…to guess the UUFO, that is.

When we last saw it, it looked like this:

Now that same bit of knitting looks like this:

It is neither a baby bootie or a tit bit. But both of these guesses are on the right track. All shall be revealed whenever I actually manage to give it away.

Author: Judith Durant
Publisher: Storey Publishing
Rating:
Buy Never Knit Your Man a Sweater on Amazon.com

I don’t know about y’all, but I am a big, BIG believer in the boyfriend sweater curse. Thank goodness for this book. Especially because this book is not only chock-full of projects for boyfriends, but also friends, fathers, and brothers.

The cover of the book declares that it contains “22 handsome projects for every level of commitment,” which is completely true. What it fails to mention is that it also contains projects for every level of knitter. Just starting out with either man or knitting? Go with the Check Him Out Coasters or the Burger and a Movie Scarf. Ready for the next step? Try the He Met My Parents Vest (apparently vests are not sweaters) or maybe even the Bells Are Ringing Cardigan. There is no “how to knit” section, but the necessary techniques are explained in the back. Complicated cable patterns are given in both written and chart form.

Many of the projects are variations on timeless classics. Beginning knitters in particular might find this to a valuable collection of pattern essentials: basic socks, hats, mittens and sweaters. A few of the sweaters would look more at home on Fred Rogers than say, Freddie Prinze, Jr., but most of the patterns could be knit for a man of any age.

Continue reading… »

I just wanted to pop in and say thank you for all the kind words, positive thoughts, and prayers that you guys sent towards me and my family. They must be working, because the latest news from the doctor is that several of my dad’s tumors are shrinking! Yay!

On the knitting front, it’s getting to that point in summer when I pretty much stop knitting because…HOT. I live in a stuffy attic apartment with three large west-facing windows and two well-meaning but highly insufficient air conditioning units. My options for staying cool are basically: live at the office, which has been taken over by hostile, mutant lemons, or sit as still as possible, as far from wool as possible, and try not to sweat too much.

I will post progress photos as there is meaningful progress, but I will also be taking this opportunity to finally post reviews of some of the many, many knitting books I have acquired over the last year. Stay tuned!