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On the Move…

These past few weeks have been spent helping my mother-in-law, Florence Grossman, relocate from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh. She is now living at an independent living facility, Lighthouse Pointe Village at Chapel Harbor, close to our home. I bet she will have a knitting group started in no time at all! Florence is responsible for making just about every knitted and beaded garment and accessory I own.

I’d love to know what everyone bought at the Festival this year. I hope that you can finish at least one item and plan to show it off at next year’s PJ party with StevenBe. My purchases included two pairs of earrings from Sassafras Creations (which I wear all of the time), Sheepish Creations’ Heather Moors Lace Shawl kit (shown at left, although mine is in gray), and a few other patterns. I promise to wear my finished lace shawl at Bedford in November and at the Festival next year.

Stay tuned next month, we’re adding a product line!

With Warm Regards,

Barbara Grossman

Knittreat Update

We are happy to announce that all of our teachers have been selected for the 2013 Bedford Springs Knittreat: Eleanor Swogger, the design director for Kraemer Yarns, and our very own Kathy Zimmerman will offer classes along with Marge Connelly, Cheryl Geschke, Elaine Smith and Ann Szilagyi.

We’re working on getting all of the info posted onto Knittreat.com, and we’ll have Early Bird registration open by June 1. 

Our Sweepstakes is back … for knitters AND crocheters!

This month, Barb has reviewed two books, and decided they were just too good to keep to herself! So she made them both sweepstakes prizes. Read on for her take on all this fibery goodness, and then see how you can get in on a chance to win a copy of one (or both!) of them:

Nature’s Wrapture: Contemporary Knitted Shawls

By Sheryl Thies

This book is like a breath of fresh air: Sheryl offers a collection of wraps for every season. It was inspired by her daily walks with her neighbor friend. Over several years, they took various bike paths, nature trails, and walked in parks and local neighborhoods. They watched the leaves change with the seasons, observing butterflies, birds, bumblebees and dragonflies dancing across their paths. Shawls with titles such as “Heavy Rain,” “Sandy Beach,” “Orchid,” “Roses” and “Flame,” the garments truly capture the changing seasons.

Twenty shawls are featured in the book, with styles ranging from ponchos to shrugs and wraps. They are shown in a variety of ways to wear them. Rectangular, triangular and asymmetrical, elegant to casual, lacy, beaded and functional, Sheryl has a garment for everyone.

One particularly standout feature in this book is “Sheryl’s Notes.” At the end of each pattern, Sheryl shares a tip for each garment… what needles work best with the yarn suggested, how to wear the shawl or different closure options, for example.

There are patterns for every level, from the beginner to advanced. The patterns seem to be well written with an accompanying chart. I was going to mention my favorite in the book, but couldn’t decide which one I like best. There are 12 that would be my favorite picks!

Crochet
One-Skein Wonders: 101 Projects from Crocheters around the World

Edited by Judith Durant and Edie Eckman

Although I do not crochet, this book is sure to be a big hit among crocheters! Judith Durant has previously published the One-Skein Wonders books for knitters, showing many ways to use your stash. Finally, here’s a book solely dedicated to crochet, with 101 projects to try out.

The projects are lovely, colorful and adorable as well as useful. They’re arranged by yarn weight, with an assortment of items: from scarves to shawls, hats, gloves, socks, yoga bags, purses, jewelry, flowers, baby clothing, doll clothing, home decor and amigurumi. Diagrams of several stitch patterns are included, as is a full glossary of techniques that will help every level of crocheter succeed, from the beginner to advanced.

Hip, boho patterns and even a few timeless vintage designs make me want to get out the hook and give it another try.

HOW TO ENTER THE SWEEPSTAKES: Simply send an email (one entry per person per prize, please) to pghknitandcrochet@gmail.com by APRIL 30, 2013, with the subject line of either “Nature’s Wrapture” or “Crochet One-Skein Wonders.” Please include your name and a phone number where you can be reached. The winner of each book will be drawn randomly from the entries and announced in the May issue of Festival Update.

Festival Update is published by

Pittsburgh Knit & Crochet

P.O. Box 7706, Pittsburgh, PA 15215 / (412) 963-7030

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