New York nod

A reader generously tipped me off today that this little Middletown, Connecticut, blog is mentioned on Page 18 of the Winter 2009/09 VOGUEknitting International magazine under Cyberstitches in the Extras Extras section. It details how newspapers have gone online and knitting blogs are among the offerings.
See http://www.vogueknitting.com for information.

Scenes from a madhouse

Scenes from a mother determined to eke out a few rows
10-year-old sitting on mom’s bed. Needs socks. Mother suggests he try on a pair of wool ones she just completed. Son inspects them. “You pull it on for me,” he says. Mom obliges, thinking, “boy, his toenails are sharp.” Second-guesses idea of giving away socks to kid who won’t appreciate them for an instant while repressing urge to suggest nail clippers. Sock fits perfectly. Mom: “These are very special. They took me a real long time to make.” Son: “Mom, do I have to wear them to school?” Mom grabs socks back, rolls up, places in her drawer. Leaves room.



Mom trying to complete knitted rectangular washcloth on Saturday. Just golf ball-size of yarn remains in project. Eighty stitches in each row of basketweave stitch, eight per section. Mom barely completes eight stitches before she’s interrupted by 5-year-old asking her to “look it.” At him maneuvering Tech Deck minature skateboard over miniature stairs, down railing. “Now you do a trick, mom.” Run back to knit a few more stitches. “Mom,” 10-year-old yells from kitchen. “Where’s the Ovaltine?” Down goes the knitting, into the kitchen mom walks wordlessly. Grabs Ovaltine from shelf, puts on counter. Hears 5-year-old running toward couch, then sees him flipping over it into headstand, landing all over washcloth, knocking stitches off needles. Sighs. Puts project away.

Stash Swap

The Knitting Nook in Coventry, 3466 Main St., is having a unique benefit Jan. 31 from 4 to 6 p.m.
The Stash Swap is a fund-raising event to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. A minimum $5 donation is requested for participation.
Swap yarn will be collected from 4 to 4:30 p.m. and put in one of three different bins according to approximate quality and price range. Colored tickets will be issued equal to the number of skeins.

At 4:30 p.m., knitters can choose the same number of skeins from the bins.
For information, see www.knittingnookyarn.com, call (860) 742-0300 or see www.jdrf.org.

Lap of luxury

I found out about a brand new knitting book last week, "Luxury Yarn One-Skein Wonders," ($18.95, Storey Publishing, www.storey.com) edited by Judith Durant. I flipped through the pictures and couldn't believe my eyes - as if Durant could top "One-Skein Wonders" and "101 Designer One-Skein Wonders," but she certainly has.
Cashmere, alpaca, silk, soy, linen, bamboo, corn, mohair, qiviut (Musk Ox yarn) ... all these lovely little hats, scarves, necklaces, baby sweaters, shawls, gloves, socks are luscious. I can't wait to begin a project with the alpaca yarn I already own.

I have about 1/3 remaining on my sock project and every day I furiously knit as fast as I can to complete it.
Meantime, I carry around this new book in my bag and sneak a look every time I have a free moment.
See www.oneskeinwonders.com for information