Getting the Spring issue out can be problematic. Designs are selected in early November, and completed projects need to reach me by early January This means that the designers will need to incorporate their projects into their holiday plans. I generally start getting emails before Christmas wanting to know if the photo shoot can be pushed back. As often as I remind designers that they need to factor in extra time for mailing as the postal service isn’t quite as efficient during the holidays, I generally have to spend more time than I like on the USPS website tracking packages. This issue was particularly trying as the Canadian Postal service went on strike on November 15th and didn’t end it until December 17th. That made it tricky getting yarn to our Canadian designers—lots of emails and last-minute changes solved those problems. The due date for garments was January 8th and several designs that had been mailed in plenty of time were in limbo and spent days traveling around to various post offices before arriving here. (A major snow/ice event here in Kentucky didn’t help things. Mail service was suspended for six days.) Unfortunately, I am still waiting for the Juniper Berries Cowl by Cindy Dell which accompanies the Learn Something New article on adding beads. Cindy knit two samples and both are still “in transit,” one since December 27th! When both arrive, I will hold onto them until the next photo shoot and update the photographs currently in the pattern.
The Stitch Anatomy topic is Analyzing Lace, and this topic inspired many of our designers. Mary E. Jacobs, the author of the article, designed a lace sampler which has 14 (!) different lace patterns. The Louis and Zélie shawl is magnificent, and it was one of the garments taking a tour of post offices. Mary Beth and I were so relieved when it finally turned up. Deborah Breland designed the Charlotte on the Beach shawl for her daughter’s wedding in Hawaii. The yarn for the Horseshoes and Lozenges shawl eventually reached Nancy Lekx in Canada in time for her to knit the shawl. Moonshine by Debbie West incorporates beads into lace.
Donna Estin discusses chart compatibility in the Special Topics in Design article, and other designers took up the challenge with their sweater designs. Lewes accompanies the article. Check out and prepare to be amazed by Auburn, Spinnaker and Alaska Sky.
I tried out crocheting for several years before switching allegiance to knitting, so I am familiar with filet crochet, but Mary Forte’s article on Filet Knitting opened my eyes to this possibility in knitting as well. The Drifting Flowers coverup perfectly illustrates this technique.
You will find many other patterns and articles of interest in this issue. I have bookmarked some as holiday gifts next for next year.
Do take a look at Erika Zambello’s charming article on calling cards. Her calling cards are pillow birds, and I asked if she would write up a pattern for them. I had planned (before postal strikes, holiday mail delays, and weather concerns) to ask our designers if they wanted to contribute one or two for the photo shoot. It was a good idea, but best-laid plans and all that. Now that this issue is out, and I have tons of scrap yarn, I think I will work up a few. If anyone wants to work one up, please send photos!
I’d like to finish up by reminding everyone of some upcoming events. The KAL is now in full swing. It isn’t too late to join. If you missed the Launch Party, you can watch it on Fiberchats YouTube channel. The next KAL zoom parties are on February 1 and 15th. You can register for them on our website at this link.
Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the Next Level Knitting Conference on April 4–6. Take advantage of Early Bird registration by using this link. To see the class list and teacher biographies use this link.
I’d like to thank Mary Cherrey for braving a snow storm and frigid temperatures to help me with the photo shoot. It was just the two of us as Jan Yon is in Australia enjoying summer weather.
Email me with suggestions, questions, comments, and complaints at aholladay@tkga.org. Also, please share your efforts with us on social media! We would love to see your projects and add your photographs to the patterns. I’ve listed ways to find us below. (Thanks to Donna Estin for managing our social media, in addition to everything else she does!)
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