Spinning Alpaca Yarns

A few months ago, I was asked to contritute to an anthology called “65 Things to do When You Retire.” Editor Mark Evan Chimsky had seen my articles on my boomer blog, Tips for Boomer Years, about turning passions to profits and he asked me if I would like to write something for his upcoming book.

I’ve written on this blog a few times about how to turn your passion for knitting into profit by building a knitting business. This process can basically be used no matter what your passion in life might be. 65 Things to Do When You Retire contains articles by writers from many different fields and the result is a wonderfully comprehensive book to help you make the most of your retirement years.

The spring sunshine in warming the back yard and my thoughts always turn to gardening. It seems to me that many knitters, even avid knitters, turn to yarn crafts more in the fall and winter (maybe
knitting Christmas gifts?) In the spring, we like to be outdoors, soaking up the sunshine and creating in our garden.

Lovely Knits for Little Girls, 20 Just-Right Patterns Just for Little Girls is by UK based knitwear designer Vibe Sondergaard. In her work, Sondergaard focuses on creating
contemporary patterns which provide durable comfort, combined with pretty details and nowhere is this more evident than in her newest book. In the introduction to the book, Sondergaaard says she hoped to combine her love of knitting, children’s wear and photography into one book and I would say she’s greatly exceeded that hope. The designs for the knitting patterns are beautifully showcased by the romantic feel of the project photos.

Sweet Shawlettes, 25 Irresistible Patterns for Knitting Cowls, Capelets, and More, is a recently published book of beautiful and fashionable knitting patterns by designer Jean Moss. If you want something special beyond the usual shawls and cowls, this book is for you. Sweet Shawlettes by Jean Moss just recently was published this January, 2012 and would make a unique addition to your knitting library. I would recommend it for either intermediate or advanced knitters.

Knits of Yore is A Close Look at Some Curious, Perplexing, and Estimable Knitted Objects from the Past 200 Years is a beautiful new DVD about this history of knitting. Susan Strawn presents poignant stories about the knitted pieces, downloadable PDF files for medieval baby mittens and knee-high lace stockings, plus she demonstrates how to interpret different knitting techniques of the past.

Circular Knitting Workshop: Essential Techniques to Master Knitting in the Round is 330 pages packed with detailed instructions, tips, beautiful photos and patterns. It’s just like having the author offer you a workshop in the comfort of your own home. It is probably the most comprehensive book you’ll ever see on knitting in the round, using both circular and double pointed needles. I would highly recommend it as an addition to your knitting library.

Thinking of starting a backyard flock? Free Range Chicken Gardens explains the basics of raising chickens, plus design tips and strategies for creating a chicken friendly yard, where you and your birds can happily co-exist. I wish I’d had this book when I got my chickens. It would have saved me lots of trial and error learning.

If you’re a fantasy or science fiction fan and you love to knit, Knits for Nerds by Toni Carr is the book for you. Thirty knitting patterns inspired by popular shows like Star Trek or movies like Harry Potter. Knit Lieutenant Uhura’s sexy Star Trek minidress or a Secret Beaded Bag like Hermione’s. Patterns you can’t find anywhere else for your next sci-fi convention.

Classic Elite Quick Knits, available October 18, 2011, is a beautiful knitting pattern book from Classic Studio Yarns, containing 100 patterns for wraps and scarves,  hats, gloves, mittens, blankets and toys for the little ones and much more. This book is a follow up to their best-selling Classic Elite Knits and is for knitters of [...]

All in all, All Wound Up is a just what we’ve come to expect from Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. It’s a fun read and the pages fly by. If you’re a person who loves knitting, has a huge yarn stash and is maybe considered slightly odd by all the non-knitters you meet, you’ll identify with Stephanie and enjoy reading about her life and knitting trials and tribulations.