Books, books and more BOOKS!

Y'all are going to get sick of pictureless posts from me... especially since I have even more things to show you, but there is some important stuff in the knitting book world to talk about today!

Those of you that have been around here for a while might remember posts of "swatches" and "secret project." And it wasn't just here... it was in random blogs around the knitblog-o-sphere. Then pictures came out... and more news... and finally Jackie was able to publicly announce that yes, she was working on a book of knitting stitches that would be published in 2007.

Jackie asked a group of knitters she knew to help her make the book swatches, and I was honored that I was a part of that group. I met Jackie in summer of 2006 at Kate's and I instantly just loved her to pieces. She is funny and friendly and has this great laugh that makes you smile. And not to mention that when Jason and Kate took us out on the two person tube thingy and sped us around the lake where I am sure I was crushing Jackie (I weigh twice as much as she does!), she never once complained. So the group of us swatched... and swatched... and Jackie was able to not only keep us organized and happy, but did so in the midst of moving from Boston to New York City.

Yesterday was the official launch date of the book... A Field Guide to Knitting!

The book is a pocket sized directory of 200+ stitches, the general amount of yarn used, and the possible use for each stitch. The best part, though... did you notice I said it was pocket sized? It can go right in your knitting bag!

Now, I've read a couple of things here and there about how these are not new stitches and blah blah blah... and no one said they were. The point of the book is to have a reference that you can readily carry with you so you can utilize it when inspiration strikes. It is a wicked cute book and I am just so geeked out over being a part of the project! Jackie... I am so proud of you!!

Next book to talk about... Soft and Simple Knits for Little Ones. I didn't have a hand in its creation, but Chesley did! She helped design some of the patterns and I've got to say, this book is super super cute. Chesley did a fantastic job! I don't physically have my copy yet since I'm waiting for the release party at The Knitting Experience Cafe on December 1st (my book is there... I'm patiently waiting!), but there are at least three patterns in it that I know I will be knitting up.

And finally... The Knitter's Book of Yarn. I will be honest and say that I have not yet purchased this book for myself- I have flipped through it, and I've read excerpts from it (there was one in the Winter Interweave Knits), but everything I have read about it is incredibly positive. It seems to be a wonderful reference in yarn properties and what kinds of yarn would be good for what kinds of projects. The neatest part to me, though, is that Amy has a couple of patterns in the book!

I'm super psyched that three friends have knitting books out this fall... I'm super happy for Jackie, Chesley and Amy!! I just love you guys!!

So the good news is that I am mono free...

The bad news is that all my other tests came back normal, too. Which means I am back to the "who the heck knows what is causing me to want to sleep 11 hours a day."

So frustrating.

It would figure that just when I have some exciting stuff to show y'all, I am left without a camera. First it was all the snazzy stuff I brought home from Amy's, and now it's a bunch of other new stuff. And no, none of it consists of finished projects... that would make too much sense in a knitblog.

A couple of weeks back, Lisa had a pattern giveaway on her blog... patterns left from the close of Water St Yarns in Hallowell. And I got a couple- a Phildar Children's booklet, a Bernat baby afghan booklet and an old 1950s children's booklet. I love how the stuff in the 1950s booklet is still classy enough for today's children.

Yesterday I got my Ravelry Beta t-shirt which is super cute and fits wonderfully. I love love love it! And I got a surprise package from my Loopy Ewe upstream partner, Dorothy with a pair of gorgeous Monkeys and some fabulous gourmet coffee. She is seriously so freaking awesome- I'm wearing the socks today and have gotten a ton of compliments. They are striped pink and brown and just so great. Perfect fit and perfect pattern. I cannot begin to say how great she is- this is my first swap and I cannot even imagine having a better partner!!

And today I made Loopy Ewe Groupie status... I ordered some yarn to work on a project for my Loopy Swap downstream partner (and no, no more details than that! haha!) and some Trekking for a pair of Monkeys for my co-worker Sandra for Christmas. I was so excited to get the Loopy bag and my Loopy gift- two skeins of Lorna's Laces in Watercolor... Sheri is wonderful!

I did have to go to the doctor today- a few of you knew that I have been sick lately and just really fatigued. They drew blood and will be doing a few tests (anemia, thyroid, bubonic plague...) but my doctor suspects it might be mono. I am 30-freaking-years old and might have mono? Cassie and I have decided that if that truly is the case then I have the dumbest case of mono in history- what with my so active social life and all. Who knew that you might get mono from sitting home and doing nothing special? Ah, the joy.

Hope you'll have a great weekend!

And as an FYI... I've turned on the comment moderation feature due to about 300 spam comments hitting my blog over the weekend. Eat my word verification thingy, you spambots!

One of those newfangled pictureless posts...

The digital camera batteries are dead again... they died 2 pictures into my step-daughter's 8th birthday party. Maybe all the screaming kids scared them into cardiac arrest. I know I was close myself.

I've got one 80s Retro Jaywalker done and the toe done on the second. I've also been working little by little on Tempting and another Odessa. Over the weekend I got the brilliant idea to knit up the Cabled Newsboy hat from SnB with some Baghdad Blue Peace Fleece and let's just say it will be frogged this week. I made it too big and I look like an asshat with it on. I'm trying to convince myself that the Peace Fleece also didn't show the cables very well, so it's not just that my head makes the hat look funny.

Yesterday was the Grand Opening celebration of Spunky Eclectic... an absolutely fabulous place. I've said before how much I love Amy's yarn and fiber... and now I am going to add her store to that list. I got some great stuff but without a working camera, I can't show you yet. Just trust me.

I'm saddened to say that it appears my wonderful friend Dave has decided to disappear from the blogging world. I've linked to his posts here before because he's just such a great guy with such a great sense of humor. Dave... I'm going to miss you!

It's November... the clocks have been set back... the leaves are way past peak (that means they're turning ugly for all you leaf peepers out there). Have a fabulous Monday!