Braiding is an ancient craft that requires no more than some string (though, of course, some tools have been developed to make doing the twist a little easier). And blingy string and beads make braids even better.
 
"Favorite Socks" (£ 10.54) gathers up 19 patterns from Interweave Knits magazine and adds six new patterns. Tired of trying to remember what issue that sock pattern was in? This collection solves that problem. I just can't decide among the Flame Wave Sock, Austrian Socks, Meida's Socks and Eesti Trail Hiking Socks.
 
"No Sheep for You " by Amy R. Singer (£10.54). Singer, founder of knitty.com, is, as it turns out, allergic to wool. So she put together a book of really innovative projects that use all sorts of fiber -- linen, silk, bamboo, hemp, but not wool.
 
"Lace Style" by Pam Allen and Ann Budd (£11.46). Ooh-la-la -- lots of lacy stuff here, from socks to dresses, cuffs to shawls. Some have just a bit of lace, others are nothing but lace.
 
"Couture Crochet Workshop" by Lily M. Chin (£10.06). Chin, the world's fastest crocheter, has put together lots of tips for avoiding typically bulky crochetware through shaping and detailing. This is truly wearable, very stylish stuff. 
If you're just looking for a good read, try these: "The Fortune Quilt" by Lani Diane Rich, about a mystical quilt that changes a woman's life; "Gourdfellas, " a Gourd Craft Mystery by Maggie Bruce (includes gourd crafting facts and tips!)  
Also, Interweave is featuring lingerie on its Web site (www.interweave.com/knit/projects_articles.asp). Projects include a Lace Nightie, Seduction Socks and a Lacy Thong. 

Posted at 10:16 AM    

Wed - January 24, 2007

The Friday night knitting club 


knitted fiction  

By Patty Rhule, USA TODAY
If you are looking for an inviting group of gals to spend a few winter evenings with, pull up your afghan (you knitted it yourself, right?) and snuggle in with The Friday Night Knitting Club. 
Kate Jacobs' breezy first novel reads like Steel Magnolias set in Manhattan. Julia Roberts is already set to star in the movie version of this story about a single mother named Georgia Walker, abandoned by her hunky urban professional beau, James, and left to raise their daughter, Dakota, alone. To survive, she opens a knitting shop that attracts a circle of women who tenuously become friends in the knitting club. 
 
Club makes you yearn for yarn, even if you're not a knitter, with descriptions of colors and textures that make you want to grab some No. 8 needles and start purling. 
Not all the club members knit, at least not with yarn (if such metaphors are going to upset you, put your needles and this book down immediately). But these babes are going to get through anything — widowhood, single mothering, unemployment, divorce and illness — by using the lessons of knitting as a pattern for life. 
It's a clever premise, the book is a breezy read, and the characters are mostly well drawn and appealing. Favorites are the widowed seventysomething Anita, who is afraid to accept a new love; and charm-challenged Darwin, who seeks her doctorate in women's studies by interrogating the knitters, whom she considers real throwbacks. 
Are there surprises here? Not really. Is the ending telegraphed? Yes. Was I snagged nonetheless? You bet your crochet hook I was. 
A quibble: Jacobs has a way with developing characters you instantly know and want to spend time with. So why does she, like other novelists of books aimed at women I've read of late, feel the need for a wink-wink mention of a real movie star (Roberts) in the book? I know, it's obvious: the better to hook said star into making the movie. 
And Roberts already has signed to star as Georgia. Just call the movie Knitty Woman. 

Posted at 08:29 AM    

Mon - July 17, 2006

QUANTOCK WEAVER DAY 


Guild meeting and more...... 

Its very hot here at the moment, seems even too hot to be talking about fiber, but nevertheless it will be a long post, some pictures to share, inspiration and thoughts.

The Quantock Weavers were two ladies, passionate about spinning, dying and weaving who founded the Guild here in Somerset some years ago. They have left a legacy of enthousiasm. I have very little information about them apart from the fact that one of them was called Gladys and that both were known widely for their quality of woven cloth. The area also boasted the Church Weavers who I remember visiting in 1980, they were monks I think who wove cloth exclusively for the clergy. Their workshop was lovely.

On the 15th July, a special day was held at the Guild not only attended by enthousiasts but also by llama, angora goats, alpacas and angora rabbits. It was wonderful to see the animals and I have put some angora rabbits on my wishlist for the future. Fluffy they were certainly but I think a very manageable fiber crop. Here is a picture of the alpacas:
They are not as big as I thought them to be and the colours just beautiful.

What followed was a talk by Riita Sinkonen Davies on linen, you must check her website for some inspirational photos and a look at her woven rugs and tablelinen. She was passionate about Pembrokeshire in a way that is shared with Brenda Dayne I think, and the colours of the area are reflected in her work.

It was a wonderful day and I came home inspired to do some more spinning and look at the small swatch I knitted for VIP sweater.
The latter being blue bayoo spun into a DK weight .

I certainly have enough projects to be getting on with and some dying is planned when the summer holidays start, we are going to dye orange roving using red and yellow dyes and rainbow dye it in the pot and see what happens. My youngest DS who still loves messy stuff and I are looking forward to that very much when the weather cools a little. 

Posted at 06:09 PM    

Fri - June 30, 2006

On the needles 


and the weather is hot hot hot 

Not much to report ...am knitting steadily. Also continue to spin for a certain person's sweater which will have some interesting details in it. I am making headway with the spinning, its getting thinner every time so this may well end up being a set with hat, scarf, socks and sweater in all the same yarn, different thicknesses. The hot weather makes me lethargic...even more than usual.
I have finished attending my course this year and now there will be time to read fiction as well as concentrating on a creative explosion. I am going to let the artist loose.....not sure what that will give but then....just feel the summer is great to have an immersion of creativity. 

Posted at 06:58 PM    

Mon - October 3, 2005

Gold knitters 


Just for fun 

<table width=350 align=center border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2><tr><td bgcolor="#999999" align=center><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif" style='color:black; font-size: 14pt;'><b>Your Power Color Is Gold</b></font></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#CCCCCC"><center><img src="http://images.blogthings.com/whatsyourpowercolorquiz/gold.jpg" height="100" width="100"></center><font color="#000000">
At Your Highest:

You are engrossed in passions that mentally stimulate you.

At Your Lowest:

You seek thrills and neglect what's important in your life.

In Love:

You see dating as adventure and approach it with an open attitude.

How You're Attractive:

You passion for life makes others passionate about you.

Your Eternal Question:

"Am I Having Fun?"</font></td></tr></table><div align="center">What's Your Power Color?</div> 

Posted at 03:03 PM    

Thu - September 1, 2005

Shawls and being in print! 


I wrote an article which has been printed in our parish mag 

I know, not much maybe but to me it is. I have not really been in print before and just wanted to share a little about the shawlministry with others close to home. Will let you know if the phone starts ringing!
This one just finished is knitted in GGH samoa. It is not in wool but a mixture of cotton and acrylic. ~I gave it a scallop crochet ( yep don;t shoot me here! I do both) edge to finish it off a little better. It is light but it does not flow as well as yarn with wool in.......it is meant to a lady who has alzheimers and I think I will make another one to give the recipient some choice. I can obtain lionbrand in the Uk now so will see whether is ends up better quality. I still enjoy making this pattern it is very hypnotic.
Have now started on the Arran jumper from the CFY winter collection, and am using my denise needles for the first time....it is slowing me down....but only just.

DAILY QUOTE
 
How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. 
Annie Dillard 

Posted at 04:49 PM    

Tue - July 26, 2005

Zen and the Art of Knitting 


has arrrived as a surpise! 

So who is this mystery person who has bought me a lovely book. I am over the moon. I will say thank you here but if you could email me too that would be great.
Zen and the Art of Knitting is a book exploring the links between knitting, spirituality and creativity. I think this will make perfect summer reading. Thank you.

DAILY QUOTE
 
Saying thank you is more than good manners. It is good spirituality. 
Alfred Painter 


 

Posted at 03:02 PM    

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