Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Another Great Review of The Art of Seamless Knitting

Columnist Pamela MacKenzie for MyCentralJersey.com wrote a wonderful REVIEW of our book The Art of Seamless Knitting. Not only she is a columnist and real estate editor for MyCentralJersey, but she is also an avid knitter and blogs about her knitting passion at www.mycentrajersey.com/institches. There her readers can discover that she's a big fan of seamless knitting and know thing or two about the subject; therefore her review is even more meaningful.

"If you would like to make sweaters quickly, with sides that are even, with as little sewing as possible, then “The Art of Seamless Knitting” by Simona Merchant-Dest and Faina Goberstein is for you. Even I, who have made dozens of seamless sweaters, learned a few tricks in the book. And if you are just starting out on your first seamless sweater, then this book will cover all the basics for you. 
.......There are 11 projects, but I think each pattern is a gem. If you are a beginning knitter, be patient with yourself as you tackle one of these. Let the authors guide you through reading charts, and you may be surprised to find yourself knitting stitches you thought were too complicated...."   
(by Pamela MacKenzie, July 24, 2013)
Thank you Pamela for your review!


Saturday, July 6, 2013

TNNA Columbus 2013 Recap - DAY 3 & 4


Book Signing

Faina and I came to TNNA to introduce and promote our new book The Art of Seamless Knitting. We did a book signing in the Interweave booth on Sunday morning. They allocated one hour time frame for 50 books to be signed and in mere 25 minutes all the books were gone.

We got such a great feedback. It was so great to meet the shop owners. Many of them had stories to tell us on how some of their customers were waiting for this book to come in. It is very gratifying to hear such a positive response from knitters from all over the country after putting so much work into it.



At Interweave booth

After the signing, we finally got a chance to walk the floor for a bit. We looked at the new yarns and started to plan future projects.  Walking the show is always so inspiring. You also meet so many familiar faces. This show was busy, so we said hi to many people only in passing. But it was certainly so nice to chat with Anna Cohen and Jeanne Carver of Imperial Yarn, Carl Koop of Bijou Basin Ranch, Erika Knight, Robyn Chachula, Dora Oherstein, Stella and Alejandro Balian of Abuelita YarnsYsolda  here on her iconic red bicycle, Josh Bennett and oh so many others.

Ysolda

I also met a crochet designer Laurinda Reddig. I've heard stories about her new crochet technique way before meeting her. Keep your eyes peeled on her, you will be pleasantly surprised.


With Laurinda Reddig

In the evening after the show we met up with friends.

With Linda Permann and Faina. 
With Faina and Marly

It was really nice to talk to Martin Storey, a designer in Rowan Yarns. Besides him being a very talented designer, he is very thoughtful and such a nice person.

With Faina and Martin Storey

It wouldn't be a whole picture of a Columbus TNNA show without mentioning the North Market. Everyone at the show always talks about having to have Jeni's Splendid ice cream there. Milk and I are not best of friends so I cannot attest to that personally, but I love going there for the Taste of Belgium. Their buckwheat crepes are just unbelievable. You can order it as a breakfast meal with eggs and ham and vegetables. Mmmm, mmm, mmm soooo good. If you are ever in Columbus, you got to go there and try it.

Taste of Belgium


Friday, July 5, 2013

TNNA Columbus 2013 Recap - DAY 2

Saturday was the day when the show floor opens for all the attendees to browse through the isles full of new, exciting products. This year was busy, and I didn't get a chance to take too many pictures, but Faina and I got at least a quick look at a few of our favorite companies.



We discovered this beautiful silk yarn just by a chance. We drove in a shuttle with the owner of the Treenway Silks who told us about themselves, so we had to go and visit. Their color selection was un-be-lie-va-ble. Gorgeous!


Then as always, there are preview tables to search for new products quickly. Look at that! If you seem to be running out of time to check all the isles, this is a tremendous help. You can make a plan of how to walk to show to manage to see all you need or search for.





In the evening I met up with a few friends. Here I'm with a lovely crochet designer, author and avid runner Ellen Gormley.




To be continued....

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

TNNA Columbus 2013 Recap - DAY 1

Arrived on Friday with an hour and half delay. But once in the Columbus airport, it was all smooth sailing from there. The hotel Faina and I stayed in was nice (always a big plus); even though it was some mile distance from the Convention Center. Not only they offered free shuttle to and from the airport, to my surprise, they also offered shuttle to and from the Convention Center! That was awesome. No long distance walking or wasting money on cab rides. This was definitely a good start to one of the best TNNA shows I've had.

Meeting with Faina in person is always so wonderful. We have so much to catch up on. We started our show by going to the TNNA Fashion Show. Afterwards we headed out to attend one of the most anticipated events for designers, the Yarn Thing's Designer Dinner, hosted by Marly Bird.


Again, she's done it! Every year Marly comes up with something new and exciting. But that's just her, ever so creative Marly. Great number of sponsors came together for this event and presented their new yarns and knit and crochet related products for designers to try and use in their designs. The sponsors are always so generous!  There were many goodies, and here are a few of my favorites.








Gadgets and notions



The Namaste's Jemma Pouch. Namaste has always been a very generous sponsor of Yarn Thing's designer dinner. Thank you Namaste.









Chic*a's Double-Yarn Keeper. Very convenient if you do color work and your yarns get always tangled.









For the yarns, Eucalan's no rinse delicate wash Wrapture by Kristin Omdahl in new jasmine scent.










Lucky few won a free Craftsy class. And yes one of them was me! Thank you Cratsy, I love your classes!

Artist and Graphic Designer, Jill Zielinski of Knitterella provided stationery fun tags. She offers also other accessories in addition to original patterns


Yarns

From Left to Right: Schachenmayr Boston Classic Elite Yarn have provided a variety of yarns, always lovely yarn - this time Finitoby Malabrigo, yummy yarn by  Knitpicks, and last but not least the Red Barn Yarn.

  

New Drew Emborsky's yarn line called IconicSarcastic, and Inappropriate (not pictured) was introduced at the show. Very catchy names, wouldn't you say? Named after what people have described him as such the most over the years.

I hope you had enjoyed a quick review of day one. To be continued.....