POP UP ! wood print sale

I'm trying something new! A POP-UP sale of some of my photographs on wood.

I've been selling these as limited edition prints on wood by special order for a couple of years but I thought it'd be fun to share them online for one day for a few days.  Why not?

All the INFO and DETAILS are on the order page here. Except it is unlikely that you will receive them before Dec 24th.

At first I worried that printing photographs on maple would be gimmicky or look tacky--but with some careful choice of which images I use, I love them.  The wood is lovely and heavy, and there's a keyhole so they are ready for hanging. The grain shows through the lighter parts of the imagery--which is why the choice of photo is so important. The finish is a matte laminate so it goes with the modern natural vibe.
These are 6x6" square, and are 1/2" deep.  

And I'm going to make all this disappear soon! Kind of fun. Let me know what you think!
Order from link here, or you can email me with questions gale@gzucker.com .

Back tomorrow with the usual content :-)

it's time for Trip Mitts' return

Trip Mitts-- a pattern you can knit (in multiples) before the holidays.For yourself. or not.
Do you listen to the Twinset Designs podcast? I'll confess I am a slacker  in the knitting podcast department--I am picky picky about who I listen to. And I just plain forget to seek and listen.  Which is a shame because there are some brilliant podcasters out there, making a great mix of friendly chat, smart ideas and knitting information that inspires and illuminates. 

 I was lucky to be part of an interview with Ellen and Jan of the Twinset, when they caught me and my co-authors at Rhinebeck, (photo swiped from Twinset Jan's IG feed , thanks Jan!), this is Team Drop Dead, in which two of us are wearing matching sweaters, the Keynote Pullover. To be upfront, Twinset Ellen, 2nd from left,  is our tech editor (she is amazing!) and we have been friends for s few years. However, I still think their review of Drop Dead Easy Knits, in Episode 85 with our interview,  is well worth a listen.

I was thrilled that Ellen mentioned my Trip Mitts at the end of the segment--she'd tech edited them when they were going to appear in our book.  They got cut. We had more than enough content, and an editor thought they were too rustic.

It was understandable-- I know my design sensibility is on the brux side. I released the pattern alone,  last year. And since the season is nigh for quick knits that make great gifts--and quick knits to wear on your poor cold hands--I'm bringing it back for your attention.

The pink ones are knit in Anzula Oasis. And the blue ones are some handspun wool and a teeny bit of a marigold yarn for the closure.DK weight for both, but you can sub almost anything. See the project page to get what I mean! Stashbusters, for sure.

top 10 reasons to attend Big Apple Knitters Guild 12/10/16

10. Kirsten Kapur and I have a brand new slide talk we're debuting, and narrating. Come see how many times we both start to talk at the same time and then say"oh no, YOU  o ahead""No, YOU!", then laugh, in unison

9. The trunk show will be there! Don't you want to wrap up in the Glama , as Josephine does here, and see how delicious it feels ? (super easy chunky drop stitches make it drapey and delish).

8. Also check out the Keynote Pullover, which (so far) looks excellent on everyone.

7. If you aren't already a member, this is your chance to check out the Big Apple Knitters Guild for free ( if it is your first time dropping in), or  for a modest $5. guest fee. Either way, worth it. They have great programming.

6.  We are bringing a mountain of our book and would love to sign them for you (or to give as gifts).  Seriosly, don't you love receiving a knitting book with 30 patterns plus a knitting accessory like stitch markers, or a LYS gift certificate, as a present?  (please forward to my family members, or yours,  as needed).

5.  The coasters! As far as we can tell, we are the only knitting book that has a natural cork drink coaster that is your attendance lagniappe. Because our patterns go well with sipping.

4. Tips and tricks. We're givers like that! Kirsten is sharing her favorite tools and how she wields them. Knitting muscle explained !

3. More tips and tricks! Kirsten is also sharing her top lace tricks. I've known her well for years now and just learned one of them last night. For reals.

2. Oh, even more tips and tricks! I'll be sharing my best secrets for photographing knits without too much fuss, to make killer images of all things yarny.

And the # 1 reason: Knitters gonna knit. Whether you need a break and just treat yourself to a couple of hours basting in the juicy knit talk --or you are heelbent on holiday knitting, and teh collective knit energy will move you faster, it'll be an afternoon worth joining in.

Hope to see you there! Leaving you with a taste of our drop Dead Easy Knitting wisdom...

december post 1- more bulky

Not to be adding on to your generalized anxiety but there aren't that many knitting days before you need to present gifts.  Let us put aside the dream of fine gauge socks* or mitts unless they are something like Trip Mitts which I, ahem, heartily recommend as a last minute gift.

Let us cast on something bulky and stylish. Like the Wilderness scarf. Super fast.
When I shot this for Tahki I totally fell for it.  You know I am a sucker for fringe, but it is more than that--it has a modern western/bohemian vibe to love.  The yarn is a  wool tape, like soft thin strips of wool felt.   It makes me wonder if I could knit this by cutting very thin strips of  wool yard goods or recycled coats....(warning, warning, do not go there, will not be a simple fast project.....buy the yarn....)

 Karin Strom,  creative director and stylist for the shoot (on the right--and that is the wonderful Stacy Charles himself in the center. Yes! He's a real person --- I love working with him), paired it with a vintage coat and multiples of the scarf.

One scarf makes a fabulous gift--and the yarn, Tahki Spencer,  comes in some bright colors in case your giftees aren't into earth tones.

A little BTS; the Fashion Director for the collection, Conley Averett, wondered if we could spread the scarf out and shoot it as a shallow shawl. There's always a bunch of scootching and sshhjushjing of the knits on the model, to try different looks at a shoot. Sometimes one of us interprets the piece totally differently (as in--ohhhh I though those were shorts--not an oversized slouch hat with ears...ohhhh) and eventually we settle on the look that works best.

So Wilderness is knit on size 15 needles The yarn isn't super hefty, yet it holds up perfectly to the open design. And the fringe lays flat so nicely. You could substitute other yarns, it'd look great but differnt vibe  in something with a teeny bit of a halo, or in a nice rustic yarn, or a yarn with long color changes, too.  

* as for me? I'm speeding through that bulky fuschia Azel (scroll to end) when Zoe isn't looking, and just cast on for another gift hat...on size us3 needles. Living dangerously on that one. 

How's your gift knitting going? Have you checked  into the MDK Lounge for moral support? When are Kay and Ann going to crack out the eggnog and high quality chocolates for us, is my question?????

november post 15: bulky knits, portillo please!

 **Hey there Boston area folks--I am teaching an iphoneography class at Craftworks Somerville on this Saturday 12/3 -and I just learned there are 3 seats left!  11 am- 1pm. Join us! Why make Just Average images?
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 I'm not done with the bulky knit love yet. Not even close.

 Portillo Cowl from Drop Dead Easy Knits. Of all the patterns in the book, this one is the drop dead easiest.  It is also my lone design contribution. Given the talents of my two co-authors, I kept it simple and left the amazingly stylish and beautiful yet easy-to-knit designs to Kirsten and Mary Lou. If you have the book, you know what I mean.
 Big squishy yarn + warm snuggliness +  contrast yarns that are fun to knit = excellent gift knitting. 
That's my formula.
The sample for the book is made with two skein of Malabrigo Rasta. I kept it graphic and crisp with two mostly solids but you can go WILD, check out their color card.   This is a pattern to use handpainted yarn, and variegated yarns. The stitch pattern breaks it up.

Personally, I wear it doubled over, like this.  
About choosing the yarn: one of the things we did with Drop Dead Easy Knits is keep it yarn shop friendly--meaning, that you can pretty easily find the yarn we used, in your local yarn shop.  Since every shop can't stock every yarn, we also added a page in the back where we list substitution yarns-- all also easy to find in yarn shops. And, we want to offer  economic alternatives.
What's that you say?  Yup, we kept thinking about your knitting budget.  My Portillo costs about $44.in beautiful hand dyed yarn, and its worth it--but not always in the yarn budget. Or maybe, like me,  it's in the budget for a special treat, but it's a stretch to spend that for multiple friend gift knitting.

Substitutes*! Any nice super bulky with 90 yards/skein or more  will be equally fab.  Or possibly even fabbier. Here's Rowan Brushed Fleece,** which has a bit more yardage ,  two balls will total about $27. US.  It's also amazingly cloud like and delicious to knit.

Or the higher contrast red and grey. Love.

Kirsten grabbed these four balls of ValleyYarns  SuperWash Super Bulky .  You only need two for a Portillo Cowl but we loved these colors together- so you could mix and match. And guess what? $ 9.49 /skein, which means your project clocks in at just under $20.  Winner-winner chicken dinner.  Also, check at the link,  a lot of color options. 

 A real life Portillo Cowl testimonial: I was visiting my BFFL Arline on a Friday a couple of weeks ago.  She hauled out these two balls of yarn in her favorite colors, purchased long ago for some unrequited project. (They are a discontinued Tahki Yarn, but that company has other excellent super bulky options). Arline rarely knits. I had to refresh her cast-on skills. Above is what her Portillo looked like by Friday evening.

Monday morning! (photo courtesy of the knitter ) And I know she didn't just stay home and knit all weekend. I rest my case.

As for me, I came home with some of that Rowan Brushed Fleece *** in the pinkest of fluffy fuschia hues. It is going to be an Azel Pullover for Zoe,  it qualifies as both a bulky and super fast knit= good gift knitting. I'm trying to keep it a  secret and surprise her for Hanukah. Shhhh, ok?  
PS are you following the MasonDixon Knitting GiftAlong on their Lounge site? 
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  * You might notice from this link to the Rowan page that suggested needle size is US 10 but this pattern is knit on US 15.  This is why the word suggested is so important. For the Portillo Cowl you want a nice drapey gauge and let it fluff up.  Fear not and go with the larger needles (and of course, the smart money is on doing a quick gauge swatch). 

** Many thanks to Kirsten Kapur and Beverly Army Williams for the yarn choosing and hand modeling The three of us were in Webs, where the options are mind-boggling. I don't know how they put up with shopping with me when there are so many oooh look squirrel choices  but I love them both for it. 

***this last link is to the discontinued Rowan Brushed Fleece colors at Webs.  You can knit a super duper economical Portillo Cowl. Just sayin'.

november post 14: more hats, bulky hats

Knit big or stay home. No, wait---knit big AND stay home! Nominating these for  Craft Friday single day projects, and fab gifts, all from photo shoots for my clients earlier this year.

Coast Redwood Hat . I love everything about this photo--the Tilda Swinton-ish model, the natural  undyed bulky yarns from the Tahki Terra collection,  the styling by Karin Strom (I mean, that acorn necklace? Nailed it) and the  colorless dewy light that we had, thanks to drizzly rain as we were shooting. Of course, the hat, itself. One of my favorite photos from the year.

Silver Fir Hat  from the same shoot, also a contender. It has a matching capelet. (I am not sure I'd call it a capelet but you can see, it is one of those big shoulder covering not-quite-a-poncho-but-way-bigger-than-a-cowl things)  This is the most amazing mash-up of natural wool yarn and high fashion that I've ever shot. My forever gratitude to  Stacy Charles for just letting me do my thing with these.
You can see the rest of the collection here, in the Oh, Natural flipbook. (I also love that cover piece.)

Annnnd....two fabulous super bulky hats from Lar Rains' new book Presto. Excellent gift knitting ahead from Mr. Modern Lopi himself.

Threesome So cushy and lovable that the model requested to pleeeeeeeeeease keep it, and got her wish. (Thanks Lars!). For me, I'll just make that pompom a little chubbier, and then: perfection.

Polar Coordinates , a rare slouchy super bulky hat. As usual, Josephine rocked it. It's got volume, and a lot of warmth.

The whole Presto book is fun, upbeat projects in MadTosh ASAP.  You can see the cover cowl knit by Kay of  MDK here, along with a great review. You could sub in the super bulky yarn of your choosing, no prob.  Fun fact: super bulky doesn't always mean the warmest-- because you knit in a fairly loose gauge to keep things drapey, the air gets in between the stitches. So don't rule out the supersized just because you are in an non- arctic zone. There's something about a big hat that's...cheerful. 

If you're prepping for Thanksgiving today in the US (or elsewhere), have a blast! And take a break to knit a little. It can't hurt, right?

november post 13: more hats- Sidekick and Headford

Back at you with a hat post. Pretty sure this won't be the last, hats are a real THING with me this week.

Sidekick Hat by Mary Lou Egan, from Drop Dead Easy Knits is top of my list. I'm loving color work at the moment, this is the 4 color version. It's a month before the gift giving kicks in, so plenty of time to knit these, right?  Mary Lou designed it for our Drinking Buddies chapter-the idea is you buy yarn together with a few friends and knit along, sharing the contrast colors. Buy the good stuff, you only need about 20 yards per hat of contrast color.And you can swap hats for added entertainment.

Here's Sidekick Hat  in 2 colors. This pattern is the one in Drop Dead Easy Knits most likely to find us on the receiving end of the query "Easy? You call this.... easy?". The answer is, yes, truly. You are only ever working in two colors per round, and the repeat is short and easy to memorize.  Short floats are less likely to get pucker-y. It's only a hat's worth of knitting.... you can do it!
The secret is use contrasty colors--I am thinking this may be an opportunity to finally nab a couple of the Unicorn Tails I've been eyeing at my LYS for ages. I am thinking Edison Bulb could maybe get a repeat in there, just for fun. 
Fun fact: we originally named this hat a Sidecar (a cocktail I am very fond of in the winter...in case you have me over, now you know). All the patterns in this chapter were drinks (get it? Drinking Buddies? we are so subtle, yes?) but an editor pointed out that maaaaaybe we were a little too boozy--and so the Sidecar Hat became a Sidekick Hat.

I had the annual hat gift convo with bro-in-law Lamar (of Lamar Scarf fame). He said this year, he wants a beanie, close fitting, any weight and go wild with the color/design. He confessed his fave hat ever from me was this one-of-a-kind from a decade ago. He still wears it. So, I have a plan!

I'm starting with  Headford Hat from Drop Dead Easy Knits, by Theresa Gaffey. It is a great basic beanie. She designed it to be knit in multiples, as you travel, give away as you go. Of course you can color block it, or add stripes --but  I'm going to make it into something one-of-a-kind with  use of this book I acquired at Rhinebeck, from Mary Jane Mucklestone, I can't wait to start it.

Best of all part of this plan: in size S adult, the Headford Hat is 96 stitches around--that means I can make use of motifs that are 2,3,4,6,8,12 or 16 stitches across and have them fit in neatly. Restraint, gone. FYI the motifs are pretty mixed, from traditional to modern to geometric--so I can have a lot of fun with it. Maybe the Edison Bulb will show up here, as well.....

november post 12: traveling to Port Jeff on MDK

I'm thrilled to say my latest Knitters Weekend travelogue is up on Mason Dixon Knitting today.  

There are critters large, small, fuzzy, and porky. Yarn. High tea. What more could you want for a Monday???? Go read. And leave a comment there if you feel so inclined so they know you stopped by.

Here'e the souvenir yarn I reference in the writing, it's a skein of Lambstrings Ewetopia ,  in the process of becoming a Color Break Hat* because I am way into hats this week. Three observations on this knit: 

1) it is the perfect pattern for skeins of very variegated yarn. For the first time ever I am wishing the yarn was even more contrasty/speckled. Instead of regretting falling for it in the skein. 

2) the stitch pattern is easy to read, and creates a super cushy, quilted fabric, so it will be warmer than your average worsted weight hat knit on size 8 needles. Hygge win!

3) umm, do you think I have seasonally affected yarn hue choosing disorder? I mean, for real? 

More from our visit to Long Island Livestock while shooting the MDK piece a couple of weekends ago. 

Zoe has asked to go back every few days since. Can't blame her. Llama walking!

Sister Lulu came along too,  and got this nice portrait of me, Sir Arthur and my Stopover.  Note to self:  a llama is a slimming accessory. You heard it here first.

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november post 11: hats - bts Jill Draper Makes Stuff/Walkill River

Behind the Scenes: Rural Renewal photo shoot for Jill Draper Makes Stuff

Let's talk about Walkill River, designed by Thea Coleman. When Jill asked me to shoot the Rural Renewal collection, she sent a mood board. I loved the styling/vibe --eclectic, casual, textural, with imperfect surfaces. And chickens! What did I think using an historic property in the Hudson Valley as the location? Yes, please.  And a wonderful model, the artist Caitlin Parker.

 I asked if there were animals at the location--specifically chickens. No. But the groundskeeper had a couple of pets. A cat, a cockatiel.... a dove. When our model put on this sweater and hat knit in Windham yarn, we brought Snowy the dove out. I thought maaaaybe he'd allow himself to be held for a few quick shot.  Nope! Snowy was not into being held. He is all about shoulder perching.

But he actually prefers heads. And to be the center of attention, not a styling detail. Note to Thea:  doves are the new pompom.  After deigning to look left and right for a few frames atop the Walkill River hat,  Snowy looked around for an even better and higher perch.

Which was Jill, the unsuspecting BossLady herself. 

I know. Put a bird on it. Someone has to say it.

It really is a fantastic design. The wiggly ribbing gives it such good structure. I'm all about the hats this week. They are my comfort knitting. Immediate gratification plus they keep your head warm. And make a great gift. And cover your hair if you are trying to switch colors/styles/grooming. Just saying! If all goes as planned--which it rarely does- I'll be back with more hat talk on the weekend. 
What hats are on your horizon? I'm making my queue and checking it twice.

november post 10: postcard to november

Dear November,
This image might have been shot in September but it feels like you. Dark. With some elements that I love, some gathering, some essence of cold and wet, and still some light coming through.  So far, you've been tough to enjoy--or, to even steady on- but I'm trying............

This week I'm
traveling: crack of dawn Wednesday down to Maryland/DC for a family visit. My traveling companions are Zoe (almost 5) and my 23 year old son, who is going into the service in the coming months and wants to see his grandparents and cousins before he heads off to who knows where. That is a sentence I never thought I'd be writing. Having kids is just a roller coaster ride that keeps going and going, isn't it?

knitting: well, of course! In my head I am knitting gifts--and I'll be  aiming for Line Leader in the Mason Dixon Gift KAL.  (only someone who hangs with a pre-schooler would say something ike that, y'know)  But I haven't event touched the gift knitting. Yet. On my needles, the Zacapa sweater is moving along nicely, a Grand Central  Scarf* in Rifton is entertaining me, and I just cast on a Colorbreak  Hat because of Vicki's three.There's something about quick hats this time of year. And this one is for me.

planning for Craft Friday: I'm looking forward to pulling out the stops for the thanksgiving feast followed by Friday making things. I'm torn between knitting some gifts that day---or maybe sewing...or stitching...or crocheting the very rocks you see on the postcard....or or...what about you?

* the Grand Central scarf has high entertainment factor.It is knit in the round in a slip stitch sequence that has all the good feels of the Honey Cowl. The area that will be fringe gets unraveled and snipped when you are done knitting and just like that you have a scarf.

november post 9: picking up and carrying on

Well, it seems I lost my will to blog daily.  For a couple of days there this week, it was one foot in front of the other, walk on. Just keep moving forward because what choice is there. I suspect you understand. 
I was so very grateful that my work schedule had me driving down to Delaware to present a photography talk/ program and teach a workshop to the ladies at  Harmony Weavers Guild at the Center for Creative Arts near Wilmington. Note to self: remember this place, a great location for a retreat or workshop day.

We spent a lot of the hands-on workshop playing with ways to shoot scarves, indoors and out. Backgrounds, props, light... it was so wonderful to retreat from the world to this building full of art, set in the bright foliage, and just focus on photography and fiber for the day.  And the weaving--so beautiful. 

Next I drove up to Princeton NJ, for a visit with a dear friend, and to meet up with Kirsten Kapur for our booksigning party at Pins and Needles, on Friday evening.

Why yes, we do have drink coasters to go with our book.You might just get one if you catch us in person.

I think it is safe to say Kathleen (the owner),  Kirsten and I all felt far from festive as we put out the trunk show and set up the wineglasses. The phrase "dragging our asses" comes to mind. But the knitters showed up. The community of talking and sharing about our lives, work, our book, the yarn, our world, was good for all our broken hearts that evening.
Looking ahead- more gatherings. More community. 
Starting with plans for Craft Friday. Have you got your projects ready?
A few other links
Kirsten and I will be at CraftWorks Somerville on Saturday December 3 for a Boston area Drop Dead Easy Knits day. Join us!
The Mason Dixon Knitting Lounge , a forum, is open for hanging out--have you stopped by yet? I'm thinking this could be a good place to retreat virtually. Also they are starting a Gift Knitting KAL this week. I'm all in. 

november post 8: camurac cardi & hygge

• DROP DEAD EASY KNITS  this weekend at PINS and NEEDLES in Princeton NJ*

Friday Nov 11 5-8pm wine, snack, booksigning and hanging out--just drop in!

Saturday Nov 12th  Photo Scavenger Hunt workshop w/Gale Zucker 10-1

                                Lucy & Either Cowl knitting workshop with Kirsten Kapur 1:30-4:30

there are a couple of spots left in each class- contact the shop and join us!

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If ever there was a season that calls for hygge, it is now. Creating a coziness and warmth and light and appreciation for the good things in life-- I am clinging to these. I'm planning get togethers with friends, and small treats. I ordered really kickass warm new boots, so I won't skip walks in the cold.  I'm stacking the cozy knit project cast-ons  like planes waiting to take off at O'Hare. One of them is this Camurac Cardigan.

Like everything in Drop Dead Easy Knits, it is stylish but not fussy. Aran weight, good and slouchy with pockets (love me pockets on a cardi). Detailing on the hem and lapels that are fun to knit. I have a store bought cardi that I wear all the time that is similar--except my Camurac is going to be so. much. nicer. And it will be a cozy and fairly quick knit. Win-win.

See what I mean about the pockets? Another great design from Kirsten Kapur. It should have a hygge stamp of approval on it.