No Knit, Knitting.....

Well I think spring might actually be here as the trees are blooming and I'm sneezing and working my way through tissues like I work through wool, but I think it's having a hard time deciding whether or not to stay. It was 90 on Saturday, 70 on Sunday and 35 this morning. If it would stick to that nice 70 range, I'd be ever so thankful!

We've had the windows open for the last few days and this morning it was so difficult to get out of bed. When DH left at 6:30am I went and made tea and grabbed a book and slid down under all the lovely comforters and blankets on the bed. It was one of those dreamy mornings when you feel so content under the covers that you can't decide whether to go back to sleep or get your lazy behind out of bed. The "out of bed" part won out, but not until 7:45am. The self debate was almost to great to overcome.

Part of the difficulty was actually the book that I am currently reading or should I say finished reading, The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club, by Gil McNeil. It's not a pattern book or an instructional book, but it's based on a little knitting shop in England and is full of funny and eccentric characters. So, I thought it a great time to do a little blog about a great knitting book that can be put on your list of beach reads for this spring and summer.

The main character is Jo, she is a widow with a twist (I shan't say just what that is as you may not be someone that reads the last page of a book first or someone that wants to know the details before you've read them for yourself.) I'll just say that Jo needs a new beginning with her two little boys and they find it when she goes to take over the running of her Gran's yarn shop. I think you'll find a character that you relate to and if you're at all like me, you find that you wish you had two extra pairs of arms as the book makes you want to knit several items at once.

The book is fairly quick read, which in my opinion makes it perfect for taking in my bag wherever I go. If for some reason I can't knit, I have to read and why not read something about knitting be it fiction or non. I have now moved on to the sequel, Needles and Pearls and I can say that it's well worth the time as well. New adventures abound for all the major and minor players. Just like a good sequel should, Needles and Pearls keeps you wanting more.

What's in your spring/summer (hand knit of course) book bag????

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

Here Comes the Bride....

The month of April is here (I'm not sure how we got here so fast, but c'est la vie). This month is a huge month for birthdays in my family and among my friends, including my own. This means a full month of parties and celebrations, but this year there is also another special celebration to take place. The Royal wedding of HRH Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton on April 29th, 2011. Now for some this is no big deal and they feel that we are all getting into a tither for no good reason. Fine, be that as it may, for some it is very special and for numerous reasons. It is special to me for reasons I cannot adequately put into words, but I will give just a few similarities of my own life.

My DH, Dave and I were married in the same year as Prince Charles and Princess Diana.

Although I have always been nicknamed, De (came from my grandfather and means the word to me) after Charles and Diana were engaged, people thought it cute to call me Lady Di. Ha ha, but as I said they thought it cute and did it because they cared about me. That makes it a very good thing.

At my wedding, our niece, Elisabeth was a baby and she is marrying this summer in the same year as William and Kate. The Royal wedding will be more opulent and celebrated throughout the world, but the wedding of Nick and Beth will be the grandest event for our family this year.

And to top things off, we have a little Kate in our own family. She may only be 2 and half, but she is our little princess in every way.

So, I, Aunt Diana, the one that believes in having stories and mementos to pass down through ages of our family will be making little keepsake William and Kate dolls for both my girls. I want the girls to know that although William and Kate are to be celebrated by the world, Beth and Kate are celebrated by me, their aunt. That I love and care for them as if they were my own daughters and that they have just as special a place in history as the handsome young man of noble birth and his lovely bride.

That all being said, this week's book pick is Knit Your Own Royal Wedding by: Fiona Goble. Fiona has given us the couple in both their engagement and wedding clothes. Kate's dress is a guess as of this moment, but I'm sure there will be updated patterns of the actual dress once we've all seen it with our own eyes. Along with the couple are members of the royal family, footman and for some reason the Queen's dogs. Now, I know the Queen loves her dogs, but I would rather have had the brides parents included instead. I do believe I can pull this off by making some spare dolls and knitting up a few of the alternate dresses in the back of the book. For those of you that really want to display your royal wedding, there is a cardboard balcony in a sleeve in the back of the book. All in all the book is well done and the there is a bit of the royal romance story documented at the beginning along with a few of the known wedding plans.

If you don't knit, this might be a nice gift for someone that does or as a memento for someone that collects royal memorabilia. The cover price of the book is 17.99US/21.00Canadian, but I got my copy via Amazon.com for 10.85US. I looked today and it's selling for 12.15US. I am wondering if this price will increase as the wedding draws near??? The publisher is Andrews McMeel at www.andrewsmcmeel.com.

So, whether you have a physical or emotional connection to the royals, it might be fun to knit up a couple of these dolls and some general clothes for your own little princess to play with.

Knit on, Read on,
The Knitty Scribe

It's Child's Play....

This week I find myself needing to share the attributes of a magazine with you all. Again, not just a magazine, but one that you will put into a binder and keep for a lifetime. Creative Knitting Magazine has published a fantastic special addition, Child's Play and as it sounds it is all about the kiddies. According to the cover it will be on news-stands until April 29th. What a lovely addition to your own Easter basket.

Every design is made especially for toddlers to early teens - boys and girls. If you have a girl in the family that is wild for American Girl dolls, there are two designs that have matching patterns for the girls and their dolls. They have already been slated for a September birthday and a holiday gift for my niece and her doll. The boys are not left out in any way, at least half the magazine are items for boys, plus there are several toys for the wee ones.

I was thrilled to find this as I find it difficult to find patterns for children in the 2-4 age group. Lots of patterns above and below that age range, but few for the basic toddler+ set. Auntie Knitty Scribe is going to be very busy this summer. 

Some children hate out growing their favorite clothes, so with this issue you can make every size so that your special little one can grow-up with his favorite jumper or her favorite dress. If you want to make each size a little different, just knit them in different colors. Are you looking for quick and easy gifts for family and friends that are expecting their own little ones, I think you'll even find a few items in this magazine that will make cherished heirloom items. 

And remember it's just child's play.....

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

Tradition....

I do not usually recommend magazines, as I find that I love them all. Even the glossy ones with all the ads. I'm kind of addicted to the slippery pages and colorful pictures. I tend to find something to love about them all, so I don't recommend them as surely no one else has this same problem. They are asking for solid information and on this front I have a hard time being objective. However, I may have found something worth crowing about. Knitting Traditions - is a bi-monthly magazine from Piece Work, which is published by Interweave Press. Now, you will have noticed that I said this was a magazine and I suppose that it fits that description in that there are ads and glossy pictures, but it also so much more.

In the current issue that appears on new stands until mid-May, there is article after article about knitting from all over the world. I mean it is more like a knitting history book than a magazine. Not only will you learn about the people of the Dales in Yorkshire and how fathers, mothers, and children all knitted as a form of income, you'll get patterns as well. The patterns might be socks, mittens or lace and they are spectacular. Because there is a story along with the pattern, you feel like you're there with the very people in the story. It's an immense feeling!

Knitting Traditions is not just a magazine that you read, file a few pattern pages and forget about. It's a publication that envelopes you in the roots and history of our art form. It's a publication that you'll save in a pretty binder and bring out time and time again. It is like having your own knitting encyclopedia at your fingertips. It is a joy to read and it is fascinating to read the history of those knitters that came before us and to practice the skills that they themselves used.

So, I highly recommend that you pick-up a copy of this "magazine" and find yourself a quiet spot to sit with a cuppa and take a trip back in knitting time.

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

T-Tiny Treats.....

Back during the holidays, I finally started knitting toys. I must say it's a bit addicting and so far Alan Dart is my supplier. Lately, I've been wanting to knit some little food items for a few children that are at the age of playing tea party. Well, yesterday while I was out running errands, I ran into the yarn store. Of course I ran into the yarn store, isn't that a mandatory stop on any shopping trip??? I thought so....

Well, I found a little book that not only has cakes and fruits and veggies, but it has these sweet little sushi and dim sum. The book is Yummi 'Gurumi, by: Christen Haden & Mariasosa Sala - published 2010.

 I'm still thinking that I might want to knit a plate of these little sushi and use them as table decor. I have a great teak wood plate that I've had for years and these little treats would look amazing on it and really spice up the kitchen table. This little book has really made my imagination start running away with itself.

So, if you want something new to knit for the afternoon tea party with your favorite little one, this book is a great way to introduce them to different foods and cultures. They are quick and easy to make and once again, a great way to use up the leftovers in the stash.

Wouldn't these be sweet little gifts to give at a birthday party or a wedding or baby shower???

If tea parties are not your little ones thing, what about a play date a pretend diner - with the famous BLT????


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

Add a Little Bling...

Have you ever wondered about how to jazz up your knitting? Ever pondered the question: "What would make this piece really sing?"Surely you've had a moment of doubt when you were knitting because you thought the pattern was just too plain. I've had those moments - a lot! Then I found some yarn that had sparkle running through it and that was great because the bling was built right into the fiber. Hurrah!!! Then I started finding books that had beads knitted into the designs. WOWZER!!! I was hooked. I had loved beading little necklaces and bracelets with seed beads back in the 1960's. Now I had a new outlet for all kinds of beads - to be honest I was disappointed that I had not thought of this all on my own. I must have been under a brain fog at the time.

Beads can really make the mundane sparkle, they can add elegance to the country tweed, make a gift just a little more "awesome dude."  I love solid colored wool yarn, but in the end the finished project can still be a little flat - add some beads here and there and it's like making a picture on a Light Bright (another toy of the 60's) - the piece just comes alive. The pieces I design and sell always do better with a little bling. The chemo caps I make for cancer centers are always appreciated, but I get letters of thanks for the ones with beads. And in that situation, you can't ask for anything more than to know that you lifted someone's spirits at a really low point in their lives. And to think that little plastic or glass beads can bring that kind of pleasure, well it's a joy for me, it really, really is!!!

Beading is a great new skill to add to your repertoire. How nice to spice up your knitting and your enjoyment of the process on a cold winter's night. Then there is joy of teaching this skill to a friend or a child.  Let me just say that kids love adding beads (just the inexpensive pony beads that you purchase by the pound) to their projects. I find that it is a real confidence booster for them. It is a fun and friendly way to spend time with those we care about. Give it a try!

This week the book on the block is 25 Beaded Knits by: Debbie Abrahams - published in 2007. I checked and this book is still available through Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble online. If you have a Half Price Books in your area you might check there as well, as I found a copy for a friend there just recently. Debbie describes beads as transforming a plain fabric into something dazzling and she's so right. The projects in the book cover items for the home, the evening, daytime and kids (I'd say for pre-teens and teens especially.) There are a few lovely apparel items that would make smashing gifts and Mother's Day is just right around the corner (I know - how did that creep up on us so quickly. I mean this week it's March already - Ugh!)  

Beaded Slouch Socks (great for a dance -yoga - Pilates)

My favorite - the Beaded jacket. Lovely!

Let me just re-visit this idea of going to a Half Price Books - There are stores in 17 states and you can shop with them online. The closest HPB to my home is about an hour away, but I go there every time I'm in that city because I find tons of a great knitting, spinning, crocheting, looming and weaving books on their shelves. In this current economy I know that funds for knitting supplies and books probably take a bit of a hit and that's why HPB is such a deal. For example: When I bought my copy of 25 Beaded Knits several years ago, I paid about 25$ US, the copy I got my friend was 7.98US and it was a new book. That's less than half and it will make a great gift. I support any and all book stores, but I had to throw in a plug for HPB this weeks as I think they are hidden jewel especially when you find the budget a little tighter than usual.

OK - this week go and find yourself some beads and try knitting up a little something - see if you don't become addicted to this as a way to bling out your knitwear.

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

It's All About the Blog - Living in a Wool Free World....

I cannot wear wool - I'm allergic.

Wool is too itchy - I don't like it.

Wool is too hot - I live in a warm climate.

These are just three reasons among many for why some folks just don't cotton to the likes of wool. There's suppose to be a play on words in that sentence, but I'm not sure it made it's way out - cotton vs wool - you're all brilliant you'll figure it out. It's late on Friday evening and I just blocked a Spring Lace neck warmer and I'm a bit out of it, nothing new, I know. Really though there are as many reasons that folks give for not liking wool as there are reasons for loving wool. And  that's alright!

This blog review is dedicated to those that just cannot get in the groove with the woolly fibers of the world. And it is also for those that want to expand their knowledge and repertoire of fiber choices. This weeks blog is Wool Free and Lovin' Knit (http://woolfreeandlovinknit.typepad.com/wool-free-and-lovin-knit/). The author of the blog is Joan. She and I met on Ravelry and I have enjoyed reading her blog for  several months now.
  
Joan is quite knowledgeable about non-woolly fibers, which makes her blog a great place to find inspiration when I sit down to knit for friends and family that prefer gifts made from cotton, acrylic, silk, etc... Sometimes I feel a little unsure of what non-wool fiber to use and I can always count on Joan to help pull me out of the fire.
As with many blogs, we find ourselves roaming through parts of Joan's life while we are subtly being taught the grandeur of living and knitting without wool. I highly suggest you take a peek at this blog - I think you'll be surprised at how lovely life can be without the help of the sheep on the hill. You can also find Joan on Ravelry under (organizedtoknit). Enjoy!!!

Knit on, Read on...
The Knitty Scribe