Sunday, February 14, 2010

"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

12 comments:

  1. Oh girl I am so jealous of the wonderful harmony needles :P. Evenutually :).

    That scarf is really beautiful, the one that gets it will be so happy!! I just love that pattern. I'll have to think about it after I finish my grand daughters blanket which really is coming along, s-l-o-w-l-y!! :P

    Enjoy your Presidents day off :).

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  2. Happy, happy! Enjoy your gorgeous new books and those wonderful needles. :-)

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  3. Thanks for the book recommendations! I've reserved both titles at my library.

    Good luck with the scarf - it's beautiful!

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  4. What wonderful books -- especially about the fiber farms. I LOVE my Harmony needles and the packaging keeps everything tidy and in one place!

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  5. Oooh, that red scarf looks AWESOME. I'd love to take a peek at the Stranded Colorwork book the next time we meet up!

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  6. I'd like to get a peek at that Stranded Colorwork book, as well!
    Love that scarf - perfect for the Red Scarf Project.
    (I also love how you slipped your Maine knitting bag into the picture... *grin*)

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  7. Thank you for the heads-up on the book! I will look for it at Stitches next week!

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  8. Harmony needles, WOW!! How lucky you are AND the Denise needles too!! THat's prime!! Love the scarf by the way!!

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  9. Hey Joan, thanks for the great review! Let us know what you knit from Shear Spirit (I personally am finally knitting the Welsh Traveler Socks, highly recommend).

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  10. I've not made much for The Red Scarf Project lately. Did alot in the earlier years for them; must get back into it.

    Beautiful scarf, and the book looks awesome.

    I bought a book while on vacation with lots of stitches to further my quest of improving my knitting skills. I'm enjoying it and must get a photo etc in an upcoming post. Always think of you, when I try something new.

    Sandy

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  11. Hi, Joan! I just got Shear Spirit from the library and WOWZA! 14 of the 20 patterns in this book are "must makes"...and I'm hopelessly in love with Ollie the BC. Thanks for the great review - this one will be in my permanent library soon.

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  12. inviting all my friends from Sandy's Space to come visiting me on Traveling Suitcase, help me celebrate and enter the contest.

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