"Shear Spirit" - Book Review

After meeting  Gale Zucker, an award winning photographer, a couple of week ago at my LYS, I decided to order her book.  It arrived yesterday just in time for the Valentine's Day weekend.  I highly recommend this book.  The pictures which were taken at various fiber farms around the U.S. are wonderful.  The stories are captivating.  I was up till after midnight last night reading through the book.  As if that isn't enough to get your attention, there are wonderful patterns included in the book as well.

I casted on for the above-pictured scarf during the opening ceremonies of the Olympics.  I've knitted about 30 inches and though the pattern calls for 52", I will bind off at 60".  The yarn is Berocco Ultra Alpaca.  The scarf will be donated to the "The Red Scarf Project"  which is a charity for orphaned and/or foster kids attending college.  The scarves are sent as a "Valentine's Day" care package.  If you read my friend Norma's,s blog regularly, she is a supporter extraordinaire for this charity.

Of course, when ordering from KnitPicks one must purchase $50 to earn free shipping.  To add to the total I also purchased the above book, "Stranded Colorwork".  It's gorgeous and I hope to eventually knit one of the patterns.  Selecting which pattern will be difficult. So, still not having spent $50 I purchased the 4" double point Harmony needles.

It's a nice addition to the Harmony circular interchangeable needles my daughter gifted me at Christmastime.  Shortly thereafter I purchased the 6" dp's and now I am content with my collection of needles now that I've added the "shorties".  I also have the "Denise Needles" which I love but have taken 2nd place to these.

Yippeeeeee!!!!  I have Monday off.

Happy Knitting

Knitting Olympics 2010

2010 Knitting Olympics on Yarn Harlot's Blog

Call me a day late and a dollar short!!!  The Knitting Olympics starts tomorrow, Friday, 2/12 during the “Opening Ceremonies” and must be completed in 17 days. I encourage you to participate and perhaps donate your knitting project to your favorite charity.


Lots of fun Olympic group knitting names on Ravelry. Check it out. I will be knitting this beautiful  "Flared Rib Scarf" for the "Red Scarf Project", a very worthwhile charity for orphan and foster kids attending college.

Let me know about yours if you decide to participate.  Feel free to grab the button on the right on my blog.

Happy Knitting!

Norma and Her House Guest

Jill, Norma, Jill's daughter, Shawn and Me!!

Norma was having Gale Zucker as a house guest yesterday and invited me to join them at my favorite LYS owned by Jill.  Be sure to click on Norma's name to see more pictures and more information.  (Smart of me to let Norma blog first...shhhh!!!!)

Gale did the photography for the book "Shear Spirit" and took this group picture. Of course, she is behind the camera.  A pic of Gale is on Norma's blog.

There was lots of knitting to go along with the laughter or was it the other way around?


Norma and I try to get together one evening a week at “Juniors” for a bite to eat and some knitting. I think they will soon put a brass plate with our names on the booth we always sit at.


I’m currently teaching two knitting classes two evenings a week for the month of February. Of course, I am thoroughly enjoying the knitters. My “Beginner Knitting” class was going to be canceled due to not enough registrants and one of the registrants was so disappointed that she recruited others to fill the minimum requirements in order to make the class happen. My other class is a mitten class.


In the spring I’ll be teaching two “Advanced Knitting” classes. I’ve yet to decide on what patterns I’ll be using. Suggestions are welcomed.


Saturday morning I am going to the "Penguin Plunge" to benefit the "Special Olympics. Are you kidding? I know what you are thinking.  Me, (a grandma but the same age as Cher) in a bathing suit. What makes you think that if I won’t wear one in the summer months that I will wear one during the winter and have a good dunkin' in frigid water! The event is to raise money for charity. However, I can be bought!!!! Offer me enough money for this very worthwhile charity and I will do it.) I’m going to take photos.

Hehe....sorry, but my readers think I'm going to plunge in the water and was going to take pictures!!!  No, no, no...I'm going to take pictures of those brave people going in the lake while I stay warm.

Happy Knitting!