February 12, 2010

Busy…busy…busy! The Brooklyn Knitting Guild asked me to speak and have a fashion show at the main branch of the Brooklyn Public Library at Grand Army Plaza. It’s a beautiful building and a large group of enthusiastic knitters showed up. It was especially nice being there in that, my husband grew up just six blocks from the library and was there all the time throughout his childhood (he was and is a voracious reader).

The fashion show was enjoyed by all. We used pieces from my Knitting A Kiss In Every Stitch, Knitting In Tuscany and Knitting On Top Of The World books, and the models were the knitters in attendance. The women were surprised and delighted on how well the pieces looked on our “amateur” models of all sizes and shapes. The library also had a full length “magic” mirror that took ten pound off everyone (I wonder where I can get one?). It was a fun evening!

A week later I had accepted an invitation from the gracious Pearl Chin for a book signing at her lovely shop Knitty City in Manhattan at 208 w.79^th Street. Her kind and efficient staff (thank you Phyllis and gang) set up a wonderful evening and we had a question and answer period with a large group of knitters. If you’re in Manhattan, or visiting, you’ve got to get to Knitty City for their wonderful collection of yarns and unique knitting paraphrenalia. It was great seeing a lot of the lovely young knitters trying on the kids hats from my Kiss in Every Stitch book. Another terrific evening, and I got my creative juices flowing sparked by the enthusiasm of the knitters. Pearl also gave me one of her beautiful scarves, that she designs from pieces of vintage kimonos. I love it!

My publisher just released my Knitted Flowers and Crocheted Flowers books in paperback, with beautiful new covers, and a chance for knitters to re-discover them.

I also got some exciting news...Vogue Knitting Magazine has invited Carla Scott (Editor of Knit Simple Magazine) and myself, to host a Vogue Knitting Tour of Italy. The tour is from Oct 13–Nov. 4, 2010 and will visit Milan-Biella-Florence-Rome. The tour is being put together by the incomparable Barbara Spohn of Traveling Together (Details at www.TravelingTogether.net) and from past experience, she orchestrates trips that are economical, classy and fun, fun, fun. I hope to see some old friends and meet some new ones. And for the Florence visit I’ve got some good knitting recommendations (including yarn shops to visit) in my Tuscany book and my husband “Giovanni” Epstein will share some food, restaurant, and wine suggestions. I’m excited! Barbara Frenna, beautifully knit my Etruscan Fresco Vest from the Tuscany book and was kind enough to send me photos of her wearing it on a trip to Italy.

My JHB buttons and clasps are in stores now, and hopefully, will soon be for sale on my website.

Happy Knitting,

Nicky