Companionable...

This last week had its ups and downs and in betweens - basically it was an average week in an average life. My husband and I had great conversations about issues that are important in our lives, we shared fun stories and the news of the day around the dinner table. All in all it was a very companionable week.

This week's book review should give us all that same feeling - A Knitter's Home Companion by: Michelle Edwards. This is little book is filled with lots of love, laughter and stories with which you can easily relate. Michelle breaks her chapters into subject groupings allowing you to pick and chose the order that you prefer to read the book. As I tend to be quite linear when it comes to reading (except that I am a firm believer in reading the last page -it really doesn't give away a story and it helps me imagine the scope of a story while I read) I have been reading beginning to end, but for the rest of the world that is not necessary to enjoy this book.

Along with all the stories, Michelle gives us all a great deal of patterns to make. Everything from baby blankets to socks, slippers, and Chicken Egg Warmers. Each one a lovely little item to make and share. These are all great projects to get started on for the forthcoming holiday season (yes - it's coming sooner than you think). As an added bonus, this collection brings us recipes as well as the patterns. Ideas that would work wonderfully for summer picnics and BBQ's as well everyday meals. Such scrumptious delights as - Genie's Killer Deviled Eggs, Jon's Roasted Root Vegetables and much more.

All in all, A Knitter's Home Companion allows one to sit back, enjoy, and feel a companionable kinship with the author and with our own personal knitting journey.

Published 2011 - Pictures by: Jen Gotch - Publisher: Stewart, Tabori & Chang, New York, USA.

Michelle's Website

Knit On, Read On....
The Knitty Scribe

I Ravelry, Do You????

I suppose that many people that read this may already know what Ravelry is, but for those that don't here's the skinny. If you do, maybe there will be something new for you as well.

Ravelry is a knitting/crocheting web based community. I like to think of it as a Facebook type social network for knitters and crocheters. You have a Notebook page of your own, you can add your projects, stash , library, send messages, list your blog and website, befriend lots of lovely people and join numerous groups with specific themes. For Me Ravelry is a place where I have met some very dear people, learned tons of things in regard to my art, rekindled my love for other art forms, promoted my own designs (did I mention that you can sell your own personal designs - great way to get started) and basically made myself a village. Joining Ravelry costs you nothing - you can be as involved or not as you like.

Here are five things I love best about Ravelry:
1) the people- I've made some great new friends and they all have interests like my own. Yeah!!!

2) Being able to sell my original designs and get feedback on those designs before going public, from people with a similar interest (see a theme there?). You can offer your designs for sale or for free, which is fab!!!

3) I love the pattern database. This one function has saved me days worth of time in finding a pattern or a pattern book. Searching the internet at large can be a daunting task.

4) Being a member of group with a special interest that I share. For example: The Annual Dishcloth Swap. This swap is loads of fun and has a small time commitment. So, if you're really busy and how many of us aren't, eh?? - you can enjoy the fun and be done quickly and move move to the next thing on your To Do List. I highly recommend checking this group out - the moderators are awesome women and know how to have fun!!! There are other groups as well, things I never thought would fit into a knitting/crocheting social network, such as - IKEA Fans. Now, to be completely honest - next to knitting there is nothing more I love more than a trip to IKEA - I mean you should just see my home! And right there on Ravelry, I found a huge group of others that love their art and IKEA just like I do - and my goodness can we get chatty. There are other types of groups as well, things like design support, groups dedicated to specific people (The Yarn Harlot - Alan Dart or Debbie Macomber). You name it there's a group for it or you can start one of your own.

5) The fifth thing I love about Ravelry is the people that I've met. Yes, I know that was #1 on the list, but I'm using a literary technique here of book-ending. Start and end with the most important thing. If it weren't for the people and the developers of Ravelry, all the stuff in the middle wouldn't exist. So, "the people" is worth a double hit on the list.

I highly encourage anyone that's never taken a look at Ravelry do so. If you are a knitter or a crocheter, you will find yourself and your art opened up to a world made just for you and I don't think you'll be disappointed.

I've never done this before, but I love this site so much and it has meant so much to the growth of my art, my skills, my business, my social connections that I am also going to share this blog thread on the Green Girl blog.
If you do Ravelry, tell us what you love best. If you don't yet Ravelry, go - go now - spend some time on yourself and have a blast. Ravelry

Knit On, Read On....
The Knitty Scribe. 

Playing With Blocks....

I've learned a lot about knitting a square this past year while a member of the Ravelry group Baker's Dozen. It's a simple idea, each month you knit/crochet a block for a specific person and each person ends up with 12 blocks to make a blanket. Each square must be 12x12 inches. So, the first lesson you learn is gauge so that you end up with a 12x12 square. Will this pattern give a little in the blocking, is the yarn forgiving, do I make everyone a different pattern or use the same one for each square???? These are all questions that you ask as you sit down to a relatively simple task.

One of the main stays in conversation on the chat board is ideas about new patterns. As many people in my group crocheted, I actually started to enjoy that art form again and did a few small crochet projects over the year. However, for those of us that knit, Nicky Epstein to the rescue with her newest book, Knitting Block by Block.

This is a lovely hardbound book with 150 different block patterns inside the covers. Now these are not just any blocks, lest we forget this book's author doesn't do anything halfway. These blocks are works of art. There is applique, cables, colorwork, entrelac, and if you like applied i-cord this book is your new best friend. Nicky has given us enough new ideas to mix and match to our hearts content and several patterns with which to use the blocks if you're stuck for a project. I like to think of this book as a stitchionary, except for blocks. Truly endless ideas await you.

Now, back to the Baker's Dozen group. Yesterday, I received my last square and low and behold, as if by magic, my dear group member, Jennifer had knit for me a block called Cathedral Windows - straight out of Nicky's book. It is a lovely shade of teal with multi-colored edging. Beautiful work, Jen - thanks! In the book this block is shown as part of a pattern for a lovely cropped vest. I think it would work perfectly in the Autumn with a long sleeved tee, some jeans and boots. Just a thought as to what the Knitty Scribe might be wearing in the coming season.

Well, Nicky has come through once again - many thanks. And to Jennifer, your hard work is going to make a lovely pillow to accent the rest of my blanket and will be properly used in my studio when I'm cuddling up on the chase to knit and read - many, many thanks!! And to all my Baker's Dozen group - it has been a pleasure working and getting to know you all. Have a lovely summer, thank you for all your work on my behalf and I hope to see you around in September when we start up once again. Peace and joy to you all....

Knit On, Read On....
The Knitty Scribe

The Ambassador of Crochet....

This weeks review is for a blog/website - The Ambassador of Crochet by: Kristine Mullen. I have known Kristine via a Ravelry group for almost a year. And although she is a crocheter extraordinaire, rather than a knitter, I count her as someone I am thrilled to know. I've always been determined to raise up any and all fiber arts - I crochet as well as knit, just not as much these days, as knitting is my true passion. However, crocheter's make some of the loveliest items I've ever seen and I feel that Kristine's blog/website represents her art form in a spectacular way.

The Ambassador herself is a fantastic designer in her own right. When you visit her site you'll find that she has several store fronts in which she sells her personal patterns. Her childrens hats are delightful and every little girl should have a few in their young fashion wardrobes. The models for Kristine's projects are gorgeous and show off the crocheted objects to their best effect. The secret is that they are all Kristine's own beautiful children. I haven't asked, but I'm guessing they work for treats, which Kristine is happy to supply.

Kristine has really made it her job to get the art form of crochet out to the masses. Kristine is also involved in sharing her talents with many charitable organizations. How she has the time for all she does is beyond me, but she is certainly a great role model for other artists.

So, here in the US it is Memorial Day Weekend - that typically means BBQ's with family and friends and a little time to ones self. When you have that extra few minutes, please go and check out Kristine's site and her blog. You'll enjoy every moment. http://www.ambassadorcrochet.com/p/crocheting-for-cause.html

Knit on, Read on....
The Knitty Scribe

Labels Not Allowed....

This particular blog posting has special meaning to me - you see for many years I was what society called a "Plus Sized Woman." I wore a size 18 and I had an incurable adrenal disease that kept me from having children and eventually lead to cancer four years ago. I've had the surgery and through medication and a better understanding of my disease I have lost close to 130 pounds in 5 years. Please do not clap, say hurrah or wish to pat me on the back. Congratulations are not required because there was nothing more I could have done to make myself smaller than I was until I found a physician that understood the disease that I had been born with. I was active, exercise 5 days a week, a good proper portion sized diet, but none of that made a difference except that it may have helped me from being larger than I was. Today, I am better, not cured, this disease is genetic and I am what they call the text book case. Literally, when they teach this disease, my case study is the one they use for how it affects females. I suppose that it makes me glad to know that my fight may lead to someone else having an easier time with this condition than I did. I still have to take four medications a day to maintain my health. It is of course worth every pill I take.

I have told you all this very personal information because I am tired of hearing the phrase, "Plus Sized." In the 21st century we still label and demean people because of their size. That is complete and total idiocy!!! Your size is your business and if you feel it necessary, the business of your physician. Your clothing should not make you feel bad about yourself. I mean when did a size 12-14 become Plus? Probably the same time designers made the size "00" or "XX-Small."  It is all nonsense. For goodness sake find a different way to make yourself feel good and stop labeling people through their clothing size.

Sadly enough I see the same labels being used in knitting patterns. I know it's the norm, but it's the norm that should be changed. I have had several lovely women tell me that they have never knitted themselves a sweater because they can't find a pattern to fit. It's somewhat true that knitting patterns are usually made for sizes not deemed "Plus." However, I have found a few books that I like for that arena. Although hideous labels are still used, the book I wish to review this week does more than talk about size, it discusses shape and fit and ways to flatter your best assets. Knitting Goes Large, by: Sharon Brant and several other designers is a book that shares 20 lovely patterns for those that wear sizes that extend beyond what you find in most pattern books. This book really dissects pattern making and fit, which allows the knitter a better understanding of why one person may wear a size 18 and another person of the same weight may wear a 22 - one person is probably taller and the other shorter so their figures measure differently. Weight doesn't really play into the equation. The patterns are clear and easy to follow and very of the moment for fashion. Some ideas are classic, some romantic, and some are just a little bit funky. A bit of something for everyone.

Whereas I think that the book title might be better if it were, "Knitting to Flatter Your Figure" the author does a nice job dispelling the idea of labels and gets more to the point of knitting lovely sweaters that fit well and are stylish. If you are looking for sweaters to knit for a friend or family member that fits this size range, this is a great book to have in your library.

So, stop labeling - let's expand our thinking and treat people with dignity and respect regardless of their size. We have so much more important things to ponder and fix in this world of ours, let's finally put a check in the box on clothing size discrimination.

Knit On, Read On,
The Knitty Scribe...

Knit Lit....

Seems that I am on a knit lit kick these past few weeks. You know, literature with knitting as one of the contributing themes. I love the books that actually give you the characters discussed patterns at the end of the book. More projects to mull over and put on my list - always a good thing and I figure these patterns are basically free as I bought the book for the story not expecting the patterns. Is that a good rationalization???

Anyway, this week I've read the two Sweetgum: Knit Lit Society books, by Beth Pattillo. The second novel is The Sweetgum Ladies Knit For Love.  I read them both on my Knidle when I got into bed. Reading really helps me fall asleep and since I'm dealing with the vagaries of my own personal global warming these days, a good book can really help. These books were a bit on the romantic and Peyton Place side of literature for me, but none the less I enjoyed them. Ms. Pattillo can write a good story with interesting characters, she can definitely keep a reader intrigued to the end.

I usually like Brit Lit far better than some of the offerings from my fellow US authors, but I've only been able to find two books that were worth a read that fit the Brit Lit and Knit prerequisites. If anyone has any recommendations please pass them on, I'll be glad to give them a read. Since the British offerings are a bit scarce, I certainly don't wish to pass up any good book regardless of it's origins and the Sweetgum series has not disappointed. The novels are set in Sweetgum, Tennessee, USA.  A small town that makes you want to live in a place where everyone knows your name or at least it makes me want to live in that type of place. With all the bad and indifferent situations that can come from small town living, there are tremendous positives as well and Ms. Pattillo brings those out.

In the first book, the knit lit society reads a classic book from a pre-determined book list each month and knits a project that would go well with the story. In the second book, the society does basically the same thing, but they have a specific stitch that must be used for each month. I am thinking that I would love a book group of this nature. Sharing my passion for literature and knitting all in one setting with my friends. Tres' cool!

So, if you are still planning your summer reads, I'd recommend giving the ladies of the Sweetgum: Knit Lit Society a try. I think you'll enjoy the story and perhaps find some inspiration for further projects or for your own reading group.

Knit On, Read On.....
The Knitty Scribe

The Lazy Blogger...

It has come to my attention that I may have come down with the "lazy blogger" syndrome. No blogging for over a week. On the surface I am guilty as charged, but under the surface troubled waters churn and send their waves to crash against the tender walls of my brain. All that to say, the life has been getting ready for the season by using DH and I for spring training. However, what doesn't kill us makes us stronger or so I've heard and I"m not dead yet. Hurrah!!! 

So, in today's installment you're getting a 2-fer. Two reviews instead of one. One book, one toy insert from Simply Knitting Magazine. Ready - set - read....

The book in question was actually published in 2008 and I've owned it since then, but at that time I was hip deep in thesis research and personal reading was the lifestyle section of the NY Times on Sunday with coffee and DH at our local Starbucks. Anyway, the author I"m sure is well known to many of you, Debbie Macomber and the book is Twenty Wishes. It is part of her Blossom Street series and tells a lovely story of love lost, and love found for a woman yearning for a child and for a child in desperate need of a loving mother. It is easy to relate to the characters and for me it was a story of Seattle. The story is set in that Great Northwestern city and as a 21 year member of that citizenry, I can tell you that the independent neighborhoods in Seattle are for the most part as charming as Blossom Street is described in the book. And as with all of Debbie's Blossom Street books, knitting prevails as  it's own character within the book. If nothing else you certainly get your creative juices flowing and are ready to grab your needles and knit, knit, knit. After you have read this story, you will want to know that Debbie has published A Twenty-First Wish in an anthology titled The Knitting Diaries by Debbie Macomber, Susan Mallery, and Christina Skye. This short story is a nice rounding off to the original book.

Review Two goes to non other than toy creator extraordinaire - Alan Dart. I only started knitting toys back before this past holiday season. I wanted to gift a hand knit bear to a sweet little girl of 2 years. You can see Bella Bear on my Ravelry Projects page. Anyway, every month when my copy of Simply Knitting arrives there is invariably a toy pattern from Mr. Dart or pictures from other knitters that have made his patterns. Heavenly mercy ,but they are beautiful. I thought toy knitting would be difficult, but it's not actually - you make a bunch of sections and then work them together. Not bad at all. Well, in the May 2011 issue of Simply Knitting (issue 80) there is a free extra insert by Alan Dart - a complete chess set, including the board and it is spectacular. Even if you don't play chess the pieces can easily be adapted for other toys, but if you are looking to make the ultimate gift for your favorite chess champ - you won't go wrong with this set. And let me just say that the only way to get the complete instructions is to purchase the magazine for that month. On Alan's website you can purchase older patterns ans let's just say I've stocked up!!! You can find Alan's website at -  http://www.alandart.co.uk/. Some patterns are free downloads and some are sold at a nominal cost.

So, there you go - two more items to add to your summer fun to do list. I'd love to see pictures of any items that were knit from these selections. The chess set is on my holiday gift giving list for this coming year.

Read on, Knit on...
The Knitty Scribe.