Wild Bikini Knitting

I know the title of the post scared you. you thought this woman is always grousing about her neck, how totally scary will it be if she is knitting bikinis! C'mon! Happily I tell you that I am not knitting or wearing scanty swimwear. Frankly, I don't wear bathing suits if I can help it and certainly not in public. I was totally honored to have been asked to read and review a "knitter" book, "How to Knit a Wild Bikini" from Penguin Books. Very cool.

So I read it.

And I have to tell you I struggled, I have to say that it was not my favorite book and I feel kind of bad telling you that. More importantly though, I think I have to keep my integrity and be honest about it. Having said that YOU might like it a lot, really. As normal with books, it all boils down to genre. We can (and are) all different in many respects, and that is fine!


So, let's dish! I did love the knitter community in the book, "Malibu and Ewe"----- it was warm and happy and, well, knitterly. The female lead character, Nikki Carmichael, was engaging, funny, and real in a lot of ways. And she found knitting as a way to relax, unwind and be happy---- nothing wrong with that!

The things I did not like about the book are pretty simple--- and may in fact be the things you absolutely love when it comes to pleasure reading. I do not have a man in my life and do not want one....... reading about romantic and sometimes se*y stuff........... well, it just didn't do it for me. If you love romance books this might be something you just love! I'm going to pass it on to avid reader and knitter RMS----- she will give me the truth from her angle as well!

Author Christie Ridgeway does write a very cute blog---- and again, if I were more of a fan of the romance novel genre I think I'd be much more of a fan of the book. Based on pure 'style', Ms. Ridgeway is a very good writer and based on the number of books she has published a very successful one.

All in all, I'd give the book 3 out of 5 and the book is scheduled to be released early June, 2008. Again--- my personal opinion.

I'm just about finished with "Comfort Food", the soon to be released novel from Kate Jacobs---- Kate, Kate, Kate----- don't be nervous please, I really like "Comfort Food" a lot!

Now----- (smile) a lawn update!!!

A total stranger stopped me yesterday to tell me how gorgeous my lawn was. Why yes, it is! I mowed that baby 3 times last week and I think it will take 2-3 times this week as well. Good thing that pushing the little rotary mower gives me plenty of exercise! I was out front pruning back the ivy in the pots by the front stairs and pulling a few weeds that had the utter audacity to try and make an appearance in the flower bed.

From the knitting bride front------ here in the studio, we had one of the bridesmaids come in to hire us to shoot her wedding, always a nice compliment. The funny thing is that this future bride leaned over to me and said, "I would love to do a knitting picture with you!" That made me smile, and almost (almost!!!!) took away my shock and horror at the vacuum cleaner story of last weekend.

Lambe is still waiting for the lining to be stitched in. I just LOVE that bag! I've finished the top and the handles and can't wait to show it to you. Super cute! I am actually thinking that I'd like to knit it again as a gift. (Whispering quietly---- the holidays will be here before we know it, isn't that just sad???)

Is anyone out there really cranking out gifts yet? Do tell.............

Knitting Fitly

I don't feel very fit, knitting or otherwise. In the category listed as Super Frustrating is that some pounds have crept back on and I have no one to blame but myself!
The photo above? The skinny little back? Not me, not me, not me! I have to tell you.............. the book "Fitted Knits"by Stephanie Japel just never appealed to me based on title alone. I am not a thin wispy thing by any stretch so I thought why in the world would I want to knit one of those close little things that shows it all? Well, I am here to tell you that I was wrong. Dead Wrong. I am now the proud owner of "Fitted Knits" and I love the book to pieces. Fitted yes, but about proper fit! AND the patterns in there are just really attractive! I am just crazy for several of them. The "Spicy Fitted v-neck tee" is just flat out wearable...the "Two Tone ribbed shrug" is dear and how can you not love the "Bold and Bulky mini cardi"? Nothing uber fussy, just really wearable knits with sharp detailing. I know that the author is getting ready to have a baby---- hugs to you Stephanie if you're out there! I'm sure you will have a beautiful little baby girl in your arms on January 14th! And for the record you skinny little thing? It is kind of nice to see photos of you with that baby bump! :)

So the computer moving (aka seussing) is almost complete and I'd be 1000% happy if I could figure out how in the world to suck the file sitting on my desktop INTO outlook. It is the backup file that I have made of the .pst goodies from the old laptop. I consider myself fairly technically akamai but this whole Outlook seussing is making me positively nuts. I have all the goods in a file but I can't make my new (empty) Outlook look like my old one. And manually inputting it will make me wild. I've already given up an entire day of knitting. More than this and I can't guarantee any civility. Worse I'll be a total *B*. Once again, if anyone out there has a trick up their sleeves to make me happy I'd love to hear it! I'm working 90% of the time on the new laptop. PhotoShop is still in bones and doesn't have all of the actions, brushes and the like re-installed but I'll get there.

No knitting, no sewing, no quilting, no nothing has happened. I need a clone or something. Applicants apply here.

Please.

A Classic Review: Sweater 101

Shortly before the end of the holidays, when I was up to my ears in my own preparations as well as Knitting Contrisstmas, I received an email from Cheryl Brunette. Cheryl is the author of "Sweater 101", a classic knitting resource now available as an instantly downloadable e-book. She told me that "I recently reissued it as an eBook with a Foreword by Linda Skolnik and we're designing a hardcover version with a very cool lie flat binding for release in the spring. The book is something of an oldie but goodie, but then so am I."

Well I was first endeared by her statement that this classic book as well as she was an oldie but a goodie! Blitters, we ALL age, and as we do advance a bit----- let's hope we all become oldies but goodies!!!!

"Sweater 101" is an excellent resource for knitters....chapters on basic sweater styles, a couple of math skills, gauge, fit, and measurements--- and most importantly how to fit it all together to come up with exactly what YOU want! Wonderful! The last chapter of taking it all beyond the basics is no only freeing to the knitter but very encouraging.

How to Make Sweaters that fit . . .
& Organize Your Knitting Life at the Same Time

Make any sweater . . .
with any yarn . . .
for any person . . . and have it fit

The book is like a wonderful workshop---- an entertaining and educational study of making the best fitting sweater you've ever owned.

After studying Sweater 101 the student (that would be you) will be able to:

• make a proper gauge swatch and measure it with an accuracy worthy of NASA.
• know the three sources of measurements for sizing a sweater.
• create a simple-to-follow “Picture Pattern.”
• easily chart a set-in sleeve cap.
• have the tools to organize your knitting information.
• use two simple math skills to save time.
• adapt a pattern to your yarn, gauge and body size.
• change necklines and collars on any sweater.
• fall in love with any yarn and buy it knowing you can make your own pattern for it.

I loved the book---------- and am looking forward to the hard copy with that wonderful lie flat binding! It's no secret that I (and many of you) hate the gauge swatch thing, so knowing that I will be able to make one and measure it to make NASA proud is pretty exciting! It's also a sample of the warmth and humor that Cheryl brings to this classic volume for knitters.

Cheryl has a great downloadable gift, a copy of Afghan 101 just for visiting the website so check it out!

Today kicks off a huge wedding show weekend. Remember, as one who wrangles brides for a living, being in the presence of a gaggle of brides and their entourages is part of what I do. Setup is today and by far the easiest part of the weekend. By the time Sunday evening comes I will be exhausted, talked out, and ready to dissolve into a puddle of spit. If I had any spit left after talking to a zillion people that is. The good thing is that the time goes relatively quickly.

Knowing that I would need some very, very mindless knitting available when I came limping home from the wedding show (definitely not Cable Luxe) I cast on for the most rudimentary and satisfying thing there is----- simple socks on dpn's. While I am anxiously awaiting Melissa Morgan-Oakes' book "2 at a Time Socks", and will enjoy it immensely----- it will require a couple of brain cells pinging together to bring any of it to fruition. Hence------- simple socks------- a set of dpn's--- and a mindless knit. I'm almost done with the 2x2 ribbing on the first sock and will tuck it into my bag hoping for a chance to knit off a few stitches over the weekend. It will most definitely keep me company in the evenings when I'm too tired to do anything at all!

Off we go! Have a great weekend and Get Knittin'!