3 things on thursday: good things

 with photos, of course!

1) It's lamb season ! and the sheep and wool festivals are getting underway!  I'm going to swing by the tiny  Connecticut Sheep Wool & Fiber Fest this Saturday. It's just a one day event, and  makes my She Shoots Sheep Shots soul so happy.

The photo is from a quick visit last month to my LSF (Local Sheep Farm), Olympia Farm . Love that the little trio posed for me like that!  If you have a local farm that welcomes visitors, I highly recommend making it a stop from time to time. I'm going to be popping in again soon cause cheesemaking season just started. As if I need a reason beyond lambs and local wool.....

2) A long overdue new website is underway.  I am my own worst editor.  It's a truth that's led to many months years delay on this project.  I have help. It is pretty amazing to have a completely different set of eyes culling my work . I am super proud of myself for letting go of attachments to  the images and let them just be seen.  The website is still in process. Reveal soon!  This image is Fine Lines by Lori Versaci , pattern includes longer version.

3) Work has been bustling, including a big corporate project. For every day out photographing there are at least two solid days of desk work at my computer....which means lots of book listening while I edit. A recent favorite : The Final Revival of Opal & Nev by Dawnie Walton.  Fun, great characters, includes serious issues from various points of view, from the 70's and in the present --the kind of book that you think about the characters a couple of weeks later and wonder how they are doing. And then remember....wait, they are fictional ...Does that happen to you, too? I always feel that's the sign of a good writer.  

Here are some other 3 on Thursday posts

https://fresh.inlinkz.com/party/f37e7d0bf6a9416aa2ea723a841733c4

i'm interviewed! on Kristy Glass Knits

Are you a
Kristy Glass fan?  I am thrilled that she invited me for an interview--she's such a joy to watch and a gifted interviewer. Check it out!




Warning: it's almost an hour long.  But we move right along from topic to topic - and she models some Drop Dead Easy Knits pieces in the most gorgeous way. 

Afterwards, settle in and watch some of her other interviews. I am telling you, she needs a regular show on HGTV. Someone get on that!

Meanwhile-
I have been here and there--but mostly there- for the past 6 weeks.
Back soon with links and tales and some fun behind-the-scenes.

a happy week for knitters: rifton, rhinebeck and sweater weather

So much to revel in this week! I suspect you've heard of Mason Dixon Knitting but on the teeny tiny chance that you haven't, or if you haven't checked out their space lately, let me point out it is reason to rejoice. They have turned their longtime inspirational and entertaining pretty-much-daily blog into a ...I dunno...blog plus web-zine plus shop. And still daily. And still funny and clever and inspiring.  It's a bonanza. And wow the shop. The latest offering is killing me, it is so good:

 A CUSTOM COLORWAY of Jill Draper Makes Stuff Rifton. Swoon. 

One cake of it makes a STUNNING version of the Grand Central Scarf from Drop Dead Easy Knits.  For example. 

with CUSTOM semi-solids to coordinate.  It's too good.

I am a Jill- and a Rifton fan from the moment  I saw it a couple of years ago, and made my Wingfeather Shawl in the winter colorway. 

 A new cake of it, in a colorway with natural brown, and pinks/raspberry came home with me from a photo shoot at Jill's last month, it'll no doubt be cast on any moment for the Grand Central Scarf, as I mentioned above, instead of two colors, use the inner and outer ends of the same cake.  (as beautifully executed by Mary Lou Egan, I'll add a photo here when I can)...and I am eyeing some of the semi solids when I visit her open studio this weekend. (Saturday night, Kingston NY, the Mason Dixon Knitting ladies will be there too, info on her etsy page link above)

So even if you are a summer loving knitter like me, it is a happy week for working with wool  (can I have an uh-huh) and suddenly there are new patterns and books popping up temptingly, daily,  and... if all that isn't jolly enough, this weekend is the NY Sheep & Wool Festival in Rhinebeck , NY, which is the State Fair for Knitters. (But better.)

 You can find the Mason Dixon Knitting ladies, Kay and Ann, signing their new Field Guides in the booksigning barn - along with me and my Drop Dead Easy Knits co-authors and a slew of folks you'd like to blab with. Full schedule here. Get your sweater on and say hi!

book review & giveaway: Knitless by Laura McFadden

So, I was going to tell you how I'm not so much of a big stash person.....

I made the photo above-not the cover-and the photography in the book is NOT by me- but nice and colorful!

Then I decided to  set up this shot and basically, all I did was grab a couple of bags that were within reach of my desk. Not, like, the only bags of yarn in my office.  I realized a lot of yarn has accumulated.....let's just say, I do indeed have a stash.
  Laura McFadden's crafty book Knitless: 50 N0-Knit , Stash-Busting Yarn Projects  is full of ideas for us. Some  projects are quickies, some take time and concentration.  She is an experienced crafter in many media, so she brings in paper arts, jewelry, embroidery, coil and coin rugs, macrame--and more that mix it up. Nary a knit or crochet pattern in here. Perfect opportunity to stretch your craft muscles a little while using up yarn that is lying fallow. 

photos courtesy of Running Press, from Knitless

Some projects offer a technique or idea that you can roll with, like the yarn covered bicycle, or a yarn-bombed chair that has pre-knit/crocheted recycled components. Love, love, love. (Warms my CraftActivism heart).  Some give you ideas to use yarn gobbling elements, like pompoms--I'm thinking the PomPom Covered Slippers would make a great gift, and fun in the process, as well.

Other projects are more "Make and Take"--detailed instructions to make a specific item, complete with templates for re-creating the piece, exactly.  This kind of crafting isn't my jam, but it has huge appeal for those who want to try a new craft successfully,  and when you want a project you can claim as done by the end of the day.   Coming off of making a book with 28 projects in it, all knitting, I tip my hat to the author for putting together fifty projects with clear instructions and photos. 

No Knit Quick Scarf photo courtesy of Running Press, Knitless

This is a book I'll keep on the shelf for a day when I feel like messing around and making something but I'm not sure what.  The No-Knit Quick Scarf  (above) is so simple it's crazy- I have seen a cheapo version in a store and loved it. I can imagine it with a leftover single skein of something delicious like Malabrigo Rasta. 

String Art Lamp photo courtesy of Running Press, Knitless

What else might I be creating from in here? The 70-'s retro string art lamp brings back memories of trying this with my mom--I didn't have much patience at the time, mine was a disaster.  I'm so tempted to try again now in my more, um, mature  version of my craftng self.

GIVEAWAY !  Want a copy of Knitless: 50 No-Knit, Stash Busting Yarn Projects by Laura McFadden? Leave a comment below, by midnight September 20, 2015.  
Since I am still using the frustrating yet free Blogger platform, you'll need to include or spell out your email (as in MeATcraftqueenDOTcom) or else Blogger will make you impossible to reach.

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This book was sent to me by Running Press, the publisher. The above review  (unless you just skipped to the giveaway and if so--shame on you) is my unbiased opinion. If I didn't like it, you wouldn't be reading about it.

The blog tour for the book continues , here's the run down:

9/15 Pretty Things

9/17 She Shoots Sheep Shots

9/18 Knit and Nosh

9/19 Knitty Gritty Savings

9/20 ZakkaLife

9/21 Lorelei’s Blog

9/22 CraftGossip Knitting

9/23 Wendy Knits

9/24 Cut Out + Keep

9/25 Think Crafts!

9/26 Our Daily Craft

9/27 The Crafty Princess Diaries

9/28 Delia Creates

book reviews & giveaway #1

I could go on about the gifts I'm cranking against time, or my Shell Seeker wanting a scant 3 inches of the hem re-knit, to be finished 4good and 4ever....but instead, December is a fine time to review books and do giveaways.

They've been piling up. Why is there a baseball there? I don't know...the stitching?

So..off we go 
 
50 Sunflowers to Knit Crochet & Felt
I’ve mentioned how much I admire the multi-talented Kristin Nicholas --I was a fan of her knit designs long before we became friends. I’ve visited her farm. I can tell you, she is the real deal.  

a sheep behind the house, and a bedroom-from my visit in May 2012

Artist, designer, farmer, decorator, photographer--all of it. She is one of few people I begrudge my sheep photography admiration (hardass I am). Her house isn’t a fake set just for the photo shoots, it really is her world. You may know she also grows and sells fields of sunflowers--and thus the inspiration for this book.

Kristin's felted sunflowers in her field.

This book is just what the title says--Kristin’s come up with 50 different sunflowers for us to create,

Although the title doesn’t let you know that there are also instructions to knit, crochet and otherwise embellish robins, ladybugs, leaves, butterflies, even a polka dot crocheted vase in which to stick your handcrafted flowers--all in her gorgeous color sense. There are also 15 projects to make, from decorative wall art to useful small gifts (washclothes and baby rattle) to cool home items (mailbox and door wreath).

It feels like a bounty-- I’m tired of books that only have a couple of ideas and streettttttttch them thin. Kristin’s book is the opposite. 

As always she is generous with the instructions, the technique, with a playful layout and excellent photos. Class act, this one. The only reason I can bear to give it away? She sent me an extra copy just for that purpose. I have this idea I’m going to make flowers to embellish holiday gifts this year. Better get cracking? yeah yeah, I know...
I'm giving away this book by mail , leave a comment below, by 6 am Saturday morning December 7th , with  your email address* or your Ravelry name.  I’ll choose a winner by random number generator.

(added 12-8-13  giveaway is over-thanks!!!)

___Stop by again soon, I'm going to keep reviewing and giveaway-ing all month.__________ 
*my blogging platform doesn’t reveal your email address with your replies normally, so I need it. if you are worried about it attracting a ‘bot scanning for addresses, feel free to leave it as JaneSewAThotstuffDOTCom  ok? Thanks

gift ideas + book reviews + footnotes

Annotated. Because who doesn't have a few more words on the subject....
My fellow knitters & crafters! Unless you're casting on a chunky quick project*, or demonically speedy, it is time to put down the needles and step away.  Shift the focus.  A promise of the handmade, perhaps?
These three from PotterCraft. They do good books. **
So you're short a finished project?  A bookmarked page with a promise of the item in January is a loving gift.  Infinitely preferable to snarling at your dear ones "Don't even TALK to me, dinner, uh NO,  I NEED to get this done...."***
To help you along , here are reviews from my opinionated self:
 Bruce Weinstein**** totally nails it in his new book, Boyfriend Sweaters. He delivers  on his premise: rock solid designs for guys that anyone would want to wear.  Including straight non-metrosexual guys.  And you. And, um, me. All sized for, and modeled by, both genders. This is the rare knitting book that keeps disappearing in my house.  I've had "wouldja make me" requests from it, across 2 generations and two genders and their friends, ages 17-55. That's a pretty good road test right there. The sweater above was 1st choice from 3 people.***** I'm all over this one. Maybe I'll make it for Dave and then steal it sometimes.Here's another one. Win-win-win. Props to Jared Flood's photos, too, for the commerical yet natural catalog-ish appeal. 
I hate knitting fitted sleeves for myself but I really really want a Z sweater. The whole alphabet is charted. Love it

Warm Knits, Cool Gifts from Sally Melville and her daughter Caddy Melville Ledbetter also gets my thumbs up.  It has a broad range: baby knits, accessories, sweaters, xmas type things, cute kid knits, anafghan. A keeper, but I have to admit, it's been here most of the year, and I haven't knit anything from it.

Then I offered Giuliana , who appreciates my knits in the most endearing way, a sweater of her choosing****** I pointed her at my shelf of knititng magazines and stack of books.

She chose this Center-Paneled Vest / Sweater , which I'd totally overlooked. Oversized, interesting front hem shape with shirt tail in back, nice drapey neck, and knit in worsted weight but with a center panel of fingering weight yarn. What a fun way to incorporate a skein of something too special for socks, right? I'm looking forward to casting on for it. 
I kind of love it as a vest, too. Extra snaps to the book for the Flatter & Fit comment boxes along the way.

Next category: handknit dolls & toys. Love 'em. Almost never make'em. When my fabulous niece Ariana joined me at Rhinebeck this year, the one thing she wanted most was to cast on for stuffed animals, her fave kind of knit. So, I have the perfect gift for her:

A Kuku Doll kit. (This is Bella).  When Lisa , of The Creative Warehouse had me teach last month, she brought a bunch of her dolls as subjects. They are adorable, and come in every ethnic mix imaginable. If you have a multiracial family like mine, you perhaps have spent some fruitless hours looking for sweet non-caucasian dollies?  Lisa and a partner  have a very cool social initiative business, with the knitted/felted dolls available for purchase, or as kits & patterns to make them yourself.  Read more about the Dolly-Mamas here.
Then, there is this new book

Knitted Farm Animals by Sarah Keen
There's a lot to like inside. The animals are not twee, in fact some are downright soulful.
 
If I were a good granny, I'd be knitting this for Zoe. She loves her some sheep. (Me? Responsible? M-a-a-a-ay be). Instead, the book'll go to Ariana as well, and she can be a good cousin.******* In case you're wondering if I've slacked off the gift knitting, compared to other years, the answer is, sort of. Details when all done and delivered. I'll show you what I'm knitting today though. It'll be done later, I'm sure.I't's that reversible variation of Fishermans Rib stitch again, related to the Decibella pattern. This is a smaller, dialed down, more subdued cowl. I'm  thinking of it as Sottobella. Pattern soon.
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* A few chunky cowl projects you can whip out between now and 12/25:  Decibella, WhamBam, PuffDaddy,  Bulky Mobius Cowl...those are just a few, add yr faves in the comments, please! (yes I am on a cowl bender, thankyouverymuch)

** My last book with PotterCraft, Craft Activism  still makes an awesome gift for anyone who appreciates handmade. (Just saying).  They sent me the books above, for review.

***Not that I've done that myself...in the last 2 weeks.

****Bruce Weinstein has also published several cookbooks, and shares his homemade nosh at his book signings. Whatta guy.

*****Unfortunately, I had to trot out the "nuh-uh. not knitting sweaters for anyone on size 4US needles" clause..

******As long as the pattern called for size 7US or larger needles. See above.

*******Is this offloading guilt? Maybe. Works for me. What's your strategy?

weekend index

Disclaimer: the Hipstamatically presented images below are from 2 weekends ago--not  from the weekend under scrutiny in the text. Me running around working non-stop for two days looks nothing like this.  Have you not heard of artistic license? 

This summer I'm shooting for an institute in Vermont. It's not  crafts or knitting related, in case you were about to ask.  I'm back from the first of four trips up there there in the Green Mountains, getting it underway. It is a fabulous client to work with.  Wanna know how it went?

# of knitting projects I brought along: 1 (I am serious about finishing this shawl)

# of degrees hot , in F,  or more, almost the whole time: 90  (hello? Vermont? wtf? )

# of % humidity: 99.9999

# of times I thought maybe fine mohair wasn't that attractive to handle : 0 (Can you tell I really really want to finish the shawl)

# of people attending this institute: 1100

# of languages being spoken: 8

# of conversations or interactions I am allowed to have in English: 0

(by the end of the summer I will be able to say "No worries! I am the photographer! Please make believe I am not here and continue what you were doing!" in all eight languages.)

# of these languages I can sort of communicate in: 2

# of times I stood looking at people dumbly, waving my hands saying um, uh, ummmm , AGGHHHHH : how high can you count?

 

# of stitches I knit: zero

# of pages I read before falling asleep, exhausted from trying to think in many languages while also concentrating on the photo shoot: : 1.5 (Zeitoun by Dave Eggers. Highly recommend! *)

# of days before I head back up there: 4

* Curiously this is the second book I've read in a row in which a flooded southern city is the major force in the action. This one is non-fiction, and in New Orleans but in some ways feels less real than Ann Shayne's engaging novel Bowling Avenue. Go figure!  But read them both.

goods & curiousities

Around here, darkness is landing with a cold thud mid-afternoon. Even if you don't celebrate the major holiday happenings in all their green and red and santa clausness, it's pretty easy to be charmed by twinkly Essex CT. (Did I mention pubs?)

along Main Street Essex

 Even for someone like me, a reluctant shopper. So, this week's photo heavy Monday: a visit to the Goods & Curiousities Store at The Griswold Inn.

 

 

It's full of cool stuff. These things for example? They look like little sculpted/carved paperweights (what do we need to weigh down, anyway?) but they're made of graphite. You draw with them.

 

That's sister Lulu on the right, by day she's the Director of Retail operations at The Gris.*  And on the left, Ann Weaver of Weaverknits, indie designer and knitter, on day 3 of an intense east coast book tour. Which might be why she looks slightly crazed. She's really not. You can see my Craft Activism presence to the left.

 

Ann & I had a showroom upstairs from the shop for the day.She brought knit kits,and handknits, I brought photos and cards. We both had books, samples ,and a lot to say.

  

I know you want a closer look at these pieces from the shop. 

Made from vintage newspapers.

 

Nice way to pass a December Sunday. Plus, I got some knitting on a gift done. If you wish you hadn't missed us, Ann's knit kits (with indie yarns and patterns) and both our books remain at the shop, in a corner with some other woolly items, like fleece lined slipper boots from recycled wool clothes, and hats.

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* Consider that full disclosure, nepotism and all. But I wouldn't bother to blog about the joint if I truly didn't think it was special, and worth a look. I'm not that kind of blog.

rhinebeck: better late than....

Photo Heavy Monday would be Photo Heavier today if the new cheapo card reader hadn't immediately broken and corrupted a 2 gig card full images from Rhinebeck. Luckily I had a few on another card from the NY Sheep & Wool Fest last month.

 

This year's hats on my friends from New Haven- LOVE the fat sequins.

 

Nanney Kennedy's Seacolors yarns from her Meadowcroft Farm. 

 

None of the setting's beauty but all of the fun I had with Ann & Kay of Mason Dixon Knitting.

 

Sister Lulu and I found this amazing B&B at the last minute, right on the Hudson in Tivoli. 

(from the Lulucam) It was less a fawncy B&B, more a visit to an eccentric auntie who last left the premises in 1942. In a word, fabulous. Although unconventional: I had a direct view of the Hudson- and a jar of home canned pickles as a bookend.

I spent a great deal of my time at the Craft Activism table in the author's area.

with great company like Craft Activism contributors Kirsten Karpur

and Ann Weaver, helping me show the Fussy Cuts blanket while I continue to flap my hands

Happily I was right next to Anna Hrachovec who shares my hand skillz. I LOVE her MochiMochi work.

Gnomes vs Snowmen!

 

I finally met Laura Nelkin (in her Iota capelet) ! She is so tiny- she seemed so much larger on Twitter, where we've become friends. This photo also demonstrates that restraint in color and a natural palette is a better choice than...what was I thinking? An explosion of color in my attire.  Note to self: please knit some solid headbands. Please.
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thanks to my sister, Linda Hali Zucker , for documenting the action in these photos in the authors area or this would be a Photo Slim post!