Special Event this Saturday at LambShoppe!

As you know, I spend one day a week with my good friends at LambShoppe in Denver. This Saturday, May 16th, they are hosting a very special event:

A Day with ANN MCCAULEY

Colorado's own Ann McCauley, author of the newly published Together or Separate: Knitting the New Twinset and The Pleasures Of Knitting: Timeless Feminine Sweaters. Ann will be in LambShoppe to teach two classes on May 16th.

Ann will also have a Trunk Show and a Book Signing on May 16th. She can be seen in the Knitty Gritty episode known as Delightful Details. She teaches knitting locally and nationally at yarn shops, guilds, and large knitting events. Ann recently taught for Stitches West at the end of February. She has also begun to design for Louet Yarn Company.

I MADE IT AND I LOVE IT (AND IT FITS)
Ann's 1st Class! Learn ways to enhance your sweater knitting for a professional finish. Swatching, gauge, quality of knitting, measuring, fit, shaping, blocking, seaming and more! It's the small details that make a big difference.

ALIGN AND BALANCE WHILE KNITTING(aka Pilates for Knitters)
Ann's 2nd Class! Explore how your body alignment and comfort affects your ability to knit and do other handwork. Awareness, alignment, body mechanics, self-help hand-care and pressure points are just some of the topics we'll cover.

Contact LambShoppe at 303-322-2223 for more details and to register.

I've known Ann since she published her first book, and she is talented, creative, friendly and helpful. I'm sure you will enjoy the experience, whether you go for a class or just to get your book signed!

As a reminder, I offer workshops at LambShoppe every Tuesday afternoon and evening, so pick your pattern, and let's get started!

The Tenth of May is Mother’s Day

Whether you need a gift for your knitting Mom, or you are the knitting Mom, there is a wonderful choice of things to gift or be gifted with. Here are just a few ideas to help you make it a great Mother's Day this year.

Blue Denise Interchangeable Knitting Needles Set

One of the interchangable needle sets in the last posting is a gift that will last a lifetime. The picture is of a Denise set in blue; they now make a pink set that has some of the purchase price going to breast cancer research -- a bonus! Denise makes a middle-priced set; sets by Boye are less and sets from Skacel are more (see my gift shop for these options).



Swift Yarn Winder - Large
Another option that seldom wears out is a yarn winder. A two-piece set, it consists of a tall spindle-like object with spokes (left, usually wood) that expand or contract to accommodate the size of the hank or skein that needs winding.





Yarn Ball Winder
The swift's partner is a ball winder that winds your yarn into a ball as you turn the handle. This tool is especially appropriate for knitters who prefer the more natural fibers that are less processed and usually come in skeins (as opposed to balls). The two partners are purchased separately and come in different sizes.

The choice of gorgeous yarns and fabulous pattern books is endless; any one (or more) of which we knitters love to receive.

Also if the knitting Mom also likes to read when she isn’t knitting, there are always the novels that are centered around yarn shops. "Friday Night Knitting Club" by Kate Jacobs takes place in a yarn shop in Manhattan, has been on the NY Times best seller list for months, and is now coming to the screen with Julia Roberts.




Knit One, Kill Two (Knitting Mysteries, No. 1)

If mom prefers mysteries, the series by Maggie Sefton in paperback takes place in a yarn shop in Fort Conner, Colorado (really Lambspun in Fort Collins, Colorado) - fun to read and each comes with a different knitting pattern and a free recipe.




Of course, if all these choices are too overwhelming, there is always the handy-dandy gift certificate, which everyone enjoys receiving. Remember, sometimes the giver is hoping for a knitted gift in return! Most yarn stores have certificates available in person, on-line or by mail. So happy gifting!

Learn to Finish Your Knits!

Once you finish knitting your project, your project isn't really done until it's finished! Whether you know how or want to learn how, a must-have book for your knitting library is "The Knitter’s Book of Finishing Techniques" by Nancie M. Wiseman.

It starts with a wonderful selection of the basics , casting-on, decreasing, bind-offs, all with excellent illustrations. Then there is a detailed formula for all the different methods of joining the pieces of your project. Not only is each method well explained and pictured but Nancie also includes a list of advantages and drawbacks to each method. There is definite wisdom in learning all the methods as you can then select which method is best for each project you make. She also details finishing touches for picking up stitches, buttonholes and crochet edgings. All in all a great addition to your knitting library.

In the near future I will be offering a selection of patterns of my classic knitting designs. Each pattern will offer a varied selection of yarns appropriate to each design. Best of all I will be available to answer any questions or help with sizing advice etc.

Let’s keep in touch……

Today's Book Pick

Pet Projects: The Animal Knits Bible by Sally Muir and Joanna Osbourne.

A fun book for animal lovers and friends of all critters. Adorable pictures and 33 delightful projects for all kinds of pets.

All of my book picks include a link to purchase at Amazon.com; you can also browse my book pics in my book carousel on the left side of my blog page! Clicking on the hyperlink in this post, or on the books in the carousel will take you to the Amazon page that will tell you more about the book (and recommend related ones, too...)

Terrific new book

Exciting and challenging new book called Knit One Below: One Stitch, Many Fabrics
by Elise Duvekot.
Wonderful projects for advanced knitters.