Give Knitting!

Heifer International (www.heifer.org) is an organization dedicated to ending poverty and hunger in the world through sustainable giving. The theory is that giving a way to make a living is a more successful way to help those in need.You can purchase plants and animals that will be given directly to families in need as a "living loan." Every family and community that receives assistance promises to repay their living loan by donating one or more of their animal's offspring to another family in need. This practice ensures project sustainability, develops community, and enhances self-esteem by allowing project partners to become donors.

This year, the Knit Nook wants to raise enough money for a Heifer Knitting Basket--two llamas and two sheep that will help four struggling families earn a living wage. From shearing to spinning, weaving and finally to selling woolen goods at market, the gift of a Knitting Basket will help struggling families earn extra income to break free from the grip of poverty and hopelessness. Over time, as that gift multiplies and more animals are passed on to help others in need, entire communities will be warmed by the precious wool of a Knitting Basket.


A Knitting Basket costs $500, but we have faith in the generosity of knitters and know that we can do it in time for Christmas!

And when you give a gift, you'll get a stamp on your Frequent Buyer Card! It's just our way of saying Thank You!

Please click here to find out more about Heifer!

A Wedding on the Way...

Ross asked Whitney to marry him and she said yes! Congratulations!

Let's Hear it for the Boys

I've noticed that a lot of guys have been coming into the yarn store lately. I know what you're probably thinking: you've seen guys in the yarn store before. In fact, you brought your boyfriend/brother/husband/father to the yarn store and he stayed all of five minutes before high tailing it to the coffee shop next door.

But that's not what I'm talking about. Lately, there have been more guys coming in and buying yarn for themselves. Because they are knitting! I know, I know. I shouldn't be surprised. Wasn't knitting all about the boys hundreds of years ago, all about manly bearded fishermen repairing nets and knitting socks? But there does seem to be an alignment of the stars. Last week we had more men than women in the shop actually shopping for yarn and two of the guys were on crutches.

The time just seems right all of a sudden. First of all, Son of Stitch and Bitch is here. Not only are there tons of guy-friendly patterns, but quite a few of the designers are men.



Another thing bringing male knitting to the forefront is Brooklyn Tweed who has really taken off as a knitwear designer. The sweater du jour (besides the ever-knitted Central Park Hoodie) is the Cobblestone (from Fall 2007 Interweave Knits). Cobblestone has just enough to keep it interesting, but is less fussy than other sweaters that my husband would positively refuse to wear. Knit in the round, this sweater is also super fast! Here's Wendi's husband Jim modelling his. (PS: he's also a knitter!)







And speaking of Brooklyn Tweed, Whitney knitted his Hemlock Ring Blanket out of Debbie Bliss superchunky cashmerino. What a great idea to adapt a doily pattern for a lap blanket!







But not every guy is happy to be at the yarn store. Here's Ruth's baby, Sam. He's enjoying the hand knits, but just not very happy to be at the shop now.

But don't worry, Ruth. There's still plenty of time to raise him into a fine knitter!