January 26, 2010

Happy Knitting New Year! Sorry I have not blogged in a while. But my schedule has been non-stop knitting mania. Ten days after we got back from London and Paris we were off to Miami for the 7-day Vogue Knitting Cruise to Mexico. Over 85 enthusiastic knitters from the US, Canada and Mexico (many old friends), joined Debbie Bliss, Carla Scott and me for knitting classes, non-stop eating, margaritas and fun, fun, fun (see photos right and below). Did I mention non-stop eating? My dear knitting friends from Mexico brought me gifts along with lots of love. In one of my classes we designed blocks for charity afghans that will be in Knit Simple Magazine and auctioned off (check my website for updates). We visited some magnificent Mayan ruins, and got to spend an afternoon at the fabled Carlos & Charlie’s Cantina in Cozumel. I’ve never seen so many tipsy knitters having so much fun in my life. Even the non-drinkers had a ball. I, myself, discovered a drink called a “Dirty Monkey” that had me up dancing with the fun-loving and charming waiters. I don’t know how we got back to the ship. This trip was planned and personally guided by Barbara and Jim Spohn (www.barbara@TravelingTogether.net) who have got to be the world’s best travel agents and nicest people.

When we got back to Miami I got on a plane for Houston and left the next day for a 5 day knitting cruise to Mexico with the Knit At Night Guild of Houston Texas, beautifully put together by the lovely Mary Lee Heald. I’m here to tell you that the knitting ladies of Texas are among the most dedicated and fun-loving knitters that I’ve ever met. The knitting (see knitted block photos, right) and non-stop eating were great, and I got to go back to Carlos and Charlie’s, and surprisingly, they actually let me back in.

When we got back to Houston we spent 5 beautiful days there and I taught at two terrific knitting shops-Twisted Yarns (Eve and Shelly were so nice) and Knitting In The Loop , where the multi talented(yarn shop entrepreneur, attorney at law, purveyor of fine Mexican food, all-around great gal) Judy Amonett, runs the show.  The knitters were very enthusiastic about my new Knitting A Kiss In Every Stitch book. And, we got to eat some fabulous Texas Barbecue and Mexican food.

Then back to New York…for one day, and off to Pittsburgh to teach at Knit One (Ask for Stacey) and lots of new friends. My good pals Jo Brandon and Pam Lamping came down to see me and that made the trip extra sweet.

Then we drove down to West Virginia for Thanksgiving with my father and family, and more non-stop eating (Is there a pattern beginning to appear? Jenny Craig…where are you now that I need you?) It was great, especially seeing my niece and nephews, Tristan, Scotty, and Mason, who is 5 going on 21(he wore me out). Also got to see my dear friend Leigh and her family highlighted by her  1 year old beautiful granddaughter, Jada Page.

Back home to NY and Christmas at my apartment with family and friends, and guess what? More non-stop eating!  If this keeps up I may go from a size 3 to a size 4! (Ho…Ho…Ho).

New Years was special…Mary Taylor flew in from Indianapolis to New York. Mary is the woman who is going to knit every piece from my book “Knitting On Top Of The World” over the next four years (ala “Julie & Julia”) and was to begin at the stroke of midnight, New Years Eve. We launched her start with a party of knitting professional s and personal friends (they heard there was going to be lots of food…We even had cupcakes with marzipan balls of yarn on the top)).  My husband Howard surprised us by writing and playing and singing a parody lyric, “I’m Knitting On Top Of the World’ to the tune of “I’m Sitting On Top Of The World”. The crowd went wild, but I’m not sure about a word he used to describe me that rhymed with “stitch”. It was great fun and Mary began her first project (“Northern Lights”) at midnight to the cheers of the crowd. Mary is a wonderful and slightly crazy lady (and top- flight attorney) who is delighted at the response of so many knitters that will join her in knitting the projects and follow her progress on her website www.knittingontopoftheworldknitathon.typepad.com.

On Jan 3rd Lion Brand Yarns threw an open house party in Mary’s honor at their fabulously beautiful store at 34 W 15^th Street in Manhattan with giveaways to a large and enthusiastic crowd of knitters. Mary and I both spoke, and we invited the crowd to try on all the pieces from the book which I had brought along, and the impromptu fashion show was a big hit. Most of the pieces looked great on all sizes and shapes.  It was a great New Years and Mary and I both teared up when she went back to Indianapolis. It’s easy to bond with someone so lovely and kind.

By the way, check out my website store (www.nickyepstein.com) for my new clasps and buttons. They turned out really nice and should be available by the end of the month.

I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year with lots of wonderful knitting projects. Thanks for making this a great year for me. I’m off to the gym, now! I wonder if I can knit on a treadmill?

Nicky