Yesterday morning as I was out and about doing my good deed (donating blood), I decided to pop by Indigo. I could spend hours in a book store looking at everything on the shelves... (sigh)

I ended up picking up this book on felting. Even better - it was 30% off. Yee haw!

In it they explain the basics of felting including some standard terminology and they have some really nice patterns and ideas (scarves, beads, bags, blankets, hats, etc). But really, after you've got the basics down, I don't think you need to follow patterns - you'd just make whatever comes to you.

Can't wait to have some time to myself to try this method out!

So a friend of mine emailed me today about this new documentary that is in the works right now called "handmade nation".

You can check out a clip here. (There's a book too.)

Basically it's about a woman (Faythe Levine) who documents the new wave of craft across America. She chats to alot of people including some well known crafters like Jenny Hart and Knitta.

Very cool.

I haven't written in a while. I was busy getting ready of the holidays and then spending as much time as possible relaxing and living in pjs.

Anyways, a couple of new books are out for the New Year that I'd like to pick up:

Knitting Circle - by Ann Hood
After the sudden loss of her only child, Stella, Mary Baxter joins a knitting circle in Providence, Rhode Island, as a way to fill the empty hours and lonely days, not knowing that it will change her life. Alice, Scarlet, Lulu, Beth, Harriet, and Ellen welcome Mary into their circle despite her reluctance to open her heart to them. Each woman teaches Mary a new knitting technique, and, as they do, they reveal to her their own personal stories of loss, love, and hope. Eventually, through the hours they spend knitting and talking together, Mary is finally able to tell her own story of grief, and in so doing reclaims her love for her husband, faces the hard truths about her relationship with her mother, and finds the spark of life again. By an "engrossing storyteller," this new novel once again "works its magic" (Sue Monk Kidd). You can buy it on Amazon.com.

Friday Night Knitting Club
Georgia Walker's entire life is wrapped up in running her knitting store, Walker and Daughter, and caring for her 12-year-old daughter, Dakota. With the help of Anita, a lively widow in her seventies, Georgia starts the Friday Night Knitting Club, which draws loyal customers and a few oddballs. Darwin Chiu, a feminist grad student, believes knitting is downright old-fashioned, but she's drawn to the club as her young marriage threatens to unravel. Lucie, 42, a television producer, is about to become a mother for the first time--without a man in her life. Brash book editor KC finds her career has stalled unexpectedly, while brilliant Peri works at Walker and Daughter by day and designs handbags at night. Georgia gets her own taste of upheaval when Dakota's father reappears, hoping for a second chance. The yarn picks up steam as it draws to a conclusion, and an unexpected tragedy makes it impossible to put down. Jacobs' winning first novel is bound to have appeal among book clubs. Kristine Huntley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved  Link to Amazon.com.

Today I am going out on a knitting trip. On my list for today include:

- a funky sweater pattern (or two) that is also simple
- arm warmer patterns (although I already have two at home)
- some ribbon
- some twine

This could easily take me all day...

I'm thinking of starting at Michaels and then coming back into the city and going to Romni Wool and maybe Indigo for a new knitting book (I have a gift card for them). There are a few I have been eyeing:

Sexy Little Knits by Ashley Paige
Link to buy
Link to interview with author

Last Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson
Link to buy

One Skein by Leigh Radford
Link to buy
Spun Magazine's review

This evening I sat by the water watching the sailboats bobbing around. I took my Knit Lit (volume 1) with me and read for about an hour.

Some of the stories, although short made me want to cry. Is that crazy? Maybe, but I can really get into books and movies because I get something about the character. Some stories were inspiring. Some didn't do anything. But overall they're these great feel-good stories. Little bits of people's lives...

It occurred to me that we probably all have these stories. I can think of a few stories about yarn or knitting or yarn shops etc that I could totally share. So, I'm going to add a new section to this blog. Not sure what I'll call it yet. Knitting Stories? Yarn Tales? Who knows? But it'd be great if I people would share their stories too.

Happy day!

Today I was in the bookstore and found myself in the knitting section. (I shouldn't say found, since I knew I'd end up there at some point.)

I picked up a book called Knit Lit and started reading it. It is a compilation of short stories about knitters. I stood there reading for at least half an hour. What I loved about it is how I excited it made me to go home and start my next project. As I was reading I could imagine the yarnsthey were describing in the book, the frustration and joy with theor projects and mostly their love of yarn.

That being said, I am now going to start my latest project. A striped baby blanket for a customer who will be arriving in March.