Solstice Winner

There were 90 entries for the solstice book and the random-number generator picked #2: Eileen Brokaw, who wrote:

Solstice, Solstice, thank you for celebrating!
I already have several of your books, & love so many more, but... I would especially love to own my own copy of KNITTED GIFTS!

Congratulations Eileen! Email me your mailing address and I'll get the book in the mail.

Wishing you all brightness and light!

Solstice Celebration

The winter solstice is upon us and I couldn't be happier. It means that the days will get longer (if only infinitesimally) and spring and new growth will eventually come. Where I live in Colorado, the weather hasn't exactly been cold and we've yet to have a legitimate snowfall, but recent events have generated a sense of deep, dark sorrow.
So, to celebrate that things will get better, I'm holding another raffle. Respond to this post and tell me which of my print books you'd like (sorry, electronic versions are not eligible), and I'll draw a winner the morning of Saturday, Dec 22.

Here's to brighter days ahead.

Coping Mechanism

Some people call it a spinning wheel; this week I'm calling mine a coping mechanism. As yet another horror unfolds in the news, I've taken to my wheel for calming monotony. I'm working on fleece that I started spinning during my class on spinning for knitting at SOAR this fall. I'm planning a three-ply yarn that will likely become some type of vest if I can every bear to wear something that currently represents such sadness.

As I spin (or knit), I'm grateful for the process and again I think that the world would be a much more peaceful place if everyone spent a bit of time in quiet contemplation.
I wish you all peace.

Something's Amiss

My plan today was to respond to the comments regarding my last post about a substitute yarn for one of the sweaters in the modified-drop shoulder chapter of The Knitter's Handy Guide to Top-Down Sweaters (this chapter is presently only available in the electronic version of the book, by the way). I just clicked on the comments to remind myself what was said.

Imagine my surprise when I found anonymous comments had been added by people affiliated with inappropriate websites, and Louis Vuitton bags and Uggs Outlet Store in the UK! Does anyone know how I can remove these from the comment box? I'm mortified.

Regarding the yarn substitution, I wanted to explain that yarn companies donate yarn for book projects in the hopes that people will buy that same yarn. The fact that Briar Rose Fibers could no longer obtain the base yarn for the Legend used in Unisex Zip meant that they lose out on that advantage. That's why I wanted to knit an alternative in Glory Days, which is available. But your comments got me thinking. Instead of knitting the same sweater, I'll use the yarn for a completely new design, following the charts for one of the sweater styles in the print version of the book and I'll post about my decisions and progress along the way Stay tuned.

Unisex Zip Revisited

It's happened again. Soon after a book gets published, it seems that a yarn gets discontinued. The Knitter's Handy Book of Top-Down Sweaters is no exception. The base yarn for the handdyed Briar Rose Legend that I used for the Unisex Zip is no longer available. Fortunately (I guess), this sweater is in the modified-drop shoulder chapter that is currently only available in the electronic version of the book (that chapter was cut from the print copy due to page constraints), so many of you may not even be aware of the problem.

I learned this sad news from Chris Rosien, owner and dyer of Briar Rose at Clara Parkes' Knitter's Review Retreat last month. But, there is a substitute! Glory Days, which is 100% bluefaced leicester (500 yards/8 ounces) should make a perfect match.
To test it out, Chris sent me four (4!) skeins of a beautiful handdyed red.

I plan to knit a substitute with it. I'll keep you posted on my progress.