Brilliant!

I was listening to the Yarniacs podcast and they had Wendy Bernard on the show.  Towards the end she talked about her new book...no sooner than I heard the description I was on Amazon.com purchasing it.

This book is BRILLIANT!  Wendy swatched tons of stitch patterns and then converts them from flat to in the round and then if it is a directional pattern she converts it from bottom up to top down (no more upside down lacy leaf motifs!).

I am so excited to use this book - I have some projects coming up for Knit 1-2-3 and this book will be on the coffee table next to my favorite knitting chair.  Brava Wendy!

Simply Perfect!

Kathy is a member of my old knitting group in CT and she makes these gorgeous project bags.  She makes them and has this amazing machine that does the embroidery on them (she had to take classes to work this machine).

So, I thought that I should put her in touch with Debbie, the owner of my LYS.  They talked back and forth and now my LYS carries Kathy's perfect project bags.  They are selling well, I'm happy to report.  Here are a few of the ones we she sent to the store:

Then the other day when I was in the store small package arrived for me...Kathy made me my own project bag as thanks.  Isn't it perfect!?

You too can get your own perfect project bag - Kathy has a store on Etsy - BDG Embroidery.  Treat yourself - so worth it.

A Bit of Advice

Sometime this blog is my place to say what is on my mind - sometimes it isn't knitting related.  Here's my advice:

If you know someone who is going through a rough time, don't EVER say to them "God only gives you what you can handle".  You don't know what they are going through, what they have been through already and what is yet to come...sometimes God gives a person more than they can handle.

What should you say?  "I'm sorry you are having a hard time" or "I am here for you if you need anything".  If you know them well, a hug will do.

Also, don't be tempted to say "when God closes a door, he opens a window somewhere".

Enough said - just keep this in mind when a friend has a shitstorm in her/his life and needs your support not canned phrases.

I promise knitting content next time.

Pleased As Punch

The next issue of Knit 123 comes out this coming week.  I got my advance copy in the mail last week and I was so excited I was jumping up and down while squealing.  You see this issue is the first one where I had input on the technique topic and I really was challenged with the designs.  I also have an extra pattern in the issue.

The technique I wrote about was cables - I had to do it for 3 levels of experience with a slipper pattern for each level.  For the Beginner level, I showed how to do a mock cable and here are the slippers I did for that:

The Novice slipper had your basic cable with a cable needle and a different slipper:

The Intermediate slipper is by far my favorite - I did a mock cable cuff and then showed how to do a cable without a cable needle (trust me it is easy and the best way to go!):

Usually the knit items are donated after the shoot - this pair of slippers stayed with the editor who also is a good friend.  So glad to know these were a hit through and through.  I might just have to knit up another pair!  Net, net - I was pleased as punch with this issue.

So after seeing this and you want a copy, they go on sale May 8th and can be found in Walmart, JoAnns Fabrics, Michaels, and/or AC Moore.