Looming....

Right before I decided to officially start this blog, I entered my name in a drawing to receive an advance copy of Red Hearts new booklet, Loom Knitting Made Easy and guess what???? I won a copy of my very own. Always so cool to win something, especially if it has to do with knitting of any kind. I actually picked-up my first loom in order to knit chemo caps a little faster. What I found was that many people that are afraid (for whatever reason) to knit in the traditional way, are eager to loom knit as it looks the same, is easy to do and for some reason holds much less terror for the beginner. I also found that many traditional knitters like myself, love looming just as much. How nice, there's a little bit of something for everyone. So, I have concluded that reviewing this little booklet hot off the presses will be of interest to many.

Loom Knitting Made Easy - Published 2010 - This was published late in 2010 and to be honest I'm not sure it's in the stores yet. I have not been able to get an answer. Be on lookout, I'm sure you'll start seeing it soon. The booklet covers six projects from beginner - intermediate skill levels. The projects cover home decor, lace, children and adult scarves and hats. I have to say that I am working on the lace shawl now. I have a vested interest in a lace shawl for a special wedding taking place in the summer and I'm going to see if I like this one as much as the one I'm knitting in the traditional way.

The first several pages of the booklet walk you through the basics of loom knitting - just as with traditional knitting it covers, cast ons, knits and purls, bind offs, flat vs round looming, different stitch patterns and finishing techniques. The instructional pictures are very clear and easy to follow. After the instructional section comes the projects and at the very end of the book there is a page on blocking, gauge and yarn choice, then a page with abbreviations and skill level information. For only 33 pages, the material is covered in a good amount of detail. The projects are fun and relevant for today's lifestyles.

In the end I will offer this, if you do not loom, this would be a great place to start. If you do loom, this a great reference and I think you'll enjoy working the patterns. If you want to get someone involved in a fiber craft - this booklet, a set of looms (can be purchased at most craft stores) and a couple skeins of yarn would make a wonderful gift.

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

Signatures...

What's your signature??? Everyone's is different for sure and each signature tells the world something about who you are. When I was a child, my father told me that when I started to write my name in cursive, it should be unique and different in order to make it harder for people to copy. I thought that cool at the time and now I know that truly my father was paranoid. Regardless, I took that advice and my signature is just three letters and a symbol. No one has ever tried to copy it, but someone did try to fire me once because they didn't like the way I signed my name. This woman was a very controlling individual that typically liked to re-make people in her own image. In the end,I kept my job and taught her a lesson about individual rights.

In the world of knitting or any form of art, the artist typically has a signature style, or color, or idea that is specific to them. And this week's artist/author has a signature style like none other. Today the Knitty Scribe is going to review a book by the well known author and knitwear designer, Nicky Epstein. Many of you may have Nicky's books already, but this weeks entrant is worth reviewing just in case you don't. Or maybe it will jog your mind and you'll pull the book out and have a go at another unique creation. It just so happened that a dear friend of mine asked me to help re-imagine the cover scarf of this book into a crocheted version (see the Green Girl Blog for that story.) So, here goes:

My re-imagined Yo-Yo Scarf - info on the Green Girl Blog.

Nicky Epstein's Signature Scarves: One thing I know for sure is that Nicky thinks outside the box and I believe that is one attribute that makes her a good designer. In this book, published in 2008 Nicky brings the knitting universe 33 spectacular scarves. Want to try your hand at felting a scarf, there's a couple to choose from. How about turning a cardigan pattern into a shawl scarf, Nicky's done that as well. Want to practice your Fair Isle before taking on that massive sweater, this book has a majestic offering (Majestic Fair Isle). And then there is the Yo-Yo scarf on the cover, the very scarf that I re-imagined in crocheted form. This book does not just throw some scarf patterns at you, I mean what would be the point of that. As someone that designs a lot of scarves myself, I know better that to try and pitch a six inch wide knitted piece of fabric without adding a little extra oomph to the idea. Nicky knows this even more. Her designs are for beginner to advanced, but there is nothing mundane about any of them. Each is truly a work of art and you can make that piece of art in your own image. As a special touch in the back of the book, Nicky shares ten of her favorite edges and trims. If you have her book Knitting on the Edge (a complete book of trims and edgings) then you'll understand why this is such a nice addition, if you don't know this book, you'll want to add it to your list for your next knitting book purchase. Nicky's edges and trims are fun, fascinating and down right fabulous!!! Back to scarves, Nicky does not leave anything for granted, she even spends four pages showing you different ways in which to tie a scarf. Now that's attention to detail.

In my very humble opinion, I think everyone should have this book in their knitting library. It's a great reference, helps you practice your skills, and in my case gave me so many new things to think about in regard to my own style, it was a real encouragement.

Enjoy the adventure to your own signature style
Knit on, Read on.....
The Knitty Scribe.

It's All About the Blog - The Yarnista......

What is an "ista?" Do you know? Well, the dictionary says that "ista" is a suffix for a noun and when added to the noun, it means that the person, place or thing is a follower or adept of the noun in question. For example, I bet you've heard of a Fashionista, if you like Mally cosmetics you may be a Mallynista. However, I'm laying my money on the fact that you are probably a Yarnista. A follower or adept of yarn. Very fancy little name, but it's a label I'm proud to wear and so is the owner of Three Irish Girls - creators of some of the most gorgeous yarn colorways that I've ever seen. Three Irish Girls was founded by a delightful woman named, Sharon who admits she did not want to grow-up and be a Yarnista at all. Check out the blog and the website and see how that all changed with just a few dye pots.

Yarnista is the name of the companies blog. It is educational, funny, personable, and just a plain old good read. The latest blog posting is a pictorial lesson on the virtues of blocking our lovely hand knits. Some posts take us through Sharon's general adventures, but each one has something special to say and something meaningful for us all to think about. After you've read the blog a bit, click over to the website and take a look at the yarn. The yarn, the yarn, oh the yarn!!!! I gush a bit about it, but it really is just smashing. If you're a color freak like me or should I say Colornista, I think you will enjoy what you see there.

Blog address: http://www.yarnista.com/
Web address: http://www.threeirishgirls.com/

If you are already aware of Three Irish Girls, then you'll understand why the Yarnista blog was chosen for this week's review. If you're new to Sharon and her company, go take a look and get lost in the fun.

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

Guided by Harmony....

Hello everyone, are you currently under a blanket of snow?? I've been watching the weather forecasts and it seems that most of the country is getting their share of a winter wonderland. It is suppose to snow here in our area tonight. Keeping my fingers crossed for a just a few inches. You see the more snow, the more knitting time becomes available and baby I can fill that time with the best! I know you can, too!

This week I want to touch on a book series that makes all the difference in my teaching, designing and dreaming. The Interweave Press - Harmony Guides. There are several books and booklets in this series and I have many. For this blog post, I'd like to review two of my personal favs - if you haven't seen them, head to a book store or library - the magic within their pages may change your knitting forever.


Both of these books are still being published - Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and B&N.com all carry them for purchase and your local library may have some in their knitting selection.

1) Knit & Purl - Edited by: Erika Knight: originally published in 2007
This is a book of 250 stitches to knit and purl. It is a stitch dictionary that roams from the most basic to the very elaborate. The knits and purls are designed and intertwined into patterns that will inspire you to new heights, help you concur the creative block and perhaps even help you shrink the stash. Each page holds a lovely color photograph of the stitch pattern, the name of the patterns and easy to follow instructions. Finally, you will come across a hint here and there to help you in your knitting education. This is a great book to have in your arsenal  - I never leave on a long car trip without having my copy in the knitting bag.

2) Cables & Arans - Edited by Erika Knight: originally published in 2007
This book is similar in size and idea to Knit & Purl, but of course it is cables and arans - you caught that right? Of course you did it was right there in the title. This dictionary of stitches that twist and turn was a most welcome holiday gift just this past season from my dearest husband, Dave. Again, Erika Knight offers up 250 different patterns. I have this deep desire to make each and every one of these patterns into squares and make a huge blanket. Let's not lay odds on when that project may be completed, but it is certainly a tempting challenge.There is something about cables that make make my brain sizzle and pop with anticipation - I'm like a child saying, "Look what I did." when I complete a cable. It's like I've solved an ancient mystery. Ah..... Anyway, along with a photograph and written instructions, many of the patterns have charts as well. I know that many knitters love charts and so if you do, I think you'll find the charts well done and easy to follow. Personally, I loath charts. I know - I'm sorry - I cannot figure it out as I'm a very visual person, but I rather knit from written directions. Well, to each their own - knit on and use whatever pattern format you like - it's all good. Making cables is a great skill to have in your knitting bag of tricks, so I hope that you find this book helpful in your process.

I will discuss some of the other Harmony Guides in the future, but I do not want to be accused of leading you down a path of uncontrollable knitting. Or do I........Hmmm...

Later this week - look for the weekly Blog Review

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

The Knitty Scribe Take One....

Welcome one and all  to the first official review from The Knitty Scribe. The purpose of this blog to to review written materials in regard to knitting. Not to judge, but to let you all know what's out there for knitters - you all can judge for yourself, but I guarantee that there is something for everyone - I mean it's a pretty big world and knitting is a pretty big part of that world (regardless of the crazy looks you get from people while you knit in line at the market,etc...)

The year 2010 was a real downer in many ways, but I actually did learn something that I found extremely useful - Knitting on the World Wide Web. Wowzer, the blogs and patterns and websites and online stores are amazing (and the worst possible temptation for anyone that loves instant gratification - so take it slow and you should be okay.) Two things really changed how I saw my own personal knitting - blogs and Ravelry.com. I'm thinking I was a little late to the game in regard to both, but in my defense was I writing a thesis for the past several years and that process along with an adviser seemed to think they deserved all my time kept me a bit sheltered from the online knitting world (this may have been a good thing as I would probably still be writing that thesis). However, in past year I've found a home at Ravelry for sharing my ideas, what I'm sure is considered less than funny humor, my desires, my questions - a real think tank of like minded people for an art that I have loved since childhood. And then there are the blogs......

I jumped into the fray in 2010 with my own blog -The Green Girl - now I'll admit that I don't have a following the likes some of greats like The Yarn Harlot, but that anyone takes their precious time to read something I've written is a thrill that I won't even try to describe. I'm tremendously honored. As I was considering what to review for the first installment of Knitty Scribe, I poured through books, articles, patterns and I started to get a little "a feared" as we say. There's a lot of stuff laying about to be reviewed - old, new, good, bad, and all between, but it occurred to me in the shower (this seems to be the place where I think - don't ask just go with it - I know you have an odd thinking place, too) that bloggers bring an interesting variation to our literary community. I mean there are blogs about everything and I mean that literally - you name it, you'll find a blog about it.  And the one thing I find especially interesting about blogs is their diary aspects. Dear Diary, today I.... that was how we started diaries or journals when I was a girl, but today we go online and write those words (in whatever form) and let the world in on our lives. And in the case of knitting, we are let in on the creative and exceptional prowess of our fellow knitters. This posting is dedicated to the Knitting Blog....

I shall look at only two blogs that I follow on a regular basis (you'll see why only two as we go). They were picked from about 30 blogs that I follow and their inclusion should not be considered a slap in the face of any other knitting blog for each is special in their own way - I just figured it was a good place to start and that none of you would want to be reading this one post at the end 2011 as that's how long I could write about knitting blogs. Here goes (and as a reminder, no judgment - I mean how can you judge someone's personal thoughts and ideas - I cannot.)

1) The Yarn Harlot - by: Stephanie Pearl-McPhee - http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/
Many of you may know Stephanie's writing, she considers herself a writer of humor and I would agree. However, if you haven't heard of the Harlot before, take a gander, I think you'll find a blog that is both inspiring and funny. Whether you knit or not, I think you will find her writing funny. That's what keeps me coming back to her blog. Stephanie can make the dull or the disaster a little lighter and easier to take. She says the things we are too embarrassed to say about our own feelings toward knitting, life and family.  Her blog is a pick-me-up and it is also instructional. The blog goes back several years and I highly suggest taking the time to read through all the postings, there is a lot of good stuff in terms of patterns, humor, life.

2) The Purling Sprite - by: Isela Phelps -http://www.purlingsprite.com/
Isela is what can only be described as an active woman. She's a mom, a wife, a designer, a knitter (both traditional and loom) and a marathon runner. For me that equals - active! Her blog is also part of her overall website. She chronicles her knitting, mothering and running adventures much to everyone's delight. I especially chose Isela's blog because she is a loom knitter. This is an old craft that is gaining new levels of acceptance in the crafting world and Isela promotes this form of knitting in grand style. Her book on loom knitting socks is the considered the bible for the art among loomers. Whether you are curious about looming or share Isela's love of marathons, I think you'll enjoy this blog.

These are just two examples of knitting blogs and I highly suggest that you go on a little search adventure of your own and find more. You'll be amazed at what you find and how they elevate your love of the art of knitting. Each week along with a book, pattern or article I will review 1-2 blogs - I doubt we'll ever get through them all, but I hope that this blog will help others find the the work of so many talented people.

It is my sincerest hope that you find the Knitty Scribe informative and fun. Please feel free to leave comments and suggestions for materials to be reviewed. Millions of eyes are obviously better than just my two (now needing glasses just to work) at finding things to share.

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